What is Autism Spectrum Disorder ?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. With the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.

 

ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. Autism Speaks continues to fund research on effective methods for earlier diagnosis, as early intervention with proven behavioral therapies can improve outcomes. Increasing autism awareness is a key aspect of this work and one in which our families and volunteers play an invaluable role. 

How Common Is Autism?

Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.

ASD affects over 3 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered.

What Causes Autism?

Not long ago, the answer to this question would have been “we have no idea.” Research is now delivering the answers. First and foremost, we now know that there is no one cause of autism just as there is no one type of autism. Over the last five years, scientists have identified a number of rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism. A small number of these are sufficient to cause autism by themselves. Most cases of autism, however, appear to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development.

In the presence of a genetic predisposition to autism, a number of nongenetic, or “environmental,” stresses appear to further increase a child’s risk. The clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth. They include advanced parental age at time of conception (both mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic risk factors, they appear to modestly increase risk.

A growing body of research suggests that a woman can reduce her risk of having a child with autism by taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid and/or eating a diet rich in folic acid (at least 600 mcg a day) during the months before and after conception.  

Increasingly, researchers are looking at the role of the immune system in autism. Autism Speaks is working to increase awareness and investigation of these and other issues, where further research has the potential to improve the lives of those who struggle with autism. 

What Does It Mean to Be “On the Spectrum”?

Each individual with autism is unique. Many of those on the autism spectrum have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music and academic skills. About 40 percent have average to above average intellectual abilities. Indeed, many persons on the spectrum take deserved pride in their distinctive abilities and “atypical” ways of viewing the world. Others with autism have significant disability and are unable to live independently. About 25 percent of individuals with ASD are nonverbal but can learn to communicate using other means. Autism Speaks’ mission is to improve the lives of all those on the autism spectrum. For some, this means the development and delivery of more effective treatments that can address significant challenges in communication and physical health. For others, it means increasing acceptance, respect and support.

7 Celebrities With Lupus Who Prove The Disease Cannot Keep Them Down

She's definitely not alone! On Wednesday, Oct. 7 an interview with Billboardwas released that revealed Selena Gomez has lupus and underwent chemotherapy to treat it. “I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy. That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke," Gomez told the magazine. Though she didn't specify, it's likely she meant the break she took in 2014 when she suspended the rest of her tour and voluntarily checked into rehab. Although Gomez's reveal is new, she's certainly not the only star with this diagnosis, in fact, there are many other celebrities with lupus who can perhaps lend support to Gomez as she gets back on her feet.

The Lupus Foundation of America describes the condition as "a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years." Sadly, there's no cure for lupus, and it can flare up throughout a person's life. It also seems likeGomez's case is particularly bad, because, as the Cleveland Clinic reports, chemotherapy is not often the first course of treatment unless the diagnosis is severe.

But, though she may have the disease for life, it seems like Gomez is dedicated to putting her health first, as evidence by her focus on getting better rather than firing back at people who claimed her rehab stint was drug-related. “I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re assholes,'" she told Billboard. "I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”

And, as she goes forward with her diagnosis, she can take comfort in knowing that her fellow celebs with lupus will likely have her back. Here are some of the people no doubt in her corner.

1. Kristen Johnston

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The Bride Wars star was diagnosed with lupus of the spinal cord after visiting 17 different doctors. She was treated with chemotherapy as well and now has a whole new outlook on life. "Every single day is a gift, and I don't take one second of it for granted," she said to People.

2. Toni Braxton

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The singer hasn't shied away from talking about her diagnosis and the struggles of living with lupus. "Some days I can't balance it all. I just have to lay in bed," she told HuffPost Live. "Pretty much when you have lupus you feel like you have the flu every day. But some days you get through it. But for me, if I'm not feeling well, I tend to tell my kids, 'Oh mommy's just going to relax in bed today. I kind of take it easy."

3. Trick Daddy

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The rapper also suffers from the disease.

4. Shannon Boxx

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The soccer player was on the U.S. National Soccer Team when she began feeling fatigued and was eventually diagnosed in 2007. She now takes medication to control her flare-ups and uses her Olympic athelete platform to talk about the disease to raise awarness.

5. Lady Gaga

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Although she hasn't been diagnosed with lupus, the singer did admit she tested "borderline positive" for the condition and that it runs in her family, so taking care of her health is a top priority. "Lupus is in my family, and it is genetic," she told Larry King in 2010. "The truth is I don't show any signs, any symptoms of lupus. But I have tested borderline positive for the disease. So as of right now ... I do not have it. But I have to take good care of myself."

6. Nick Cannon

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In 2012, the star announced that he had lupus, but he hasn't let his diagnosis slow him down.

It actually drives me. It was one of those things where, even when I first got sick, I told them to turn the cameras on. I created theNCredible Health Hustle and I wanted to document this process because I wanted to inspire others that may be dealing with this condition or a similar condition. To say, you don't have to let it stop you.

He's a definite inspiration for all, and hopefully Gomez can draw comfort in not being alone in her struggle. She's been dealt a rough hand, but if anyone can muster through it, it's her.

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5 Tips for Loving Someone with Asperger s Syndrome

All romantic relationships have challenges and require some work. Being in a relationship with someone who has Asperger’s syndrome (AS) can create an additional challenge, according to psychologist Cindy Ariel, Ph.D, in her valuable book, Loving Someone with Asperger’s Syndrome.

That’s because you and your partner think and feel very differently, she says. And that leaves a lot of room for misunderstanding and miscommunication.

In her book, Ariel provides wise advice and practical exercises to help you improve your relationship and overcome common obstacles. (She suggests keeping a journal to record your responses.) Here are five ideas you might find helpful.

1. Don’t put the blame solely on your partner.

Your partner isn’t solely to blame for your relationship problems. As Ariel writes, “The true problems lie in the blending of two different modes of being. It is not your partner’s fault that he doesn’t understand certain social expectations, just as it is not your fault that you don’t understand how the pipes in your house work.”

2. Learn as much as you can about AS.

If you don’t know much about AS, it’s easy to misinterpret your partner’s actions and think they don’t care about you. Educating yourself on how AS functions can be a huge help in better understanding your partner and feeling compassion toward them.

Individuals with AS don’t process information the same way everyone else does. According to Ariel, research using brain scans have shown differences between the brain structure and shape of people with AS vs. people without AS.

People with AS have a tough time picking up on nonverbal cues in interactions and understanding people’s emotions. They may misinterpret a loved one’s needs. They may fixate on their own interests and appear like they’re self-absorbed and just don’t care about others. Essentially, people with AS see and experience the world differently. But they absolutely do care and experience emotions — again, just differently.

3. Reframe your partner’s behavior.

You might think that your partner knows precisely what you need but purposely ignores it or intentionally does something to hurt you. And when you think your partner is cold and mean, you not only get upset and angry, but you also might view all of their actions and intentions negatively, Ariel says.

Reframing your partner’s behaviors helps you refocus on your relationship and work to improve it (vs. stewing in the negativity). It also might help you come up with creative solutions.

You still might disagree with their actions and feel hurt. But you may better understand your partner and work to move forward.

To help you reframe your partner’s actions, Ariel recommends creating three columns in your journal: Behavior or Situation; How it Makes Me Feel; and Another Perspective.

In the first column, describe a behavior or situation that upsets you. In the second column, record your feelings and why you think your partner acts this way. In the third column, try to think of a different explanation for their behavior.

Say you were upset recently about how your spouse handled you being sick. According to Ariel, here’s how your columns might look:

1st column: “When I was sick in bed for three days, she came in only at dinnertime. She left food without asking how I felt.”

2nd column: “This proves how self-centered she is. She didn’t care that I felt lonely and sad because of our lack of connection.”

3rd column: “She likes to be alone when she feels sick. She thinks asking people how they feel when they’re sick is dumb.”

It helps if both of you do this exercise and can discuss it.

4. Be specific about your needs.

Many of us expect our partners to automatically know what we want. Or to know what we want after the many hints we drop.

In reality, that’s rarely the case. And it’s especially not the case with AS partners. Rather than expecting your partner to naturally know what you want or hinting at it, communicate your needs as specifically and directly as possible.

This can be tricky because you might think that you’re already being very obvious. Here’s a simple example: According to Ariel, you might say, “I’m going out for a few hours. Can you please do the yard work?” To you this obviously means bagging the leaves because it’s fall and they’re everywhere. To your partner, this might mean weeding.

Instead, it’s more helpful to say: “Can you please rake the leaves and put them in the leaf bags by the curb for Friday’s pickup?”

5. Talk about how you’d like to connect with each other.

Because you and your partner experience emotions differently, having an emotional connection also can be challenging. Remember that people with AS have a difficult time understanding and identifying emotions, and they may show very little emotion or express inappropriate emotions. You also might miss displays of deep connection from your partner because you express emotions so differently.

Ariel includes the below exercise to help you and your partner articulate how you can improve your emotional connection.

• Using index cards or slips of paper, write down what you do to help you feel more connected to your partner.
• Next write down at least five things you’d like your partner to do.
• Have your partner do the same and list what they do to help you feel connected and what they’d like you to do.
• Read each other’s cards and talk about how you’d like to connect in the future.
• Put the cards in boxes: one box for what you’d like your partner to do; another box for what they’d like you to do.
• Try to do a few of these behaviors each week, and regularly review your lists.

Even though being in a relationship with someone with AS may add additional challenges, together, you can absolutely learn to better understand each other and improve your relationship.

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How a Person with Bipolar Thinks

This is an interesting question: how does a person with bipolar disorder think? Of course, it’s hard for me to compare it with your average person as I have bipolar. I don’t have the two thought processes in my one brain to compare.

Nevertheless, I do have some ideas on how people with bipolar disorder think that seem to stand out amongst the “normals.”

Obsessive Bipolar Thoughts

Your average person may have obsessive thoughts, now and then, I don’t know, but what I do know is thatpeople with bipolar disorder have obsessive thoughts a lot of the time. These obsessive bipolar thoughts may be a repeating song from the radio, scenarios (such as a suicide scene) or a replaying of events (often negative ones) but obsessive thoughts seem to be the rule rather than the exception.

Note that research bears this out indicating that people with bipolar disorder have higher rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder than the average population.

Extreme Bipolar Thoughts

It seems to me that simply by the virtue of extreme emotional experience, people with bipolar disorder think in the extreme quite frequently. Everything feels like the end of the world (catastrophizing). We’re not upset, we’re depressed. We’re not suspicious, we’re paranoid. We’re not happy, we’re elated. And of course there are all the thoughts that go along with these things. If our boyfriend looks at another girl hemust be cheating. If we have a disagreement with a friend they musthate use. If we’re criticized at work we must be getting fired. It’s not that we don’t necessarily understand these things aren’t reasonable; it’s just that we can’t help the way our brain thinks, the way it leaps.

Not everyone jumps to the extremes, but people with bipolar seem to have that tendency.

Anxious Bipolar Thoughts

Of course, because people with bipolar have jumped to the extremes – usually negative ones – we sure the heck worry about it once we get there. Worried and anxious bipolar thoughts are very common and what’s worse is that seeing as we also obsess, we tend to obsessively worry or feel obsessively anxious.

Distracted Bipolar Thoughts

And then there are all the distracted-, multi-tasking-type thoughts. People with bipolar disorder have higher rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and regardless as to whether you have ADHD, people with bipolar disorder tend to think in ADHD-type ways. We tend to multi-task compulsively. We tend to get distracted. We tend to run away with our thoughts.

Overreaction to Bipolar Thoughts

It’s not very surprising that due to all these odd thoughts, due to all the extreme, obsessive and distracting thoughts that we overreact to situations. If your brain automatically goes to a catastrophe situation and then becomes obsessed with it, it’s really tough to have a moderate response – even when it’s a moderate situation.

I’m sure this frustrates the people around us to no end, but I have to say, it frustrates me considerably more.

People with bipolar disorder are constantly trying to figure out what a “normal” and “reasonable” thought process and reaction would be in any given situation. We’re constantly trying to overcome how our bipolar brain naturally thinks in order to have healthy interactions and healthy relationships. We’re constantly trying to deal with the extremeness of our thoughts internally so we don’t thrust them on the external world.

And this is beyond difficult. Trying to defeat the way a bipolar brain thinks is near-on impossible. Dealing with bipolar thoughts is a full-time gig and an exhausting one at that. But it is important. Because if we don’t moderate our own thoughts and deal with them appropriately, we can’t hope to have healthy relationships with others. And if that happens then all those pesky catastrophes we worried needlessly about will have come true.

Hacking

When you are surfing the internet, a lot of information is being exchanged between the web host and the device being used to surf the internet. This type of information can always be easily breached by hackers, especially if it involves online transactions and this has always been a major issue when dealing with the internet. Nowadays, cases of online theft are becoming increasingly popular. There is one way of determining whether a site is safe to use through an SSL Certificate which is powered by the beauty of cryptography.