Last updated 2 years ago
The warning signs for autism begin in the early months of life for most children. With careful attention to your child’s behavior, you should be able to see signs of the disease as early at 5 months. In this video from Howcast.com, you will learn what some of the major symptoms of autism are and when you should look out for them during your child’s development.
For more information about autism, consult a doctor. If they are diagnosed with autism, STAR Autism can provide services to your child, yourself, and to your family that can promote healthy growth and development for everyone. Visit our website for more details.
Last updated 2 years ago
Some motorists love to drive, but they can’t imagine having the chance to do so at NASCAR. But bicycling enthusiasts have no need to dream.
On April 30, cyclists of any ability will be able to follow in the tire tracks of world-famous riders like Lance Armstrong as they ride the annual Cruisin’ the Conejo bicycling event.
The 27-year-old Cruisin’, which takes riders through some of the most beautiful parts of the Conejo Valley, always sells out. The number of entrants is limited to 2,000.
A series of routes of varying lengths are designed for bicyclists of all abilities, from first-timers to those who would love to shadow the footsteps of cycling’s greatest athletes.
“Cruisin’ the Conejo has become one of Los Angeles’ signature spring athletic events,” said Adam Winer, president of the nonprofit Conejo Valley Cyclists, the ride’s sponsor. “We’ve planned a ride that will appeal to all cyclists, from beginners to kids to the most experienced.”
Winer said the event’s appeal is due to the area’s scenic beauty and rider-friendly bike paths.
The cycling club, which has grown from 70 members to more than 400 in three years, donates all Cruisin’ profits to a variety of charities.
Cyclists can sign up for one of five different rides, from a modest 21-mile run through Hidden Valley, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks, to more challenging 35-, 62- and 68-mile routes that take riders through a variety of terrain.
The longest route capping the event is an aggressive 101-mile trek up Mulholland Highway, past the famous Rock Store restaurant, down Decker Canyon and into Hidden Valley. Much of this ride follows the same one taken during last year’s final leg of the Tour of California ride.
To encourage young cyclists to join in, a special 12-mile children’s ride is designed for ages 9 through 15 at a reduced fee.
Unlike other competitive rides, the fee for Cruisin’ also includes a barbecue lunch.
For the first time, riders can sign up the day before the event to try out one of 150 bikes provided by manufacturers including BMC, Cannondale, Felt, Giant and Scott.
“We continue to strive to make Cruisin’ the best bicycle ride in Southern California,” Winer said. “In terms of value, beauty, camaraderie and sheer enjoyment for anyone who rides, we think we’re the ones to beat.”
Online reduced- fee registration ends April 28. For more information, go to www.cvcbike.org.
Source: The Acorn, Thousand Oaks
Last updated 2 years ago
STAR is pround to be apart of the the more than 25,000 Angelenos who gathered at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena on Saturday to participate in the annual Walk Now For Autism Speaks event. The family-friendly walkathon takes place in 90 cities across the country to raise awareness for the syndrome and funds for more research. Before the walk had even started, event organizers were reporting that donations already exceeded last year's Los Angeles contribution at $1.3 million, according to ABC7. By the end of the walk, the figure was over $1.4 million and counting. The event provided a strong counterpoint to the isolation that parents often feel when caring for a child with autism. Former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, who has a child with autism, was there to sign copies of his book "Not My Son!" Peete said to HuffPost: The biggest thing about autism is finding support. When you see the crowd out here, family members and friends advocating for a child suffering from autism, it's amazing. Ten years ago the crowd wasn't like this. The awareness wasn't there. There's a real epidemic going on, and families sometimes don't know where to turn or where to go. Autism Speaks and events like this create opportunities for families to talk to people and share their stories, so they don't feel like they're alone. When Bob Wright, vice-chairman of General Electric, and his wife Suzanne founded Autism Speaks in 2005, it was estimated that 1 in 166 babies born would be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. According to the CDC, the rate has since accelerated to 1 in 110. Nowadays, autism advocates are juggling two roles: raising money for research to prevent the syndrome, and making sure that the therapies and resources for autistic children and their families are easily accessible. Last Saturday's walk was one step closer to finding a cure. e your latest update or article here to cast it to all of your destinations.
Source: The Huffington Post
Last updated 2 years ago
Although autism is a lifelong condition, there are many treatment strategies that allow people with Autism Spectrum Disorder to make developmental gains as well as become more independent. Here is some information about what options for autism treatment exist and what basic changes can be made to help minimize symptoms.
Part of what is important in treatment is to create a predictable schedule that children with autism can adapt to. This leads to behavior modification because the child’s behavior becomes part of the treatment routine. Effective treatment routines will consider the child’s interests and actively engage the child in learning new behaviors. But treatment focus will change over time—for example, younger children will focus on mastering any skills in which they have deficits, while older children will have to focus on life skills and practical matters. As children perform the desired behaviors successfully, they are rewarded in order to reinforce those behaviors. This is known as applied behavioral analysis.
Communication therapy is also important for children with language difficulties. While some of these patients may never develop complete language fluency, treatments are available to help them achieve a sufficient level of communication abilities. An example of this would be speech therapy for children who have poor verbal abilities. Another example is the use of picture exchange communication systems (PECS), which allow autistic people to communicate using pictures instead of words.
Diet is believed to have a role in regulating symptoms of autism. Many people believe that eliminating gluten (found primarily in wheat and grains) and casein (a protein found in dairy products) is key to controlling many symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, there is very little scientific evidence to prove this.
For more information on treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including the ones discussed above, contact an autism specialist at STAR. We specialize in helping children with autism and their families find ways to overcome the difficulties associated with autism and achieve developmental growth. For more information on our services, visit our website today.
Last updated 2 years ago
Autism is a disorder that affects social and communication development. While autism is somewhat common, many people don’t know very much about it. Here are five facts that everyone should know about autism.
1. Autism diagnosed on a spectrum
Autism is also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) because there are varying degrees of the disorder. This means that there is a wide variance in the symptoms and impairments experienced by autistic people. It is also common for autism to appear with other disabilities as well.
2. Different types of autism
There are three types of Autism Spectrum Disorder. People with Autistic Disorder (“classical autism”) experience language delays, difficulty in communication and social settings, and odd behaviors or interests. Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autism that doesn’t impair language or intellectual difficulties. Finally, people with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) experience only some mild symptoms of autism.
3. Diagnosis is complex
People can observe the symptoms of autism without having a formal diagnosis. However, consulting medical professionals is required for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Evaluations of autism are usually conducted by a team of professionals including psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and speech therapists.
4. Autism may be genetic
Research shows that if a child is autistic, then his sibling has a 3-6% chance of also being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is about 100 times higher than the risk in families where no children are autistic. However, lack of extended family histories make it difficult to show definitive links to genetics.
5. Autism can be controlled
While there is a lot of controversy over whether or not autism can be cured, treatments can curb the symptoms of autism, including behavior modification techniques, applied behavioral analysis, regulating diets, and different forms of therapy.
For more information about autism or services that can help your autistic child, contact STAR Autism. We provide comprehensive services for autistic children and their families, including children behavioral services, family support, and school-based services. For more information, visit our website today.
