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How to Know If Your Child Has Autism: The Early Warning Signs

October 4, 2019 by Mandy

Source: Unsplash | Hal Gatewood

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), around one in 59 kids have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sooner a child is properly diagnosed, the sooner they can get the help they need to have healthy, productive lives.

And child autism behavioral signs can begin emerging when a child is only six to 12 months old. However, it’s important to note that most autism specialists won’t attempt making a definitive diagnosis until your child is at least 18 months old.

That’s because until 24 months autism symptoms can emerge and fade away. After that, child autism symptoms tend to become stable.

If you’re wondering how to know if your child has autism, keep reading. We’re sharing the early warning signs to look for.

How to Know If Your Child Has Autism

If you’re wondering, “does my child have autism,” the first thing you should do is understand what autism is. Once you know it’s definition, it’s easier to understand and get the help you need if you do in fact have an autism child.

What Autism Is

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is actually a broad range of conditions. Often a child with autism struggles with the following:

Social skills
Repetitive behaviors
Speech
Nonverbal communication

There is also not one specific type of autism, but rather, many subtypes. There is also no known cause of autism but most medical professionals believe that both environmental and genetic factors contribute to an ASD diagnosis.

Other Health Issues Often Accompany Autism

Often, it’s not just autism that the child and parents have to deal with. Other sensory sensitivities and medical issues come into play such as:

Seizures
Sleep disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders (GI)

There are also mental health challenges that often accompany autism such as attention issues, anxiety, and depression. However, it’s also important to note that each child with autism will have their own set of strengths and challenges so teaching autism child will differ depending on their symptoms and the severity of ASD.

Symptoms and Severity Differs Greatly Between Individuals

Some people with autism are highly skilled while others are severely challenged. Some may need less support and can even live independently while others may always require significant support in their daily lives.

Getting the right help as soon as your child is diagnosed with autism will also make a huge difference in their quality of life and capabilities. Visit Blue Sprig Autism to learn more about what types of help and services are available.

Also, it’s important to note that not all children with autism will experience the exact same or all of the symptoms listed here.

Symptoms of ASD

As your baby begins to grow older, there are certain developmental stages they should reach. However, in children with autism, there will be signs that they aren’t reaching those stages in a timely manner or even at all.

By Six Months

By six months your infant should be smiling socially. You should also notice other types of engaging expressions.

A sign of child autism children this age exhibit is limited or no eye contact.

By Nine Months

By nine months an autism child tends to exhibit little or no sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions with others.

They may not respond to sounds, voices or even the sound of their own name.

By 12 Months

At 12 months, a child with autism may not be babbling or pointing. They also often struggle with showing, reaching or waving as other children should be doing by this point.

By 16 Months

By 16 months, an autistic child will have learned very few or no words. They may also not be showing items or sharing interests.

It’s also not unusual for them to exhibit an unusual attachment a particular object or toy.

By 24 Months

By 24 months, most children can speak two-word phrases. Children with autism often can’t unless they’re imitating or repeating what they’ve heard.

You may even notice that in place of communicating verbally, they replace those language skills with acting out such as crying or screaming to express their needs.

If you notice a loss of skills in your child, it may be a sign they have autism.

Other Signs of Autism

Another sign of child autism is not playing socially with other children. They may also exhibit a lack of empathy for others along and withdraw from social situations.

A child with autism may also exhibit the following signs:

Unusual body posturing or facial expressions
Use an unusual tone of voice
Avoid eye contact or have poor eye contact with others
Experience behavioral disturbances
Have a lower level of language comprehension than other kids their age
Learning to speak is delayed
Speak in a flat or monotonous tone of voice
Socially interact in inappropriate ways
Struggle with picking up on social cues
Struggle with a learning disability
Be preoccupied with specific topics
Repeatedly use the same words or phrases
Have difficulty with two-way conversations
Have odd reactions when in social settings

An autism child also may show self-abusive behaviors such as banging their head against a wall or repeating the same movements.

What To Do If You Suspect Your Child Has Autism

The earlier a child is diagnosed with autism, the more quickly they can receive help for their symptoms. If you feel your child exhibits some or many of these symptoms, the first step is to have your child’s doctor evaluate them for ASD.

If you see symptoms before six months, see your child’s pediatrician. Even if they’re still too young to be diagnosed, they can still be evaluated for developmental delays.

If your pediatrician suspects autism they can refer you to a developmental pediatrician or a psychologist specializing in ASD. Always trust your instincts since parents are known to be good at picking up on early signs of autism.

Keep Learning and Get Support

Learning how to know if your child has autism starts by educating yourself. The next step is to get the right support system in place.

Find doctors you trust and respect. Search for communities of other parents who have autistic children and learn from them.

We can help. Our site has an open discussion available to talk about the joys and struggles of parenting. Keep coming back to share your thoughts and learn more.

Should You Pick a Midwife Over Your OB-Gyn?

September 20, 2019 by Mandy

The first time you see those two lines on a pregnancy test stick, it’s time to make decisions. How you are going to save all the money? Who is going to be the OB-Gyn? And the best places to stock up on all the baby stuff. Perhaps the most important decision parents have to make is choosing between a midwife and an OB-Gyn.

Doctors perform deliveries in hospitals while midwives arrive at your doorstep and turn your home into a makeshift birthing center. Midwives are also more available as they visit the family multiple times before the big day and thus bonding with the mother. Hospitals, on the other hand, are more equipped to handle emergencies that may occur during childbirth.

Advantages of Doctors Over Midwives

When it comes to childbirth, most people still choose hospitals and doctors instead of midwives of home births. There is no denying that being in the hospitals provides more confidence as you know they are equipped to handle emergencies. The following are a couple of advantages of choosing a delivery performed by a doctor as opposed to home births.

Doctors Are Prepared to Handle Emergencies: The biggest reason why doctors are preferred over midwives is that they are qualified to perform emergency procedures such as vacuum births, C-sections, and forceps deliveries. Midwives are neither qualified nor legally allowed to perform these procedures. This means if there is a complication during a particular home birth, midwives usually rush the mom to the nearest hospital.

Doctors Have More Experience and Knowledge: When it comes to childbirth and the knowledge of medicine, doctors are more qualified. This helps the would-be mother feel more confident about the entire setup.

Advantages of Midwives Over Doctors

If your delivery is uncomplicated and natural, then there is no beating the personal care and experience of a qualified midwife. They prepare your home, they support you and coach you through the delivery, and they eliminate the need for rushing to a hospital. Midwives are also quite experienced, especially if you hire them through a reputed service provider such as Hearth and Home Midwifery. The following are 6 advantages midwives have over doctors.

They Are Less Likely to Do Anything Risky: As mentioned earlier, midwives are not legally allowed to perform procedures such as forceps and vacuum deliveries. This can be a blessing in disguise. A lot of injuries to the mom and the infant happen due to these emergency procedures. For instance, Erb’s palsy is a lifelong condition of partial disability of the arm that happens to infant and that occurs primarily due to forceps deliveries.

Midwives Remain Available and Provide Personalized Attention: If you are looking for a friendly advisor who will stay long hours before and after the pregnancy, then there is no beating a qualified midwife. Apart from providing assistance during childbirth, midwives remain available and answer questions and provide helpful tips and services.

They Are Open to Take Your Preference and Comfort into Consideration: Midwives are almost always more flexible and they take your inputs very seriously. Whether you want a water birth or want your baby delivered in a particular room, they are always ready to accommodate. Midwives also create an atmosphere where you feel empowered. They also pay extra visits as per your request before and after the delivery.

They Provide Essential Services After the Delivery: Right from placenta encapsulation to providing infant care facilities, midwives stick around after the birth to provide assistance and guidance to the new mom. Having assisted many births, they know how to solve commonly arising problems and offer helpful advice to make the parents feel more confident.

They Are Easily Accessible: Doctors have hectic lives. So much so, that they often remain unavailable. It’s not uncommon for doctors to leave for out-of-town conferences and seminars. This means if you need your OB-Gyn to provide advice and assistance, he or she might not be available. Midwives, on the other hand, remain available and make house calls on requests.

They Are More Affordable: One of the main reasons why people often choose home births performed by midwives is because they are cheaper than hospital births. While a home birth can cost around $3,000 a hospital childbirth can easily fetch a bill of over $10,000.

What Happens If Things Go Wrong?

Most experienced midwives often call ahead to inform the hospital that a pregnant patient is being transferred. They also follow an emergency protocol to swiftly transport the patient to a hospital if things do go wrong.

Why Some Mums Are Using Infant Goat Milk Formula Over Alternatives

September 16, 2019 by Mandy

Do you remember the last time you explored the formula aisle of your local supermarket? The variety of options from different brands is astounding. With such a dizzying array of choices, decision paralysis can strike. You naturally want to provide your child with the best possible nutrition available but what can you do to make an effective decision?

Logically, the best way to clear your mind and decide with confidence is to seek more information. To this end, here we will explore one of the increasingly popular formula variants, namely, infant goat milk formula. For those who are unfamiliar with the impressive benefits of this product, you may be surprised to learn more about it.

With that, let’s dive right in and look at why some mothers are using infant goat milk formula over other alternatives.

Different Nutritional Profile

Goat’s milk formula has some minerals and vitamins in greater quantities than are found in conventional cow’s milk-derived formulas. For example, selenium, vitamin A, and niacin are more plentiful in goat’s milk than in cow’s milk. These elements are essential for the proper development of your child’s brain as well as their immune system. Goat’s milk formulas also contain 30% more magnesium and 35% more vitamin C than cow’s milk formulas.

While the nutritional profile of goat’s milk is not as balanced as conventional cow’s milk formulas, the baby formula versions are typically fortified with extra quantities of iron and vitamins to make up for this deficiency. If you do choose to use goat’s milk, be sure to read the label of the product you are planning to use to ensure that the amounts of vitamin B12 and folic acid are sufficient to meet the dietary needs of your child.

One big advantage of goat’s milk formulas is that they often contain natural sources of pre and probiotics. Some of these even resemble the substances found in breastmilk which makes them a great choice for those who are trying to wean their children away from the latter. These substances are important for the development of healthy gut flora in your child. Healthy gut flora is necessary for boosting your child’s resilience, building their immune system to fight pathogens, and warding off serious illnesses later on in their life.

Good For Lactose Intolerance

Many babies have digestive systems that cannot tolerate the lactose found in conventional cow’s milk-derived formulas. In these cases, goat’s milk can surprisingly step in as a nutritious substitute.

This is likely due to the fact that goat’s milk formula contains a different protein composition than cow’s milk. What upsets your infant’s formula is the specific proportional mix of casein against whey found in cow’s milk. Goat’s milk has a slightly different balance of these substances and has been shown to be easier to digest for lactose-intolerant infants.

Get An Informed Opinion

Goat’s milk formula can be an integral part of a balanced and healthy diet for your infant. Continuing to learn more about the basics of your child’s nutritional needs and the best way to meet these through alternatives like goat’s milk formula is the hallmark of a great parent.

If you have read through the above and are intrigued at the advantages that goat’s milk formula can bring to your child, consult with your family physician to determine if this is a good idea. While most children will be able to enjoy the benefits without incident, it is always a good idea to seek an informed medical opinion before making significant changes to your diet.

How To Keep Your Child Happy & Learning

September 10, 2019 by Mandy

From a young age, your child looks to you for support, comfort, and love. As the parent, it’s your job to ensure that they’re not only well taken care of but generally happy or content and always learning.

You have the ability to influence and impact what information your child takes in and how their home environment is configured. Therefore, do your best to create a cozy and inviting space where your child can laugh, learn and play without feeling any pressure. Read on to discover ways in which you can ensure a nice upbringing for your child and that they remain happy and open to learning as time goes on.

Consider Schooling at A Young Age

Your child is at their best when they’re young and curious about all they encounter and what crosses their path. Therefore, consider schooling your child at a young age using the montessori method. Take time to go online at www.mosaicmontessori.ca and read more on it if you’re interested about using this approach and want to know more about what they’ll learn in the classroom.

Play with Them

One way to keep your child happy and learning is to commit to playing with them. Spend quality time together laughing and being silly on a regular basis. Be patient with them as they learn and grow and be willing to teach and guide them to getting more familiar with their surroundings and toys. Playing is one of the most important actions you can take with them starting at a very young age and that you can continue doing as they grow and mature.

Remain Positive

Your child will take cues from you and your demeanor as they develop and grow. Therefore, it’s important that you maintain a positive attitude in your interactions with them. Smile, find your inner child again, and help them along the way when you see them struggling. Continue to encourage your child in all that they do and let them know you’re proud of them.

Cultivate A Sense of Teamwork

Your child doesn’t want to feel like they’re all alone in trying to discover more about and maneuver through life and their environment. Therefore, be by there side and cultivate a sense of teamwork to show you care. Help them out and teach them so that you two can get on the same page and learn and grow as individuals together.

Remain Flexible

You can also keep your child happy and learning throughout the years by remaining flexible with your approach. The reality is that not all children will reach certain milestones at the same time so you have to remain patient. Flex to your child’s development and do what you can to keep them feeling encouraged and prepared for the next steps in life. For instance, if you’re playing with or teaching your child a new skill and find that they’re frustrated then be willing to take a break and step back instead of pushing them too hard.

How to Choose a High School for Your Child: 7 Things to Consider

August 29, 2019 by Mandy

As a parent, you want your child to go to the best high school you can find. That might be a public school or a private one, or it could be an entirely different type of educational structure altogether. The high school years are important ones as they help prepare your teen for college and life beyond. You might find that your local high school is a great choice, but you might not.

As a parent, it’s your job to learn how to choose a high school, including answering questions like, “is secondary school the same as high school” (secondary school encompasses grades 6 – 12, while high school is usually only grades 9 – 12) or “how much to pay someone to pick up my child from school” (the school bus is likely a small fee or the city bus can also be used for an affordable price).

As you can see, choosing a high school requires some thought so use this handy guide to help you make your decision.

Teachers are an Important Factor When You Look at How to Choose a High School

First, let’s settle the question of “what is secondary school?” It’s grades 6 – 12, so your child can attend high school at a secondary school, even if it’s not where he or she attended middle school (grades 6-8). Whatever high school you choose, whether private or public, the teachers are the most integral aspect to consider.

You want your child in classrooms with engaged teachers who have a passion for helping your student learn and grow. A diverse faculty is also a good sign that you’ve chosen a good high school for your child.

Examine the Academic Programs that are Offered

Before graduation, your child will be tested to ensure that they’ve learned everything they need to move on to college. It’s therefore, a good idea to be sure the school offers advanced placement classes or honors classes that do a good job of teaching the material that appears on these tests.

You also want a school that offers a diverse list of clubs and sports to engage your child’s mind in different ways and help them decide what they want to do later in life. Remember, that a private school that charges tuition isn’t necessarily a better choice than a free public school. Keep your mind open as you look into each of the options on your list.

Find Out Whether Your Child Needs a Test to Get In

In some places, children must pass a test to get into high school. For example, in Australia, children take the Selective High School Practice Tests, which help the administration decide which classes that child is best suited for. In America, tests like the MAP test or the Cognitive Abilities test are helpful in deciding if advanced classes are appropriate for the student. These tests are a helpful way to be sure your child is getting the most of the high school years.

Visit Several Different Schools Before Choosing

Your child is probably asking you, “what high school will I go to,” and that’s a fair question. If you aren’t sure a local high school is a good option, it pays to let your child know that you haven’t decided yet, then make some appointments to visit some of the schools you’re considering.

Meet the teachers, tour the campus, learn about the teaching style and check out the opportunities available to your child. Weigh how he or she will get to and from school, how much you might be responsible for paying in terms of uniforms and supplies and of course, which one feels like the best fit for your high schooler. Take notes so you can remember which aspects you liked and disliked from each school so you can use that information to make an educated decision.

You Definitely Want to Pay Attention to School Size

Bigger isn’t always better and that’s especially true when you’re choosing a school for your child. In some cases, your high schooler may thrive in a big environment with lots of available opportunities. On the other hand, your child might do better in a smaller school where the teachers can offer more one on one time.

Consider your child’s personality as you determine whether a big school is better than a smaller school. Introverted students may do better on a smaller scale, while extroverts will likely do really well in a large high school.

Decide if the School is Designed for the High School Brain and Body

Many parents make the mistake of assuming that high school is just a stepping stone to college. While it’s certainly one part of the process, that’s not all you should expect from the high school years. The adolescent years are a time of incredible growth.

You want their high school to recognize the importance of sleep, stress relief, peer mentoring relationships, positive risk-taking, and healthy adult guidance. Without these important factors, your high schooler might not achieve as much as he or she is capable of during these years. Be sure the curriculum, schedule and expectations align with a high school student’s development for the best hope at the results you want to see.

Have a Look at College Attendance and Graduation Rates

What percentage of the student body graduates and goes on to college? These are important things to consider when figuring out how to choose a high school. High rates in both areas are indicative of a staff that cares about student success, as well as a curriculum and set of opportunities that motivate students to succeed.

These numbers shouldn’t be the only thing you consider when choosing a high school, but it definitely pays to know what you can expect so you can decide if the school’s vision and mission align with your child wants to get out of life after high school.

Research Pays Off

When it comes to how to choose a high school, research is essential. Looking at all aspects of the school, its faculty, facilities, and extracurricular activities will help you make the best decisions for your child(ren).

Check out Serendipity Mommy for more great advice on raising your kids, including going to a new high school. We’ve got something for every mom, from those with newborns all the way up to those getting ready to launch their little ones.