About this episode
Shawna Kemp is an occupational therapist that has worked with autistic children for over 13 years. We will discuss why autism is now affecting 1 in 54 males and 1 in 67 children (as of March 2013). We want to give you information about what signs to look for and treatment options. Autism can be completely turned around in many cases, but early intervention is key. Transcript Click here to view the full transcript for #13 Detecting and Treating Autism with Shawna Kemp. You Will Learn... Causes of Autism, Signs of Autism, Treatment of Autism, Nutrition for Autism, Education options for Autism, Importance of Detox, Seeking Help. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the nation, according to Autism Speaks, an autism science and advocacy program. At present, about one in 67 children has the disorder. Most of them are male. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, recognizing symptoms early is crucial, and checkups at 18 and 24 months should include "developmental screening for autism spectrum disorders for all children." Knowing the signs can help identify a problem early. Those signs include lack of eye contact, repetitive behavior, including spinning, arm flapping or lining objects up; developmental delays, especially in speech or motor skills; a preference for playing alone; and odd eating behaviors, according to the Mayo Clinic. Parents should be observant of their children in case any of these signs emerge. Looking at typical developmental milestones and making sure your child is staying on track with motor, communication and cognitive development is an excellent idea. Begin your quest to figure our if there is a problem if your child is not speaking at the same time as other children. Do not rely on the often quipped saying, "Children just develop at different rate. Don't worry." Parents should request a developmental evaluation with a speech-language pathologist or an occupational therapist as soon as they suspect their child is not developing normally. Even though most doctors wait until a child is 3 to issue an official diagnosis, parents can help their children earlier. Shawna and I will help give you the information and tools you need to get your child evaluated for free by your county or city. The earlier you intervene, the better the prognosis for your child to develop normally and integrate into kindergarten or first grade with their peers. Do not wait. After you listen, please comment below and tell me what you think... If you're enjoying the Live to 110 podcast, please leave Wendy a review in iTunes. Thanks! Are toxic metals causing your fatigue and health issues? Find out by taking Wendy's Heavy Metals Quiz at metalsquiz.com