Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Early signs of Autism

Autism has been defined as a neurological disorder that affects the ability to communicate and interact socially with others. Science and research have determined that genetics, environment, and other variables with the individual's immune system may be the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The Centers for Disease and Control report that 1% of the children in the United States or approximately one child in 91 will be diagnosed with an autism disorder. There are four times as many boys diagnosed with autism than girls. ASD can range from the mild, moderate to severe symptoms that can be detected in an infant as young as nine months old with a pediatric specialist.

Early Detection

Parents will notice specific developmental delays with their infant that will concern them. The most common worry reported is that their child doesn't turn toward a sound or respond when their name is called. Children with ASD will struggle with eye contact, smiling, or having an interest in facial expressions. They don't babble sounds at 12 months when interacting with their caregivers. Language delays are noted at 18 months as children should have a two word response by 24 months.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians evaluate children for autism beginning at nine months. Specialist's report that the earlier a diagnosis of ASD is detected will increase the likelihood a child will have normal growth and development. Developmental screenings will help physicians monitor delays and refer the child for a specialty assessment and treatment.

Interventions

"The environment in the early years has an active role in shaping the brain," says Geraldine Dawson PhD a leading autism researcher and director of Autism Center at the University of Washington. "What we see in autism may be partly the result of not engaging with the social environment. So if you engage the baby through an intervention you might prevent or at least reduce the development of autism symptoms."

There are several locations in Wichita, Kansas area that utilize early childhood specialists for screening children that are displaying symptoms of developmental delay. These resources can also help parents with daily living skills, parenting and behavior management for their ASD child. Parents should seek answers to the questions that they have about their child's development at Rainbows United, Heartspring, Kansas School of Medicine, Prairie View and Comcare to determine the care that their children would benefit from.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Simple acts of kindness can revitalize your relationship

Creating a healthy relationship with someone else starts with knowing yourself. Your attitude is the key to understanding yourself and the world you live in. It's up to you to make the mental shift from a negative to a positive perspective which allows you to see the possibilities in your life. "Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

Sara Blakeslee of Marriage and Family Therapy Institute said, "Your should be in touch with your emotional side and be able to communicate those feelings in a constructive manner." Most people are looking for a trustworthy companion who they can spend time with and have fun with. Sometimes the small, daily challenges in a relationship can have you focusing on the problems instead of the positive aspects of your relationship. Blakelee's new book, 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great, gives simple steps on how to enhance your marriage or relationships. "Expect less, get more; give incentives and rewards; have daily briefings; implement change; an keep costs low, benefits high." Another suggestion the book states is to build communication with the use of "affective affirmation" or speaking nice and affirming words to your spouse. This positive interchange will initiate the necessary alteration that can transform a relationship instantly.

Simple acts of kindness can rekindle feelings of love, respect and admiration in a relationship. "It's not about the elaborate trips or expensive dinners," motivational speaker Jay Forte explains. "Rather life becomes an event when you pay attention to the details that show you care." Celebrate your relationship this week by recreating your first date, pull out old photos to recall fun memories or dance to music from your dating years. Surprise your partner with filling up their car with gas, unloading the dishwasher or purchasing a book by their favorite author. These thoughtful gestures let your partner know you are thinking about them and display the behaviors that say, "I love you."

Monday, April 12, 2010

Money management and marriage

One of the most difficult things to agree on in a relationship is how to manage the finances. In most relationships one person is responsible for budgeting and paying the bills on time. Blended families have a more complex system with additional burdens of child support, alimony, and future college bills to consider. Louis Scatigna author of The Financial Physician believes that couples should manage their money together. He states that the best option is for the couple to sit down monthly to discuss bills, savings and investment options before writing checks. Sharing the financial burden will help the couple shift from "adversaries to teammates who can strategize, motivate, and hold each other accountable" for the spending.

Another advantage is that the couple could work together to set realistic goals. Unrealistic expectations can create conflict or make a partner feel like their goals are being sabotaged. The couple should create goals they are both motivated to accomplish. This can be a savings account, family vacation or to purchase larger items like an automobile. If one person is controlling the finances it can create a parent-child dynamic. Kansas State University's Institute of Personal Financial Planning, Kristy Archuleta says, "to rebalance, the parent character has to cede an equal amount of power and responsibility to the child in the relationship, so that they are both acting more like adults together."

Each couple should have an established dollar amount that they are allowed to spend without consulting their partner. This can allow the individual to purchase items that are important to them without creating conflict with the partner. Dr. Scott Haltzman author of The Secrets of Happy Families says,"Successful relationships are based on the establishment of trust, and a spend-first/apologize-later strategy feels like a betrayal." Couples could also create their own accounts for discretionary spending for those purchases that are separate from family goals.

When raising a family there always seems to be more needs than there is money available. We need to learn how to break the cycle of spending beyond our means of income. "The people who really have the financial lives they want understand themselves on the inside first," says Brent Kessel author of It's Not About the Money. First ask yourself why you want the item. Determine if it is a "want or need". If it is an impulsive purchase Kessel suggests you ask yourself why you want the item. Then let the impulse pass so that you avoid creating any feelings of remorse or grief. Learning to establish financial boundaries and maintain your long term financial goals will help maintain a healthy marriage.