Today I would like to give you more information about autism by focusing on how a person is diagnosed with this disorder. All of the research that I have done says that the earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be aware of the early warning signs so that your little one has a better chance of growing up normally. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that infants be routinely examined for developmental disorders like autism and be tested no later than 9 months or earlier. As a diagnostic tool, your doctor should administer a developmental screening test and ask specific questions about your baby's development. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially where your youngster is concerned.

• Shortly after birth, a  healthy newborn will gaze into your eyes.
• By 5-6 months, your offspring will smile and respond to you by gurgling, cooing and looking into your eyes.
• Babies usually respond to their name by a few months of age.
• After the first year, your baby will be attracted to an object or event that you are looking at. This is known as joint attention. In addition to this, they will shift their gaze from people to toys, or look towards something that you are pointing at. They will also point to things by themselves and show their toys to you.
• A typical baby  of 8-10 months, will mimic you by copying face movements such as sticking out their tongue, or by imitating sounds that you make,etc.
• Babies show emotional responses to others, they may cry if they hear another child crying.
• By age two, little ones pretend to do the same things that you are doing. For instance, they may pretend to change a doll's diapers, or fix their hair,etc.

• There is an absence of eye contact with you.
• Your infant is two months old and doesn't respond to their name when you say it.
• Your baby constantly focuses on an inanimate object in the room, like a ceiling fan.
• You make a loud sound, and your infant doesn't respond by the time he/she is two months old.
• You play with your baby and he/she doesn't respond nor is there a response to their name between 2-4 months.
• Your tyke doesn't react to you with smiles and sounds by 8-9 months.
• Your child doesn't point to objects, gesture or take your hand to locate a toy by 12-16 months.
• Your little one does not say single words by 16 months or two word phrases by 24 months.
• You have noticed a loss of language or social skills at any age.

Since symptoms of autism vary so much from individual to individual, a baby or child exhibiting some of the behaviors that I have mentioned should be evaluated further by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a neurologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language pathologist, a mental health practitioner such as a psychiatrist, or psychologist, a learning consultant or anyone else who is well versed in this condition. Before making a diagnosis of autism, they need to rule out other medical disorders such as deafness, Retts Syndrome, or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) as well as a few others. By using this type of approach you are more apt to get an accurate and thorough diagnosis, as well as a plan for treatment.

Now for some of the screening techniques that are used.

1. CARS rating scale (Childhood Autism Rating Scale), that was developed by Eric Schipler in the 1970s. In essence it is a 15 point scale that is used by your doctor or mental health therapist to look at your baby's "relationship to people, body use, reaction to change, listening response, and verbal communication." This assessment not only identifies autism in children but it separates them from developmentally handicapped children who do not have this disorder.An effective way to describe behaviors in question would be to make a video of your child.
2. Another screening technique is the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT). This is employed to screen for autism at 18 months of age. Developed in the early 1990s by Simon Baron-Cohen, this assessment consists of a short two part questionnaire; one section for parents and the other for the doctor to fill out.
3. An Autism Screening Questionnaire may also be used which is a forty item scale that has been successfully used with children four years old or older. It evaluates communication skills and social functioning.
4. Last, I would like to mention a screening test that is in development by Wendy Stone at Vanderbilt College for two year olds. It employs one to one observations of behavioral characteristics seen in children.  Three skill areas have been identified as key factors in autism, they are play, motor imitation and joint attention or looking at the same object as their mom or dad.

• Display a chart in a place that is easily accessible to your child, perhaps on the refrigerator.
• Put dates along the top, or anywhere you like and on mornings when he/she is dry add a star, or sticker so that everyone can see it.
•  It is very crucial that all family members, including siblings, give praise by complimenting, hugging, or anything else that you feel is acceptable.
• Many little ones respond well to a point system. Each morning that they are dry they receive a point, after they have accumulated a certain amount, they can be cashed in for some type of treat that appeals to them.
• An older child can keep a record or diary of his/her own, rather than using a chart.

In order for bed-wetting to be completely eradicated, you need therapeutic counseling, as well as behavior modification.  You must be able to understand the underlying emotional issues that caused enuresis in the first place so that they are not manifested in another way. Most children with this problem tend to have  low self-esteem, you have to work on building their self concept.  This will occur when they see that they are getting better.

• Limit the amount of fluids consumed after dinner.
• When your child is almost finished urinating have him/her stop the water from coming to a count of 10. This teaches them bladder control.
• Have your tyke lie on the bed and picture getting up in the middle of the night to urinate if their bladder is full.
• Set up a nightly wake up schedule to urinate.
• Use Wet Stop which is an alarm system that is triggered when a few drops of water are registered on a pad, waking up your child so they can use the bathroom.
• Hypnotherapy has also been used for children aged 5 and older, but it is only successful if the child is motivated to stop this behavior. The therapist gives a post-hypnotic suggestion, telling the child to wake up and go to the bathroom when they feel the urge.

• Put 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp of St. John's Wort
• Let sit for 10 minutes and strain.
• Give your little one 1 cup a day (not before bedtime), for 3-4 weeks.

• Cherry-plum can help a child who is wetting the bed due to stress.
• Combine 4 drops in a glass of water.
• Have your child drink this mixture 4 times a day.

• Give your child 20 drops of  Sweet Sumac tincture 2-3 times a day.
• This product may be purchased at health food stores, some pharmacies, or online.

• Causticum for children who wet the bed as soon as they fall asleep.
• Belladonna for restless sleepers who are bed-wetters.
• Equisetum for adults and children who wet the bed during the night.

• Desmopressin Acetate a promising new drug treatment according to my reference.
• Imipramine HCL is the most prescribed drug for enuresis in children ages 8-12.
• Janimine, Tofranil SK-Pramine for ages 8-12

One last note before I conclude is that many children who have this condition feel guilty, depressed, ashamed and anxious. They are unhappy about their problem and don't like themselves very much. So, please, do not punish, scold or hit them since it isn't their fault and they need to realize this. Harshness only leads to other emotional and behavioral issues.  To quote a Beatles's song, "all you need is love", a little patience, compassion, and understanding to help your child through this troublesome time.

Today I would like to talk about a troubling condition for parents and children alike.  It is called enuresis which is unintentional bladder relief or wetting the bed while asleep.  If you have a little one, aged 3-5, bed-wetting is considered normal and nothing to be concerned about. Usually, the bladder is regulated by a reflex that controls the sphincter and pelvic muscles preventing unwanted urination. More than likely,  bed-wetting occurs because your child has not yet learned to use this reflex.  This is known as primary bed-wetting. If however your little tyke  has learned to control this reflex, and after a few months reverts to this behavior again, it is called secondary enuresis.

• Genetic factors, if one parent had enuresis, there is a 45% chance that the child will be a bed-wetter, if both parents suffered from this condition there is a 75% chance of the child inheriting this problem. This happens because there is not enough of an anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) produced during sleep.
• Bladder size may be a cause of bed-wetting.  If the child's bladder is unusually small, he/she may have a problem holding his water and may have to urinate more frequently.
• Obstructive Uropathy or an abnormality in the structure of the ureter may cause your child to wet his/her pants during the day or night. Consequently, the bladder is unable to hold a normal amount of water and makes the child less able to control his/her urine.
• Urinary Tract Infection or UTI if your child is complaining of burning or pain while going to the bathroom.
• Tonsillar Obstruction if your child breathes through the mouth or snores and is groggy and grumpy in the morning.
• Diabetes may be another physical cause of bed-wetting.

• Stress is an important factor to consider especially if your child has been dry for a long period of time and suddenly begins soiling the bed at night.  Has he/she experienced something traumatic like the death of a loved one, even a pet. Is there a new baby in the house? Have you moved to a new neighborhood so that your child has to go to a new school.  How well is he/she doing at school, has the teacher noticed any changes? Are you having marital problems, or have you been recently divorced?
• Toilet training is a very emotional time, if parents are too harsh, or too lax in their training, a child may revert to bed-wetting. As a parent, do you expect too much of your child, if so he/she may soil themselves. If you were too permissive in your training, perhaps beginning toilet training when your child was older, he/she may have poor impulse control.
• Impulse Inhibition can cause bed-wetting. Is your child able to control his anger? How does he/she act when angry? By not allowing a tyke to express anger often causes daytime incontinence, but may be a factor in bed-wetting. It is not mentally healthy to suppress feelings of anger, grief, rage, etc for adults, let alone children.
• Secondary Gain There are times when a child wants to get back at a parent (usually the mother) and will wet themselves without even being aware that they are doing it. Ask yourself these questions: What does the child get out of this behavior?  How do you as a parent react to this? How do siblings react? Is the child embarrassed wetting the bed? If your little one is not concerned about this problem, he may deriving some satisfaction from it and it will be more difficult to treat. But with patience, kindness and understanding this condition is curable.

Question:  What do I have in common with Brooke Shields, Marie Osmond, Courtney Cox, Lisa Marie Presley and perhaps even Brittney Spears?  Answer:  Postpartum Depression.

Fourteen years ago after the birth of my son, I began feeling sad and exhausted.  I cried frequently, had headaches and heart palpitations and lost my appetite.  While the exhaustion was understandable, the other symptoms were frightening eventually lead me to make an appointment to see my doctor who diagnosed me with Postpartum Depression.

While having a baby can be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life, it can also be one of the most stressful.  Many physical and emotional changes occur in a woman when she is pregnant and after she delivers a baby.  Postpartum depression usually begins within 4 weeks after delivery but in some cases, it can be experienced up to three months after giving birth.  For some women, these changes last a few days, for others they can last weeks or even months after delivery.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

The symptoms of PPD are similar to those of depression and include feeling sad, crying frequently, headaches, chest pain or heart palpitations, loss or gain of appetite, weight loss or gain, insomnia and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.  Someone suffering from PPD may also find she has no interest in the baby or may even be afraid of hurting herself or the baby.

Causes of Postpartum Depression

Although no one knows for sure what causes PPD, it is believed that hormonal changes may trigger symptoms.  Some women may be extremely sensitive to drops in reproductive hormones.  However, other factors such as family history of mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or past episodes of depression may prompt its onset. 

Many researchers believe PPD is directly related to bipolar disorders.  One theory is that new mothers who have dramatic mood swings may actually be experiencing their first bipolar episode, with it having been “dormant” beforehand and triggered by childbirth.  Statistics have shown that of 25 percent of women who have bipolar disorder, it began with a postpartum episode.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose postpartum depression by taking a complete medical history, factoring in whether or not a patient has been previously diagnosed with bipolar or other mood disorder and  asking a series of 10 questions.  These questions are evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.  This method helps them gauge the severity of symptoms and decide on treatment options.

Treatment

Once PPD is diagnosed, there are several treatment options which include psychotherapy and medication.  Some of the newer antidepressants can even be used by women who are breastfeeding.  To prevent relapse, treatment should continue for at least six months or longer for women with a history of depression.  If a woman cannot tolerate or would prefer not to take medication, studies have shown that 12 sessions of psychotherapy resulted significant improvement in functioning and mood.

In 1993 when my son was born, postpartum depression was rarely discussed.  Today, thanks to increased research and awareness, it is recognized as a major health problem affecting half a million women a year, with most able to seek treatment.

Alternative Healing Techniques

Mandalas and Sound Therapy

Mandalas are circular designs containing concentric geometric forms, containing images of deities, abstract designs and color schemes symbolizing the universe, totality, or wholeness. In fact mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel. In Tibetan culture the making of the mandala is more important that the finished product. They are created in dimensional patterns as a visual aid to evoke meditation, reflect emotions to balance the body, mind and spirit. They are presented paintings, sand art or even computerized forms that give them a kaleidoscopic moving forms producing dynamically changing patterns .

Sound Healing

Sound healing works through various techniques and technologies. It uses the energy of sound in order to promote wellness. Vibration has a strong impact on matter, by producing tones or timbres the matter or substance gets affected producing a negative or positive outcome. This effect is called Cymatics.

Both techniques used in conjunction or alone are known to aid in:

pain alleviation
birthing process
anxiety
surgery (used by surgeons and patients)
self consciousness and awareness
meditation and relaxation
dying process
coping with grief process

Please keep posted, on my next article I will include a visual sample of how mandalas and sounds work together.

In this final part of "Understanding Metal Health Tests", I will be covering the fear of stigma of the diagnosed mental patient and mental assessments for children.

Stigma

Although mental illness responds well to treatment such as psychotherapy, prescription drugs and complementary alternative practices, there is still an avoidance to seek help. This avoidance stems from the fear of the stigma that comes with a mental illness diagnosis. The fear of being discriminated against and stereotyped surpasses sometimes the need of healing.

Throughout history people suffering mental conditions are stamped as being violent and unreliable. The mental health patient often faces problems when trying to rent or even seek employment. It is not a surprise that most people exhibiting some form or symptom of mental dysfunction shy away from professional help opting for a life of alienation. Alcohol and drug addictions are sometimes a product of not receiving needed help as they are used as a way to self medicate. It is important to rise awareness as a society and try to overcome the image and negative stigma of mental illnesses. Mental Health America offers a great support group lisiting.

Mental Health Tests for Children

Everyone is at risk of suffering from a mental illness. According to a pediatric update children are especially susceptible. Physical factors (inherited and/or inflicted to the developing fetus) and psychosocial harmful experiences after birth can affect the mental health of children. The mother's alcohol or substance abuse, family history of mental disease or traumatic events such as exposure to violence and neglect, are of great impact in a child's development. Mental illnesses in youth can lead to failure in school or substance abuse and if left untreated can result in life threatening conduct problems such as violence or even suicide.

Mental health tests are available to diagnose and treat autism, ADHD, mental retardation and behavioral/ emotional conditions. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health and learn more about the treatment of children with mental disorders.

Postpartum Depression and Alternative Medicine Treatments

Giving birth is one of the biggest events in life. It is a happy event full of excitement and promises of joyful moments to come. But sometimes the period following the birth of a child mothers go through feelings of sadness and even clinical depression that affect their normal functioning. The bond between mother and child is not developed and this leads to feelings of guilt and anxiety.

What causes Postpartum Depression?

The common causes of postpartum depression are a combination of:

Hormonal changes
History of depression
Marital problems
Financial concerns
Complication during pregnancy or birth
Lack of sleep
Feeling overwhelmed by all the new responsibilities and changes
Feeling a loss of identity

How can Alternative Medicine Help?

Relaxation Techniques

Meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises are some of the relaxation techniques that been shown to reduce anxiety and clear the mind. You can join a class or make use of a CD.

Biochemical Tissue Salts

These are salts that are naturally found in the human body. They can be used as postnatal depression alternative treatments they prevent severe mood swings and regulate sleep patterns.

Homeopatic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies that have been proven not to harm their babies while lactating such as Flower Essences they are gentle but very effective. Herbal Remedies to ease postpartum depression symptoms are:

Ignatia amara
Sepia
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Oats (Avena sativa)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Vervain (Verbena officinalis).

WARNING: Women who are breastfeeding or are suffering from a chronic medical condition should consult a health care professional before taking any herbal remedies.

Also it is always a good practice to not alienate yourself, talk to others and seek help. There is a great group called Postpartum Support International. They offer contacts, classes and resources for moms and the whole family.