One issue that is currently on the rise is cyber bullying. Over 40 percent of kids have been bullied online, according to i-SAFE America, a nonprofit group that educates parents and kids about using the Internet responsibly. The internet, cell phones, e-mail, and instant messaging have made it easier for people to bully each other, from the comfort of their own home. Cyber bullying has produced more bullies than face-to-face bullying normally would. Being able to hide behind your computer screen can make it easier for people to get involved with cyber bullying. There are precautions that parents can take to help prevent their child from becoming a cyber bully or a victim. Parents can keep the computer in a family room, and out of the child's bedroom. Parents can ensure that they always know what their child is doing on the computer, and even put a password or set a time limit for computer use.
Another emerging issue has to do with sex in American culture. Parents need to be aware of what their children are looking up online, what kind of movies they are watching, and what kind of music they are listening to. America's culture has definitely become more open to the topic of sex, and that can make it harder for parents to protect their children from early exposure. Negative messages are being pushed on adolescents and younger girls in a dangerous way. These young girls feel like if they are not "thin" enough or "hot" enough, then ultimately they are not "good" enough. According to research, the sexualization of young girls and women has been linked to eating disorders, depression, and low self-esteem. Also, it hinders the ability for young girls and women to develop a healthy sexual self-image.
After talking about young girls being exposed to sex, the last emerging issue that I have picked is teen pregnancy. It is not only the young teens affected by teen pregnancy, but also their families, and most importantly, the child. The biggest risk for teen mothers is delaying prenatal care, or for some, not even receiving prenatal care at all. Also, teen mothers are at a greater risk for having complications in their pregnancy.
There are precautions that parents can take to try and prevent teen pregnancy. Ultimately, it is up to the teenager to make the right decisions but by effective communication and support, the parents can ensure that they are a positive influence in that decision making progress. Parents need to be clear about their own sexual values and attitudes. Parents need to talk with their adolescents early, and often, about sex and they need to be specific. Also, parents need to monitor their adolescents whereabouts and make a genuine effort to get to know their friends.
This image shows the major brain areas implicated in children with autism. The areas include the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and temporal lobe--particularly the amygdala. Autism may result from the failure of different parts of the brain to work together.Society for Neuroscience - Autism in Children
Autism is defined as a developmental disorder, characterized by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment.
Children who have autism have impairments in social interaction, particularly in their language development. Children with autism tend to stay in the infant-toddler stage longer than children who do not have autism. Parents with autistic children experience unique challenges.
Children with autism might show a unique talent for mathematical skills, artistic abilities, and an excelled memory development. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations for the child and due to the lack of progress, parents may experience disappointment.
Another challenge for parents is that children with autism rarely show affection. Because of this, parents receive little reinforcement for the care that they give. All of the challenges of autism are difficult in general. Adding to that stress, is the reactions and the lack of understanding that these parents sometimes deal with. Autism Awareness is very important, not only for us as individuals, but to make these parents feel accepted, understood, and to ensure support for their well-being.
This article gives more insight into the brain of an autistic child. The information is based on a study of the brain by Marcel Just, Akiki Mizuno and their collaborators at CMU's Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging (CCBI). In their study, they found that the reason that autism is linked with confusing pronouns is not just a word choice problem. Instead, it is a disordered neural representation of the self.
Characteristics of Children with Autism:
Source: Adapted from Behavioral Assessment and Curriculum Development, in R. Koegel, A. Rin-cover, and A. Egel ( Eds.), Educating and Understanding Autistic Children ( pp. 1 32), by J. Johnson and R. Koegel, 1982, San Diego, CA: College- Hill Press.
- The inability to relate to other people in an ordinary manner, including an absence of social smiling, a preference for interaction with objects rather than people, and the absence of distress when a parent leaves the room.
- Language deficits, including mutism, echolalia, non communicative speech, pro-noun reversals, and immature grammar.
- Sensory impairment characterized by over- or under- responding to noise, touch, and visual stimuli.
- Abnormal affect, including extreme or no fear reactions, tantrums, and uncon-trolled giggling and crying.
- Self- stimulation, including spinning self and objects, repetitive hand movements, rocking, humming, and so on.
- Inappropriate play, including self- stimulation.
- Extreme resistance to environmental changes, food, everyday schedule, familiar routes, and so on.
This article is beneficial in answering more specific questions that one might have about autism. It provides information on the common signs of autism, how autism is diagnosed, if symptoms of autism change over time, and the research currently being done on autism.
This article provides information on the three different types of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Outlook of a mother of an autistic child
I am the mother of an autistic child. It is not easy from day to day. I know that with hard work, my son and I are going to be okay. He goes to school and therapy . He works as hard as he can. He fights this thing we call autism. We are proud of our little man. We are turning a negative into a positive. Everyday that is what we do. Our glass if half full instead of empty. And it can be that way for you too. So don't give up. Don't fall apart. We'll all make it though with determination and heart. Our kids are special, and that's a fact. We can fight autism, and get what it takes back.
-Written by Mary Kangas
This video provides interviews with parents of autistic children. We have heard, and read about, autism but these parents live it every single day. During the interviews, these parents talk about the signs of autism that they noticed in their child's development.
Along with the interviews, the video talks about the nonprofit, community-based health agency Easter Seals. Through Easter Seals, parents can receive a free developmental screening for their child, further evaluations if necessary, different types of treatments that are offered, and the child will be put on a waiting list for a diagnostic clinic where the child will be evaluated by several experts. Easter Seals can provide families with a sense of hope, and make the families feel like they are moving forward in getting their child the help that they need.
Source: Adapted from Behavioral Assessment and Curriculum Development, in R. Koegel, A. Rin-cover, and A. Egel ( Eds.), Educating and Understanding Autistic Children ( pp. 1 32), by J. Johnson and R. Koegel, 1982, San Diego, CA: College- Hill Press.
