Parent’s Guide to Understanding Asperger’s Disorder

Asperger’s Disorder is a devastating development disorder that has its onset in early childhood, in children as young as two years old. Its best thought of a less impairing form of autism (Pervasive Development Disorder). If you’re a parent of a toddler diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder, no doubt you have many questions about this condition and how if affects your child now and in the future. Although it’s not wise to “sugar coat” your child’s impairment from this disorder, please don’t give in to feelings of hopelessness. Just as children with autism or Downs Syndrome live productive lives, the same is true of children with Asperger’s Disorder.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Version Four, Text Revision, Asperger’s Disorder is characterized by the following symptoms:

- Impairment in social interaction as evidenced by reduced non-verbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expressions, body postures, and gestures.

- Failure to develop social peer relationships; the child is uninterested in same-age peers.

- Lack of spontaneous seeking to enjoy bonding with others; the child is uninterested in sharing pleasurable experiences with others.

- Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior such as intense necessity for routine and organization, adherence to strange rituals, movements such as hand or finger flapping, twisting, or rocking.

- The disturbance causes significant impairment in social behavior.

- There is no clinically significant delay in language and communication single words. Unlike autism, children with Asperger’s Disorder have much less social and learning impairment.

Now that you have familiarized yourself with the major characteristics of Asperger’s there are a few more things that you can do to help your toddler cope with the world. Look into getting professional help. A reputable specialist familiar with the disorder can offer advice on your child’s development and a clinical psychologist can work in tandem with your pediatrician to help improve your child’s social skills through therapy and/or medication. When your toddler is of age to begin pre-school, seek the counsel of a special education expert as well, as school is a very social and academic environment.

The exact cause of Asperger’s Disorder is still a mystery, and although there is no “cure” for this condition, there are many behavioral and psychiatric interventions that will help your child achieve a meaningful life.

Aromatherapy For Your Child

Have you ever considered aromatherapy for your child? Sure, pleasing fragrances are great for adult senses, but kids can benefit from the relaxing smells too. A skilled aromatherapist can suggest many blends of essential oils to help sooth the body, mind and spirit of your busy toddler.

In simple terms, aromatherapy is the art and science of the therapeutic use of pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils to improve the health and balance of the skin, the body, the mind and the soul.  Aromatherapy is an “alternative” form of healing and maintaining health that has been practiced for thousands of years.  Medical science today acknowledges the effect of scent on parts of the brain, such as the limbic system, that sparks the emotions of sensuality, calmness and serenity, happiness, and contentment.  These emotions in turn regulate sleep, appetite, pain reduction, reduction of anxiety and depression, and pleasure.

To be effective, essential oils must be 100% pure therapeutic-grade oils that are sold by companies specializing in aromatherapy; beware of concoctions sold at your local mall that may carry the label of being an essential oil, but in reality are merely “fragrance oils.”  Don’t waste your money on this junk.  Go to the Internet and find a legitimate essential oil dealer such as Aromaland, First Essentials, or Soma.

Let’s start with a basic “Children’s Blend.”  About ten drops of the blend mixed with water and heated with a candle lite in your aromatherapy burner serves to calm and soothe hyperactive toddlers.  Choose two of these oils:  Lavender, Geranium, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Mandarin, Neroli (orange flower), Rose, Ylang Ylang, and Mimosa.  Shake your oils until well blended in a small bottle (available via any aromatherapy dealer).  As the calming scent fills the room, your toddler will feel calm and happy.  At bedtime, choose Lavender and Chamomile to make a “sleep blend” that will ease your toddler into deep, healing sleep. Be sure to keep the burner out of children’s reach!

Another favorite among parents with toddlers is the Cold and Flu Prevention Blend.  This is just as effective for adults!  This blend is not as pleasant to smell as blends that use many florals; this is a purely functional blend that does its job.  Mix one teaspoon of Lavender, 1 teaspoon of Eucalyptus, ¾ teaspoon of Ravensara and ½ teaspoon of Bay Laurel.  Shake the bottle well to blend, and try to keep the blend burning all day during cold and flu season.  Aroma therapists have been using Eucalyptus oil for a thousand years to ward off germs and purify the air.

Massage blends are fabulous for toddlers!  You don’t have to be a skilled massage therapist to use these blends; simply rub the blend all over your toddler for a soothing and healing effect.  For massage blends, you will need a “carrier” oil such as sweet almond, aloe, or olive oil.  Never apply essential oils directly to the skin and avoid contact with the eyes and mouth.  The only exception to this rule is Lavender; this essential oil can be applied to the skin without a carrier oil.

Try this wonderful toddlers’ massage oil:  ten drops of Lavender, four drops of Marjoram, 2 drops of Ylang Ylang, mixed with two ounces of a carrier oil.  Shake to blend, and then give your toddler a gentle, soothing massage with the blend.  An alternative massage blend is great for toddlers with colds, aches, or pain.  Use ten drops of Geranium, five drops of Sandalwood, five drops of Chamomile, and two ounces of carrier oil.  Rub the blend gently on the toddler’s chest and back to help relieve congestion.

Would you like to know more about aromatherapy? There are two marvelous books on the market that will help guide you as you create your own blends of soothing smells;  The Aromatherapy Companion by Victoria Edwards, and the classic Aromatherapy Workbook by Marcel Lavabre are both available through Amazon.com.

How Do Allergies Trigger Asthma Attacks On Children

Asthma attacks can put an incredible fear into parents.  The worse part is that when the parents panic, the child also panics.  That is not a good combination for asthma attacks as panicking makes the attack even worse.  Parents often have a sense of hysteria when they witness a child’s asthma attack because they have not educated themselves about the disease.  A little understanding about asthma and its symptoms can calm even the most anxious of parents.

Part of the reason that asthma is so traumatic is because it is often not diagnosed until after the child has the first attack. Once diagnosed, however, there are many medications and treatments that can help an attack after it begins. Of course, most parents would say that they would rather the attack never happens. There are many ways that parents can help prevent asthma attacks in their children.

Once you realize that your child has asthma, start keeping a diary of what brings on the attacks. If you can find the things that trigger the breathing difficulties, you can try to avoid exposing your child to those triggers, thus keeping the asthma at bay. When you start to notice a pattern, talk to your child’s doctor about the things that you think are causing the problems.

For asthma sufferers, a clean environment is of great importance to keep the symptoms of the disease at bay.  Things such as rugs and stuffed animals are major culprits when it comes to triggering asthma symptoms.  While it is not always a plausible suggestion to get rid of these offending items, it is best to keep these items constantly clean.  Many stores sell products that help cut down on the amount of dust in one’s home. The buildup of dust is one of the most common triggers of asthma attacks. Therefore, a concerned parent will make every effort to keep the amount of dust to an absolute minimum.

For severe asthma difficulties, you may need to eliminate the pets in your home, or consider a pet that does not have fur. Fish and other aquatic animals are another good option for asthmatic children. There are certain breeds of dogs that are less likely to trigger asthma and allergies, such as poodles, so consider these options if your children enjoy having pets around.

Mold is a major trigger for asthma. Keeping your home free from mold by keeping the humidity low will help your child’s asthma. If you have a damp basement, try to keep your child out of the basement as much as possible. Absolutely do not allow anyone to smoke in your home.

Cleaning products can cause asthma symptoms to worsen, so consider cleaning when your child is at school or at a friend’s house. This includes vacuuming. Vacuuming your home can stir up dust and other allergens that cause asthma attacks. Avoid using cleaning products with strong odors. Consider installing allergen filters in your furnace and air conditioners to control allergens in the air.

There are two important things you can do to reduce the effects of asthma. The first thing to do is to keep your child’s environment as clean as you can.  This is a preventative measure designed to help your child have the least amount of attacks possible.  The second thing is to keep your child’s asthma medicine, such as their inhaler, readily available at all times.  This way, if your child begins to have an attack, the results can be minimal because their medicine can be administered immediately.

Toddler Practicing Martial Arts

Practicing the martial arts provides distinct advantages for older children and adults.  Did you know that toddler-age children could also greatly benefit from the martial arts as well?  Karate and Tae Kwan Do not only provide toddlers with exciting experiences with other children, but these arts also encourage motor skill coordination, concentration, and self-confidence.  Add these skills with a touch of ancient Eastern wisdom, and your toddler will be learning life lessons that will serve him well in the years to come.

I remember when I first saw the movie The Karate Kid back in the 1980’s. When the movie was done, I turned to my dad and said I was going to learn to do what Daniel-san had learned. The next day, I was headed out to the local dojo with my mom. We had come early and sat on a bench while the class started. I had come for the adult’s class (I was all of eighteen years old then), but the class in session was the junior class for kids twelve and under. The smallest members of the dojo, kids as young as four or five, worked just as hard, if not harder, to imitate their older dojo brothers and sisters. Martial arts for children can be a wonderful self-esteem booster and great exercise. It can also help with motor skills and coordination and improve social skills.

Between the ages of two and five, your toddler is growing in mind, body and spirit.   These ages are distinctly important, as they set the tone for your toddler’s life pattern of behavior.  Childhood development experts recommend that toddlers participate in physical and mental activities to encourage personality growth, physical maturity, and socialization with others.  The martial arts effectively provide these experiences in a variety of ways.

While your toddler is growing, his muscles and bones must develop strength and agility.  Physical development occurs only when a toddler receives adequate exercise that including stretching, bending and muscle-building movements.

Have you noticed how clumsy toddlers can be?  Although they have mastered the fine art of walking, they seem to trip over many things, including their own two feet!  The martial arts excel at teaching your toddler motor skill coordination, precision movements that increase hand-eye coordination and foot/leg movements that help him learn balance and move him past the toddler “wobbles.”

How long is your toddler’s attention span?  How about his ability to focus on tasks until they’re completed?  Is he able to memorize and retain information at a rate appropriate for his age?  The martial arts require toddlers to concentrate and pay close attention to the instructions of the sensei (teacher); to be successful in the martial arts and in their lives, toddlers must learn to listen and thoroughly absorb the lessons.  Your toddler will also learn to focus and follow through on tasks; dawdling and impulsivity aren’t allowed!  The sensei will re-direct your child’s focus to mastering the task at hand; movements that can only be learned by strict focus.  Your toddler will be required to memorize the order and types of movements, performing them flawlessly when prompted by the sensei.  Thus, when he begins school, your toddler will have a distinct edge in learning language and abstract arithmetic skills.

The best things in life are not free. Hard work and discipline get you what you want and help you reach your goals. Unfortunately, toddlers only know that they want everything now. There is no later; there is no waiting. Right away is all that matters. In the martial arts, toddlers get their first taste of reality and learn self-discipline. They learn that they have to take things step by step and master each step before moving on to the next. There are no shortcuts.

Your toddler will learn that unprovoked aggression is never appropriate.  The martial arts are defensive in nature; your toddler will learn that amicably getting along with others results from the self confidence of knowing that he isn’t going to be harmed by schoolyard bullies.  As he bows to his opponent, your toddler learns to show respect to others, increasing his own confidence. His mastery of the martial arts also teaches him that he can succeed in life tasks, thus building a confident, intrepid adult.

Your toddler’s sensei will expose him to the enduring wisdom of Eastern philosophy and the ancient world.  These are the concepts of avoiding foolish and self-destructive behavior, service to others, tolerance for differences, patience, loyalty and caution.

Most dojos these days offer many programs for all age levels. Childrens’ classes abound in nearly every city, suburb and community center. Take your time to find a school and style of martial arts that fits your child and your budget. Talk to the instructors and the parents of other students, sit in on the classes, and watch how instructors teach. If you find a good school, your child will gain invaluable skills that will last a lifetime.

Pets For Children? | Advantage Of Having A Pet For Your Child

Have your ever consider getting a pet for your children? Do you ever hear your child asking for one…
“I promise I’ll feed him and walk him and play with him and love him forever and ever if you get me a…” Ah yes, The Pet. Maybe you can even remember how you felt when you first asked your parents for a kitten. What about the butterflies you felt in your stomach as you carefully rehearsed your proposal for a puppy? Ultimately, as a parent, you will be faced with a child who wants a pet so badly they will do anything for it.

Child development experts have long believed that children should have exposure to household pet companions. Having a pet has many advantages:

- Pets teach children about the existence of other living creatures first-hand rather than on television.

- Pets help children understand nature’s ways and the authentic natural world rather than animated cartoons where all the animals, predators and prey, get along famously. Nice, but it teaches a false perception of the ways of the animal kingdom. Perhaps your toddler is not ready to watch the National Geographic channel where predators mercilessly run down their prey and eat them alive. But the misconceptions of movies such as “The Lion King” don’t prepare your child for the real cycle of life.

- Owning and caring for a pet teaches your child responsibility and accountability. Fish die when they aren’t fed. Hamsters squeal in pain if they’re squeezed. Puppies have housebreaking accidents that need to be cleaned up. Animals aren’t like stuffed Teddy bears; they need food, water, veterinary care, and a clean environment.

- Pets die. Children often have their first brush with death and grief when a beloved pet dies or must be euthanized. Understanding a pet’s death is a dress rehearsal for the death of Grandmother or Uncle Bob. Coping with death is an important part of a child’s socialization.

- Having a pet teaches toddlers the essential skill of empathy with other people and with animals. At this age, children should be developing a sense of compassion and emotional intimacy with others. This is how they learn to make friends and to avoid doing things that hurt others. Caring for a pet is the perfect opportunity for toddlers to learn kindness and tolerance.

- Pets are a lot of fun! Toddlers are endlessly fascinated watching hamsters run on their wheel, the crazy antics of ferrets, the playfulness of puppies and kittens, the graceful movements of goldfish, and the chattering of birds. Having a pet is not only great fun, but pets also provide valuable knowledge about the way real-life animals function in the world. With puppies, they find the only unconditional source of love in their lives.

If you think your toddler is ready to care for a pet, first consider what kind of pet is appropriate for your child’s age, degree of understanding how to care for the pet, and the child’s comprehension that these are living creatures that need daily care. For example, it would not be appropriate for a toddler to care for a large hookbill parrot such as a Macaw or African Grey. These talkative birds live a human lifespan, require special care, and have unpredictable natures; they can snap off a curious child’s finger in seconds! These birds are pets for adults, not children. If you feel your child is ready for a puppy, remember that the puppy will grow into a full-sized dog. Dogs known for aggressive temperaments such as American Pit Bull Terriers, Rotweilers, Chows, and Akitas aren’t good choices for a toddler. Good-natured dogs like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Poodles, and spaniels are a much better choice.

Not ready for puppies and kittens? Fish, guinea pigs and hamsters make outstanding first pets. Children learn to feed them, clean their environments, interact with them carefully and gently, and they provide hours of fun. Parakeets are also good choices; their bright colors and cheerful chattering are interesting and entertaining for a small child.

Pets can do wonders to enrich your child’s life. Working with animals can be a very rewarding experience and teach your kids many valuable lessons. If you feel your child is ready and responsible enough for a pet, choose wisely and teach your child how to care for another living creature.

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