What Is The Difference Between ADHD And Autism – A Short Guide For Parents

It is not uncommon to see behavioral changes in a child, especially once they get to around three years of age. The challenge for many parents, is actually trying to determine which behavioral changes are a normal part of growing up, and which ones are not

When a young child suddenly becomes hyperactive, and seemingly disinterested in some of the activities which other kids love, parents often worry. Their once well behaved kid now seems to be unruly most of the time, and it often seems like they are in their own world.

Even so, many parents just let it go, especially if they only have one child. However, teachers are usually not as forgiving, and if the child continues to display problematic behavior in class, many teachers will want to discuss the problem with the child’s parents. In all honesty, this is actually a good thing, because it brings the problem out into the open.

One of the leading causes of undesirable behavior in a child is a mental health disorder known as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Another common cause happens to be autism, although admittedly, it is far less common than ADHD.

So, what is the difference between ADHD and autism? In order to discuss all the differences, I would have to write countless pages. Unfortunately I can’t do that right now, so I will just touch on the most noticeable differences.

Children with ADHD typically suffer from inattentiveness; hyperactivity and impulsivity. Some will display all three characteristics, while others may only display one or two. Generally speaking, these kids can’t concentrate on the same thing for very long, and they grow restless quickly. Even at the dinner table, an ADHD child will be moving around and fidgeting all the time.

Trying to punish an ADHD child for these behaviors will only make matters worse. The only way to correct this sort of behavior is by means of Behavioral Modification Therapy; prescription medication, or perhaps one or more natural remedies.

Compared to ADHD, autism is exceedingly more complex. It’s far more difficult to diagnose, and it is also far more difficult to treat. Children with autism have great difficulty interacting with other people, including kids the same age. Most also have difficulty trying to learn basic language skills. Also, because of these issues, the vast majority of kids with autism tend to be introverted, and have no desire to play with other kids.

Having said all that, if you were to ask me, what is the difference between ADHD and autism, and I was only allowed to give one answer, I would be forced to be the bringer of bad news. Basically, if your child

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A Look At The Connection Between A Gluten Free Diet And Autism

These days it seems there are new diets making the headlines every other day. Admittedly, a great deal can be achieved by adjusting your diet, but we also have to bear in mind that many diets can be harmful to your health as well. For example, one particular diet may work wonders as far as weight loss is concerned, but is it really benefiting your health as well, or is it actually damaging your health?

The human body is a complex piece of machinery, and in order to function at full capacity, it requires a broad range of vitamins; minerals and etc. More often than not, a diet which calls for you to stop eating certain types of foods will result in your body not getting all the nutrients it requires. Vegetarians for example are at risk of not consuming an adequate amount of protein.

Diet And The Autistic Child

Researchers have long since believed that there is a link between diet and autism, and many have stepped forward to explain the link between a gluten free diet and autism. In a nutshell, some studies have shown that many autistic children are unable to digest gluten in the same way regular kids do. This has led some researchers to believe that gluten might have a negative impact on the overall behavior of children with this particular disorder.

Many parents who have placed their autistic kids on a gluten free diet have reported positive results, often saying that they noticed an improvement in behavior shortly after the diet was started. On the other hand, many studies have revealed that if this diet does deliver results, those results are often short lived. The reason for this being that a child will be deprived of some of the nutrients they would otherwise have obtained had they remained on a regular diet.

Tailoring Your Child’s Diet

The human body requires 90 different nutrients in order to function properly. This figure can be broken down into the following:

* 60 minerals
* 16 vitamins
* 12 amino acids
* 3 essential fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6 are an absolute must)

Now, I am certainly not saying that there is no connection between a gluten free diet and autism. In fact I support the idea, but I also think parents of autistic children need to ensure their kids are getting all of the 90 nutrients they need. If they can’t get that from their diet, then parents should consider using a high quality health supplement in order to compensate for any deficiencies. I’m not an expert on health supplements so I can’t recommend one, but whatever you do, focus on quality rather than on quantity.

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