A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Caregivers
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
These disorders affect a child's response to senses, the ability to communicate, and may affect intellectual skills.
Symptoms
Children with this pervasive developmental disorder have a substantial delay in communication and social interaction, as well as a restricted range of interest and activities. They are unable to develop relationships or become close to anyone, including their parents. When they are infants they may either resist affection or cling constantly to someone. As they get older they like to play alone and if they are hurt may not seek comfort. They have difficulty communicating because they don't develop language skills, using words incorrectly or creating a language all their own. Autistic children may develop repetitive body movements such as rocking back and forth or twirling. They may become very attached to a particular object or idea, i.e., they require order in their surroundings and set strict routines of behavior for themselves.
Treatment
The cause of autism remains unknown, although current theories indicate a problem with the function or structure of the central nervous system. What we do know, however, is that parents do not cause autism. Children with autism need comprehensive evaluation and specialized behavioral and educational programs. Some children with autism may also benefit from treatment with medication. Child and adolescent psychiatrists are trained to diagnose autism, and to help families design and implement an appropriate treatment plan. They can also help families cope with the stress.
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What a Difference
60 Minutes Can Make
It’s just an hour. At 2 a.m. on March 14, time changes as we “spring forward” one hour overnight. It wouldn’t seem to be that big of a deal, but it is according to researchers at the University of Michigan’s Center for Sleep Science. They have found that in the days immediately following the spring time change each year more people have serious car accidents, most likely due to the sleep loss and adjustments that our biological clocks must make to the new schedule.
To prepare for the time change, start going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier each day between now and the start of Daylight Savings Time. This helps reset your biological clock.
The spring time change isn’t the only time we should be concerned about our levels of sleep. According to the sleep researchers, adults ought to get 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep every night, but few of us do. This does more than leave us groggy in the mornings. Findings have shown that a lack of sleep may increase risks of obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart attacks.
The National Sleep Foundation offers this advice for healthy sleep:
