From Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June, 2006: Hello! My name is Ron Michael Quesada Carolino Adea. I am autistic. I am 14 years old. I still have a hard time speaking what I exactly want to say. I studied piano very young. I now perform at concerts & recitals. Sometimes I forget I have bad manners. I go into tantrums when I get upset. My Mama & Papa teach me Control & Relax. I want to learn everything. My brain is very busy. My favorite Web site is the Hilary Duff's official homepage because she is my favorite singer. In the Philippines my favorite is Sarah Geronimo. Their songs make me happy. I listen to some of them and try to play on my piano by ear. I enjoy playing mostly classical music.
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Web sites to visit
http://www.kerrysplace.org
Autism Society of Ontario
Geneva Centre for Autism
Autism Treatment Services, Canada
Hans Asperger's Website
Dr. Temple Grandin, Ph.D (well-known autistic adult)
Autism Vaccination Quotes

What are the characteristics of autism?

The degree to which people with an autistic spectrum disorder are affected varies, but all those affected have what is known as a triad of impairments.
This triad affects:

• social interaction (difficulty with social relationships)

• social communication (difficulty with verbal and
  non-verbal communication)

• imagination (difficulty in the development of play and imagination).

In addition to this triad, repetitive behaviour patterns are a notable feature
and a resistance to change in routine.

What causes autism?

This is a question everyone asks. Unfortunately, it is also one of the
most difficult to answer because the pattern of behaviours from which autism
is diagnosed may not result from a single cause.

There is, however, strong evidence that autism can be caused by a variety
of physical reasons, all of which affect brain development. It is not due
to emotional problems or emotional deprivation. Onset of autism is
almost always before the age of three years. It affects four times as many
boys as girls, and has no class or racial barriers.

What is the prognosis?

Autism is not curable but it is treatable, especially if it is diagnosed early in life.

Who do I go to for a diagnosis?
Our family doctor noticed my autistic features when I was 2½ years old.
He advised my parents to take me to the Hospital For Sick children for
a diagnosis. It was then and then I started my autistic life's journey.

If you suspect that an autistic spectrum disorder is present, you need to refer your child for a specialist diagnosis and assessment as early as possible. Start with your local GP who should be able to refer you on to a local expert.
Source: <http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=10>

RECURRENT TANTRUMS [source: http://www.child-central.com/

To deeply understand how autism affects tantrums and vice versa, parents must need to look at how autistic patients act or respond to stimuli. Like most ordinary kids, children with autism also rely on rituals. They form these habits as they grow.

These rituals then become the building blocks of the autistic child's structural behavior or commonly as the structure. The structure is simply a method, a
set of rules that define how the child acts upon, responds, and decides after a given stimulus. Like normal children, autistic kids also experience difficulty
and intensity of the information they collect using their senses. However, a lack of learning ability hinders children with autism to react cognitively to
their environment.

Overwhelming changes in the environment and incomprehensible stimuli cause disturbance in the structure of the child. He may even feel uneasy with the subtle changes that occur in his surroundings. Events, like waking up at atypical hours, going to school in a different way, going to school using the
bus instead of the car, or a hidden favorite toy are push button activators of autistic tantrums. For a child with autism, the world becomes confusing when things are not in order anymore. The child has to decide between imposing his own structure and responding to the changes of his world. He thinks that he is right, but because he is confused, he ends up in rage, either to catch attention or simply to manipulate the situation.

Another likely cause of challenging autistic behaviors is the lack of communication between the parents and the patient. When there is an expected change in the environment of the child, the parents must explain to the child the purpose of the changes. Parents then must teach the child how
to react accordingly and explain to them the consequences when the child does not act appropriately. On the other hand, the parents must also learn to respond to the message of the child through his tantrums. His tantrums may mean that the child is hungry, in need of diaper change, or wants to go to bed.

More Tips for Parents:

1. List down all of your child's strange behavior and bring him to a specialist for a complete diagnosis.

2. Learn more about the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Protect your child from discrimination and unfair treatments.

3. Social and language skills are problematic in autistic children. Bring your child to a speech therapy and a segregated program. Better yet, bring them to an inclusion program. Do not be afraid to let your child mingle with normal kids.

4. Join organizations that promote the well-being of autism patients.

5. You must be patient and considerate with your child. Managing an autistic child's irrational behavior is big challenge for most families. Just bear in mind that your child does not intentionally misbehave. He is merely adjusting to environmental changes.

6. Lastly, never force a child to do a specific task. Give him space and time to learn.