I’m a well seasoned autism mom and am often asked questions about autism. since autism spectrum disorders are complex, I still stumble over my answers, so have recently turned to a clarifying source: individuals who are on the autism spectrum.

I asked Kerry Magro, a young man on the autism spectrum, to share his most frequently asked questions and comments. He’s passionate about raising awareness about what it is like to have autism, and his insights are illuminating:

1) People with autism cannot live a normal life.

In today’s society we label “normal” as “ordinary” or “no issues”. Life is about accepting challenges and being able to continue to grow as a person. can autistic individuals live a normal life? Yes definitely. do they need too? Not at all.

2) I couldn’t love someone with autism, they are just too different.

To deny someone of love based on a disability is to deny yourself the ability to divulge your life and your cultures. The world is full of diverse individuals, all who deserve love. It’s impossible to live life without being loved.

3) People with autism only have the capability of being loved and being in love with those who are also autistic.

This is a common misconception, but it’s far from the truth. many individuals with autism have difficulty expressing love but they do love, and not only others on the autistic spectrum. I was once told by a girlfriend when she broke up with me that, “I think you should be around people more like yourself.” it is my mission to raise awareness in this area!

4) Autism or not, people are people, all with distinct characteristics that make them unique.

Amen! no one case of autism is ever the same. I’d rather be “unique” than “normal” any day of the week.

5) Isn’t autism a disease that could be spread through vaccines in flu shots?

There is still no way of telling what causes autism, but scientific studies have ruled out the connection between vaccines and the onset of autism. at present, most researchers think autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It’s quite possible that different people’s symptoms have different causes. Autism is a neurological disorder that can be treated, not cured, and it is not a disease.

6) do more white children have autism than black children?

According to the CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorders occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, yet are on average 4 to 5 times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. however, we need more information on some less studied populations and regions around the world.

7) is autism only a communication disorder?

Autism causes developmental problems in the areas of social interaction, speech, language and communication, and behavioral functions.

Different individuals show different traits on the autism spectrum. for me most of my sensitivity/ traits were in regards to difficulty dealing with sensory issues especially touch and sounds.

none of us are perfect at communication so doesn’t that mean there is a little autism in all of us?

No one is perfect at communicating and no one is perfect at having a social life. still, it should be acknowledged that people with an autism spectrum disorder have to work harder than most every single day to learn appropriate social and communication skills.

I’d like to know: (Laura talking)

a) which questions are you frequently asked about having autism?

b) What questions do you have about autism?

c) as a parent, which questions about autism do you find the most difficult to answer?

Kerry Magro is a recent graduate of Seton Hall University,where he majored in Sports Management. He’s writing a self help book based on his own experiences with autism called, “Autism: The College Spectrum”. Kerry also is a staffer for Autism Speaks and writes on their official blog. you can email him at kerrymagro@gmail.com and follow him on Facebook and/or twitter

Got autism questions? need resources? Email me here citybights@sfgate.com and I will do my very best to help.

FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

In case you wondered, I’m happy to talk to your group.GO HERE to learn more.

Read the first three chapters of A REGULAR GUY: GROWING UP WITH AUTISM here.

Posted by: Laura Shumaker (Email) | August 06 2011 at 03:33 PM

I just basicall need information on it for a project I have to do. all answers welcome!

I believe MS is a breaking down of the mylon sheath that allows nerve messages to be sent through the body. It progresses at different speeds but the result is a loss of the brains messages getting to the desired location. this applies to motor functions but I'm not sure about vital organs

Hope this helps.
Multiple sclerosis is the leading cause of neurologicl disability in young adults. usually it will strike around 20 and 50 yrs of age, with a peak of age 30 and women are afflicted twice as men.
I have a brochure you can read, email me and i can scan this info for your project ,
Go to Oly4TheHealingJuice.com , my email is there.

ms is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body's immune system "attacks" a substance called myelin, which insulates nerve cells. nerve cells, just like a copper wire, conduct electricity. and, like the conducting wire between your computer and your wall, the nerve cells are wrapped in a sheath. in the nervous system, the sheath is made of myelin. in ms, the body's immune system "chews up" the myelin.

One site is all you need (see below)

On 10th March 2011 researchers says that a new protein molecule derived from growth factor progranulin provide treatment for the inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. the development of this protein in the body produces cytokines that control the level of cartilage. Appropriate level of cartilage prevents arthritis in the body. these protein molecules are secreted by the nervous system and other immune system of the body.Arthritis is taken from a Greek word which means “joint” and its Latin meaning is “inflammation”. it affects the muscles and the skeleton system of the human body specially the joints. it becomes the main cause of disability in the people of over 55 years of age.

Arthritis is not a single disease. it covers other medical conditions.

There are more than hundred types of arthritis. some are given below:

1. OsteoarthritisIt is a type of arthritis in which cartilage loses its elasticity. if the cartilage is stiff it damages easily. Cartilage functions as a shock absorber. when the cartilage is damaged the tendons and the ligaments are damaged too as a result it causes pain in the muscles and bones.

2. Rheumatoid arthritisIn this arthritis the muscle membrane is damaged and it causes swelling and pain. if this type of arthritis is not treated well it can cause deformity of bones. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men and it strikes the patient between the age of 40 to 60. Children and older people can also be affected by this disease.

3. Infectious arthritisThe infection in the synovial fluid or in the tissue of bone can be caused by a bacteria but it can also be caused by the viruses and other fungi. these bacteria, fungi are spread in the body through a blood and it infects the nearby tissues and the bones too. the people who had arthritis ever before in their life and those who have such virus in their body, they have the more chances of developing arthritis.

4. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritisThis is a type of arthritis that affects an individual of age 16 or less. the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is of three types:

• Pauciarticular JRA

It is the most common type. In this a child feels pain in up to 4 joints.

• Polyarticular JRA

The affects of this arthritis are more severe and it gets worst with the passage of time.

• Systematic JRA

It is the least common type of arthritis. it can spread to the distant organs of the body but it can be the most dangerous type of JRA.

A joint where one bone is joined to another bone that joint is hold with the ligaments. these ligaments are elastic bands they keep bones at their place and the muscles contact and relax to make the joint move freely.

The cartilage allows the two bones not to rub with each other while moving. the covering of the cartilage helps the joint to move smoothly and painlessly.There is a capsule that surrounds the joint. There is fluid in the joint known as synovial joint. this fluid is beneficial for beneficial for bones.

If an individual has the arthritis things go wrong with bones. the damage that is caused to the bones depends on the type of the arthritis. as a result of the arthritis the cartilage finishes due to infection and many other factors.

The symptoms of arthritis takes time to develop but it get worse with the passage of time. these symptoms affect the joints of hip, knee, hands and spine, fingers, arms, legs, wrists, ankle, jaw, shoulder. Following are the symptoms of arthritis:

Arthritis can be diagnosed blood tests, physical tests. x- Rays and CT scan.

Treatment of arthritis consists of physical therapy, medications.

Physical therapyPhysical therapy is helpful to maintain the flexibility of the bones. There are many types of physical therapies. the type of physical therapy given to a patient depends on the type of arthritis an individual has. different exercises are given to the patient that stabilize weaken joints. Exercise is an important part of arthritis therapy.

Medication for arthritisNSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, Salicylates, Glucocorticoids, Anti Malarials, Minocycline, and cyclosporine are the medicines that are used to cure the arthritis.

Diet impact on arthritisDiet has an important impact on the arthritis. it provides you with nutrition and it also maintains the weight of the body because people start losing weight during arthritis.

Doctors advised patients to avoid eating fats, cream, red meat and cheese. Patients should eat plenty of vegetables, fruits etc.

The prevention of arthritis can seem very difficult but there are many ways that can prevent arthritis from occurring. the use of arthritis supplements (Glucosamine and Cetyl myristoleate) also helps to prevent the arthritis. these supplements can be found in the form of liquid, powder or pills.the disease of arthritis can make one’s life very difficult but therapies can make life better. People with arthritis can go for medical health and treatment and there is no definite cure of arthritis but there are ways which can reduce the effects of arthritis. it affects the people in different ways patients may feel uncomfortable that they lose their grip. Being diagnosed with arthritis does not mean that you cannot live healthy life anymore. with some changes in life style the bad effects of arthritis can be removed.

although many patients multiple sclerosis are not diagnosed during the early primary progressive multiple sclerosis symptoms are often what drives them to seek a diagnosis. this is usually because in the early or relapsing-remitting phase, the average person probably only experience a flare, which may vary slightly, and not others for months or even years. In most instances, these symptoms are ignored completely.

Common primary progressive> Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

One of the most common and easily identifiable symptoms of primary progressive multiple sclerosis is the slow start of a walking disability. the typical patient starts, trouble walking, which have worsen over time. according to the research about 80-90 percent of all patients with MS have this problem. Among the difficulties noted marked spastic gait through stiffening of the muscles of the legs andto a considerable pace, walk or limp shots.

In many patients, significantly spastic hemiparesis, which is presented as a weakness or loss of use one side of the body, arms or legs. this may make it hard to keep things a person and can be clumsy, appear excessive rigidity of experience, travel and cause fall unexpectedly. an MRI of the brain shows no damage at this point, but may show atrophy of the spinal cord.

Rare primaryProgressive multiple sclerosis symptoms

about 10% of patients such as tremors and imbalance in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Medically called progressive cerebellar syndrome is characterized by vigorous shaking of hands, it's very movement in any of the small size does make characterizes difficult symptoms. many patients begin to see a noticeable loss of muscle tone and to start to have problems with balance. Other symptomsa lack of coordination, staggered walk, and the inability to perform rapid movements that alternate.

Among the less frequent symptoms of primary progressive multiple sclerosis are cut off and nystagmus presents with difficulty swallowing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. about 1% of patients may suffer from a progressive loss of vision, which is worse. Restart the same percentage of patients may have a loss of cognitive and verbal skills. these symptomscan reveal are probably caused by inflammation of the brain and a brain MRI scan that is similar to that of someone in the secondary progressive phase of multiple sclerosis.

Hilary Wilson of Duluth, Ga., now 60, was officially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or RA in 1987, but she is pretty sure she had the inflammatory arthritis long before that.

RA is a chronic disease, marked by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can lead to chronic joint pain, loss of functioning and disability.

But some people with RA manage to thrive despite their condition – and that describes Wilson. ever since the diagnosis, Wilson has followed a healthy lifestyle designed to keep stress — and her symptoms –under control. She follows the same plan, whether her life is hectic or more relaxed.

“I take steps to help my arthritis, regardless of the stress level,” she tells WebMD. That means taking yoga three days or more a week, walking between 8 and 12 miles weekly, and keeping her weight down (she has some clothes from high school she still fits into).

It also means keeping her sense of humor. “I can’t flex my head back,” she says, as the RA has affected her cervical spine and therefore her neck functioning. It’s not uncommon for people to ask her what’s up with that, but she easily explains and laughs it off. a sense of humor, she discovered, helps minimize stress, too.

Wilson, who works as an independent management consultant and is on the board of the Arthritis Foundation in Georgia, says she has never noticed a link between the amount of stress she is experiencing on the job and a worsening of symptoms. and her healthy lifestyle, focused on managing stress, could well be the reason.

Stress and RA: The Link

The cause of RA remains unknown, according to the Arthritis Foundation. but most experts agree that genetic and environmental factors play a role, including the body’s response to stressors such as physical or emotional trauma. That does not mean, however, that stress alone can cause RA.

“In general, it’s felt that stress does not cause RA,” says Scott Zashin, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and attending physician at Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas.

However, he says, a stressful event, such as the loss of a loved one or marital stress, may trigger the RA to develop at that time. “That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have developed at another time,” he tells WebMD.

Patience H. White, MD, vice president for public health for the Arthritis Foundation agrees. while stress alone will not cause RA, it’s one of many factors that may play into getting the disease and the severity of symptoms.

The picture can become complicated from patient to patient. “Many patients with RA have secondary fibromyalgia,” Zashin says. Fibromyalgia is a body-wide pain condition, with tender points at the joints, muscles, and tendons and other tissues.

How does stress affect inflammation? according to White, the research is mixed on that.

But whatever that relationship, stress can wreak havoc, she says. “When you are stressed, you don’t sleep well,” she says. You can get achy. “People with RA have morning stiffness. if they haven’t slept well, it feels worse. once you get tired, you have no resistance to stress.”

Some facts are indisputable: stress can make pain, and your whole body, feel worse. Chronically high levels of stress aren’t good for anyone.

CHICAGO, February 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Edwin McClure, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate student, and one of the participants in clinical trials involving adult stem cells, says that he is completely cured of the multiple sclerosis symptoms that began to afflict him in high school.

"It’s a blessing," the young student told Bloomburg News. "My disease has been halted."

A team of researchers at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, including Dr. Richard Burt, the team leader and the hospital’s Division Chief of Immunotherapy, developed the treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) using stem cells taken from the patient’s own bone marrow. (See: lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09020202.html)

"for the first time ever in the history of treating MS we have reversed disability," Dr. Burt said of the results of clinical trials using adult stem cells.

"All therapies to date … have focused on slowing the progression of disease," he said. But with the new treatment, he said, "this is the first time we have turned the tide on this disease."

McClure first showed symptoms of MS in 2000 when he was a senior in high school. "I couldn’t deal with heat. I had really bad balance," he said. he also said that his vision began to be seriously distorted.

"it threw me for a loop," McClure said. "this is a disease that typically hits 40-year-old white women and I’m like, ‘I’m an 18-year-old black male.’ somebody didn’t get the memo."

Hearing about the Northwestern University clinical trial from Dr. Katarina Bilikova, McClure flew to Evanston, Ill., to participate.

During the course of the treatment, which researchers described as a "re-setting" of the body’s immune system, doctors took out McClure’s own stem cells from his bone marrow. he then was given a course of chemotherapy to destroy all existing immune cells in his body. The stem cells were then re-injected and developed into "naëve" immune cells that regenerated his immune system.

Three years after undergoing the procedure, McClure said his symptoms have disappeared.

"it opened up the fence that MS had me locked into," Edwin said in a Fox News report. He added that he and his mother Bernice also attribute the success of the treatment to their faith.

"Without having God in our lives, I don’t think any one of us would have made it through," Bernice McClure said.

Read previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage and related articles:

New Adult Stem Cell Treatment "Turns the Tide" on MS Symptomslifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09020202.html

Amid Media Excitement, Embryonic Stem Cell Trial Far Behind Adult Stem Cells, says Expertlifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012605.html

Adult Stem Cell Therapy may Treat AIDSlifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012006.html

You dont recover, its a progressive disease.

take a look here
mult-sclerosis.org/mssymptoms…

My mum as ms her was very slow devolopping and took a long time to get a diagnosis,, her first signs of it were pins and needles and bladder problems mum has suffered with it now for four yrs she has Good days n bad days she suffers with muscle cramps and muscle spasms,,, if you think you r showing symptoms go c your doc he will refer you to a neurologist,,, in the meantime there are lots of good web sites that tell you all about ms try the ms society,,,, and unfortunately there is no cure,, good luck xx

MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, severe fatigue, cognitive impairment, problems with balance, overheating, and pain. MS will cause impaired mobility and disability in more severe cases. Relapses, also called exacerbations, can cause new symptoms to appear and old ones to resurface or worsen. the relapses are followed by periods of remission, during which time the person fully or partially recovers from the deficits acquired during the relapse.

i have ms i saw diagnosed last august i went into rention and i had leg weakness they found out i had it by lumper puncture i am on avonex which is a beta inferon i have it once a week i also go in a oxgyen chamber once a week i had relapse remitting ms am very postive and do all the things i did before but when i need toi rest i do as i get tired alot hope thuis helps and there is a ms website there are lots of symptoms

This disease is thought to be the result of an immunologic mechanism,from a unidentified latent virus which when activated,triggers a secondary immune response,causing a demyelonization in the brain and spinal cord.Common early symptoms include visual and oculomotor abnormalities,numbness,weakness,and muscle spasticity. Every patient is affected in a different manner, severity,and progression .there is no cure for MS.It's characterized by multiple neurological deficits along with remissions,and progression of areas affected. there is much info at the MS web page. Take care. SW RNP

I have a disease that mimics MS. Symptoms can be the same. there is no cure for either as both are autoimmune diseases. the difference is there are no tests that can 100% prove MS, but Antiphospholipid Syndrome can be diagnosed with blood tests. here is a good link

hughes-syndrome.org/symptoms.…

Lifelong condition, no cure. mssociety.org.uk

It can affect prople differently, personally I have permanent nerve damage, right leg, paralysis right foot nystagmus (less common than optic neutitis – eye condition) which affects my balance more than the dead leg and foot!

There is no saying how it will affect each individual, I've been diagnosed 8 years and it's the last two that have caused the 'permanent' damage. although during relapses I've had many other symptoms which have cleared up – more or less.

If you've been diagnosed, push for all the help you can get, the earlier the better. some people have much milder symptoms, you can live a relatively normal life with MS, just listen to your own body, and make sure the doc knows what's going on – don't ever think you're being a nuisance!

Good luck

A bad headache. Difficulty focusing. Confusion or fumbling to find words. It’s tempting to explain away troubling symptoms and chalk them up to fatigue, eye trouble, one too many cups of coffee. But these symptoms – particularly if they’re severe – may signal a stroke.Stroke is the third leading cause of death, behind cancer and heart disease. A disease that affects the blood supply to the brain, stroke occurs when a blood vessel or artery is blocked by a blood clot or bursts. when this happens, the area of the brain that is supplied with oxygen and nutrients by this blood vessel is damaged. as a result, the body part or function controlled by this part of the brain doesn’t operate the right way.another frightening statistic: according to the National Stroke Association, people who have a stroke are four times as likely to have another stroke during their lifetime. Recurrent strokes carry an even higher risk of death and disability because the brain has previously been injured by the original stroke.A stroke can change a person’s life forever. it can leave the victim with moderate to severe physical, mental or psychological disabilities. Depending on the area of the brain affected, a stroke victim may lose their memory, speech, balance, certain fine motor skills, control over certain muscles or movement of entire limbs – even paralysis of one side of the body. A person’s personality or behavior can be forever changed by a stroke. they may have difficulty reading, processing information or even eating.About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic strokes, where a blockage of a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain occurs. the clot can form in the brain area, or in a blood vessel elsewhere in the body – the heart, chest area or neck – where it can break loose and travel to the brain. the remaining 13 percent are called hemorrhagic strokes – strokes caused by a weakened blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue. A brain aneurysm refers to the bulging of the weakened blood vessel, which continues to weaken and, if not treated, breaks and bleeds into the brain.if you suspect that someone is having a stroke, act quickly. A stroke is an emergency – and mere seconds can make an enormous difference in the outcome for a stroke survivor. call 9-1-1 and try to recall the time that symptoms first appeared. if a stroke victim receives immediate medical assistance, a clot-busting drug can be administered by medical personnel within three hours of first symptoms which may reduce the likelihood of long-term disability resulting from a stroke. the quicker that medical care is received, the greater a stroke victim’s chances are of not only surviving a stroke, but minimizing its effects.Learn to recognize stroke signs, and be prepared – to save a friend or loved one’s life, or your own.Warning Signs of a Stroke• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.• Sudden trouble seeing in part of one’s visual field.• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.Not all of these warning signs may be present, and one or more may go away. Don’t ignore these signs or dismiss them, even if they do not persist. call 9-1-1 or seek medical assistance immediately.this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.Editor’s note:  this information was writte and provided by Dr. Allen Tyler.  Dr. Tyler is a member of the medical staff at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine – Neurology.  he is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College.  he also completed a postgraduate Fellowship in Neurophysiology & Epilepsy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.  he is a member of the American Academy of Neurology; the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society; the American College of Physicians; American Society of Internal Medicine and the American Epilepsy Society. 

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My son will was officially diagnosed with dysgraphia in the 7th grade by a public school diagnostician.  He had a post-high school vocabulary and reading level but wrote like a 3rd or 4th grader.  he was told that he would never be able to take notes on lectures because it would take too long for his brain to process what he heard and then put it down on paper.  Once he wrote something down, it was predicted he would miss one or two of the next points taught! 

Will appreciated the label because it was the first time in his life that he believed the learning problems were not his fault.  Suddenly, he could believe he was smart and that there was help available to get him through school with coping and compensating strategies.  On the other hand, I felt like the diagnosis was a terrible thing.  would he always struggle in school?  would he not be able to go to college?  would he be unable to get a good job to support a family?

Shortly after we learned of Will’s disability I was helping to lead a prayer group in the home of Jan Bedell.  when I asked her if she had a job, she explained that she worked with children who struggled with learning.  I asked her if she was familiar with the term “dysgraphia.”  she shrugged her shoulders as she walked casually into the kitchen saying, “Oh, that’s just because of a disorganized brain.”  My jaw dropped to the floor.  The “death sentence” my son received seemed to be an easy thing for this lady to understand and to fix! 

Within a few months will had an evaluation and two of his sisters and I went on program to improve our brains.  It was a busy four years that followed of doing what seemed like crazy activities.  I say it like this because in all my training for a Texas teaching certificate and in all my 15 years of teaching in public, private and home schools I had never heard of neurodevelopment.  nobody had ever taught me about the brain and how to make it work better so learning could be easier.

Today, will is a successful upper classman at McMurry University in Abilene and his two sisters are making straight As with an extraordinary online high school called College Preparatory Academy.  My brain is working better, too, because now my closets and cabinets are organized, I can remember a 7 digit phone number and I only rarely lose my keys or sunglasses.

You ask, “Could my child have dysgraphia?”  At little Giant Steps we say “no” to labels and “yes” to hope.  We don’t focus on the learning disabilities or assume they can’t be remedied.  instead, through an evaluation process and an individualized neurodevelopmental program we help our clients build new nerve pathways so their brains work better.  [It's called neuro-efficiency.]  Carefully chosen physical activities target strategic parts of the brain to improve organization.  Clients play auditory and processing games to increase their short term memory that results in global maturity for children.  For adults these games help keep the mind sharp.  As brain function improves, learning gets easier.