Informational

This April marks the 43^rd annual National Autism Awareness Month, which has been kicked off by the World Autism Day every April 2 since 2007. As we celebrate autism awareness issues this month, its important to understand some key statistics about the state of autism in 2013:

• Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability with a 1,148% growth rate.

• Every 11 minutes, a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

• 1 in 88 children in the United States is on the autism spectrum; 1 in 54 boys.

• 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder.

• Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 88 births.

• 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.

The Autism Awareness Month kicked off with the World Autism Awareness Day. World Autism Awareness Day is one of only three official health-related United Nations Days with the goal of bringing the world's attention to autism. On April 2, countries all over the world participated in a dramatic “Light It Up Blue” campaign in which buildings and landmarks across the word were lit up in blue to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Here's a great image from the Autism Speaks Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/worldautismawarenessday) The National Autism Awareness Month gets off to a great start with the Autism Speaks, "Light it Up Blue” campaign because it’s a dramatic way “shine a light” on Autism issues by driving international awareness for the disorder.  People are encouraged to  show their support throughout the month of April and join the cause by becoming a member of Autism Speaks on www.autismspeaks.org. While the World Autism Day featured a global day of  “lighting it up blue,” individuals, businesses, schools and government groups are encouraged to display “Light It Up Blue” merchandise and blue lighting wherever possible as well as to participate in various activities related to the campaign. You can download all kinds of great artwork, tools and reources to show your support for autism awareness on the Tools & Resources webpage of AutismSpeaks.org. CLICK HERE Here are great samples of artwork you can access: The April campaign also encourages people from all over the country to join the petition: “Give Hope. And Take Action!" This petition calls on President Obama to develop a comprehensive national plan to address autism. As of April 5^th, 75, 948 people have signed the petition (the goal is to receive 180,000 signatures!). To sign the petition,  go to: http://action.lightitupblue.org/c.arKQI4MBIgI4E/b.8566551/k.66A7/Give_Hope_Take_Action/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx Meanwhile the Autism Society (http://www.autism-society.org/), which is officially in charge of organizing all National Autism Month activities in the US, is driving the Put on the Puzzle! Campaign. The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. The Autism Society is encouraging people to display the Puzzle Ribbon on their Facebook pages, pinned to their clothes, as badges on websites, to wear Puzzle Ribbon bracelets and more. Learn about the  origins of how the puzzle design became the core symbol representing  autism and be sure to make a donation to purchase the Puzzle Ribbon by visiting: http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/puzzle-ribbon.html At N-Style ID, in honor of National Autism Awareness month, we will conduct some Facebook contests/giveaways. BE sure to check out our Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/NStyleID. N-Style ID makes attractive medical alert jewelry for kids, teens, and adults.Since its founding, N-Style ID’s core vision is to make the lives of all those dealing with conditions such as Autism that requiring medical ID's less stressful by providing fun and fashionable medical jewelry. www.n-styleid.com Continue reading...

For parents with a child living with diabetes, back to school time can be stressful because it means handing responsibility for the child’s diabetes management to school staff. However, this time need not be so stressful for parents. There are a number of ways that parents can help to assure their child’s safety at school. The most important step is to gather the necessary information needed by the school staff for them to properly manage the child’s individual diabetes needs. The American Diabetes Association offers a Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) document to be filled out by the student’s personal diabetes healthcare team, which includes parents. The plan would be given to relevant school personnel, such as the school nurse, to review and keep in their records. Continue Reading Continue reading...

Dementia describes a cluster of symptoms, rather than a particular disease. Generally, a person with dementia lives with symptoms that affect intellectual and social abilities to a degree that they interfere with daily life. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia, the source of the symptoms can be from a variety of conditions. Some types of dementia cannot be completely cured, while others are caused by reversible or treatable conditions. Although memory loss is the most common symptom associated with dementia, this symptom alone does not indicate dementia. The problems must involve at least two brain functions to qualify as dementia. Other symptoms of dementia include, but are not limited to, difficulty communicating; inability to learn and remember new things; problems with organization and planning; trouble with coordination and motor skills; changes in personality; inappropriate behavior; paranoia; hallucinations; and agitation. It is important to see or take a loved one to see a doctor if these symptoms are present. Early detection can give you time to plan for the future and to alleviate and possibly reverse symptoms. Causes of dementia are often divided into two categories: conditions that are progressive, or that worsen over time, and those that can be reversed. Among the progressive dementias are Alzheimer’s disease, caused by neuron damage resulting from a defective gene; Lewy body dementia, caused by clumps of protein in the brain; vascular dementia, caused by brain damage due to problems with arteries to the brain and heart; and frontotemporal dementia, cause by degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. Reversible dementia can be caused by the following: infections and immune disorders; metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities; nutritional deficiencies; reactions to medications; subdural hematomas; poisoning; brain tumors; anoxia; and heart and lung problems. Other conditions which can lead to dementia are Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Pick’s disease, and progressive supranuclear palsy. There are many risk factors that can lead or increase the likelihood of dementia, some that can’t be changed and others that can. Among risk factors that cannot be changed are increasing age, family history, and Down syndrome. Risk factors that you can change--whether by change in behavior or use of  medication--are alcohol use, atherosclerosis (plaques on artery walls), blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, diabetes, high estrogen levels, homocysteine blood levels, and smoking. Besides treating the conditions that cause dementia, there are some medications that can control the behavior associated with dementia and slow the rate of progressive dementia. Those medication types that can alleviate behavior issues include anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, serotonin-affecting drugs, and stimulants. An additional aid to someone with dementia is to wear medical ID jewelry, like a medical ID bracelet, medical alert pendant, medical ID charm, or medical ID necklace. A medical ID can prove invaluable in the case that a person with dementia gets lost, forgets their personal and medical information, or is exhibiting behavior that might otherwise be perceived negatively. In summary, dementia encompasses a wide array of symptoms with a wide array of causes, some preventable or reversible and others not. Whatever the case, it is important to see a doctor at the earliest signs of dementia so that symptoms can be treated and a plan for the future, if necessary, can be put in place. Continue reading...