How Google Glass Can Help Fight Autism

Google Glass is one of the latest devices that is creating ripples in the world of gadgets and technology. One of the most interesting twists or recent developments that intrigued medical researchers is this gadget's contribution in the field of autism. Recent reports state that people can benefit, especially the autistic kids, with the help of this glass. Are you wondering how the above statement got validated? Paul Louden is one of the most prominent figures as a Google Glass explorer, who suffers from the Asperger Syndrome. It is actually his quest to find out how his invention can help the victims of this disorder.

What is the Google Glass?

The Google Glass looks like an eyewear and it is an electronic device that can get connected with your Smartphone or Bluetooth. This gadget has a small camera, touchpad, display, microphone and a battery, attached neatly inside the narrow frame. The frame spreads from one ear to the other. It is easily wearable and is also very comfortable. Clearly, this gadget is here to stay because of the kind of comfort it provides to its users.

The Views of the Medical Researchers

Medical researchers grabbed the opportunity offered by Google Glass. This device works in ways that prove beneficial for the people suffering from disabilities like vision, hearing and mobility. Not just autism, but this gadget can also help in curing other health problems as well. In case of poor health conditions, this glass can help in curbing the effects, if not preventing it completely. It is a great find in the field of medical science, broadening the scope of the medical researchers to explore more.

Google Glass - Its Uses in the Field of Autism

Some researchers went a step forward in trying to incorporate the facial recognition software into the Google Glass. This software mainly assists the autistic people to easily find or even understand the emotions of people around them. With the help of the facial analytics, this Glass can scan the face. After the scanning is complete, it sends out signals whether the person finds you interesting or not. As signals, this device flashes different colored lights. These signals help autistic people understand whether they should continue a conversation or not

Another major problem among autistic people is their tendency to forget what they should do next. This device helps to remind them about their next course of action all the time. By doing so, this glass acts as a constant guide they need, till a time when these actions become a habit that no longer needs a reminder.

Final Thoughts

Google Glass is one of the latest advancements in the field of technology that managed to touch people from all walks of life. It is a revolutionary glass, especially for the disabled. Why is it so? This is because this device assures to either benefit or cure the autistic people in more ways than one.-By Allen Wood

Asperger's vs Autism

There has been a lot of debate about the nature of Asperger's syndrome and where it fits within the Autism spectrum. The one thing that is known for sure is that Asperger's IS a type of autism, but without many of the debilitating symptoms. There are many differences between what most people think of when they imagine an autistic child and one that suffers from Asperger's syndrome. Let's take a look at some of the basic differences.

1. A child who is typically autistic will show severe lapses in the development of language. A high percentage of autistic children may never develop language skills at all. With a child or an adolescent who has Asperger's syndrome, language skills are usually not affected at all and in fact can be above average. A child with Asperger's syndrome can show impaired social development that may lead to a lack of language usage, but the actual development of the language itself is on par with other children of the same age.

2. A second way to differentiate Asperger's disease from classic autism is the cognitive abilities of Asperger's children. Most kids that have Asperger's show normal or even above average cognitive ability in classroom settings and on I.Q. tests. This extends into the later years of development too. However, children with classic autism show cognitive impairments that usually do not improve with age.

3. A third and major difference between kids with autism and Asperger's is the way the two interact socially. In most cases, although there are variances since each child with autism and each child with Asperger's reacts differently, a child who is autistic can sometimes come across as being cocky or not really caring about children around them. However children with Asperger's syndrome in most cases want to be social but are just very, very awkward. They tend to be too formal in social situations, and they are thought to not show empathy to other children. They may also appear to have no knowledge of social rules and proper mannerisms. They can also show almost complete lack of eye contact, which many regard as a lack of interest in being social, but it is more out of awkwardness than a lack of wanting to be social.

4. A final way that you can tell if a child has Asperger's syndrome and not traditional autism is the way an Asperger's syndrome child becomes obsessed with things. The subject of the obsession can range something like sports statistics to obscure things like names of Russian czars or any other bizarre thing you can think of. This obsessive behavior also has an impact on the child's socialization. They tend to only want to talk about whatever their current obsession is with other people, including kids their own age. This can add to the awkward social interaction that is common for those with Asperger's syndrome.

When talking about Asperger's vs Autism, children with Asperger's are sometimes referred to as having 'high functioning autism'. This is a subjective term and has no medical definition. However it is often used to refer to children with typical Asperger's symptoms or mild autism symptoms.

By Rachel Evans

Autism and Holidays - 10 Tips For Enjoying Holidays With Your Autistic Child

The holidays are a special time to share with family and build memories. This can be very difficult for families with an Autistic child. You can still have an enjoyable celebration, it just means that as a parent you will have to take some extra care and be sure to plan ahead.

1. Keep Visits Short: Plan shorter visits with family and friends. This will help prevent your child from getting too tired or overstimulated. You can schedule several visits so you can still have the same quantity of time.
2. Have Fewer Visitors: If possible, keep the visitors to a few at time. This isn't always possible in a large family or where people are traveling from out-of-town. Another option is to have a quiet place for your child to retreat where they can be alone or with just a few family members.
3. Don't Force Activities: If you put too much energy into pressing an activity your child doesn't like, it will cause grief for all involved.
4. Keep Routines: If it is important to your child to go to bed or eat at a certain time, then hold to it. If it is not possible to keep the full routine, have them engage in similar activity at the regular time such as a nap, a snack, or a quiet time.
5. Divide Your Time: Spread holiday activities out to help keep your child's time and energy more balanced.
6. Shop Kid-Free: This is especially important if your child does not like crowds. The amount of activity during the holidays can be overwhelming enough for those of us without Autism.
7. Open a Few Presents at a Time: The excitement of opening gifts can get out of control and lead to overstimulation. Opening a few presents at a time can help your child enjoy their gifts even more.
8. Make Others Aware: It is important to communicate with family and friends. They may not understand the nuances of what your child needs or what is going to cause harm. There will probably be some who find fault in your methods. Remind yourself of what you know to be true about your child if a conflict occurs.
9. Focus on the Holidays: Holidays are meant to be spent with family and loved ones. Focus on your blessings and on the love you have for your family.
10. Reward Your Child's Good Behavior: This will be a positive reinforcement and may inspire your child to be on his best behavior.

Bonus Tip

Let Yourself Relax: If your child senses stress or anxiety from you they will follow suit. Remember to breathe deeply and remove yourself from the situation for a few minutes if necessary. Take some time to pamper yourself. It will help energize you to better care for you child.

The holidays with an Autistic child can be a wonderful time. Step back from your daily problems and struggles. Remember your blessings and enjoy the holidays with your family.

By Deborah Lee

Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy

Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the medical use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. Hyper means increased and baric relates to pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) refers to intermittent treatment of the entire body with 100-percent oxygen at greater than normal atmospheric pressure. The earth's atmosphere normally exerts about 15 pounds per square inch of pressure at sea level. That pressure is defined as one atmosphere absolute (1 ATA). In the ambient atmosphere we normally breathe approximately 20 percent oxygen and 80 percent nitrogen. While undergoing HBOT, pressure is increased up to two times (2 ATA) in 100% oxygen.

This increased pressure, combined with an increase in oxygen to 100 percent, dissolves oxygen in the blood plasma and in all body cells, tissues and fluids at up to 10 times normal concentration-high enough to sustain life with no blood at all (from 20% to 100% oxygen is an increase of 5 times, from 1 ATA to 2 ATA can double this to a 10-fold increase). 

Some of the many amazing benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy are that it : 

* greatly increases oxygen concentration in all body tissues, even with reduced or blocked blood flow;

* stimulates the growth of new blood vessels to locations with reduced circulation, improving blood flow to areas with arterial blockage;

* causes a rebound arterial dilation, resulting in an increased blood vessel diameter greater than when therapy began, improving blood flow to compromised organs;

* stimulates an adaptive increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the body's principal, internally produced antioxidants and free radical scavengers; and,

* aids the treatment of infection by enhancing white blood cell action.

The use of increased atmospheric pressure for medical therapy has intrigued many physicians and scientists for hundreds of years. Though not new, HBOT has recently gained importance for treatment of chronic degenerative health problems related to atherosclerosis, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, diabetic ulcers, wound healing, cerebral palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, and many other disorders. Wherever blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs is reduced, function and healing can be aided with HBOT. When the brain is injured by stroke, CP, or trauma, HBOT may activate stunned parts of the brain to restore function. 

Results can be dramatic. Patients with cerebral vascular disease commonly recover from complications of stroke more readily after HBOT. This is also true for potentially gangrenous legs and feet caused by blocked circulation, and for slow-healing diabetic ulcers. HBOT relieves pain, helps fight infection, and keeps threatened tissues alive.

One of the world's most experienced authorities on hyperbaric medicine Dr. Edgar End, clinical professor of environmental medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin had this to say : "I've seen partially paralyzed people half carried into the HBOT chamber, and they walk out after the first treatment. If we got to these people quickly, we could prevent a great deal of damage."

Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps Autism, Cerebral Palsy, MS, Parkinsons, Athletic Performing, healing of wounds, used as immune defense and much more.

By Paul S Fitzgerald