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Ask Questions. Get Answers. Ask the Professionals E-mail your questions to: features@independentfreepress.com Q:My child was recently diagnosed with autism. As well as being overwhelmed with thisdiagnosis, I am having a hard time understanding exactly what autism is. Ive read the medical definition, could you explain it in laymans terms? A:This is an excellent question there is a great deal of misinformation in the public domainregarding what autism is versus what behaviours can occur as a result of autism. When you make a decision on how to use your resources (time, energy, and money) to best help your child, you will want to address those issues that will make the most difference in your childs quality of life. Many individuals on the autism spectrum have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit disorder, speech disorders and sensory integration disorders. Because these disorders are common to people on the spectrum, it is easy to think of them as being part of the autism, but this is not the case. Co-occurring disorders are separate issues, and while they often need to be dealt with separately, they are not the autism. Because of their deficits, most individuals on the autism spectrum have difficulty dealing with the uncertainty of dynamic life situations. In order to cope, they develop strategies to deal with the uncertainty. They may try to avoid or control situations. They may develop repetitive behaviors like hand flapping, rocking, or repeating phrases. While these behaviors are a result of the deficits of autism, they are not the autism. From an RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) perspective, autism (including Aspergers Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder) is defined as those deficits that prevent an individual from having a quality of life. The deficits of autism are deficits in dynamic abilities. Individuals on the autism spectrum are not impaired in static (rote) abilities like accumulating knowledge and following rules, but they are universally impaired in dynamic (changing) abilities such as the ability to have a fluid conversation and to think flexibly. By addressing your childs deficits in dynamic abilities and remediating the autism itself, he or she will be more able to deal with the uncertainties in life and you will see an improvement in the behaviors that have resulted from the autism. Therapies designed for autism target different things. Some address co-occurring conditions and behavior issues, while others teach rote abilities. In deciding which therapy to use to best help your child, you need to look at what each therapy is aiming to achieve. The goal of RDI is to remediate deficits in dynamic abilities and allow children to have a quality of life. For more information about RDI, visit www.rdiconnect.com. Cindi Olsen Education Director 324 Guelph Street., Georgetown 905-877-3163 Q:What is the flu and why should I get a flu shot? A:Influenza, or the flu, is an acute infection of the upper respiratory tractcharacterized by fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough and inflamed nasal passages. While very uncomfortable, most people recover without any long lasting repercussions but here are a few things to consider: 1. The flu is responsible for more deaths throughout history than all other diseases. In Canada, an estimated 5000 people (mostly over 65 years of age) die every year from flu-aggravated illness. 2. Some people are more susceptible to complications caused by the flu, such as pneumonia, which may lead to death. Those most susceptible are the very young, elderly and anyone with a chronic illness that compromises their immunity and the annual flu shot remains the most effective strategy for decreasing these complications. 3. Even a normally healthy robust individual may require 2 or more weeks (sometimes longer) to fully recover from the flu. This can translate into reduced work productivity and income. 4. Even if you do not care if you get the flu (more people do care!), consider those people closest to you and the risk to them. 5. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot. It is a vaccine containing broken fragments of the three viruses most likely to be prevalent this season, which are not active. Immunize yourself and your family at our free flu shot clinic at Shoppers Drug Mart Georgetown Market Place on November 28 from 1 to 8 pm. Appointments available but walk-ins are welcome. AAAA ssss kkkk TTTT hhhh eeee PPPP rrrr oooo ffff eeee ssss ssss iiii oooo nnnn aaaa llll ssss Marta Masley B.Sc.(PT), M.C.P.A. Elayne M. Tanner B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., R.S.W., DIP. SOC. ADM. Counselling & Psychotherapy Milton 905-854-0801 www.etasolutions.com Elayne M. Tanner Elayne Tanner & Associates Inc. Q:My husband and I are planning to have a child soon. Does my health andgeneral care during the pregnancy really have an impact on the baby? A:Your health and prenatal care are imperative to a healthy baby, bothphysically and mentally. We hear more about a babys physical health but sometimes we forget that the brain, the organ that affects every behaviour, temperament, pain and body function, is also a developing part of a fetus and baby. It has been shown that mothers behaviours during pregnancy and in the early stages of the infants life can have a significant impact on the development of the babys brain. The brain then in turn, affects every aspect of the babys future life. One very interesting example of this is the discovery that frontal brain damage can cause a slow heart rate and slow heart rate is an indicator of future aggression, antisocial behaviour and poor impulse control. Brain damage that will cause slow heart rate in an infant will be caused by such variables as: a) Mother smoking during pregnancy b) Second-hand smoke exposure during the developing years c) Malnutrition of mother during pregnancy d) Malnutrition of baby during development This may be an explanation not only to account for aggressive children, teens and adults, but also for the rise in ADD/ADHD and other such behavioural problems. I hope this impresses upon you the need for good medical attention, good nutrition and the importance of not smoking during pregnancy. Be healthy and give your baby the best start in life so that you will always have much to be thankful for. Q:Any suggestions on keeping my children motivated withtheir school work? A:Yes, develop a School Strategy: Part One Set a Routine. Remember that school is a routine, as are any extra curricular activities that your child is involved with. The sooner that your child is familiar with the routine, the sooner he/ she will flourish within the boundaries that a routine provides. Establish schedules around eating breakfast, school preparations, after school activities and bed times. Set Goals. Practice goal setting by working together towards small, achievable and measurable goals. When children work toward an end point, they build confidence in their abilities. This confidence transfers from one area of life to another. Give them an A for effort. Children who consistently give their best effort are more likely to persist and succeed. The amount of effort that they put into something, a project, studying for a test, practicing for a game, is completely within their control. SUSAN S. POWELL BARRISTER & SOLICITOR FAMILY LAW 2 COUNTY COURT BLVD., BRAMPTON (1 block south of Steeles at Hwy. 10) 905-455-6677 Q:My husband has separated from me afterbeing married 25 years. Our children are grown up. I know I have to see a lawyer but Im so upset I cant think straight. My husband keeps telling me to deal with it. Do I have to see a lawyer right away or can it wait until I feel better. A:It is usually best to see a lawyer fairly soon tohave him/her review your rights and obligations with you. You have, however, 6 years from the day you separated to go to Court to get a decision on any equalization payment owing by your husband or yourself with regard to your property. If you get a divorce you have the earlier of either 2 years from the date your divorce is final or 6 years from the date you separated. Susan S. Powell PAULETTE CORMIER Autism Consultant RDI Program Certified Consultant paulette.rdi@cogeco.ca 905-873-9491 Paulette Cormier B.A., B.Ed Theresa Portelli, B.Sc.Phm. Pharmacist FREE PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY Open until Midnight 7 days a week Georgetown Marketplace 905-877-2291 Lets TalkTM Q:I have a two month-old baby that I have been breastfeedingexclusively. I am starting to develop some neck and back pain because of this. Any suggestions on what I can do? A:The mechanics of breastfeeding requires that you spend a great partof your days and nights in a hunched over position. When your body is curved like that for long periods of time the muscles are stretched and stressed unable to relax. Some suggestions that may help minimize the stress on your body: - Avoid sitting in low soft chairs, your knees should not be higher than your pelvis - Use a chair with good lumbar support, or place a small rolled-up towel in the small of your back - Bring the baby to your breast, not the opposite - Use a nursing pillow or a firm regular pillow to elevate him/her - Make sure your baby facing you, not up - Do not cross your legs, this compresses the veins and arteries in your legs - Take some time to stretch after your baby is done, chances are that youve been in the same position anywhere from 15-45 minutes you need to stretch yourself in the opposite direction to undue the tightness that has developed Seeing a physiotherapist can allow you to obtain an individualized home stretching program and have your specific pain addressed. 83 Mill Street, Suite B, Georgetown, Ontario Tel: (905) 877-8668 Fax: (905) 877-4165 by ALEX TRENTON DENTURIST Creating confident smiles since 1982. Alexander Trenton, DD, F.C.A.D. (A) Denturist Georgetown Denture Clinic, 18 Church Street, Georgetown, Ontario (905) 877-2359 (Across from the Library and Cultural Centre) Tooth Chatter THE "DREADED" IMPRESSION! Many people are reluctant to have new dentures made because of experiences they went through when having their original set made. New technology and materials have made this procedure a "Palatable Experience". So now, even people with a sensitive gag reflex, that tend to gag very easily, find it much easier than they had expected. Special rubber based materials and putties are now available, thus replacing the materials known for dripping down the throat and causing that gagging feeling. An impression is taken of your gums. The print is then reproduced in stone, which will be an exact replica of your gums, and from this foundation your denture is made. So don't dread the impression! Most people report that they would have had new dentures made sooner, if they had known how much easier the impressions are today. Denture Technology is making leaps and bounds! LET US MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION! You do not need a referral; simply call our office direct. www.georgetowndentureclinic.com Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, October 24, 2007 21 Georgetown 7, Flamborough 2: Marty Burwell (2G, 3A); Jacob Hector (2G, A); Matt Simpson, Cory Highfield (G, A); Teagan Gilian (G); Stevie Rosa, Jake MacNeil, Nick Hale, Matthew Carr, Blair VanderGlas (A); Tyler Anderson (W). Georgetown 10, Caledon 1: Gilian (3G, A); Lucas Jenkins (2G); VanderGlas (G, 2A); Hector, Adam Charalambides, Burwell (G, A); Cody Menzies (G); Highfield (4A); Keegan Martinec, MacNeil, Adam Dobis, Ben Sutherland (A); Anderson (W). Bantam AA Raiders Cameron Jenkins posted the shutout for the Georgetown Wild Wing bantam AA Raiders in their rout of Flamborough. Georgetown 7, Flamborough 0: Troy Noakes (2G); Tyler Nieuwendyk, Brendan Krivec, Dalton Pearce, Andrew Moffatt (G, A); Nic Pierog (G); Kyle Kutlesa (2A); Andrew Smith, Hayden Mancini, Shaun Riedstra, Chris Guerette, Jake Tousignant (A); Jenkins (SO). Caledon 4, Georgetown 1: Riedstra (G); Moffatt, Derek Kessel (A). Guelph 2, Georgetown 1: Kessel (G); Nieuwendyk, Moffatt (A). Georgetown 5, Milton 1: Pierog (2G, A); Smith (2G); Kutlesa (G); Tyler Shippel (2A); Nieuwendyk, Noakes (A); Joey Ragone (W). Georgetown 3, Dundas 0: Pearce, Pierog (G, A); Nieuwendyk (G); Shippel, Smith (A); Jenkins (W). Oakville 6, Georgetown 1: Smith (G). Minor Peewee Raiders continue torrid pace Continued from pg. 20