When you talk about head banging and the child with Autism, really terrible pictures come to people's minds. It is important to recognize this and make a conscious decision to talk about it. It is one of the critical pieces to helping your child. When typical parents are uncomfortable about something they tend to keep quiet about it. Some parents are even a little embarrassed to talk about it. I know I kept quiet and felt embarrassed..

Of course just like any other parent, parents of children with Autism did not plan to have a child with a disability. Many parents of children with a disability have typical children as well. Those are the same parents who are reluctant to talk about head banging. Even if parents have the typical children first it is not surprising when they do not talk about head banging.

Unfortunately, not talking about it keeps parents from learning about things that can help. It also prevents parents from experiencing the relief of finding other parents who are experiencing the same problems. Head banging may or may not be the strangest behavior your child with Autism will have but you need to talk about it.

One of the things that parents are sometimes surprised to find out is that there are several medications which are available to parents of children with Autism to help with head banging. It never even occurred to me to ask a doctor about it. I have routinely bumped into other parents who do not know this. It is important to look for a doctor who specifically has experience with medication and head banging. The medications are prescribed for off label uses but have been found to be very helpful to some children with Autism.

The explanation for the way these medications work is complicated. So the short explanation is that the medication helps the child with Autism feel the pain. When medication works it is wonderful. If a specific medication is going to work it also starts working within a few doses. When our children hit their heads they are stimulating endomorphins, so there is no pain. It actually feels good when their head slams against the floor or the refrigerator..

When our children take the medication it helps them feel the pain. Very quickly our children learn not to bang their head. Even now my child with Autism will start to bang her head and may even actually hit her head on the floor. She certainly does not do it the second time.

Autism appears to be the leading mentally challenged disorder presently. But, exactly what is autism?

Autism, usually rearing its head in children, is described as a developmental disorder that bears impaired communication, emotional detachment and excessive rigidity. There are two types of autism - regressive and non-regressive. Autism, developing in children from about 18-months-of-age, is known as autism when children begin losing language and other developments. Non-regressive autism occurs from birth.

How do I know my child autistic?

When children are born with Down's syndrome, it is harder to trace autism in them then it is to trace in a non-Down's syndrome child. Social and emotional developments are delayed in an autistic child. If tracing autism in a Down syndrome child is close to impossible for you, look out for the following.

Autistic loneliness - Generally, children with Down's syndrome are loveable and enjoy being hugged or love to hug. However a child with autism usually prefers to be by himself. Autistic children consider people as objects rather than people.

Changeless routines - Even a slight change can cause a child with autism to go berserk. Sameness breeds familiarity for them.

Lack of eye contact - Autistic children do not make eye contact, but instead they often look 'right through' people.

Repetitive movement - It has been observed that autistic children can sit for long hours while waving an object and staring at it.

How do I, as a parent, handle a child with autism

Autistic children usually display intense emotions. Mrs Pillay is a mother whose 5-year-old son, Somesh, has been diagnosed with mild autism. "Even though it's just mild autism, he is extremely sensitive and cries over nothing at times. He is in normal day care but when these episodes take place, he has to be separated until he calms down. Sometimes he stares into oblivion for hours," explains Mrs Pillay about Somesh.

Somesh's condition for mild autism is nothing out of the usual. Working with an occupational therapist is probably the best for both Mrs Pillay and her son. Autistic children suffer from seizures, ranging from mild to severe, at times. When a child is seizing, never move him unless he is danger of falling down the stairs, etc. Try to gently turn the child on his side and loosen the clothing around his neck.

If a holiday celebration is coming up, plan it wisely. Gifts and toys do not make a difference to a child with autism. Mrs Webber remembers her daughter, Christina now 16, back in the old days when everyone would be busily tearing open their presents on Christmas morning. Christina, then 5, would sit and stare, focused on an ornament hanging from the tree. "She never touched a present and even when we unwrapped her gifts for her, she would merely ignore us, the gifts and just about everything else in the room," remembers Mrs Webber with a tear. Rather than toys, shower the child with love and attention, which according to most therapists are what many autistic children are lacking in today.

What happens if autism is left untreated?

If left untreated, autistic children's social skills and speech skills will not develop effectively. The number of children who recover from autism without any help is extremely low.

What treatments are there available for autistic children?

There is no cure for autism but there are many treatments available for autism. However the treatment that suits the child may vary from individual to the next. Listed below are those that are not only popular but have seen good effects as well.

Behaviour Modification - Highly structured and skill-oriented activities that are based on the patient's needs and interests are carried out with a therapist and extensive caregiver.

Communication Therapy - Autistic patients who are unable to communicate verbally , communication therapy is used to initiate language development.

Dietary Modifications - At times, altering the diet, digestion may be improved and food tolerances or allergies may be eliminated and therefore behavioural problems (caused by these tolerances or allergies) may reduce.

An autistic child can be as different or similar as a normal child, depending on how you look at him and treat him. At the end of the day, he is your child and will always be. No amount of denial or leaving him for long hours in special needs schools will change that. It's time for every parent to make a difference and embrace the child for who he is rather than for what he is.