The main difference between Asperger’s and autism spectrum disorder

For most people, distinguishing Asperger’s and autism spectrum disorder or ASD can be difficult. We in the science community continue discovering new aspects of neurological disorders that definitions tend to change often, especially for relatively new diseases. Dr. Curtis Cripe states that people need to have a clear idea of the two neurological disorders as mistaking one for the other can raise serious concerns.

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Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological condition where the brain’s development is hindered, which causes problems in social interaction and communication. Medical experts use the term spectrum because ASD refers to a wide range of different symptoms with varying severities. Aside from leading to difficulty in communication and social interaction, ASD can also show repetitive patterns of behavior in people suffering from it.

As for Asperger’s Disorder, people who suffer from the condition, unlike those with ASD, want to have social interaction with other people but don’t know how to do it. They are described as socially awkward and have poor understanding of social conventions, may lack empathy, or find it difficult to read social cues.

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One would easily mistake Asperger’s with the first level of the ASD spectrum, which is often described as manifesting in people with high functioning autism. What makes it easy to distinguish Asperger’s from ASD is the fact that there is no delay when it comes to speech and communication in Asperger’s patients.

Because of the nature of Asperger’s, it has been added and removed or reclassified as being part of the spectrum of ASD. Due to the nature of neurological diseases and disorders, Dr. Curtis Cripe believes that there is still much to learn about neurological disorders, how they can be treated, and how people can better manage them.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a multidisciplinary neuroengineer and aerospace engineer whose diverse background includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. To know more about Dr. Cripe, visit this website.

What to do after detecting autism in children

The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can sometimes be difficult to spot at earlier stages. These include problems in language comprehension, delay in speaking, abnormal tone of voice, inappropriate social interaction, and poor eye contact. It may even take another person to suspect something. According to neuroengineering expert Dr. Curtis Cripe, parents should have their children tested for ASD if they suspect anything because catching it at an early stage can make a big difference.

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Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, parents should prepare. And, more importantly, they shouldn’t let the disorder intimidate them. They should find the time to learn all about ASD, what changes in their lifestyle are expected, and what can be done.

Also, some parents tend to blame themselves because of the genetic anomaly of ASD. Your child is still the same blessing you had since day one and nothing changes that fact. It’s not the end of the world and there are truly wonderful stories out there regarding people with ASD and the leaps and bounds they are able to make despite the situation.

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Lastly, some parents look at ASD as a life-threatening disease like cancer. However, it is a brain disorder, not a disease and many proven therapies can help. While it is indeed life-changing, Dr. Curtis Cripe believes that it doesn’t mean that your child should be treated anything other than a loved one growing up and discovering the world, just like any other kid.

Dr. Curtis Cripeis a multidisciplinary neuroengineer and aerospace engineer whose diverse work background includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. To know more about Dr. Cripe and his expertise, visit thiswebsite.

An overview of the neurological disorder known as Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome refers to a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a combination of physical and mental tics. These tics typically manifest themselves between the ages of six and 18. Often the tics become less severe or disappear completely when a person suffering from the disorder reaches their late teens, but it can also worsen as the person becomes a full-fledged adult, explains behavioral medicine expert Dr. Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group.

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This syndrome is named after the French physician Georges de la Tourette, who described the symptoms among nine of his patients in 1884. While Tourette’s was once considered a rare disorder, newer studies estimate that one in every 162 children in the U.S. alone has it and that it’s more prevalent among boys. It’s important to note that most diagnosed patients link Tourette’s to other developmental, behavioral, or mental disorders.

The basic signs of Tourette’s are involuntary and repetitive sounds and body movements which, as stated earlier, are called tics. However, not all tics are necessarily Tourette’s, the differences often based on the duration of the tics. To be clear, Tourette’s consist of both motor and phonic tics, assessed to have been occurring for over a year. Another tic disorder is transient tic, which is considered benign and does not last for over 12 months. Chronic tic refers to either a single or multiple motor or vocal tic but not both.

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Neurologists have yet to learn what causes Tourette Syndrome exactly, but both genetic and environmental factors are seen to play a vital role in its development. Some experts posit that because it’s believed to be hereditary, those with family members that have it are more likely to get Tourette’s. However, it has also been diagnosed in people with no family history of tics. Neurological studies continue to be done to identify gene variations that enhance developmental risks related to the disorder, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds.

Dr. Curtis Cripeis the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the creation of neuroengineering programs which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous neurological disorders. Go to this page for more neurology-related reads.

A look at common neurological disorders and their prevalence

Today, advancements in neuroscience have led to the identification of hundreds of neurological conditions, disorders that vary in symptom and severity from person to person says neuroengineering professional Dr. Curtis Cripe.

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While certain conditions are more serious and rarer than others, they are all disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system— affecting the brain, cranial and peripheral nerves, spinal cord, automatic nervous system, muscles, and nerve roots. The most common ones are Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, epilepsy, migraine headache disorders, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, neuro infections, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and disorders related to head trauma or TBI.

It should be mentioned that a variety of infections can likewise affect the nervous system. These include viral ones like the West Nile, HIV, and Zika virus; bacterial ones like tuberculosis; parasitic infections like malaria; and fungal ones like Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. Also, neurological symptoms may be a result of an immune response or occur due to the infection itself.

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Today, hundreds of millions are affected by neurological disorders all over the world, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds. Recent studies show that over 50 million people have epilepsy; 47.5 million are suffering from dementia (with Alzheimer’s disease being the leading cause), and more than 6 million people die from stroke each year. Even migraine cases are growing, comprising over 10 percent of global neurological disorders.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. For related posts, visit this blog.

Exploring Neurological Disorders In Babies: Signs And Symptoms

Babies have the amazing ability to develop incredibly fast, going from helpless tiny humans to fast walkers in no time. But there are plenty of factors why they can fall behind and experience a number of congenital neurological problems. Here are some common disorders of this kind among infants.

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Asphyxia or oxygen deprivation can take place when a baby is deprived of oxygen before, during, or after birth. On the other hand, as a common neurological problem in both babies and children, seizures can range in severity, depending on the underlying cause. Hemorrhages can occur in different parts of an infant’s brain, too, and can also range in severity depending on the size of the brain area affected by bleeding.

More severe neurological conditions can be evident at birth, such as an abnormally large forehead or abnormally shaped skull. Some signs of brain damage include an unusually small skull, abnormal facial features, seizures, stiffness, difficulty focusing vision, and inability to feed. Poor muscle coordination could occur, too – doctors note that this problem and jerking in infant limbs may signal epileptic activity if it persists.

If at delivery the signs of neurological issues are already evident, the doctor will start working with the parents to set up a treatment plan and make sure the baby gets all the needed care. Milder cases are more difficult to identify, but if the baby is already falling behind in the developmental curve, it may be a chance to talk about potential causes and what could be done.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe has a diverse background in neuroengineering, aerospace engineering, psychology, psychophysiology, software development and programming, addiction recovery, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. Read more about neurological diseases on this page.