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Autism/Asperger's/Anxiety/Twitches

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Expert: - 4/24/2009


Question
i am lady and am 21 yrs old. I have a diagnosis of Asperger's. Recently I was in a psych ward for harming myself. I tried to cut my arms. Lately I have been noticing twitches that I can't control kind of like motor tics. It started to come last year but recently it has gotten worse. I was wondering if people with ASD can develop twitches when they are highly stressed or anxious. Or could it be some thing else that I should be worried about.

Answer
Hi Gabby

I really can't answer this question fully and would like to recommend you speak with your doctor. However, the only thing that I know is that ASD is related to Tourette's Syndrome and perhaps the twitches are related. Or, could it be a side effect of your medication? If you are taking medication like Ritalin, sometimes twitches can increase. Please speak with your physician.

Valerie Herskowitz

Autism

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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