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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most commonTrusted Source neurodevelopmental disorders. In most cases, autistic people receive a diagnosis in childhood, usually after the age of 4 years. However, some autistic adults are not diagnosed in childhood, even if their symptoms are more severe.

For an autistic person not diagnosed in childhood, receiving an ASD diagnosis later in life may be helpful for many reasons. In particular, it can provide better access to services and support. In this article, we discuss the signs and symptoms of ASD in adulthood and what to do if a person would like a diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms of adult autism

Autistic people may find some aspects of communication and social interaction challenging. They may have difficulty relating to people and understanding their emotions. Autistic adults may also have inflexible thought patterns and behavior, and may carry out repetitive actions.

Common signs and symptoms of ASD in adults can includeTrusted Source:

• difficulty making conversation
• difficulty making or maintaining close friendships
• discomfort during eye contact
• challenges with regulating emotions
• extreme interest in one particular topic
• frequent monologues on the same subject or subjects
• hypersensitivity to sounds or smells that do not seem to bother others
• involuntary noises, such as repetitive throat clearing
• difficulty understanding sarcasm or idioms
• lack of inflection when speaking
• limited interest in only a few activities
• preference for solitary activities
• problems reading the emotions of others
• trouble understanding facial expressions and body language
• reliance on daily routines and difficulty dealing with change
• repetitive behaviors
• social anxiety
• superiorTrusted Source abilities in a particular field, such asTrusted Source mathematics or other disciplines
• the need to arrange items in a specific order

Autistic people will not usually have all the above signs and symptoms, and they may experience others that are not on the list.

There may be some similarities between ASD and other disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the signs and symptoms of ASD vary from person to person.

Also, the symptoms can differ across genders. Some people may seem able to cope better with social situations than others, as their symptoms may be more subtle and masked. As a result, it can be more challenging to diagnose ASD.

Diagnosis

Seeking an ASD diagnosis as an adult can be challenging for several reasons:

• People who did not receive a diagnosis in their younger years may have milder symptoms, which can be more difficult to recognize. At times, such people may never get a diagnosis.
• If people have been living with ASD for some time, they may be better at masking the signs and symptoms.
• Research shows that one of the common diagnostic tests for autism in adulthood, the ADOS-2, may be fairly reliable. But a doctor needs to recognize a person’s symptoms in order to refer them to testing.

Is there a test for ASD in adults?

Clinicians have developed different tests that can help diagnose ASD in adults. These include diagnostic tests such as ADOS 2 Module 4, ADI-R, and 3Di Adult.

However, it is not clear how reliable these tests are for adults. The reasons for this include:

• Researchers who look at the reliability of ASD tests often useTrusted Source a small number of study participants.
• Not many research studies on testing for adult ASD include enough participants from historically underserved groups, such as People of Color or people who are LGBTQIA+. This means the results of studies looking at ASD testing methods may not represent a true population of autistic adults.
• Many clinicians may not be familiar with the signs of ASD in adulthood. This is especially true if the patient’s symptoms are not severe or if the patient also has other conditions, for example, anxiety.

Autistic people may have higher ratesTrusted Source of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety or depression, than those in the general population.

How to begin a diagnosis process

Adults who suspect they or a loved one might be autistic can do a self-assessment test for adults. A person can find these tests online. While they cannot give a diagnosis, the tests are a good starting point.

A person seeking a diagnosis can take the results of such a test to a primary care doctor who will try to determine whether ASD may be present by:

• enquiring about the symptoms, both current and during childhood
• observing and interacting with the person
• speaking to a loved one (with permission)
• checking for other physical or mental health conditions that may be causing symptoms

If no underlying physical condition can explain the symptoms, the doctor may refer the person to a psychiatrist or a psychologist to make an ASD diagnosis.

If symptoms are not present in childhood but begin in adolescence or adulthood, this may indicate a cognitive or mental health condition other than ASD.

It may be difficult to find a specialist who can diagnose ASD in adults. Individuals who would like a diagnosis for themselves or a loved one may need to do research to find a provider with experience diagnosing autistic adults.

Another option is to speak to a developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist who is willing to see adult clients.

Benefits of diagnosis

Not every undiagnosed autistic adult may want or need a diagnosis. It is important to respect the needs and preferences of the individual. For those who prefer it, a diagnosis may offer several advantages.

• It may provide an explanation for the challenges an autistic individual may be experiencing.
• It may give family members, friends, and colleagues a better understanding of ASD.
• It may open up access to services and benefits, including in the workplace or education environments.
• It may replace an incorrect diagnosis, such as ADHD.

Living with autism

Living with ASD may be hard for some autistic adults. They may struggleTrusted Source with social interactions, get fixated on routines, or experience sensitivities to light or sound.

Many of the same symptoms that appear in autistic children may also exist in adults. But adults experiencing these symptoms may find it difficult to live independent, day-to-day lives as a result.

A study on services and outcomes in autistic adults showed that 27% of autistic participants were unemployed. Autistic adults may also have more limited options for support services than autistic children. In the same study, 25% of autistic participants reported not getting enough support services.

Some autistic adults experience high intelligence, strong memory, an ability to think “outside the box,” and strong talent in particular areas. Other traits can include a unique sense of humor, and a strong sense of fairness and justice.

For many autistic people, ASD is an essential part of their identity and does not require support. For those autistic adults who experience more challenges, increased access to the following may help:

Education

Learning more about autism can give autistic individuals and their loved ones or carers a greater understanding of the condition.

It can also help an autistic person feel validated and find solutions that work for them.

Friends and family can help reduce stress and be more compassionate by accessing available learning opportunities, many of which are free.

Therapy

As with neurotypical people, autistic people may benefit from seeing a therapist if they are experiencing anxiety, work stress, or feelings of isolation.

Therapists can introduce autistic people to methodsTrusted Source such as cognitive behavioral therapy. This may help with challenges that may be more particular to ASD, such as having rigid thoughts. Therapy may take place either individually or in a group or family setting.

Taking steps to improve mental health inequity can also help underserved autistic adults get the counseling they may need.

Vocational rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation can help autistic people cope with career-related challenges. It allows them to explore the possibility of further education, volunteering, or job changes.

Some autistic people may find their workplaces uncomfortable if they are too noisy, too bright, or require a long commute.

Employers can take steps to support neurodiversity in the workplace, for example, by making appropriate accommodations for autistic employees. Many resources are available, including from the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion.

Autistic people can thrive in the right workplace and with adequate support.

Peer support

Some autistic people may find it helpful to connect with other autistic people who may be experiencing similar things. A person can do this through online groups and forums, or at face-to-face support meetings.

Interacting with other autistic adults may give an autistic person new ideas about things they can do in their own lives. It can also expose a person to more resources.

Many autistic people advocate for taking a more active role in their own support services. A growing body of evidence shows that access to autistic peers can positively benefit an autistic person’s life.

Top of Form

A research paper assignment tend to appear in all the subjects in school. So it doesn’t matter what you’re studying, at some point your professor will ask you to write a research paper. Your research paper will not be interesting to read if you don’t have an interesting topic. So you need to focus on presenting the best topic ever. You need to bear in mind that your professor comes across hundreds of research papers each semester, and they do not waste their time on reading boring topics. Therefore, you need to work extra hard to ensure that your topic stands out, and it grabs the reader’s attention. Below are few tips to help you achieve that.

1. Be Controversial

In certain cases, writing a research paper involves more than just reading up on a subject and reporting back what you’ve found. You’ll probably be asked to make some kind of statement about the subject as well. The problem is that many people have already made similar points in the past. It’s difficult to come across as special if all you’re doing is repeating what others have already written. As a consequence, being provocative and presenting a point that isn’t generally held can be advantageous.
However, you must exercise caution when using this strategy. It doesn’t matter how special or unusual your case is if you don’t have enough proof to back it up. Gather your research and make sure you can make a convincing argument before committing to a topic.

2. Be Focused and Specific

When writing research papers, several students make the mistake of choosing topics that are too broad. This can lead to repetitive work. Your paper would be boring if it reads like an encyclopedia entry, and you will not get the best grade possible.

As a result, you should concentrate on a single aspect of your subject and conduct extensive research on it. However, do not attempt this without first consulting your instructor. You must ensure that this angle is appropriate to them.

3. Use Interesting Trivia

Please don’t get the wrong impression. Your paper should be more than a long list of facts. You can’t compose an article like this without coming across as disorganized. Interesting facts that aren’t well known, on the other hand, can give your work an amusing edge and help you make the right impression. Take notes whenever you come across these bits of trivia during your research and look for ways to incorporate them into the overall subject.

4. Combine Topics

This simple trick is a fast and easy way to combine two uninteresting ideas into a single, convincing one. Check to see if two of your thoughts are linked to each other in some way while you brainstorm future study paper topics. They might not be especially striking to a reader on their own. When they’re combined, though, they can be a lot more interesting. Again, your professors and teachers would be expected to read a large number of research papers in a single semester. You should take several measures to ensure that your subject is special if you want to get a “A+.” These suggestions will assist you in doing so.

Also, students are being given assignments to write about this problem. These students are experts because they know what type of paper is needed from them and the format, but they do not sufficient sources to back their writings with. This is because most of the information available on the internet is not from reliable authors. So many people have written about the subject, but the challenge is, are they reliable? Also, some of the information is not up to date. Therefore, this is the reason students are having a hard time finding information on climate change online.

So we’re going to give you a few sources that you can check whenever you’re writing an essay about climate change.

1. Climate Change Not As Threatening To Planet as Previously Thought, New Research Suggests

If you go to the Telegraph website, you’ll find this article. It was written and published there. What this website does, gives a highlight of the research which was conducted by scientists on climate change. The scientists showed that the world actually doesn’t get warmed faster than we think. By doing this, it gives the rest of the world time to find a solution to these effects. So students should go through this article to find out more about climate change and the effects.

2. Global Warming Solutions

National Geographic published this article. They claim that climate change is caused by human beings, and therefore, there has to be a solution to it. Greenhouses built by people have been speculated to be the main cause of climate change. This is because of the gases they produce. So people have to minimize the use of technologies that use greenhouse gases. Also, people have been advised to find other alternatives in terms of sources of energy.

3. Climate Change: The Case of the Missing Heat

 The wind, gas release, and oceans have been discussed in an article found in Nature.com. It also shows how they contribute to the effect of it. Scientists have also theorized that the global temperature is more likely to rise soon.

4. Americans Finally Realize That We Cause Climate Change

There’s an article that has been published by Huffington Post. This post talks about the recent acceptance that the problem is human-induced by Americans.

5. Tropical Lowland Frogs at Greater Risk from Climate Warming Than High-Elevation Species, Study Shows

This article talks about how certain frog species have been greatly affected by the effects of it. The reason why these creatures are affected is that they live in places where it’s so hard to tolerate the temperature.

So this is a list of reliable sources where you can get genuine information about climate change. Avoid the information that you get from unknown authors, websites, or blogs that just post anything simply to increase the number of visitors to their websites. Therefore, go for websites whose information has been backed with enough evidence to support their claim.

Is there a job that you’re looking for and you’re probably wondering if you’re qualified? Well, sometimes you could be qualified but your resume is saying otherwise. So what you need to do is work on your resume since it’s the most important thing. When you have a great professional resume, it will set you up for success before even getting into that interview room. Below are things that you should consider and others which you should avoid. So consider the following points and you will stand out.

Do’s:

1.   Be Precise

Go straight to the point and avoid providing so much information. This will make it interesting to read.

2.   Apply Bullet Points Where Necessary

When you are mentioning about your previous job, outline the details in bullet form. Also, use bullet points for other concise parts.

3.   Use a Resume Template

If you want your resume to look more professional, you need to use a modern template. What really attracts people to read your resume is the layout used. Tis is often the first impression.

4.   Tailor It

Ensure that your resume is matching the specific job that you’re looking for.

5.   Provide your Personal Information

What employers want is to see your contact information in the header. This is because if they’ll need to contact you it will be easy for them. So try and make their work easier.

6.   Include a Cover Letter

What actually sells you the most is your cover letter. So if you want In addition to tailoring the resume, adding a cover letter for that specific job will definitely help you stand out.

7.   Talk about your accomplishments Instead of Responsibilities

Responsibilities of past jobs were things you were supposed to do and can be found in any job description. Instead, say how you did them.

Don’ts:

1.   Avoid being General

When you are general when describing yourself, there won’t be a difference between you and other people. Always find a way of standing out from the rest of the interviewees.

2.   Do not provide inaccurate Information

However how small the false information provided is, it can cost you your job. So ensure that you provide correct information in your professional resume. It is always good to be honest.

3.  Avoid Spelling and Grammar Errors

These errors won’t get you anywhere except for the not interviewing pile. Edit carefully!

4.   Do not use Crazy Fonts and Bright Colors

When we say that you should stand out, it doesn’t mean you should overdo it. Just stick to Times New Roman or Cambria fonts.

5.   Do not Write More Than a Page

Depending on the country you’re in, the USA style is one page. This is because the purpose of your professional resume is to let the employers know what your achievements are. So you’re not telling them the whole story of your life.

6.   Avoid Sounding General

Using tons of keywords and phrases that everyone else does to make themselves sound more professional doesn’t describe who you really are and what you are capable of.

7.   Do not Write Irrelevant Information

What the HR office is more interested in is they want to know more about your achievements and experiences. They do not care about other things that are not work related. So keep other things away from your resume.  

Looking for a job is definitely not an easy task. Therefore, we wish you all the best in the journey of discovering what you love. Make use of the above do’s and don’ts and soon you will land that prestigious job.

For you to become an expert in speech writing, you need to have the best guidance ever. If you want your speech to have a huge impact, then you need to write it so well. A poorly written speech is going to have less influence or none at all. The internet contains so many websites that are offering speech writing courses at a very cheap price.

So what these websites do, is that they offer guidance on how to write the best speech that will fascinate your audience. Most of all, what a great speech does, is that it awakens the emotions of the audience and give you the results that you desire. So if you are looking for a website that will offer you courses on speech writing, try this list of universities.

1. M.A in English and Communication

If you’re a student, and you’re interested in studying literature, speech and linguistics, then the University of New York at Potsdam is for you. They use a comprehensive and extensive approach to pass knowledge of the art of speechwriting to learners. The course costs over $20, 000 and it specializes in different languages. Also, it helps students by encouraging them to develop speech writing skills, speaking skills, and reading skills.

2. Speech Writing Course at Global Speech Writer

This is one of the shortest online course that offers personalized tutoring for 10 weeks. They also offer basics of speech writing, how it works in the world and various other vital details about speech writing. The cost of this course is $2,000. One thing that you need to bear in mind is that it’s being taught by a certified and professional speech writer.

3. Bachelor of Arts in Speech with Teaching Certification

If you have been looking for an institution that offers a course whereby students learn different ways in which the art of speech can be used in making effective communication, then this is the best one for you. Skills that students gain here can be used in media e.g. radio, television, newspaper, and film documentaries. Here, the cost of this course is $13, 9502 per year.

4. MFA in Speech Writing

MFA in speech writing utilizes the eclectic and literary scenery of the University of San Francisco to offer students to learn and enhance speech writing ability. This program was founded in 1986 with the sole objective of aspiring writers to become the best in the world of writers. This is done by equipping them with the intimate knowledge bordering on writing. It is a two-year program with seminars and workshops included. The fee is about $15,000.

5. Writing and Rhetoric at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College offers speech writing courses to students who are eagerly yearning to be the best when it comes to delivering a speech. The course offered here includes speech component and other forms of communication. So what this course does is that it helps students to improve their confidence. Also, it strengthens their skills in becoming effective communicators through speech writing. The cost of this course is $18,000 per year.

Therefore, if you are a student who’s looking forward to improving your speech skills, the above are speech writing courses available in the US. So have a look at them and then you can apply for the one that impresses you.

If you’re in college, then by now you know that professors do ask students to write many papers. Well, this isn’t an easy task for most of the students, as they struggle. The reason they struggle is because most of them lack the skill of organizing their thoughts. Usually, if your thoughts are not organized, then you’re going to find it hard to write a clear paper. Therefore, you should try brainstorming ideas. This is a very important technique and it can be used to create an outline for a paper or make a list of ideas. So whichever method works for you, then you should stick to that one. What brainstorming does is that it helps you gather your thoughts, bring them together and come up with an important idea. Below are the benefits of brainstorming:

1. Helps you have a plan

Many students have been in this situation: they are halfway through writing a paper when they realize they have no idea what to say next about their subject. To say the least, this has been a very stressful experience. Fortunately, if you spend some time brainstorming ahead of time, you’ll always have a roadmap for what to write next. Therefore, you won’t have to struggle to finish your job as the deadline approaches.

2. You write clear points

Your teacher or instructor would expect you to make straightforward, specific points about the subject you are writing about. If you leap straight into your work without planning ahead of time, your work is likely to come across as haphazard and unfocused. With that strategy, there’s no chance you’ll get the best grade possible. One of the main reasons why brainstorming is so relevant is because of this. Before you start writing, you need to give yourself time to think about your ideas. That way, when it comes time to write the essay, you won’t lose sight of your key points.

3. Being Original

Teachers, once again, expect you to make specific points in your work. They generally expect you to make unique points as well. Many essay assignments require you to make a point about a particular subject. Students make commonplace claims all too frequently. This is much too easy for many professors. It’s not difficult to demonstrate an argument that has been made several times before. You must demonstrate that you can think critically about your subject and discuss it in a specific way if you want to get the best score. Brainstorming allows you to work through your ideas and come up with a completely original concept.

4. Improving Organization

Your professors would expect your work to be succinct and structured, whether you’re writing a story or poem for a creative writing class. Your work will suffer if it sounds rambling and vague, even if you have a good command of the language and an important argument to make. Students may feel that brainstorming is just an extra step that makes completing an assignment an even longer process than it already is. That’s not the case, though. Brainstorming actually helps save your time by giving you a clear plan to stick to. Regardless of how good a writer you are, you must still devote time to planning in order to ensure that your work is well-organized.

Students are usually never impressed with homework being assigned to them by their teachers. They claim that it’s so stressful. Well, that’s not the case because homework is meant to benefit students. When teachers give you assignments, it’s because they would like you to put into practice what you’ve learned. So it’s actually for your own good. What assignments do is that they sharpen student’s skills.

Assignments are being given in schools and colleges. This is actually one of the reasons as to why students go to study.  However, most students find this stressful. They find it a hard task to do because it involves a lot of critical thinking and research. Also, doing assignment takes so much time. Courses like mathematics are complex and sometimes it makes students look for other means to pass the exam.

At nursingtermpaper.com, we are going to provide you with these services. We’re here to help you with your assignment, and to ensure that you get good grades. Our company has reliable writers who are going to handle your paper. So students need to know that assignment is the most important thing in every academic level all over the world. Yes the amount of work put on the shoulders of the students can be a debatable topic but there are so many benefits that the students can achieve from getting the assignment done and with the right means.

Teachers are urged to give students different assignments in like two or three times a week. Daily assignments can easily make students divert from the directions of the studies. The first thing and the vital one for having the homework on the regular basis is that the students are always getting the knowledge of the topics and the lectures that are being told in the classroom. Assignment from the things that the students are studying in the class can be memorized and understood with this amazing practice of giving the assignment from the topics that have been taught in the class and the work is given from them, this will make the students learn the topics as they have to attempt the questions from the taught topics.

The other important benefit of assigning students with assignments regularly is that the regular work that is assigned to the students is that the learning abilities and the learning curve of the students increase with the sharp turn and this makes the mind work with the more power and the concentration of the mind gives you the amazing benefit when the homework and the tasks are being done. Attention towards the studies are always important and the things that are taught in the class are the vital and the important notes to be noted. To achieve the amazing and the high result and the grades the students must attempt the regular assignments and by themselves as it will make them learn the new and the amazing things.

There are numerous benefits for the students that the teachers know for them and this is why they assign the work on the regular basis. As the assignment is assigned to the students they come to know what time management is and how important it is in the today’s world. Homework teaches the students to set priorities of the different works and the activities. The students are taught about the problem solving skills and the learning improvements. As the topics are already studied in the classroom the homework gives the opportunity to the students to study the class material again. As for the parents is concerned, the assignment is an activity that can tell the parents what the children are getting to learn in the school and this makes them see the marks and the daily reports. The homework teaches the students how to work and live independently. And one of the key and the most important action that has been achieved by the doing of homework is that it teaches the students the importance of planning, being organized and taking the right and the necessary action where required. Homework is a must and the key source that identifies the student.

Fall prevention may not seem like a lively topic, but it’s important. As you get older, physical changes and health conditions — and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions — make falls more likely. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Still, fear of falling doesn’t need to rule your life. Instead, consider six simple fall-prevention strategies.

1. Make an appointment with your doctor

Begin your fall-prevention plan by making an appointment with your doctor. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• What medications are you taking? Make a list of your prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements, or bring them with you to the appointment. Your doctor can review your medications for side effects and interactions that may increase your risk of falling. To help with fall prevention, your doctor may consider weaning you off medications that make you tired or affect your thinking, such as sedatives and some types of antidepressants.
• Have you fallen before? Write down the details, including when, where and how you fell. Be prepared to discuss instances when you almost fell but were caught by someone or managed to grab hold of something just in time. Details such as these may help your doctor identify specific fall-prevention strategies.
• Could your health conditions cause a fall? Certain eye and ear disorders may increase your risk of falls. Be prepared to discuss your health conditions and how comfortable you are when you walk — for example, do you feel any dizziness, joint pain, shortness of breath, or numbness in your feet and legs when you walk? Your doctor may evaluate your muscle strength, balance and walking style (gait) as well.

2. Keep moving

Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. With your doctor’s OK, consider activities such as walking, water workouts or tai chi — a gentle exercise that involves slow and graceful dance-like movements. Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

If you avoid physical activity because you’re afraid it will make a fall more likely, tell your doctor. He or she may recommend carefully monitored exercise programs or refer you to a physical therapist. The physical therapist can create a custom exercise program aimed at improving your balance, flexibility, muscle strength and gait.

3. Wear sensible shoes

Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. So can walking in your stocking feet. Instead, wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles. Sensible shoes may also reduce joint pain.

4. Remove home hazards

Take a look around your home. Your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with hazards. To make your home safer:

• Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways.
• Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas.
• Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing — or remove loose rugs from your home.
• Repair loose, wooden floorboards and carpeting right away.
• Store clothing, dishes, food and other necessities within easy reach.
• Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease or food.
• Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower. Use a bath seat, which allows you to sit while showering.

5. Light up your living space

Keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see. Also:

• Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways.
• Place a lamp within reach of your bed for middle-of-the-night needs.
• Make clear paths to light switches that aren’t near room entrances. Consider trading traditional switches for glow-in-the-dark or illuminated switches.
• Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.
• Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages.

6. Use assistive devices

Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices can help, too. For example:

• Hand rails for both sides of stairways
• Nonslip treads for bare-wood steps
• A raised toilet seat or one with armrests
• Grab bars for the shower or tub
• A sturdy plastic seat for the shower or tub — plus a hand-held shower nozzle for bathing while sitting down

If necessary, ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist. He or she can help you brainstorm other fall-prevention strategies. Some solutions are easily installed and relatively inexpensive. Others may require professional help or a larger investment. If you’re concerned about the cost, remember that an investment in fall prevention is an investment in your independence.

What is emotional health?

Emotional health is a state of wellbeing. When you feel well and content, you are better able to cope with stress, maintain relationships and enjoy life.

Looking after your emotional health has benefits for both you and your baby.

Being active, feeling a sense of belonging and having a purpose in life are all good for emotional health and wellbeing. You will feel happier and better able to deal with problems and stress.

For more information and tips on how to be emotionally and mentally healthy, visit Act-Belong-Commit (external site).

Benefits of emotional health during pregnancy

When you are pregnant, your baby is exposed to everything you experience. This includes the sounds in the environment, the air you breathe, the food you eat and the emotions you feel.

When you feel happy and calm, it allows your baby to develop in a happy, calm environment. However, emotions like stress and anxiety can increase particular hormones in your body, which can affect your baby’s developing body and brain.

Benefits of emotional health after your baby is born

From birth, the interactions you have with your baby helps to shape the way he or she will think, feel and behave later in life. These interactions also help to form important emotional bonds between you and your child.

Good emotional health also helps to maintain positive relationships with your older children and other family. They can help support you and your partner through the challenges of adjusting to a new baby.

For information about connecting and bonding with your newborn, visit the Raising Children Network (external site).

What if I’m struggling with my emotions?

Often one or both parents experience difficult emotions during pregnancy, or after the birth of a child. You are not alone.

You might be feeling like hiding the fact you are struggling because you feel embarrassed or ashamed.

It is normal to have occasional negative thoughts, dreams or fleeting doubts.

Many things can make you feel this way including:

• worries about the birth
• lack of sleep
• worries about how you’re coping as a parent.

There are things you can do to help yourself get through the more challenging aspects of parenthood. You can read about some common emotional problems in parents with new babies here.

Becoming a mum

Becoming a mum can mean your hopes and dreams have come true. You may love feeling your baby move inside. You may feel a sense of achievement in giving birth. You may love holding, touching, watching, smelling and playing with your baby. Some mums may not feel that overwhelming sense of love they were anticipating straight away.

Sometimes the happy emotions of motherhood are mixed up with feelings of loss, fear, worry, guilt and frustration. You might think:

• What if I make too many mistakes?
• Will people think I’m a bad mother?
• What about my old life?

It is normal to ask yourself lots of questions when you’re going through a major life change, like having a baby.

Big changes in your life can leave you feeling overwhelmed, especially when things don’t happen the way you expected.

Becoming a dad

While women usually start preparing emotionally for parenthood during pregnancy, some fathers begin this process after the birth. As a result, the reality of fatherhood can be quite a shock. Even if you have been preparing throughout the pregnancy, some fathers can feel unprepared for the reality of having a newborn.

Some fathers can feel fierce, protective, overwhelming love for their child straight away, for others it may take a bit longer.

Fatherhood is just as challenging as motherhood, though not always for the same reasons. You might think:

• I want to help with the baby, but I don’t know how.
• It’s stressful managing work and family commitments.

You might also notice your relationship with your partner changes a lot too.

It’s normal to feel confused, stressed and out of your comfort zone when you have a new baby.

With any new or difficult situation, sometimes you are able to cope with the challenge, and sometimes you can feel overwhelmed. Fatherhood is no exception.

Just remember – there are plenty of things you can do to support yourself and your partner during this time.

If it is taking more than a couple of weeks to feel a connection with your baby, you should talk to a health professional. Read more about common emotional problems here

We hear so much from the media about what we should or should not eat. One day blueberries are the new so-called ‘superfood’ that will reduce our risk of developing dementia, the next it is the humble plum.

But what information can we rely on to be accurate? Can the food we eat really reduce our risk of developing dementia? If a person has dementia, can their diet or use of supplements influence how they experience dementia or its progression?

The brain requires a regular supply of nutrients in our diet to function and remain healthy. There is growing recognition that what we eat affects the way our brains work and our mental health, as well as our physical health.

Traditionally research undertaken to investigate the connection between diet, cognitive function and risk of dementia has primarily focused on the impact of individual nutrients on brain health. Those nutrients commonly researched include: vitamins B6, B12, C, E and folic acid, as well as omega 3 essential fatty acids. The outcome of such research has been inconclusive and thus guidelines to advise on specific nutrient intakes have not been developed. In this feature we’ll explore some of the ongoing research on this topic.

Healthy hearts mean healthy brains

We know that certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity can increase our risk of dementia. For some time these risk factors were commonly associated with vascular dementia. We now know that they are also associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Much of what we know now to be healthy for our heart is also healthy for our brain, so many of the dietary messages we have been encouraged to follow for a healthy heart will also apply to the health of our brains.

Salt

It is advisable to reduce our salt intake regardless of the type of dementia we are considering. A salt-rich diet can contribute to the risk of increasing our blood pressure, which in turn can increase the risk of stroke and vascular dementia.

About three-quarters of the salt we eat comes from processed foods such as bread, breakfast cereals, soup and sauces. So it is not just what you add yourself that makes the difference, but how the food itself is manufactured.

The Food Standards Agency recommends that we should aim to have no more than 6 grams of salt daily, which is approximately one level teaspoon.

Fats and oils

The significance of too much fat in the diet has been the topic of much conversation with regards to a healthy heart and vascular system. In particular saturated fat, commonly derived from animal fat (for example fat on meat, lard, butter or ghee) or trans fats (fats created during the hydrogenation of vegetable oils and often found in processed foods such as pastry or vegetable shortening) can elevate cholesterol levels in the body if eaten in significant quantities. A high saturated fat intake has also been implicated, along with other dietary factors, as increasing the risk of dementia.

Omega 3 and oily fish

Omega 3’s essential fatty acids have an important part to play in the structure of our brain cells, helping to maintain the health and functioning of our brain. Research undertaken as part of the Older People And n-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (OPAL) study supported the view that eating oily fish (or omega 3) is associated with better cognitive function in later life, but recommended further work to clarify the impact of these essential omega 3 oils on the brain.

We need omega 3 oils from food as they cannot be made efficiently by the body. Oily fish is a rich source of omega 3’s essential vitamins and minerals and it is recommended that we have at least one portion of oily fish a week. Guidelines vary though according to the individual – see the Food Standards Agency website, www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/fss/fats/ for further information. Omega 3 oils may also be found in vegetarian sources such as linseeds, rapeseed oil, walnuts and soya beans.

Antioxidants

Vitamins C and E, commonly found in fruit and vegetables, are examples of antioxidants – that is, substances that work against the negative effects of oxidation that occurs naturally in the body.

Vitamin E has been the subject of much research in relation to reducing the risk of dementia, with conflicting results. There are many other sources of antioxidants other than vitamins, for example in green tea, red wine and cocoa. Each of these has been the subject of studies and considered as a potential ‘superfood’ in protecting mind and body.

Research appears to demonstrate a link between antioxidants activity and dementia, but is not conclusive about which foods are guaranteed to help reduce the risk of dementia and how much we need.

It is generally considered that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables will provide us with a valuable source of antioxidants and be more beneficial than taking supplements alone. The Food Standards Agency recommends at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily to help maintain a good intake of vital vitamins and antioxidants.

Folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12

Deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can cause an amino acid in our body, called homocysteine, to rise. Higher than normal levels are considered to be a risk factor for a number of disease states including cardiovascular disease and dementia, and are thought to contribute to poor cognition.

However, there are no guidelines to consuming supplements of B6, B12, or folic acid individually merely to reduce the risk of dementia (although these nutrients may be prescribed for actual deficiencies such as anaemia). Again the advice is to ensure that foods rich in B6, B12, and folate are present in the diet.

Can a Mediterranean-style diet help?

In recent years, research in the field of nutrition, cognitive function and dementia has built on what we know about the key nutrients involved in brain health. Subsequently this research has begun to focus more on dietary patterns or how combinations of specific nutrients can impact on cognitive function or reduce the risk of developing dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and the process involved in developing this dementia.

The ‘Mediterranean-style diet’ has been popular for many years for helping to maintain a healthy heart and body. This style of eating is traditional to people living in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Generally such a diet is considered to be rich in fruits and vegetables, olive oil, cereals, legumes and fish, with small amounts of lean meat and moderate amounts of dairy foods. Overall this style of eating provides a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants and low in saturated fats. This diet has been associated with reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusion

The impact of good nutrition on the health of our brains cannot be dismissed. We know that malnutrition affects physical and mental wellbeing: our brains need nutrients to work and remain healthy.

Diet and what we eat has an important role to play in adopting a healthy lifestyle which can help keep both our bodies and brains healthy. Eating a nutrient-rich diet, particularly one that has lots of fruits and vegetables, omega 3 oils, and low amounts of salt and saturated fats, will help to maintain the health of both our heart and brain.

Research in this field is ongoing and the hope is that that this will provide us with more knowledge and understanding of how diet and nutrition impact on cognitive health and the risk of developing dementia.