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Some cannot speak while others are loquacious. Some feel most at ease with complete social withdrawal while others approach even strangers with awkward attachment. Some are encumbered by self-stimulating movements, rituals and self-injurious behaviors while others not. This extraordinary variability defies sweeping generalizations often made about the entire community of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. These are all people with emotions who can love and be hurt and who desire and need meaningful relationships. The diversity we see within the autism community calls for individuality in approach to treatment and care. What works for some will not always work for others. How do kids develop autism: No one knows for sure what causes autism, however it is likely a mix of environmental and genetic causes. Studies have shown that if one identical twin develops autism the other has a 75% chance of developing it as well, while if a fraternal twin develops autism the other twin only has a 3% likelihood. This suggests a strong genetic component – but certainly doesn’t tell the entire story. As discussed in our last eHealthletter on Nature vs Nuture, epigenetics will likely contribute to our future understanding of how ASD develops. The environment that surrounds the cell influences how and when genes turn off and on. Creating optimal internal and external environments for our cells is the best way to approach shifting genetic expression.
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Treating Autism |
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How do we think about treating autism: The most important aspect of any treatment plan, and especially for treating ASD, is establishing a consistent daily routine. A constantly over stimulated body is a constantly stressed body. Constant stress will throw the body’s delicate balance of hormones totally out of whack. The number one way to bring the body’s hormones back into balance is routine: regular sleeping habits, meal times, work times, play times, etc. Almost 100% of autistic patients demonstrate simultaneous GI issues. For example, 58% of all neurological illness, whose exact cause still remains unknown, show marked signs of improvement with the removal of gluten from the daily diet. Many autistic patients show improved motor and interpersonal skills when avoiding gluten, broccoli, rice, cane sugar and synthetic food additives and preservatives. Daily probiotics are also seen to be beneficial in optimizing digestive function. Research supports that the brains and central nervous systems of autistic patients develop differently. Although the cause for this difference has been ascribed to metabolic, genetic, environmental and infectious factors, we work to re-balance the nervous system by recommending high quality fish oils to the daily regime. People diagnosed with ASD also often have issues with immune functioning, allergies, asthma, reactions to vaccines, the “Never Get Sick” syndrome. Regular movement, daily castor oil packs, staying well hydrated and dry skin brushing are all ways to help restore the body’s immune system. As always, each person, regardless of ‘diagnosis’ comes to us with a unique life history and emotional life, which must all be taken into account when creating an individualized, wholistic treatment plan, tailored to his/her specific needs. Diagnosis and early intervention: The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in every 150 American children are now affected by autism and nearly four times as many boys are affected as girls. Parents may notice that their child doesn’t reach developmental mile stones – or they may simply feel like something is “off’”. Research shows that parents’ intuition is often correct, seeking a medical evaluation early will put affected children in the best position to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Most autistic spectrum disorders can be diagnosed by the age of 3 and some even by 6 months. Early intervention is key – as soon as a child is diagnosed, effective programs that focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills can begin. Watch for the following symptoms and have your child screened for autism if you have concerns about their development.
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Recommended Reading: |
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P.S. Bambú Clinic Physicians will be teaching Autism Awareness Classes at New Seasons Markets in April.
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Heller, a developmental psychologist, knows first hand how difficult life can be for people suffering from sensory defensiveness (SD). Symptoms include flinching from touch; overly acute senses of smell; fear of escalators; irritation at certain lights; and eating disorders. While these symptoms are often present from birth, for many other people they can be triggered by some traumatic event. Adding to the pain is the difficulty in diagnosing this ailment-some sufferers are told they have ADD or autism. Heller briefly discusses her own successful therapy and how it transformed her life. The book includes four sections-the first two focus on an overview of the condition, and the second two examine treatment, including diet, medication and relaxation techniques. Useful appendices list alternative treatments and resources. The writing is clear and relatively jargon-free, and sprinkled throughout the book are anecdotes from patients who have successfully battled SD. Patients who have this condition will find this book reassuring, especially since Heller discusses a treatment and usually follows up with a real-life scenario. For example, the section on light therapy ends with a success story of a woman who had learned to cope with her light sensitivity: “[Anna] realized that her eyes were wide open, no longer slits. She had spent years walking around in a haze, blinded by glare, with her brain taking in only a sliver of light.” For people with SD, this title will wonderfully supplement their medical treatment. 