May 20, 2013

Do autistic people talk to themselves?

Autism is a developmental disorder typically diagnosed in early childhood.  It is generally comprised of a mild to severe deficit in social skills and communication.  As babies, autistic children often don’t like to be held or don’t desire the company of other children.  Another common trait is that of repetitive behaviors, like rocking, biting, or repeating a word or sentence.

Some people have reported autistic children or adults talking to themselves.  It should be noted that many people talk to themselves to a certain extent, but usually make the effort not to do it in public.  While “talking to oneself” is not one of the standard symptoms of autism (and wouldn’t be reason enough to diagnose someone with autism) it is definitely something that can occur in children and adults with autism.  Children and adults with autism have a hard time in many social interactions, and developing comfort and skill in social situations takes time and practice.  Some children may refer to themselves as their name, rather than “I” which might make it seem like they are talking to themselves instead of to others.

Often, talking to oneself can be a manifestation of the tendency for repetitive behavior in children with autism.  One adult with autism has reported that sometimes he repeats lines from movies or TV that he found funny at inappropriate times.  Whenever he felt particularly proud of something he’d said in a social interaction (which can be painfully difficult for people with autism), he may repeat it to himself over and over so he remembers the line.  Sometimes people with autism have been coached in how to handle certain social interactions.  In these cases, you may hear a person with autism repeat a similar line to many people because this is what he or she has been taught to say.  In this case, a person with autism is simply practicing his or her social skills.

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May 19, 2013

Acupuncture for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Perhaps surprisingly, many studies have been done worldwide hoping to determine the efficacy of acupuncture to treat symptoms of autism.  Autism is a developmental disorder that primarily affects a child’s ability to form social bonds and communicate.  Children and adults with autism can have an inability to make friends with others or a dislike of social interaction, and an inability to read facial expressions and cues.  Unlike other children, who develop social knowledge naturally as they grow older and interact with groups, children with autism must be explicitly taught how to behave in many group situations.  Some children with autism also can have Intellectual Disability that holds them back from achieving in school.  This is not true for all children, however, and children that are considered to have “Asperger’s Syndrome” are autistic, but are very high functioning intellectually.

The symptoms of autism are pervasive and can make life difficult for both the person with autism and his or her friends and family.  There are many proposed lifestyle changes or additions for children and adults with autism and families are quick to jump on board, hoping for any improvements.  Many children and adults with autism undergo Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy to improve communication and self-sufficiency skills.  Some receive medications to help decrease repetitive behaviors or behaviors of self-harm.  Still others look for alternative interventions that can ease the challenges that come with autism.

This is where acupuncture comes in.  Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that purports to balance the life-force, or “chi,” in the body by the placement of thin needles in key pressure points along the head and body.  Thought researchers aren’t entirely sure how the procedure works, acupuncture is an effective treatment for the symptoms of many ailments.  In fact, acupuncture can often be paid for by health insurance, if recommended by your doctor.

Since at least the early 2000’s, researchers have been interested to discover if acupuncture can be an effective treatment for people with autism.  There have been a number of studies done to test the behavior and autistic symptoms of people with autism before and after acupuncture treatment.  While some of these studies found statistically significant benefit with the introduction of acupuncture, a meta-analysis of many of these studies done in 2011 concluded that the evidence is still murky and needs further study.  Additionally, no randomized controlled trials have been carried out on adults with autism, so only children have been studied so far.

Though science is still inconclusive on whether acupuncture helps ease symptoms of autism, there are no reported downsides to trying the procedure.  If you or someone you love has autism and are considering new routes to treat symptoms, acupuncture is a good choice.  While many studies claim that children who received acupuncture didn’t fare any better than their counterparts who didn’t partake, there were no negative side effects to the treatment.  Furthermore, some children did experience relief from certain symptoms and were reported to make strides forward in behavior and social gains.  It might not work for everyone, but it’s possible it works for some people.

All in all, the jury is still out on the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating autism.  Many studies have been done on children with autism and the results are still inconclusive.  However, acupuncture is a healthy and effective treatment for the symptoms of many common ailments and diseases and so may help symptoms of autism for some, if not many, people.  If you are interested in pursuing acupuncture as a treatment for yourself or your child, consult your physician and do not suspend other treatment plans in favor of acupuncture without doctor approval.

Suggested References:

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00346736

http://www.livestrong.com/article/515947-acupuncture-and-children-with-autism/

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/317-acupuncturechildrenautism2340983

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May 18, 2013

Autism, Epilepsy and Seizures

What is epilepsy?

Autism, Epilepsy and Seizures

Autism, Epilepsy and Seizures

Epilepsy is a combination of diverse chronic neurological disorders, which is usually characterized by unpredictable and unprovoked recurrent seizures.  The disease is caused by eternal alteration in brain tissue, which results in over impulsive brain. The overexcited brain thus conveys abnormal signals, which in turn causes repeated and unpredictable seizures. However, a single seizure that does not repeat again is not considered as epilepsy. Although,in some cases of epilepsy, a single seizure in combination with brain alteration can increase the likelihood of future seizures.The disease affect a variety of mental and physical functions such assensory, motor, and autonomic function; consciousness; emotional state; memory; cognition or behavior. Epilepsy is represented as one of the most common neurological diseases that affect about 50 million of people worldwide. The onset of epileptic seizure is manifested by unusual, excessive and hypersynchronous discharge of neurons in the over excited brain.The cause of epileptic seizure may be genetic background or the severe brain injury or family propensity towards the disease.However the exact cause of epilepsy largely remains unknown. Some of the possible common causes of epilepsy include stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, trauma, brain injury, congenital birth defect, metabolism disorder, brain tumor, brain infection (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis and brain abscess) and medication (amphetamines cocaine, tramadol, and antidepressants). The onset of epileptic seizure typically begins at the age between 5 to 20, but not strictly adheres to this age group and can happen at any age.The symptoms of epilepsy may vary from patient to patient and comprise from simple staring spells to violent shaking and loss of consciousness. The Physical examination such as electroencephalogram (EEG) and Head CT or MRI can be performed to check the abnormal electrical activity and its accurate location in the brain. The treatment of epilepsy is principally based on seizure preventing medications. However, in case of unsuccessful medication, other therapy such as surgery, complementary therapy, or vagus nerve stimulation, changes in diet or special diet are also tried.

Is epilepsy and seizures the same thing?

The term epilepsy and seizure closely resembles each other and therefore erroneously interchanged. However, in spite of the close association between the epilepsy and seizure, they should not be considered the identical or same clause. In this respect, a precise distinction and delineation between seizures and epilepsy is highly essential. A seizure is medically described as a brain dysfunction that results in altered attention or behavior. Seizures are mainly caused due to episodes of disturbed brain activity, which result in unnecessary hypersynchronous discharge of a population of cortical neurons. A seizure can beoften encountered under the condition of brain injuries or chemical imbalances, or infections which can irritate the brain. Whereas Epilepsy is marked as a disorder of the central nervous system in which a person has multiple or repeated seizures over time. Therefore, a person with epilepsy has seizures, but seizure patient don’t necessarily has epilepsy. The precise distinction between epilepsy and seizures is essential to focus the diagnostic approach and to select the appropriate drug therapy. Since, in case of epilepsy chronic treatment, such as antiepileptic medication or surgery might be required, whereas for an isolated seizure the common therapy is directed towards the underlying cause and not towards antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The concepts of seizures and epilepsy become more obvious in view of the basic anatomic and electrophysiologic properties of the cerebral cortex. The major criteria of clear delineation comprise the factors that determine the level of neural activity at the cellular and cell network level and electroencephalogram (EEG). Clinical studies suggested several kinds of seizures, which areattributed with specific behavioural changes and electrophysiological disturbances and detected by electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Doctors recommend that a single seizure does not essentially signify that a person has epilepsy. According to them, approximately 10 percent of adults experience a seizure at some point in their lifetime, but the two-third of them will never experience it again.The characteristic symptoms of epileptic seizures include a loss or change of alertness, jerking and ripple movements of the arms or legs, difficulty in speaking and lip-smacking. Non-epileptic seizures, or pseudo-seizures or psychogenic seizures, also closely resemble with epilepsy thus making diagnosis difficult.

Connection between Autism and epilepsy

Epilepsy and autism represent a group of heterogeneous clinical disorders associated with behaviorally defined, neurodevelopmental disorders. Seizures are relatively common and most prevalent neurological disorder associated with epilepsy and autism or autistic spectrum disorder. It has been observed that epilepsy is frequently developed in individuals with autism or autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Prevalence studies suggested that seizures in autistic patients develop either in childhood or at puberty or adulthood. However, the risk of seizure particularly remains high at adulthood in autistic patients. Clinical data estimated that the frequency of epilepsy is comparatively larger than the prevalence of active epilepsy in the general population. Studies on autistic patients has established that as many as ~ one third of children with autism also have epilepsy. This risk is comparatively higher in autistic patients with severe mental retardation, genetic abnormalities and brain malformations. It has been proposed that abnormalities in brain of autistic patients can disrupt the cortical neuron and therefore alter brain activity. Overload or disturbances in brain neurons result in unusual, excessive hypersynchronous electrical discharge of a population of cortical neurons, thus contribute to increased risk of seizure. Clinical studies suggest that during epilepsy regression of language, behaviour and cognition further develops the clinical manifestations that resemble with the behavioral syndrome of autism. The common risk factors which increased the probability of coexistence of both epilepsy and autism comprisegenetic factors, language impairment, severe cognitive dysfunction, motor deficits, symptomatic etiology, and onset of seizure.

Clinical studies suggested a possible association between epilepsy and autism. Recent studies suggested the sharing of common predisposing genes between epileptic and autistic individuals. Studies conducted by Patrick Cossette and research team reported that nonsense andmissense mutations in synapsin gene (SYN1) were associated with ASDs, epilepsy, or both. Cossette and co-workers observed that these mutations were associated with functional defects in nerve terminal function. The synapsin 1 is the member of synapsin family of neuronal phosphoproteins, which are associated with the synaptic vesicles present in the central and peripheral nervous systems.This family of proteins are implicated in synaptogenesis and in modulation of neurotransmitter release, thereby playing a potential role in neuropsychiatric diseases.More recently, in year 2012, studies conducted by Joseph G. Gleeson and team suggested the possible involvement of another gene BCKDK (Branched Chain Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Kinase) in consanguineous families with intellectual disability such as autism and epilepsy. The research team has identified inactivating mutations in the gene BCKDK in autistic and epileptic patients. The protein encoded by BCKDK (Branched Chain Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Kinase) is accountable for phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of the E1α subunit of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase. It has been observed that BCKDK knock-out mice display abnormal amino acid profile in brain and neurobehavioral shortfalls.Apart from this, the likelihood of interaction among the pathophysiology of neural circuits could lead to autistic or conversely could predispose the brain to seizures. However, the possibilities are not mutually exclusive and the underlying mechanisms responsible for increased seizure susceptibility in autistic individual are not yet clear. The clinical and neurobiological aspects as well as the mechanisms answerable for cellular hyperexcitability in autism and epilepsy are likely to involve the interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. It has been postulated that the possible relationships between brain development, epilepsy and ASD might be a common neurobiological antecedent. This includes genetic susceptibilities or structural or developmental abnormalities or environmental insults, which possibly lead to abnormal brain development. The varied etiologies of autism and epilepsy make it improbable that single universal machinery can explain seizure tendency in both disorders.In view of this, future studies point to potential genetic links of neural circuits and cellular signaling pathways directed to neural hyperexcitability in epilepsy and autism and need to be reviewed in detail.

Suggested References

Epilepsy: Medical Encyclopedia. Pubmed health

Berg, A. T. and S. Plioplys (2012). “Epilepsy and autism: is there a special relationship?” Epilepsy Behav 23(3): 193-198. Abstract

Thompson, A. W., R. Kobau, et al. (2012). “Epilepsy care and mental health care for people with epilepsy: California Health Interview Survey, 2005.” Prev Chronic Dis 9: E60.Abstract

Stafstrom, C. E., P. J. Hagerman, et al. (2012). “Pathophysiology of Epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorders.”Abstract

Novarino, G., P. El-Fishawy, et al. (2012). “Mutations in BCKD-kinase lead to a potentially treatable form of autism with epilepsy.” Science 338(6105): 394-397.Abstract

Berg, A. T., S. Plioplys, et al. (2011). “Risk and correlates of autism spectrum disorder in children with epilepsy: a community-based study.” J Child Neurol 26(5): 540-547.Abstract

Theoharides, T. C. and B. Zhang (2011). “Neuro-inflammation, blood-brain barrier, seizures and autism.” J Neuroinflammation 8: 168.Abstract

Fassio, A., L. Patry, et al. (2011). “SYN1 loss-of-function mutations in autism and partial epilepsy cause impaired synaptic function.” Hum Mol Genet 20(12): 2297-2307.Abstract

Levisohn, P. M. (2007). “The autism-epilepsy connection.” Epilepsia 48 Suppl 9: 33-35.Abstract

Tuchman, R. (2006). “Autism and epilepsy: what has regression got to do with it?” Epilepsy Curr 6(4): 107-111. Abstract

Fisher, R. S., W. van Emde Boas, et al. (2005). “Epileptic seizures and epilepsy: definitions proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE).” Epilepsia 46(4): 470-472.Abstract

Suggested Articles:
1. Autism and Vaccines
2. Autism and Depression
3. Autism and Bad Behavior
4. Autism and Schizophrenia
5. Autism and Alzheimer’s
6. Autism and Crohn’s disease
7. Autism and Dyslexia

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May 17, 2013

Jenny McCarthy and Autism

Jenny McCarthy is a TV actress and celebrity author.  After first making a name for herself as a Playboy model, she built a career in entertainment and finally became the face of autism when her son was diagnosed with the disease.  She became an avid supporter of the “anti-vaccination” groups that believe that autism is linked to early-childhood vaccinations.  The link between autism and vaccinations has been , and the fear of vaccinations it created caused the resurgence of usually rare illnesses in a few places.

Jenny McCarthy’s son Evan was diagnosed with autism when he was a young child and had trouble with seizures in addition to other symptoms of autism.  This, McCarthy said, was the reason for her divorce from husband John Mallory Asher who couldn’t handle the difficult diagnosis.  The challenge of raising a son with autism made McCarthy an activist for autism awareness, particularly the Generation Rescue foundation.

Jenny McCarthy, like many others, became convinced that autism was caused by the vaccinations all children are supposed to undergo at an early age, concerned that chemical components of the vaccines were dangerous for babies.  She was convinced by the work of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who published a study finding that autism was linked to vaccinations and leading to a widespread dip in childhood vaccinations.  It was later discovered that this study was based on fraudulent, made-up data and Dr. Wakefield had his medical license stripped from him and he is no longer allowed to practice medicine.  Additionally, studies were done to verify the safety of vaccines and no links were found between vaccinations and autism.  Though the link between autism and vaccines has been scientifically (and thoroughly) disproven, Jenny McCarthy has insisted that vaccines are still a menace.

Because of her celebrity influence, as well as the pervasive nature of Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent study, many “anti-vaccine” groups were formed and mothers stopped vaccinating their babies.  The reasoning behind this is that these vaccines are possibly dangerous and that many of the diseases they prevent “don’t happen” anymore.  Unfortunately, these groups don’t acknowledge the fact that these diseases don’t happen because of the vaccines.  This has led to an increase in infant deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses like whooping cough.  In infants who are too young to be vaccinated for sicknesses like whooping cough, they need to rely on what’s called the “herd immunity.”  This essentially means that because all the people around the baby are immune to the disease, the germs that cause it aren’t around.  When people aren’t immune, or have children who aren’t vaccinated, they can pass this disease onto babies who’s developing immune systems can’t handle the illness.

Jenny McCarthy tried many treatments to try and cure her son of autism and finally claimed she did so using a method called “chelation.”  This method is not only unproven as an effective treatment for autism, it is also considered dangerous by medical professionals.  Chelation is a treatment used medically for heavy metal poisoning.  Chelation is supposed to remove the mercury that supposedly poisons vaccinated children and leads to autism.  This is a disproven claim, and chelation does not work as an effective treatment for autism.  In true heavy metal poisoning, a person ingests a chemical substance that will bind to any heavy metals in the system and carry it out through the digestive tract.  Chelation can also remove essential nutrients, like vitamin C and E, so it is important to supplement.  In 2005, a boy receiving chelation therapy for autism died from cardiac arrest due to the treatment.  When searching for veritable autism treatments, it is important to look for quality advice.

As Jenny McCarthy’s infamy has grown among those in the medical and public health community, some ideas have spread about her son’s diagnosis with autism.  Evan was diagnosed with autism in 2005.  He showed delayed speech and social skills, as well as repetitive motions.  But unlike other sufferers of autism, he also suffered a series of severe seizures that came under control as he got older.  Additionally, he seems to be “cured” of the ailment of autism now, acting like a normal, healthy boy.

This has led to speculation that Evan never really had epilepsy, but that he had the rare neurological condition Landau-Kleffner syndrome.  This is a disorder that sets in during early childhood (usually between 6-10) and features a regression of communication and social skills along with seizures for a period of time.  The syndrome only lasts for a finite period of time and usually goes away as the child grows older.  The amount of damage done to the child’s speech and language capabilities varies case by case.  In many cases, children with Landau-Kleffner syndrome are able to regain much of their lost skills and can live normal, seizure-free lives.  On the other hand, children with autism live with their affliction forever, though they can learn to work around challenges through occupational therapy and special education.

It is not clear how well Jenny McCarthy’s son has recovered from his ailment, whatever it is.  Much of the testimonial about his recovery comes from McCarthy, so it is difficult to know what symptom, if any, he still has.  If he is completely “cured” from his autism, it makes him less likely to have had autism in the first place.  As stated above, there is no known cure for autism and it is a life-long disease.

The problems with Jenny McCarthy’s views on autism are that they encourage parents to treat autism with a variety of unproven and potentially dangerous alternative treatments.  While it is important to maintain hope for people with autism and continually seek out ways to make their symptoms less aggressive and their lives easier, it is equally important not to be blinded by people who are more celebrity than science.

While many anti-vaccine groups still trumpet Jenny McCarthy’s views on autism and vaccines, the medical community is disturbed by her method.  One of the key achievements of Western medicine is the development and mass-distribution of effective vaccines.  These vaccines prevent many, very deadly, illnesses that can kill children and adults alike.  When many people in a given population aren’t vaccinated, there is the risk that they will transfer these previously rare diseases to people with weak immune systems or infants.  Much of the benefit of vaccines comes from the “herd immunity” that is created when an entire population is vaccinated for a particular illness.

While Jenny McCarthy is the voice for many mothers who don’t have the same public platform to speak about autism issues, it is important to take her advice with many grains of salt.  McCarthy is not a doctor or scientist and though she is a devoted and loving mom, she doesn’t know what does or doesn’t work for the treatment of autism.  If you want to consider an alternative treatment for your family member or loved one with autism, consult your family physician.  Don’t stop your traditional treatments in favor of alternative ones without the approval of your doctor.  Right now, it seems behavioral therapy is the most effective choice for children with autism.

http://www.mnn.com/local-reports/indiana/local-blog/jenny-mccarthy-owes-me-an-apology

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism/

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May 16, 2013

Can autistic children play professional football?

It’s true that children with autism face many challenges that non-autistic children don’t.  Often times children with autism have difficulties with social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and trouble focusing on the person talking or understanding what’s happening in the classroom (or on the field).  This can cause many difficulties for children who want to play team sports like football.

While children with autism are certainly not excluded from regular team sports, it requires special attention and instruction for them to be successful on the field.  If you are a parent of a child with autism and you want them to participate in team sports, like football, be prepared to spend a lot of your time preparing your child and your coach for what to expect.

Success in sports, much like many other activities that require processing a lot of information at a time, depends a lot on the severity of your child’s autism.  A child who functions at a very high level, may get a great benefit from participating in team sports.  However, a child who has a harder time with social and learning skills may get more discouraged.  The difficulties inherent in sports may cause more stress than they’re worth.

Don’t let that discourage you if you think you’re child is born for sports.  Football is a great example of how autism can work to a player’s advantage because it has players with special skills, like kickers.  While the kicker doesn’t often play a lot of the game, he has a specific function he must practice over and over to achieve perfection.  This type of role may be good for a child with autism because it allows him to excel in a team and have a specific role he can develop.  For an inspiring story about a high-school hero with autism, read these articles.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/23/autistic-high-school-football-player-has-moment-for-the-ages-kicks-game-winning-field-goal/

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/586898-football-coaching-for-kids-on-the-autistic-spectrum-can-be-it-done

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May 16, 2013

Stem Cell Therapy For Autism

Stem Cell Therapy: A Great Promise For The Future of Molecular Medicine For Autism

Ongoing research into every avenue to treat autism or possibly cure it has brought some researchers to the threshold of stem cell therapy.  Stem cell medicine is still in its infancy, and still is highly controversial.  Moving beyond the fetal stem cell issues and focusing more on the possibility of stem cells from cord blood helps researchers examine the possibility of a molecular medicinal approach for children and adults with ASD.

But that leads to an entirely new controversy unto itself.  Most adults with autism, especially those who can communicate, do not want a cure or a medicine that alters who they are.  They have identified that they are special people with special skill sets, and like the deaf community, they just aren’t interested in being “cured”.  The flip side of that argument is for the children who are having so many difficulties with school, society and peers, and the children on the lower functioning end of the spectrum.

Parents who face the challenges of autism every day are met with mixed emotions on the subject as well.  Some might say, “Absolutely, I want the cure or the treatment for my child”, while others would argue that it’s not for them and not for their children.  The parents who would not choose it for their autistic children are not cold-hearted people, but people who see their children as endearing and uniquely special, and love them unconditionally.  It’s a hard road to take, knowing that a choice you could have made may have benefited your child, but it also means that other features and traits in your child with autism remain a part of them and a part of who they are.

As the battle rages on for or against a cure or treatment that would alleviate autism symptoms, scientists are charging onward in the labs.  Parents now have the opportunity to harvest the umbilical cord and the cord blood at birth because the fetal stem cells in it could completely cure their child of any disease or illness in the future.  With that in mind, scientists are asking parents to donate some or  all of their cord blood to finding a cure or treatment for autism.

The cure or treatment developed would be delivered back into the child affected by autism when it begins to appear at age two.  Families who agree to participate are screened based upon family history and the number of children and adults in extended family that have been diagnosed with autism.  There certainly appears to be some genetic connection, as several families will have more than one child diagnosed with ASD over a couple of generations.  Cord blood is gathered and sent to the participating research lab with each birth in that family.  Some of it is used to look for genetic markers for ASD, and the rest is used to develop stem cell therapies that might work to counteract ASD, even when the cause is still relatively unknown.

The only FDA-approved stem cell therapy study currently undergoing research and development is out of Sacramento, CA, and the study won’t be finished for another year.  The children and their parents who have volunteered for the study did so only because they knew they had a child with autism and because they had harvested and saved the cord blood from their child’s birth years before.  Cord and cord blood banks deep freeze every patient’s sample, taking care to preserve the integrity of the cells found within.  Even in children without autism, stell cell therapy from their own cord blood has had a more positive impact on them than any treatment for childhood cancers or other physical maladies.

It is based upon the positive effects of cord blood stem cell therapies for these unfortunate diseases that the scientists hope to prove that cord blood stem cells are also effective against preventing the brain from damage, or curing it after the damage, of autism.  Essentially that is exactly what autism is; it is damage to specific areas of the brain, and that is why it can show up on an MRI/ neuroscan.

Other countries either claim to have the stem cell cure for autism already or are working on their own version of it.  Parents need to be particularly wary of any South American country that claims it can give the stem cell shots to their child and cure them, because no known or published medical trials of this sort have occurred in any of the countries there.  Additionally, these countries in South America claim that parents don’t need a sample of their autistic child’s cord blood for the treatment to work; on the contrary, that is exactly what is needed because only the child’s own cells can be reintroduced into their blood stream by injection.

Some European countries are still working on the research, but their results and findings are much farther along than the U.S.’s because they aren’t as squeamish about stem cell technology.  In fact, Great Britain has been using cord blood stem cells to treat diseases in children for almost a decade now, and recording their results publicly in medical journals.

Other lines of thought on cord blood stem cells run along the concept that the brain is deprived of oxygen in autistic children or that their guts are lacking the right peptides or bacteria causing them to behave in ways that aren’t in line with society’s expectations.   While there is some evidence to support these notions, further research into stem cell therapy to correct these two conditions in children with autism may advance medical science when it comes to understanding possible causes of ASD.  As of this moment, it hasn’t been fully ascertained that these problems are causes of ASD or just correlate it.

List of various therapies which might be useful in autism.
1). Does chelation therapy cure autism?
2). Does listening to music help ADD/ADHD or Autism?
3). What are the benefits of dance therapy for children with autism?

Also, check, “How to Find Funding for Autism Treatment“.

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May 15, 2013

Can a child with autism play sports

Can kids with autism play sports?

While the rules and attention required for sports can present a challenge for students with autism, there’s no reason your child can’t participate in sports!  All activities require extra preparation and consideration when you have a child with autism, and sports are no different.  If you want your child to join in sports, especially team sports, be prepared to spend a lot of your own time prepping your child for what to expect.  Many people running, soccer or basketballs flying around, and complicated rules may frustrate or disenchant your child.  Make sure you’ve prepared him or her as much as possible for what he’ll face on the field.

For many children, team sports may be too much stimulation.  If your child has more severe issues with social interactions and working with others, these sports may provide more stress than self-esteem.  Before enrolling your student in a team sport like basketball, football, or soccer, consider whether he or she is able to assimilate well enough into a group of non-autistic students.

Just because team sports aren’t a great fit, that doesn’t mean you have to rule out sports for your child.  Some sports that are a little more focused on the individual might make a better fit.  Swimming, running, karate, and bowling all have more of a focus on individual performance while still having a group atmosphere.  While you’re child is performing the physical action, whether it be swimming a race, or a frame of bowling, he can focus on that specific action.  When his turn is over, he can practice interacting with others and cheering on the rest of his team.  These sports provide segmented tasks that may gel better with the challenges that come with autism.

You can also look for special leagues in your area for children with developmental or learning disabilities.  Often, there may be a Special Olympics team your child can join, where coaches will be prepared to handle your child’s special needs.

1. “How does creative movement therapy benefit children with autism?”
2. Social games for children with autism

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May 14, 2013

Can autistic people have friends or babies with empathy?

Can autistic people have friends or their own families with empathy?

Autism is unlike other diseases in that it occurs on a spectrum. Autism manifests itself in early childhood and usually involves a lack of development of social and communication skills. Babies with autism won’t make eye contact with their parents or may not like to be held. Children with autism may prefer their own company to the company of other children. They may have fascinations with certain objects or repetitive behaviors. All of these things can exist on a spectrum, from very mild to very severe (where children cannot develop the ability to speak at all).

In many cases, children with autism can grow into successful adults who are capable of meaningful relationships with other adults and can even have families. Children with the highest chances of functioning well in adulthood are those who receive plenty of treatment (in the form of behavioral therapy) at an early age. In addition to learning scholastic material, children with autism need to learn important life and social skills, like how to buy things in a store or have a conversation. While people with autism still have to consciously think about how to appropriately react in a situation, they can grow to hold normal conversations and make friends.

People tend to think that autism is an affliction that prevents those who have it from living full and meaningful lives. This is not true. Though many children with autism will grow into adults with severe disabilities, they can still live happy lives. For children who grow into higher-functioning adults, success can mean a completely independent life.

This extends to relationships and families as well. Children with autism who grow into functioning adults can, if they want, enter into relationships and have families. Some people with autism, just like many people without autism, prefer to remain single in their adult years.

Basic Questions on Autistic Life:
1). Can autistic people be dangerous?
2). Can adults with autism work and live independent lives?

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May 13, 2013

Can autistic people work

Autism is a developmental disorder that primarily manifests itself in difficulties with forming social bonds and communicating.  It also is associated with Intellectual Disability, which inhibits a person’s ability to learn.  For many people with autism, the affliction affects their ability to effectively communicate and form bonds with people for their entire lives.  For some people with no early intervention, autism can leave them nonverbal, with no way to speak at all.  There is a stigma that people with autism are disabled to the point where they can’t work.

However, autism occurs on a spectrum, with some people experiencing more mild symptoms and higher cognitive function and others experiencing severe symptoms and greatly reduced cognitive function.  For these people who don’t have all-encompassing symptoms, they can definitely work and have productive lives.

Despite all the difficulty children with autism face, they can hold jobs and become responsible adults.  For example, Temple Grandin is a famous activist and holds a doctorate in animal science.  She is a professor at Colorado State University.  She also has autism.  While Temple Grandin is an extreme example of success for a person with autism, there are many people with autism who are able to work.  Depending on the level of severity, people with autism can hold down jobs and live pretty normal lives.

If your loved one has autism, it’s important to start early with treatments like behavioral and speech therapy.  This can teach him or her how to communicate effectively and how to “read” social situations and nonverbal cues.  When a child with autism has a very early exposure to treatment, she is much more likely to learn to function well in society.  When an adult with autism knows how to steer through social situations and how to deal with the stress that can come up in their daily work lives, the sky is the limit for what type of job he can have!

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-myths-about-autism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/01/17/can-people-really-grow-out-of-autism/

“Can autistic people compete in sports, Special Olympics or Paralympics?“

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May 13, 2013

Autism Service Coordinator

Where to Turn:

Searching for Supports When Autism is Diagnosed

   “I don’t know, hon.  I think we need more than what the school can offer”

“But, they ran all the tests and came up with the results.  They’ll know what to do, right?”

“It’s a small school trying to stay afloat with all the budget cuts.  They may need help too”

“Ok, but if not them, then who, and where?”

Like any other medical diagnosis, families who just found out their child is autistic have many questions and a need for answers to come quickly and are of high quality.  Does the school system take the lead in care or a private psychologist?  Does my child stop going to Head Start and start attending a “special” school instead?  Where are these schools and how do I get my child there and back?  How much this will cost us and will our insurance company fight me every step of her care?  Do I need to get a physical therapist or counselor involved, or both?  Who has answers for us?

As worrisome and mind boggling as these questions and the search for answers can be, there actually are a number of services in place at the state and federal level to provide guidance, hands-on skill teaching, and all-around support to the child and the family members.  The real key to finding, and keeping, supports is to have someone who can find, access, and maintain supports in a coordinated fashion.  This service is where we begin.

A Service Coordinator is a person who helps clients and families locate services and navigate the often confusing red tape to prove service eligibility and make sure those services will meet the needs of the person.  Sometimes titled a Case Manager or Social Worker, these professionals usually work for state or private, not-for-profit agencies that offer an array of services under one roof.  In New York, the state agency that provides and oversees these services is the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), which has regional offices called Developmental Disability Services Offices (DDSOs.) Other states may have entities with different acronyms, but their goal is still the same; to provide and oversee services provided either by them or by private agencies that contract with the state to provide similar resources.

I was a Service Coordinator for New York before taking my current administrator position.  My job was to be an advocate for the family and a liaison between the family and service providers to break down barriers to service provision.  I met regularly with families to identify needs and assess how well services were meeting those needs.  Sometimes, I would come into the picture from the very beginning, helping families to obtain state insurance (Medicaid) that would pay for an array of services known as Waiver Services.  Often, the school system or a private professional would take care of that part, but would need my knowledge of state and community resources to connect families to additional supports.  Once services were in place, my role was to be the hub of a wheel that had services arrayed all around and make sure that the spokes that connected me and the family to those resources did not splinter or break.

Waiver Services, which I mentioned earlier, is a collection of varied services that a person, child or adult, with a qualifying diagnosis can access all at once.  Autism is a qualifying diagnosis, as is Mental Retardation, epilepsy and other neurological impairments, Downs Syndrome, and a few others.  Focusing on Autism specifically, an autistic child is going to need speech pathology to strengthen language and vocalization, physical therapy to develop fine motor coordination, occupational therapy to create environments at home and elsewhere that supports an autistic child’s progress, and a psychiatrist to monitor mental progression and prescribe medication if it is deemed helpful.  All of these services can often be found within one location, but the Waiver program has built-in portability, meaning a family can pick and choose who provides services for them, within a local catchment area, wherever they reside.

There are many other resources available when someone is Waiver eligible.  Because autistic children are diagnosed during infancy, or almost certainly by age three, school programs such as Head Start and child care services such as Pre-K or daycare are often involved with the child at onset and/or discovery.  Honestly, how severe the autism is, and how resourceful the school can be, determines whether the child can still be supported by them.  There are indeed specialized schools that teach, train, play with, and love autistic kids, providing a designed environment with high structure and forms of stimulation to improve cognition, attention, and social involvement.  In Utica, NY, the Kelberman Center is one such school that serves autistic children, and is a model of dedication and success.

There are many community based services that support autistic children, too.  I know of two agencies that offer pony rides for autistic kids and petting zoos designed to encourage the child to interact with their world via friendly animals as a motivating conduit.  What better pairing exists than a young boy or girl and a fuzzy, unassuming animal to draw them out of their shell?  “4 Paws for Ability” is a national entity that does just that.  Parents have formed their own organizations, meeting for play time with their children to exchange ideas, resources, and offer mutual support.  For autistic adults, there are a number of site-based programs that offer all kinds of services such as skill training, work skills development, socialization, and community activities.  Referred to as Adult Day Habilitation programs, or Day Habs, these sites offer adults a safe, learning environment to attend during the day, whether they live with family or elsewhere.  I am currently the administrator for one of these locations.  For adults and families needing housing for their loved ones, group homes called IRAs (Individual Residential Alternatives) provide 24/7 support with trained staff.  Autistic people usually qualify for Social Security benefits, which covers the cost of this type of housing while Medicaid takes care of all medical expenses.

The National Parent helpline is an entity that provides resource and contact information on a wide range of supports, including Autism, for parents residing in all 50 states.   www.nationalparenthelpline.org is a comprehensive one-stop guide for anyone looking for support.  Your county’s Department of Social Services can guide you to needed services as well.  Resources are out there for every need and every one;  you just have to know where to look.  Good luck!

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