Showing posts with label treatment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label treatment. Show all posts

Monday, June 18, 2012

Asperger Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The Asperger's Syndrome was named after a Viennese pediatrician, Hans Asperger. In 1944, he explained the reason behind inefficiency in social behavior but normal intelligence in his male patients. This is a neurological disorder in which the person suffering shows a number of typical characteristics like odd patterns in speech, obsessions, poor coordination, inefficiency in social interaction and several other peculiar behaviors. The children who suffer from this disorder find it difficult to differentiate the various body languages and are able to show only a few facial expressions. They may be obsessive about their routines and may be unusually sensitive to some sensory stimuli.
It was noted by Asperger that though the males suffering from this condition show normal language development and intelligence, they find it hard to effectively communicate their ideas. They may have problems with paying attention for longer spans and they are also known to have a behavior that others find odd or eccentric. These conditions do not go away with age and an adult who has this condition shows the same symptoms. However, despite Asperger's Syndrome being a lifetime condition, if it is diagnosed at an early stage and proper services are provided, there is a chance that the symptoms may reduce with time.
Causes: Though there is no specific cause known for the condition, it is generally suggested that it is genetic, possibly running through generations in a family. Also, it is thought that some fetal development problems might cause this condition considering the differences in structure and function of specific parts of the brain. Some researches showed that the condition might be associated with depression, bipolar disorder and other mental disorders. There is a wrong idea that the condition is caused due to bad parenting. However, Asperger's syndrome is a neurological disorder and does not depend on the upbringing of the child.
Symptoms: In most cases, Asperger's syndrome is diagnosed in children in the age of 5-9 years. It might be difficult to differentiate the symptoms from troubles in behavior and this is why they can be evaluated only by professionals in many cases. The diagnosis of this condition is often confused with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD.
Treatment: There is neither a cure not an effective medical treatment for Asperger's Syndrome. There can be treatment for some symptoms like depression which are associated with the condition. The main treatment for this condition is training as in the case of Autism. Training for modification in behavior and social skills has found to be effective. Training may also be provided for decision making, problem solving and other skills.
The condition does not mean that a person suffering from it will not be able to succeed socially and academically. In fact, there are many people suffering from the Asperger's syndrome who believe that this condition is more of a "difference" and not a "disorder". There are people with this condition who are leading a full and happy life through proper education and support.
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Monday, January 30, 2012

Autism Treatment - Stopping Biomedical Treatments and Autism

I want to discuss the issue of starting and stopping biomedical therapies and what the normal protocol is. I am often asked a question like "Dr. Woeller, if my child is taking B12, or my child is on various supplements or medications like Diflucan or maybe Nystatin, should I be weaning my child off of these supplements or can they just be stopped all of a sudden?". In my experience, and this applies to the majority of the biomedical therapies that we use, if your child reaches a plateau where you are no longer seeing improvements, and if your doctor is in agreement on this, it is my experience that you can stop these therapies all at once without seeing any negative reactions.

And certainly when you look at other medications for other medical issues like certain steroid medications or certain anti-depressant medications and various types of psychiatric medications that often times do need to be removed slowly, where you are backing off slowly from one dose to a lower dose. But when we are talking about vitamin therapies like B12 or anti-fungals or even most supplements, in my experience there is no need to wean your child off. And this again is something that you would still want to run by your own doctors but in my opinion there is no weaning process for these types of therapies. But a very common question I get in my practice is whether someone can stop B12 with their child suddenly or whether or not their child needs to be weaned off. With B12, in my experience, if it is time to stop that therapy you can just do so immediately and if you want to resume that therapy at a later time then you can.

So when we are discussing biomedical treatments, many of the therapies are the same way. You are not usually going to see dangerous reactions occurring, we are not using highly toxic substances and they are not highly stressful medications either. There are definitely medications that do require weaning and this is still an issue where you would always want to work with your own physician on this. But, for the most part, the biomedical therapies that we traditionally use like anti-fungals, supplements, etc. can many times be stopped without a need to wean a child off of them.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller


Thursday, January 5, 2012

Facts About Autism Treatment

Autism treatment is not considered to be a fix-all, a cure. People diagnosed with developmental disorders can expect to have to live out their lives with them. Treatment is for therapeutic purposes. Treatment is given in the hope of providing these individuals with coping methods, and skills needed to successfully handle life's situations as easily, and comfortable as possible. Treatment takes on the form of therapy sessions both one-on-one and in a group setting. It involves speech pathology therapy that focuses on not only the semantics of verbal communication but the psychological and emotional characteristics as well. Treatment can also take the form of standardized classroom instruction-these classes are special education classrooms that specifically are meant to educate individuals with developmental disorders.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms a child may be able to participate in the general setting of classes at his/her school. High functioning autistic, while still faced with the awkward social skills and awkward communication skills do have some ability to successfully participate in group setting such as public school classrooms with little or no extra help or attention. However, they still look at things in a different way and will probably come to understand and learn them in a different way as well. Because of this difficulties are more likely to occur than not and teachers and parents need to be aware of this. Children with developmental disorders are prone to bullying and negative relationships with their peers. It is difficult for children, especially those at a young age to be accepting of something so drastically different from their selves.

Most will act out because of fear of the unknown. It is necessary for teachers and caregivers to teach children a more accepting attitude of change and difference. It is with open minds, patience, and compassion that we can live together peacefully. Hiding anything different from the world is not the best course of action. However, in some cases where the severity of autism is extreme it is beneficial to everyone involved to place the child in an educational environment geared toward his/her disorder. This doesn't mean ostracize them from the general public but simply provide them with a stable environment in which they can learn to handle said general public, comfortably.

Speech pathology therapy can be useful in helping an autistic child to build a better communicative repertoire. Communication is often difficult for autistic children no matter the severity of their symptoms.

They do not understand and react to social, environmental, emotional, intuitive cues. Due to this autistic children can develop antisocial tendencies that can unknowingly ostracize themselves from their peers. Therapy can help them to develop communication skills they are comfortably with and able to use in any situation. This can actually help them to better understand those around them which will lead to success in everyday life. It can also help autistic children to make friends-which can be of great benefit to them.

Again, autism treatment is not meant to be a cure. But it can help to alleviate the major negative characteristics of the disorder. It will help a child live as best a life as possible for him/her.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Wagner



Thursday, December 29, 2011

Autistic Children - Practical Tips For Distressed Parents

Having a child diagnosed with autism may be fraught with heavy emotions for many parents but it is a time when they are required to to keep their wits about them, learn the true extent of autism and what they can do to help the child grow as a healthy, happy and capable individual. This knowledge will guide parents in learning and applying proven, scientific methods in dealing with the disorder and training their own emotional responses so the child does not feel unloved.

Contacting the National Autism Society of America and finding out about other parents with a child who has autism is a step forward to being with persons in a similar situation who can be a support group for them; parents get to discuss and find release for their feelings besides gaining valuable information about the condition affecting their child.

Besides local chapters associated with Autism support, parents have a wealth of resources handy, though these are usually in contact with top doctors, intervention programs and have right knowledge about arranging workshops for both your child and the family so should be used as a guide to Autism treatment. These support groups are a fund of learning resources on autism and dealing with them and even children in the family not affected by the disorder can join these to learn how best to treat their sibling who has been diagnosed with Autism; thus, local support groups double up as learning centers for desirable behavior for family members who may otherwise have been overwhelmed by the news of the disorder affecting a loved one.

From tips on living and treating an autistic child to points they must remember in order to avoid acting against the welfare of the child's progress, a local support group has many specially designed programs for different age groups and levels of autism: they make it possible to learn more about the illness so are beneficial for families in need of building a supportive environment so an autistic child can grow normally.

Those parents whose child has recently been diagnosed with autism may also be benefited by considering marriage counseling as having a special child can put a strain on the relationship, leading to arguments, blame-game, fault-finding even neglecting each other, which is harmful for the fabric of the family. Many marriages break down under the stress associated with lack of supportive spouses or knowledge about dealing with autism, so counselling therapy is very important.

Your pediatrician or even a psychiatrist may not always be the best person to consult about autism as it is a neurological disorder that requires accurate diagnosis and timely treatment to keep it in control and help a child grow to the best of his or her ability; you need to be your autistic child's best resort and this is why it is imperative you learn up as much as you can about the condition. Vocate, you must know everything you can about autism. The organization called Parents of Autistic Children is a great learning place for getting training and joining workshops for knowledge enhancement and workshops and signing up for the ASA newsletter also offers a lot of information, from tips on diagnosing the condition to treatment options so parents are advised to gain from the learning contained in these resources.

Abhishek has got some great Autism Treatment Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 41 Page Ebook, "Understanding And Treating Autism" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/555/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal


Autism Treatment for Adults

Despite the fact that decades of research has gone into understanding the different disorders found in the Autism spectrum, there is no known cure in existence to date. It is bio-neurological in nature and prevents individuals of all age groups, including adults, from communicating and interacting with the individuals around them in their environment. As a result, the medical community will prescribe one of a number of therapies that help to diminish the effects of the disorder.

One of the important aspects to realize regarding adult Autism is the fact that the public school's responsibility to the afflicted individual once they reach 22 years of age. At this point in time, the parents of the autistic individual are faced with some significant challenges such as employment opportunities and living arrangements for the person. They also have to be concerned with finding facilities and programs that offer supportive services that will help the autistic individual to achieve their goals.

Effective adult Autism treatment

This also applies to dealing with adult Autism and may involve the use of therapies ranging from behavior modification to dietary and nutritional counseling. In so doing, the effects of the disorder can be diminished while enabling the autistic adult to be a contributing and productive individual in social environments. Here are some recommendations for Autism treatment in adults:

o Occupational therapy can help the autistic individual learn how to perform everyday chores and tasks including dressing themselves and following proper hygiene

o Physical therapy is a highly effective form of Autism treatment because of regular exercise and how it teaches the individual to control their different body movements

o Behavior modification techniques are extremely effective for diminishing and eliminating those behavior patterns that are labeled as being aggressive, repetitive, and undesirable

o Sensory Integration Therapy exposes the autistic adult to a variety of sensory stimuli that teaches them appropriate reactions

o Change the person's diet so that foods containing casein (a dairy protein), gluten, oats, and wheat are eliminated as these types of foods are not adequately absorbed by the autistic individual which in turn can affect how their brain functions

Remember that for the best results where adult Autism treatment is concerned, you want to use a combination of several approaches and not just rely on a single one. As no two individuals are ever alike, neither are any two autistic adults as they will respond differently to different approaches to treatment.

Another avenue of Autism treatment is treating the disorder naturally without the use of medications. This is oftentimes preferred by parents as it involves the use of alternative medical approaches and vitamin supplements. Over the past several years, the natural approach has become increasingly more popular. Basically, the natural approach to Autism treatment is more commonly referred to as a Holistic approach to treating the disorder. It has been hypothesized that Autism may be caused by high levels of toxic metals in the system or vitamin deficiencies.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Wagner


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Autism Treatment - Leaky Gut, Part 1 of 3

I want to cover the topic of leaky gut. Leaky gut is something that isn't well recognized in the traditional medical field but in complementary medicine, it has been recognized for many, many years. To understand this leaky gut you have to think about the epithelial lining of the digestive tract, or what is known as the mucosal layer, breaking down where holes begin to form. These holes are very small, microscopic, and lead to the issue of leaky gut. Leaky gut allows things like food proteins and toxins from pathogens such as yeast and bacteria to get through the mucosal lining when they normally would not. They manage to get into the lymphatic system, they get into the bloodstream and they wreak havoc by stimulating inflammation and causing the immune system to be hyper activated.

This topic can be a controversial one. Many physicians and scientists disagree with the idea that holes can develop in the gut. And they are correct to an extent, there are not holes exactly. It helps to understand the way we get nutrients into our bodies to get a better idea of this process. Vital nutrients are absorbed through the cell surface and then excreted out the other side. Those cells that line the digestive tract are normally tightly grouped together, allowing what should be absorbed in and keeping harmful things out.

When someone suffers from leaky gut, things can get through between the cells as well. The tight junction is the chemical process by which the cells are attached to each other. A good example for this is Velcro, so the cells are velcroed together. This occurs when you begin to have a breakdown in the Velcro structure and those tight junctions begin to breakdown. What happens is that you have microscopic gaps between cells and this is the process that we call leaky gut. So then food proteins and toxins can flow across the mucosal lining. Those proteins and toxins can then enter the bloodstream as a result of the breakdown in the tight junction and the leaky gut.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller



Monday, November 14, 2011

Autism Treatment - How to Successfully Work With a Biomedical Autism Doctor

These suggestions have been acquired over the years in my practice and have helped me assist my patients greatly. Also, in talking with many other doctors working with families of a loved one with autism these recommendations often hold true as well. Working with a doctor who specializes in biomedical intervention for autism can be a challenging process for some parents.

Understanding that a particular doctor may be extremely busy and needs your help in assisting them help your child will go a long way in the treatment of your child. Here are some recommendations.

Journal - keep a running journal of your observations and timeline of therapies you are implementing.

Keep a spreadsheet of therapies.

Keep dates of when new therapies such as when supplements were started, stopped, and what reactions were seen (good or bad).

Recognize your child's patterns - situational, seasonal, time of day.

If added new therapies and problems are seen - then cut out some or all new therapies giving before reactions occurred, then reintroduce slowly to isolate which one was the potential culprit. Notify your doctor of these changes.

You will need to become a detective of your child's particular autism condition.

You know your child better than anyone - be involved 100%.

You are ultimately responsible for your own health and your child's health care.

Be prepared for your consultations with questions, concerns, and important topics you want to cover. Have these sent via fax or email prior to your consult.

Ask whether your practitioner receives faxes, emails, or voice mail regarding questions. Be prepared to pay for extra time. Most doctors will answer questions that are related to a new therapy introduced or quick follow-up questions to a recent visit.

Partnering with your practitioner also means having a relationship with the office staff. Treat them with respect. They are there to help.

Do not assume your doctor remembers every detail about your child - keep them informed.

If you change supplements by either removing or adding them let your practitioner know in writing via fax or email. This way they can keep a copy for their records.

Come prepared with your latest observations about your child.

Let your doctor know what different therapies, testing, etc. you want to explore.

Keep a running list of supplements, medications, calendar of therapy implementation, reactions to therapies.

Let your doctor know when you have sent off tests or if you are having problems getting tests samples collected. Some offices track follow-up appointments based on incoming tests results.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller



Saturday, November 12, 2011

First, Do No Harm: Omega-3 Oils Treatments Against the Onset of Autism

From six months onwards, children afflicted with "classical autism" gradually exhibit an early onset of linguistic impairments, which stand in stark contrast to those at the other end of the spectrum, whose main challenge lies in social interaction. The most difficult part of the diagnosis is naturally the absence of remission, but the fact remains that autism is a highly variable neuro-developmental disorder without physiological attributes: for this reason, cases are only firmly established from the age of three onwards.

Therein lies a curious coincidence. Anthropologists are fond of saying that all human infants are prematurely born: if they waited until their brains are properly wired up, like all other mammals do, their heads would've gotten stuck in the mother's birth canal. So an infant gets out while it still can, and stays completely dependent on the mother up to the age of three. During those years, the baby effectively operates as a detachable fetus, while it sorts out the wiring in its heads.

So it's quite conceivable that the key to unlocking autism lies within those three years. Granted, we have absolutely no clue whether nature or nurture is to blame. Geneticists no longer talk of an "autistic gene", since the evidence points towards a combination of interlocking mechanisms. At the same time, we have exonerated quite a few suspects, such as preservatives, vaccines, and a combination of the two.

Still, there's no reason to despair, since we have at least one more potential treatment at our disposal.

For more than a decade scientists have observed one "missing link" in a number of seemingly unrelated ailments, from the definitively physiological to the apparently psychological. Schizophrenia has been associated with atypical neurochemistry without a doubt, whereas anxiety disorders are still being combated with bath salts. But in all these cases, as well as hyperactivity and now autism, the patients registered abnormally low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These results, collected separately and in unrelated surveys, were originally dismissed as a statistical fluke, since omega-3 oils, and particularly those of the DHA variety, were then principally known for their anti-inflammatory effects in the cardiovascular system and had nothing to do with the central nervous system whatsoever.

Of course, the same thing once happened with the majority of pharmaceutical products we now consume as a matter of course. As long as there are no demonstrable harm, doctors are very comfortable with not knowing why something works as long as it works (and they get paid). Replenishing omega-3 acids in older autistic children's diets does alleviate some of their developmental difficulties, but only as long as they stay on it. These improvements include speech, cognitive awareness, as well as hand-eye coordination.

Pregnant women have long been advised to consume DHA supplements by the European Union, as a precaution against developmental disorders. It is very likely that a continued regime throughout childhood might deter the incidence of autism spectrum disorders.

We'll have to wait for quite a while before definitive proof comes out. But since fish oils do no harm, why take the risk?

If you're interested in reading more about the health benefits of omega 3s and fish oil supplements, feel free to visit my website where I discuss the truth about omega 3 fish oil and what I personally use to stay healthy and in shape.

You can view my website now by clicking this link: http://www.omega-3-supplement.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_M_Gibson



Thursday, October 20, 2011

Medical Treatments for Autism

What are the best treatments for Autism? Regardless of which ones are chosen, the overall goals are:

A) make the autistic person functionally independent, and B) to improve his or her quality of life. There are several types of Western treatments available for Autism. Here are some of the most common ones, along with some of their benefits and drawbacks:

1. Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet

Certain types of diets (i.e. gluten-free and casein-free diets) are often used to treat Autism patients. The goal of the GFCF diet is to eliminate the proteins Gluten and Casein from autistic people.

Pros:

Some clinical studies have indicated that GFCF diets can be somewhat beneficial in treating the various symptoms related to Autism. However, it should be stressed that the results are inconclusive at best.

Cons:

There is conflicting evidence that there's a link between Autism and digestion disorders. In fact, clinical studies on the issue are somewhat conflicting. It should also be noted that such diets have the potential to cause new health problems.

2. Dietary Supplements

Various types of dietary supplements can be used to treat people with Autism. For example, some studies have suggested that the combination of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium could be beneficial in effectively treating some symptoms of Autism. However, the studies conducted have been limited. Vitamin C might be somewhat beneficial in treating Autism. However, clinical studies have provided limited evidence of that, while high doses of Vitamin C could result in unwanted side-effects. Omega-3 fatty acids are a popular treatment for Autism patients, although clinical studies haven't verified their effectiveness for treating the disorder.

Pros:

The majority of dietary supplements for treating Autism have fairly mild side-effects. This is certainly a significant benefit over prescription medications, which often cause moderate-to-severe side-effects due to the powerful chemicals they contain.

Cons:

Minimal research has been conducted on dietary supplements, to determine how effective they are in treating Autism.

3. Prescription Medications

Physicians prescribe several types of medications to treat the symptoms of Autism. In fact, over half of all children in the U.S.A. diagnosed with Autism are prescribed certain types of medications. The most common types are:

antidepressants: used to treat conditions such as depression and anxiety disordersantipsychotics: tranquilizing medication used to treat psychosisstimulants: drugs used to provide improvements in one's physical and/or mental function Pros:

Clinical studies show that certain prescription medications seem to be effective in successfully treating certain types of Autism symptoms, such as irritability, tantrums, and aggression. In fact, the U.S.A.'s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved particular medications for treating certain symptoms of Autism. Other prescription medications seem to be somewhat effective in treating Autism, yet the FDA hasn't approved them for treating the disorder specifically.

Cons:

Various possible problems can result from the use of prescription medications to treat Autism. One is that different people will respond differently to various prescriptions, so it's crucial that physicians closely monitor how their patients react to various types of medications. Another possible problem is when an Autism patient receives a dosage that is higher than it should be. Yet another possible drawback of prescription medications is the human-made chemicals that they contain, which can cause an array of unwanted side-effects.

Get more information about non-invasive, Denver alternative autism therapies at the Life Vessel of the Rockies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Lynn



Sunday, October 16, 2011

How to Treat Sensory Processing Disorder

The body is designed in a way wherein the different sense organs work with the brain for the interpretation of the different senses so that we can exhibit the appropriate responses, both behavioral and motor. However, there are instances when the responses are not proper because of misinterpretation of the senses. This condition is called sensory processing disorder.

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) was formerly known as sensory integration dysfunction was first described by A. Jean Ayres, a neuroscientist who said that this disorder is similar to a 'traffic jam' that occurs in the neurons, wherein some parts of the brain are prevented from receiving the correct information so that sensory information are interpreted correctly. For someone who has SPD, what happens is that sensory information is perceived differently from that which is normal to other people. This will then result in behavior or responses that are unusual, which makes it hard to accomplish some tasks.

The exact causes of sensory processing disorder are not yet known, and are still subject to research studies. There have been results however saying that this is an inherited disorder, but there can also be environmental factors that can contribute to it. When this is not properly managed while a child is still young, it can result to several problems involving the child's emotional, education and social state. Because of the problems with the child's motor skills, he can become isolated from his peers, suffering from low self-esteem. There can also be poor self-concept and failure with academics. Those who are unaware of this disorder will be labeling the child as clumsy, disruptive or even uncooperative. When this gets worse, it will lead to depression, anger problems, anxiety and aggression.

The treatment of sensory processing disorder will warrant the services of an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist will provide sensory integration therapy for the child, wherein sensory stimuli and experiences will be taught to the child. There will also be sensory diet, a therapy where the therapist will plan and schedule activities for the child to address the different needs of the nervous system. There will be different techniques that will be included in the therapy such as calming, alerting and organizing. The treatment for SPD can also include alternative therapies depending on what the doctor says. One of the common therapies is therapeutic body brushing which is ideal for children who are oversensitive to sensory experiences. This will help the SPD patient to learn how to adjust to certain sensory stimulations.

There is no definite cure for sensory processing disorder for the treatments that were mentioned will only help the affected person learn how to adapt and react properly to stimulations. If you are taking care of a child who is suffering from SPD, you have to be patient when dealing with him, since it is not just frustrating for you but it is more difficult to the child. It will take some time before the child can learn the appropriate responses so you will have to assist him and make sure that he learns properly. And of course, you will need to assist him with developing his mental, emotional and social skills.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Sensory Processing Disorder and Sensory Integration Disorder.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Lau


Friday, October 14, 2011

Using Methylation Chemistry for Autism Treatment

Methylation is a vital biochemical reaction in the body that supports the cardiovascular, hormone, immune, and detoxification systems, DNA/RNA structure and function, and other key metabolic system controlling energy production. It is commonly a problem in many autistic-spectrum individuals. There are some effective therapies, namely methylcobolamin therapy (injection, oral, sublingual), as well as other methylation supplements such as DMG and TMG.

The two most referenced chemical reactions in this methylation system are Re-methylation and Trans-Sulfuration.

Re-Methylation (or methylation) - this pathway involves the conversion of Homocysteine to Methionine. Methionine is a rate-limiting step for the production of other necessary chemicals which affect the heart and blood vessels, muscle tissue, immune and nervous system. The conversion of homocysteine to methionine can occur by direct transference of a methyl (CH3) groups from Methylcobalamin (B12) or betaine (trimethylglycine or TMG).

Homocysteine sits at a junction of two different biochemical reactions. Because of its position in this biochemical matrix it has the capacity to impact all methylation and sulfur group transference metabolic processes in the body. The most recognized impact of homocysteine is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. However, in individuals with autism its impact affects other functions as well particularly cognition including concentration, attention, and language.

Trans-Sulfuration - this pathway involves degrading homocysteine to two different amino acids - taurine and cysteine. Taurine is most commonly known for cardiac support and liver support, detoxification, bile acid formation and cholesterol excretion. Cysteine has direct influence on glutathione production. Glutathione is a potent anti-oxidant and has broad reaching effects on the DNA/RNA protection, heavy metal detoxification, and immune function. Many children on the autistic-spectrum have deficiencies of both taurine and cysteine.

There are many intermediary steps involved in these two important biochemical reactions. Envision a wheel that is constantly spinning in a clockwise fashion. Homocysteine is at 6 o'clock and Methionine is at 12 o'clock. The goal is to get from 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock, and then from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock. This keeps the wheel spinning in the right direction. Certain other chemicals will impact upon this wheel at specific points. If any one of these intermediary steps is blocked than the wheel slows down or stops. This causes a backlog of chemical information that has deleterious effects on our overall health.

Methylcobolamin, activated Folic Acid (called methyl-folate), and Betaine (TMG) are responsible for taking homocysteine from 6 o'clock to methionine at 12 o'clock. If one system is faulty (methylcobolamin/Folic acid) than betaine (TMG) can help out. SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine) the body's "universal methyl donor" helps take methionine from 12 o'clock to homocysteine at 6 o'clock. Along the way other important chemicals are being spun off in different directions to support the many dependent biochemical reactions in the body.

The problem with many autistic individuals is that this system does not operate properly severely compromising their immune, nervous, and detoxification systems. The impact can be enormous including increased chronic infections, inability to detoxify their body of chemicals and heavy metal toxins, and neuro-cognitive problems such as language processing, attention, focusing, and concentration. There appears to be a genetic component with many autistic individuals for having a problem with this methylation and trans-sulfuration chemisty. However, for many the problem does not become manifest until their system is negatively impacted upon from nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems from yeast, bacteria, parasites, malabsorption from digestive imbalances, heavy metal toxins from vaccines or environmental exposures.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller



Autism Treatment And The Power Of Music

A relatively new method for treating individuals that are suffering from autism is musical therapy. When discussing treatment options, serious consideration should be given to incorporating this method. Musical therapy often helps patients improve their temperament as well as their learning skills. By connecting to the non-verbal sections of our minds, music proves to be an excellent form of therapy for those suffering from disorders that limit their communication skills. If you haven't had much success with other forms of autism treatment, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much this method may help.

The reason that musical therapy can be so effective is because you can use it in addition to other treatments for learning social skills. By its very nature, music therapy is non-threatening to patients allowing behavior and social skills to be improved by the many games that can be played using this method. Autistic patients can break through social barriers through the encouragement of eye contact during singing or the use of an instrument, such as a harmonica, that needs to be in close proximity to your face.

The most important way that music therapy helps autistic patients is by helping to develop their use of speech. Music helps us connect to the verbal and the non-verbal functions of our minds. Many people that suffer from autism have varying degrees of difficulty with speech. Some patients can only make humming or grunting sounds, while others have developed the ability to put together words and sentences that will at least allow them to communicate. Regardless of how much skill the patient has with speech, there is something to be gained by participating in musical therapy.

It is not unusual for autistic patients to be particularly good with music. Some have excellent pitch; others can learn to play instruments with a minimum of instruction. Even if the person doesn't show amazing musical abilities, some difficult to handle autistic patients have musical abilities that greatly exceed their other abilities. Musical therapists will use music to link this type of learning to other types of learning, including speech, social and behavioral development. This can also be used as a means of communicating emotions and to develop the memory.

Music therapy can be very beneficial to autistic patients on its own and when combined with other treatment techniques. A trained music therapist can teach a patient how to communicate using nonverbal methods, which makes it easier for autistic individuals to learn. It may be in your best interest to spend some time researching musical therapy to see if this form of treatment may be a good choice for you and your loved ones.

There is much more to learn about the management and treatment for autism The best thing you can do for the health and welfare of your family is to become informed. The most up to date resources and information about diagnosing, controlling, and treating Autism can be found at Http://AutismAwareness.wordpress.com

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Warning Signs of Autism in Infants

Although the exact cause of Autism still remains somewhat of a mystery, most doctors and other health professionals that there is some type of genetic link between the disorder and genetics. Additionally, there are other variables that are possible causes such as abnormalities with the child's immune system and contributing environmental factors.

Although the cause of the disorder remains unknown or speculative at best, major medical advancements have been made in the past decade where the management of treatment of the disorder are concerned. However, most medical professionals agree that the best course of action is early intervention and diagnosis.

Autism's early warning signs and symptoms

The following information has resulted from a number of different studies that were conducted in order to discover some of the early warning signs and symptoms of Autism in the infancy stage of the child's life. The following are what you should look for and by what age these should be apparent:

- the absence of smiling or other positive facial expressions by 6 months of age

- failing to exchange smiles and sounds with others by 9 months of age

- the inability to babble, wave, point and/or reach for different objects,, by 12 months of age

- the lack of or total absence of any vocabulary development by 16 months of age

- the inability to create basic two-word phrases by 24 months of age

- a regression of communicative, social, and speech skills at any age

There may also be noticeably, severe sensory issues during their infancy that you should look for such as an abnormal reaction to certain sounds or tastes and touching.

Early intervention and treatment

If these signs or symptoms mentioned in the preceding section appear early on, you don't want to delay or procrastinate about this. You should talk with your pediatrician and maybe even a neurologist or psychiatrist/psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism. While the infant is being observed, the parents will most likely be interviewed to see if the diagnosis of Autism is accurate. The doctor may also order for the infant to receive a hearing test and an MRI.

Additionally, if there are communication, language, and social issues that are apparent, the doctor may also recommend a speech pathology evaluation. Once all of these variables have been evaluated, clinicians and other doctors may get involved in order to develop some type of educational intervention program for the afflicted infant. The most important treatment for Autism involves teaching the infant or the child how to communicate and interact socially successfully with others around them.

Beware of the misconceptions

No two children or infants are ever alike in the manner that Autism affects them. Symptoms of the disorder can range from mild or slight to extremely severe. The common misconception to be aware of is that every child or infant with Autism does not display any emotional response such as smiling at others. For instance, this may not be an issue whereas other children may smile but have serious linguistic or sensory issues.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on ADHD children please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Biomedical Autism Treatment - Diet Helps Autistic Kids Get & Stay Healthy

For most kids getting periodic colds, congestion or upper respiratory infections (ear, sinus) is a normal part of growing up. However, children should not have to get sick at every exposure. If your child seems to develop an illness quite frequently, their immune system is likely in a weakened state. The goal then is not to prevent them from ever getting sick, but to reduce the frequency (and duration) of an illness. The way to accomplish this is through a strong immune system, and diet can play a big role in strengthening immune resistance to bacteria and viruses.

The following is a list of considerations to implement biomedical autism treatment to help support a health body and immune system for autism-spectrum children (ASD):

Whole Foods Diet - A whole foods diet contains quality sources of protein (poultry, fish, eggs, lean meats, beans, nuts, nut butters) lots of fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds and high quality fats and oils such as flax oil, olive oil and coconut oil. You want to eliminate as many processed foods as possible - foods that are processed with chemicals, preservatives, additives, flavor enhancers, artificial colors and sweeteners, added sugar and hydrogenated oils.

Reduce Sugar - A tablespoon of refined sugar can suppress the immune system by 50% - in some cases for up to four hours. If your child is eating high sugar foods frequently throughout the day - candy, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, soda, sugary cereals, and products with corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup - their immune system is likely suppressed all the time. If this is the case they are at a much greater risk of developing frequent illnesses.

Eliminate Dairy Products - Cow's milk dairy products can be mucous forming foods. Mucous in the mouth and respiratory tract provides a friendly medium for bacteria and other pathogens to grow. Many children on the autism-spectrum have a history of chronic ear and respiratory infections. They likely have an allergy to dairy. Eliminating the dairy has been found to significantly help children on the autism-spectrum - not only because of their immune weaknesses, but dairy products can also cause behavioral (tantrums, irritability) and cognitive (attention, focusing) problems as well.

Get More Essential Fats - Certain good fat sare called essential because our body cannot make them and we must get obtain them from our food. There are two types of essential fatty acids (EFAs) - omega 6 and omega 3. Most people get an abundance of omega 6 EFAs found in nuts, seeds, safflower, sunflower and corn oils. However, many ASD kids are not getting enough omega 3 EFAs. Sources high in omega 3 EFAs include fish oil, flax oil, krill oil and cod liver oil. EFAs are important for the immune system and help to regulate activity of white blood cells (T-cells and B-cells) that fight off infections.

Include Probiotics - Probiotics are beneficial bacteria. These include the common lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacter bifidus. These normal intestinal bacteria help to strengthen what is called the mucosal immune system. The mucosa of the mouth, respiratory and intestinal tracts are considered to be our first line immune defense. The mucosa helps to fend off invading pathogens once they have entered our body. Probiotics help to enhance the effectiveness of our mucosal immune system.

Whole Food Nutritional Supplement - A great way to obtain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, etc. is to use powdered greens. There are a number of products available at most local health food stores that are good for kids.

One way of getting children to take supplements is mixing them in a smoothie. Listed here is an example of a great tasting and nutritious smoothie drink.

1 cup almond or rice milk

1-2 tablespoons flax oil or fish oil

1-2 tablespoons partially ground flax seeds

1-2 tablespoons powdered greens

2-3 capsules of probiotics

½ to 1 banana

Blended mixed frozen fruit - add as much as needed to obtain the consistency you feel your child will like (frozen strawberries, cherries, blueberries, mango, etc.). Mix well in blender. This will generally create 2 to 3 servings.

Don't let ANYONE tell you there is nothing you can do to help your child. Autism really is treatable! Start your child down the road to recovery from autism. Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving - even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For more information and a free ebook on biomedical autism treatment go to http://www.AutismActionPlan.org

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an autism biomedical specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Get his ebook, "7 Facts You Need To Know About Autism (But Probably Weren't Told)." You can download it right now for free at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org

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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Autism Treatment - Respen-A Dosages and Autism

I have had some parents who have asked me about, and have concerns over, the fact that Respen-A contains an ingredient that is derived from a drug. Reserpine is the active ingredient in Respen-A. Reserpine is derived from an Indian herb called snakeroot, its name being rauwolfia serpentine. The FDA approved the use of Reserpine for hypertension in 1955. These days, Reserpine is not used all that often to treat hypertension, at least not to a significant degree. So it was approved to treat high blood pressure but now there are many other medications used now. When it was used to treat hypertension, the dose used was.1 -.5 mg. What is used in Respen-A is.01 mg so you are getting between 10 to 50 times less Reserpine in Respen-A than what was used for high blood pressure.

Respen-A was first introduced into the Autism community around November of 2008 and there was a small study done to track some children for about a year's period between November 2008 and November 2009. A press release was sent out based on the results, which were very promising, and then parents began using it for their children. Back in 1957 there was a study, published in the Journal of Mental Disorder and Disease, using Reserpine on a group of children with Autism. The study used an oral elixir with a dose of between 3 and 7 mg. Remember, the FDA approved Reserpine at a dose of.1 and.5 mg for hypertension and in 1957 they were using 3 - 7 mg on children with Autism using an oral elixir. The findings of the study were that the children had better verbal communication, better eye contact, better socialization, much less self stimulatory behavior, better overall awareness, more willingness to socialize and more willingness to play, etc. And quite honestly what we are seeing in children with Respen-A is the same things that we see improvement in with children using therapies like Methyl B-12.

Some children do report some side effects like excessive sleepiness or some report dry mouths, but nothing that was very significant. But when the doses were increased to 10 - 12 mg, then adverse neurological behaviors were observed, similar to Parkinson's symptoms. But these doses used back in 1957 were 200 to 700 times the amount that is used today in the Respen-A patch. So you can see that the dosages are not even close to one another and yet the benefits we are seeing certainly are. Again, the improvements I see in my patients who are using Respen-A include better eye contact, improvement in quality of speech, improvement in general awareness, a more deliberateness in speech and also appropriateness of speech, and improvement in socialization are the main improvements I have seen in my practice. I want to highlight these things because I feel that there is a misconception out there about what Respen-A does and I wanted to show the actual amounts of Reserpine that are used in Respen-A compared to the amounts used in the study in 1957 and even the amounts used for high blood pressure.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller



Autism Treatment for My Child - What Should They Eat?

There are a lot of things that you want to avoid when using diet as an autism treatment tool for your child. But there are also a lot of things that you want to put in their diet, that can help ameliorate some of the symptoms and help them cognitively and behaviorally.

1. Vitamins

First of all, you will want a diet that is well balanced in terms of essential vitamins. Vitamin B is an important one. It helps increase brain function, can help produce neurotransmitters, and helps the absorption of essential nutrients into the body. This in turn helps improve nervous system function. All of this increases overall health.

Vitamin C improves the immune system, as most people know.

Also, though, it helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are naturally occurring chemicals that can cause problems for the body; Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant, and as such, helps to control the damage that the free radicals do.

Multivitamins are important to take because many people with autism have deficiencies in many vitamins and minerals. Vitamins can be an essential autism treatment for your child.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics can help the digestive problems that so often plague autistic kids, and can be an effective autism treatment for these symptoms in your child.

Our guts have a lot of "friendly bacteria" that keep things in balance. Sometimes, though, these friendly bacteria can get out of balance and start to bring havoc on our bodies and digestion. Using probiotics as a supplement brings things back into balance.

Probiotics can improve bloating and gas issues, and other digestive issues. Digestive complaints are common with those on the autism spectrum. Yogurt is a good source of probiotics. Plain yogurt is better than the sugary flavored kind, however.

The best way to get probiotics is a full spectrum supplement that has many different strains of probiotics. Your doctor or someone at your local health food store can help you figure out what kind are best for you.

3. Essential Fatty Acids

What are Omega 3s? They are essential fatty acids. Your body can't make them but they do a lot for your health. Omega 3s improve brain function. They seem to "oil" the gears of the brain, especially in the case of the child with autism. Omega 3s also help prevent cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

The best way to get Omega 3s is from fish. Salmon is a great source of Omega 3s. Fatty fish, like mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, and albacore tuna also work well. Many nuts, like pumpkin seeds and walnuts, have Omega 3s too. Of course, the easiest thing to do is to get fish oil supplements that have Omega 3s in them. You will want to find supplements that have both Omega 3s and 6s in them. Nordic Naturals is one such company that makes an excellent product.

So you see, adding a few extra things to your child's diet can be an excellent addition to your autism treatment plan for your child.

And parents should learn as much as you can about dietary issues in the treatment of autism. Tips from other parents and professionals can be extremely helpful. A great site that has tips and suggestions for additional treatments is the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Kendall



Friday, September 23, 2011

Current Trends in Autism Treatment

Autism affects approximately 1 in every 110 children and approximately 1 out of every 70 boys. Over the years, autism has started to become a fairly common illness as more and more children are starting to become affected. Autism is usually recognized by the age of three. Each case of autism is unique, as some are more severe than others.

Fortunately, there are a number of autism books and treatments that can help children and families learn to cope with the illness. One treatment that a lot of families find to be effective is speech therapy. A lot of individuals may be skeptical when it comes to speech therapy and autism because they believe that a speech therapist can only help people who do not know how to pronounce words. Autistic children know how to pronounce words, but need some assistance in what to say and when to say it. Speech therapy can also help autistic children learn to carry on a conversation while understanding the meaning of the words being used.

Social skills therapy is another more effective way to help children learn to cope with autism and lead normal lives. The most obvious and prominent complication in children with autism is their inability to interact and communicate clearly and effectively with others. Because they have little knowledge of exactly what is going on in a social situation, they are limited to what they can say and do. Oftentimes, children with autism might end up saying or doing inappropriate things that may offend others because of their limited ability to understand the basics of a social setting. Social skills therapy is taught by therapists who specialize in treating autistic children, studied a number of autism books, and who have the necessary skills to help the child interact appropriately.

A number of activities are used by therapists who specialize in social skills therapy to help the child understand what to do and what to say around other children and adults. For example, in order for a child to learn how he must act around other children, he will be placed in a situation where he feels comfortable, but will also be provided with a challenge and where he can be taught, such as on a playing field with other children who are playing a game of ball. Social skills therapy also focuses on helping the child learn to maintain and understand the importance of eye contact. The therapist will also teach the child the importance of body language and how to identify what it means in a social situation.

A lot of parents choose not to place their children in therapy, but would much rather read autism books and learn the techniques themselves. Many autistic children do not respond well to therapy, causing parents to have no choice but to attempt to teach the child themselves. Parents who stay home can usually spend more time with their children. However, instead of using nothing but autism books, it's best to make sure the child has interactions with other children.

Autism affects approximately 1 in every 110 children. What the cause? What are the solutions

Check out our Autism Books [http://www.autism-books.info] to get the latest in treatments and some surprising information on what causes autism here at [http://www.autism-books.info]

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Treatment of Autism - The Importance of Supplements That Many People Overlook

Autism is kind of disorder that affects the social and behavioral skills of children. This syndrome usually manifests when the child is an infant, especially during his or her third birthday. The child with autism finds it difficult to communicate effectively and this is can be frustrating to those around, especially the parents.

The cause of autism has been attributable to many factors, though some of these have been controversial. For example, the issue that vaccination causes autism has been controversial since the report was made public. Also, in the past the term 'the refrigerator mothers' was coined to reflect the fact that bad parenting is one of the causes of autism in children. This has equally not gone down well with autism research.

There have been some treatment options administered to the autistic patient and some of the treatment options may include vitamins and nutritional supplements. This is not to say that nutritional supplements are the perfect treatment or cure for the syndrome. There are other medications, which the physician can prescribe for the child. Oral secretin and thylglycine, and niacin are some of the supplements that can be administered to the child with autism.

Many people who used such supplements on their autistic children insist that they discovered remarkable changes in the condition. That seems to be the reason why more parents are advised to use these supplements. But of course, before taking any supplement for autism, talk to your doctor to recommend the best one. Your doctor knows best about these and should be in the best position to tell you the specific types to give to your child.

To find Behavior Picture Cards for autistic students and Educating Autistic Child, click any or the 2 links!

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Autism Supplements Treatment - Brain Chemistry Imbalances

Brain chemical support is a target therapy for many psychiatric or neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, as well as Bipolar Depression or Schizophrenia. Autism treatment is no different. In autism, including those with various spectrum issues such as attention deficit, sensory processing and/or speech language delay or pervasive development disorder supplement treatment can help improve an individual's ability to function more optimally.

The following list of supplements I have as autism treatments for years in my practice to help support healthy brain chemistry. This is not imply that these following supplements are the only things available for brain chemistry support, but these often show nice benefits with respects to improved attention, focusing, and overall cognitive skills. Each supplement is unique and often they work synergistically to provide optimal results:

Nutritional Lithium - micro-mineral involved in supporting brain health. Nutritional Lithium has been used for states of brain stress, cognitive problems, aggressive behavior, irritability, mood instability. Lithium also helps protect the brain against various toxins. Typical dose is 500 to 1000mcg daily.

5-HTP - Amino acid that helps support serotonin production. Serotonin is necessary for mood control, helps with states of depression, and sense of well being. Serotonin is also supportive for melatonin production which is involved in promoting sleep. Typical dose is 50 to 100mg daily.

Methylcobalamin (methyl-B12) - Methyl-B12 is useful for focusing, attention and general awareness issues in autism. It can assist with speech and language problems as well. It is also helpful in other neurological disorders too. Typical dose is 1000 to 2000mg daily. Can come in various forms such as nasal spray, subcutaneous injections and oral liquid.

Vitamin B6 - A member of the B-vitamin family that is helpful for general cognitive awareness, better attention, improved mood and biochemical support throughout the body. Should be used along with magnesium to prevent against hyperactivity. Typical dose is 4 to 8 mg per pound of vitamin B6 in conjunction with 2 to 4mg per pound body weight of magnesium.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller



Diet - An Autism Treatment You Might Not Have Thought Of

When you think about autism treatments for your child, teenager or adult, do not overlook diet. It may not occur to you at first, but what your loved one with autism is eating is just as important, if not more, than the medications or therapies he is getting in terms of affecting behavior and well-being. Many children with autism need to avoid certain ingredients in common foods, as they are very sensitive to them.
Autism Treatment Using Diet
Using diet as an autism treatment is often called a biomedical intervention. You will want to avoid artificial ingredients, food dyes, and as much sugar as possible. These can all bring havoc onto the system.
A lot of people with autism are sensitive to gluten and casein.
  • Gluten is an ingredient found in many foods, especially bread, cereal and grains. Nearly all pastries and other bakery items have gluten in them. Pasta also has it.

  • Casein is found in most dairy products, such as milk, ice cream and yogurt.
People who are intolerant to these items will have digestive complaints; bloating and gas are common. Often, there are cognitive and emotional effects, like irritation, inability to focus, and spaciness. Taking gluten and casein out of your autistic kid's diet can result in big improvements to their health and behavior. You can find a large selection of gluten and casein free items at your local health food store.
Why is avoiding sugar often a good autism treatment?
A lot of people with autism have yeast and candida problems. Candida is a natural yeast that is present in the body. However, if it gets too big, it can take over the body and cause all sorts of problems.
It can be responsible for things like abdominal gas, fatigue, anxiety, inability to think straight or concentrate, mood swings, hyperactivity, constipation, acne, depression, learning difficulties, and indigestion, among others. Candida is fed by sugar, so keeping a low sugar diet free of processed or artificial foods is the healthiest thing you can do.
Other Factors
There are many different claims and thoughts about diet and its effect on autism. Some parents report that autistic symptoms greatly improve when wheat or eggs are removed from their child's diet. Some see an improvement in behavioral problems simply be removing one group, or be eliminating caffeine, chocolate or even peanut butter.
Supplements such as B6 and magnesium have benefited some kids.
Parents simply have to decide for themselves what works and what does not for their loved ones with autism. Try it. Experiment. For some, nothing seems to work...but for many, dietary treatments for autism have been remarkably successful.
As parents learn as much as you can about dietary issues as well as other therapies for autism. Tips from other parents and professionals can be extremely helpful. A great site that has tips and suggestions for additional treatments is the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.
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