Autism - Can Stem Cell Therapy Cure the Disability?

We are entering a new frontier when we talk about stem cell treatment. Although it is available in several countries such as China, Costa Rica, Germany and Mexico it is still in an experimental stage. Basically the therapy involves introducing new cells into areas of tissue that have been damaged. Since stem cells have the ability to self-renew this offers a potential to take diseased tissues and replace them. It is possible that the future may open the door for them to one day assist in improving those people who have been diagnosed with autism.
In the United States, President Obama has cleared the way for embryonic stem cell research. The key word in the last sentence is research. Stem cells have the ability to develop into a different type of cell, sometimes to many different types. These exist in our bone marrow, our brain, and under our skin. It is difficult to understand how they work and what they can do. Any parent considering taking their child for such treatment should first do a considerable amount of research. Understanding this type of therapy requires more than simply understanding some terms - it requires an education in and of its own.
Since we still do not know what causes autism this creates the questions: How can we use this method to treat the disability? How do we know what areas to treat since we do not know the cause? We do suspect that genes, brain development and other issues might be possible causes. Even so, we do not know which genes and we do not know which parts of the brain are involved. This causes me the concern of how and where are these cells being placed (in these countries where the therapy is offered). This leads me to think of this very low-level comparison: I do not have a recipe to make fudge; however, I want to make a batch and I want it to turn out perfectly. Hmmm, should I choose plain milk or chocolate milk? Should I add chocolate chips or, instead, should I add marshmallows? Should I remove the ingredients once they begin to boil? During what part of the process should I add some walnuts?
The point I am trying to make with the simple example is this: How does a doctor use this treatment when there is no given menu, or plan? Where will the doctor concentrate when we are not sure of where the disability originates? How many cells should be injected when we are not certain what one injection may or may not do? I am certain you can come up with your own questions - and, you want your questions answered fully before you embark on such a treatment. Since I am not a doctor I certainly am not in a position to recommend this treatment. However, I am in a position to strongly recommend that you first do your homework before you decide this is a treatment you want to offer your child.
This particular treatment for autism may have a great deal to offer in the future; however, at present, in my opinion it is risky. Make certain you understand everything: carcinogenic transformation, pluripotent stem cells, viral vectors, autologous embryonic stem cells and so forth. Once again, if you are a parent determined to offer your child this treatment make certain you fully understand the concept along with what you can expect - as well as what you may not expect.

By Jack E. George
http://www.jackegeorge.com
http://www.theautismhandbook.com

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Natural Cure For Autism - Could The Remedy Be So Close As Liquid Vitamins in Natural Supplements?

Autism is a reality that only a mother of an autistic child can grasp. No one else can truly understand what autism is.

Autism is a neural development disorder that normally shows in the early years of a child. An autistic child of 4 years may show any of the following major characteristics or signs of autism:

1. Avoiding eye contact, sometimes touch and excessive noises too.
2. Having trouble to communicate and lack of understanding the meaning of words.
3. Being intensely focused on one thing, like a toy and being unaware of his/her surroundings

There are many other "smaller" things that would normally not be called major characteristics or autism symptoms but which would be worth mentioning. Autism is not uncommon and yet no one seems to know the causes of autism. Some doctors speculate that it is a hereditary illness and other believe it is much more intricate as the functions of the brain seems to mystify them. The same bewilderment can be said around autism treatment.

I believe that the slow brain development may be caused by malnutrition of the pregnant mother during the pregnancy, or it may be triggered by a state of malnutrition after birth. The nutritional needs during pregnancy escalates as the mother needs to supply the foetus with all the nutrition a normal person would need to live, and in the case of the unborn baby, to develop every bit of living tissue it is pre-ordained to take form to. It is a well-known fact that people walk around with a lack of nutrition, and that many of the common illnesses derives from that state of malnutrition.

Cancer, for instance, may have hereditary factors but nutrition and the pH level of the candidate plays a huge role in the growth or death of cancer cells. Notwithstanding the fact that we know so much about the preventative measures we can take to reduce the risk of cancer, cancer has now become so common that about 1 in 3 people may end up with some kind of cancer at some or other stage in their lives.

The same tendency can be seen with hordes of other illnesses. One that interests me a lot is autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases are caused by a failure of one's cells to recognize the identity of other cells of the same kind resulting in the launching of an attack on its own cells. What is interesting is the fact that with a nutrition boost you can see a huge improvement over time.

By the grace of God I have been fortunate to get an insight of the improved health that some people experience when given a healthy dose of a liquid nutrition. A close friend of mine is the mother of an autistic child and her family is blessed to have started young Michael on the supplemental treatment of liquid nutrition. Within 3 days the parents and the occupational therapist noticed a huge difference. Now, about 3 months later... ask the mother yourself of how young Michael is doing.

To God be all the glory first, and the thank the Lord for being able to learn all we can about our bodies and nutrition.

The content of this article cannot be seen as medically true and should only be considered with the guidance of your health practitioner, as I am not qualified to make statements of a medical nature. The news of the improvement of health of the autistic boy, which was witnessed by so many locals, is now being forwarded to as many autistic care centres around the world. Not that any claims can be made and any glory be redirected away from the miracle by Gods hand, we have to conclude that a health shot of liquid nutrition is what we all need every day.

Liquid Nutrition Video: What is the worth of liquid vitamins? Read what Michael's Mom has to say about liquid nutrition. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G_Hough

Defining Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is a lifelong affliction that reduces the ability to understand what is seen, heard, and touched. It can cause profound problems in personal behavior and in the ability to relate to others.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is a developmental disability that typically makes its presence felt in the first three years of life. It is in fact a neurological disorder that affects the brain and prevents it from functioning normally. Problems in autism arise in the areas of social development, difficulties in communication and behavior patterns that can be stereotyped. This autism spectrum disorder or ASD has not racial or ethnic boundaries and has an incidence that is the same all round the world. The incidence is said to be one in every 150 births. It is said to be more common in boys than in girls. Autism definition can signify a disorder that causes an escape from reality and immersion into a fantasy world.

Traits That Define Autism

Social developmental and communication characteristics of autistic persons include a preference for being alone, avoidance of eye contact, an aversion to cuddling, inappropriate attachments to objects, very poor motor skills that make it difficult for the person to dress up or hold objects, a lack of response to verbal cues and a firm resistance to change of any kind in their daily life or routines.

Behavior patterns for people afflicted with autism can include tantrums and behavior that can injure the autistic person, laughing or crying and showing signs of distress for very obscure reasons, repeating the same phrases all the time, responses that can be indicate low sensory reception or exaggerated responses to the same and odd motions that they repeat all the time.

Infantile autism

In infantile autism, autistic children show a marked failure in an ability to form relationships with their peers, and are unable to share any interests or even toys with other children. There is quite often a delay in developing the spoken language and also no attempt to communicate in other methods of communication like gestures. Even when the child does develop some skills in the language, there is a marked disinclination to conduct a conversation with others and this trait continues into later lie. Even conversations that are begun are not sustained. Hand flapping or other body movements that are quite complex may be repeated constantly with apparently no real trigger that causes such movements. Children with autism that is classic will not be able to perform properly on any diagnostic tests and remain quite unengaged and non-verbal in their responses to others.

Distinguishing autism from retardation or other disorders of the mind is quite difficult, and quite often leads to the wrong treatment. Autistic children can also grow up into adults that have intelligence that is above average. Their obsessions with restricted interests can even lead them to develop an expertise in areas that are far above that of normal people. Such high functioning autism generally will have well developed language skills as per normal standards.

Writing is a hobby which I have picked up again after being away from it for a couple of decades. Four decades actually while i was busy with a career as a civil engineer.Whether I will be successful and be able to earn some money from writing I do not know. But one thing is certain. The hours of the day go by quite easily when I am writing and reading, and that is how I would like the rest of my life to be. I write on almost any topic that interest me, and my articles are on view on the web.

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

Autism: New Brain Scan Detects Disability

It sounds too good to be true - but British scientists are in the late stage of developing a brain scan that can detect autism in children in a total of 15 minutes! Britain has used the scan on adults, to date, and it has proved to be 90 per cent accurate.

Presently the scan is being used as an 'extra' diagnostic tool. It is believed that the scan can replace most observational assessments in the future. The scan has been developed by scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London. The scan takes pictures of the brain using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is similar to those used in hospitals. The scans are then turned into 3D images. Next they are analyzed by computer software. The software has been programmed so that it is capable of spotting hallmarks of autism in the structure of various brain areas. Although it has been highly accurate in testing adults with autism it is believed it will work even better with children.

Those of us going through the autism diagnosis, in the United States, know it takes days, weeks, and months (sometimes longer) for doctors to reach the conclusion that the person has autism. This does not mention the expense involved. It is said the scan will be at least 20 times less expensive. This does not take into consideration the delay it causes in making the diagnosis - this delay in making the diagnosis is valuable time lost in offering the child different therapies and treatments.

Today a number of doctors often use observation during their diagnosis. They also include various tests that have been created to make for a better conclusion. In the U.S. we always use an entire team of professionals, working together, to conclude the child is autistic. How amazing it might be if this can be done is as little as 15 minutes in the future! This is not to say that the doctors do not play the key role in the diagnosis. Further, this is not to say that doctors will not play a major role in diagnosis in the future.

Scientists involved in the work hope that the scan will be widely used within the next two years in Britain. Hopefully, it will quickly be adopted in the United States and other countries.

http://www.jackegeorge.com
http://www.theautismhandbook.com

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Surfing and Autism

It has been known in autism circles that such activities as swimming and horseback riding often helps to reduce stress, tantrums, body rigidity, and other issues an autistic person faces. Recently a new sport, that of surfing, has been added to the list of programs that can offer calming to those suffering from the disability.

However, before you rush out, buy a surfboard, and travel with your child across the country to find the most perfect surfing area, you first need to look at some possibilities with surfing just like you would before you introduced your autistic child to any other new activity.

Perhaps the most important thing to determine is if your child will even be willing to enter the world of the ocean with the pounding waves. For some children this can be overwhelming - for an autistic child it will most likely open an exciting new world or it might be one of the most traumatic scenes you can expose him/her to.

While some will disagree, I strongly oppose forcing your child to enter the world of surfing. If s/he begins screaming, flailing about, even reaching a point of showing panic - this is not a positive way to begin a new adventure. There are some programs that 'force' the autistic child or adult to participate - no matter what fear the person might be expressing. The child will be physically forced onto a board. Is this wise? Might the trauma lead to additional issues and behaviors?

Today there are surfing camps that believe they can help those people with autism - even if it involves 'forcing' participation. You, the parent or care provider, must first determine if you want your child 'forced' even if some authorities believe it is a necessary step in order to get your child out into the waves. If you do not want your child forced then this may not be the sport for you to look at to help your child (as a teacher I cannot condone forcing a child to participate - but, perhaps I would feel differently if I was the parent of a child with this disability).

Once you have made the decision - go with it!

If you are one of the parents who has decided to expose your child to surfing you might feel relieved to know that many parents find that the experience seems to soothe the child. It is not being offered as a cure it is simply being offered as a new, exciting adventure - much as if s/he went bowling. Experts say the child ends the experience feeling exhilarated and feeling great that s/he has conquered the waves. Experts say that surfing brings smiles to the child's face. It is said that taking the risk of surfing does something positive for both the brain and the body. It is believed that the body reacts by causing the muscles to move more quickly as well as the heart.

Surfing - I cannot imagine that this is something that every autistic person can engage in; however, not every autistic child will play baseball, lift weights, dance, or involve him/herself in a number of other sports. This is just another activity that your child may find exciting and exhilarating.

By Jack E. George

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_E._George

Your Autistic Child - When Hugs Hurt

Many of us love to receive hugs and to give them. For the autistic child, hugs can actually hurt, or be extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant. But it doesn't have to be. There are ways you can hug your child, that will please them instead.

Before you reach out your arms to wrap them around your child, you need to understand some basic things. And to keep in mind, every child is different, and what works for one, may not necessarily work for another. With a little patience you will discover what works best for your child.

First, know that what feels good to you, the warmth, the tightness, the comfort of a hug, doesn't feel the same for them. It can feel anything but. The autistic child does not understand the hug, what it happening to them, or that you are simply looking to show them a little love.

Secondly, a lot of children with autism find pressure to be comforting, but it has to be on their own terms. That is why things like pressure mats, or beanbag blankets can be so effective in helping them calm down or overcome stressful situations. They have full control over how much pressure is being applied. When hugging your child, let them guide you into how much pressure is okay, and do not over step it, as this will only cause them distress, which is obviously not what your hug is intended to do.

Remember that their senses some times do not work the same way as yours. What you find comforting, they may find overwhelming. What you find to help, could hinder or hurt them. You need to let them guide you in the hug.

Another way you may find to ease their discomfort is to hug them after they are wrapped in their own blanket. This way they already have control of the pressure, and there is a barrier between you and them.

You could also start the hugging process by having them do therapy with what's called a hugging machine. Once they have reached a level of comfort with receiving a hug from the machine, you may be able to hug them without issues.

Hugging can be a great way to say I love you. It can also be a very difficult thing to do with your autistic child. Allowing them to lead you, and show you what they can handle and cope with, will go a long way to making the hug enjoyable for all.

Discovering how to hug and love your autistic child can be difficult, but the end reward will be more than worth it. For more tips and tricks on autism and coping with it, click here!

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Autism: Refrigerator Mothers

Autism was thought to have a cure from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was devastation to many mothers of an autistic child - not to mention the stigma attached to each of these women.

During this period it was believed that the medical establishment had found the cause to autism. It was said that the disability was due to poor mothering - hence the moms received the label, "Refrigerator Mothers." It was believed that their poor mothering skills along with their emotional frigidity caused autism. Doctors said their cold behavior toward their child led the autistic daughter or son to have speech difficulties, problems in socializing with others, and their never-ending rituals.

What a cruel punishment these women suffered! Their life was obviously difficult enough raising an autistic child. Then, to be labeled as a "Refrigerator Mother," this could do nothing less than cause them continued mental anguish, low self-esteem, and many other issues.

It is difficult to believe, or understand, that this term was created by one man - Bruno Bettleheim and that the medical community bought his explanation hook, line, and sinker. Although Bettleheim was one of the first child development specialists to focus on autism he was far from being an expert. His self-proclaimed "cause" is certainly proof of this.

Bettleheim used the comparison of autistic children and Nazi concentration camp prisoners. He believed there was a direct correlation between some autistic children and the prisoners. Therefore, he "determined" that autism is a psychological disturbance caused by mothers who were unusually "cold" to their autistic child. He compared the autistic child to how the prisoners reacted to the cold authority of the Nazi concentration camp guards. Bettleheim had been once been a prisoner in a concentration camp.

If Bettleheim made such a claim today he would most likely be sent to a locked facility instead of a concentration camp. It is difficult to believe that all of society, all of the medical community, everyone bought into Bettleheim's "diagnosis." The fact it took decades to prove his theory was way out in left field is somewhat confusing and disturbing. It seems people accepted the theory without questioning it.

Fortunately, if such a conclusion was reached today it would not take two decades to ascertain that it is such a foolish conclusion. We have people in the medical profession who question every new piece of information that is brought to the autism community. Still, this does not make up for the hurt and pain the mothers of his era suffered when they did the best they could to raise their autistic child.

It was a sad, unfortunate part of autism history.

By Jack E. George

http://www.jackegeorge.com
http://www.theautismhandbook.com

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