ABA Therapy Treats the Whole Child and Not Just the Problem

When it comes to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, there are a wide number of treatments out there. From medications to control behavior to a wide array of therapies, there are many treatments that are designed to treat Autism. After many years, however, ABA Therapy is still the only treatment for Autism that many insurance companies will cover. The reason for this is simple. Not only is ABA Training the only method that is proven to work, but it is also a treatment that is designed to change Autism and your child and not just to mask or alter symptoms.
While medication may be necessary to keep a child from injuring themselves or others, many doctors use it in the absence of any other answer. ABA Therapy, on the other hand, effectively teaches new methods of behavior and teaches children appropriate ways to react to stress and other stimuli that create a safe environment. ABA Training teaches behavior and critical thinking skills among other things, but most importantly it treats the child rather than simply working to eliminate symptoms.
The symptoms of Autism that many parents find difficult to handle, such as self-injurious behavior and screaming are innate responses. Because Autistic children do not learn new ways to behave by observing their environments, behavior modification therapies such as ABA Training must be implemented to help them learn these basic skills. While medications and other methods may make a child to tired or afraid to act inappropriately, ABA Therapy serves to teach children appropriate responses that help them to express themselves and meet their needs in a safe and socially acceptable manner.
ABA Therapy is designed to treat the whole child. It has many functions, all of which are specially designed to help children with ASD learn to think independently and to literally learn to learn. Autistic children are remarkably intelligent, but many lack what is needed to help them properly express their thoughts and emotions. With ABA Training, these children are truly able to shine.
In all, ABA Therapy has long been the most accepted and effective treatment for ASD. While medication may be needed temporarily to keep a child safe from themselves, ABA Training can help teach them how to express themselves fully and safely. No child should ever be denied medication that is expressly needed, but parents of a child with ASD should consider ABA as a way to give their children a chance to realize their maximum potential as well as a way to help them live a life free of mood altering medications and as close to the lives of their peers as possible.

Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.
Maximum Potential has developed courses that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism.
http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com

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

ABA Therapy Teaches Lifelong Skills in the Classroom

When you are an educator faced with teaching students with autism spectrum disorder, it is easy to become frustrated. Most school systems do not provide the required training and skills necessary to properly teach behaviors and concepts to these students, and standard methods of reprimand and punishment do nothing to curb negative behaviors. Because of this, many autistic children are improperly labeled as "bad" or even removed from the standard classroom environment. Employing ABA therapy within your school system offers teachers a better way to teach autistic students while equipping them with skills they will use for the rest of their lives.
Applied Behavior Analysis is the term given to a method of teaching that involves repetition, rigorous data collection and analysis, and prompting to teach children with autism and other developmental disorders how to understand basic behaviors and concepts. In essence, the mind of a child with autism processes ideas, concepts, and behaviors differently and therefore requires a different method of teaching. With ABA therapy, students are taught through prompting and repetition the proper way to behave in a certain situation as well as how to complete both simple and complex tasks.
While ABA is certainly beneficial for helping children learn to integrate into a standard classroom setting, it cannot be overlooked that the treatment is also essential for teaching life skills. By teaching children the appropriate response to certain external situations or stimuli, you form a pattern of positive behavior that the individual will be able to follow for life. Learning how to interact with others is a necessary life skill, and for autistic children it is certainly one that is best taught through Applied Behavior Analysis. Providing educators with the skills necessary to offer ABA therapy can open a number of doors for children with autism spectrum disorder.
While personal training and symposiums that teach ABA fundamentals are often too costly for school systems, it is important to realize that they are not the only option. ABA courses can be found that operate through a series of instructional DVDs as well as accompanying materials that are used for teaching educators and for teaching students. These programs enable school systems to educate limitless teachers for only a single price, making them cost effective. Teaching kids skills that will provide real world application for the rest of their lives is essential, and ABA therapy proves time and again to be the very best educational tool for students with autism.

Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.
Maximum Potential has developed courses that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism.
http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com

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

A Diagnosis of Autism: Making Adjustments to Manage Feelings of Loss and Grief

Having a child with a disability is every parent's nightmare. Once you have heard the words, "Your child has Autism." the disappointment, anger and the feeling of isolation can leave you in shock. How long you remain there will be determined by how well you deal with your emotions.
Disappointment, anger and self-pity are natural feelings to have when you first receive a diagnosis of Autism. Giving yourself permission to experience these emotions and then letting them go as best as you can will help you focus all your energy on becoming the best person for the job that has been assigned to you.
GRIEF is a powerful emotion and is the most common hurdle that keeps many parents from moving forward. It is extremely important to allow your self to go through and experience the stages of grief, which include denial, anger, bargaining and finally acceptance. Dealing with these emotions in a healthy manner will transform you into a most effective advocate - one that will see the way clearly to maximize your child's greatest potential.
Some parents do not like to use the words loss or grief as it relates to Autism because it implies grieving your child. This grieving process is not about mourning your child but more about grieving the loss of a future you had HOPED for.
You HAVE experienced a loss, a LOSS of the dream you had for yourself, your child and your family - a disappointment about an idealized future. This means that...
certain adjustments need to be made to the vision you held for your child and family. As with any loss, parents of children diagnosed with Autism need to find a way to make peace with the diagnosis in order to move forward.
Just remember the dream you have for your family's future can still be positive, it is just going to be different. In spite of the new category the medical profession has placed your child into, the destination can still be the same but the journey to get there is going to take a unique path.
Important things to keep in mind:
1) You have to get past the hurt, disappointment, anger, and distress. Too much negative energy will only drain you and make you less available to your child.
2) Dealing with these emotions is not only OK; it's mandatory. If you really want to help your child, this can do more for your child than any treatment out there.
3) Keep in mind that this is a process you have to keep working at. You may feel as if you have resolved your grief but there will be days when it returns. Expect it, have a plan to deal with it so you can keep putting one foot in front of the other.
If you can't seem to move forward and days like this turn into weeks, you may be experiencing another emotional block. The best way to shorten its course is to find someone that will listen and help you process your feelings in a non-judgmental way.
This is when you have to call on someone from your support team! This could be a trusted friend - a supportive objective someone - or a professional such as a parent coach or a therapist.
Remember, this diagnosis does not change your child; but it does change how you need to work with your child. Don't waste your time and energy being angry with yourself or the doctors, it does your child no good to linger in a negative state. Forget the what-ifs - look ahead, make the necessary adjustments and set the bar high for everyone, including your child.
The most important thing I tell parents is "Don't focus on the label - focus on finding the best way to connect with the wonderfully unique child you have before you." This new label may help you acquire insurance to cover therapies but it can also keep you focused on the negative so pay little attention to it. Instead focus your energy on connecting to your child's world with thoughtful intention because it will open the door for her to enter into your world, the one she has to find her way to live in.
Every child has challenges and the challenges your child is faced with just happens to have a particular name called 'Autism' or 'PDD-NOS' or 'Aspergers' or 'ASD' or.... Don't let a 'name' cover up the amazing potential that lies within your child.
It may help to remember that your child isn't any different now then he was when you didn't know he had autism. You know he's the same child you've loved since birth. So I urge you to focus on uncovering his abilities, not treating his disabilities, in order to change possibilities!

Connie Hammer, MSW, parent educator, consultant and coach, guides parents of young children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to uncover abilities and change possibilities. Visit her website http://www.parentcoachingforautism.com to get your FREE resources - a parenting e-course, Parenting a Child with Autism - 3 Secrets to Thrive and a weekly parenting tip newsletter, The Spectrum.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7058878

Aspergers Syndrome in Young Women

What is it really like living with Aspergers Syndrome? Frankly people with this type of Autism Spectrum Disorder vary as much as everybody else. Last summer at the grand old age of thirty something I realized that I have Aspergers Syndrome.
This came about following the diagnosis of my son who also has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Like many other people in my position I also have an older daughter who is not autistic and I have been happily married for the last 14 years.
Today we are experiencing a new autistic phenomenon i.e. there are now an increasing number of parents who are only realizing that they themselves have Asperger's Syndrome when their child is given an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
I grew up in a totally different world i.e. 1970's Ireland where Aspergers Syndrome was totally unheard of. If you had this condition back then there really was nobody to assess you or even an available diagnosis, as this so defined milder form of autism, only officially became a diagnosable condition in 1994.
So growing up I just learned through trial and error how to cope. Australian Professor Tony Attwood has a particular interest in studying the psychological make up of young women with Asperger's Syndrome. He too feels that the so called 'Aspie female,' learns her social rules through observing other girls from a young age. Eventually he claims she can in fact become a master of deception. Often a woman with undiagnosed Aspergers Syndrome have expertly learned how to copy every move, conversation and mannerism from her non-Aspie friends and associates. Observation and intuition, along with being female often means that the young Aspie woman often presents very differently from her male counterparts.
However no matter how good these girls become at acting the part or as one successful Aspie female author once put it in a very well received autobiography i.e. Donna Williams in her book, 'Pretending to be Normal.' Inside in these young women's minds there exists unimaginable turmoil.
Dr. Tony Attwood has also often pointed out in his extensive writing about girls with Aspergers that these females can certainly act the part of being neurotypical but underneath the facade these girls are often psychologically very insecure or maybe even unstable. Many young women out there without an official diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome will often go on to develop other problems that may mask their primary condition completely. Often to such an extent that this diagnosis never becomes recognized as the real source of their sensitivity, pain or anguish.
The young woman with Aspergers Syndrome can often develop any myriad of other issues because they actually have undiagnosed Aspergers Syndrome. Many female 'Aspies,' who have never received any early intervention and no on-going support whatsoever unfortunately often cannot take the strain of denying who they really are continuously. Every social interaction must be psychologically rather than instinctively played out until it becomes a tough, wretched existence constantly living with the pressure of trying to be something that you are not.
Pretending to be normal unfortunately can also lead to the development of personality disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Or a myriad of other psychological conditions such as recurring Depression, Social Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, or Anorexia Nervosa.
It is very unfortunate that this is still happening considering how much information is now available about Aspergers Syndrome. While many people may still not know an awful lot about the condition they will at least have heard of it. There are practically no people today who do not know at least a few individuals who are on the Autism Spectrum.
Many people told me my son was just shy, didn't talk much and wasn't highly sociable because he was like me. But I on the other hand have always known that I felt different but I just never knew why. I did know though that I didn't want my son to spend his life wondering why he felt on the outside looking in like I did. Instead I want my child to know from an early age why he feels different and in doing so give him a strong sense of self-worth that will hopefully allow him to grow up understanding fully who he is and how his mind works.
There are still huge economic and bureaucratic barriers to diagnosing children with Aspergers Syndrome, in Ireland in particular. Also with the current bleak state of the economy cut-backs are affecting all children with psychological conditions hugely.
If you look the same as another child then many may just think that you seem a bit strange but there's nothing obvious to worry about. What we need to make people more aware of in this country is that an undiagnosed autistic child is very likely to go through severe emotional trauma inside their minds growing up and this unfortunately often leads to them having a low sense of self-worth that will then affect their whole life.
Children with autism lack often social skills can have great communication barriers and often think and feel with great sensitivity. I believe that if you give a child with Aspergers Syndrome/ High Functioning Autism the appropriate early intervention then they can go on to live a rich, fulfilling life. However deny them this help and they will be a burden on the state forever due to the psychological damage they will suffer in their formative years.
Mary is currently a full-time carer to her son Adam but hopes in the near future to return to a part-time career as a freelance journalist and writer. She is currently blogging about her experiences of living with Aspergers Syndrome in Ireland today on her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mary.kellygodley. At present she is also working on a Memoir, 'On the Spectrum,' about her personal experiences of Aspergers Syndrome and her son's autism story.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Kelly-Godley

Did you find this article helpful? 0

How to Eliminate the Risk of Autism in Newborn Children - Before Symptoms Develop

I recommend two sources of information that are critical for understanding the total nutrients needed for proper development of the brain. Both are provided by the USDA. I have verified the accuracy of their databases over the past fifty years.
1. USDA SR 24 Nutrient Database
This database was started in the late eighteen hundreds and is frequently updated. It contains the chemical/nutrient content of probably more than 10,000 different foods that are found in most food stores. To name a few, it contains fruits, vegetables, cereals, beans, nuts, dairy products, eggs and egg products, and various species of animals like beef, pork, lamb, fish, etc. Most fast foods are included as well.
As a side note, the early studies on nutrition were first conducted on the various animals and then studied in humans. They are generally very close when comparing the composition of the different animals including humans. The organs, such as brain, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, pancreas, lungs, muscle, connective tissues, etc. provide the basis for best estimating the needs for humans. Data on the composition for humans is far more difficult to find and is less complete. Additionally, it is much easier to ascertain if animals are in fact healthy since the animals are slaughtered for food and their health status is determined by the USDA at the time of slaughter. Therefore, I rely more on the composition of animals to identify the balance of nutrients needed for good health and recommend parents do likewise. While this is but a gross comparison, it is far better than not knowing anything about the compositional needs for good brain health.
2. USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods
Choline is generally viewed as a vitamin and it is critical for the proper development and function of the brain. More specifically, for the integrity of the myelin sheath that insulates the nerves to ensure transmission of signals to various parts of the body. The USDA has provided a very good summary (36 pages) in this report and lists many foods. This makes it possible for comparisons so that one can make better choices as to which foods will meet the needs for good health, especially for brain development.
These sources make it quite simple to identify the level of risk of your child developing autism due to any nutrient deficiencies. First identify the chemical composition of healthy brain tissue from among the animals. I choose to use beef brains (NDB 13319) as it appears to be more complete.
Then identify the foods in the child's diet, taking into account the amount eaten on a daily basis. The total for each nutrient can then be determined and compared to the level found in the brain or other organs of interest. The comparisons should be based upon 100 grams of brain tissue. From this comparison one can calculate where and how much adjustment is required to provide this level of completeness and balance of nutrients on a daily basis. My study of more than fifty different foods has shown that animal source foods more nearly match the composition of healthy brain tissue than other food.
There is an historic precedence set by Dr. Benjamin Spock in his book, "Baby and Child Care" published in 1946 that recommended feeding selected animal source solid foods beginning at 3-4 months of age. He continued this recommendation through 1974 or later, during which time there was a very low incidence of autism. The USDA Nutrient Database confirms the wisdom of his recommendations.
In her book, "Children with Starving Brains" Dr. McCandless (2002) reported that children with autism were found to be low or lacking up to forty various nutrients. Other findings have shown the number is more likely up to sixty different nutrients but fortunately, all of the missing nutrients are abundantly available in some of the animal source foods-the foods parents were told not to eat or feed their children for more than thirty years. Following their recommendation in the early 1960s, we have experienced an ever increasing incidence of autism.
When you look at the comparisons of what the USDA has shown healthy brain tissues contain in the Nutrient Database compared to what the recommended healthy diet contains, as recommended by the USDA and medical professionals, it should remove any doubt as to what is causing autism? There should also be no surprise that neither medications nor ABA Therapy, individually or combined, will provide adequately to overcome the nutritional deficiencies seen in children with autism.
It is also recommended that in your search for knowledgeable professionals to provide help for your autistic child, you should avoid those individuals who do not consider the importance of nutrition. Successful interventions should include ensuring that the child's diet is adequate for proper development. If their approach is simply to treat the symptoms and ignore nutrition then I recommend you seek a more knowledgeable professional. Better yet, you can easily provide an adequate diet by simply following the comparisons discussed above, before or while seeking professional help. In several instances, parents have reported that when the diet was made adequate with this procedure the need for additional help was greatly reduced or eliminated.
Note: This is not medical advice but rather advice on nutrition. If the problem is medical then I recommend you consult a medical professional.
The most critical nutrients for brain development and function include:
1. Phosphorous
2. Choline
3. Saturated Fatty Acids
4. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
5. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
6. Omega 3
7. Omega 6*
*Quite often diets containing vegetable oils rather than animal fats will contain an excess of Omega 6 compared to that found in healthy brain tissues. This is not recommended because of this imbalance of nutrients.
8. Cholesterol**
**The healthy brain contains three percent cholesterol or 3 grams per 100 grams of tissue. I do not recommend this level of cholesterol in the diet because:
a. The precedent established by Dr. Benjamin Spock was about 0.4-0.6 grams of cholesterol per day from animal source foods.
b. Given that the other nutrients in the brain are adequately present in the diet, the body can produce adequate cholesterol.
c. It has been estimated that fifty percent of the cholesterol is recycled in the body.
Please note that children with autism have been reported to all fall below 160mg/dl of cholesterol in the blood and twenty percent were reported below 100mg/dl. Based upon the range of cholesterol reported for healthy humans of 115 to 395 mg/dl and for dogs 113 to 335 mg/dl, I recommend an average of 245 mg/dl which was the initial level recommended for humans. Normally, the body will make the cholesterol needed if it is not present in the diet. But I suspect the children with autism have a diet that lacks the building materials for cholesterol and this is the reason they have been found to be lacking this critical nutrient.
9. Serine
If these nutrients in the diet approximate the levels found in brain tissues, it is likely that the remaining needs will have been met except for some vitamins and minerals. This can easily be provided with a simple vitamin/mineral supplement that provides about 100% of the daily values. I do not recommend mega doses as this supplement is more to provide some insurance that the needs are being met.
This simple early identification of the risk factors for autism can be completed by the parents. The screening relates to environmental and dietary practices for the newborn child and can be completed in the early months of life well before symptoms appear. This will allow time for early intervention to eliminate any risks found thus reducing the risk that the child will later develop the symptoms of autism. While there is evidence that some symptoms are reversible, it is far better for the child if we eliminate the risks early. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" very aptly applies here.

Dr. Rongey is a Food Scientist & Nutritionist. His niche is in identifying the cause of chronic disorders. The cause of chronic disorders has been researched for the past sixteen years and autism for almost five years. Research has shown that the greatest risk factor for autism is a diet that is lacking critical nutrients for brain health. Several books concerning the causes of chronic disorders are available in ebook or paperback format. For more information on his research or the availability of the books on autism or healthy living, you can contact him as follows:
Harold Rongey, Ph.D. email: hrongey@gmail.com Phone: 858-740-7272 or his web site at http://www.whostolemyfood.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harold_Rongey,_Ph.d

Savant Syndrome and Severe Autism - Open Channels of Expression

Have you ever experienced flow? Many creative people sense that their art is created through them rather than by them. Many scientists and philosophers have had similar experiences. Where do these inventive ideas originate? Who or what is the source? Our individual egos cannot help but question, analyze and edit. I suspect that a savant is not encumbered by ego and thus remains in flow.
I speculate the savant experiences a gradient of exchange in which he opens up a vacant part of himself to ideas, a form of canalization that deepens and widens over time. The passage of information flows freely, uninterrupted by configurations of brain wave patterns that transpose higher-level thinking into constructs that configure themselves to the mechanism in place. In other words, savants experience information as a free flowing river without the tributaries. The source of the information can be thought of as the ocean of the mind where all information is available. Random thoughts proliferate in a disorganized fashion, attuning to the frequency of the individual being used for expression. An open channel or receptivity occurs.
This genius includes direct expression of an extreme area of competence since the ego of the savant does not interfere with the process. This subjugation of objective self occurs, as the dominant force is the expression of the idea. The savant is able to turn himself over to another source for expression. Unlike most of us, who self monitor, his gate to the emanating force is wide open.
The savant may not have full awareness of what he has produced; however, he is aware that he is in flow. It is a meditative state for him in which his system feels relaxed and at peace. His accomplishments, though not entirely his own, could not occur without him. It is a dance so to speak. He is a tool to express areas of consciousness that would otherwise be unavailable. It is a process that affirms the unique aspects of his connection to universal knowledge and the knowledge base of others individually and collectively.
Balance of self with soul and complete surrender to the process demands ultimate trust and courage. Who among us is capable of that level of abandon? Perhaps, that is why so many of these intriguing savants have been diagnosed with autism or other neurological and/or perceptual differences. Just maybe, it is the lack of ego restraints that allows their genius to flourish.
Many individuals diagnosed with low functioning autism, I believe are intellectual and spiritual savants. Their process differs- they need an agent/facilitator to serve as a catalyst for expression. The preconceptions and knowledge base of the agents/facilitator limit their expression since they interpret the autistic savants unmitigated free flowing thoughts using their own vocabulary and knowledge base. Some agents, I believe reside on the perimeters of knowing but fear of taking the plunge holds them back. If the agent makes a concerted effort to incorporate new knowledge with past understanding, the circle will continue to widen. But in order for this to occur the agent needs to acknowledge that it exists.
Engagement in this process manifests its own rewards for both the person with autism and the agent. Both experience flow each influencing the other in a meditative dance of possibilities.

I have worked with individuals with autism for many years. What they have taught me was to be sure of nothing, and open myself to the extraordinary. I am compelled to share what they have shown me. Please recommend this article to anyone you know who might be interested. Questions and comments are appreciated.
Mary Ann Harrington MS
http://web.mac.com/maharrington

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

Possible Non Genetic Causes of Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder that typically manifests in the first 3 years of a child's life. Simply put - and Autism is anything but simple - Autism impedes the brain's normal development of social and communication abilities. Children with autism display a myriad of symptoms / behaviors at varying degrees which include, but are not limited to:

• Heightened sensitivity in some or all of their senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and/or taste)
• Exhibit repetitive behaviors or rituals and show distress when routines are interrupted
• Struggles with language and may communicate through gestures rather than words
• Show increases or unusual attachment to objects
• Difficulty communicating and being "social"
• Does not respond to "normal" social queues such as smiling and eye contact
• Struggles with empathy and concepts of the "self" versus "others"
• Often displays a very specific or narrow span of interest

Despite rigorous scientific analysis, there is still quite a bit of mystery shrouding autism. Genetics appear to be an underlying factor is the development of autism. Fraternal twins, for example, are less likely than identical twins to share the diagnosis suggesting a definite link to the child's chromosomes. Also, families with a history of nervous system or neurological issues have a higher predisposition for autism. But science has shown that autism is likely the result of several variables - not genetics alone. Studies have suggested a strong correlation with external influences, specifically chemical exposure and sensitivity, diet, digestive tract changes, and an inability of the child's body to properly utilize necessary vitamins and/or minerals.
Chemical Exposure & Chemical Sensitivity
It is believed that chemical exposure - either to the woman during pregnancy or the child's direct exposure - may be a contributing factor to the development of autism. Mercury and environmental chemicals that cause oxidative stress have both been areas of particular concern. Even after autism is diagnosed, these chemicals may increase the severity of symptoms. For these reasons, it is advisable for child-minded families to reduce the amounts of chemical exposure a child bearing adult and the subsequent offspring are exposed to in the home. You can do this by using non-toxic cleaners designed for chemical sensitivities. For more information on specific ingredients to avoid, check out our past post on chemical sensitivities in the home. Install water purifiers and drinking faucets and consider treating water with ion water purification. Lastly, choose toiletries that are salicylate (SLS) free, including soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, sunscreen and salicylate free dental care.
Dietary Influences
Food additives and pesticides are another possible autism trigger. According to a 2005 Barlow studies, these toxic elements "act as an additional insult to the system and prevent the normal recovery of [antioxidant] defenses." This in turn can lead to "neurodegeneration" especially with concurrent exposures. A diet rich in these preservatives and pesticides can not only trigger autism, they have the potential to aggravate and intensify symptoms. For this reason, reducing or eliminating foods that use pesticides or are rich in preservatives is important.
Some things to keep an eye out for include:

• Processed foods - the more processed, the more likely it will contain preservatives.
• Sodium nitrate - often found in meats such as bacon, lunch meats, smoked fish and corned beef.
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - often associated with Asian food, but can also be used in soups, salads dressing, chips and frozen meals.
• Salicylates - can be naturally occurring in whole foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, but can also found in sweets, condiments, oils, grains, meat, dairy, soy, processed foods, and even beverages.
• Potassium Bromate - increasingly uncommon but still legal in the US. Used to increase volume in some bread products.
• General "Food Coloring" - found in candy, fruit cocktail, beverages and baked treats.

Digestive Tract Issues
An Australian study discovered a significant difference in how autistic children digestive tracts metabolize amino acids and also identified notable differences in the levels of healthy intestinal bacteria in the large intestine. These digestive limitations likely contribute an inability to utilize important vitamins and minerals. If your child is autistic, ask your physician to use appropriate amino acid urine and fecal tests to help identify any issues in your child's digestive tract. Promote digestive enzyme health with a natural probiotic cleanse, which in turn will help your child absorb necessary nutrients and stave off toxins.

About the Author: Eric Lancaster is the Executive Vice President at Teraganix, formerly EM America. Teraganix is the exclusive US distributor for Dr. Higa's original EM Technology including EM-1 and Bokashi products. EM-1® has a myriad of practical uses, from organic vegetable garden fertilizer to micronutrient fertilizer and even a kitchen compost accelerant.

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