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A common aspect of language that tends to be disturbed in autistic spectrum individuals has to do with knowing how
to use language appropriately and in context.
This includes knowing how to hold a conversation,
thinking about what the other person in a conversation
understands and believes, and tuning in to
the meta-linguistic signals of the other person, such
as facial expression, tone of voice and body
language.
It is important to remember that communication
is as much nonverbal as it is verbal,
and autistic people have great difficulty understanding
nonverbal language.
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Medical TestsThe following medical tests may help with diagnosis and possibly suggest changes in the intervention or treatment strategy. Hearing: Various tests such as an Audiogram and Typanogram can indicate whether a child has a hearing impairment. Audiologists, or hearing specialists, have methods to test the hearing of any individual by measuring responses such as turning their head, blinking, or staring when a sound is presented. Electroencephalogram(EEG): An
EEG measures brain waves that can show seizure disorders.
Metabolic Screening: Blood and urine lab tests measure how a child metabolizes food and its impact on growth and development. Some Autism spectrum disorders can be treated with special diets. Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI): An MRI involves using magnetic sensing equipment to create an image of the brain. The final image shows the brain in extremely fine detail. Sometimes children are sedated in order to complete the MRI because of the need for them to remain completly still for a period of time. Computer Assisted Axial Tomography (CAT SCAN):
An X-Ray tube rotates around the child taking thousands of exposures that
are sent to a computer where the X-rayed section of the body
Genetic Testing: Blood tests look
for abnormalities in the genes which could cause a
developmental disability.
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Drug Treatment | Music Therapy |
Anti Yeast Therapy | Auditory Training |
Allergy Induced Autism and Casein/Gluten | Sensory Integration Therapy |
Vitamin/Mineral Therapy | Osteopathy/Craniosacral Therapy |
Lovaas Method | Holding Therapy |
Delacto Method | Higashi (Daily Life Therapy) |
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) | The Squeeze Machine |
Speech-Language Therapy | Son-Rise Program |
Occupational Therapy | TEACCH |
Flexyx Therapy (photo stimulation) |
Drug TreatmentDrugs don't cure autism, but many autistic suffer from multiple problems such as
depression or seizures, and the drugs can help with those secondary problems.
The drugs most commonly prescribed are:
Anti psychotics (Mellaril, Haldol, Thorazine) - used to treat severe aggression,
self-injurous behavior, agitation or insomnia.
Anticonvulsants (Tegretol, Depakote, Dilantin) - used to control seizures.
Anti depression (Lithium, Depakote) - used for bipolar manic depression.
Anti anxiety (Valium, Librium)
Benzodiazepinesalprazolam (Xanax)
chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
clonazepam (Klonopin)
diazepam (Valium, Valrelease, Zetran)
flurazepam (Dalmane)
lorazepam (Ativan, Alzapam)
oxazepam (Serax)
triazolam (Halcion)
Tricyclic Antidepressants -amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Enden, Tryptizol)
amoxapine (Asendin)
buproprione (Wellbutrin)
carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol)
clomipramine (Anafranil)
desipramine (Norpramine, Pertofrane)
doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)
imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine)
nortriptyline (Pamelor, Ventyl, Aventyl)
trimipramine (Surmontil)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) used for regular depression or compulsive behaviors.
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- nefazodone (Serzone)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
venlafaxine (Effexor)
(MAOI) Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors - Used to treat depression and panic. In most cases, MAOI's should not be the first treatment choice. Rather, these drugs are prescribed for people whose symptoms have failed to respond to other common antidepression drugs. Although just as effective as heterocyclic drugs, they poses a potential problem because of the possible toxic food-drug interactions. If you are taking one of these, follow the dietary guidelines strictly.
- moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix)
- phenelzine (Nardil)
tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Beta Blockers (Nadolol, Buspirone)-used to decrease aggression or hyperactivity.
Opiate Blockers (Naltrexone/Trexan) - control self injurious behaviors.
Sedatives (Chloral Hydrate, Noctec, and Benadryl) - for difficulty sleeping
Stimulants (Ritalin, Dexedrine)-for hyperactivity and attention or concentration problems.Some of them have side effects.
There are some evidence that candida albicansmay cause or exacerbate behavior and health problems in autistic individuals. The only physical symptoms are vaginal yeast infections and thrush (white patches in mouth).
An overgrowth of candida albicans causes toxins to be released into the body which are known to impair the central nervous system and the immune system. Some of the behaviors related to this are, confusion, hyperactivity, short attention span, lethargy, irritability, and aggression. Reported health problems can include headaches, intestinal problems,(constipation, diarrhea, flatulence), distended stomach, excessive genital touching in infants and young children, cravings for carbohydrates, fruits and sweets. Unpleasant odor of hair and feet, acetone smell from mouth, and skin rashes.
Candida overgrowth is often attributed to long term antibiotic treatments. It has been reported that some children whose autistic tendencies surfaced at 18- 24 months had been continuously treated with antibiotics to control chronic ear infections. The treatment doesn't cure autism, but is helpful for some autistic children.
CONTACTS:
American Academy of Environmental Medicine, PO Box 16106, Denver CO 80216
Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory, Martin Lee & Stephen Barrie,
Associates, 18a Regent Park Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28806 +(704) 253-0621
Can provide kit for stool analysis used for determining yeast overgrowth.
In allergy induced Autism, the symptoms usually become apparent during the first three years of life. Some children have autism that appears to have been triggered by intolerance to many foods and/or chemicals, the main offenders being wheat, cow's milk, corn, sugar and citrus fruits, although each child may be affected by different substances. The children also have many almost unnoticeable physical problems, namely excessive thirst, excessive sweating, especially at night, low blood sugar, diarrhea, bloating, rhinitis, inability to control temperature, red face and/or ears and dark circles under the eyes.
It has been reported that a high percentage of autistic children had
a "mutant" protein in their urine that was created by eating gluten (found
in wheat, oats, barley and rye grains) and/or casein (milk protein) containing
food. The mutant protein was the gluten and casein protein bound to a morphine
like substance. It's believed that this was what was causing the kids to
become spacey and addicted to these foods. It won't cure autism,
but may help with some secondary problems.
Auditory training can be considered a form of sensory integration
in which stimulation
may sensitize or desensitize one or more senses. Theoretically
speaking, if one or more
senses are impaired in an individual, he or she may develop
a distorted perception of the
environment. There has been much research in the past 15 years
to indicate that many
autistic individuals have sensory dysfunction in one or more
areas.
There are two main types of auditory training methods, the Berard
approach, lasting 10
to 12 days, and the Tomatis approach, lasting 6 to 12 months.The
Berard training is
accomplished by a device which randomly selects high and low
frequencies from a music
source and then sends those sounds via headphones to the trainee.
Filtering peaks are
optional for the developmentally disabled population. The music
is, in all cases, modulated
throughout the 10 hours of listening, whether or not peaks are
filtered.
We do not know what percentage of autistic children may be
helped by auditory training,
if any at all, nor how much they may be helped. The treatment
is safe, but expensive.
Includes singing, movement to music, and playing instruments. Supposed
to be a
good medium for kids with developmental disabilities because it requires
no verbal
interaction, music is by nature structured, facilitates play, can aid
in socialization
and influence behavior.
Carl Delacatto wrote a book called "The Ultimate Stranger". He
had a few interesting
points about "sensoryisms", a terrifying sensations or distortions
to senses. The distortions
can be hypersensitivity (too much stimulas entering the nervous
system), hyposensitivity
(too little stimulus entering the nervous system) or white noise
(internal static that disrupts
input from external stimuli).
Delacto Method are brain
stimulation activities for brain injured children developed by
Glenn Doman and Carl Delacatto. It involves cross patterning,
patterning and sensory
exercises developed to enhance memory and processing.
The delacato team evaluate a child and tailor a program to suit
his/her needs. Programs
are working on senses in order to normalize them and are devised
for parents to carry
out at home.They include massage for tactility, auditory and
visual work, and tasks for
smell and taste, mobility and development. All tasks are fitted
into 2 to 5 minute slots so
that the child does not become bored, and are repeated as necessary.
We do not know what percentage of autistic children may be
helped by Delacto
Method, if any at all, nor how
much they may be helped.
Doctors who manipulate the bones of the cranium. We do
not recommend this
treatment!
Holding therapy gained wide-spread attention when Dr Martha Welch,
a child psychiatrist
from New York, began using it as a means of working with children
with autism. Her work
is written in the book, Holding Time.
During holding therapy the parent attempts to make contact with
the child in various ways.
This may mean simply comforting a distressed child, but often
the parent may hold the child
for periods of time, even if the child is fighting against the
embrace. The child sits or lies
face to face with the parent, who tries to establish eye contact,
as well as to share feelings
verbally throughout the holding session. The parent remains
calm and in control and offers
comfort when the child stops resisting.
Many people feel this is a variant of SIT (sensory integration
therapy), which helps the child
adjust to and overcome sensory overload, and are holding
therapy's advocates. Some high
functioning autistic people have protested that this treatment
is too traumatic.
A person is trained to deal with sensory sensitivities. The goal
is to reduce that anxiety
through repeated exposure.
Developed by Temple Grandin. Supposed to reduce hyperactivity
and tactile
defensiveness. Gives the autistic control over the amount of
pressure exerted.
Lovaas therapy refers to the treatment model developed by Ivar Lovaas,
Ph.D., at
the UCLA Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Children, and is mostly
behavior modification program. Dr. Lovaas has worked with autistic children
for over 30 years, and studies show it helped some kids, but requires one-on-one
with a trainer for 40 hours a week.
Barry Neil and Samahria Kaufman "cured" their
autistic son, Raun, and then proceeded
to write a book about it "Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues". They
also founded the Option
Institute and Fellowship in Sheffield, MA. The Institute offers
training for families wishing
to create home based Son-Rise Programs for their children.
At present, no formal studies or evaluations have validated
the effectiveness of the
Son-Rise Program as a treatment for children with autism.
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed
as augmentative/
alternative training package that allows nonverbal children and
adults with autism and other
communication deficits to initiate communication. It was created
with educators, residential
care providers and families in mind, and so it is readily used
in a variety of settings. Verba
prompts are not used, thus building immediate initiation and
avoiding prompt dependency.
The system goes on to teach discrimination of symbols and then
puts them all together in
simple "sentences." Children are also taught to comment
and answer direct questions.
The PECS Training Manual, is written by Lori Frost, MS, CCC/SLP
and Dr. Andrew
Bondy. The manual provides all of the necessary information to
implement PECS
effectively. It guides readers through the six phases of training
and provides examples,
helpful hints, and templates for data and progress reporting.
Daily Life Therapy, pioneered by Dr Kiyo Kitahara at the
Higashi School in Japan,
provides an education and emphasizes vigorous physical
education and the arts.
The school is open to students 3-22, who are Autistic,
Autistic like, or Pervasive
Developmental Disorder, and do not serve Multi-Handicapped
(physically disabled),
Severe/Profound Mental Retardation, Emotionally Disturbed,
Character Disorder, or
Uncontrolled Seizure Disorder.
A method is developed in Japan and imported into the USA.
It includes elements
normally found in the education of autistic children,
but places unusual attention to
physical exercise.
Upon entering high school, all students participate in
community work and ultimately
employment. Areas of employment opportunities include
clerical, custodial, stocking,
food service and landscaping. All vocational students
are paid employees.
We do not know what percentage of autistic children
may be helped by Daily
Life Therapy , if any at all, nor how much they may
be helped.
TEACCH is not a teaching or learning system, but a behavioral
management system,
which, when properly implemented delivers more predictable behavior
and greater
cooperation from the TEACCH subject, an Autistic child. In general
I believe TEACCH
is a productive program for low functioning autistic children,
helping the child learn self
care skills and preparing the child and the family for some degree
of lifelong institutional
involvement. TEACCH uses structure and modified environment to
teach skills, using
children affinity for routines and rituals to teach and reinforce,
classrooms so structured
and routinized that children are happy, but cannot truly learn
to adapt to transitions and
changes.
It is thought that this program is not as helpful for higher functioning children as it is for lower functioning. However there training is ever changing.
For more information
about TEACCH
go to TEACH.
It is recognised that autistic children
have difficulties with language, but it is clear
that traditional approaches emphasising mastery of the formal
properties of language
are largely inappropriate: training children to speak is not
going to bring about a
transformation of their behaviour. The autistic child needs
to learn not so much how
to speak as how to use language socially to communicate.
That includes knowing how to hold a conversation, thinking about
what the other
person in a conversation understands and believes, and tuning
in to the meta-linguistic
signals of the other person, such as facial expression, tone
of voice and body language.
It is important to remember that communication is as much nonverbal
as it is verbal,
and autistic people have great difficulty understanding nonverbal
language.
A speech pathologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment
of language problems
and speech disorders can help a person learn how to more effectively
communicate.
Speech therapists working with a nonverbal autistic individuals,
may consider alternatives
to the spoken word such as signing, typing, or a picture board
with words.
Commonly focuses on improving fine motor
skills, or sensory motor skills that include
balance (vestibular system), awareness of body position (proprioceptive
system), and
touch (tactile system).
After the therapist identifies a specific problem, therapy may
include sensory integration
activities such as: massage, firm touch, swinging, and bouncing.
Dimethylglycine (DMG), is a food substance and is most often used Vitamin/Mineral
Therapy.
DMG is found, in small amounts, in brown rice and liver. Its chemical
make-up resembles that
of water soluble vitamins, specifically vitamin B15. DMG does not require
a prescription, and it
can be purchased at many health food stores. There are no apparent
side effects.
Use 1/2 of a 125 mg tablet at breakfast for a few days. May be necessary
to go up to one to
four tablets a day if the results are positive.
Reports from parents giving their child DMG indicate improvements in
the areas of speech, eye
contact, social behavior, and attention span.
Two weeks after starting on the DMG, B6 and magnesium can be added.
Studies have shown that
vitamin B6 may help control hyperactivity, and improve overall behavior.
Although improvements
vary considerably among individuals, other possible improvements are:
speech improvements,
improved sleeping patterns, lessened irritability, increased attention
span, decrease in self stimulation,
and overall improvement in general health.
We do not know what percentage of autistic children may be helped
by Vitamin/Mineral
Therapy , if any at all, nor how much
they may be helped.
Flexyx Therapy (photo stimulation)
Dr. Ochs started Flexyx treatment (photo stimulation therapy).
Several other therapists have been
conducting more formalized research using brain wave stimulation systems
in various stages
of development.
Some patients and their families have been pleased with the results
of this treatment, however,
we do not have clinical trials about using EDS with the autistic
population, and, thus far,
is lacking sufficient clinical trials to met FDA approval, or to
validated the effectiveness
of the treatment.
New information on Vitamin A-Dr. Mary Megson:
For reseach and information on this possible treatment. Click here.
This seems hopeful but remember it is research.
Occupational Therapy(OT): Commonly
focuses on improving fine motor skills, such as brushing teeth, feeding,
and writing, or sensory motor skills that include balance (Vestibular System),
awareness of body position (Proprioceptive System), and touch (Tactile
System).
After a therapist identifies a specific problem, therapy may include
sensory integration activities such as: massage, firm touch, ect..
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Direct ObservationDirect observation, interaction, and interviews assessments: Information about a child's emotional, social, communication, and cognitive abilities is gathered through child-directed interactions, observations in various situations, and interviews of parents and care givers. Parentsand family members should be actively involved throughout these assessments. What actually occurs during a specific assessment depends on what information parents and evaluators want to know. Functional assessments: Aim to discover why a challenging behavior
(such as head banging) is occurring. Based on the premise that challenging
behaviors are a way of communicating, functional assessment involves interviews,
direct observations, and interactions to determine what a child with autism
or a related disability is trying to communicate through their behavior.
Play based assessments: Involve adult observation in structured
and unstructured play situations that provide information about a child's
social, emotional, cognitive, and communication development. By determining
the child's learning style and interaction pattern through play based assessments,
an individualized treatment plan can be developed.
Standardized instruments Standardized instruments are formal methods used to determine different levels of cognitive development. Rating Scales & Developmental Inventories: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and Childhood Autism Rating Scale are examples of standardized tests that measure a child's general developmental skills, including socialization skills and coping skills. Scores are based on parent interviews and evaluator observations. Intelligence Tests (IQ): Stanford-Binet
Intelligence Scale and other intelligence tests attempt
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