Autism information and alternative
treatment, new research review and suggestions on dietary supplements
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States. In
2006 more children will be diagnosed with autism than AIDS, diabetes and cancer
combined, yet profound gaps remain in our understanding of both the causes and
cures of the disorder. Increasing our knowledge about developmental disruptions
in individuals with autism spectrum disorder is crucial, since early detection
and intervention can lead to improved outcomes in individuals with autism
spectrum disorder. Infants who don't respond to their name by 1 year of age
appear to be more likely to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or
other developmental problem by the age of 2.
Autistic disorder, or autism, is a developmental disorder
resulting in social, language, or sensorimotor deficits, occurs in approximately
seven of 10,000 persons. Early detection and intervention significantly improve
outcome, with about one third of autistic persons achieving some degree of
independent living. Indications for developmental evaluation include no
babbling, pointing, or use of other gestures by 12 months of age, no single
words by 16 months of age, no two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months of age,
and loss of previously learned language or social skills at any age. Autism is
frequently associated with fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, and may be
caused by lead poisoning and metabolic disorders. Autistic children often suffer
form mental retardation, seizure disorder, and psychiatric disorders such as
depression and anxiety.
Advanced maternal age and paternal age are both risk factors for
having a child with an autism spectrum disorder. However, the risk of having a
child with autism is very small, even for the oldest parents.
Natural options for the treatment of Autism
There is a scattering of research that indicates diet and nutrients may
be of some benefit in treating autism, but much more research is needed
before we have a better understanding the role of diet and nutritional
supplements in the therapy of this condition.
Children
given carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests
including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture. You can buy
Carnosine supplement online.
Thanks for your time in reading this email. My son is two and a
half years old and has no speech, has hyperactivity and is very sensory
seeking. OAT test shows mitochondria dysfunction. I will like to go the natural
route to help him. What supplements can I give him?.
Carnosine Helpful in Autism treatment
From the day she was born, Betty seemed
different from other infants. At an age when most infants enjoy interacting with
people and exploring their environment, Betty sat motionless in her crib and
didn't respond to rattles or other toys. It wasn’t too long before Betty was
diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer as a
cure for this condition. But supplements may be helpful. Researchers at the
Autism and Epilepsy Specialty Services in Lake Bluff, Illinois, investigated 31
children with autism in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if carnosine would result in changes. Carnosine is a natural substance composed of
2 amino acids. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body
tissues, muscles, and nerve tissue, including the brain. The exact role of
carnosine is not well understood, but studies indicate that this nutrient has
antioxidant potential and may also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger
in the nervous system). The children received 800 mg of carnosine a day and were
compared with a group of children on placebo. After 8 weeks, children given
carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests
including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture.
Comments: Carnosine, also known as L-carnosine,
is sold in health food stores most commonly in capsules of 500 mg. It would be
worthwhile to try 100 to 200 mg of this nutrient before breakfast and lunch for
a few weeks under a pediatrician’s supervision.
Diagnosis of autism
Early detection of autism is
critical for early intervention, yet autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are
typically not diagnosed until after three years of age. However, differences
between typically developing children and those with ASD are detectable by two
years of age. Because there are currently no medical diagnostic tests for
autism, identifying developmental disruptions in infants and very young children
with ASD may allow for earlier detection and critical intervention. A study
examined development in 87 infants at 6, 14 and 24 months of age using a
standardized development test. Based on data and clinical judgment at 24 months,
participants were classified as: unaffected, language delayed (LD) or ASD.
Researchers compared development across groups at the three target ages and
observed statistically significant differences between the autism spectrum
disorders group and the unaffected group at 14 months. By 24 months, significant
differences were detectable between the ASD group and both the unaffected and LD
groups. Participants in the study included infants at high risk for autism
(siblings of children with autism), and infants at low risk (no family history
of autism). Researchers measured development using the Mullen Scales of Early
Learning (MSEL), a standardized test which assesses five domains of development,
including: gross and fine motor; visual reception; and receptive and expressive
language. At 14 months, four of the five mean MSEL scores were significantly
lower in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder than those in the unaffected
group. By 24 months, the ASD group performed significantly worse than the
unaffected group in all domains of development, and worse than the LD group in
three domains. Nearly half of the ASD group showed developmental worsening
between 14 and 24 months. This study and previous research studies conducted by
Dr. Landa found that developmental red flags for parents and physicians to watch
for include: poor eye contact; reduced responsive smiling; diminished babbling;
reduced social responsivity; and difficulty with language development, play and
initiating or sustaining social interaction. Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Medical
and prescription medication treatment
Kids with autism don't benefit from treatment with the popularly prescribed
antidepressant citalopram. The study, published in the June 2009 issue of
Archives of General Psychiatry, is the first to show that citalopram doesn't
reduce repetitive behaviors that are a key characteristic of autism and are a
significant reason why this class of antidepressants is prescribed. Children
with autism-spectrum disorders often exhibit repetitive behaviors, including
motor symptoms like flapping or rocking, or overly focusing on topics of intense
interest. They can be inflexible or become agitated if asked to stop the
behaviors. Antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or
SSRIs, are thought to be helpful for these symptoms because they benefit
children with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who also exhibit repetitive
behaviors. But the effectiveness of antidepressants for children with autism
hadn't been well-studied.
Genetic basis for autism
French scientists have identified genetic mutations in a small number of
children with autism which could provide insight into the biological basis of
the disorder. They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with
autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in
the gene in members of three families. ASD covers a range of problems that
affect communication, social interaction, verbal skills and behavior.
Age of mother and father as
risk factors
Children born to older mothers or fathers may have a higher risk of autism than
those with younger parents. In a study of 7.5 million births in California
between 1989 and 2002, researchers at the state's health department found that a
child's risk of developing autism increased along with the age of the parents.
For each 10-year increase in a mother's age between the ages of 20 and 40, the
risk of her child developing autism increased by 38 percent. Similarly, each
10-year increase in a father's age between the ages of 20 and 60 was associated
with a 22-percent increase in autism risk. The findings add to a conflicting
body of research on what role, if any, parents' age plays in autism development.
Past studies have either found that older age may increase the risk, or has no
impact at all. American Journal of Epidemiology, November 1, 2009.
Brain imaging and autism
Autistic children have more gray matter in areas of the brain that
control social processing and sight-based learning than children without the
developmental disability. Autistic children have enlarged gray matter in the
parietal lobes of the brain linked to the mirror neuron system of cells
associated with empathy, emotional experience and learning through sight.
Testosterone and autism
According to Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre at
Britain's Cambridge University, children exposed to high levels of testosterone
in the womb show more autism related traits later in life. Higher levels of
testosterone may contribute to autism.
Autism autistic child questions
I am just writing to ask you how much of the Carnosine, and fish oil to give
my 10 year old autistic child (Boy). I know you mention in your website that a
child should take less than an adult but i don't know how much less. I will be
meeting with my son's neurologist this week to start monitoring him and first of
all get his "OK" since my son is on anticonvulsants. My autistic child is
non-verbal (with potential) and very much dependant on me for his overall needs.
It is difficult to know how any child responds to medicines or
supplements. As a general rule, it is a good idea to start with a quarter of the
adult dose for carnosine and one or two fish oil capsules a day and then your
doctor would monitor.
I have 2 autistic grandchildren 7 and 9 years old,
both been diagnosed as having mild AUTISM. The 9 year old started talking at 6,
he is academically a bright boy, his speech is sometimes interrupted and
repetitive. Marcus the 7 year old has only few words, no sentenses he is also a
bright boy but he can't talk and express himself starts crying followed by
autistic behaviours. Their mother been seeing a local doctor for the last 2
years, both boys went trough extensive medical examinations, dieting and
different supplements which helped very little. I've been doing lot of web
searching on Autism, when I got across your site and saw the MIND-POWER-Rx
capsules, I taught I'll email you with a question. Can I purchase MIND-POWER-Rx
or any other supplement that you can recomend to help improve these kids
conditions specially the 7 year old speechless boy.
It is difficult to predict the response of any child or adult
to a supplement. Perhaps some of the supplements listed on this page can be
tried to see if there is any benefit.
I am intrested in learning more about the health
benefits of dmg. I heard from a t.v. info-mertial that it may benefit
individuals who live with autism and like conditions ,would you please comment
on this.
One study back in 1999 did not show benefit with the use of
this supplement in relation to autism and the treatment of this condition.
Can tegretol and mellaril cause elevated GGT levels and borderline abnormal QTc (higher) numbers. What besides homeopathy and supplements can be helpful for treatment of autistic disorder, have used homeopathy for many years 74 to be exact and supplements for about 15 years, My concern is about autistic individuals on necessary meds due to aggressive behaviors.