|
'Recovering' from autism
chicagotribune.com
Originally posted: September 6, 2007
The moving documentary "Finding the Words," which tells the story of eight "perfect babies" diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as toddlers, centers on a controversial premise: autistic children can recover. There is no cure, of course, and each family's fight is an often-frustrating and sorrowful emotional journey. But through home video, photographs, medical reports and interviews with family members and doctors, the film ultimately conveys a message of hope. And it's one that the film’s writer, producer and director, Elizabeth Horn, fervently believes needs to be heard. It was her own daughter Sophia's journey to "recovery" that inspired the work. But what does "recovery" really mean? Periodically, I’ll be posting your own thoughts on the issue, including your stories. They can be as long or short as you like. Here’s the first, written by Oak Park's Christina Blakey.
Click here for entire story.
USAAA 2007 International Conference highlights
Biomedical (next week Behavioral summaries)
The Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Autistic Children With Special Focus on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, by Dan Rossignol, MD
Numerous studies of autistic individuals have revealed evidence of cerebral hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation and gastrointestinal inflammation, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, relative mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter abnormalities, impaired detoxification of toxins, dysbiosis, and impaired production of porphyrins. Many of these findings have been correlated with core autistic symptoms. For example, cerebral hypoperfusion in autistic children has been correlated with repetitive, self-stimulatory and stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication, sensory perception, and social interaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might be able to improve one or more of these symptoms in autistic individuals. Specifically, HBOT has been used with clinical success in treating several cerebral hypoperfusion conditions and can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues. HBOT has been reported to invoke a strong anti-inflammatory response and has been shown to improve immune function.
To obtain a PDF file of this paper that was published in the Conference Proceedings Manual, click here.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, by James Neubrander, MD, FAAEM
In my clinic, two of the most powerful treatments now commonly used for children on the autistic spectrum were discovered by accident – methylcobalamin (methyl-B12) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. My presentation focuses on the use of oxygen under pressure as a powerful treatment modality for children on the spectrum. Interestingly, for children with autism, there appears to be a synergistic effect between the two. In my practice approximately 80% of children respond to HBOT to some degree, especially if they continue their treatments, and probably because they are also being treated with methyl-B12. I have found that HBOT is a treatment, not a cure and that continued treatment sets of sessions actually build upon any previous treatment sets of sessions therefore providing a cumulative beneficial effect, much like the educational process builds upon what was learned in the past in order to learn even more for the future. To obtain a PDF file of this paper that was published in the Conference Proceedings Manual, click here.
Methyl-B12: Doing It Right! Methylcobalamin Update, by James Neubrander, MD, FAAEM
In our practice we continue to see that methyl-B12, when used correctly, is still the single most predictable treatment we have to treat children on the autistic spectrum that gives numerous global benefits at the same time. At follow-up our average number of responses during the initial 1st six week methyl-B12 Initiation Phase is 30 to 45 or more. We have now monitored well over ½ million doses of methyl-B12 using numerous protocols. From these data we can document that over 90% of our patients are able to demonstrate undeniable changes as a result of the shots. Of this Responder Group, approximately 20% have remarkable gains, 20% moderate gains, and the remaining 60% show only mild improvements. To obtain a PDF file of this paper that was published in the Conference Proceedings Manual, click here.
Understanding the Role of Mercury Exposure, Glutathione, & Testosterone on the Biochemical Basis and Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Autistic Disorders, by David A. Geier, BA and Mark R. Geier, MD, PhD
It is clear that while some ASDs have a genetic component, based upon the presently available scientific evidence, it is apparent that mercury exposure can play a causal role in some ASDs. There is clinical evidence to support increased body-burdens of mercury in ASDs, and there is also biochemical and genomic evidence supporting specific factors that would make some individuals with ASDs particularly susceptible to mercury toxicity. Based upon an understanding of the apparent biochemical processes occurring in ASDs, namely that they have significantly reduced metabolites in the transsulfuration pathway and significantly increased metabolites in the androgen pathway, anti-androgen therapy was successfully utilized to treat a wide variety of patients who presented with ASDs. To obtain a PDF file of this paper that was published in the Conference Proceedings Manual, click here.
Remarkable results with comprehensive anti-viral, anti-fungal, and nasal MB12 treatment in ASD’s and related conditions, by Stan Kurtz
My current belief is that autism is often a combination of pathogens and opportunistic infections often combined with toxic body burden that reach a point of expression during critical times of development in (commonly) a young, susceptible host. The goal of this comprehensive approach is to disrupt the infectious cycle and allow the immune system to fight back and help the body regain control over these intruders that are contributing to the autistic characteristics. Like many therapies, antiviral therapy does not work for all children with autism. For some children this will be an important part of the journey. For other children it will be a tool for recovery. Diet and supplementation were important for my son, but once that was in place I believe antiviral therapy is what took him the rest of the way. Since it seems to work for many children and it seems relatively safe, I believe in doing a trial and using this type of comprehensive approach and seeing for yourself. With hundreds of families in our online group, you do not need to do this therapy alone. Feel free to join MB12Valtrex in Yahoo! Groups and read and share stories of trials with other parents and some practitioners. To obtain a PDF file of this paper that was published in the Conference Proceedings Manual, click here.
Current uses of nutritional supplements for adjunctive therapy in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Jerry J Kartzinel, MD FAAP
Areas discussed: Zinc Selenium, Ca/Mg, Chromium, Protein, EFA, Iron, Vitamin deficiencies, Maldigestion and malabsorption, Improved Function of the Immune System, plus more. This information is designed for use by physicians and licensed health practitioners interested in autism and PDD. Parents should use these as instructive concepts, and we caution against tinkering on your own. Find a naturopath, nutritionist, or physician knowledgeable about these substances to guide you in specifics. We still have much to learn and we are daily impressed by how much individual variation there is in this disorder/disorders. Autism may be a symptom of several different biological entities which merely present as a similar behavioral complex in early child development. Recommendations are general in nature and individual children vary greatly in their response to supplements. Any given supplement may cause significant side-effects or generate wonderful gains in a particular child. If in doubt about supplement reactions withdraw the supplement and reintroduce at lower levels. To obtain a PDF file of this paper that was published in the Conference Proceedings Manual, click here.
Next week, Behavioral and Developmental, plus additional biomedical summaries. For all papers presented, click here.
Hands-on helping
College of Education adds autism-teaching certificate
by Kendall Wright
published on Wednesday, September 5, 2007
With the help of ASU (Arizona State University) education professors, the University has joined the forefront in the study of autism. This semester, with urging from the community, professors in the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education decided to add a new graduate certificate program that will allow students and members of the community to tackle the issue of autism from the local level through hands-on teaching. Kathleen McCoy, associate professor at the College of Education, said the program started because student and surrounding community members expressed a desperate need to better understand people with autism.
Click here for entire story.
Smith: We Need To Work Together To Deal With Autism
By Amin Hosni
BruneiDirect.Com
September 6, 2007
Bandar Seri Begawan - Debbie Smith from Sydney will be one of the four guest speakers at the upcoming 5th Brunei National Conference on Autism. She will be the advisor to the committee at the conference, which will be held tomorrow. The Bulletin recently caught up with her for an interview. When asked how she expects the government/society to assist in issues concerning autism in the Sultanate, she said: "Autism is a really important issue because the number of people with autism around the world is increasing...."One of the papers will look at how we can help law enforcement officers understand people with autism and how they might deal with it. It is really, basically, about support... how we can work together and do the best we can."
Click here for entire story. |
.gif)
