Help With Autism

Last summer a study found that there was a spike in birth defects in Appalachian communities near mountaintop coal mining sites. When the mountaintops are blasted to get to the coal below, mercury, lead, arsenic and other toxins are released into the air. We already know that birth defects mercury poisoning is a big deal, but the study stopped short of laying the blame solely on mountaintop mining.

The study acknowledged that women in these rural communities are less likely to have access to quality prenatal healthcare. This, too, can lead to birth defects. That being said, the author of the study emphasized that mountaintop coal mining is certainly detrimental to the health of all people in the vicinity, not just pregnant women; although, their unborn children are particularly vulnerable.

A new study conducted at Kaiser Permanente Northern California found preliminary indications that women who take antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a child on the autism spectrum. Lisa Croen, Ph.D., lead author of this piece of autism news emphasized that causality cannot be detected from one study, but her research does suggest that the area is worth investigating.

Early on in pregnancy serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be risky. These types of SSRIs are found in well-known antidepressants, including Zoloft and Prozac. This is not to say that all pregnant women suffering from depression should go off their medications. Mental illnesses left untreated can negatively affect pregnancies too, so each woman should consult her doctor before making a drastic change.

When it comes to researching autism, most of the emphasis is placed on better diagnostics, therapies, and cures – as it should be. However, when a child is diagnosed on the spectrum, it is the whole family, particularly the parents, that are affected. One myth about parents that has perpetuated is that couples with an autistic child are more likely to divorce. The urban legend has the divorce rate at 80 percent.

A recent study has debunked this myth. A study of 78,000 children from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health showed that 64 percent of autistic children have married parents, compared with 65 percent of children not on the spectrum. This bit of autism information should help relieve some anxieties for couples with children on the spectrum.

Loud noises, twinkling lights, and long lines can be overwhelming. For a child with autism they can be unbearable. That’s why my heart was warmed when I came across a story about a sensory-friendly Santa Claus event as I was browsing the web for articles on autism.

The event was sponsored by the Lawyer’s Autism Awareness Foundation in Tampa, Florida. Two Hillsborough County circuit court judges traded off playing the role of the patient jolly man in red. No twinkling lights or loud music was played in order to make the children more comfortable. Appointments were scheduled to ensure each child had one-on-one time with Santa without having to wait in long lines. What a great holiday story!

A small study out of Yale University has found that baby boys with autism grew taller, weighed more and had a more pronounced head circumference growth by age one than those baby boys without autism. The study’s lead author said, “…atypical overgrowth in autism is accompanied by a similar slope for overgrowth in height and weight.” This indicates that there is a relation between the mechanisms behind rapid brain growth in autistic children and broader neuronal and musculoskeletal abnormalities.

This piece of autism news isn’t exactly ground breaking; in 2003 researchers from UCSD published a study showing a correlation between autism development and rapid growth in the first year of life. This study also does not draw the conclusion that all children who experience abnormally rapid growth in the first year of life have autism. What the study does suggest is that this growth may be an indicator, so if parents notice other unusual behavior coupled with the growth they should consult a doctor to have a behavioral screen administered. After all, the earlier autism is diagnosed and treated with therapy, the better the outcome for the child socially.

The Lion King is arguably one of the most beloved children’s movies of all time. Since 1997 it has also had incredible success on Broadway. This October, the lively, colorful show will put on an autism-friendly performance.

The performance, a part of the Autism Theatre Imitative by the Theatre Development Fund, will scale back on jarring noises and strobe lights. Designated quiet areas in the lobby and autism experts will be provided to help individuals throughout the performance, as needed. This is such wonderful autism news! Hopefully other Broadway productions will take note and make some of their performances available to children and adults on the autism spectrum.

The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis has published the results of a 10-year study of youths with autism in the journal Psychiatric Services. The study found that 46 percent of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) used a mental health service in the last year. This can include services to address behavioral issues, anxiety, and depression.

Nearly half of those who received received them through school. African-American youths and children from lower-income families were more likely to depend on school provided services, as therapies can be very expensive. The study highlighted the need for better transitioning planning. Even those who keep up to date with autism information may not realize the dire need for youths with ASD to have access to mental health services post-high school.

It seems like every other day that Autism news hits the airwaves. The latest news surrounds a study that suggests that mothers who take antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to have a child that develops Autism. A study was conducted involving 1,800 children, of whom less than 300 had Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their mothers.

Of the group studied, women who were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (found in Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft) in the year before giving birth were twice as likely to have children with ASD in comparison to mothers who had not taken antidepressants. Women who took antidepressants with SSRIs in the first trimester were four times more likely to have a child who developed Autism or a related disorder. Still, experts caution that it is not clear whether the SSRIs or the underlying depressive condition is to blame for the increased odds. That being said, this study may lead women who experience depression during pregnancy to seek alternative means of therapy before resorting to antidepressants.

Scientists are cautiously optimistic that they have unlocked new genetic clues about the causes of autism. Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Yale University, and Columbia University have found what they hope will be important insights into the genetic causes of the disorder. Understanding autism and its origins will possibly lead to more effective treatments.

In the studies, one thousand families had their genes analyzed. Children with autism had their genes compared to their non-diagnosed siblings. Researchers found new gene mutations, those not inherited from parents, in the siblings who had autism. In all, 250 to 300 variations were tagged as possibly associated with autism. Mutations were also found to be much more likely in males than females, which is consistent with the fact that autism is much more prevalent in boys. The causes of autism are not known definitely, but this is a step in the right direction to unlocking a secret or many secrets behind autism. Researchers cautioned that because there is so much diversity in the autism spectrum, a “one-treatment-fits-all” solution is unlikely.

Candida is yeast that grows naturally in the human body but can cause health problems if bacterial balances are off. A Candida cleanse involves taking herbal supplements and improving diet. When planning your cleanse, the first step is to consult your primary physician.

Next, take a look at your calendar and block out several months when you know you can stay committed to the Candida cleanse. You might, for instance, want to avoid months when you will be traveling extensively as this can affect your diet. Finally, do your research and find a cleanse and diet that are right for you.