Help With Autism

Over the past week or so I’ve been scouring the Internet for articles on autism, specifically articles related to the change in definition of who is and is not autistic. The American Psychiatric Association is working on a revision of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The edits will include a narrower definition of who is and is not autistic; although, the question remains as to how narrow that scope will become.

Autism research and therapy advocates worry that a narrower definition will deprive many autistic individuals of essential services. Those people on the spectrum who are deemed “high functioning” may lose many of the therapies that help them learn to function in society. This could place an undue toll on families who cannot afford treatments on their own. We know that providing services early on in life can make a significant difference to an autistic individual, so the cutting back of services would be catastrophic, not just for autistic people and their families, but also for society that would later on need to support autistic adults who never got the benefits needed to live independently.

As far as researchers know, there is no single identifiable cause of autism. The working theory is that there are multiple causes of autism, some environmental and some genetic. Evidence published in 2011 suggests that abnormalities in brain structure and biochemical makeup may be to blame, or at least may be an indicator that a child is on the spectrum.

The study proposed that about 20 percent of autism is caused by biological issues including prenatal thalidomide or contraction of rubella during pregnancy. The brains of these children develop abnormally early in life, with the brain remaining one or two percent larger than a non-autistic brain. The study also found abnormalities in the cerebral cortex of some autistic children’s brains.

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.

All of last week, BBC South featured stories on high functioning autistic individuals. Though each profile focused on an individual, the experiences of those individuals represent the struggles of many. For example, 28 year-old Alex Jordan described feeling like a prisoner due to her autism. Through the UK’s universal healthcare she likely received autism therapy and continues to work with medical and social workers.

Lots of rules have been set in place to try to protect her. For instance, she is not supposed to go out by herself because she was hit seven times in one year while trying to cross the road. Her autism skews her perception of moving vehicles; cars don’t move fluidly – they can “jump” – and exhaust appears colored which can be disorienting. Still, the young woman described trying to keep a positive attitude and “looking forward to the good things.”

Currently, autism is diagnosed based on behavioral symptoms. There is no definitive biological test that can be performed to say “yes your child has autism” or “no your child does not have autism. Thankfully, autism research is being done to identify genetic markers.

Finding genetic markers will help in two ways: first, it will help increase the likelihood of getting a correct diagnosis early on when therapy can be effective, and second, knowing the source will take researchers one step closer to the cure. Last April, GW researchers found 18 novel genetic variants which may help with diagnostic screening. This month, another research team in Florida found preliminary results that suggest certain genetic markers that involve T-cells can help identify autistic individuals.

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.

DPT is shorthand for the vaccine that immunizes against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. The vaccine was first made available as a combination in 1946. Prior to the advent of the vaccine, thousands of people died each year from these now preventable diseases.

There are risks associated with the DPT vaccine, namely, vaccine damage. Though doctors theorize that children who are susceptible to vaccine damage from DPT would also have serious reactions to the actual diseases, many parents worry. It is best to consult a doctor for all of the facts when making a decision to vaccinate a child.

Thimerosal had been used since the 1930s as a preservative in hundreds of drugs and vaccines. The FDA has since worked with vaccine producers to eliminate the use of thimerosal in favor of mercury-free preservatives. As of October 2010, the only vaccine for children containing thimerosal is the flu shot; the flu mist is thimerosal-free.

If preservatives are still a concern for parents, but they want to make sure their children are protected from deadly diseases, then they should look into preservative-free vaccination. The child’s physician should be able to recommend places to obtain a preservative-free vaccination. Failing that, contact the local pharmacy or urgent care centers for information.

The City of Brotherly Love can now add a new title: autism research capital. Five years ago, this statement would not have been true, but now several institutions are attempting to unlock the mysteries of autism. They are studying genetics, environmental exposure, brain imaging, and behavioral interventions.

The autism research is concentrated mainly in two locations: the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital and the Autism Public Health Research Institute at Drexel University. In four short years, Children’s Hospital has cultivated a powerhouse with more than 100 researchers and staff working on two dozen studies. Drexel has an ambitious goal of raising $20 million toward research – a priority of the university president. All of this bodes well for parents of autistic children looking for answers, and someday, a cure.

Parents of autistic children have a strong need to know what causes their child’s disorder. This is completely understandable; if we know what causes autism, then it stands to reason that we will be able to come up with a cure. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple because it is becoming more evident that there is no single cause of autism.

According to the Mayo Clinic, genetics may be one of the causes of autism. A number of genes make children susceptible to the disorder. Some genes may affect brain development or brain cell communication. Others may determine the severity of symptoms. It has been hypothesized that some genetic problems are inherited while others occur spontaneously.