Help With Autism

Asperger Syndrome is one of several Autism Spectrum Disorders.  It is characterized by a lack of social interaction, repetitive behavior and speech abnormalities.

Kids who suffer from Asperger Syndrome have difficulty interacting in social settings and are often skilled at memorizing numbers, facts or puzzles; they’re also unable to pick out metaphors and literal interpretations in speech.   Like other forms of ASD, there is a treatment for autism in the case of Asperger’s.  Helping a person develop their skills is the most popular and overtime, further practice can assist a child into sharpening their focus in areas that were lacking before.  

CANADA – Several groups are openly criticizing the government for stalling on the amount of autistic children waiting for therapy.

Studies show that nearly 1,200 children are currently waiting for therapy, an increase from 985 from the previous year.

Though this particular news is new, it’s a story that has been very common, particularly in recent months, as autism awareness gains steam in mainstream media.

Belfast, Ire. — Meeting the Needs of Families Living with Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder is a report that was compiled by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster, and PEAT, is being released this week. 

The report claims that services in the area were found to be lacking and not effective.  Researchers hope that the report will improve treatment for autism, as well as its early detection.  As there were numerous recommendations, the following were particularly highlighted:

– Quicker diagnosis of children with ASD

– Better training for staff involved in making diagnosis

– Early intervention and regular revision of children’s education and care plans

– That the cost benefits of early intervention are taken into account;

– More support for Applied Behavior Analysis training and education and better parent/professional partnerships.

The report was culled from research involving 95 parents of 100 autistic children and 67 professionals which covered Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

A study released today by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, claims that there is a link between the release of mercury and rates of autism.  It’s the first time that a report suggests that there is a statistically significant association between autism risk and distance from a source of mercury.

Among the many facts in the article, for every 1000 lbs. of mercury released by power plants in Texas during 1998, there was a 3.7% increase of autism rates in Texas school districts in 2002. 

Though the findings aren’t completely definitive, it adds to the continuing evidence between the effects of mercury poisoning and autism.

The entire article can be found here.

ACTION ALERT
Nassau County, New York to Hold Unprecedented Vaccine
Injury Press Conference and Hearings, Monday, April 28, 2008

Parents, family members, and friends, please read the following news release from the Nassau County Legislature.  The press conference, which starts at noon, will be a unique opportunity to further the public’s awareness of vaccine injuries including the development of autism.David Kirby will be making a statement at the press conference. David plans to address the fact that the case chosen to replace Hannah Poling’s case involved a Long Island family and was also withdrawn because of issues related to mitochondrial dysfunction.
 
Following the press conference, parents can also attend the hearings starting at 1:40. Time has been set aside for public comments during the hearings. Please pass this information along to anyone you know who might be able to attend, and also to any media contacts you have. We need to make the most of both the press conference and hearings on behalf of our injured children.
 
NASSAU COUNTY TO BECOME FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN THE NATION TO HEAR CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY OF VACCINES AND ITS LINK TO AUTISM BY PARENTS. SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE MONDAY APRIL 28, 2008.

NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES CHAIRMAN DAVE MEJIAS AND NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN HARVEY WEISENBERG, AS WELL AS OTHER HEALTH OFFICIALS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL NEWS CONFERENCE ON APRIL 28, 2008 at 12 NOON WITH HUNDREDS OF PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF VACCINES AND ITS LINK TO AUTISM.  THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM WILL BE SPEAKING AT LEGISLATURE’S HEALTH COMMITTEE LATER THAT DAY.  THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE NATION THAT A MUNICIPALITY HAS HAD THIS CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC ADDRESSED AT ITS HEALTH COMMITTEE.  

It’s being reported this week that the Autism Awareness Campaign UK is pushing for their government to help families who cannot afford treatment for their loved ones who suffer from autism. 

I applaud the group’s effort to take heed of the needs of their disenfranchised citizens.  During a time when most peoples’ worries are centralized on increasing gas and food prices, we tend to forget the have-nots who spiral further down, particularly with how expensive health care can get in the U.S.  Perhaps the news brought on by this group will inspire folks stateside.

I recently found a several articles that related the intake of dairy and wheat products to behavioral problems in autistic children.  Studies found that wheat and dairy foods were among the common factors in the children’s collective diet.  

Posts on several message boards suggested trying a gluten and casein (the prominent proteins in wheat and dairy, respectively)-free diet as a potential treatment of autism.  I have checked out several cookbooks with vegan and gluten-free recipes, but I’m also waiting to hear back from a dietician and our family doctor to see if this is a safe practice.

As any likeminded adult could repeat, parenting a child with autism is a taxing journey.  Parenting in itself isn’t easy, but watching your child unable to express themselves due to a factor that is beyond their control is heartbreaking. 

There are times when I’m trying to help my child out with a puzzle or play with them and they get extremely frustrated and stomp away.  After that, it takes a long time to calm them down.  Recently, we’ve been treating their autism with PCM-Rx, which not only has detoxification elements, but it also has a calming affect.  There’s been a change in my child within the last few weeks that we’ve been using PCM-Rx.  Obviously, we will have to work together to treat their autism, but to let them know that everything will be alright and that a hug can actually get them to stop from destroying things is a wonder in itself.

I found that for my son, interaction seems to be the best treatment for autism.  It’s clear and stressed that there’s no cure for this difficult condition.  I have read some blogs and I’m curious to try Clathration Therapy but I’m a bit reluctant to do so.  My son, who was diagnosed at 3, and I have simply been interacting with each other, trying out a myriad of activities from matching the colors and shapes of blocks to identifying animals and their respective noises.  I can see that there’s a brilliant kid there and I’m not certain how long this type of mental stimulation will allow his growth

My question for you is, do you think there’s a way to attempt Clathration Therapy while simultaneously going about our daily activities? 

This is a question that the medical community has been trying to answer for decades.  In fact, many researchers have used this to lessen the pressure on vaccine developers to take thimerosal out of their products.  There’s a lot of money stored up in the vaccine stockpiles that pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions already own.  It seems to be a number that soars into the millions, perhaps billions of dollars, that would have to be cast aside if the government and medical community were to admit the dangers of thimerosal.

So can autism even be hereditary?  Opinions differ in the autism education community with the explosive growth of the “Austistic Spectrum” more and more people are being identified as having autistic tendencies, habits and more.  Following on the heels of the recent concession regarding thimerosal it only seems appropriate to investigate this allegation from researchers worldwide.   Pragmatists, I think, would have to agree that at least some portions of the spectrum can be hereditary while the most severe forms are likely caused by dangerous, mercury containing preservatives.  I anyone has a “real” answer for this, though, I’d love to hear it!