Help With Autism

Your child’s pediatrician will look for developmental problems at regular check-ups. If he or she notices autism symptoms, you’ll likely be referred to a pediatric neurologist or developmental pediatrician. When you go to the appointment, make sure you have notes and questions to discuss with the doctor.

You’ll want to make note of:
- Behavioral changes you have noticed in your child. Even small daily changes can be important to know.
- Medications, vitamins, herbs, OTC medicines that your child is or has taken. Knowing your child’s vaccination history is also important, although there has been no solid link proven between autism and vaccines.
- Know the history of your other children as a means of comparing their developmental differences.
- Observations of others, including siblings and adult caregivers.

Ask:
- Why do you think my child does/doesn’t have autism?
- How will a diagnosis be confirmed?
- Is there a way to tell the severity of autism?
- What changes should I anticipate in my child?
- What sort of care can I provide? What sort of outside care should I look for?
- What kind of therapies do you recommend?
- How should I approach my child’s regular medical care?
- What support is available for families of children with autism?
- How can I learn more about autism?

Remember, there is no such thing as being overly prepared or having too many questions. When it comes to your child’s well-being you are their number one advocate.

Parents with special needs children face daily challenges. When a child is school age the state is required to educate and work with your child. What happens when a special needs child ages out of the system? This can be a scary prospect for many parents who have concerns about where their child will continue to get help and what will happen when parents are no longer able to take care of their special needs child.

I found an article on St. Louis Today’s website that was particularly uplifting. The article put a spotlight on the Midwest Adult Autism Project which focuses on helping clients reach tailor-made goals. The Project focuses on the autism spectrum from those with Asperger’s syndrome to those who are severely autistic. The two boys featured in the article have made great strides in behavior management. Though only one of the boys featured can hope to one day live independently, both have a better future for having taken part in the program. I would encourage all parents of autistic children to look for these inspirational articles on autism, to give hope during stressful times.

Professor Glenn Gibson at Reading University in the UK recently attempted a study to determine the effects of good bacteria on the behavior of autistic children. The study began as a blind study where half of the families in the study were given a real probiotic formula while the other half received the placebo. The half who took the real thing saw such remarkable improvements in their children that they knew they must be the ones receiving the actual supplement. The blind study suddenly wasn’t so blind anymore.

When it came time for the families to switch, the families who had been receiving the actual probiotics resisted the change. They thought it would be too heartbreaking to have their children return to their former selves. As a result the study experienced an astronomical drop-out rate that caused the study eventually to fail. Prof. Gibson cited unique challenges to both parents and researchers. Without a concrete and scientifically accepted study researchers were unable to make any claim of efficacy. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of probiotics in alleviating some of the behaviors associated with autism seems indisputable.

The challenges faced by parents of autistic children seem to be without end. From money and resources to guilt and anxiety, the stresses placed on families with autistic children are oppressive. Unless you’re independently wealthy it’s almost impossible to meet all of the financial needs that accompany having an autistic child. Working parents may find themselves out of a job when they have to pick up their child from school or daycare too frequently. This only serves to add to the stress and financial challenges of having an autistic child.

You’re not alone, however. There are several support groups both online and in your local community that can help you face the frustrations of parenting a child with autism. It doesn’t have to be a solitary struggle that segregates you away from society. Your child needs you but your child also needs you to be healthy and happy. If you’re not as happy and healthy as you can be then you may be unable to provide the best care possible. Take the time and find the resources near you to help you with difficulties you face and you’ll be glad you did.

With the prevalence of mercury in our lives it’s almost impossible to completely avoid its presence. Whether it be in the form of a vaccination preservative or part of a mirror or an electronic device, avoiding mercury is a challenge indeed. Fish is probably the largest source for contaminating our bodies with mercury. It’s also produced as a byproduct in the processing of certain kinds of foods like high-fructose corn syrup. Some studies have shown that these foods can contain up to twenty times more than what is considered to be safe.

So how do we avoid it? Simple, watch you’re your diet. Don’t ingest foods that may be high in mercury content for any reason. Whether it occurs naturally or as a result of some man-made product it’s important to be mindful of our potential for mercury poisoning. Don’t eat foods or drink fluids that may be contaminated. Make sure your electronics are free of mercury and take care to dispose of fluorescent light bulbs properly. Remember, avoiding mercury starts at home and it’s never too early to teach it to our children.

In today’s world it’s almost impossible to avoid heavy metals. Whether it’s in our food, our water or in the air we end up absorbing enormous amounts of metal throughout our lifetimes. People with occupations that require the handling of heavy metals, or prolonged exposure to them are particularly susceptible to inadvertently absorbing dangerous or even deadly amounts of heavy metals. Of the 35 metals of the most immediate health concern 23 are considered to be heavy metals. They are antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, platinum, silver, tellurium, thallium, tin, uranium, vanadium, and zinc.

All of these metals can cause degradation of our blood and all of our major organs in addition to causing dementia and symptoms often associated with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. With the sheer quantity of these metals all around us it’s more important than ever for us to manage not only how much we take in but also how much we’re getting back out. A heavy metal detox is a critical part of an effective strategy for maximizing health and wellness. Help your body remove the heavy metals and you’ll be glad you did.

Most people can recognize mercury as a unique metal because it remains in liquid form at room temperature. Most people aren’t aware, however, of how toxic mercury can be. Depending on its state of oxidation mercury can have a variety of effects on the human body, none of which are beneficial. From brain damage to damage to the kidneys and lungs, mercury is notorious for its toxicity and disease causing properties. As a critical component in several diseases such as Hunter Russell syndrome and Minamata disease, mercury is not to be trifled with.

Aside from the organ damage done by this dangerous metal, the effects of mercury poisoning can be pervasive and far-reaching. The most immediate symptoms include sensory impairment such as disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. The severity of the symptoms will vary on the type of mercury absorbed, the method by which it’s absorbed and the duration of exposure. As a preservative in most vaccinations it is injected directly into the bloodstream and can have disastrous effects on the body. This is especially the case in bodies that are still developing, making mercury one of the most sinister toxins in the world.

Our bodies are quite efficient at chelating heavy metals and compounds throughout our body. When we eat, our natural digestive processes include moving amino acids and minerals to where they’re needed most in the body. From Vitamin C to iron and more, chelation is an important natural process that optimizes the distribution of critical nutrients. It is not without its shortcomings, however.

Natural chelation processes can often miss toxic metals such as mercury. Since mercury is not a part of the human diet our bodies are quite confused as to how to deal with it and eliminate it. As a result, mercury can remain in our bodies for long periods of time, causing a host of maladies and health problems. Chelation therapy is an effective means of removing metals that cause the excessive production of free radicals that in turn reduce the oxidation of lipids. Once the metals are removed our bodies can begin the natural healing process which can only be accomplished in a system free of toxins.

It is often said that mercury poisoning is among the leading causes of autism. As the debate on the subject continues there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence that supports the claims by some parents that removing heavy metals from the body can improve the symptoms of autism. The medical community seems to be divided right down the middle on the subject with both sides citing organized studies to support their claims.

Some sources claim that anywhere between 2%-8% of all autistic children have been treated with chelation therapy. Rates of success or improvement, however, remain unknown. Despite the evidence on both sides, parents of autistic children may want to investigate this treatment as its dangers appear to be minimal to non-existent. There are several avenues parents can take if they choose to try chelation with comprehensive supplements being the most popular.