| A major part of Hemispheric Integration Therapy | | | | on how bad the timing and firing is, maybe not at |
| and the functional neurology approach to the | | | | 50mph.This is the heart of the Functional |
| treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders deals | | | | Disconnect Syndrome. Much of these concepts |
| with the term "Functional Disconnect Syndrome." | | | | have come about as a result of the fact that in |
| A Functional Disconnect Syndrome is a situation | | | | the 1990’s,"the decade of the brain" imaging |
| where connections between neuronal pools do not | | | | such as functional MRI and SPECT scanning |
| work at a level synchronized enough for normal | | | | allowed us to look at brain function and not just |
| behavioral and executive function of the human | | | | brain structure. We now know that even though |
| brain to take place. This may result in difficulty | | | | brain structure may appear similar between the |
| with language, social skills and learning among | | | | hemispheres, the brain function of the |
| others. Allow me to attempt to clarify that in plain | | | | hemispheres is different and specialized. |
| English. The disconnect refers to different areas | | | | So in the Hemispheric Integration Therapy model |
| of the brain not being connected in the sense that | | | | we strive to balance under connected electrical |
| the areas do not communicate well with each | | | | activity in the brain hemispheres and or/neural |
| other. This suboptimal communication relates to | | | | networks as well as strengthen weakened |
| the fact that "the wires are there, they just are | | | | pathways. When areas of the brain can no longer |
| not working well. That is to say, if the wires | | | | communicate optimally, compare and contrast |
| between brain circuits were cut, then we would | | | | information, even if good information reaches the |
| have a physical disconnect syndrome as there | | | | brain through its receptors, there is a problem |
| would be a literal disconnection. In this case, the | | | | with interpretation. If the two sides of the brain |
| wire are there, connected but they are not | | | | become unbalanced then this functional |
| functioning well. This under functioning causes poor | | | | disconnection can cause conditions such as ADHD, |
| communication between the areas as though | | | | Asperger's Syndrome, Sensory Integration |
| there were some physical damage when in reality | | | | Disorders, Tourretes Syndorme, O.C.D., PDD and |
| there is not. It is for this reason that if we | | | | Autism with an underfunctioning right hemisphere. |
| perform an MRI of the brain of a patient with | | | | While learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder it seems relatively | | | | Dyscalculia as well as Depression are associated |
| normal. That is, there is no tumor, infection or | | | | with left brain deficiencies. Yes, we hate labels but |
| vascular accident for example present to explain | | | | this is the language of the system. At our office, |
| the child’s symptoms. Think about it, if the | | | | we treat what we find regardless of the diagnosis. |
| child did have a tumor, then his diagnosis would be | | | | Realize also that there is much overlap in these |
| "brain tumor" or "mini stroke" not autism. You | | | | disorders i.e. A.D.H.D. with O.C.D. or A.D.H.D with |
| would have a concrete answer for his symptoms. | | | | tics. What areas do we stimulate? The ones we |
| Something that you could see and touch and get | | | | find are weakened. I can not say this enough, we |
| your hands around. | | | | treat what we find. Are there certain areas that |
| What makes the human brain superior and able to | | | | are more common to find problems with? Yes, |
| conceive higher thoughts is the synchronous firing | | | | but each child is different and must be evaluated |
| of its parts. If the brain becomes desynchronized | | | | on and individual basis. These finding may also |
| or parts begin to underfunction then its ability to | | | | change throughout the treatment program as the |
| perform these higher functions such as speech | | | | patient with Autism spectrum disorder or a |
| and do calculus may be lost. Basic functions such | | | | learning disability progresses through this |
| as eating may be preserved but depending on the | | | | treatment. |
| level of desynchronization and underfunctioning | | | | Two of the most common questions I hear on an |
| thing such as digestion, bowel movements, | | | | almost daily basis are "What is Hemispheric |
| immune responses (allergies, asthma) and sensory | | | | Integration Therapy and how does it work?" And |
| processing may be lost or diminished. Like a | | | | of course, this one I hope I have answered for |
| Ferrari, a high performance car, if our high | | | | you today, "What is this thing you refer to as a |
| performance human brains, need a tune up, they | | | | Functional Disconnect Syndrome? |
| may still run but not at 180 mph and depending | | | | |