| As the number of cases of autism continues to | | | | using language more effectively - easier |
| grow worldwide, the world has responded with a | | | | socialization, improved fine motor planning, and an |
| number of different kinds of autism experiments | | | | increased awareness of the environment around |
| in order to better the quality of life and ability to | | | | them. |
| function of people suffering from this condition. | | | | Dr. Chez - the head of the carnosine autism trials |
| These trials come in various shapes and sizes and | | | | in Chicago - has observed the results of patients |
| produce a range of different results. | | | | after the first weeks and has witnessed better |
| Presently, there are a number of experimental | | | | communication and behavior in 16 percent of |
| autism treatments that are being followed, | | | | cases. Socialization among these patients had |
| including investigation the impact of light and | | | | improved by 27 percent. |
| sound, music, carnosine, and diet on both autistic | | | | Additionally there have been trials using music, |
| adults and children. | | | | which have seen dramatic positive results. These |
| Mind Alive uses a machine called DAVID, which | | | | trials have been conducted by the ASU School of |
| stands for Digital Audio Visual Integration Device, | | | | Music's Music Therapy Department. Its purpose is |
| and is carefully calibrated to use flashing lights and | | | | to discover how music can be used on autism |
| pulsing tones. Initially used for the treatment of | | | | sufferers to achieve desirable behaviors and |
| ADD, anxiety, and other related disorders, its | | | | functions. It applies carefully chosen sounds to |
| success lead to the belief that it could also reduce | | | | specific situations in order to encourage certain |
| the symptoms of autism. | | | | results. These noises can range from simple |
| Working to desensitize autism sufferers from | | | | sounds such as clapping or ringing a bell, to more |
| certain kinds of sensory problems, DAVID | | | | complex musical pieces. Frequently the simpler |
| stimulates different parts of the brain through the | | | | sounds allow autism suffers to reestablish their |
| sensory organs. Though the results vary from | | | | concentration after losing their focus. Other |
| person to person, successes in the program after | | | | results that have been achieved include improved |
| a few weeks of treatment include lowering | | | | relations with others, better communication, and |
| hypersensitivity to sound, decreased | | | | simply functioning at a better level overall. |
| defensiveness to touch, increased eye contact, | | | | Following a GFCF diet involves eating a diet that is |
| lower levels of aggressive behavior, better social | | | | entirely gluten-free and casein-free. Gluten and |
| skills, and even augmented enjoyment of food | | | | casein are naturally occurring proteins that are |
| with a lower likelihood for pickiness. | | | | found in wheat, barley, and rye (gluten) and milk |
| Other forms of autism research are looking into | | | | (casein), as many parents, researchers, and |
| the impact of carnosine. Carnosine is a type of | | | | doctors believe that the removal of these |
| natural protein, which has been looked at in a | | | | proteins cause positive results in autism suffers. |
| double-blind, placebo-controlled study of | | | | Specific favorable results include improvement |
| L-carnosine supplementation in children with autistic | | | | (occasionally very good, but sometimes only mild) |
| spectrum disorders. | | | | in communication, bowel movements, increased |
| 31 patients were used in the eight week study | | | | eye contact, better attention span and overall |
| that either gave them 400 mg BID powdered | | | | mood while reducing tantrums, self-stimulating and |
| L-Carnosine or a placebo. The children were | | | | aggressive behaviors. |
| assessed at the start and finish of the trial using | | | | Results are due in 2008 from a long-term double |
| recognized autism rating scales and also parental | | | | blind study on the effects of a GFCF diet on |
| observations. After the 8 weeks those children | | | | autism. |
| given the L-Carnosine showed improvements | | | | To stay up to date with the latest autism |
| across all the rating scales, findings that were | | | | research sign up for the Autism newsletter below. |
| backed up by the parents. The children taking the | | | | These are a few of the autism experiments that |
| placebos showed no significant improvement. | | | | have shown some positive results. However, |
| The children taking the supplement have seen | | | | there are many other efforts being made and |
| fast and noticeable results which include more | | | | many other trials being performed to make sure |
| pleasure from life, better eye contact, improved | | | | that autism sufferers are able to enjoy the best |
| communication - including receiving language and | | | | possible lives. |