Power Advocates

Many kids, teens and adults with Autism find the low oxalate diet (LOD) to be very helpful. The low oxalate diet began from an organization called the vulvodynia foundation. Vulvodynia is a painful inflammatory disorder in women where oxalates accumulate in the vaginal tissue. People who suffer from kidney stones also benefit from the low oxalate diet. And we see many children with Autism who benefit from the low oxalate diet because they tend to have high accumulation of oxalate in their bodies. Oxalates are organic compounds that can be found in a number of fruits, vegetables and nuts like spinach and almonds. There are lists of higher oxalate foods available on the internet, one great resource is...

A Biomedical Autism Doctor Explains The Causes Behind Aggressive Behavior in Autistic Children The Need For Biomedical Autism InterventionA very troubling issue with some individuals on the autism-spectrum is aggressive and/or self-injury behavior (SIB). This can be quite common in children (and as teenagers and adults) who lack the ability to communicate verbally, as well as those kids transitioning from one developmental stage to another. No particular time is more challenging than when a child is transitioning through puberty to become a young adult. There is no doubt that some individual's behavior is benefitted by prescription medicine - particularly when aggressive behaviors put themselves or...

An Autism Intervention Specialist Doctor Explains The 4 Major Categories of Biomedical Autism Treatment: (continued from part 4) Autism Intervention Category # 3 - Detoxification (chelation or cleansing) As you begin to decrease the allergy and inflammation through dietary control, supplementation, etc., your child can begin the process of detoxification more effectively. Detoxification is the process of cleansing toxins out of your body. Our body generates many chemicals that naturally help do this for us. The skin, intestines, liver and kidneys are the organ systems responsible for detoxification. One of the challenges with children on the spectrum is that they commonly have weakened...

Over the last few years there have been reports of millions of people with ADHD. Just so you have a clear picture, about 5% of children and 15 million Americans have an attention deficit disorder. This affects children, adolescents and adults, men and women. Let me tell you a few symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but be aware that not all people with attention deficit have hyperactivity. In fact, girls tend to not show hyperactivity while men tend to have it. A persistence pattern of inattention in a child is a common symptom. They can not concentrate in the classroom enough to hear the teacher or anyone else. Hyperactivity is known to be a symptom that people with attention...

Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its name causes more fear in the hearts of parents than any other medication. It is the topic of radio talk shows, protests by the Church of Scientology, and negative newspaper articles. And yet, I wonder, if it is so very bad, why is it so "over-prescribed" as the critics claim? Let's explore the issue further, and give some information to parents who might want to know more about the medication. Tips to remember about Ritalin: We have seen hundreds of kids benefit greatly from Ritalin. But doctors and parents must be observant and conservative. We have also seen some horror stories with Ritalin. Start slowly and cautiously. It is not a toy. The...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is an escalating priority among dads and moms and also teachers throughout the United States and all over the world, specifically when children are impacted by it. There's an intense argument on the subject of the use of pharmaceuticals and aggravation connected to a kid becoming unmanageable in a classroom and public places. A great number of school districts have chosen to construct exclusive schools for young children diagnosed with ADHD, which in turn would make those youngsters truly feel all the more different from their fellow youngsters. It is a loaded subject that could raise tempers significantly, regardless of your own personal views. As a...

In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we began to introduce the reader to the system in the brain known as the Reticular Activating System. The Reticular Activating System is the "attention center" in the brain. It is the key to "turning on your brain," and seems to be the center of motivation. The Reticular Activating System is connected at its base to the spinal cord where it receives information projected directly from the ascending sensory tracts. The brainstem reticular formation runs all the way up to the mid-brain. As a result, the Reticular Activating System is a very complex collection of neurons that serve as a point of convergence for signals from the external world and from...

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurologically based disorder. This position has become controversial as many would like to dismiss the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder altogether saying that there is no evidence of neurological differences, or that there are no medical tests to diagnose ADD ADHD, or that the diagnostic criteria is too broad. But the fact of the matter is that there are measurable neurological differences, and there are several good tests available to physicians and psychologists, available to diagnose the disorder. For now we will simply report that there is a tremendous amount of research to support the statement that, indeed, Attention Deficit...

When a parent gets a diagnosis of Autism or Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) it can almost feel like a death sentence. How will your child grow up and be productive in society? What will you tell your other children or other family members? Autism, although it seems detrimental, can improve with the right kind of therapy. Over time, intensive behavioral therapy can ameliorate the signs of Autism and allow your child a meaningful life they deserve. Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy The only proven method to help treat children with Autism is Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, otherwise known as ABA. ABA therapy is a form on intensive behavior therapy that relies heavily on reinforcement and...

rents work to find effective treatments for autism, many of the usual symptoms their children display will continue. In the majority of cases, this often includes some form of ‘stimming’. Stimming is an extremely common autism symptom that includes certain repeated behaviors or movements. These behaviors are self-stimulating and consist of repetitive behaviors that are performed to stimulate the senses. Examples of stimming include clapping, running in circles, humming, or manipulating objects (such as bending straws or ripping paper). Though stimming behaviors may appear to be unnecessary or even unsuitable to some situations, they’re not done to draw attention or to disrupt...

Autism And Speech Therapy A hammock chair could be one of the best gifts you can give a child with autism. The hammock chair holds the child tight while they rock back and forth. The improvement can be immediate. Even after fifteen minutes, the results can be dramatic, lasting throughout the day. Autistic children crave deep pressure such as brushing, even though they will have tactile defensiveness. They may feel like they are off balance and the reason why is due to vestibular dysfunction. This is the area of the brain that controls seeing, touching, and hearing. A dysfunctional vestibular system can cause panic attacks, leading to the famous autism tantrums. A great portion of occupational...

In the past I have talked about the issue of serotonin levels in children with special needs and particularly serotonin levels in children on the Autism Spectrum. I have also talk about the influence that serotonin has on things like brain function, learning, states of happiness and mood. For many people, medications like Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are necessary, they are what is called serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Depletion of serotonin levels can cause depression in many individuals and these medications help with that. But for children on the Autism spectrum, it appears that the reverse is happening, the serotonin is there, they just cannot convert serotonin into its active form. Many of the...

I want to discuss further about hyperbaric oxygen therapy. When considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, there are some things to think about. For many individuals on the Autism spectrum, this can be a very effective therapy. I have talked in previous recordings about how that therapy can aid in decreasing inflammation, especially neurological inflammation, and can help facilitate metabolism through increased blood flow to the brain. By providing increased blood flow to the brain, you positively impact those areas that had been oxygen deprived. Some of the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be seen in areas of speech, socialization, eye contact, improved sleep and behavior to name a few. You...

The reasons of learning disabilities have neurological roots. Thus they might raise some issues in persons` intellectual growth or social development. At the same time, we can observe that children with learning disabilities are cleverer than their peers, although having difficulties in reading, writing, spelling as well as listening and thinking. We must say that learning process itself is a complex action. If we take into account learning disability, we understand that it is even more difficult. Also this process has different features due to the various individualities among children. Still, parents should not feel hopeless or desperate as many legendary people had learning disabilities like...

What is Biomedical Autism Treatment? Biomedical autism treatment is the practice of treating the medical problems that can trigger autism and other disorders. Many children, teenagers and adults with an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) have a true, underlying medical condition that includes genetic susceptibilities, detoxification imbalance, immune dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, dietary sensitivities, biochemical abnormalities and more as causative factors in their ASD condition. A biomedical autism treatment approach comes from the awareness that ASD for many individuals is NOT just a psychological condition with no hope for improvement or recovery, like some say. It is, instead, a medical...

Autism is a complex developmental disability with many different levels of severity. Technically, there is one diagnosis that is Autism. People do however refer to the Pervasive Developmental Disorders as disorders on the Autism spectrum or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental brain disorders that cause impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Autism is just one of five different types of Autism disorders. Below are definitions and characteristics of the five different autism disorders. Classic Autism: Autism is the second leading childhood...

Dr. Laura Brown is an autism spectrum specialist who works as a private consultant for children and with families of children impacted by autism spectrum. Question: How does Autism Spectrum Therapies & Treatment at the children home work and how can you expect to make progress unless you have a controlled environment? Answer from Dr. Brown: There are many advantages to the quality of life for the families affected by an Autism Spectrum. When the Therapies & Treatment takes place in the home, the whole family learns that yes there is hope. I prefer to have the clientâs family visit my office for the first time so I can get to know their names and see how their child reacts to a new...

The functional neurology and Hemispheric Integration Therapy model for Autism Spectrum Disorders views sensory input as a major factor affecting and influencing those with Autism. I often say that most people are aware of the fact that if you damage the brain you will see changes in the body. We are all familiar with someone that has a stroke and changes in his posture with regard to his arm and his legs when walking. Someone who has had a stroke may also have a drooping of the face. So, we see how the brain can affect the body. Many times people are not aware that the body also affects the brain. That is, we need input and stimulation from the environment in order to drive brain activity. Input...

Having a child with autism is often an emotional struggle. But more than the fact it is indeed emotionally challenging to raise a child with autism, what is even more straining is the reality that parents still have to deal with treatments used to treat or manage autism. According to various surveys and reports, a significant number of parents of autistic children are willing to try anything to treat their child's condition, as long as it is guaranteed not to adversely affect their children (autistic children do have a lot to deal with, after all). So while an ineffective alternative treatment for autism may not adversely affect the child, it will definitely affect the parent-due to disappointment...

Most parents will tell you that having an autistic child is exceedingly difficult and incredibly rewarding all wrapped up in a fairly messy bundle. No matter what information on autism you find, it won't prepare you for the Monday where everything will go really well and there will be no upsets, and the next day -which is no different- you will be climbing the walls. Simply as a matter of keeping your sanity, you will need to find ways to cope so that you can always be there for your child. Here are some ways of coping when you have a child with autism. Local Support Groups It would be invaluable to find a local support group in your area for parents with autistic kids. They will understand exactly...

Dr. Jed E. Baker has provided some very helpful means for teaching children on the autism spectrum. His Social Skills Training Workbook breaks down essential social skills for these children. The first part of this article shows you how to explain to the child how to share a friend. Here's what to say to the child: - Sometimes your friends want to talk or hang out with others. - If you don't get mad, but let your friends do what they want to do, they will feel happy and relaxed when they are with you. - If you get mad at your friends for talking or hanging out with others, they will feel uncomfortable. Instead of wanting to be with you, they will feel like they are being forced into being with you...

The words you use to state your rules supply important directions for how to get somewhere. When someone gives you driving directions, can you get there with: "To get to my house go west and turn right in about 15 minutes"? Too general. Too many possible choices. Vague. A well-stated rule is clear in its directions, describing exactly where you want a behavior to go. Do your Rules Inspire Action? A rule answers the question "What is expected of me?" A well-phrased answer turns your rule into an action that can be clearly seen or heard. As an example, let's explore a very short important rule, posted in every classroom and found in some way everywhere we go in life. Listen to some of the many...

Educating Special Children It's almost as though homeschooling was invented for a special needs children's education. Kids afflicted with ADHD, autism, dyslexia or Asperger's among other learning difficulties can all benefit from being taught at home by their parents. Some public school systems can afford to hire trained therapists for these fields, but the extra attention and time afforded a student at home by a loved one can make a big difference in a child's ability to learn. It's just natural for a parent to be able to teach their own child more effectively. They've been doing it for the student's whole life and know how to best approach new things with them. They will likely be more patient...

Social Skills Autism We all love going out to eat...But when your child is autistic the present family treat can become a family nightmare. There are numerous ways to prepare your autistic child for eating out. • You could start by a simple role play of the eating out experience... • Maybe you could show your autistic child a sample menu...Introduce this at your own family meal time..."Isn't this fun...can you choose your dinner from the menu (add name) • Autism Social Stories are an excellent tool at this time...Introduce your autistic child to the idea of eating out. By using theses simple but effective social skills stories, the social skill stories will explain, what happens in a...

Obtaining assistance for children with autism can certainly be a full time endeavor. Parents are constantly interacting with a variety of professionals of all different specializations and it can be easy to become completely disorganized. Following are some suggestions to help parents remain organized while advocating for children with autism: Obtain a five inch locking three ring binder This will be the master binder that will contain all the child's information. It can really help when all relevant information is in one place. Obviously, the binder can be broken down with colored tab sections in whatever manner is most understandable for the parent, but here are some organizational suggestions...

For children with autism, getting a hair cut can be a difficult experience. For their parents the experience is often painful and full of stress, tears and frustration. When my son was first diagnosed with autism my wife and I struggled taking him to get hair cuts. We would often wait weeks past the time when his hair would look ragged and long, just to avoid the barber. After learning some small tips and developing a plan, we now are able to get his hair cut without issue. This process takes time and patience, but is worth the effort. As a father of a child with autism I have been there and understand how difficult it can be to take a child to get their hair cut. I have been slapped, scratched and...

Children with autism have temper tantrum problems - also called a meltdown, when it happens, they throw themselves on the floor, crying, screaming and kicking as a means of getting across that things are "not right". Normal kids have temper tantrums too, but it's not so difficult to deal with as autistic children. Here's some tips for parents on how to tame "temper tantrum"-like behaviors of children with autism, which also work for normal kids. 1. Transfer the child's attention. When the child shows signs of a tantrum, try to attract his attention to something else that he would be interested in. 2. Ignore the tantrum. For a preschooler, ignore his tantrum but stay where he can see you; for a older...

Clearly, children with autism require special attention. This attention does not only involve physical and emotional attention; the parents of these children should also take extra measures to make sure they have sufficient nutrition and nourishment. How they are nourished, of course, depends on what types of food they take. However, this can be a seriously difficult undertaking. Autistic children have impaired taste, and they tend to eat the same things over and over again, thus already limiting the food items they can take. In addition, their limited body functions do not give them the right tools to properly absorb and digest everything they take in. A proof of this is the prevalence of the leaky...

If you are a parent or grandparent of a child with autism and are desperate for hope right now, then I hope this information helps you. My fifteen year old son with autism improved dramatically when I put him on three different probiotics. Within two weeks of starting these three probiotics, his aggression left totally, he started smiling and he calmed down and became happy. Daniel is now very calm. He goes everywhere with me in public and is fine with me in stores and restaurants. Judging by our experience, following are the 3 simple ways children with autism improve quickly: 1. Supplement the diet with the probiotic Theralac. You can put this in a little bit of baby food pears or however you can...

Occupational Therapy For Autistic Children The subcategory of Rehabilitative Medicine known as Occupational Therapy is extremely relevant in helping to evaluate, and treat, children with autism for several reasons - the first one being its overall approach to treatment, in general: Occupational therapy takes a somewhat different approach in treating patients in that it uses both the educational, and philosophical, when working with an individual. In fact, the mission of this therapy is to help each patient overcome their obstacles by discovering what experiences, interests, and needs motivate each to want to take action to get better. What is discovered is then incorporated into the individual's...

Children who have autism have a behavior problem. It can be frustrating and you can easily lose your temper or not think clearly when you want to discipline him or her. The question is, should you hit your child for the misbehavior that he or she knows that is is not acceptable and understands, though there is autism present? It is easy to lash out at your child by hitting the individual, for their misbehavior. The first thing you as a parent(s), caregiver(s) need to consider,is, let your child know what kind of behavior is unacceptable and if they do not obey the rules, there will be punishment. Tell your child what kind of punishment there will be, if the rules are not followed. This also depends...

Spring seems to come and go and summer is the time when there should be fun for children with autism. What makes summer fun for children with autism? Depending on where you live or the climate of your surroundings for the summer months, there can be many variations of fun for the summer with your child who has the disorder of autism. If you live by many lakes, as I do in Minnesota, the summer fun is endless. Children, with autism can go canoeing,boating swimming, walking, going to the zoo, the library, bicycle riding, swimming and enjoying the many green lush parks that are filled with many picnic tables to enjoy your food with your child. Each child, with autism, is unique and displays many unique...

Children with autism may fight the routine of going to bed and leave you, as parent(s) exhausted, overwhelmed, discouraged and ready to give up! What can be done? When the individual with autism hears the word bedtime, or is aware that it is time for he or she to go to bed, there can be an extreme sense of anxiety and dread. This can be simplified. Remember, your child can be taught and disciplined that he or she must follow the rules, routine and be obedient to you, as a parent when it comes to their bedtime. The first area that might solve this problem, is to remind your child that there will be a set time to go to bed. Simplify that by showing your child a clock or make one and let them see the...