What is Autism?
"Autism is one of the most complicated and confusing labels that a child can be given. The reason it is so confusing is that it is a symptomatic label. This means there is no disease, as such, of autism, there are just unexplained symptoms manifested, and if a child displays enough of them they will receive the label. There is also an entire continuum of labels related to autism such as: hyperlexic, PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delay), ASD (autism spectrum disorder), High Functioning Autism, Aspergers. What children with any of these labels usually have in common is sensory dysfunction. One or more of their senses are not functioning normally. It does no good to treat the symptoms when the underlying causes creating the symptoms are ignored. It is my belief that there are as many different reasons and combinations of reasons for the symptoms as their are children labeled. This is why I do not believe there will ever be a magic "cure," many circumstances and combinations are the reason for autistic symptoms. In this article we will look at some of the more common ones."
"Researchers have learned that people with autism have a decreased metabolism in the area in the frontal cortex that connects the brain's emotional centers with higher thinking (the anterior cingulate).1 The frontal cortex is the brain's senior executive like the CEO of a corporation. Brain scans indicate that people with autism use problem-solving circuits in social situations. Unlike non-autistic people, the emotion center in their amygdala is not activated, for example, when they judge expressions in another person's eyes."
"…It wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added to the DSM IV and only in the past few years has AS been recognized by professionals and parents."
What is AS?
"…because it was virtually unknown until a few years ago, many individuals either received an incorrect diagnosis or remained undiagnosed. For example, it is not at all uncommon for a child who was initially diagnosed with ADD or ADHD be re-diagnosed with AS. In addition, some individuals who were originally diagnosed with HFA or PDD-NOS are now being given the AS diagnosis and many individuals have a dual diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism."
What is AS?
Stimulus Overselectivity: Tunnel Vision in Autism
Could the "concentration" referred to in this article be the result of too much beta brainwave frequencies?
Endorphins, Endorphin-Like Opioids, and Autism
The Opioid Theory for Autism
Affected Brain Regions
Autism has been found to be associated with increased brain volume and problems in several regions of the brain. The affected brain regions include the cerebellum, medial temporal lobe, frontal lobe (prefrontal cortex) and corpus callosum.
AUTISM: NEUROBIOLOGY AND APPROACHES TO TREATMENT
Autism, eating foods containing gluten or casein
"[Insensitivity to pain may be due to elevated levels of endorphins, endogenous opiate-like substances, in the body. One possible source of these endorphins may be from eating food items containing gluten or casein. If the person has a ‘leaky gut’ (i.e., small holes in the intestinal tract), these proteins may slip through the holes and cause a chemical reaction. The chemical configuration of gluten and casein is similar to endorphins.]"
Lack of Attention to Physical Problems in Autism
"Researchers also noted the similarities between the behavioral effects of opioids on animals and the symptoms of autism. In urine tests, which they designed, they found that 50% of people with autism have elevated levels of substances with properties similar to those expected from opioid peptides. what is believed to happen is that the gluten from the wheat and the casein from the dairy combine chemically to make this opiate."
From Attention Deficit Disorder to Autism: A Continuum
"By removing sources of gluten and casein from the diet of autistic children, we have had immense success in at least alleviating and at times eliminating the symptoms of autism."
Autism-Diet.com
Autism Theories: The Amygdala
"The amygdala lies in the temporal lobe, and receives highly processed sensory input from other brain structures. It has reciprocal connections with many other areas, including the orbital and medial prefrontal cortex, which are also implicated in autism. The amygdala has been implicated in affective processing and emotion expression, social behavior, and vigilance/anxiety."
Autism: Theories of Autism
Opioid Receptors and the Amygdala
Amygdala: Definition, Research
http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/amygdala.htm
http://www.sci.uidaho.edu/med532/amygdala.htm
Scientists Uncover Much of Enigma Surrounding the Brain's Amygdala
The Amygdala and Reward (PDF)
More Information about Autism
"Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects an individual in the areas of social interaction and communication. Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects each individual differently and to varying degrees of severity. As many as 1.5 million Americans - children and adults - are thought to have autism today."
Brainwave Therapy for Autism
Note: Brainwave therapy for autism may involve playing computer games. For more information about brainwave therapy please see the research topic Brainwaves
EEG Spectrum International, Inc.
Typical Toddler Development
Babies develop at their own pace, but these milestones will give you an idea of the skills your child should begin to show.Two babies
Also see Early Warning Signs
At 9 months
Smiles and laughs while looking at you
Turn to sounds they hear
Reach for toys or other items they want
Make vocalizations to get your attention or help
At 12 months
Baby standing
Respond to their name
Understand simple directions with gestures
Use gestures like giving, pointing, and showing
Use sounds and maybe a few words
Play social games like peek-a-boo
Respond to “no”
Try to imitate sounds and gestures
Show you things that interest them
At 18 months
Girl with phone
Use at least 10 words
Make more than 5 different consonant sounds
Imitate words they hear
Identify body parts when named
Does early pretend play actions like feeding dolls or stuffed animals
At 24 months
Use at least 50 words
Say simple sentences like "daddy go work" and "what’s that?" Toddler
Put many pretend play actions together
Recognize pictures in books and listen to simple stories
Are more excited about the company of other children
Begin to sort by shapes and colors
Follow simple instructions
Imitate behavior of others, especially adults and older children
Boy with bubbles
At 36 months
Express affection openly
Follow a two- or three- part command
Understand most sentences
Use 4- to 5- word sentences
Can take turns in games
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Early Warning Signs of Autism
Identifying autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) at the earliest age possible is of the utmost importance because early treatment can be very beneficial to the child and his/her family.
Abnormalities in how babies acts socially, as well as how they pay attention to and interact with their non-social environment, may be early warning signs. A delay in speech alone generally does not signify autism, but in combination with other warning signs, could suggest that a toddler is at risk.
Below are early warning signs describing what children at risk for an ASD between 12-24 months generally don¹t do, as well as a description of what they might do. Note that it is very common for typically developing toddlers to also show some of the red flags listed below.
Only a professional can determine if your infant/toddler is at true risk for an autism spectrum disorder. If you are concerned and your baby is between 12-36 months and you live in the San Diego area, please contact our ACE Center at 858-534-6912 for an evaluation.
The ACE treatment focuses on:
Building play skills
Enhancing social interaction
Teaching spontaneous speech
Improving self-help skills
Stimulating cognitive development
Intervention Methods
The interventions we use are a combination of three different treatment approaches, all based on a behavioral model:
Discrete trial teaching (DTT)
Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
Functional Routines (FR)
These approaches vary in terms of how the intervention is delivered. For example, DTT appears more structured and treatment may be delivered with the child sitting at a table. Practice with the same skill is often repeated several times in a row to facilitate quick mastery.
In contrast, PRT appears more play-based and is often delivered as the child plays with toys on the floor. During PRT the therapist uses toys and the child’s natural motivation to improve a range of social and academic skills.
Toddlers between 12-24 months at risk for
an Autism Spectrum Disorder MIGHT:
Talk or babble in a voice with an unusual tone
Display unusual sensory sensitivities
Carry around objects for extended periods of time. These items might seem unusual or common.
Display unusual body or hand movements
Play with toys in an unusual manner
Show low enthusiasm to explore new things or appear underactive
Seem overly fussy or be difficult to soothe
Toddlers between 12-24 months at risk for
an Autism Spectrum Disorder MIGHT NOT:
Point at things
Babble or talk back and forth with another person
Try to gain the attention of others
Smile in response to your smile
Make good eye contact
Show objects to others
Point to request
Respond to their name
Look when you try to direct their attention
Enjoy cuddling
Show shared enjoyment
Say their first word by 12-14 months
Use common gestures
Show interest in other children
Use a large range of facial expressions
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