Children with autism syndrome and dental anesthesia

                

 

A surgical procedure can be a frightening experience for any parent and their child, specially for a child with autism syndrome. If your child needs a surgical procedure with anesthesia, you must know that anesthesia can be broken down into three basic types: general anesthesia, regional anesthesia and sedation anesthesia. There are some suggestions and information for parents that have children with autism syndrome.

First of all you must schedule a preoperative visit with your child's anesthesiologist or call him. You may speak with the anesthesiologist that will take care of your child or ask that child's anesthesiologist could call you before the date of surgery. To reduce stress and anxiety you must discuss about your child's particular needs, fears, communication level and ability to understand what is happening so that your child with autism syndrome and dental anesthesia can be prepared for the event.

If your child with autism syndrome is on medication, the anesthesiologist will have some directions for your child. It is important for a child with autism syndrome and dental anesthesia not to have food before surgery.

Also a story and visual picture you learn of the preoperative visit at the anesthesiologist will help your child with autism syndrome and dental anesthesia.

Once you arrive to the consulting room you must ask lots of questions so that you know what will happen with your child with autism syndrome and dental anesthesia during surgery.

It is important to ask about the sequence of events leading up to the surgery, if your child will go into a holding area or induction room so that you can be present. You must know if your child will have an injection or a mask because some children are afraid of needles. Also, you must ask if you will be there when the child wakes up or when can you visit him after surgery.

If your child with autism syndrome has a favorite blanket, toy or stuffed animal bring them to him because it will help pass the time during the wait.

Children with autism syndrome need sameness and continuity in their environment. A gradual and slow exposure to the dental office is therefore recommended.

More informations about autism symptoms or about autism symptoms checklist can be found by visiting http://www.autism-info-center.com/

Autism - An Enigmatic Event Revisited: From the Refrigerator Mother to The Parent Trap

                

 

Autism is defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder that reveals itself in a pronounced abnormal social interaction, patterns of interests, patterns of behavior, and communication ability. The specific cause of autism is unknown, some researchers suggest that autism results from genetically-influenced vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. It is estimated that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. Families that already have one autistic child, the odds of a second autistic child mau be as high as one in twenty. Autism is 3 to 4 times more common in boys. However, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment.

The word autism was first used in the English language by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in a 1912 issue of the American Journal of Insanity. It comes from the Greek word for "self." Bleuler used it to describe the schizophrenic's seeming difficulty in connecting with other people. However, the classification of autism did not come into play until the middle of the twentieth century, in 1943 Dr. Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore reported eleven child patients with striking behavioral similarities, and introduced the label early infantile autism. He suggested "autism" from the Greek (autos), meaning "self," to describe children lacking interest in other people. Kanner's first paper on autism was published in (now defunct Journal) The Nervious Child. An Austrian scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, made similar observations. however, his name has since been attached to a different and higher-functioning form of autism know as Asperger's syndrome. Dr. Asperger's work was not nationally recognized until after World War II in Germany, and his major work wasn't translated into English for almost fifty years. The majority of Dr. Asperger work wasn't widely read until 1997.

Autism may not be physiologically obvious. A complete physical and neurological assessment will often be part of diagnosing autism. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a connection between autism, abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress. The study suggest that, if researchers can discover more evidence linking decreased blood flow to the brain and oxidative stress with the pathology of autism, improvement in therapy could be found.

During my thirty five years experience as a mental health professional I have had the opportunity to work in several community mental health programs which exposed me to most mental disorders on a daily basis, including autism. This environment afforded me precious opportumity to interact directly with parents and caretakers of children disgnosed with infantile autism. Also, as a therapist, many mothers of autistic children discussed with me their profound feelings of guilt, shame, helplessnes, and frustration being the parent of an autistic child. These mothers said they often feel personally responsible for their child's autism, and unconsciously blame themselves.

Recently I read an article titles: Autism's Parent Trap, New York Times, OP-ED page, June 5, 2000. Ms. McGovern, the author, aim to caution parents concerning the popular, but unrealistic and determination of their abilities to enable an autistic child to lead a normal life is clearly evident: And the setting for the parent trap. To make the connection between unrealistic expectation of recovery from autism and possible devastating outcome, Ms. McGovern reported on three cases in which parents were accused of killing their autistic children, these cases occurred in England and the United States within a short span of one month: In one case the mother committed suicide, as well. In this instance, for three children with autism, the disconnect between parental expectation and limited progress may have been lethal. The occurrence of parent killing their maladjusted child, and often themself, is not as rare as we may think.

The New York Times article triggered my desire to learn why parents, mostly mothers, experienced such intense negative emotions that would cause them to kill their autistic children, and often themselves; as an act of love. Is there a social connection that cause parents, especially mothers, of children born with birth defects or developmental disabilities to experience such extreme shame and guilt?

If you are the mother of a child diagnosed with autism you already know that no matter what you do for or with your child, you still feel guilty. You feel guilty primarily because no one know the causes or have a cures of autism. Therefore, you may feel that anything you did could be your fault, or did you do everything that would help. You know that your child did not acquire autism for the lack of motherly love. However, you are not so certain about that small glass of wine you had when you were pregnant. And what about the vaccines you allowed the doctor your child? Since no one can tell you what causes autism, it is very easy to decide that it was your fault.

Let's face it, society has a rich history of blaming mothers for imperfect children; be it psychological, physiological, or sociological it is always the mother's fault. After all, it wasn't very long ago that mothers were blamed for their sons' homosexuality. And during the 1940's the term refrigerator mother was coined as a label for mothers of autistic children. These mothers were often blamed for their children's atypical behaviors. Mental health professionals suggested that autism was the product of mothers who were cold, distance and rejecting, depriving the child an opportunity to bond property.

Therefore, having a greater understanding of the social foundation which motherhood is erected it requires no great leap to comprehend why women blame themselves and experience profound guilt when they give birth to children with life-long defects. Culture teaches mothers that when something goes wrong with the kids or in the family its usually their fault. Many mothers internalized the social expectations that they must do everything, and do it very well, and when they fail to meet these high expectations; they feel guilty. The emotion of guilt is not innate, or a part of the human gene pool, but guilt can be passed-down from generation to generation. I am not suggesting that women are hard-wired to feel guilt. However, women are socialized very early as nurturers, and to accept responsibility for the happiness of others. While this is an impossible and unreasonable task. Yet, many women experience it as their goal and feel guilty even when they have done their best.

Dr. William Smith is a psychologist and a psychological consultant with more than thirty years experience. Dr. Smith specializes in working with client who requires individualized attention and complete confidentiality. For further information or a free initial assessment of your needs; visit my website; http://insightconsultant.com

Enzymes, Autism and PDDs

                

 

The references for this series of articles is the authors personal knowledge and experience, the book Enzymes for Autism and other Nurological Conditions. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including this header, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

In this article well take a long look at Autism, at what is known and at some things about which we can only surmise. Well start with the question: How do enzyme supplements help in autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs)?

Many of these people may have general digestion problems, leaky gut syndrome, inflammation in the gut, yeast overgrowth, or other conditions that result in insufficiently digested food and poor absorption all of which enzymes may help improve. Some, not all, children with autism exhibit behavioral problems that lessen with the removal of certain foods. There is some evidence that insufficiently broken down proteins may bind to receptors in the gut and brain causing problematic symptoms and behaviors.

Other foods may result in equally problematic, although different, symptoms. Enzymes help break down foods more sufficiently so they will not be in a form that is problematic or causes an immune system reaction. At the same time, they may help heal the fundamental gastrointestinal issues.

Here is where Bio88+ (Plus), can play a vital role in that it is pleasant tasting, easy to take, goes to work instantly upon ingestion, and enhances both digestion and absorption of nutrients in the food we take.

Heres another perplexing problem and possible answer. Peptizyde is considered the breakthrough. What makes Peptizyde so special?

Peptizyde contains a unique blend of proteases and peptidases targeting the identified problematic peptides, which made it the first product to allow some sensitive individuals to eat casein and gluten regularly. A recent research study confirms that the synergistic effect of these particular proteases are particularly effective in breaking casein and other protein bonds. This was the first blend to allow many people to successfully use instead of a casein_free, gluten_free diet. It came out in April 2001. Because of its strong success, other companies will no doubt duplicate or pattern this formulation in other similar products.

So your child is already on a restrictive diet. Does he or she still need enzymes?

There are a number of restrictive diets found to be helpful with various subgroups of autism spectrum and neurological conditions Feingold, yeast, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, casein_free/gluten_free, high protein, and others. Since enzymes facilitate food breakdown, absorption, and utilization they may be very helpful with any of these. Sources of the potentially harmful peptides and how they function are not completely understood, nor are the exact mechanisms of other problematic foods. Sources of peptide production from within the body, such as normal breakdown of red blood cells, yeast, and bacteria (good and bad) may be contributing to the peptide load. This may explain why some do not see much improvement with certain restrictive diets.

So, heres a slow curve with a fast break to it: can I use the enzymes in place of a restrictive diet?

Most people find they can reintroduce most foods by giving the appropriate enzymes for the food type. However, not all people can successfully reintroduce all foods. You may still need to restrict a few items on a case-by-case basis. Particularly problematic foods are nuts, seeds, and foods conveying a true allergy. Enzymes can supplement any type of diet, and people show improvement in most circumstances. Some people find when they use certain enzymes they no longer need to follow a restrictive diet. There are a variety of restrictive diet types giving success to various sub-groups of individuals: Feingold Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Casein-free/ Gluten-free (and often soy-free) Diet, Keto Diet (high protein), Yeast Control Diets, and Rotation Diets.

Since enzymes facilitate food breakdown, absorption, and utilization they may be very helpful with any of these. The exact mechanisms of many problematic foods are not completely understood. Sources of peptide production from within the body, such as normal breakdown of red blood cells, yeast, and bacteria (good and bad) may be contributing to any peptide load. Or carbohydrate and sugar sources may be unknown. Or there is gut injury not accounted for. This may explain why some people do not see much improvement with certain restrictive diets, but do with enzymes. Adding enzymes to facilitate the digestion of what you do eat may make a diet more effective, such as adding proteases to a high protein diet.

Enzymes work very well to supplement a diet and thus make the diet more effective than it would be otherwise. Many diets are based on certain foods not being well_digested to begin with so enzymes are a natural solution. Enzymes work very well on actual food and natural food chemicals. The breakdown of artificially produced chemicals or added chemicals is somewhat limited at this time. These non_food ingredients usually do not provide nutrition anyway, may aggravate a sensitive system, and may hamper health in the long run. Enzymes are not able to convert non_nutritious compounds into healthful nutrients. Providing nutritious raw materials is necesary. Enzymes may enhance the absorption and ultization of any supplements or medications taken as well, making them more effective.

Iin the case of Bio88+ (Plus), all the above is true. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Our next article, Part XII, deal with the casein-free, gluten-free diet.

Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author (nor the book referenced and its authors) bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. His latest business endeavor is at
http://www.organicgreens.us or
http://www.organicgreens.ca - still under construction