About Glyconutrients Autism

                

 

There is no known cause for autism, but new studies are being performed all of the time in hopes of finding an answer that may either provide a cure, or perhaps to help make life easier for those who are diagnosed. There are many theories, but none have been proven thus far. That does not mean these theories are right, or that they are wrong, but further evaluation needs to be done before anything concrete can be said. However, there are some who believe that glyconutrients might play a part in why some develop autism. They feel that when there is a lack of glyconutrients, autism is sometimes a result.

Glyconutrients are another name for the sugars that you get in your diet. These often help keep the body working effectively, and also help keep the auto immune system working properly. Some feel that children simply don?t get what they need, and some believe this contributes to autism. This conclusion is drawn because autism is believed to be an autoimmune problem. The belief is that the weak immune system, as a result of lack of proper amounts of glyconutrients, leads to a child having problems with autism.

Some research suggests that up to three fourths of the disease in the world are due to free radicals. These are things that are foreign to the body, and the body must get rid of them to remain healthy. These include preservatives in foods, toxins in the air, and all sorts of things introduced into the system through the course of an average day. If the autoimmune system is not working properly, these toxins remain in the body. If the body is not getting enough glyconutrients to help keep the immune system healthy, these toxins build up quickly.

Some believe that these glyconutrients should be supplemented in some children (especially those considered to be picky eaters) to help boost the immune system. This will allow the body to flush out the toxins that enter to help the child remain healthier in all respects. It is not known if something like this might stop a child from developing autism, but some believe that this might be the key to helping them reverse some of the symptoms. There are testimonials you can find from parents who have tried it with good results, and others say that this made no difference.

Please remember that there is no scientific basis for using glyconutrients as a help for autism as of yet. Though these can do many wonderful things, it is something best left to your doctor. If you think this is something that you want to try to help your child, please have a discussion with your doctor about the pros and cons, and about the latest research. This, like many other things, can be dangerous if done improperly. You should always have medical guidance if you want to try to supplement glyconutrients. Autism is something that no family wishes for, but it is a reality for many. Perhaps this will be the answer, but only time, and more research, will tell the tale.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on glyconutrients autism. In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

Is There A Link Between Folic Acid and Autism?

                

 

The number of children that have been diagnosed with autism in the last ten years has risen quite dramatically. There is a lot of ongoing research, but there is no concrete solution for a cure, nor has anyone found the cause of this condition. There are many theories floating around, and though some sound plausible, there is yet to be anything determined in the way of research. One theory suggests that the mercury additive in some vaccinations might be the problem, though that has been largely ruled out. Another strong theory is that there may be some sort of link between folic acid and autism in some children.

This theory is tricky, because folic acid is something that all women should have while they are pregnant, including the period while they are trying to conceive.

It is proven that a lack of folic acid during early pregnancy can cause birth defects like spina bifida and Down?s syndrome. There has a been a lot of noise generated about telling women to take this as a supplement so they can lower the chances of giving birth to a child with birth defects. This approach has worked very effectively, as less children are being born with these serious birth defects, but there are some that think this excessive intake of folic acid might be the root cause of autism for some children.

Folic acid in found naturally in some vegetables and fruits. However, a lot of people just don?t get enough from these sources, either because they don?t eat enough or because there is less folic acid in fresh produce than historically due to intensive farming methods. This has led some companies to start to supplement other foods with this vital nutrient so women could get the proper amount through their diet.

At the same time, doctors are suggesting a folic acid supplement for some women as a way to ensure they get enough. The result might be too much of a good thing, and the theory that this leads to autism is a troubling one. There is a belief that too much folic acid can lead to changes in the fetus on a chromosomal level that in turn may lead to autism.

The message about folic acid preventing birth defects was well received, and those supplemented foods are a direct result. A woman concerned about her pregnancy might eat enough fruits and vegetables, eat the fortified foods, and then take a supplement to boot. That will inevitably lead to too much folic acid within the system. Besides the theory about chromosomal changes, another theory states that too much of this promotes excess brain cell production. When there are too many cells, the connections between the cells essential for function do not form as they should. The theory is that this too could be a cause of autism.

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Women reading this should remember that though this theory about folic acid is spreading, there is no evidence at this point that it is true. It is advisable never to refrain from getting sufficient folic acid or there is the risk of a baby with birth defects.

A better solution would be to talk to a doctor about any concerns you might be have regarding folic acid and autism, and to find a way to be sure enough is ingested without getting too much. Discuss your current diet with your doctor so they can recommend an eating plan and also a supplement if needed.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on folic acid and autism. In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism and Autistic Disorders

                

 

Autism is the most classical condition from the group of autism spectrum diseases, including the Asperger syndrome, the Rett syndrome, the Childhood disintegrative disorder and the pervasive developmental disorder. The most important and frequent characteristics of autism are impaired social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication difficulties, repetitive actions, unusual interests and limited actions.

Male children have a four times more increased risk of developing autism than little girls. According to studies, a number of about 1-3 children in one thousand subjects are susceptible of developing autistic disorders.

The most important signs of autism can show different difficulty grades, from mild forms to severe cases. Autistic children have problems in interacting with other children or persons due to a disease triggered impaired social interaction ability. Verbal and nonverbal communications skills are very limited and they most often try to express themselves by signs and pictures. These children have most commonly repetitive interests and activities and their actions and thoughts are narrow and obsessive.

The impossibility of a regular social interaction with parents, children and family and first noticed by the caretakers around the age of three when the initial autistic obvious symptoms occur. Autistics are unable to make connections, play or talk to other persons around the. Parents start to notice a tendency of their child to exclude others and live alone in his interior world. They do not pay attention to other people and their capacity to maintain focus for a longer time is limited; other persons? interests and actions are uninteresting to them.

Many of the pediatric patients touched by autism have developed normally during the first life years and at 3-4 years have suddenly become to show symptoms of an autistic disorder. Many parents are alarmed by this sudden change in their child?s behavior and cannot explain his sudden annoyance of others.

Most children with this disorder avoid eye contacts with any person and usually do not respond to their name. They have difficulties integrating voice, facial mimics, and expressions and are thus unable to understand what interlocutors feel, think or desire. They also avoid watching other people?s faces to rely on certain clues about their behavior.

In periods of high nervous excitation, autistics succeed in hurting themselves by banging their heads against walls or by bites. Sometimes they show repetitive, senseless and obsessive movements like rocking or spinning. They start to speak later than expected from a child their age and when they do, they use the name instead of personal pronouns like ?me? or ?I?. Their sensitivity to pain is minimal, but they can be very sensitive to normal stimuli like sound, light or touch; they avoid being hugged and cuddled.

For greater resources on Autism or especially about signs of autism please click this link http://www.autism-info-center.com/signs-of-autism.htm

Causes and Diagnosis of Autism

                

 

Autism is the most characteristic condition of the autistic spectrum disorders and is defined by impaired social interaction, obsessive and narrow interests, repetitive actions and difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication. Children with autism are mostly diagnosed at the age of 3 when they show symptoms of an increased sensitivity to sound, light and touch and decreased sensation of pain. They avoid other children, resost cuddling, cannot understand other person?s needs and feelings.

The exact causes of autism are not yet known to scientists but they tend to incriminate for the occurrence of these disorders of both genetically and environmental factors. A series of genes on the chromosomes have been identified to be connected to the causes of autism. Also irregularities in certain brain areas have been matched to these type of disorders. According to some particular studies, an important trigger of autistic disorders is a low level of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain tissues. The genes responsible for the growth and interaction of the brain tissues and neurons could be blamed for an abnormal intrauterine development leading to later manifestations of some fetal life problems.

Another theory of the parental practices responsible for the apparition of autism is still discussed and researched. All theories regarding the cause of autism are still preliminary and yet to be proven.

Autistic disorders can appear in mild to severe forms or be masked by other handicaps. Diagnose is not always easy and certain. The clinical diagnose is established according to a list of the most characteristic signs. The group of symptoms orienting a specialist towards diagnose of autism consists of certain behavioral and physical changes. This group contains an impaired ability to make connections with other children or begin and sustain a conversation, the absence of imaginative social play methods, stereotyped and repetitive actions, limited interests, unusual language skills, obsessions regarding particular few objects and incapacity to accept certain rituals and routine changes.

Doctors use questionnaires or other screening instruments to evaluate the observations made by parents or by both parents and doctors. Certain questions regarding behavior and development are asked and related to obvious observations. A further evaluation when the suspicion of autism persists must be performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of neurologists, psychiatrist, speech analyst and other professionals. A hearing evaluation must be completed in order to eliminate disorders caused by hearing difficulties.

After the completion of the testing, the parents are informed about results and possible therapy methods.

For greater resources on Autism or especially about autism symptoms checklist please click this link http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms-checklist.htm

Understanding The Characteristics And Symptoms Of Autism

                

 

The research collected by professional health organizations indicate that autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 out of every 166 children in America. Those numbers would then further indicate that an amazing 1.5 million American children have autism to a certain degree. It is noteworthy that many of these cases of autism have not been diagnosed. The annual growth rate of autism is greater than 14%, meaning it has become a major developmental disability for today?s children.

The occurance of autism is not limited to children, nor does it seem to afflict any particular person based on race or social structure/class. Autism also does not appear to be a result of any injury or accident that may have involved trauma. One thing that is known, however, is that boys are about 4 times more likely to have autism than girls.

So that you can understand how to work with a patient afflicted with autism, it is necessary to understand some background about what autism is and what signs an afflicted person shows. In a core sense, autism is just one of several things known as a cognitive disability or cognitive disorder.

Such a disorder has a negative impact on the child?s ability to learn and develop normally, particularly from the aspect of social interaction. Typically, autism can be diagnosed as early as age 3 in most children, and impairs how the brain reacts to certain stimuli. In that sense, autism is thought to be a neurological disorder. The most prominent signs of autism are difficulty in both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Difficult with verbal communication is self-explanatory, but in the non-verbal sense, this deals with the difficulty in having social interactions with other people.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ASD is crucial to be diagnosed as early as possible in the child?s life, especially when you consider that there are varying degrees of autism, ranging from very mild to severe. If the presence of autism is diagnosed early, the parents of the child can make arrangements to allow the child to benefit from professionals at school, perhaps even a specialized school, where the teachers have received training in autism and understanding how to teach the autistic child.

There are many thoughts about autism and there are also many myths about it. One of those myths is that children who are autistic are "dumb" or have a low IQ. This is not true at all. In terms of academic intelligence, an autistic child can score at the same level as his classmates. Do you remember the movie titled "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman, where he was autistic? Although Dustin Hoffman did an excellent job in showing the lack of social interaction and many of the other signs of an autism patient, he was also absolutely brilliant with numbers and in the casino.

There are several characteristics that autistic people will display that can be a clue to the potential presence of autism. Unfortunately, there are no conclusive laboratory tests that can definitively state whether or not a person has autism, simply because it really is a neurological disorder. Such characteristics include, as discussed above, difficulty in verbal and non-verbal communication, distinct resistance to change in schedule or routine, an abnormally low threshold for pain, difficulty or discomfort in making eye contact, and a tendency to fixate on a particular object for very long periods of time.

It is critical to get a child suspected of being autistic diagnosed as early as possible so that an effective course of treatment can be started.

Jon is a computer engineer that maintains many web sites based on his knowledge and experience in various areas. For more information about Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, please visit his web site at Autism Explained.

Autism - A Problem That Needs More Scientific Study

                

 

Statistics say that there are more than a half million people in the U.K. affected by autism, and the number of diagnosed cases is rising rapidly. It was seen that boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and twelve times more predisposed to have asperger syndrome. Autism is a lifelong disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to other people. People with autism have problems with social interaction and with imagination. People with autism can say that reality is confusing, and it is difficult to interact with people, places, events, sounds and lights.

The causes for autism are not clear at this time, no one knows if there is an external factor like diet, an infection or exposure to toxins in the home that can lead to autism. There exists the suspicion that there are genetic factors involved.

It is known that the degree of this disability varies. That is why the term autistic spectrum disorder or ASD is often used. For example there are people with classic autism, that may have severe learning disabilities or little speech. Other people, that have Asperger syndrome could be able to live and work independently and may have an average or above average intelligence.

Many parents of children having autism may experience a serious dilemma: there exist a lot of websites on the internet, there are a lot of practitioners from private surgeries, that offer treatments or sustain that they can even cure autism. Of course this may be a lie, and that is why the decision is hard to take. The problem is that there is not enough information about autism, scientific trials have to be done in the future. It is good to know that there exists a large number of support groups, charities and web sites made for people with autism and by the people with autism.

It was seen that the number of persons diagnosed with autism is rising rapidly, but, unfortunately, there is still too little knowledge about this condition. The autism is affecting the way a person communicates and relates to other people, but the factors that cause this are not known. There are only some suspicions, like the possibility that genetic factors to be involved, but we will find the real causes that lead to this condition only after more researches will be done.

For more information about autism please review http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms-checklist.htm or even http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms.htm

Tips On Understanding And Living With A Child Who Has Autism

                

 

Growing up with a friend or a sibling who has autism can be frustrating if you don?t understand what having autism is all about for that friend or sibling.

Children with autism sometimes have a difficult time understanding what we say or what our facial and body expressions mean. You should not just stop trying to communicate with them because of this. Try showing them a picture or an object to help them understand things better. For example, if you are talking about the most recent basketball game at school, show them a basketball or a picture of the entire basketball team to help them understand what you are talking about.

To help you understand some of the behaviors common to kids with autism review the following list:

? Some kids with autism may have trouble talking and may make strange sounds, or they may not talk at all
? Some kids with autism may flap their hands, spin, or laugh a lot
? Some kids with autism will behave or play in unusual ways
? They may be very active or be very quiet and like to spend time alone
? They may have trouble looking directly at you
? Some kids with autism may say the same things over and over

Kids with autism, like all people, can get frustrated and angry. The difference is most often they cannot tell us why they are frustrated or angry. They may use actions instead of words to express their feelings.

A child with autism may make noises or spin around when he or she becomes upset, confused, or bored. When they are excited or happy they may flap their hands, jump up and down, or run in circles.

When surroundings or schedules change and/or things become different, many children with autism get upset. They may start to cry, hold their hands over their ears or run away. The reason children with autism react so differently to things that most of us do not even notice is because they have difficulty understanding or dealing with the world around them.

No one knows why some people have autism. There may be many different causes. Researchers continue to study and try to find out just what the causes of autism are and how best to help people with autism.

Kids with autism may be a member of your class or may be in a classroom that was set up especially for them. Some children with autism go to different schools; however, more and more children with autism today can go to regular schools and participate in after-school activities with classmates, friends and neighbors. This is so much better for the child with autism rather than continuing to separate them from the rest of the world.

Special arrangements may be used in classrooms to help a classmate with autism participate in the class. He or she may even have a special coach sit at their desk or table. He or she may use picture symbols to communicate with classmates and the teacher. There is special computer software that can ?talk? for a child with autism. The absolute best way for you to deal with a classmate, a friend or sibling with autism is to remain ?friendly.?

Autism is not a disease that is contagious. Others cannot catch autism from a classmate, friend or sibling.

Becoming a friend to a child with autism can be a rewarding and learning experience for everyone involved. Review the following ideas to help you be a friend to a child with autism:

? Accept the differences
? Protect your friend from things that bother him or her
? Talk to a child with autism in small sentences and use simple words with lots of gestures
? Use pictures or write down what you want to say to your friend who has autism to help him or her understand you better
? Join your friend who has autism in activities that interest him or her
? Be patient and understand that your friend does not mean to bother you or others
? Invite your friend who has autism to play with you and to join you in group activities
? Sit near your friend who has autism, and help him or her do things if they want you to
? Help other kids learn about autism by telling them about your friend

Source: Autism Society of America

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use the information in this article to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child?s condition.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.about-autism.info for more information about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Understanding Furthered By International Genetic Study

                

 

Autism understanding begins when a person realizes that autism is a disorder that affects people differently. Although autism affects the normal functioning of a person?s perception, attention and thoughts, autism is not characterized by one type of perception, attention and thought. Instead, it covers a broad spectrum of disorders that may be mild or severe. Due to the fact that autism is such a complex disorder, medical research is still in the process of understanding how it develops and why it affects certain individuals.

One particular medical project with the aim to find better autism understanding by identifying the gene that causes autism, is the 5 year Autism Genome Project (AGP). So far, phase I of the AGP has identified a gene and parts of a chromosome to be linked with the occurrence of autism. The findings of this particular autism study was published online in the Nature Genetics February 18, 2007 issue.

The Autism Genome Project is a global research consortium that is funded by Autism Speaks and the National Institute of Health. Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the awareness of autism and raising funds to help research it.

The AGP involves more than 120 scientists from 50 institutions in 19 countries around the world. The researchers who have collaborated on the project combined their autism expertise, and shared all of the data and samples they had to help identify autism-related genes.

As was mentioned, phase I of this project began 5 years ago in 2002, and it allowed the team of medical experts to gain autism understanding by identifying a single specific gene known as neurexil 1, and part of chromosome 11 which could likely be the cause of autism in children. These findings are based on the largest autism genome scan that has ever been done.

Scientists have known for many years that autism is a genetic disorder, but only until the AGP have they been able to use special ?gene chip? technology to search for genetic similarities in autistics. Genetic similarities were found in practically all of the autistic individuals within each of the twelve hundred families that that were made part of the project. The scientists also checked the DNA of each family to look for copy number variations that are believed might be connected to autism and similar disorders.

What the researches discovered in their study was that one particular gene known as neurexin 1 plays a significant role with glutamate; a neurotransmitter that has been formerly linked to autism. Researchers also uncovered an area of chromosome 11 that is suspected to contain a gene that may be involved in the occurrence of autism. However, this particular gene in chromosome 11 has yet to be identified which is required for further autism understanding.

Based on previous research, and the research that has been uncovered by the study so far, scientists speculate that there may be as many as 6 main genes and 30 additional genes linked to autism. However, these numbers are only theories, as scientists point out that the actual number of genes could exceed their theory. Nevertheless, despite the number of genes that may be involved, researchers admit that it is still far too early to dictate how these genes may be responsible for autism.

Currently, phase II of the Autism Genome Project has been announced. The promising discoveries found in phase I makes scientists hopeful that discovering the genes that cause autism will provide new steps toward autism understanding. With greater understanding, more effective methods of diagnosis, preventing and treating the disorder can be taken.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter and discover more about understanding autism.

My Child has Autism! What is My Role in His Education?

                

 

I am the proud mother of two young children that were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder a few years ago. One is now in grade one and the other will register for kindergarten in the spring.

As a teacher, I already had some experience with IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) meetings which helped me a great deal with my son?s first IEP. I was able to also inform my husband which also did a lot of research on the matter so he was already well prepared to face our son?s IEP.

Over the 17 years of teaching experience that I possess, I soon discovered that most parents tend to lack both information and confidence in their role and what type of services they can obtain for their child.

One of the sad things that I also have learned is that depending on the school, the services vary and if you do not ask for them, you will not necessarily have them offered to you either.

Both my children are situated on opposite ends of the spectrum, my daughter being on the higher end making her diagnosis ?light Autism? while my son is non-verbal which puts him on the lower end, diagnosed with ?moderate to severe Autism?.

Having both their special needs, they also need different services. For example, my daughter needed some physiotherapy but my son benefits from the use of the sensory room at school as he is hypersensitive in several areas.

What does the term ?special needs? really mean? Well, it simply means that your child needs special services and material to help him grow and reach his full potential in life. Henry Winkler, the actor known as the Fonz in Happy Days, who gave an amazing presentation as a keynote speaker at the NMSA (National Middle School Association) annual conference held at Minneapolis two years ago, explained his challenges with Dyslexia and the way education and his parents helped him out succeed in life. He also made it clear that his Dyslexia made him a child with special needs. This child has grown up as a successful man and actor cherished by his fans. One of the things that I remember the most is the fact that he thanked both educators and his parents for not giving up on him.

All this made me realize that the role of a parent of a child with ASD is not only to raise him with love and patience but also to provide him with the best services, materials and tools possible to help him live a full and happy life. And one of the multiple roles that a parent has to fill is the role of advocate. It does not matter if your child is verbal or not, if his diagnosis is light, moderate or severe on the spectrum. You have to remember that your child has a disorder that affect his communication skills and makes him unable to fend for himself. But foremost, your child is four going on five years old and sees you as his voice. The person that he can trust will fight for him, his best interests and his rights.

As your child advocate, it is not only your role to fight for your child but also to research the various schools, their services and all the opportunities that are available to your child. Do not enter the meeting room like a bull in a china shop as doors will be closing on you?and your child. Don?t be shy! Ask questions; investigate the various services that can be offered to your child. Meet with various school administrators, school divisions and the people responsible for the special needs programs.

For instance, in several schools where I taught, the following services which are provided in my son?s school were never an option there. Such services are: Music Therapy, occupational therapy activities including: bowling, skating and swimming, sensory room, physiotherapy equipment such as a swinging beam, a modified bike, a weighted vest, a special chair, a pressure vest, the use of PECS (Pictures Exchange Communication System), the participation to Special Olympics activities and more.

Another tip that I can give you is to set up a meeting with the administrator of your school prior to the first day of school. Share with them your child?s habits, needs and explain to them how to deal with their frustrations, hypersensitivities issues, needs, routines and more. Introduce your child to them. At the IEP meeting, ask them for the creation of a social story book to introduce your child to his new surroundings by looking at various pictures in advance: future teacher(s), classroom, gym, teacher aid, music room, sensory room, secretary, administrators, etc. You will see the level of anxiety diminishing in both your child and you.

Let your love for your child guide you. Be your child?s advocate and his voice.

If you wish to have more information on how to participate actively to an IEP meeting and other important matters and tips related to Autism, I encourage you to visit the following site: http://autism-spectrum-disorder.com Believe me, my husband and I would have appreciated to get all this information prior to our children's diagnosis of Autism.

Understanding And Diagnosing Autism

                

 

It has been said that autism is probably one of the most misunderstood ailments today. What makes it

hard to categorize is the fact that there are many different degrees of autism. Some degrees of it are

barely noticeable, which then becomes a big question mark as to whether a particular person is really

afflicted with autism. On the other hand, some cases of it are severe enough to where the afflicted

person cannot function in normal life on their own.

Autism does not indicate a lack of intelligence necessarily. Consider for example the movie "Rain Man"

where Dustin Hoffman did an excellent job as he played the role of the autistic brother, socially inept

with very poor social skills outside of his brother, but proved to be a gambler's dream in the casino or

anything to do with numbers. Studies have shown that a very common element for an autistic person is

intense concentration on a particular topic, almost to the exclusion of all else.

Autism is very similar to Asbergers Syndrome, although it is accepted that Asbergers is the milder form

of autism. Like autism, Asbergers is not a physical ailment but yet it can profoundly affect the manner

in which the person interacts socially and with the environment around them. In both cases, people

afflicted with these ailments tend to not be able to relate to the world around them, or in many cases

to even be aware of things happening around them. They are typically known to take things very

literally and at face value, lacking the social skills to "read between the lines" as we all learn to do

as we mature.

Other symptoms of autism are a lack of imagination, or the lack of having an ability to imagine a

different situation. Ideas and new concepts need to be repeated to people with autism over and over

again before they can begin to grasp the idea or concept, and even then it might not sink in, depending

on the severity level of the affliction.

In terms of social interactions, autistic people do not seem to be able to grasp the difference in

things said based on facial expressions or tone of voice. In the same vein, they are frequently unable

to add more meaning to what is said based on non-verbal cues or gestures, but instead tend to take

things quite literally. One very interesting aspect is that they are frequently unable to or are very

uncomfortable with making direct eye contact with someone who is speaking to them.

Autism is most frequently found in children and it is widely thought that many genetic factors play a

part in this in terms of abnormalities during brain development. There is significant disagreement

amongst scientists as to whether this occurs during pregnancy or shortly after birth. But in any event,

researchers are agreed that the earlier that a child is diagnosed with autism, the better off that child

will be in the steps that can be taken to work with the affliction and minimize its effects on the

growth of that child during the critical developmental years. Most children can be properly diagnosed

by age 2 or perhaps age 3, and your doctor can help you understand how to work with the child to

minimize the detrimental effects as much as possible.

While there is not a wholesale "cure" for autism such as a cast that can be put on a broken arm,

researchers are finding new ways to treat it. Some hopeful results have been seen by the use of certain

steroids that have proven to successfully reduce or remove autistic behavior.

Various studies have shown that certain proteins in the body appear to be more likely to cause a child

to be susceptible to acquiring autism than others. The problem with studies to date is that different

proteins have vastly different effects on different individuals, so it is very difficult to narrow down

exactly what proteins may be suspect. Interestingly enough, there is a significantly higher percentage

of boys with autistic spectrum disorders than girls, where some studies have found that ratio to be

higher than 3 to 1. Equally interesting is the fact that even with this ratio, girls with autistic

spectrum disorder tend to be much more severe. This is thought to be because girls normally have better

verbal skills at an earlier age than boys, whereas boys are better at visual and spatial tasks.

Jon is a computer engineer and long-term world traveler who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about autism at his web site at http://www.autism-explained.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