There are agents that have already been tested and developed, and are now undergoing new usage’s testing in adults that will let us adjust the immune system. Hopefully, they will have the ability to fine tune the body and put the immune system back on track. These drugs are already in existence, but are available only through appropriate research protocols. They could potentially correct all of the processing problems associated with autism (and possibly other childhood learning disorders) where “immune-mediated.”

The trouble is, children are the last in line. Even though trials are now starting for adults, no agency wants to test children. The liability is too much. It is only after you’ve proven things extensively in adults that treatment for a child is even considered. If medicine follows its usual course of action, trials for children would be at least another four or five years away.

That is too long to wait. We must find a way to make this happen sooner. Even if the agents are identified that will “normalize” function or stop abnormalities from occurring in autistic children, these agents must be used before children pass important functional and developmental steps that might not be regained if these agents are administered later in life. Funding for this research is of the utmost importance. We can not lose children to autism, who have the potential to lead a normal life.

Even in older children, it appears parts of the brain can be helped significantly. If cognitive function improves, the “equation” for the future changes. But, educators, therapists must start thinking “rehabilitation” rather than just “training.” Often it is extremely slow and difficult to sort out compounding behavioral issues ( perhaps after so many years of being bright but frustrated and dysfunctional secondary to the non-working parts of the brain).

Michael J. Goldberg M.D., F.A.A.P.
Avalar Medical Group, Inc.
5620 Wilbur Avenue, Suite 318
Tarzana, Claifornia 91356
Telephone (818) 343-1010
Fax (818) 343-6585

Pediatrics & Young Adults
ADHD/ADD-Learning Disabilities,
Immune Dysfunction Autism

Source: autism

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Hidden CDC Data Confirms Vaccine-Autism Link

Press Release Contacts: For Immediate Release CoMeD President [Rev. Lisa K. Sykes (Richmond, VA) 804-364-8426]
June 12, 2008 CoMeD Sci. Advisor [Dr. King (Lake Hiawatha, NJ) 973-263-4843]

WASHINGTON, DC – A newly published study in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences,[1][1] the official journal of the World Federation of Neurology,[2][2] links mercury from the Thimerosal in vaccines with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

This study represents six years worth of effort by independent researchers to gain access to hidden US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data in the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). In 2003, the Government Reform Committee of the US House of Representatives asserted, “(a)ccess by independent researchers to the Vaccine Safety Datalink database is needed for independent replication and validation of CDC studies regarding exposure of infants to mercury-containing vaccines and autism.”

Nonetheless, this new analysis of some of the data in the carefully guarded VSD database, documenting the mercury poisoning of a generation of American children, would never have been possible without the intervention of Congressional leaders, parent autism advocacy groups, and legal experts. Ironically, only a few independent researchers have gained even this limited level of restricted access to the VSD database, despite the fact that the VSD Project is funded by hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

The new study, led by Dr. Heather Young, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, examined the CDC-supplied medical vaccination records from the VSD of 278,624 children, born from 1990 through 1996.

This study calculated the average mercury exposure children incurred from routine childhood Thimerosal-containi ng vaccines, by year of birth, during their first year of life. After calculating average mercury exposure by year of birth, the study then estimated the prevalence rates of various medical diagnoses for children born in each of the years examined.

The prevalence rate of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders correlated with the average mercury exposure children received: increasing/decreasi ng levels of mercury exposure from routine childhood Thimerosal-containi ng vaccines resulted in corresponding trends in prevalence rates of these diagnoses. By contrast, medical outcomes presumed to be unrelated to mercury exposure did not correlate with the average levels of mercury exposure from routine childhood Thimerosal-containi ng vaccines.

Depending upon the specific neurodevelopmental disorder examined (autism, autism spectrum disorder, tics, emotional disturbance, attention deficit disorder-hyperactiv ity disorder, and developmental/ learning disorder), the observed overall risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders was significantly higher (about 2- to 6- fold) following an additional 100 micrograms of mercury exposure. For autism alone, the overall risk was about 2.5-fold higher following an additional 100 micrograms of mercury exposure.

These results demonstrate that the suspicions of those serving on the Government Reform Committee were correct: “…(t)o date, studies conducted or funded by the CDC that purportedly dispute any correlation between autism and vaccine injury have been of poor design, under-powered, and fatally flawed. The CDC’s rush to support and promote such research is reflective of a philosophical conflict in looking fairly at emerging theories and clinical data related to adverse reactions from vaccinations.”

Source: cdc

Autism as classically defined was and is a devastating disorder. It was a severely incapacitating disability that was relatively rare. It occurred in approximately 1-2 infants per 10,000 births.

In this severe form of “Classic Autism” effective speech was absent. It could include symptoms of repetitive, highly unusual, aggressive and self-injurious behavior. Those afflicted had extremely abnormal ways of relating to people, objects, or events. Parents noticed that something was “not right” generally within the first three to six months of life. These children did not coo or smile. They resisted affection and did not interact normally.

In the last decade, another type of autism has surfaced that is often referred to as “Autistic Syndrome.” Children suffering from this disorder generally appear normal in the first 15-18 months of life. They do not present signs or symptoms pediatricians or neurologists would find atypical. These children create an inconsistency with previous held beliefs that 70-80% of autistic children are mentally retarded. They crawl, sit up, walk, and usually hit normal motor milestones on schedule. Up until the age of onset, they are affectionate and appear to have above average intelligence.

Children with this autistic syndrome may begin to develop some speech but then, without warning, cease to progress, or begin to regress. Suddenly, these children become withdrawn. They are quiet sometimes and hyper at other times. Often self-stimulatory behaviors (i.e. arm flapping, rocking, spinning, or head banging) develop. In time, some manifest symptoms that are both similar and atypical to children previously diagnosed as “classically autistic. “

While training as a pediatrician, I was told if I saw one autistic child in a lifetime of practice it would be one too many. What I am seeing today is not the autism I learned about in medical school twenty years ago. What was once a relatively rare disorder is now twenty times more likely to occur. Before, “autism” was 1-2 per 10,000 births. Now, current statistics suggest a frequency of 20 per 10,000 births (rates of 40 per 10,000 or higher have been suggested).

In the past, autism was considered a “psychiatric” disorder. We now know that autism is a medical condition, not a mental disorder. Perhaps one of the reasons no one has come up with an answer for autism is the way we have thought of it (or rather did not think of it in medicine).

Most “MD” researchers did not look for the answers to autism because they felt this was a disorder that was untreatable medically. Treatment for this affliction was primarily left in the hands of psychologists and a few psychiatrists.

“Autistic syndrome,” though still treated mainly by psychologists and psychiatrists, is also no longer considered a psychiatric disorder. It is a biological disorder that requires medical intervention. Physicians are now just beginning to understand the medical origins as well as the actual and potential treatments for autism.

Even though I believe children with classic autism might be helped medically as our knowledge of the brain’s physiology expands, for now it might be helpful to separate children afflicted with autistic syndrome from those with classic autism. As children with autistic syndrome increasingly become categorized as a “medical” problem, separating them from the many negative connotations and hopelessness associated with “classic” autism could be advantageous to promoting research and funding to help these children. The differences between the two groups may be summarized as follows:

Classic Autism
Generally “abnormal” early (i.e. 3 - 6 months of age)
“Classic” Autistic symptoms / presentation
Presumed “static,” / unchangeable

Autistic Syndrome
An increasing population of children with “Autistic/ PDD” behavioral characteristics
Current estimate 20-40 children / 10,000 (incidence may be as high as 1-5% of Does NOT have “objective” physical signs of neurologic damage / injury Majority (?? All) are immune mediated, appropriately looked upon as a medical dysfunction - open to potential medical therapyGenerally “normal” early (usually until 15 - 18 months of age) Atypical symptoms Asperger’s Landau Kleffner’s ADHD / ADD variants

A potentially progressive disorder (if not treated / corrected) May explain the origin of many cases of “Landau-Kleffner” syndrome.
Autism and the Immune System
I have been in clinical practice for the last twenty years. When my wife developed an “unknown” chronic illness in 1982, I began to explore and research neuro-cognitive dysfunction and immune dysfunction / dysregulation in an effort to help my wife. Eventually she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, to what is now CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome).

The first suspicion I had that autism might be immune-related occurred in 1985. I was in the middle of exploring various alternative therapies in hopes of helping my wife and others afflicted with CFIDS. About the same time, some autistic children were referred to me for evaluation. These children had never had any blood work-ups because no one thought of their “problem” as a medical one. Much to my surprise, they had similar profiles on amino acid scr ns as the adults I
was seeing with CFIDS. I couldn’t help but wonder “What did Autism have to do with the immune system?”

Michael J. Goldberg M.D., F.A.A.P.
Avalar Medical Group, Inc.
5620 Wilbur Avenue, Suite 318
Tarzana, Claifornia 91356
Telephone (818) 343-1010
Fax (818) 343-6585

Pediatrics & Young Adults
ADHD/ADD-Learning Disabilities,
Immune Dysfunction Autism

Source: treatments

Most of the children I see have healthy bodies with reactive and volatile immune systems. The first step, is to check functioning of various systems in the body. Unless another “medical” problem is found, the immune system is what is creating the misbalance / dysfunction in the brain.

Unfortunately, new, potentially safe immune modulators (steroids, IVGG, are old immune modulators, neither generally safe or effective with this type of immune disorder) are not yet available. Until these immune modulating drugs are scientifically tested in controlled studies, the way to help these children must focus on an overall approach using efforts / steps and medicines available now. By the time a child is referred to my office, their immune systems have not been functioning well for a very long time. This dysfunctional process did not occur overnight and it takes time to “cool” down / help “normalize” the body and the immune system.

The closer you can bring the body towards normal, the better the chance that the body may shut off this reactive and dysfunctional immune system. It is a difficult and complicated process to make the body heal itself especially after years of dysfunction. But if you remove some of the “offenders” that cause the immune system to fire when it shouldn’t, you’re making it easier for the body to normalize.

Michael J. Goldberg M.D., F.A.A.P.
Avalar Medical Group, Inc.
5620 Wilbur Avenue, Suite 318
Tarzana, Claifornia 91356
Telephone (818) 343-1010
Fax (818) 343-6585

Pediatrics & Young Adults
ADHD/ADD-Learning Disabilities,
Immune Dysfunction Autism

Source: immune

I usually begin by testing the blood to determine allergies that could possibly trigger the immune system to react. Often autistic children come up allergic to a large number of foods, not necessarily because they are actually allergic, but rather because their immune systems are so “revved-up,” they react to everything.

This reaction may or may not occur as a traditional allergic reaction of asthma, a rash or hives. But what does occur is an immune mediated, abnormal “shut down” of blood flow in the brain that affect the language and social skills area of the brain and central nervous system function.

I generally start to improve the immune system by placing the patient on a diet free from dairy products, chocolate, and whole wheat. The reason for this is to help reduce the stress on the immune system. If dairy, chocolate and whole wheat are taken away, 96 - 98% of probable “food” allergies are alleviated. However, I do not believe that you can correct this condition by diet alone. If this were possible, parents (and physicians) by now, would have heard of multiple, “unbelievable” successes over the years. Reputable “institutions” would be conducting clinical trials to investigate the “successes.”

Since nutritional therapies have not resulted in cures, or even published reports of significantly improved cognitive function, it is illogical, in fact potentially detrimental, to put these children on extreme diets. However, sometimes these children put themselves on extreme diets by only eating a limited number of foods. I don’t think there are a lot of normal children who would be healthy on some of the diets these kids put themselves on.

For most of the children, all that is necessary is to eliminate the “main offenders” in their diets that will cause the immune system to react. It is not necessary to eliminate all wheat. Some doctors and homeopaths recommend the elimination of all gluten and wheat. I think these children show improvement because when they are put on a gluten / wheat free diet, they no longer eat whole wheat. Usually, all that is really needed is to eliminate whole wheat and other whole grains (due to allergenic potential) from the diet.

I do not normally focus on casein beyond eliminating the primary milk products. Because even though they may, in theory, play a slight role in the background, if the allergies overall are lowered, it will decrease the immune system firing off.

It does not matter if “allowed” processed products are used, as long as they do not appear to be a “trigger.” But, avoiding the “main” offenders is extremely important. Eliminating too many products from a child’s diet, increases the risk of disturbing a child’s metabolic balance, rather than helping to normalize it. (Note: Many supplements meant to compensate for the diet extremes, may in themselves have allergenic components, acting as negatives triggers to the immune system and the child overall. They may fail to be properly absorbed or contain dangerous impurities. Children may be at far greater risk from diet and “supplements” than any perceived risk from properly used pharmaceuticals.)

The G.I. tract is loaded with lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection and disease).Those lymphocytes communicate with the brain. What has always made sense and is “logical” is if the body is sensitive to milk protein and whole wheat protein, coming into the G.I. tract it could cause the immune system to fire.

As research evolved, it was found that milk and dairy can actually cause a microscopic blood loss in the intestine by a “reactive” inflammation of the bowel. It is interesting to note that most of the world’s populations get violently ill when given cow’s milk. Apparently, it’s not a normal human trait to digest the cow’s milk proteins.

Asian people have much healthier arteries than we do. One of the major assumptions for this is that they eat soy protein instead of dairy protein. Dairy is the number one source of cholesterol. The entire family can be helped indirectly if milk is eliminated from the meals. Parents often worry if their child is getting enough calcium. Soy and rice milk often have calcium and vitamins A and D added. However, if a child (girl or a boy) is eating a normal diet, they will get enough calcium.

In the teenage years, girl’s diets should be supplemented, if you’re not giving them a lot of dairy. But usually, this is not necessary in these first three or four months. As time goes on a calcium supplement may need to be added. Often I will suggest Tums®. Tums® are a very safe source of calcium for a child and they taste good. Inter-related is the fact that many children and adults who are sensitive to milk but still continue to drink milk products, often have iron stores that are low. Their Hgb. / Hct. are chronically on the low side of normal, even if they were not truly “anemic.” This is typically because of a microscopic blood loss occurring through this “inflamed” mucosa. If dairy and milk were eliminated from the diet, and then a biopsy of the intestine was done, the mucosa(the mucous membrane that lines a structure e.g. mouth and lips) would look normal. If milk and dairy were then reintroduced, the mucosa would look raw and inflamed. (Therefore, in approaching the idea of “leaky” gut, helping the body by removing negatives, is more important than “supplements” and nutritional “fixes.”)

As a pediatrician it has been fairly routine for me to see a child do well on formula (even a cow’s milk based one) for 12 months, but when the child is switched to real milk, the child experiences congestion, stuffiness, upset stomach, and a whole realm of symptoms not seen before. Whole protein, unprocessed food is much more allergenic and has a higher incidence of causing the immune system to react.

The truth is, there is not as bad an allergic reaction out of a processed product. When a food is processed, the protein structure is changed. So a child that might go berserk on milk… may not have a reaction to “processed” cheese. When the protein structure is changed, the food will not give as large an allergenic reaction.

Products from the health food stores are not necessarily the best for autistic children because they are less processed and more pure. They have a lot of whole wheat and grains. For these kids, the cheapest white bread (without milk, whole wheat, or whey) is often the best choice.

To illustrate how peculiar the immune system is, when parents seen the results of the food test come back, a routine phone call is, “How come you did not say ‘no eggs’?” You’ll almost always see egg white and egg yolk with very high numbers, and yet I will usually say “ignore it.” The reason being, unless a child has eczema where yolk or egg are triggering off a skin reaction, for some reason the immune pathway fired off by eggs doesn’t seem to play a role in what we are talking about in the brain. I rarely have to worry about taking a child off of eggs, even though you may have this “huge reaction” on the food “screen.” This illustrates how parents need to become aware of what doctors have known and “fought” about for years, there is no “perfect” food test / screen, results must always be interpreted in their clinical context. Too often, parents are being “guided” by interpretation of food and metabolic screens that do not have the capability to do what the parents wish. Many mistakes are potential being made, that may be “metabolically” and physiologically hurting these children.

Although processed food might give a lesser reaction, the importance of avoiding allergens cannot be stressed enough. In the beginning, it is especially important to avoid foods that might trigger the immune system. If the immune system is triggered, the body is affected for a minimum of a week to ten days (or longer). So it’s necessary to be particularly strict at the start of the treatment, when the goal is to cool down the immune system.

If it comes down to choosing a food (cheat) with milk or sugar, choose the sugar. From the sugar the child may get hyper for a few hours, but it wears out of their body relatively quickly. From milk protein or other allergens, the immune system can be affected for up to two - three weeks. However since sugar feeds yeast, it is a good practice to minimize sugars in general.

It is also important to encourage the children to eat more protein. This will help balance out their own amino acids, which in turn will help alleviate some of their problems. All these children need protein. It is also necessary to restrict the starches. Healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners should be served.

Sometimes this process of restoring the immune system to normal can be very deceptive. The child is doing extremely well, and appears almost well or “cured” to a parent, when everything suddenly falls apart.

A child may appear to be well, but unless the body has shut off this process, they still have a reactive, volatile immune system in the background. Even if a child is functioning at a extremely high level, a child should not be regarded as “cured”, unless the immune system has truly returned to normal.

While a few rare children will actually outgrow this process, especially if you have taken steps to help normalize their bodies; realistically, it will probably take the advent and usage of new drugs that are immune modulators, to truly shut-off their dysregulated immune system.

This treatment needs to be thought of on a continuum. The closer the child gets to normal, the better the chance that the body may shut off this process. But unless you’ve gone that last little step, unless this process shuts off, it must be assumed that the immune system is still volatile and potentially reactive.

The only principle I have continued to find logical over the years, is the idea that I’m trying to just help a child “normalize” their body (and brain). Can I help them balance out their body? If I can change the diet, their own body can help balance itself. There continues to be no evidence in these children of any pre-existing, built-in enzyme or metabolic defect. Therefore, by focusing on the overall intake, encouraging more protein, less starch, a child’s body will help balance out and replace needed amino acids ( the building blocks of the body) and other nutrients.

With rare exceptions, I will never say don’t do something if you truly see a child do better and it’s safe, but in most cases I have found that you can get to the right point if you just think of it as cool down the body’s immune system, help “safely” where medically and nutritionally possible, and extremely important, avoid offenders or triggers. If a child is doing better and their allergy test said they were not allergic to apple, but you give them a drink of apple juice and the child is bouncing off the walls, it doesn’t matter what the test said, that child should not have apple juice. And this is the way parents have to work with their own child.

Until new immune modulators are tested and ready for use with patients, I regard each step of treatment as an attempt to help “cool-down” the immune system, and help the body “adjust” itself in a healthier manner. While the principles are becoming very consistent, each child (his/her body and brain) must be “individualized.”

Michael J. Goldberg M.D., F.A.A.P.
Avalar Medical Group, Inc.
5620 Wilbur Avenue, Suite 318
Tarzana, Claifornia 91356
Telephone (818) 343-1010
Fax (818) 343-6585

Pediatrics & Young Adults
ADHD/ADD-Learning Disabilities,
Immune Dysfunction Autism

Source: allergens

While taking the risk of opening a medical controversy, this author certainly believes there is a logical connection between yeast and a dysfunctional immune system. However, this theory is not yet widely accepted by the medical community, but over the last few years has become easier to talk about and “discuss”. Candida is a yeast-like fungus that is present in all our bodies. Presumably, yeast / Candida is in every normal G.I. tract. That is where the confusion begins.

Normally, a healthy immune system keeps the yeast in check. If the immune system is not working properly, the yeast have a chance to overgrow and become a problem. Yeast is one of the likely pathogens contributing to a metabolic imbalance that is a secondary result of a dysfunctional / dysregulated immune system. It is NOT the primary reason or cause for autism.

There is logic in saying that if an immune system is dysregulated, a secondary problem potentially due to Candida needs to be treated. Some doctors hypothesize that autism is caused by a “leaky gut.” With this theory comes the assumptions that withdrawing allergens and treating a yeast overgrowth, will help the GI tract to return toward normal. The problem with this thinking is that if yeast is not the cause of autism or PDD, then treating Candida is not going to end the autistic or PDD state. I believe it is only one of the many steps needed to help normalize the body.

Many children afflicted with autism have had frequent ear infections as young children and have taken excessive amounts of antibiotics. This has exasperated the yeast problem in these children. Other possible contributors to Candida overgrowth are hormonal treatments (i.e. steroids, BCP pills, ?? secondary exposure), immunosuppresant drug therapy, exposure to herpes, chicken pox, or other “chronic” viruses, or exposure to chemicals that might upset the immune system. There is an increased probability, that a “general” environmental factor affecting our immune systems (i.e. ozone layer depletion, “toxic” chemicals, etc.) may be operative, affecting many children and adults.

Because it is impossible and not practical to expect anyone to stay on a totally yeast-free diet, ongoing medication, anti-fungal supplements, and avoidance of dietary negatives are necessary to control Candida. Even with the use of anti-fungal drugs, it is still important to limit sugar when there is a yeast problem, because yeast grows 200 times faster in the presence of sugar.

If a potent anti-fungal such as Diflucan or Nizoral is used, it can be assumed that within 1 - 2 months most all of the yeast will die off. I do not use Nilstat or Nystatin. For most children Nystatin is ineffective. And yeast, like bacteria with antibiotics, have become resistant to Nilstat (and other antifungals).

Usually, I will use Nizoral or Diflucan for about four to six months while trying to alleviate other stresses on the immune system and “maximize” a child’s function. In 7- 12 days some patients experience “die off.” This is the only time, a “negative” reaction to a medication can be a good sign.

When the yeast is being killed one experiences either a “sensitization” reaction to “products” of the yeast being killed, or there is release of “formaldehyde” like products or other potentially toxic derivatives, that can contribute to negative symptoms in a patient, including bouncing off the walls, miserable, and irritated. I know it is ironic, because it actually is a good sign that the child has a yeast problem that can be corrected with medication.

It is important that the parents check in during “die-off” so I can be sure what is occurring is indeed die-off and not a reaction to the medication. Die-off usually lasts about 7-14 days and after that time the change in the child can be rather dramatic. If the die-off does not end in 14 - 17 days, it is generally a reason to change choice of anti-fungal.

If the treatment is successful, usually eye-contact improves. The children seem more tuned in and less “foggy.” Parents report that after the yeast is under control the frequency of inappropriate noises, teeth grinding, biting, hitting, hyperness, and aggressive behavior decrease. The children no longer act almost drunk by being silly and laughing inappropriately.

While on Nizoral or Diflucan, I have the patient take monthly blood tests to monitor liver function before any damage might occur. I tend to be on the cautious side, “officially” testing is recommended every 2 - 3 months.

I change medication at six months, though in theory one could go longer. The reason I stop at six months is because Nizoral has a very mild effect on the adrenocortical axis. It’s part of the internal steroid mechanism. While this may even be part of how “Nizoral” helps the body, it also limits how long one should be on Nizoral. Generally, I will try to switch to Amphotericin B, which has recently been licensed as an oral liquid in this country, can now be legally compounded by certain pharmacies in the U.S.

If the antifungal therapy is stopped completely, and the body’s immune system has not returned to normal, the yeast will return. Ultimately, the key is the body’s own ability to keep in check an organism that it doesn’t want to have there to start with.

Some doctors mistakenly give medication to control the yeast for only a few weeks or even a month. Then the treatment is stopped because the child is doing better. The problem with this kind of therapy is that if a child is helped for a short time and then the treatment is withdrawn, the yeast is going to come back, perhaps even as a stronger, more resistant strain. Whereas if the treatment took that child to normal, and their immune system became normal, it would be possible to withdraw all treatment and the child would remain healthy.

Michael J. Goldberg M.D., F.A.A.P.
Avalar Medical Group, Inc.
5620 Wilbur Avenue, Suite 318
Tarzana, Claifornia 91356
Telephone (818) 343-1010
Fax (818) 343-6585

Pediatrics & Young Adults
ADHD/ADD-Learning Disabilities,
Immune Dysfunction Autism

Source: General

If the blood work suggests that a herpes related virus or “unidentified” retro-virus might be in the body, a therapeutic trial of the antiviral drug Zovirax (acyclovir) is given. The only thing (in theory) treated with Zovirax (acyclovir) is a herpes related virus. If a virus is present and it is gotten under control, it’s one of many major steps necessary to help the body and the immune system.

On a few of the older children I am now starting to use Valtrex, which is an improved version of Zovirax (acyclovir). I never recommend something for a child unless I can say, “It is safe.”

When herpes virus is discussed, we all think of cold sores, vaginal sores, but may not consider chickenpox, CMV (cytomegalovirus), or Epstein Barr. These are also herpes viruses. Being in the herpes family, they have the unique ability to sometimes stay around even after the overt symptoms are long gone. They hang around the body and live in the nerves. Perhaps a “new” Herpes related virus or retro-virus may be playing a role in some of this epiphenomena. However, at this time we do not have the technology to explore and understand how all of this works.

Michael J. Goldberg M.D., F.A.A.P.
Avalar Medical Group, Inc.
5620 Wilbur Avenue, Suite 318
Tarzana, Claifornia 91356
Telephone (818) 343-1010
Fax (818) 343-6585

Pediatrics & Young Adults
ADHD/ADD-Learning Disabilities,
Immune Dysfunction Autism

Source: antiviral

Behavioral therapy for autism is popular as it reportedly has a high chance of success. In this type of therapy, your child quickly learns that only appropriate behavior is rewarded while inappropriate behavior is not encouraged and in fact, they will be ignored. The success rate of behavioral therapies increases if the sessions are started at an early age; that is before your child turns 3 years old.

You would probably find that your autistic child will often challenge your parenting skills by exhibiting extremes in behavior. Extremes of behavior would include such things as temper tantrums, self injurious behavior, aggression and agitation. Essentially, he is dictating to you what he wants and his preferences. If he does not get what he wants, you are made to suffer the consequences. Rather than giving in, you should in fact learn how to teach your child a more appropriate way in which to get what he wants.

This is where a consistent program of behavioral modification comes in. You can learn how to cope with the behavior of your child and also guide him to more socially appropriate behaviors. An autistic child usually has no sense of social awareness. Such a program must consist of 4 components: a structured daily routine; behavioral control; communication; and applied behavioral analysis.

You should design a structured daily routine as your autistic child can have an idea what to expect. It has been found that autistic children do not usually cope well with inconsistency or change. Therefore, sticking to a daily routine is important as much as possible.

The next thing that a parent must learn is how to control tantrums and other such behavioral issues. In doing so there are 3 factors to bear in mind:

1. Deal with those behaviors that are dangerous to the child or those around him first. You would need to stop these behaviors with firm words and actions. Try not to show your child any anger while doing this though.

2. You need to teach your autistic child how to sit down as it may not be easy for him to do so naturally. The best way in which to do this is to reward appropriate sitting behavior while either ignoring or giving a negative consequence for inappropriate sitting behavior.

3. Autistic children tend to have bizarre, stereotypical, repetitive behaviors. The most obvious of these are finger flapping and rocking. These can be very distracting and thus a firm command to stop is suggested for use. Next direct your child to another activity that will not allow him to continue these behaviors.

It is crucial that you talk to your child regularly. In your communication, be both simple and direct. You need to use short, clear sentences without going into explanations or using too many words. Shorten your instructions to manageable tasks. You want to avoid confusing him.

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a form of behavioral therapy that is well recognized for its success rate of 47 percent. ABA involves breaking down tasks into individual components. Then, whenever a child successfully completes each step of the task he should be rewarded. However, it is important to note that ABA is not the only behavioral approach to treating autism nor is it a cure for autism. Still, it is a good option to consider in terms of helping your autistic child.

My friend ’s son has autism.

He never sleeps or at least not for any length of time and she is exhausted.

Over the years sleep deprivation has been a real problem and the only time she gets any rest is when he goes to respite care. Even then she admits to spending the whole of her waking hours thinking and worrying about him.

Quality time is something neither she nor any of the other family members get to enjoy and the strain is beginning to show.

However, she is according to the latest reports, one of the lucky ones. It seems that two thirds of families with members who have special needs get no help at all and that 8 out of 10 of them are at breaking point.

Unless you are in such a situation you cannot appreciate the difference just a few hours of being able to lead a normal “ordinary” life can mean. It ’s often the only thing that keeps families going - the difference between them being able to cope or not.

Unfortunately, however, the money and support pot is only so large and as situations change so do services. Just as they can be given, equally they can be taken away and anyone who receives respite lives in the shadow of regular assessments and reviews.

Part of you wants your child to improve and the other half doesn’t because you know you risk losing what little help you may get.

In an ideal world there would be help for everyone who needs it but there isn’t and unless you can build up your own support network many families struggle.

My friend ’s son can legally leave school this summer. He wants to go on to college with an autistic unit and do a Life Skills course. He can and most probably will do so with support. He’ll also be entitled to transport there and back.

However, once he reaches nineteen everything will change.

My friend has worked incredibly hard to get her son where he is today. If you knew him as a toddler you would never have believed he’d achieve so much. His bad behaviour is under control although he can still say some hurtful things and in school he achieves Level 2 in all his lessons. This is, infact the level one would expect from primary school children but never the less it is a great achievement and proves he can learn when he is taught.

Outside of school he is inept in many areas and couldn’t possibly be left on his own. He needs to be in a supported environment with people who understand his needs and are prepared to make allowances for him. That ’s the problem.

Through the years of determined effort his disability is now termed “higher functioning autism” and my friend has been told as her son no longer has severe behavioural problems or a severe learning disability it is unlikely he will receive any funded support once he leaves college.

What ’s she supposed to do?

Autism is on the increase and all these autistic children will grow up into autistic adults. They’ll all have to leave school eventually so where will they go and what will they do? Apparently only 2% actually get “employed”, some spend a few days at day care centres or in social enterprises but what about the others?

And of course, that ’s just for autism. There are a lot of adults with other disabilities too. You do see some as trolley pushers of shelf stackers in supermarkets but have you ever seen one working as a cashier? I haven’t.

In UK this week it was announced that a company established specifically to employ disabled people around the country is reducing its factories by half. Seemingly the government is cutting funding and thus the workforce has to be reduced. If that is the case then it ’s very short sighted.

If these people can’t go out to work in a suitable environment then they will have to stay at home. Someone, usually a family member, will have to look after them which in turn means that they can’t go out to work either.

Unless rapid changes are made there ’s going to be a lot more people staying at home because in recent years there has been an autism epidemic.

It ’s a major worry and not just financially. Being bored, broke and undervalued is not a happy combination for anyone yet alone someone with a recognised disability.

My friend is worried and so am I.

My son has autism!

Dolphins, the intelligent animal, has been helping people and saving them in the sea in different ways. Now, they are helping people with neurological problems. Dolphins are used in Dolphin Therapy and they are said to be able to help children with autism. The therapy can increase the motor and speech skills of children suffering from this disease.Dolphins are intelligent and they can assist in training of the children affected by neurological problems. Dolphins are used in animal-assisted therapy for children not only with autism but also with Down’s syndrome, psychological problems, developmental issues and depression. In the dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) programs, children take lessons on the land and swim with the dolphins in the natatorium. Such combined effort helps special children learn quickly overcoming their problems.

There is no scientific evidence of this claim. But people have found better results when they use dolphins in the teaching program for such children with special situation. Children love pets and they love dolphins as a pet. Psychologically dolphins can help the children a lot by making them stress free. Dolphins are liked for their friendly appearance and behavior. Many of the parents who has children with autism, like to try out the dolphin therapy because their children love it.

Researcher are performing research on the issue and probably soon they will be able to find out how dolphins can help such children. Till then let the children enjoy the playful interactions. Dolphins can make your child happy and if that is the case you can always take your children to play with a dolphin.

Source: austic children