Autism and herbal supplements

Many children with autism related conditions have Candida yeast or bacteria overgrowth in the gut. The disruption in the gut can directly affect the nerves located nearby. For yeast, the best results tend to come with using one of the enzyme product specifically designed for yeast. Yeast-targeting enzymes contain much higher amounts of fiber-digesting enzymes (like cellulases) to break down the outer cell walls of yeast cells. The product should also contain a high level of proteases to further clear out pathogenic yeast and reduce any die-off reactions. Parents find that combining a yeast-targeting enzyme with an herbal supplement such like that has yeast control properties is more effective than either alone. There appears to be a pronounced synergistic effect. Grapefruit seed extract and oregano are two herbs often combined with enzymes for yeast control. find more about herbal supplements at Herbal Nutrition Network.

Emerging research is finding many children with autism have underlying persistent viral infections. Viruses are notoriously hard to control and there are few options. When viruses are addressed, children show some permanent improvements in language, socialization, behavior, and cognitive ability. Several autism specialists are turning to Valtrex, a prescription anti-viral medication providing good results. Another alternative is ViraStop, a specialty blend of enzymes used between meals at higher, therapeutic doses (12 to 15 capsules per day). Two preliminary investigations with ViraStop resulted in a program that can bring excellent results. Combining this with other supplements having anti-viral properties, such as olive leaf extract, vitamin C, or monolaurin, increases the effectiveness against viruses. The high success of enzymes with autism and gut problems is probably because enzymes work on several areas at the same time. Enzymes actually deal with and heal underlying problems, such as healing a leaky gut, not just help control symptoms. Even though not all my son’s sensory problems disappeared completely, the head-banging finally stopped, he became much more social, his grades improved, and his general anxiety went away.

Autistic Drug Treatment

There are no psychiatric medications for “autism,” but there are many psychiatric medications used for treating specific symptoms often found in autism, such as aggression, self-injury, anxiety, depression, obsessive/compulsive disorders, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  These medications generally function by altering the level of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain.  There is no medical test to determine if a particular medication is called for; the decision is based on the psychiatrist’s evaluation of the patient’s symptoms.  This is a “trial and error” approach, as dosages need to be adjusted differently for each person, and one medication may be ineffective or have negative effects while others are helpful.   This info has nothing to do with what Residential drug rehab does.

For some classes of drugs the doses which are successful for reducing symptoms, such as aggression or anxiety, are much lower for those with autism than for normal people.  For the SSRI drugs, such as Prozac (Fluoxetine), Zoloft (Sertraline), and other and other antidepressants, the best dose may be only one-third of the normal starting dose. Too high a dose may cause agitation or insomnia.  If agitation occurs, the dose must be lowered. The low dose principle also applies to all drugs in the atypical or third generation antipsychotic drug class, such as Risperdal (Risperidone).  The effective dose will vary greatly between individuals.  Start low and use the lowest effective dose.  Other classes of drug, such as anticonvulsants, will usually require the same doses that are effective in normal individuals.

Psychiatric medications; by Drug Treatment Center e.g; are widely used to treat the symptoms of autism, and they can be beneficial to many older children and adults.  However, there are concerns over their use.  There is relatively little research on their use for children with autism.  There are almost no studies on the long-term effects of their use, especially for the newer medications, and there is a concern that their long-term use in children may affect their development.  They treat the symptoms, but not the underlying biomedical causes of autism.  One must balance risk versus benefit. A drug should have an obvious positive effect to make it work the risk.  In order to observe the effect of a drug, do not start a drug at the same time as you start some other Drug Treatment and do not quit until the treatment achieve significant results.

Helping a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

1. Don’t wait to seek treatment.
Early intervention is the most important key to autism treatment success. Seek help as soon as you suspect a problem in your child. Don’t wait for a diagnosis. You don’t need one to start treating your child’s symptoms.

2. Learn about autism.
The more you know about autism spectrum disorders, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions for your child. Educate yourself about the treatment options, ask questions, and participate in all treatment decisions.

3. Become an expert on your child.
Figure out what triggers your kid’s “bad” or disruptive behaviors and what elicits a positive response. What does your autistic child find stressful? Calming? Uncomfortable? Enjoyable? If you understand what affects your child, you’ll be better at troubleshooting problems and preventing situations that cause difficulties.

4. Accept and love your child for who he or she is.
Rather than focusing on how your autistic child is different from other children and what he or she is “missing,” focus on what makes your child happy. Enjoy your kid’s special quirks, celebrate small successes, and stop comparing your child to others—developmentally-challenged or not.

5. Be patient and optimistic.
It’s impossible to predict the course of an autism spectrum disorder. Don’t jump to conclusions about what life is going to be like for your child. Like everyone else, people with autism have an entire lifetime to grow and develop their abilities.

6. Choosing treatments
With so many different autism treatments available, and it can be tough to figure out which approach is right for your child. Making things more complicated, you may hear different or even conflicting recommendations. When deciding on an autism treatment plan for your child, keep in mind that there is no single treatment that will work for everyone. Each person on the autism spectrum is unique, with different strengths and weaknesses.

Your child’s treatment should be tailored according to his or her individual needs. You know your child best, so it’s up to you to make sure those needs are being met. You can do that by taking the following important steps:

  • Put together a trusted autism treatment team. As a parent, you have the ultimate say when it comes to your child’s treatment. However, treatment planning is a lot easier if you have trusted professionals you can turn to for advice. Autistic children often have a range of treatment needs best served by a team of specialists. In addition to a pediatrician, your child may benefit from the expertise of other doctors, therapists, and teachers.
  • Develop a personalized treatment plan for your child. Build on what you know about your child’s unique needs and abilities, and work with your treatment team to build a plan that targets your son’s or daughter’s weakest areas while taking advantage of his or her strengths. Each team member can provide a unique perspective on autism, helping you come up with a comprehensive, well-rounded therapeutic approach.

As you design your child’s autism treatment plan, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. What are my child’s strengths?
  2. What are my child’s weaknesses?
  3. What behaviors are causing the most problems?
  4. What important skills is my child lacking?
  5. How does my child learn best (through seeing, listening, or doing)?
  6. What does my child enjoy and how can those activities be used in treatment?

1When looking into a specific treatment provider or an alternative therapy, it’s also smart to do your research. Learn what evidence there is for the therapy’s effectiveness, how safe it is, who will be working with your child, and how progress will be measured.

Finally, keep in mind that no matter what autism treatment plan is chosen, parental involvement is vital to success. You can help your child get the most out of treatment by working hand-in-hand with the autism treatment team and following through with the therapy at home.

For Mothers of Children With Autism, the Caregiving Life Proves Stressful

This isn’t the most uplifting pre-Thanksgiving entry, but this new study really resonated with me. Holidays can be particularly challenging for children with autism and their moms. To help Paige (my 13-year-old daughter with autism) enjoy her five-day break from school, I’m going to keep her busy and spend as much time as possible outside.

If you know a child with autism, I know his or her mom would appreciate any moral support you can give. I give thanks daily for the many people in my life who help us in so many ways. The following is a news release concerns research originating out of the University of Wisconsin, Madison:

FOR MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, THE CAREGIVING LIFE PROVES STRESSFUL

Common wisdom tells us that to be the mother of a child with autism is to assume a heavier caregiving burden in life.

Now, in companion studies, the daily physiological and psychological toll on mothers of adolescents and adults with autism is documented, revealing patterns of chronic stress, fatigue, work interruptions and a significantly greater investment of time in caregiving than mothers of children without disabilities.

“On a day-to-day basis, the mothers in our study experience more stressful events and have less time for themselves compared to the average American mother,” says Leann Smith, a developmental psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center who was involved with both studies.

The new studies, which currently (November 2009) appear online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, probe the daily experiences of mothers of adolescent and adult children with autism over a period of eight successive days. On four of those days, the researchers measured levels of maternal cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. Cortisol levels were found to be significantly lower than normal, a condition that occurs under chronic stress, yielding profiles similar to those of combat soldiers and others who experience constant psychological stress.

“This is the physiological residue of daily stress,” says Marsha Mailick Seltzer, director of UW-Madison’s Waisman Center, an authority on families of children with developmental disabilities, and the leader of an ongoing longitudinal study of families of individuals with autism. “The mothers of children with high levels of behavior problems have the most pronounced physiological profile of chronic stress, but the long-term effect on their physical health is not yet known.”

Changes in the pattern of cortisol expression in the general population have been shown to be associated with chronic health problems and can influence such things as glucose regulation, immune function and mental activity. Autism is a widespread condition in the United States, affecting an estimated 1 in 100 children. It occurs on a spectrum of severity and is characterized by deficits in communication and social skills, and the presence of rigid, repetitive behaviors. Many with the condition require lifelong care.

For the “daily diary” study, mothers were contacted at the end of each day and asked a series of questions about time use, episodes of fatigue, leisure activities and stressful events. The data were compared with a nationally representative sample of mothers of children without disabilities drawn from a study known as MIDUS (Study of Midlife in the U.S.), directed by Carol D. Ryff, a UW-Madison professor of psychology.

For a mother of a child with autism, daily life includes at least two more hours of childcare than mothers of children without disabilities. These mothers were also more than twice as likely to be fatigued and three times as likely to experience a stressful event each day. Importantly, nearly a quarter of their days included work interruptions versus fewer than 10 percent of days in the comparison group, suggesting a potential economic impact.

The new findings also reveal a thread of resilience. Compared to mothers of children without a developmental disability, mothers of children with autism were just as likely to have daily positive interactions, serve as volunteers and lend support to others within their social networks. Together, argue Seltzer and Smith, the research results demonstrate the need to develop programs and networks of support for families of people with autism throughout life.

“We need to find more ways to be supportive of these families,” says Smith, noting that the added caregiving burden and potential health problems associated with chronic stress can be a devastating combination. More and better programs of respite for parents and flexible policies on the part of employers, she says, are good places to start. In addition, Seltzer notes that interventions that reduce behavior problems can improve the health and quality of life of both the child and the caregiving mother.

Both studies were funded by the National Institute of Aging, with additional support from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. In addition to Smith and Seltzer, co-authors of the daily-diary study include Jan S. Greenberg, Jinkuk Hong and Somer L. Bishop, all of UW-Madison, and David M. Almeida of Pennsylvania State University. Co-authors of the cortisol study include Greenberg, Hong and Almeida, as well as Christopher Coe of UW-Madison and Robert S. Stawski of Pennsylvania State University.

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