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Summary: Autism is a distinct brain damage disorder that produces a characteristic range of behavioral abnormalities. Discussed below are some of the initiating and causative factors, diagnostic patterns, management issues, and hopes of future therapies. Our experiences in autism management. Links to sites with detailed information on autism included. Last updated January 21, 2007
AUTISM: CAUSES AND PRESENTATION |
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CONTENTS |
Diagnosis of AutismAccording to the Autism Society of America: AUTISM is a severely incapacitating lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It occurs in approximately one out of every 150 births (or near-about: see our new page on this) and is more common in boys than girls. It has been found throughout the world in families of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. No known factors in the psychological environment of a child have been shown to cause autism. The symptoms are caused by physical disorders of the brain. They include:
Autism occurs by itself or in association with other disorders which affect the function of the brain such as viral infections, metabolic disturbances, and epilepsy. It is important to distinguish autism from retardation or mental disorders since diagnostic confusion may result in referral to inappropriate and ineffective treatment techniques. The severe form of the syndrome may include extreme self-injurious, repetitive, highly unusual and aggressive behavior. Special educational programs using behavioral methods have proven to be the most helpful treatment. |
NEWS FLASHIt appears that HOXA1 gene is a predisposing factor behind autism. Other factors may act as the trigger. (See at bottom) Dr. Rashid A Buttar of USA suggests that there is some genetic predisposition to a reduced ability to excrete mercury in some children. When such children are exposed to mercury from their mother (dental fillings, sea food, water pipes, etc.) or from Thiomerosal containing vaccinations and injections, they accumulate dangerous levels of the metal in their body. The drug is incorporated in protein molecules, including in brain, causing symptoms of autism. Hence, blood, urine and hair assay levels may even appear to be normal. When a proper chelating agent is given, the child improves even as his blood mercury level shoots up from the mercury leached out from proteins. This mercury gradually gets excreted in urine, and thereafter the blood mercury levels fall, while the child continues to improve. Dr. Buttar's own child was (that's right, was)
autistic. He has cured his child by using his own patented mercury
leaching agent. The child now leads a normal life. Dr. Buttar can be
contacted at 20721 Torrence Chapel
Rd., Suite 101 |
Autistic children display unusual behavior. A typical autistic child's behavior is likely to include some of the following:
Clinical Features of Autism
| Spinning | Repetitive behavior (perseverance) |
| No speech | Balancing, e.g. standing on a fence |
| Flapping hands | Behavior that is aggressive to others |
| Walking on tiptoes | Lack of interaction with other children |
| Lack of eye contact | Extreme dislike of touching certain textures |
| Self-injurious behavior | Desire to keep objects in a certain physical pattern |
| Lack of interest in toys | Desire to follow set patterns of behavior/Interaction |
| Dislike of being touched | Treating other people as if they were inanimate objects |
| Non-speech vocalizations | Delayed echolalia: repeating something heard at an earlier time |
| Preoccupation with hands | Confusion between the pronouns "I" and "You" |
| Lack of response to people | Echolalia: speech consisting of literally repeating something heard |
| Extreme dislike of certain foods | Either extremely passive behavior or extremely nervous, active behavior |
| Delayed development of speech | When picked up, offering no "help" ("feels like lifting a sack of potatoes") |
| Extreme dislike of certain sounds | "Islets of competence", areas where the child has normal or even advanced competence. Typical examples include drawing skill, musical skill, arithmetic, calendar arithmetic, memory skills, perfect pitch |
There is no theory of the cause of autism which everyone has found convincing. There may be multiple causes. Thus we will review some of the proposed causes. Most researchers are absolutely convinced that the cause is biological rather than psychological. Bernard Rimland in his book Infantile Autism (1965) cited the following evidence for a biological genesis and against the idea that parents cause their children to be autistic:
THIS IS ONLY A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS BEING TRIED OUT TO HELP AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS. The compiler at the original site was John Wobus, Syracuse University Computing Services
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BETHESDA, MD (NIH) - Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have identified a gene that may predispose people to developing autism. The gene, known as HOXA1, plays a crucial role in early brain development. The study was conducted by a research team in NIH's Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism and was published in the December issue of "Teratology". Click here for the detailed report. NEWS ITEM IN INTELLIHEALTH ONLINE OF 28/12/2000: http://www.intelihealth.com/enews?304212 |
There is still controversy over neurological differences in the brains of autistic people and the rest of the population. However, it does appear from evidence obtained through autopsies, MRI and PET scans that there are subtle cellular changes in the autistic brain. The increased incidence of seizures (20-30% develop seizures in adolescence) also points to neurological differences.
A surfer referred the following sites to us as worthy of a visit, regarding Autism. What is your opinion?
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