Flotation tanks may be a useful tool for calming the nervous system and helping with sensory integration in adults with Asperger syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This case study describes an adult with Asperger syndrome and ADHD who was treated with flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (flotation-REST). The 36-year old woman from Sweden also had depression. She was given 19 sessions over a year and at the end felt that she was better able to live life on her own. With time she learned to control how alert she was (arousal control). She also learned to control how active she was (activity regulation). Her senses relaxed and she became better at sensory integration.
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Responding to homeopathy
Feb 23, 2010 by AnonymousI am James K. Feldman, Attorney at Law, located 1115 Tall Grass Circle, Stow, Ohio 44224, telephone (330) 920-1507, personal email: JimFriend@aol.com I was born May 30,1938 with Asperger's and Tourette's syndormes, and was treated for these disorders with sparse success with phenothiazine and benzodiasapine drugs, megavitamin therapy and psychological counselling until December, 1996. At that point in time I was prescribed homeopathic treatment by the Family Holistic Health Center, 556 West Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223, telephone (330) 923-3060. Their modality of therapy is best described at the website: www.drugfreeasperger.com Before starting treatment I was unable to practice law. I had needed to drop out of the Akron Universityh Law School 9 times in 14 years before graduating in 1975, and had barely passed the bar exam by the skin of my teeth. Since I have been treated with homeopathy, I have been able to practice successfully in this profession and I have participated in many activities in behalf of folks with autism spectrum disorder and do extensive writing on the subject. My higly detailed case history and all material I have written is available free upon request. Among the homeopathic remedies which I was administered in succession were Anacardium, Stramonium, Lyssin, Sulphur and Calcium carbonate. These can be checked out on the internet by entering the name of each one of them after the word "homeopathy".
Citalopram: No Effect in Autism
Dec 3, 2009 by AnonymousDoes citalopram help children with autism? A Citalopram (Cilexa®) study made a big splash in the autism community this month. Citalopram is an antidepressant that has been prescribed off-label for children with autism. Doctors thought it might reduce repetitive behaviors (rocking, hand flapping, etc.) in children with autism. A new study suggests that it probably won’t make a difference.
Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which is a class of drugs that are FDA-approved for depression. SSRIs are said to be widely prescribed off-label for children with autism, but hard numbers are not known because of the off-label use. They are prescribed off-label for other conditions, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children.
King et al (2009) reported results of a large randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of citalopram with 149 children (5-17 years old). The children had autism, Asperger syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). All of the children had moderate to severe compulsive or repetitive behaviors. They received citalopram therapy (10-20 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks.
Citalopram therapy did not reduce repetitive behaviors or improve any other behaviors that they measured more than placebo. The authors tested more than 11 behaviors and skills using 3 different standard clinical tests.
Why is this important? For one thing, citalopram may be commonly prescribed for children with autism, though it is tough to know just how often. Pair that tidbit with the solid design study. The design is quite solid for this kind of study. They had 149 children in the study, placebo controls, double-blinded design, 12 weeks of drug therapy, and 3 standardized tests for 11 different behaviors. And they found no effect.
The second reason it is important is that this study also showed a noticeable “placebo effect.” The placebo effect is when people who take placebo in the study report having a response (either better or worse). In this study, 34% of children taking placebo showed improvement in the behavioral test scores. The patients and the researchers didn’t know which they were receiving (hence the term “double-blind”). So about 1/3 of the patients showed improvements, whether they took the placebo or the drug.
Autism and The Internet Resources Available
Sep 4, 2009 by AnonymousPeople turn to the Internet when looking for information on autism. This is true for parents and caregivers searching for usable information concerning autism. A search on Google produces 158 hits for "autism eBooks." Amazon.com lists more than 50 books in hard back and paperback. For a disorder that is receiving more attention these days, there is a lack of real information parents can use. Given the lack of reliable resources, what follows is an inadequate amount of the current eBooks available. The selection process was admittedly subjective but done logically and rationally. Those eBooks of a "feel good" nature have been excluded, as well as books profiling the trials and tribulations of being the parent of a child with autism. The autism eBooks providing nuts-and-bolts advice and tips made the list. "Autism: Everything Parents and Caregivers Should Know About the Disorder" provides a in-depth look at current research into the search for the causes of autism, signs of autism, age of onset, for encouraging communication and social skills, and treatment options. The information provided is clear and devoid of the "Sugar Coated" approach to autism. "Living with Autism and Asperger Syndrome" is just one of the titles listed that ranks near the top on most search engines. In an easy-to-read format, our book presents useful everyday tips on what autism symptoms to look for, consulting with the child's teachers on schoolroom behavior, how to mitigate behavior problems, and so much more. Most striking, is the advice on identifying older children who may have escaped earlier detection and are now exhibiting the hallmarks of autism. "Reaching and Teaching the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder" presents some of the more recent research on learning theory with regard to autism and related disorders. The author emphasizes the point that not all people with autism are the same; and, different strategies should to be used in teaching the individual.
For more information go to: "Autism: Everything Parents and Caregivers Should Know About the Disorder"
Movement Therapy
Aug 10, 2009 by AnonymousAutism Movement Therapy, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on serving the autism community by supporting autism research Dr Martha Herbert PhD, TRANSCEND RESEARCH PROGRAM - Mass General Hospital for Children) & environmental organizations The Natural Resources Defense Council & the Environmental Defense Action Fund helping to "clean/green" our planet.
Because Autism is ALL our Responsibility!
AMT is an autism intervention incorporating movement and music in collaboration with Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in meeting and achieving their speech and language, social and academic IEP goals.
Here is an article that appeared in Autism Aspergers Digest about AMT.
You can order the aut-erobics DVD!
Joanne Lara, MA is the founder.