Autism Therapy: balance

definition of balance: not yet defined.

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Expert Opinion, by Kavirajan, H., published in 2009, summarized Dec 21, 2009

Memantine may be helpful for people with moderate-to-severe autism disorders.

The glutamate pathway may be out of balance in brains of people with autism. Memantine is a medication that reduces certain brain activities by blocking glutamate receptors in the brain. Two clinical trials of memantine in people with autism had different results. One trial reported that memantine was helpful for improving language and social interactions in people with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Another trial reported improvements in memory, irritability, and other behaviors for people with PDD. However, language was not affected in the second trial. Neither of these studies included a placebo control. Better studies are needed to find out if memantine may be helpful for people with autism.


Expert Opinions in Pharmacotherapy, by Theoharides, TC, Kempuraj D., and Redwood L., published in 2009, summarized Dec 4, 2009

Scientists are learning that the immune system may contribute to autism symptoms, and may be a good target for autism therapies.

The immune system is the system in the body that fights infections. Scientific evidence is building that tells us that the immune system might contribute to some autism symptoms. Studies show that people with autism have signs of inflammation (turned-up immune system), including inflammation in the brain. Some people with autism had antibodies (immune-active proteins) against brain proteins. If the immune system is important, new drug therapies to help balance the immune system might be helpful.


Epilepsy Behavior, by Mantis, JG, Fritz CL, Marsh J., Heinrichs SC, and Seyfried TN, published in 2009, summarized Aug 17, 2009

Reduced calorie diets may improve behaviors in mice with symptoms like Rett syndrome.

These authors did a research study with mice that have a genetic condition that is like Rett syndrome in humans. The authors compared three diets fed to adult mice: 1) a low calorie ketogenic (high fat, low carbohydrate) diet; 2) a low calorie normal diet (normal amounts of fat and carbohydrates); and 3) a normal diet. Mice fed a low calorie diet (either ketogenic or normal) showed better behavior. The mice were more curious, explored more, and had better balance and motor skills. They also showed less anxiety than the normal diet mice. Other studies reported that a low calorie ketogenic diet led to improved behaviors in mice and in some girls with Rett syndrome. Those studies did not test a low calorie normal diet. Therefore, the authors of this article think that low calories may be more important for improved behaviors than the ketogenic diet. The authors said parents should be careful about starting a reduced calorie diet for girls with Rett syndrome. Girls with Rett syndrome tend to be smaller than normal girls and may have special dietary needs. They suggest that parents check with their child's doctor before trying any diet changes.


Perceptual and Motor Skills, by Fazlioglu, Y., and Baran G., published in 2008, summarized Aug 11, 2008

Sensory integration therapy may play an important role in autism therapy programs.

Sensory problems include problems with touch and balance. Some studies have shown that sensory integration therapy may result in fewer temper tantrums and increased activity. Sensory integration therapy may also help improve motor and play skills. This study was designed to create a sensory integration therapy program for children with autism. The authors found that sensory problems of the children with autism improved after sensory integration therapy.


Since the times of ancient Egyptians and Hippocrates (over 2,400 years ago), there has been much to recommend aquatic therapy (or swim therapy). This form of physical therapy takes place in water and is a low impact activity. Recent research with children with autism has shown “substantial increases in attention, muscle strength and balance, as well as the ability to tolerate touch and to initiate and maintain eye contact.” Another study followed kids with autism who used swim therapy for over 10 years and found they had increased movement, family interaction, and were better able to handle sensory issues. Lisa Koo, OTR/L at Bergen Pediatric Therapy Center explains water therapy is unique because of buoyancy, water pressure, reduced force on joints, and increased body awareness.

Read original article: Aquatic Therapy


Diana Connor, an occupational therapist, started Sensational Movement for kids with autism in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She found that even though children might not be verbal and may have other developmental delays, they may very well have lots of energy to expend. While Connor explains that her gym is not a substitute for therapy, one dad says about his son, “He can get good exercise and he comes out actually feeling calmer, less stress.” Equipment at Sensational Movement includes balance beams, trampolines, and sensory-based equipment.

Read original article: Plano Gym Development Aims to Help Children with Autism


Suit Therapy is a treatment designed to help people with autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy. Innovative Suit Therapy and Fitness in Louisiana is one of the few certified centers. The treatment consists of putting on a “suit” constructed of resistance bands that help align the body. Then the patient practices exercises using cords and pulleys that concentrate on core muscles. Strengthening these muscles can help with walking and balance.

Read original article: Unique 'Suit Therapy' Helps Neurological Patients


Prancing Hearts, which began as equine therapy to help children who had been abused, has joined with Therapies to Grow On to help kids with autism and other developmental delays. Denise Hansen has seen the trust that develops between her horses and children. “I want them to be able to learn to confide in someone. Hopefully, the horse can break down those barriers and help them heal,” Hansen explains. Dana Ehring, a speech therapist who owns Therapies to Grow On, has partnered with Hansen to help kids with autism learn balance, trust, responsibility, and sensory integration while on horseback. They have plans for an equine therapy summer camp that would be free, with donations going to feed the horses.

Read original article: Helping Children Trust



Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to interactive metronome

Feb 9, 2011 by Anonymous

As a certified Interactive Metronome Provider, I have experienced many positive results working with clients with Autism, ADD, ADHD, TBI, Asperger's Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue and seniors with balance/gait difficulty. There IS significant research on Interactive Metronome if one looks at the proper resources.  Increased focus/attention, better coordination, improved motor planning, improved self-confidence, better eye contact, less impulsiveness, less anxiety, better grades in school are only a few of the gains that clients I have worked with have gained as a result of IM


I have worked with close to 80 clients and have only had one client ( a 50 year old male ) with ADD who felt that IM did not help them in some way.


Responding to neurofeedback

Feb 1, 2011 by Anonymous

I used neurofeedback for my daughter for about a year, when she was 14. She was gong though a lot of changes at the time, very anxious. She also has other disabilities a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4, celebral palsy and has had a stroke she walks with a limp after intensive therapy for many years. We used Conductive Education, a Hungarian technique for children with motor disorders.

The results of NFB were-she was more verbal after NFB and surprisingly her balance, gait and ability to move around improved noticeably. She also had noticeable changes in cognitive behaviour and ability to communicate.

Unfortunately she decided she no longer wanted to stay hooked up to the electrodes and TV and we had to abandon the treatment. We are using acupuncture at present, along with Neurolink, massage and homeopathy. She is now aged 20 years.


Responding to rebound therapy

Jul 24, 2010 by Anonymous

The phrase "Rebound Therapy" was coined by the founder, Eddy Anderson MCSP, Cert Ed, in 1969 to describe the use of the moving surface (bed) of a trampoline in order to provide therapeutic exercise and recreation for people with a wide range of special needs.


Rebound Therapy is used to facilitate movement, to promote balance, to increase or decrease muscle tone, and to aid relaxation and sensory integration. It is also used to improve fitness and exercise tolerance and to improve communication skills


It is popular in special needs schools and is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream schools with a special needs unit; partly because the trampoline is a piece of apparatus that virtually all people, regardless of their abilities, can access, benefit from and enjoy. 


The UK body for Rebound Therapy is “Rebound Therapy dot org” who state that in addition to the benefits listed above, it is an ideal vehicle for cross curricular teaching activity; with the potential for teaching such things as numeracy, colour recognition, positioning (left, right, backwards, forwards, clockwise and anticlockwise), communication, social awareness and consideration of others.


They further state that the unique properties of the trampoline offer ample opportunities for everybody to enhance movement patterns.


The work is intrinsically motivating and enjoyable and returns high value in therapeutic terms for the time and the effort involved.


The fact that the activity is so enjoyable can enable it to be used as a motivational aid to learn. Many teachers also report increased concentration and willingness to learn in the classroom following a Rebound session. 


“Rebound Therapy dot org” are responsible for the development and provision of certificated staff training courses for schools and centres throughout the UK.


The courses have received approved status from the Professional Development Board for Physical Education which is supported by afPE.


More information about Rebound Therapy and staff training courses can be found on their website: www.ReboundTherapy.org


Their email address is: info@ReboundTherapy.org and telephone no is 01342 870543


Free Sound Therapy Home Programme

Jan 21, 2010 by Anonymous

Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a French otolaryngologist, is recognised as the modern day originator of sound or music therapy. In the early 1950's he developed an effective therapy method using altered music to treat conditions such as auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and autism. Another French doctor, Dr. Guy Bérard, developed a similar method, Auditory Integration Training (AIT), which has found many followers in the USA. From personal experience I know that many clients report improvements in understanding, speech, balance, behaviour and emotional well-being after just two or three weeks of daily sound therapy.

 Sensory Activation Solutions (SAS) is an organisation with Centres in the U.K. and Turkey that provides a unique service for children and adults that face learning or developmental difficulties. When the established educational, psychological or medical services fail to provide adequate support, the SAS methodology often can provide practical solutions that result in noticeable improvements in daily life.

 You may be interested to check out their Free Sound Therapy Home Programme. Their Auditory Activation Method builds on the pioneering work of Dr. Tomatis and Dr. Bérard and has been specifically developed with the aim to improve sensory processing, interhemispheric integration and cognitive functioning. It has helped many children and adults with a wide range of difficulties, ranging from dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder to sensory processing disorders and autism. It is not a cure or medical intervention, but a structured training programme that can help alleviate some of the debilitating effects that these conditions can have on speech and physical ability, daily behaviour, emotional well-being and educational or work performance.

 There is no catch, it's absolutely free and most importantly often effective. Check it out at: http://www.sascentre.com/uk/uk_free.html.

 





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