Autism Therapy: balance

definition of balance: not yet defined.

No Factsheets to Display

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.


Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, near Houston, Texas, provides children with autism and other developmental disabilities the chance to use horseback riding as therapy. The director of equine therapy, Carrie Clement, explains that for children who cannot control a lot in their lives, they learn to work with a 1,500 pound horse. The movement of a horse mimics the movement of a human body and while riding, children learn balance and flexibility. They also have a chance to communicate with their horse and learn self-esteem as they work with their equine therapist. The owners, David and Linda Darnall, started Panther Creek as a youth ranch, but turned it over completely to therapeutic horseback riding. The most experienced teachers, of course, are the horses themselves, "The horses are hand-picked for the special job. One of them is 26 years old and incredibly gentle. Another is a rescue horse. He suffered so much abuse in his life, he really seems to enjoy making a positive impact on the children."

Read original article: Horses Used to Help Heal Children


Kim Goldsmith, a special education teacher in Chicago, wanted to incorporate yoga into her classes for students with autism. She received a grant from the Fund for Teachers through the Chicago Foundation for Education that enabled her to travel to India to experience first hand how yoga was incorporated into special needs classrooms. She began her internship at the Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism (ASHA) where she saw students with autism benefit from yoga. Some of the students were non-verbal and some required assistance from aides, however, all the students used yoga to learn balance, flexibility, focus, and independence. Goldsmith spent several weeks travelling through India visiting other schools for special needs students and learning techniques to teach yoga in her Chicago classroom. Now her students begin each school day with ten minutes of meditation and yoga poses. She is beginning to see the same results with her students that she saw in India.

Read original article: From India to Chicago, Children with Autism Benefit from Yoga


Brainasium, in Granite Bay, California, allows children with autism and ADHD to practice gymnastics with their brains. The "gym" at Brainasium resembles a room full of children receiving play therapy, but in fact, the exercises help kids with left-right brain issues, core strength, balance, and organization. Many of the "exercises" help with visual processing issues. For example, the obstacle course teaches children fine and gross motor skills that have been found to help with math, handwriting, speech, and  communication.

Read original article.


Reins from Above, in North Carolina, provides therapeutic horseback riding for children with autism and other people with developmental and physical disabilities. As with many other alternative treatments, insurance doesn't pay costs for children to ride, but there are groups that will help with money or sponsor a child. Stacey Ryder, the founder, utilizes volunteers to help the children with core strength, muscle strength, balance, and social skills. When one young volunteer, Corrie Walters who wants to be a vet someday was asked about volunteering, she said, ""I like just seeing how big of a difference it makes in the students," she said when asked what she loves most about volunteering."

Read original article.



Please comment on this autism topic.

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.

 




I hope I get detention.

Dec 16, 2008 by Anonymous

            The holiday sing went very well!  I have to admit that I didn’t have such high hopes as Thomas is not much of a performer, but he did stand onstage in the appropriate spot.  While he didn’t do all of the hand movements that went along with the songs, he did at least mouth the words (he wasn’t singing so loudly that I could hear just him, of course) and I got the whole thing on video.  Hayley sat in the audience picking her nose the whole time.  I can only assume that she thoroughly enjoyed herself.  They sang one song about sledding, one song about Hanukkah and one song about Santa.  The first grade classes sang two songs about Kwanzaa, so they covered all the bases, while shying away from the whole “baby Jesus” concept.  The only Christmas songs they did were about reindeer or Santa.  I was really disappointed that there were no songs about Boxing Day.  Perhaps I’ll pass around a petition for next year.

            I’ve got so much going on this week that I just know I’m going to forget to do something important.  I’m sending in cupcakes for Thomas’ birthday tomorrow and also the supplies I had to get for the little gingerbread houses they’re going to make on Friday and finally the book for the Book Exchange.  I think that covers Thomas.  I’ve decided to skip Thomas’ Christmas party and go to Hayley’s party at school on Friday instead, since I get to spend one day every week in Thomas’ classroom anyway.  And on Thursday, I wrote down “School sing – 9 a.m.” on the calendar.  I don’t know whose school this is for or who will be singing.  I’d better ask.  I think – think – that it is a school thing for Thomas, but we just went to that Holiday Sing last week!  I’m losing it.  Plus, Thomas’ birthday party is this weekend and I haven’t ordered the cake yet or bought any of the supplies.  Thomas wanted a Little Einsteins party but I haven’t been able to find Little Einsteins party ware anywhere.  It’ll all come together, but right now I feel like I’m completely unprepared.  At least we have all of our Christmas shopping done.  Oh, except for my aunt in California.  I have to do that in the next two days to avoid high shipping charges.  So I guess it’s not all done.

            The kids have been doing marginally well with the whole independence thing.  The problem that we’re running into is that I still don’t leave enough time before school for the kids to put on their mittens, hats, coats, boots and scarves.  This process, if I wasn’t constantly trying to hurry it along, could easily take an hour.  I get so impatient when I see Thomas playing around with his shoes instead of putting them on, or when Hayley screams, “I WANNA DO IT!” and snatches a garment out of my hands, only to take F-O-R-E-V-E-R to put it on the appropriate body part.  She is very particular about her socks, which I have little room to complain about since I am the same way.  The seam across the toes has to be just so.  The heel has to be in the appropriate spot, and hell hath no fury like Hayley when there’s a loose thread on the inside of her sock, tickling her instep.  I get so frustrated and impatient with the two of them that I think I’m going to have an attack of some kind.  Thank goodness that nothing more important than possible tardiness hangs in the balance while they gear up in the morning. 

            The upshot is that some days they do it themselves and other days I am forced to do it for them.  Teaching independence is still my major commitment, however, and the thing that we’re working on regularly.

            Thomas did about an hour’s worth of homework tonight and this is probably the longest I’ve gotten him to do homework in one sitting EVER!  I usually can’t get him to sit down for more than fifteen minutes at a time, but he really did a good job staying focused on his work this evening.  We had a lot to do.  The teacher didn’t give us that much homework in one night to be handed in the next day or anything; this was stuff that should have been done over the weekend but as usual, it was a busy one and we had lots of other stuff to do.  Late homework at this age, like tardiness, is more the parent’s fault than anyone else’s.  I wonder if I’ll have to serve detention.  It would actually be a nice little break for me.


NeuroSensory Centers of America

Jul 8, 2008 by Anonymous

My son has shown tremendous improvement since starting the protocol at the Neurosensory Center of Eastern Pennsylvania. First they do non-invasive, high tech testing on the sensory systems (eyes, ears, and balance) and using the graphs created by the computer 'prescribe' treatment -- anti-virals, anti-fungals, chelation and supplementation. It's covered by many insurances and it doesn't hurt, so I'm all for it!


Aquatic Therapy

Sep 20, 2007 by Anonymous

Aquatic therapy can be a wonderful form of exercise and multisensory experience. Check out My Pool Pal (www.mypoolpal.com) which sells fabulous regular and Coast Guard approved flotation swim suits that allow full range of motion for arms and legs. My Pool Pal is a partner with many organizations that help to promote the benefits of Aquatic therapy such as the Easter Seals of Georgia, Coffee County Schools, National Safe Kids, Island Dolphin Therapy and the Marino Swim Central Program just to name a few. My Pool Pal offers flotation swimwear to children 20 lbs. - 70 lbs. and they also custom design suits for children and adults with special needs. Among the other products they offer are the reusable and disposable Swim-sters Swim Diaper which allow for children and adults to enjoy the water without fear of contamination. For children with special needs aquatic therapy can focus on therapeutic play-based functional movement, improving range of motion, helping to facilitate neurodevelopmental growth, improved body awareness, increased balance, sensory integration, mobility skills and most importantly....having fun!



Please comment on balance or other autism therapy topics.

    Read more about balance

  • Factsheet
  • Research
  • News
  • Comments.
  • Synonyms for balance include:
    Share |