Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Nigerian Federal Government Asked for Funding for Autism

scottie — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:04:26 +0000

Teaser:

Autism Associates Nigeria and the Centre for Autism and Developmental Disabilities are asking the Federal Government of Nigeria for funding.

Body:

Autism Associates Nigeria and the Centre for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) are asking the Federal Government of Nigeria for funding. The two groups are asking that money be funded for early diagnosis and therapy of autism. They would also like to see epidemiology research on autism because they have found it is more prevalent than childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes and pediatric HIV/AIDS combined. Mr.Okey-Martins Nwokolo, National Coordinator of the groups, spoke at the International Autism Policy and Practices Conference and explained, “It is so bad today that no university in Nigeria is offering speech therapy to help these people. No single school for people with autism in Nigeria and many of these people end up sitting down at home because there is no school or any form of early intervention for them.”

Read original article: FG Tasked on Autism Research

Probiotics: Delineation of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Benefits

scottie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:10:37 +0000

Title	Probiotics: Delineation of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Benefits
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Kaur IP, Kuhad A, Garg A, Chopra K
Journal Title	Journal of Medicinal Food
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	12
Issue	2
Pages	219-235
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19459724?ordinalpos=13&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Probiotics may be helpful for digestive problems that can occur in some children with autism. Probiotic therapy involves taking supplements or foods that contain "good bacteria" that live and thrive in a healthy gut. The two most common good bacteria are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. This review article describes how some people do not have enough good bacteria in their guts and may be helped by probiotic therapy. People with autism who also have gut problems (gas, bloating, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease) may find probiotic therapy very helpful. Probiotics may also be helpful for a broad range of health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and allergies.

Metabolic Effects of Atypical Antipsychotics

scottie — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:21:11 +0000

Title	Metabolic Effects of Atypical Antipsychotics
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Tahir R
Journal Title	US Pharm
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	32
Issue	11
Pages	HS3-HS14
URL for Abstract	http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_2155.htm
Full Text	Patients on atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone should be tested for weight gain, diabetes, and problems with cholesterol. Atypical antipsychotics are sometimes used to treat behavior issues in children with autism. This class of drugs (atypical antipsychotics) started being used in the 1990s. Doctors still do not know for certain how atypical antipsychotics work. This review article describes the effects of a type of drug therapy (atypical antipsychotics) on energy (metabolism) in the body. Many atypical antipsychotics bring with them the risk of weight gain and metabolic problems.

Stimulus Fading and Differential Reinforcement for the Treatment of Needle Phobia in a Youth with Autism

scottie — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:37:29 +0000

Title	Stimulus Fading and Differential Reinforcement for the Treatment of Needle Phobia in a Youth with Autism
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Shabani DB, Fisher WW
Journal Title	J Appl Behav Anal
Year of Publication	2006
Volume	39
Issue	4
Pages	449-452
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17236343?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Behavioral therapy was used successfully to teach a boy who was intensely afraid of needles to remain calm while his blood was drawn from his arm. An 18-year-old boy with autism, mental retardation, no vocal speech, and Type 2 diabetes had been so afraid of needles that he had not allowed anyone to draw blood for over 2 years. He was said to have a phobia, or intense fear, of needles. Gradually, the medical staff taught him to position his arm on the table. Then they approached him with a needle, moving gradually closer with the needle over several attempts. When he did not pull his arm away, he was given a reward of cookies. After 31 attempts, he allowed the blood draw from his arm. He continued to allow blood draws for most attempts after the first success. The authors concluded that methods to treat phobias can be successful with people with severe disabilities including severe autism.

Atypical Antipsychotics in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

scottie — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:16:09 +0000

Title	Atypical Antipsychotics in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Chavez B, Chavez-Brown M, Sopko MA, Rey JA
Journal Title	Pediatric Drugs
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	9
Issue	4
Pages	249-266
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17705564&ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Several drugs can be used to help with symptoms of autism: risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, or clozapine. This review article describes the use of drug therapy (atypical antipsychotics) to treat autism. Drug therapy can be used to control symptoms of aggression, irritability, and hyperactivity. Of all the drugs used to treat autism, risperidone is the one that has been tested the most in research studies. Risperidone and other drugs like it can help symptoms of autism, but they can also cause weight gain. These types of drugs may also increase the risk for diabetes.

Asperger’s Disorder and Co-Morbid Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges

scottie — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:34:26 +0000

Title	Asperger’s Disorder and Co-Morbid Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Gutkovich ZA, Carlson GA, Carlson HE, Coffey B, Wieland N
Journal Title	Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmaology
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	17
Issue	2
Pages	247-255
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17489721&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Children who have Asperger's disorder combined with other problems may need a mixture of drug therapies. Many people with autism also have bipolar disorder (a type of depression). Treatment with risperidone and lithium can help address mood problems and anger in children with autism. The down side is that risperidone plus lithium can cause severe weight gain. Weight gain happens even if parents are very careful about diet and exercise. The drug metformin (used to treat diabetes) may be able to help with the weight gain. The authors describe a boy with Asperger's Disorder and bipolar disorder who was given all three of these drugs and who had better self-esteem, less anxious parents, and a better family life.

Direct Health Care Costs for Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: 1996-2002

scottie — Wed, 30 May 2007 18:31:33 +0000

Title	Direct Health Care Costs for Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: 1996-2002
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Flanders SC, Engelhart L, Pandina GJ, McCracken JT
Journal Title	Adm Policy Ment Health & Ment Health Serv Res
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	34
Issue	3
Pages	213-220
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17082979&query_hl=4&itool=pubmed_docsum
Full Text	Children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) cost the health care system more than children with diabetes or asthma. Children with PDD also used more in- and out-patient services than children with diabetes or asthma. Psychiatric costs were higher for children with PDD and non-psychiatric costs were higher for children with diabetes or asthma. Children who received the label of PDD also used the largest amount of health care services just before diagnosis. In fact, out-patient costs before diagnosis were almost half of the total health care costs of a child with PDD. The authors note that this was a study of doctor costs only and did not include school costs.

Effect of Pioglitazone Treatment on Behavioral Symptoms in Autistic Children

scottie — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:59:41 +0000

Title	Effect of Pioglitazone Treatment on Behavioral Symptoms in Autistic Children
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Boris M, Kaiser CC, Goldblatt A, Elice MW, Edelson SM, Adams JB, Feinstein DL
Journal Title	Journal of Neuroinflammation
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	4
Pages	3
URL for Abstract	http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/4/1/3
Full Text	Many studies suggest that autism may have something to do with the immune system. Some research points to a problem with one type of cell in the immune system (Th2 cells). Pioglitazone is used as a treatment for diabetes in adults and children and has been shown to affect Th2 cells of the immune system. This article describes the use of pioglitazone therapy for 25 children with autism. The drug did not cause any major bad effects and did seem to help with social behavior in the children.

Risperidone-Induced Prolactin Elevation in a Prospective Study of Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Mental Retardation and Pervasive Developmental Disorders

scottie — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:08:06 +0000

Title	Risperidone-Induced Prolactin Elevation in a Prospective Study of Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Mental Retardation and Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Hellings JA, Zarcone JR, Valdovinos MG, Reese RM, Gaughan E, Schroeder SR
Journal Title	Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
Year of Publication	2005
Volume	15
Issue	6
Pages	885-892
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16379508&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Full Text	Risperidone therapy may have a bad effect on puberty and bone health. Prolactin is a hormone that affects puberty, bone health, blood sugar control, and ability to breastfeed. This paper looked at blood prolactin levels in a small group of a large prospective crossover study of people with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) who were given risperidone as a treatment for behavioral problems. The study looked at children, adolescents, and adults who had been on risperidone for 6 months. Children, adolescents, and adults on risperidone all had very high levels of prolactin. The authors note that the study only had 10 children and is therefore small.

And the hits just keep on comin'

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 13:12:34 +0000

My trip to Denver is now behind me and I can happily report that everything went well while I was away. The only casualty was one lost shoe, which I found roughly five minutes after returning home. It was behind the treadmill, which leads me to an amusing story about my husband and how after nine years of marriage, I still don't know him as well as I thought I did.

When Jonathan was diagnosed with diabetes last July, he saw his doctor who recommended a diet and exercise regimen. Jonathan faithfully stuck to the diet and has lost over seventy pounds as a result, which is great. For my part, I decided that we should move the treadmill back into the house (which is as difficult as jogging three miles on the machine) so that he could do the exercise part. Unfortunately the treadmill has been used as a clothes hanger since then. Until Saturday, Jonathan decided, while I was away and couldn't be there to keep the kids out of his way, that he would use the treadmill. I cannot fathom what drove him to it. I simply don't understand what came over him. "Okay, well, that's great," is what I said to him, while on the inside I thought "????!!." He complained that Thomas was putting his cars on the belt and watching them scoot off the end of the machine while Jonathan was trying to use it. I'm not sure what he expected Thomas to do when tempted with a little car converyor belt, but there it is. Somehow, Thomas' left shoe got wedged behind the treadmill after Jonathan used it and it delayed their arrival at the airport to pick me up on Sunday night. As I said, I found it promptly after returning home and all was right with the world.

Until Monday morning, when Hayley was peeling up linoleum tiles in the kitchen with very little effort, exposing the concrete slab underneath. "Okay! That's it!" I declared and put in a call to our favorite flooring installer. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, our carpeting has been a germ virus and bacteria farm ever since we brought Sophie (our Springer Spaniel) home five years ago. Neighborhood high school biology students wanted samples of it to put on slides in class. It got uglier as the years (and kids) wore on so replacing the flooring in the kitchen and living area has always been something we wanted to do. The trouble with the tiles in the kitchen finally lit a fire and I made inquiries.

Today, two nice young men spent nine hours in our home getting rid of the old and installing the new. Initially I would say that Thomas likes it, because when he walks now, the echo off the wood liminate and vaulted ceilings really gives his voice that extra "oomph" he's been looking for. Jonathan and I really enjoyed the squealing contests between Thomas and Hayley this afternoon. Also their little bare feet make a lot more noise slappign on the floor now.

We will see how Thomas does with it. I read a book of memories not long ago in which the autistic son would not put up with any environmental changes of any kind. His mother bought a new comforter for her bed and drew him pictures and really prepared her son for the change. The comforter had been on the bed for about two hours before the young boy removed it from his mother's bed and attempted to deposit it in a neighbor's recycling bin. Luckily, there is no way that Thomas could remove the flooring. Instead, he will probably make known his dislike of the situation in much more subtle ways. Unfortunately, I have no idea how he did in school today because his teacher sent home another little boy's artwork and daily report in Thomas' backpack. (A very understandable lapse . . . I could never handle her job on my best days.) The filthy old carpet was being cut up and removed as I walked Thomas out to the bus, so the change had already begun by the time he left. Also, he did go to bed better tonight than he did last night, but still not great. We're still dealing with these bedtime problems, but as long as we keep making changes, we'll have to expect difficult behavior to some degree. I really hope that we can get everything ironed out by the time we leave for our cruise.

Another fun thing . . . my doctor believes I am having anxiety problems. I see him on Saturday.

And the hits just keep on comin'.