There are many different therapies that are regularly proposed as effective in treating autism. Some of these have been proven effective in a research setting and some have not. A therapy does not have to be proven effective in order to be effective. Sometimes many years must pass and many different experiments and studies have to be performed before enough evidence has accumulated to indicate that a given therapy is effective for treating autism. Scientists and doctors are constantly striving to find safe and effective ways to treat autism, however. So, if years have passed since a therapy has been tried and no peer-reviewed research has been published supporting the effectiveness of the therapy, then there is reason to doubt the therapy is effective.
Many physicians and health insurance providers are reluctant to recommend therapies that have not been proven effective by scientific study. This is because they are reluctant to waste time and money on a therapeutic approach that they are not certain will work. Instead, they rely upon effective therapies that have met rigorous standards as demonstrated by well thought out experiments.









Please comment on this autism topic.
Nutrition and Essential Fatty Acids May Help Verbal Apraxia and Autism
Dec 2, 2009 by AnonymousCan nutrition help verbal skills in children with autism? A study reported the August 2009 issue of Alternative Therapies says yes, for some children. Combined vitamin E and omega 3 therapy may help a type of verbal apraxia (a type of speech problem) that may be linked to food allergies and nutritional problems.
Children with verbal apraxia have trouble pronouncing words and may have severe speech problems. Many scientists have thought that verbal apraxia is a brain disorder. This study suggests that verbal apraxia may also be related to metabolism differences and nutritional problems.
Metabolism is the process of making energy from food. Metabolism is a complex system of enzymes, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that work together to digest food and turn it into energy that the body can use. People likely have a wide range of metabolic differences. Some of those differences can be quite large for some individuals. In this study, they suggest that some children with autism may have metabolism differences that affect how they process foods, and how their brain works.
What did the study show? This study tested 187 children with verbal apraxia, and many of them also had autism. All of the children took 400-3,000 International Units of vitamin E daily. They also took 1-3 grams of polyunsaturated fats (including omega 3 fatty acids) per day.
Almost all of the families (97%) reported improvements in speech, imitation, coordination, eye contact, and other skills with vitamin E and omega-3 therapy. There were few side effects reported during the length of the study.
The authors also described blood test results for nutritional information about 26 of the children. They reported low carnitine levels, high anti-gluten antibodies (suggesting a gluten allergy), low vitamin D levels, and fat absorption problems in most of the children they tested. They described how nutrition and metabolism might be different in some children with autism.
What do these results mean for children with verbal apraxia and autism? The results are exciting because 97% of the children showed improvements, and there were few side effects. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But it’s not quite as perfect as it sounds.
There are some major limitations of this study. First of all, the researchers asked parents to give their subjective opinion of improvements. The parents knew they were in a study. Although they were given specific improvements to look for, there is a possibility of bias in favor of reporting a good result.
Secondly, they did not use placebo controls. All of the parents and children knew they were getting the supplements. There is the possibility of the “placebo effect” which is when people taking placebo (“sugar pills”) report feeling better or actually show improvements. Many think it is the power of the mind/body connection that somehow influences how they feel or even how their body physically responds. There is scientific evidence for brain connections to the immune and endocrine systems to support these observations. It is possible that, in this study, the children and/or parents were hopeful that the supplements would work, and that influenced the outcome. There was a placebo effect observed in a recent study of citalopram and autism in children.
Third, the supplements may be helpful for only a subset of children with verbal apraxia. The researchers chose children with verbal apraxia who also had metabolism differences….
What is the bottom line for omega-3 and vitamin E from this study? In spite of the shortcomings of this study, the results are very promising. Children with verbal apraxia may benefit from vitamin E and omega-3 supplements, which may get their metabolism on a better track. And researchers will continue to explore the nutrition/metabolism link with brain function. Good nutrition is likely to be important for many brain functions, not just verbal apraxia.
How can I access the full scientific article summarized in the Scientific Evidence section?
Jul 8, 2009 by AnonymousBecause of copyright laws, we are not allowed to post the full article on our site. We do provide a link (Scientific Abstract) at the bottom of each summary that will, in most cases, take you to the abstract of the original article. Occasionally the article is posted in the public domain free of charge, and you can access the article free of charge through the link we provide. In most cases, the scientific journal charges for access to the article, which you can purchase online from the publisher's abstract page.
Neurofeedback
Dec 28, 2007 by Anonymouswww.neurofeedback.org
What is Neurofeedback? (taken with permission from http://www.thebrainlabs.com/neurofeedback.shtml)
Neurofeedback uses sophisticated computer technology to train the brain. While there are different forms of neurofeedback (as discussed below), the most traditional form is known as EEG Biofeedback. In EEG Biofeedback, a child plays video/computer games with his/her brainwaves. During a typical session, EEG electrodes are placed on the scalp and/or ear lobe(s). These sensors only measure a child's brainwaves; no electrical current enters the brain. The information/brainwaves that are read by these sensors are fed to a computer that converts this information into gamelike (pacman game) displays that include visual and auditory feedback. An example of a typical set up is displayed below in Figure 1.
Figure 1
As a child learns to control and improve upon their brainwave patterns, their game score increases and they progress. The only way to succeed at the games is for a child to improve their brain and how it functions. Further examples are included below, including the game computer that the client sees in Figure 2 and the therapist computer that monitors the clients brain wave patterns in Figure 3.
Figure 2
Figure 3
As this is done over various sessions, a child's brain improves and their symptoms or problems reduce. There is also every reason to believe that if this is done over a long enough period of time that the changes that occur will be enduring. In addition to its' long-lasting effects, the other major advantage is the lack of significant side effects.
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What can Neurofeedback help?
Given that this therapy helps people to control and change their brainwaves, EEG biofeedback can potentially help with any problems that can be influenced by brainwaves. This would include almost anything controlled by the brain including thinking abilities, motoric responses, behavioral, emotional, and social difficulties.
Table 1 shows the types of conditions/diagnoses for which Neurofeedback has been shown to be helpful. The number of research studies verifying its' impact is also presented.
Table 1
A simple review of the data in Table 1 shows that Neurofeedback is considered effective for some Seizure Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In fact, at least three research studies (Fuchs et al., 2003; Monastra et al., 2002; Rossiter & LaVaque, 1995) have now shown that EEG biofeedback is equivalent in its' effectiveness as compared to stimulant medications for the treatment of ADHD symptoms, but without the side effects and with a greater duration of lasting effects.
While Neurofeedback has also been shown to be effective for other conditions observed in children, such as Traumatic Brain Injury, there are clearly conditions in which much more work and research is needed. These would include Learning Disabilities, Stroke and especially Tourette's Syndrome and Autistic Disorders.
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What are the different types of Neurofeedback?
There are three major forms of Neurofeedback. These are:
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What is EEG Biofeedback?
Clearly, the most well known and first form of Neurofeedback is EEG Biofeedback. It was first discovered in the late 1960's and early 1970's that individuals could learn to control their own brain waves when provided feedback about them and that this information could be used to minimize or control seizures. It was later found that EEG Biofeedback could be used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other developmental conditions or problems.
The typical EEG Biofeedback session has been described and shown above. Typically, EEG Biofeedback is done with three electrodes arranged in a monopolar pattern. This means that one electrodes is placed on the scalp at a clinically significant location and the other two are placed at relatively neutral sites (e.g., earlobes). With these electrodes in place various EEG frequencies are rewarded and others inhibited. This occurs via the visual and/or auditory feedback received, often via a computer screen and image. For example, it is common to reward low beta frequencies (often associated with focused, calm thought processes) and inhibit lower frequency ranges (delta, theta), which are often associated with distraction, fatigue, etc. When these conditions are met, for example, the pacman will move rapidly through a maze. Following similar processes, brainwave patterns are shaped over time toward a client's therapeutic improvement.
EEG biofeedback can be performed in a monopolar fashion at any of at least 19 electrode sites. Alternatively, some therapists chose to use bipolar montage or arrangement. In such a pattern, there are now two electrodes placed on the scalp and one on one ear. Now, brainwave patterns are shaped between theses two electrode sites or so it is theorized. Possible electrode placements and sites are expansive given that there are at least 19 locations and two electrode pairing combinations.
Lastly, there is an advanced form of EEG biofeedback referred to as coherence training. Coherence training is done with two separate channels of EEG (3 electrodes times 2 for a total of 6 electrodes). Each electrode grouping is arranged in a monopolar fashion. There are then two electrodes on each earlobe and two electrodes on the scalp. The purpose of coherence training is to facilitate "communication" between two specific brain regions.
EEG biofeedback conducted with either monopolar or bipolar setups seeks to focus on the amplitude or magnitude of various EEG frequencies, encouraging some and discouraging others. Monopolar arrangements seek such changes over one particular location, while bipolar setups seek changes between two sites (theoretically speaking). The training of specific locations and EEG frequencies then becomes of critical importance. EEG frequencies are described in cycles per second and reflect the speed of processing at a particular brain region. The following table is a representation of common frequency ranges, their names and associated features.
Typically, EEG biofeedback seeks to encourage some frequency ranges and discourage others. As a result, the neurofeedback therapist is left to choose the type of training, where on the brain to train and what frequency ranges to reward or inhibit. Discussed below are some issues related to these choices and approaches to neurofeedback.
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What is Stimulation-Driven EEG Biofeedback?
The two most popular forms of enhanced or stimulation-driven neurofeedback are LENS and the Roshi. LENS, or Low Energy Neurofeedback System, uses a very low power electromagnetic field to carry feedback to the person receiving it. This signal seeks to change this persons' brainwaves in subtle ways. The goal is often to alter to dominant brainwave frequency so as to make it more powerful. The result may be increased self-regulation and skills.
The Roshi is also an enhanced form of neurofeedback. In its' many incarnations, Roshi involved light stimulation that emulates a normally fluctuating EEG signal and its' many frequency variations. This tends to "push" the person more towards normalcy than they would be otherwise.
There is some evidence to suggest that these forms of enhanced neurofeedback can be helpful, especially in complex cases.
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What is Hemoencephalography?
Hemoencephalography or HEG refers to brain blood flow, its' measurement, and use as a neurofeedback application. This is a completely unique form of neurofeedback that is separate and different than EEG Biofeedback.
The originator of this technique, Hershel Toomim, developed a technology referred to as Near Infrared HEG or nirHEG. This measurement and biofeedback device is housed in a headband, which contains a light source and two optodes. Infrared lights are flickered alternating between 660 and 850 nm. The absorption of these lights, and a ratio of the same, received at the optodes is a calculation of cerebral oxygenation. This is used in the form of feedback to allow the client to enhance their brain's functions.
Another form of HEG has also been developed by Jeffrey Carmen. This form, entitled Passive Infrared HEG or pirHEG, uses an infrared lense that serves as a brain thermometer and measures temperature and inferred cerebral metabolism. This may also be used as a form of neurofeedback to aide in the enhancement and regulation of brain functions.
HEG is somewhat limited in that it doesn't see through hair. However, it has the advantage of being insensitive to artifacts such as muscle tension or eye blinks which may interfere with EEG biofeedback. As a result, HEG may be particularly useful of neurofeedback of frontal lobe or system dysfunction.
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What types of assessments can help Neurofeedback?
Now that we know there are various form of Neurofeedback that could be applied to many different problems and brain regions, how does one decide what to do and where? Believe it or not, there are some within the field that believe that all people can be treated the same way or with the same protocol. This is not our approach. In our clinical practice, we individually tailor and Neurofeedback protocol to an individual's particular problems or symptoms and, importantly, the identifiable regions of brain dysfunction that related to these symptoms.
The following is a possible list of ways in which Neurofeedback could be tailored for an individual:
Looking for Evidence
Jun 12, 2007 by AnonymousI have a six year old son that was diagnosed at age 20 months with Autism and at 3 years of age with Apraxia. I am trying to find some research that would indicate what the optimal amount of speech therapy for an Apraxic/Autistic child might be. Has anyone found at what point, additional speech therapy provides diminishing returns? I am pushing for 2 hours a day, broken down into a 1 hour initial session that combines PROMPT with RDI, and then 3 additional 20 minute speech sessions. Any thoughts?