Autism Therapy: infant

definition of infant: not yet defined.

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The Early Start Denver Model
Journal of Early Intervention, by Vismara, LA, and Rogers SA, published in 2008, summarized Jan 4, 2010

A twelve-week individualized parent-child education program may be able to help very young children who are at risk for autism.

To date, most studies of children with autism focus on preschoolers who are 3 to 5 years old. This case study describes a nine-month-old infant who was at risk for autism. He was entered into the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). The infant was later diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and then recovered from his delays by the age of 24 months. The ESDM intervention focuses on teaching parents techniques to interact with their infants who are at risk for autism. The authors suggest that the ESDM parent-training intervention may be a good model for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with autism and their families.


Shared Minds: Effects of a Mother’s Imitation of Her Child on the Mother-Child Interaction
Infant Mental Health Journal, by Sanefuji, W., Yamashita H., and Ohgami H., published in 2009, summarized Dec 25, 2009

Mothers who imitate their child with autism may help teach nonverbal social skills and feel more positive about their relationship with their children.

This case report describes a therapy approach where the mother imitated her 21-month-old child with autism. The mother and child were together for sessions with therapists for 60 minutes per month, and the mother was taught how to continue therapy at home. For the first two months, she spent 5 minutes every day playing with her child and responding to him. For the next two months, she imitated her child’s facial expressions and sounds during play. For the last two months, the mother stopped imitating and was responsive during play. The child’s joint attention skills improved more rapidly during the imitation phase than during the other phases of therapy. The mother also enjoyed being with her child more during the imitation phase.


Is Autism a G-alpha Protein Defect Reversible with Natural Vitamin A?
Medical Hypotheses, by Megson, MN, published in 2000, summarized Oct 1, 2009

Vitamin A therapy may be helpful for some people with autism.

The author describes her idea that vitamin A may be helpful for people who are missing a certain gene and have a syndrome known as G-alpha protein defect. This article describes two cases of children (a 10 year old and an infant) whose autism symptoms were improved when they were treated with vitamin A (from cod liver oil). The author believes that both children had G-alpha protein defects. G-alpha protein defect can also cause night blindness, and thyroid and pituitary gland problems.


The Case of Richard: Assessment and Analytic Treatment of a Two-Year-Old Twin with Autistic-Like States
Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, by Kalish-Weiss, BI, published in 2008, summarized Aug 19, 2009

The BRIAAC (Behavior Rating Instrument for Autistic and Other Atypical Children) assessment may be helpful to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of a child with autism.

This case study describes one boy with autism (toddler twin) and his mother from the first therapy request through the therapy sessions. The author performed the BRIACC assessment to test abilities of the boy with his mother in the room. The test results for this boy allowed the therapist to focus on specific skills during therapy. During psychotherapy, the author observed behaviors that showed the boy was developing his sense of self. The boy improved, and the narrative ends when the mother decided to stop therapy sessions.


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New Jersey Community About to Get New Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Center

Sep 1, 2010

Drs. Ken and Sharon Reeve of Caldwell College, have been instrumental in research, service, and infant screening for autism. The center to carry out these services, the Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis, is slated to take the first clients in January 2011. The Reeves implemented New Jersey’s first masters program in ABA in 2004 and have just recently started the state’s only ABA doctorate program. Caldwell College President, Dr. Nancy Blattner said, “The center's trained experts will provide a level of specialized intervention that enables each student with autism to make significant and ongoing improvements in behavior, communication and social skills.”

Read original article: Groundbreaking: ABA Center Construction Underway


Infant Brain Imaging Study May Shed Light on Siblings with Autism

Aug 10, 2009

The Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) is being carried out at a number of universities in an attempt to shed light on a possible genetic component of autism. Joseph Piven, M.D., Autism Specialist with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explains that siblings of children with autism may be at greater risk. So the study uses MRI to map the brains of siblings at 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. The researchers believe they may be able to see changes in the children's brains that might indicate autistic tendencies. If the scientists are able to discover certain brain traits, parents may be able to begin autism treatment, for example early intervention, as young as 6 months. Other universities participating in the study are Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Washington in Seattle and Washington University in St. Louis.

Read original article.


Virginia Schools Offer Free Autism Screening

Feb 12, 2009

Two Virginia school districts - Henry County and Martinsville - offer free autism screening, and provide therapy to children as young as 2 years of age. The Piedmont Regional Infant-Parent Program offers early intervention services that include picture exchange communication system (PECS) and discrete trial training. Therapists have realized that if they can start working with children as young as 2, the chances for learning are increased.

Read original article.


A Special Place for Kids with Special Needs

Oct 1, 2008

As a parent of a child with a disability, Felicia Burgess of Florida had trouble finding after-school, evening, and weekend resources to help care for her child - so she created A Special Place. This is more than a day care center, it is a place where parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities can safely and confidently leave their children for a few hours to work, have respite time, or go on a date. Burgess accepts children from infant through 13 years of age, and has created a schedule for children who are there all day. A Special Place is open from 5:00 a.m. until midnight 7 days a week and is staffed by certified volunteers.  "The need for more day cares like A Special Place is great in the county," said Sylvia Miller of the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County and executive director of Parents Helping Parents of Florida.

Read original article.


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Biomedical Treatments

Oct 25, 2006 by Anonymous

My daughter has improved enormously on a specific protocol of supplements, detoxification, and gf/cf, soy free, glutamate free, low sugar diet. It is not idiopathic as she regressed after 165 mcg of thimerosal. She is now being treated for toxic encephalopathy, gut dysbiosis, an inability to excrete heavy metals, immune dysfunction, and food intolerances.

I see nothing on this site about many autistic children having immune and gut dysfunction, nor any studies about inflammation at all.

Autism: A Novel Form of Mercury Poisoning.
Medical Hypothesis, 2001.
Sallie Bernard, Albert Enyati, Lynn Redwood, RN, Teresa Binstock, PhD.

Comparison of Blood and Brain Mercury Levels in Infant Monkeys Exposed to Methylmercury or Vaccines Containing Thimerosal.
Environmental Health Perspectives, Aug 2005.

Thimerosal Neurotoxicity is Associated with Glutathione Depletion: Protection with Glutathione Precursors.
Neurotoxicology, Jan 2005.
S. Jill James, PhD [University of Arkansas].

Large Brains in Autism: The Challenge of Pervasive Abnormality.
The Neuroscientist, Volume 11, Number 5, 2005.
Martha Herbert, MD, PhD [Harvard University].

Neurotoxic Effects of Postnatal Thimerosal are Mouse Strain Dependent.
Molecular Psychiatry, Sep 2004.
Mady Hornig, MD [Columbia University].

Activation of Methionine Synthase by Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Dopamine: a Target for Neurodevelopmental Toxins and Thimerosal.
Molecular Psychiatry, July 2004.
Richard C. Deth, PhD [Northeastern University].

Neuroglial Activation and Neuroinflammation in the Brain of Patients with Autism.
Annals of Neurology, Feb 2005.
Diana L. Vargas, MD [Johns Hopkins University].

Reduced Levels of Mercury in First Baby Haircuts of Autistic Children
International Journal of Toxicology
Dr. Amy S. Holmes, Mark F. Blaxill, Boyd E. Haley, Ph.D.
March 14, 2003

Dysregulated Innate Immune Responses in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Their Relationship to Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Dietary Intervention.
Neuropsychobiology, 2005.
Harumi Jyonouchi, MD [New Jersey Medical School].

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