Free Busch Gardens Passes
I got a note from Erica Dupont LCSW who runs a support group here in Tampa that let me know about a program for children under 5 to get free Busch gardens passes. Here is the link but if you can not find it, I simply went to the Busch Gardens web site in Tampa and clicked on the sesame street symbol, from this point it should be easy to figure out what to do. I hope you all can enjoy, summer is around the corner. http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt/safarioffun/Pass.aspx
Help for Allergies and Feingold Diet
One of our patients came in yesterday and was kind enough to show me this site. I thought this was a great site for those with allergies and thought I wanted to share it with you. This site is beneficial because you can put in what your allergies or sensitivities are and the site will give you sample recipes that you can use. Obviously, the recipes do not include anything that your child is allergic to. We will put this site on the resource page for you to refer to in the future. Also recall the switcheroo site which allows you to take a recipe, that perhaps you already have and find a substitute for an ingredient that your child may not be able to have. Here is the link to the allergy recipe site. http://www.cookingallergyfree.com/
Brain Waves Problem in Autism
A video from a news station in New Jersey, where the Autism statistics are among the worst in the U.S., supporting the concept of autism spectrum disorders being a problem with brain connectivity. The video is regarding a study done relating to auditory processing and brain waves. The video is short and sweet with enough information for you to look up the actual study if you so desire. As you all now we support the functional disconnection syndrome as part of the model to explain autism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOIjoiTVbdM&feature=related
Gluten Sensitivity
I have an adult non autism patient who has found tremendous health benefits from going gluten free. So much so that he has become an advocate for going gluten free and increasing awareness regarding celiac’s disease. He has become educated and recommends the following information to all. The web site he gave me has much information about gluten sensitivity not just relating to autism spectrum disorders but to many different medical conditions. Here is a chance to educate yourself if you so desire. http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/ This site is a true gem, check it out.
New Autism Documentary Preview
Brian Dery an award winning producer is making a new documentary on Autism Spectrum Disorders that will not only increase awareness but create hope and inspire those involved with the autism community. The movie will debut in June but Brian has released a preview to the film for which we have provided the link below. The film will feature various treatments included Hemispheric Integration Therapy and so will also increase awareness for us as it it our office and our patient which is featured in the film. This film will help spread the word regarding the success that qualified practitioners of Functional Neurology and Hemispheric Integration Therapy are having with children and adults on the Autism spectrum. Check out the clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQIVp9×1xLI
A Valentine’s Day Gluten-Free Casein Free Chocolate Torte
We recently had a child who tested positive for Leaky gut syndrome. His mother then endeavored to take on our leaky gut protocol. Part of the leaky gut protocol includes an elimination type diet. Part of this diet includes the elimination of gluten and casein, at least on a temporary basis. Mom was having trouble figuring out what she could feed her child and where to get types of food she needed. One of the other moms in our support group was kind enough to help her navigate this maze for the first time. Gluten-free casein free diets are often a hardship on the family and not just the child is on the diet. With Valentine’s Day coming up I found this recipe for a gluten-free chocolate torte that I thought all family members could enjoy.
http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2008/06/recipe_detail.html?id=7207
Autism Cruise
I just received this info regarding an upcoming autism cruise and wanted to get it out to everyone as soon as possible so that the appropriate plans could be made for those that are interested in participating in this activity could take advantage of it. The cruise also allows service dogs as well as has instructional workshops regarding service dogs so that you could kill two birds with one stone if these are subjects of interest to you. All ports allow service dogs. Here is the info, Please pass it along to anyone that you feel might also have an interest.
Alumni Cruises and Autism on the Seas is offering a group cruise in
August 2010. This will be a service dog friendly cruise and
accommodations will be made. All the ports we are visiting (Key West,
Cozumel and CocoCay Bahamas) allow service dogs. On the cruise there
will be various instructional workshops on service dogs. This is a
great time to vacation with other service dog users. Alumni Cruises
will also be offering their normal services and accommodations for
those of all abilities. Please check it out and if you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me Heather@AutismOnTheGo.com
A Vaccine Note From A Support Group Member
I am writing because I feel that something may have been overlooked with the connection between autism, and vaccines.
Everybody says that there is no connection between the shots and autism, I beleive that is partially true. What I beleive is that the shot given by itself is not a problem. The shot given along with other shots is what causes the problem.
I am 54 with a grandson diagnosed with autism. When my children were young doctors gave one shot at a time. There weren’t as many shots given, like today. I have heard too many stories including my grandsons where 3 to 4 shouts were give at one office visit. The children were held down by nurses and given a total of 4 shots 2 at a time. This is what I beleive is the cause for the increase in autism. The body cannot handle that amount at once.
I have been listening to young people and their stories,and now want to talk to some doctors who deal with autism and see if multiple shots given at one time could be the answere. I will be doing some research and may even write to newspapers to see if people will write to me. I need and want to find a way to stop or decrease autism especially if one of the solutions would be easy. Stop the multiple shots at once.
Can you ask patients and people in your support group if they remember if their children received multiple shots when they went to their doctors prior to seeing change in their children. Please help me help them. Feel free to call me if there is anything I can do.
Respectfully
Arlene Ridder
727-597-0521
Autism and SPECT Scan Video
It is the newer imaging techniques such as functional MRIs and SPECT scanning that is really giving us great clues and insights into how the brain works. This of course will lead us further understand how the brain works in autism or what in essence is the dysfunction taking place. Here is a nice video series regarding a doctor whose son has autism. She scans her own brain as well as her sons and makes comparisons. This is a three part series, however, I thought the third would be the nicest one to expose you to in order to see if you had further interest. Naturally you are welcome to go back and check out parts one and two. The doctors accent is a bit difficult to understand but I still think this is a nice introduction and educational tool for everyone regarding SPECT scans. Hopefully you will find it interesting and not too technical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEoVwFLErIE
Hemispheric Integration Therapy: Six Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Doctor
Hemispheric Integration Therapy is becoming increasingly popular due to its success with treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism spectrum disorders include A.D.D.,A.D.H.D., Sensory Integration Disorder, Processing Disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, O.C.D., Tourette’s Syndrome and Autism. Business dictionary.com defines integration as the process of attaining close and seamless coordination between several groups, departments, organizations or systems. Hemispheres relates to the right and left halves of the cerebral cortex, the highest part of the brain that makes us most human and is different from other animals. Thus, Hemispheric Integration Therapy aims to coordinate different areas and systems within the brain both in the cortical hemispheres and between them in order to get the most efficient function possible.
Integrating the cerebral hemispheres in order to optimize communication between the right and left sides of the brain to improve neurological function is part of Functional Neurology. Functional Neurology deals with not just evaluating the nervous system for disease states such as tumors, infections, strokes, etc. but evaluating the function of the nervous system as a continuum that starts with optimal function and ends in a disease state. Thus, the Functional Neurological examination will not only evaluate if a task can be performed but how well that task can be performed. The quality of that performance will give the Functional Neurologist clues as to how close that system or pathway is to optimal functionality. As an example, a Functional Neurologist will evaluate not only if the eyes can move in different planes, as a yes or no, but the quality of those movements. Are the movements synchronized and smooth? Is there any breakdown in these movements? This will give clues as to how well the systems involved in the different eye movements are working.
Based on the findings of the examination, the Functional Neurology practitioner will look to localize a functional lesion. In a functional lesion, “the wires are there but they are not transmitting signals properly or efficiently.” Another example may relate to a nerve center not integrating the information it receives well and thereby passing on the appropriate information. A Functional Neurologist will try to find one area of the brain or pathway that explains all or most of the symptoms that the patient is complaining of.
Similar to looking at a map, the Functional Neurologist is familiar with the neurological pathways/roadways and will find the roadblock that would disrupt function downstream from that roadblock. He will then develop a specific treatment program to stimulate that particular area or pathway of the brain that is under functioning and/or conversely inhibit a pathway or area that may be over functioning.
These types of lesions are termed functional lesions as opposed to ablative lesions. An ablative lesion can be seen on standard imaging such as MRIs. Only with the advent of the SPECT scan and functional MRIs was neuroscience able to localize what areas of the brain are activated while certain functions are being performed. That is, we can ask the patient to do math or sing a song and see what areas of the brain are activated when these tasks are performed on these newer imaging techniques. This type of research, which blossomed more so in the 90s, termed “the decade of the brain,” led to great advances in neuroscience and the clinical application of these findings and techniques to remedy these functional lesions “Functional Neurology.” at present SPECT scans and functional MRIs are typically only available at the research level. In clinical practice, a Functional Neurological examination performed by qualified practitioner should determine where the functional lesion is without the need for the research type imaging studies.
Functional Neurology has its roots in Chiropractic Neurology. Dr. Frederick Robert Carrick created the Chiropractic Neurology program in the late 1980s. Dr. Carrick is considered the father of Chiropractic Neurology and Functional Neurology. Classes in Functional Neurology are taught through the Carrick Institute and can lead to a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. These classes also qualify you toward the newer multidisciplinary American College of Functional Neurology.
With that background and history here are the questions I would suggest you ask a doctor if you are interested in “Hemispheric Integration Therapy” and/or “Functional Neurology.”
1. Is he/she a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board? The Diplomate program and Chiropractic Neurology takes approximately 3 years to complete and therefore one of the most important factors for your consideration.
2. How long have they been board-certified?
3. How much of their practice is devoted to Functional Neurology and/or Hemispheric Integration Therapy?
4. Are they a fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology, a newer multidisciplinary group?
5. If you’re looking for a doctor to treat a child on the autism spectrum, ask how long they have been treating children with Hemispheric Integration Therapy?
6. Especially with regard to a child on the autism spectrum, ask if you can speak to a current or past parent whose child has been treated.
I wrote this article because there are very few experienced doctors with this specialized training and therefore, our office gets a lot of calls and e-mails asking if I know of a doctor using Hemispheric Integration Therapy to treat children from places like Iowa and France. I do treat patients that travel from a distance but many times that is not a practical option. With that in mind, these are questions I recommend you consider when doing your research.