It is the latest in casual slang, “YOLO”, meaning “You only live once”.  Most of us don’t think twice and use it quite frequently as it musters courage and spontaneity with regard to our lives and making the most of it…because, of course, you only live once…

However, this term takes on a whole different meaning when thinking of our society of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and if we have a child on the spectrum, what does it mean for you as their parent.  This life, the one that we only live once…What is it like for them???  As far as it is up to us as parents, of course we want it to be the best it can be.  A life that is full of happiness and laughter, and one with a bright future as well.  This love and resolve for our children is what drive us isn’t it?  Never has there been a greater quest and never has there been a harder one!  Nevertheless, we take this challenge open armed, and without hesitation!

Why?

Because we love our children more than life itself, and there is no one…and I mean NO ONE that knows them and loves them like we do, and are willing to go to the great lengths that we must go in order to ensure their happiness and well being.  Keeping in mind our children, parents, especially those of ASD children have these letters stamped on our minds and hearts at all times…OCOLO – “Our Children Only Live Once”.  This is the driving force isn’t it…the one that keeps us going…looking, searching, scratching, and fighting the fine fight for our children!

It is quite a fight too and many times we fight alone.  We face an uphill battle, because society and medicine as a whole have not caught up with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  While they may be trying, there are many roadblocks in their way.  Things like funding research, politics, greed, and narrow minds.  While these may be as boulders in the road, they do not stop the parent who is driven by heartfelt confidence that there is hope for ASD and therefore HOPE for our child!  There is nothing, no nothing that will stand in the way of that! 

Give us a mountain…and just watch us climb it!!! 

After all… YOLO!!!

Approximately 1/100 children are affected by Autism. The Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet, which is considered a major alternative treatment for Autism, was studied by Dr. Susan Hyman; a researcher from the University of Rochester Medical Center. The study is to be presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Philadelphia. Dr. Hyman “did not find an effect on behavior in response to challenges with gluten and casein in children with autism but not GI disease.” The study was 18 weeks long and introduced a challenge after 4 weeks. Behavior issues such as language, social, sleep and gastrointestinal that are commonly associated with autism were addressed. Observers were asked to look for changes although they did not know if the children were given a true challenge or a placebo.

Dr. Nelson Mane D.C., who treats patients on the autism spectrum with Hemispheric Integration Therapy as well as Functional Medicine/Biomedical treatments said, “Looking at the study critically it was too small as only 14 children were involved. The challenge or reintroduction of gluten or casein was termed a snack and may have not been adequate as a challenge. The time period of 18 weeks may not have been long enough as many proponents say the effects of gluten can last up to 6 months.  We test for an IgG or immune response to Gluten and Casein and have found a good response when these test are positive otherwise we may not recommend this particular diet. In the end, critics of the diet need to realize that although the diet can be hard to implement and at times expensive it does no harm. Physicians first do no harm. We have seen many parents report considerable progress on the GFCF diet especially if their child tested positive for an IgG reaction which makes this treatment option more specific. In the end Autism is multifactorial and you have to find what is going on with each individual child and it is different form child to child.”

Dr Nelson Mane is a chiropractic physician certified in both chiropractic orthopedics and neurology. He has sub specialty training in childhood neurobehavioral disorders as well as vestibular disorders and electro diagnostics. He was one of 11 doctors out of 60,000 chosen by the American Chiropractic Association to start the first Chiropractic neurology board back in 1989.Dr Mane is a D.A.N (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. He is considered a pioneer in the use of Hemispheric Integration Therapy for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. For more information regarding Dr. Nelson Mane and his unique approach combining functional medicine with Hemispheric Integration Therapy go to www.Hitautism.com.

For more information about Dr. Nelson Mane, D.C. and his treatment approach for ASD go to http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm.

Dr. Nelson Mañé, D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.N.B., F.A.C.F.N., F.A.C.O.

Mañé Center

1602 West Sligh Avenue Suite 500

Tampa, FL 33604

Tel. 813.935.4744

Fax. 813.931.1427

Email: DrMane@manecenter.com

Website: www.manecenter.com

ADHD affects approximately 10% of school age children. A new study published in the journal of pediatrics indicates children with higher levels of organophosphates (chemicals used in pesticides) were almost twice as likely to have ADHD. Do not be over alarmed, the study only shows an association, an association does not mean cause and effect. The study also does not indicate where the organophosphates came from only that they were present. However, the study certainly suggests that more research is needed. These pesticides are designed to be nerve agents for bugs. It is postulated that due to the developing brains of children they may be more susceptible also due to their low body weight. Think about a children’s dose for medication and how it is lower than an adult dose. In the past, other factors such as genetics, nutrition and other toxins have been associated with ADHD.  A 2009 study found a associating between ADHD and children that were exposed to lead as well as prenatal tobacco use. The basics still apply: 1. Wash fruits and vegetables, especially those without thick skins, 2. Peel and trim fruits and vegetable, and 3. Buy organic if your budget allows. Dr. Nelson Mane D.C., a doctor who treats children with ADHD and learning disabilities with Hemispheric Integration Therapy a neurological approach as well as Functional Medicine which looks at nutritional deficiencies and toxic exposures in Tampa said, “Overall this study should be educational and raise awareness. There seems to be many factors involved and we do not know if it is one factor or more than likely a combination of several factors contributing to the high rates of ADHD.  I would be more cautious if my child fell into some of the other risk categories such as exposure to lead, tobacco exposure during pregnancy, familial history, etc.”

Dr. Nelson Mane is a chiropractic physician certified in both chiropractic orthopedics and neurology. He has sub specialty training in childhood neurobehavioral disorders as well as vestibular disorders and electro diagnostics. He was one of 11 doctors out of 60,000 chosen by the American Chiropractic Association to start the first Chiropractic neurology board back in 1989.Dr Mane is a D.A.N (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. He is considered a pioneer in the use of Hemispheric Integration Therapy for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. For more information regarding Dr. Nelson Mane and his unique approach combining functional medicine with Hemispheric Integration Therapy go to www.Hitautism.com.

For more information about Dr. Nelson Mane, D.C. and his treatment approach for ASD go to http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm.

Dr. Nelson Mañé, D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.N.B., F.A.C.F.N., F.A.C.O.

Mañé Center

1602 West Sligh Avenue Suite 500

Tampa, FL 33604

Tel. 813.935.4744

Fax. 813.931.1427

Email: DrMane@manecenter.com

Website: www.manecenter.com

A recent article on Spectrum Magazine regarding a study that finds older moms having a higher risk of having autistic children. For more information regarding this study and Dr. Nelson Mane’s perspective on the subject click on the link below:
http://www.spectrumpublications.com/index.php/news/total_load_phenomenon/

 A lot of gluten free info and a nice uplifting success story with a cute video.

.http://glutenfree.brighterplanet.org/gluten-casein-free-diet/recovery-from-autism-through-the-gfcf-diet-4-months

Keeping with the education and back to school theme, here are some basic principles that should help those in need of this information

http://geniuschoice.com/topics/autism/therapy-for-adult-autism.php

When I stared this blog, I originally intended to just write about Autism from the doctors perspective. I thought that this would be different and not something I had seen out on the web. My patient’s parents convinced me to broaden the scope of converstion  as this subject is immense in the way that it touches peoples lives. Of course, I try to write articles now and again to educate parents of treatments that are available especially hemispheric Integration Therapy and functional medicine. This week I was inspired and encourage by the news that one of my toughest patients ( if not the toughest) had made a little progress. He is a 10 year old non verbal autistic child. He is a very sweet boy but you can feel the frustration inside him at times. He has great parents and is a happy child. He is difficult to work with because as I always say ” the more the child can do, the more I can do with him.” That is, the more tools that are available to help him. So, unfortunately it is easier to help an high functioning child than a low functioning child. Things such as no eye contact and not being able to follow instructions or mimic  movements make  it more difficult to apply the concepts of Hemispheric Integration Therapy for the purpose of helping a child. It is not to say that it can’t be done but it is a longer slower process we have to eventually get the child to the point where he can do more active participation. This often requires quite a bit of creativity and patience to achieve the goal. However, it can be done. Many times it is not a matter of capability but one of cooperation. That is to say, that at times, the children can do what is required but for the sake of “control ” don’t want to cooperate or at least only on their terms. This is where the parent and I get creative in trying to find various methods tho motivate the child to participate, which of course is for his own good, even if he doesn’t get it yet. Lately, with this child we have been getting more out of him at his therapy sessions than ever before. Last week this boys was clearly trying to tell me to do something, more than he ever has before. He can make sounds such as “Bah.  He made several sounds and gestured but neither I nor mom could figure it out. This is a time when you could see frustration. This week his mom told me that for the first time he made two sounds in a row. That is, he was trying to say “more coke” and said “mmm kkkk.” That is exciting to me, gave me a boost of energy and had me up most of the night trying to figure out a way to enhance his treatment plan after taking into consideration what he appears to be responding to. It is not always a matter of what a child needs but also what we can do with him . In any case, I hope we are on our way to helping this child speak  (a big thing) and that would thrill me almost as mush as it would thrill his mom.

Here is a nice web site with lots of information. They have a treatment section which does not include Hemispheric Integration Therapy  but this is the battle I fight on a daily basis. It does not take away from the fact that they have good information about many subjects relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders. The particular page deals with rights and tips for dealing with the school system which I thought would be a nice post for this back to school season.  http://www.brighttots.com/Preschool_Special_Education.html