Gluten Free Candy List

Another nice gluten free site had a list of gluten free candies. Once again, this site is not just for those on the autism spectrum http://glutenfreeislife.wordpress.com/gluten-free-candy-list-2008/

Gluten Free Brownies Anyone?

In my opinion, the gluten free diet is brutal but it seems everyday it is getting easier with all the new sites and recipes.

http://tried-and-truecookingwithheidi.blogspot.com/2009/07/bodacious-sugar-free-gluten-free.html

Chelation?

I am not a big fan of chelation for reasons I will discuss in a later post but here is a web site with a nice concise intro 101 on chelation and autism http://www.autisminfoblog.com/about-chelation-autism/

An Unrelated But Good Example

I got a call from a long time friend of the family this week. Now, this has nothing to do with the Autism Spectrum directly but highlights 2 good points.He asked me if I would see his brother in law who was having severe leg pains.The brother in law walked in with a cane. He had severe leg pains and cramps especially at night which started about 2 days before he saw me.

My friend thought that he might have neuropathy which is a condition that is known to cause numbness and pain in the feet. We treat neuropathy with high power laser therapy.

The patient was worried that  he might have suffered a stroke of some sort.

His wife thought he may have sciatica, a condition of the sciatic nerve which can cause intense leg pain.

Let’s look at some of the differential reasoning. Strokes and T.I.A.s ( transient ischemis attacks) dont usually cause pain in both legs, more commonly they cause one sided problems i.e. the left side of the body, left face and arm etc.

You have 2 sciatic nerves, one in each leg. For the sciatic nerve to be the culprit he would have had to pinch both nerves, unlikely but we can check this on exam.

Neuropathy doesn’t typically have a sudden onset, it usually comes on gradually over years.

Central canal stenosis could cause pain in both legs. Stenosis is narrowing of the canal where the spinal cord is before the nerves branch off into 2 sciatic nerves.This is a possiblilty an something that can be checked on exam.

Phlebitis an inflamation of the veins in the calf can cause sudden intense pain and is very dangerous as a blood clot can dislodge and move through the circulatory system. 

On examination he did not have any signs of stenosis or back tenderness. the sciatic notch was nontender. His  vitals i.e. blood pressure were fine. His cranial nerves exam ( the nerves in his head that go to your eyes,face etc. ) were okay (lookin higher up.) There was only mild soreness in the calf  from cramping and  Homan’s sign a test for phebitis was negative.

Ther is an old saying in medicine that goes like this ” when you hear hooves, think of horses not zebras.”  The most common and easiest to remedy, cause of leg cramps at night is a calcium deficiency. I asked him if he drank any milk or diary products and he said not really. So we gave him a good multivitamin and a calcium supplement and told him to take an increased dose and come to see me again on Monday. I just found out that he still doesn’t feel great yet  but had no cramps last night.

The facts I gave you were generalized and over simplyfied but I think it gives you an idea of how a doctor thinks when you present with any problem including an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Localizing a lesion, going through the possibilities. It also shows how basic nutients can cuase serious problems, in this case pain and disabilty. Now as a good functioal medicine practitioner I most go back and make sure there is no reason for the calcium issue.

Nice Intro 101 Web Site

I found a nice web site that has a lot of good information regarding many aspects of living with Autism and all the related factors from treatments, diets, camps, IEPs to  awareness,http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/index.html. The site is not aware of Hemispheric Integration Therapy but hopefully that will change with time as awareness of what we are doing increases.It looks like a nice place for a new parent to get some good information.

It’s From 2005 But Still Interesting and Relevant

A patient of ours that has nothing to do with the Autism community sent me this today because he has seen been in the office when some of the kids are being treated and asked about what we do and how it all works. He is a missionary and is a man with a good heart. If you haven’t seen this, it’s powerful. We need to put it in context adding the last 4 years of information but it’s still an impressive video. I do not think that mercury is the sole cause of autism but certainly it has to be considered a factor in any discussion regarding possible causes. Here is the link from the Mercola site that my patient sent me http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/18/Robert-F-Kennedy-Jr-Explains-the-Autism-Coverup.aspx

H.I.T. Autism Summer Conference

I just got home from our summer conference here in Tampa. Everyone I talked to said they got a lot of information. I spoke regarding Hemispheric Integration Therapy as well as Functional Medicine with regard to Biomedical Interventions for the Autism Spectrum. Dr Knaus gave us some backround on himself as well as gave us some information regarding HBOT. Nancy Bentley informed us with regards to fermented foods and a diet which promotes digestive and general health. Suzanne Azizi ( I am a mother first) provided a passionate and inspiring story about her daughter and dealing with the educational system, IEPs and the law. The faciliies at the Children’s Board were excellent. Everyone seemed to have a good time a well as came away with some good information and it was free to all. So, I am happy with our first conference. Look for our next one!!

Special Education Law and Advocacy Training

4 FREE Wrightslaw Conferences in Florida
SIGN UP!!!! FREE Wrightslaw Conference SIGN UP!!!
August 5, 7, 10 and 12, 2009
Boot Camp May 29 & 30, 2009
You’re invited! Join national expert Pete Wright for Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Trainings in Weston, Tampa, Gainesville and Chipley, Florida. The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is sponsoring this event.

There is no cost to attend these workshops. Attendance is FREE, however, since seating is limited, prior registration is required. Parents, families and guardians of Florida students will be given priority registration.

Register Now
Find all the details here. Parents, attorneys, and advocates will learn:
Changes in IDEA 2004
IEP and Eligibility Issues
Evaluations, reevals, parental consent
Tests & Measurements
SMART IEPs
Requirements in No Child Left Behind

Thank you to Kim Hammons for this info.

Wrightslaw programs often fill up early – don’t miss out! Register today!
What People Are Saying About Wrightslaw Conferences
“What a marvelous conference! I often leave sped presentations angry and/or guilty because of all the things that were done or not done. This time I left encouraged, inspired and armed!” – Melissa, advocate from Maryland

Visit Wrightslaw.com

A Child Sight Reads for the First Time

To my delight, one of our moms came in this week and said that her 12 year old had recognized some words for the first time. Apparently, she was scrolling down the DVR in order to watch one of her shows. As she did this the child said “Barney” and she said “we are not watching Barney.” Then he said “Dora” and she said “no we are not watching Dora.” She then figured out that he was recognizing the words on the screen. So she pointed to them and he read them. “I almost cried” she said. Appparently, he has been at the pre reading stage for 3 years. This child is very low functioning. Since he started Hemispheric Integration Therapy with me about 3 months ago his speech therapist and O.T. have been impressed with his progress ( it all works together.)This is what makes treating these children better than anythng I have ever done.The kids and the moms are amazing.

Check this out, it’s got to be helpful to someone

100 Web Tools for Learning with a Disability
http://www.collegedegree.com/library/college-life/100_web_tools_for_learning_with_disability