Autism
DEFINITION
Autism or Kanner’s Syndrome is a condition that is
characterised by mental introversion (inwardness), where the
attention or interest of the person is is fastened upon their own
ego, with the exclusion of anything external.
characterised by mental introversion (inwardness), where the
attention or interest of the person is is fastened upon their own
ego, with the exclusion of anything external.
DESCRIPTION
Autism is a complex, developmental disability that is often
talked about as a type of ‘spectrum’ disorder. This simply means
that the characteristics of Autism can present themselves in a wide
variety of combinations and degrees of severity. Autism and related
disorders (e.g. Asperger’s Syndrome ) are thought to affect up to
2% of the population, with four times as many males being affected
than females. Autism affects the normal development of the brain
that controls social interaction and communication skills. Many
Autistic babies are ‘different’ from birth, but the onset of the
condition can often be as late as the age of three years. Some
common characteristics displayed by Autistic babies include:
arching their back away from their parent or carer to avoid
physical contact and failing to anticipate being picked up as
babies normally do.
talked about as a type of ‘spectrum’ disorder. This simply means
that the characteristics of Autism can present themselves in a wide
variety of combinations and degrees of severity. Autism and related
disorders (e.g. Asperger’s Syndrome ) are thought to affect up to
2% of the population, with four times as many males being affected
than females. Autism affects the normal development of the brain
that controls social interaction and communication skills. Many
Autistic babies are ‘different’ from birth, but the onset of the
condition can often be as late as the age of three years. Some
common characteristics displayed by Autistic babies include:
arching their back away from their parent or carer to avoid
physical contact and failing to anticipate being picked up as
babies normally do.
During their first year of life, Autistic children may be very
passive (i.e. an infant that is very quiet and places few demands
on its carers) or overly active i.e. an infant that cries a great
deal, often non-stop, during waking hours. Some infants may begin
to rock and/or bang their head against their cot (but this is not
always the case). In the early stages of life, some Autistic
children may talk, crawl and walk much earlier than non-Autistic
children, but others may be quite delayed in reaching these
developmental points. Up to half of Autistic children will develop
normally until they are between one-and-a-half and three, when
their Autistic characteristics begin to emerge (this is sometimes
called regressive Autism).
passive (i.e. an infant that is very quiet and places few demands
on its carers) or overly active i.e. an infant that cries a great
deal, often non-stop, during waking hours. Some infants may begin
to rock and/or bang their head against their cot (but this is not
always the case). In the early stages of life, some Autistic
children may talk, crawl and walk much earlier than non-Autistic
children, but others may be quite delayed in reaching these
developmental points. Up to half of Autistic children will develop
normally until they are between one-and-a-half and three, when
their Autistic characteristics begin to emerge (this is sometimes
called regressive Autism).
During childhood, children with Autism can fall behind children of
the same age in terms of communication, social skills and
understanding of their external environment. Abnormal behaviours
may also appear, such as repetitive, purposeless behaviour like
rocking and hand-flapping; self-injury (e.g. hand biting and head
banging); sleeping and eating problems; poor eye contact;
insensitivity to pain; hyper- or hypoactivity and attention
problems. A fairly common characteristic in Autistic children is
their insistence on maintaining a very strict, daily routine (e.g.
drinking and eating the same foods at every meal). Even the
smallest change in their routine can cause significant distress.
This may be because people with Autism cannot understand and cope
with new situations.
the same age in terms of communication, social skills and
understanding of their external environment. Abnormal behaviours
may also appear, such as repetitive, purposeless behaviour like
rocking and hand-flapping; self-injury (e.g. hand biting and head
banging); sleeping and eating problems; poor eye contact;
insensitivity to pain; hyper- or hypoactivity and attention
problems. A fairly common characteristic in Autistic children is
their insistence on maintaining a very strict, daily routine (e.g.
drinking and eating the same foods at every meal). Even the
smallest change in their routine can cause significant distress.
This may be because people with Autism cannot understand and cope
with new situations.
SEROTONIN
Serotonin is a chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter
(chemical communicator) in the brain. Serotonin can also be found
in certain blood cells called platelets. Sleep, sensory perception,
temperature regulation, and mood are all thought to be influenced
by serotonin. Consistently high levels of serotonin have been found
in the blood of some individuals with Autism. This has made
serotonin interesting to Autism researchers, however, it is still
unclear what this high serotonin level signifies.
(chemical communicator) in the brain. Serotonin can also be found
in certain blood cells called platelets. Sleep, sensory perception,
temperature regulation, and mood are all thought to be influenced
by serotonin. Consistently high levels of serotonin have been found
in the blood of some individuals with Autism. This has made
serotonin interesting to Autism researchers, however, it is still
unclear what this high serotonin level signifies.
Currently, the level of serotonin in an autistic person’s blood
stream does not influence the medical management of that person.
Occasionally, medications called ‘selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors’ (SSRIs) are prescribed for some individuals with
Autism. This type of medication is also widely used to treat
depression. SSRIs keep serotonin in the brain longer to enhance its
action as a chemical communicator. Studies in different populations
of autistic individuals will help establish which of these people
will benefit from SSRIs or other drugs that influence blood and
brain serotonin levels
stream does not influence the medical management of that person.
Occasionally, medications called ‘selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors’ (SSRIs) are prescribed for some individuals with
Autism. This type of medication is also widely used to treat
depression. SSRIs keep serotonin in the brain longer to enhance its
action as a chemical communicator. Studies in different populations
of autistic individuals will help establish which of these people
will benefit from SSRIs or other drugs that influence blood and
brain serotonin levels
CAUSE
Autism is a result of either structural changes or chemical
changes within the brain, but it is not clear what causes the
processing and behavioural characteristics of Autistic people.
There is a fairly strong genetic influence in Autism. In around 10
to 15% of cases, there is an underlying medical condition that has
caused the syndrome (e.g. phenylketonuria and congenital rubella
syndrome). Studies of the brains of Autistic people have shown some
structural abnormalities.
changes within the brain, but it is not clear what causes the
processing and behavioural characteristics of Autistic people.
There is a fairly strong genetic influence in Autism. In around 10
to 15% of cases, there is an underlying medical condition that has
caused the syndrome (e.g. phenylketonuria and congenital rubella
syndrome). Studies of the brains of Autistic people have shown some
structural abnormalities.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Always consult your Doctor for the diagnosis and management of
Autism. Autistic children are usually managed using behavioural
therapy (also called Applied Behaviour Analysis or ABA), which can
be learned by the parents, to help manage the child at home and at
school. Examples of behavioural management are ‘positive
reinforcement’ (rewarding ‘good’ behaviour) and ‘time-outs’. The
goal is to enhance appropriate behaviours and reduce inappropriate
behaviours. Speech therapy can also be an important part of the
Autistic child’s treatment programme. Some Autistic people improve
in terms of well-being, awareness and attention when taking vitamin
B6 with magnesium . Metabolic problems may be present in number of
Autistic people and if this is the case, dietary modification and
dietary supplements may help improve their condition.
Autism. Autistic children are usually managed using behavioural
therapy (also called Applied Behaviour Analysis or ABA), which can
be learned by the parents, to help manage the child at home and at
school. Examples of behavioural management are ‘positive
reinforcement’ (rewarding ‘good’ behaviour) and ‘time-outs’. The
goal is to enhance appropriate behaviours and reduce inappropriate
behaviours. Speech therapy can also be an important part of the
Autistic child’s treatment programme. Some Autistic people improve
in terms of well-being, awareness and attention when taking vitamin
B6 with magnesium . Metabolic problems may be present in number of
Autistic people and if this is the case, dietary modification and
dietary supplements may help improve their condition.
In the past, many people with Autism were placed in institutions
but now there are many sorts of flexible living arrangements
available. In adulthood, many Autistic people are able to live with
their parents and others live in residential facilities or in small
groups. Others are able to live independently. Many Autistic people
have been able to attend and graduate from university, develop
adult relationships and gain employment.
but now there are many sorts of flexible living arrangements
available. In adulthood, many Autistic people are able to live with
their parents and others live in residential facilities or in small
groups. Others are able to live independently. Many Autistic people
have been able to attend and graduate from university, develop
adult relationships and gain employment.
DIET HINTS
Always follow the dietary advice provided by your Health Care
Professional.
Professional.
- Autistic children should be tested for allergies to foods such
as cow’s milk and other dairy products. - Any metabolic abnormalities that have been diagnosed may
require dietary modification, as this may improve behavioural
patterns in Autism. - When certain proteins called gluten and casein are digested,
they produce substances in the bowel called peptides. Normally, the
peptides are absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in the
urine. In Autistic people, however, they sometimes remain in the
bowel and then transfer into the central nervous system. The
peptides reduce transmission in the nervous system, and are
believed to worsen the symptoms of Autism. An Elimination Trial
diet may be beneficial. Foods containing casein include milk,
cheese, butter and dairy products. Foods containing gluten
including all wheat products such as bread, flour, biscuits, cakes,
sauces and thickeners. Consult a Dietitian for advice and
supervision with elimination diets.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Always consult your Doctor before taking any vitamins,
minerals or herbs for advice on any possible side effects or drug
interactions.
minerals or herbs for advice on any possible side effects or drug
interactions.
- Vitamin B6 and Magnesium supplements have improved the
condition of some people with Autism. - Some Doctors believe that vitamin A supplements may improve the
Autistic condition by enhancing the actions of this substance in
the body. - If dietary intake is inadequate, a multivitamin/mineral
supplement may be considered. - Omega-3 fatty acids may aid in promoting healthy brain
development in children and may aid disorders such as autism.
ORGANISATIONS & SUPPORT GROUPS
See The National Association for Autism topic on the
Healthpoint.
Healthpoint.