| AUTISM |
Imagine, having many pieces of a jig-saw puzzle, shuffle them together, blindfold your self and
now try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. This is what it can be like when trying to diagnose
and treat autism. It's not so cut and dry neither does one size fits all.
Autism affects 1 in 166 American children. It often robs these children with the ability to effectively
interact with the outside world. It is a very complex disorder which affects each individual
differently. Findings from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggest that as much as a tenfold
increase in autism and related disorders during the last decade of the 20th century. CDC Director
Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, stated that “By recognizing the signs of developmental disabilities,
parent’s can seek effective treatments which can dramatically improve their child’s future”.
Although, it is not known why, autism affects boys three times more than girls. A mother of an
autistic child softly sobbed and stated that she knew that her child was a blessing in so many ways
as she had her later in life. “She’s really my purpose and makes me laugh every day by saying
some of the funniest things.” When her child showed signs of poor eye contact shortly after birth, it
was thought that this was due to the child’s premature birth.
As the child continued to show other symptoms, the child’s pediatrician recommended that the
child be seen by The Center for Autism Resources and Evaluation in West Ashley which
specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of autistic children. The organization recommended
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an extensive, one on one, in-home therapy. It is recommended
for 20 to 40 hours per week. A program is developed for each child to include language,
socialization, communication and cognitive skills.
The mother showed me the picture of her daughter’s class, school picture. She asked me to pick
out the other autistic child in the group. I stated that I could not as they all looked like normal,
healthy children. This is the goal of the program, for these children to fit and function into society.
Because the child started the ABA training early, at the age of three, she is now in public school
and takes only two, additional classes. She has made wonderful progress.
Many autistic children are different at birth. Some are passive, some overactive and come arch
their backs to avoid contact. Some autistic children develop normally until 11/2 to 3 years. It is
believed that yeast infections, vaccinations, exposure to a virus or seizures may be responsible for
their regression. During childhood, these children fall behind in communication, social skills, may
have repetitive behavior, poor eye contact, sleeping and eating disorders and insensitivity to pain.
During puberty, 25% of autistic children develop seizures. Many develop behavior problems
while others develop normally. Research indicates that a genetic link such as depression or
dyslexia may be common in the family of autistic children. There is evidence that it may be caused
by a weakened immune system. There is concern that toxins and pollution can lead to autism.
Researchers using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have located several brain abnormalities
in autistic persons.
There is also evidence that autistic persons have high levels of beta-endorphins which increases
their pain tolerance. One treatment drug that is being used is LDN, Low Dose Naltrexone, to
restore normal endorphins levels in the body. Autistic persons have impairments in one or more
senses such as hearing, seeing, sense of touch, taste, equilibrium, smell and nerve impulses.
There are different disorders of autism to include Asperger Syndrome, Fragile Syndrome, Landau-
Kleffner Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Williams Syndrome.
Asperger Syndrome (AS) was named for a Viennese doctor who in 1944 published a paper on a
behavior pattern in young boys who had normal intelligence but marked deficiencies in social and
communication skills. Individuals with AS insist on the same routine and may focus on one aspect
of an item, such as color. They can be over sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells and sights and
have problems in determining proper body space. AS individuals may have a normal IQ, high
functionality and may be viewed by society as odd or eccentric.
Fragile Syndrome is caused by genetic conditions and can exhibit learning disabilities, physical
and behavior features and delays in speech and language development. Landau-Kleffner
Syndrome is a neurological disorder showing the inability to understand or express language. It
affects the part of the brain controlling comprehensive and speech. It will register abnormal on an
electro-encephalogram (EEG). It usually occurs in children ages 5 to 7 years.
Rett Syndrome is a neurological disorder which was discovered by Dr. Andreas Rett of Austria. It
genetic in origin, present at birth and usually becomes apparent from 6-25 months in females. Rett
Syndrome often exhibit autistic-like behavior such as, shakiness of torso, unsteady gait, breathing
difficulties, seizures, teeth grinding, retarded growth and hypo activity.
William Syndrome is a rare disorder which is non-heredity and shows symptoms of lack of
coordination, muscle weakness, heart defects, occasional kidney damage or high calcium level.
Approximately 10% of autistic individuals are extremely talented in art, music, mathematical and
memory skills. In adulthood, some autistic persons live in institutions, at home, in residential
facilities and others live alone. Some have graduated college, marry and are good workers while
many are lacking in social skills. There are various treatments for autism. One of the best is the
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Approximately half of the students, that have received
this therapy, will become socially and academically indistinguishable from children of the same
age.
Although, this program has shown 100% improvement with 47% of the children going on to grade
school and has been in use for around 50 years, the insurance companies consider this to be an
experimental treatment and therefore will not cover the cost. The ABA Therapy runs from $50k to
60k per year and most families cannot absorb the cost into their budget, therefore, most children
who desperately need the treatment are unable to obtain it. Even though, families may apply for
Medicaid, this is a long process of several months and many therapists do not accept Medicaid.
Professor Lorrie Unumb of the Charleston School of Law has a family member who is autistic.
Professor Unumb has worked on Senate Bill 958 and House Bill 4351 for months, which states
that if a physician recommends a particular treatment, then the insurance industry should cover the
necessary procedure. Some of the treatments for autism include the supplements Vitamin B6 with
magnesium and Di-methylglycine (DMG) to assist with well being and communication skills.
Yeast infections are treated with Nystatin and Probiotics. The elimination of gluten products such
as wheat, barley and sprouts has shown positive changes in health. Anti-convulsants and
corticosteroids and in some cases of Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, surgery is performed.
For those sensitive to sounds, auditory integration training or listening to music for 10 hour a day
is used. Visual training is utilized by the wearing of ambient lenses and performing exercises to
normalize visual perception. With proper, early treatment, such as ABA, these children can go on
to regular school rather than to the more costly, special education classes. In the interest of the
child, this is the best possible course. All our children, normal and those with disabilities, deserve
the same opportunities in life.
