In our modern age of speed, telecommunication, automation, advanced medicine, miracle drugs, open-heart-and-micro-surgeries, and the state of the art diagnostic machinery, conventional medicine remains impotent in front of certain childhood behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. Once the problem is diagnosed, they hasten to link the disorder to inherited genes and prescribe tranquilizers or powerful drugs to suppress symptoms, leaving parents struck with perplexity and helpless and the child far from cured. Such behavioral disorders range from Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Because these conditions have become more and more widespread and treatment unsuccessful, I found myself interested and intrigued by infantile autism, looking for a cause and a solution. I delved into books and spoke to parents of afflicted children. To my surprise, I discovered interesting facts, results, and experiences that can be of assistance to helpless parents. Let us learn more about this emotional disability.
Autism is a developmental disorder that strikes in early childhood. Boys are four times more prone to developing the problem than girls. Symptoms usually start to show in the first three years. The more pronounced ones are lack of communication skills; absorption in bizarre interests; and extreme sensitivity in one of the senses. Other traits are doing repetitive movements and having acute gastrointestinal complications. Some autistic children can manifest violence or self-inflicting harm like knocking their heads on walls, resulting in bruises and brain damage. In "classic autism," the child is usually reclusive and apprehensive, yet can be extremely well-versed in his or her particular interest of focus.
The cause of autism is quite puzzling to the medical profession. It is neither diagnosed as a mental problem nor as behavioral disorder. Bernard Rimland, a psychologist speculated in 1964 that autism is more of a biological condition than an emotional one, but with a neurological basis. The disorder has been on the rise since the last decade; this may be due to improved diagnostic means or environmental causes. Some autism advocates associate the disorder to exposure to toxic chemicals, heavy metals (mercury, a preservative used in children's vaccines), viral infections, frequent use of antibiotics in early infancy, or pregnancy and delivery complications. Another factor could be due to mothers with Rh-negative blood who take RhoGAM shots to lower complications during delivery. These shots contain high doses of mercury. A high percentage of autistic children are found to be born to mothers who received such treatments or exposed to the metal in utero or through breast milk. Unlike other people, autistic children lack the ability to excrete mercury from their bodies. Unfortunately, some in the medical profession refuse to link the disorder to toxic metals. They, also, do not acknowledge the benefits of complementary medicine to treat the disorder. Despite this denial, diligent and motivated parents of autistic children have researched on their own and applied natural techniques that lead to the healing of their children. Natural approaches like a nutritiously balanced diet, nutritional supplements, detoxification, chelation therapy, one to one communication therapy, interactive play, and bodywork were successfully applied with the collaboration of understanding doctors, homeopaths, massage therapists, nutritionists, and determined parents.
In order to achieve desired results, parents of autistic children should connect with families in similar situations, health care-takers who practice alternative methods, and organizations like Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!). They should also understand that each case is individualistic and requires different approaches at different times. Autistic children need the utmost care, attention, and love to gain the trust of people around them. While doctors can help with scientific guidance and information, parents should rely on their instinct and experience to deal with the child, as no two cases are identical. Improvements and setbacks should be recorded regularly to manage reactions and responses in order to help in handling the child. Using reward and punishment facilitates the application of discipline.
There are some success stories, which have reached the stage of complete recovery with the perseverance and care of parents. An 18-month-old American boy by the name of Raun Haufman, diagnosed with severe autism, was cured and successfully managed to graduate from Brown University in the US. Doctors warned the parents that the child would never be able to speak, read, or tend to himself. He had difficulty communicating with people and having eye contact; he just flapped his hands most of the time or spun plates. Doctors recommended professional psychiatric help, but the parents opted for the tougher, energy-and-emotion-consuming road of handling their son themselves, which successfully lead him out of his self-imposed isolation. Here are some effective suggestions that might help in similar situations.
Because many autistic children experience severe food allergies, intestinal yeast overgrowth, leaky gut syndrome, and intolerance to refined sugars and dairy products, it is recommended to start the healing process with a complete nutritional modification. This should include an anti-fungal treatment to eliminate yeast overgrowth. Treatment may cause the condition to worsen at first before healing occurs. The diet should be free of allergy-triggering foods like wheat gluten, dairy, and sugar. Such a diet needs persistence as autistic children are obstinate and hard to convince. But parents should be committed to the path of healing. They should seek advice, encouragement, and help from other committed parents and nutritionists. Some books and websites provide excellent guidance and recommendations. I suggest to research on the Internet.
A vitamin therapy is important to reduce inflammation that may have been triggered by viral or bacterial infections, vaccine reactions, leaky gut, deficiency in digestive enzymes, and difficulty in fatty acid breakdown. Vitamins A, C, and E and essential fatty acids (evening primrose, fish, and flaxseed oils) should be supplemented. Vitamin B12 should be given through injections due to its deficiency in autistic children.
Detoxification from heavy metals through chelation therapy is an essential measure to treat autism, because heavy metals like mercury and lead can damage the nervous system. A high percentage of children respond to the treatment positively. Chelation therapy should be executed by an expert. Treatment may take sometime before effects start showing.
Treatment for autism is a precarious process that requires patience and familiarity with different approaches. A good way to do that is keeping record of all trials, approaches, and child's responses (sleep patterns, eating habits, behavior, speech, and movements). Doctors and healers should always be informed of progresses or regresses.
Natural therapies work to alleviate symptoms. Massage by a therapist (or learning to do so) for 15 minutes prior to bedtime improves the child's quality of sleep, social skills, behavior, and interaction with the surrounding. Homeopathy helps with speech and sleep problems, but it should be practiced by a skilled homeopath.
For more information on autism, the Internet provides websites on the disorder and of experts in the field, therapists, therapies, other parents' experiences, and alternative treatments. These websites help both child and parents to cope with the problem. Books on the subject are available and there are many parents who would like to share their tough experience with you to help. Remember, you are not alone. There will be light at the end of the tunnel!
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An important message to all!
I call on governments, parents, and philanthropists to start schools that cater for children with disorders and disabilities in order to improve their lives and guide them to a brighter future. These children will then become productive citizens rather than burdens on the state and society.
- Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected]. Log on to www.arabnews.com for previous articles.