Episode 0001–Autism Talk Radio–Introduction to Navigating the World of Autism with Chantal Sicile-Kira
October 25, 2008
Our first episode of Autism Talk Radio features an exclusive interview with a pioneer in spreading the word about autism, Chantal Sicile-Kira.
You’ll find out about:
>>>>>The Most Important Things a Child with Autism NEEDS You To Know
>>>>>The Countless Rewards in Raising a Child with Autism
>>>>>The Ultimate References for Biomedical Intervention
>>>>>Where to start A-Z on the Navigating the World of Autism.
What is Autism?
October 24, 2008
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. A person with autism relates to the world in a different way than societal norm, but often bring incredible gifts into the lives of those around them. Autism impacts a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. These distractions can range from very mild to quite severe.
Autism spectrum disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child’s failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. Pediatricians may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will “catch up,” and may advise parents to “wait and see.” New research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as “autistic,” the earlier the diagnos is is made, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism spectrum disorders. As soon as autism is diagnosed, early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.
Juicing For Autism- The Power of Fruit and Vegetable Juice
October 24, 2008
Many children with autism do not really like eating fruits and even less so, vegetables. However, it is important that you, as a parent, understand the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. These reasons include ensuring healthy growth and development, energy, enthusiasm, concentration and vitality. You will have to set a good example by consuming these foods yourself and at the same time, find creative ways to introduce them to your child’s diet. One of the best ways is through fruit and vegetable juicing.
Your child may be very picky about what he/she eats. Begin slowly…your child may take a while to transition to enjoying the taste of fresh juices. But the rewards will pay off!
You may think that a multi-vitamin would be the answer, but it is not. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide more than just vitamins and minerals. They also provide a lot of other things that you cannot get from a powdered capsule. For instance, there are enzymes that help your body to absorb, digest and put all those vitamins and minerals to use. These enzymes are the keys to the many chemical processes that take place in our digestive system.
Fruit and vegetable juicing for kids is a great idea as the consumption process breaks down the fiber and allows the nutrients to be released from within the indigestible fibers so that a lot more of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes can be used by the body.
Juicing is also a lot more popular with kids because many fruits and vegetables have a sweet taste that appeals to children. It is also true that children tend to find it easier to drink a half pint of juice than to eat 3 or 4 pieces of fruit. This is especially true whenever your child has been running around and is thirsty.
Highly nutritional juices such as yellow bell pepper and green vegetable juices can be made more appealing to your child when you disguise its taste with sweeter juices such as apple or grape juice.
Here are a couple of important points that you need to consider before giving your child fresh juice:
1. A lot of packaged fruit juices, and even some vegetable juices, have a lot of sugar in them. So you should try to make fruit and vegetable juices yourself.
2. Even the fruits that you juice may contain a lot of natural sugars themselves. You should still make sure that your child cleans their teeth after drinking juice.
3. This high sugar content also has to be taken into account because a lot of it will be absorbed into your child’s bloodstream. So, you may want to limit the amount of juice that they drink each day. If you intend to give plenty of juices to your child, do ask your doctor or health professional.
Look for Steve Prussack’s Juicing For Autism, to be released in early 2009.
Multi-Sensory Tool Bag
October 24, 2008
ParentShop has developed a ready-to-go multi-sensory tool bag that helps individuals with sensory/behavioral issues function and adapt in a world that can be overwhelming.
The Multi-Sensory Tool Bag is a durable yet fashionable canvas bag with patent vinyl trim. It has a wide adjustable strap for comfort and flexible needs. Individual zippered or velcro pockets each contain a sensory tool.
The Multi-Sensory Tool Bag contains:
- headphones to dampen offensive sounds
- MP3 player with mini ear buds
- CD of soothing sensory sounds/music featuring Alex Johnson on Tonal Therapy
- multiple stress reliever tactile squeeze toys
- visual tool such as LED light spinning toy
- chewable device for oral motor stimulation
- exercise band for proprioceptive needs
- First-Then visual with dry/erase marker
Keep the multi-sensory bag by the door, in your car, or on a hook in the classroom. It will always be ready when you need it.
Believe that your next outing will be a success!
Who should use the Multi-Sensory Tool Bags?
The bags have been designed for people with sensory issues due to Autism.
However, others benefiting would be families, therapists, educators of children/adults with:
Aspgerger’s Syndrome
Down Syndrome,
Oppositional Defiant Disorder,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
Rett’s Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome
Sensory Processing Disorder,
ADD/ADHD
And others with behavioral/sensory issues.
To Purchase, Visit PARENTSHOP.CA
What about Enzymes and Autism?
October 24, 2008
A lack of digestive enzymes may make it difficult to break down gluten and dairy products, or to metabolize proteins and fatty acids, leading to a condition known as “leaky gut.” Digestive enzymes, especially DPP-4, do not occur naturally in autistic children. Using them can increase tolerance to foods that might otherwise trigger symptoms of autism, such as aggressive or harmful behavior. Read on to learn more about how to use digestive enzymes to treat autism.
Instructions
Add digestive enzymes to your child’s diet to break down gluten found in wheat, oat, barley, rye and casein, which is found in dairy products. Gluten and casein can cause digestive problems for people with autism and may intensify some of their symptoms, such as aggression, fogginess and lethargy.
Use digestive enzymes as a backup to a gluten-free, casein-free diet. Digestive enzymes can help when wheat or dairy products are ingested by mistake. Some people are able to begin eating wheat and dairy products with the aid of digestive enzymes. Nevertheless, the elimination of gluten and dairy is still the first line of defense for most people affected by autism.
Know what digestive enzymes do. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates and helps people who are allergic to gluten. Lactase digest dairy products, lipase breaks down fats, protease digests proteins, and cellulase aids in the absorption of nutrients.
Use digestive enzymes to treat other complications associated with poor digestion such as liver problems, kidney stress and skin conditions. When food is not broken down properly, the body can become toxic, overloading organs with waste product. Improperly digested food can also lead to parasite infections.
Buy digestive enzymes over-the-counter, without a prescription. They can be purchased at many health food stores.
Tips & Warnings
- Take digestive enzymes before meals for maximum efficiency.
- Check how effectively your digestive enzymes are working by taking the questionnaire available on the Food Intolerance Bible website. See the Resources section below for a link.
- Consult your pediatrician before adding digestive enzymes to your child’s diet.
- Digestive enzymes won’t cure autism, but they can improve autistic symptoms by calming aggressive behavior and improving health and quality of life.
Occupational Therapy and Autism: The Basics
October 24, 2008
What Is Occupational Therapy?
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy is “skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the ‘skills for the job of living’ necessary for independent and satisfying lives”. Very often, you will find occupational therapists working with injury victims to regain use of their hands for various daily chores, handwriting, and personal care.
Why Would a Person With Autism Need to See an Occupational Therapist?
In the case of autism, occupational therapists (OT’s) have vastly expanded the usual breadth of their job. In the past, for example, an occupational therapist might have worked with an autistic person to develop skills for handwriting, shirt buttoning, shoe tying, and so forth. But today’s occupational therapists specializing in autism may also be experts in sensory integration (difficulty with processing information through the senses), or may work with their clients on play skills, social skills and more.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do for People with Autism?
Since people with autism often lack some of the basic social and personal skills required for independent living, occupational therapists have developed techniques for working on all of these needs. For example:
- Provide interventions to help a child appropriately respond to information coming through the senses. Intervention may include swinging, brushing, playing in a ball pit and a whole gamut of other activities aimed at helping a child better manage his body in space.
- Facilitate play activities that instruct as well as aid a child in interacting and communicating with others. For the OT specializing in autism, this can translate specifically into structured play therapies, such as Floortime, which were developed to build intellectual and emotional skills as well as physical skills.
- Devise strategies to help the individual transition from one setting to another, from one person to another, and from one life phase to another. For a child with autism, this may involve soothing strategies for managing transition from home to school; for adults with autism it may involve vocational skills, cooking skills and more.
- Develop adaptive techniques and strategies to get around apparent disabilities (for example, teaching keyboarding when handwriting is simply impossible; selecting a weighted vest to enhance focus; etc.)
How Can I Find a Qualified Occupational Therapist?
OT’s are often included as part of a comprehensive school-based or early intervention program for children with autism, and the OT may be hired by or contracted by the school district. In addition, pediatricians can help parents identify early intervention programs available through a state’s department of social services or department of health. Adults with autism may be able to access OT services through developmental disability programs or social services agencies. Very often, Occupational Therapy can be funded through health insurance and/or Medicaid.
For more information about Occupational Therapy and autism, you might want to read The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Fact Sheet on Autism.
What is Therapeutic Listening®?
October 24, 2008
Therapeutic Listening® is an evidence-backed protocol that combines a sound-based intervention with sensory integrative activities to create a comprehensive program that is effective for diverse populations with sensory challenges. Therapeutic Listening can impact sensory modulation, attention, behavior, postural organization, and speech and language difficulties. Trained therapists learn to use modulated CDs to set up programs for clients in homes, schools and clinics. Listening is a function of the entire brain; when we listen, we listen with the whole body. We will feature the benefits of Therapeutic Listening on a future episode of Autism Talk Radio. You can learn more by visiting Vital Links.
