Autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as
1 in 166 individuals
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism is four times more prevalent in boys and knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle and education do not affect the chance of autism. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities as the disorder makes it hard for them to communicate and relate to the outside world. They may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking) unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resist changes in routine. Over one half million people in the U,S, today have some form of autism, its prevalence rate now places it as the third most common development disability.
Is there more than one type of Autism?
Autism is often referred to as a spectrum disorder, meaning that the symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults can exhibit any combination of behaviors in any degree of severity.
What are the symptoms?
Children with autism often appear relatively normal in their development until the age of 24-30 months, when parents may notice delays in language, play or social interaction. The following areas are among those which may be affected by autism:
* Communication: language develops slowly or not at all; communicates with gestures instead of words; short attention span.
* Social Interaction: spends time alone rather than with others; shows little interest in making friends; less responsive to social cures such as smiles or eye contact.
* Play: lack of spontaneous or imaginative play; does not imitate other actions; doesn't initiate pretend games.
* Behaviors: may be overactive or very passive; throw frequent tantrums for no apparent reason; may perseverate on a single item, idea or person; apparent lack of common sense; may show aggressive or violent behavior or injure self.
* Sensory difficulties: Autistic children often experience sensory integration deficits. The child may perceive a gentle touch as painful, possibly explaining why autistic infants resist being held or cuddled. Noises, smells, and lights may overwhelm the child, causing distress. Conversely, some children will be fascinated by light patterns, music, or smells, ignoring everything else.
Toe-walking behavior is also common. The child walks only on tiptoes when possible. This may also be related to autistic sensory problems. The child may be trying to minimize contact with the floor. If sensory information is faulty, the child's experiences of the world can be confusing. Many children are highly attuned or even painfully sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, and smells. Some children find the feel of clothes touching their skin almost unbearable. Some sounds - a vacuum cleaner, a ringing telephone, a sudden storm, even the sound of waves lapping the shoreline will cause these children to cover their ears and scream.
What are some possible causes of Autism?
As a rule many autistic children cannot detoxify well, therefore heavy metals, mercury ,etc.. accumulate in their systems compromising their immune systems.
Food and chemical sensitivities are also very common in these children. The most common allergens are casein, found in dairy products, gluten, in wheat, oats, barley and rye. There are many hidden sources of casein and gluten. Soy, corn and sugar are also among the foods likely cause allergies.
An overgrowth of yeast is common in the majority of these children therefore it is important to avoid sugar laden foods.
How do the children recover?
Recovery happens by pursuing a course of biomedical options that are unique to each child. Special dietary needs are addressed along with gastrointestinal issues, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic inflammation, infections and toxicity. There have been reports linking autism and diet for decades, now research shows that certain foods seem to be affecting the developing brains of some children and causing autistic behaviors.
Autism can be aided by a gluten-free and casein-free diet. To most autistic children gluten and casein are poison.
Many developmental and childhood health issues are symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, e.g. mercury. These toxicities can result in a lowered immune system, food allergies, gastrointestinal distress, speech delays, social isolation, anxiety, irritability and depression.
Dr. Bhardwaj is successfully treating children with autism in his clinic. Please talk with him if your child has been diagnosed with autism, he can explain some possible causes, testing procedures, and therapies he will use to treat your child.
DR. BHARDWAJ TREATS THE CAUSE OF YOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS -
NOT THE SYMPTOMS
