More Evidence of
The Immune System Link
UC Davis researchers
reported that autistic children have abnormalties in their immune systems and unusal constellations of proteins in their blood
that may be an indicator of the disorder. These findings suggest the possibility for diagnostic tests for autism at birth.
Two goups of researchers
from the MIND Institute at UC Davis have reported that autistic children have a dysfunctional immune system which gives them
an abnormal response to pathogens and other agents. Immune abnormalities might be a marker of autism susceptibility that
was present at birth, and development of the disorder could require exposure to an environmental trigger.
LA Times May 2005
Finding the Cause
of Autism
Vijendra K. Singh,
Ph.D. was one of the first to conduct research based on the hypothesis that one of the primary triggers of autism pathology
may involve faulty immune regulation, in particular, autoimmunity. In 1992 Singh conducted a study which linked autism to
heightened autoimmunity, finding autistic children have about eight times greater incidence of antibodies to myelin basic
protein (MBP) than control children.
In 2001 Singh published
a study in which he suggested that the MMR vaccinated children have abnormally high levels of measles virus antibodies, indicating
autism may be a neuro-immune response to the vaccine. He found that 55% of autistic children developed their condition after
receiving the MMR vaccine and 33% after receving the diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. 80% of the autistic
children had auto-antibodies while normal children had none. These auto-antibodies appear to attack the protective myelin
sheathing of nerve fibers, resulting in brain dysfunction.
Siblings of Autistic
Children
Dr. Wendy Roberts
at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto studied 150 siblings of autistic siblings. 19 had distinctive patterns of conduct
as early as 1 year old. Among other symptoms, the children made little eye contact, even with parents, had trouble displaying
emotions with their faces, such as smiling. Siblings have a substantial risk of developing the disorder as much as 50 times
the risk of the general population. All 19 did develop autism.
LA
Times May 2005
How To Administer
Eye Drops To Your Child
- Always wash your hands
before giving medication.
- Be sure the eye
drops are at room temperature before using.
- Clean the child's
eye of all secretions and / or old medication. This can be done by gently wiping the eye with a damp gauze or a cotton pad.
- Have your child
stand or sit with his head tilted back.
- Do not touch the
dropper bottle to the eye.
- Have the child
look upward toward the ceiling. Use your index finger and thumb to gently pinch and pull down the lower lid to create a pouch.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pouch and not directly into the eye.
- Have the child
close his eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- If a 2nd eye drop
is prescribed, wait at least 5 minutes before giving it.
(Opthalmic
refers to eye)
Neurontin
Neurontin is not
metabolized by the liver it is excreted through the kidneys. It is important to increase water intake while on this medication.
A small amount of water retention is normal especially with increasing doses. Drinking extra water will help in eliminating
excess fluid accumulation.
Problems of Autism
Explained In New Research
Using magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) technology researchers from Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute have shown that children with autism have less
activation in the deep parts of their brain. This is the area that is responsible for executive function such as: attention,
reasoning and problem solving. Boys with autism had reduced activity in the caudate nucleus, a critical part of circuits
that link the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
This information has
an important implication since prefrontal brain circuits play a critical role in focusing attention, planning and setting
goals, and keeping goals in memory during problem-solving and decision making. This discovery may help develop better therapies
to improve their ability to pay attention and solve problems.
Primary Differences
In Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV I & II)
HSV I: Causes cold sores,
usually under the lip. It establishes latency in trigeminal ganglion (nerves near the ear).
- Myth: It is never
dangerous.
- Fact: It can
recur spontaneously in the eye, which can cause blindness. In rare cases it can spread to the brain (herpes encephalitis)
and can cause death. It is also the usual cause of Herpes Whitlow (infection in the finger) and "Wrestler's
Herpes."
HSV II: Establish in
sacral ganglion at base of spine
- Recurs in the gential
area.
- Causes genital
herpes.
Note: Either HSV I or HSV II can reside in either or both parts of the body. The misconception of this and the lack of symptoms
can and does contribute to the spread of Type I. One is associated with sigma and the other is "just a cold sore."
- Both look the same
under a microscope;
- Both infect the
body's mucosal surfaces (mouth and genitals) and then establish latency in the central nervous system;
- Both result with 2/3
being asymptomatic or have mild symptoms;
- Both can recur
and spread with no symptoms present.
The Other Side of ADHD
Often a child who displays
that he/she is out of control in the classroom will get misdiagnosed with ADHD when in fact the problem may be a lack of discipline
while in the same classroom a classmate habitually forgets their papers or stares out the window for long periods of time
or shows many other recognizable signs. Getting the correct diagnosis is key to the treatment.
ADHD is a serious disorder,
however, there are those who have a different perspective noting the positive aspects. For example:
- compulsivity - willing
to take risks rather than waver on making a decision.
- learning process
- with the effective teaching strategies they can actually learn faster with more comprehension.
- impulsivity -
they are eager to jump into a situation while others may be uneasy
Many famous people were thought to have the diagnosis of ADHD or might have
been had the current criteria been available such as:
- Thomas Edison
- Walt Disney
- Hans Christian
Anderson
- Beethoven
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Winston Churchill
- Ben Franklin
- Robert Kennedy
- John F. Kennedy
- Woodrow Wilson
- Robin Williams
- Dustin Hoffman
- Wright brothers
Remember, hyper focus
is not always a bad thing. Learning appropriate coping skills can be used to attain great accomplishments.
What Can the Thyroid
TSH Test Reveal?
The TSH test measures
the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in the blood. TSH is the pituitary gland's signal to your thyroid
gland to make less or more thyroid hormone. The pituitary is constantly monitoring the amount of thyroid hormone that is in
the blood. It is the most important single method of monitoring thyroid function for any changes that may have occurred.
A high level of TSH
usually means that your pituitary senses that there is not enough thyroid hormone in your blood and it is trying to get the
thyroid gland to make more.
If there is a low level
of TSH, it usually means that your pituitary senses that there is too much thyroid hormone in the blood, and it has decreased
its TSH signal
To Learn More About
NeuroEndocrineImmune Dysfunction Join A New Online Group
This
group offers access to many research articles and many years of experience. This is a private group which requires that you
must apply to join. Click on the link below.
Allergen
Removal 101
To
reduce triggers to your child's immune system it is important to remove allergens. Dust mites are reduced when you cover your child's pillow and mattress with covers that are
made to keep in allergens.
In a
recent report in the field of allergy it was noted that not only are pillows a safe haven for dust mites but also for mold!
Synthetic fillers are especially prone
to mold spores, however, don't think that using a feather pillow averts dust mites; they love natural fibers too. Inhaled mite waste causes allergic problems. Cover pillows and mattresses
with good allergen covers and wash them regularly in hot water.
Why Isn't
My Child Talking Yet?
The job
of the biomedical protocol is to make your child's brain healthier. When your child's brain starts becoming healthier he
will be able to start learning.
Have
you ever noticed how parents of toddlers teach their children? They talk to their babies, repeat sounds and when the babies
respond they give them feedback. Have
you ever watched a mother at the supermarket interacting with her baby? You will most likely hear a constant stream of conversation.
Do you do this? Do you expect one hour of speech therapy three times a week to make your child talk? Are you asking the
speech therapist to send homework home? Are you talking to your child? Do you listen and watch? Do you expect your child
to answer or are you anticipating their needs and wants and eliminating the necessity of speech?
There
are many reasons that a child will not speak and each child is unique. Some may require more encouragement than others while
some just need a receptive audience that can take the time to encourage them. Talk to your child's speech therapist and find
out what you can be doing at home. Take a good look at yourself and your family and think about what you are currently doing
and what you can change. We are all differently gifted and perhaps you are not the best person to work with your child.
If this applies in your situation then perhaps you can think of someone else who could work with your child.
A few
years ago we brought Dr. James MacDonald, a specialist in parent and child communication, here from Ohio. His workshop was
on communication. We have some of his tapes and they are available from our lending library. He has some thought provoking
ideas and a very helpful website at www.jamesdmacdonald.org .
He
steps back and observes and listens when he is evaluating a child. When he sits down on the floor and interacts with the
child the child gives the cues and Dr. MacDonald responds and then he watches the parent interact with the child. That is
the basis for how language is learned. Sound familiar? The baby in the grocery cart cooes and the mother responds. All
too often the parent does all of the leading
and the child follows, quietly. Take the time to look at the dynamics in your home. You have to get more involved at home
for speech to begin so make a plan now or if your current plan is not working get together with other family
members and develop a new one.
