Many Parents of Kids With Autism Don't Put Faith in Pediatricians

Researchers say pediatricians also don't feel knowledgeable enough to guide families on treatments

By Jenifer Goodwin
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Many parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder don't feel they can turn to their pediatricians for advice on treatments, a new study finds.

Likewise, many pediatricians don't think they have the knowledge -- or time -- to devote to children with autism, with some citing reimbursement policies that don't allow for payment for lengthier appointments or for managing complex cases.

The pediatricians interviewed for the study also said they felt especially uncomfortable advising parents on alternative therapies, which are commonly used by families with autistic children. [ READ MORE ]

health.usnews.com  |  Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in autism spectrum disorders

Traditionally, hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is indicated in several clinical disorders include decompression sickness, healing of problem wounds and arterial gas embolism. However, some investigators have used HBOT to treat individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

A number of individuals with ASD possess certain physiological abnormalities that HBOT might ameliorate, including cerebral hypoperfusion, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Studies of children with ASD have found positive changes in physiology and/or behavior from HBOT.

For example, several studies have reported that HBOT improved cerebral perfusion, decreased markers of inflammation and did not worsen oxidative stress markers in children with ASD. Most studies of HBOT in children with ASD examined changes in behaviors and reported improvements in several behavioral domains although many of these studies were not controlled.

Although the two trials employing a control group reported conflicting results, a recent systematic review noted several important distinctions between these trials. In the reviewed studies, HBOT had minimal adverse effects and was well tolerated.

Studies which used a higher frequency of HBOT sessions (e.g ., 10 sessions per week as opposed to 5 sessions per week) generally reported more significant improvements. Many of the studies had limitations which may have contributed to inconsistent findings across studies, including the use of many different standardized and non-standardized instruments, making it difficult to directly compare the results of studies or to know if there are specific areas of behavior in which HBOT is most effective.

The variability in results between studies could also have been due to certain subgroups of children with ASD responding differently to HBOT. Most of the reviewed studies relied on changes in behavioral measurements, which may lag behind physiological changes.

Additional studies enrolling children with ASD who have certain physiological abnormalities (such as inflammation, cerebral hypoperfusion, and mitochondrial dysfunction) and which measure changes in these physiological parameters would be helpful in further defining the effects of HBOT in ASD.

Author: Daniel A RossignolJames J BradstreetKyle Van DykeCindy SchneiderStuart H FreedenfeldNancy O'HaraStephanie CaveJulie A BuckleyElizabeth A MumperRichard E Frye
Credits/Source: Medical Gas Research 2012, 2:16


Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access).

Children with autism need full support of society

Mrudu Naik | June 03, 2012

Muscat: What an autistic kid needs is support to become a part of the mainstream, advocated both George Widener, the gifted autistic savant, date genius and calendar artist and Suniel Shetty, Indian film actor.

The two celebrities were in town to participate in the third edition of the Black & White (Sudoku for a Cause) You Play Sudoku Open to All competition -“ 2012. 

Advising parents of autistic parents, George Widener said, "Autism is simply a difference in the brain and it is nothing to be afraid of. Autistic children need love and care just like any other children. 

Don't feel guilt and don't feel ashamed. They are a little different. Remember being different is okay.-
Speaking to Times of Oman George who himself is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome said autistic centres should focus on several aspects.

"There is a range of autism. The low functioning children have to be helped with basic life skills. Children who might have traits of higher functioning need to be given attention on vocations that are good for them as they get older. I think they need training too. There are people with connection to autism who can excel in math and science and computers at times. These need the correct environment to capitalise on them from earlier on,- George said. 

Speaking about his own life, George said, "I have been a working artist and things have been exciting for me. I am glad I can bring attention to this condition by showing my talent. Besides, my sketches (richly detailed calendar art) are around many museums around the world.-

George is also proud that he has been able to lose 30 kilos of weight in a span of nine months.

"I was seen by doctors and told that I should lose weight. I was told that I have a predisposition for diabetes. Insulin receptive gene is what it is called. I went on a nine month programme to lose weight and I lost around 30kg which I am proud of. 

I did walking and running. I keep working at it. I advocate fitness for all,- he said. George is also proud to have participated in an event which raises awareness about autism. "I think it is important to attend events such as this. I attended one in Taiwan too. It does help the cause,- he said.

Speaking to Times of Oman, actor Suniel Shetty urged parents not to feel guilty.

"It is because of them that the child is going through what he is. They need to understand, analyse and apply. They need to make sure that their child is in the right environment and gets tremendous support. 

They should take inspiration from examples like George Widener who are true genius. These children are special and needed to be supported. They will have some special skill and parents need to work on them,- said Suniel.

Thanking the Black & White team, he said, "I consider an opportunity for me to participate in this event.-
Suniel who himself is a philanthropist along with his wife runs a organisation called Save the Children India and a school for speech impaired kids. 

"Through, Save the Children India, my wife and me, provide educational support for children (more than 20,000) from economically backward families. The school supports children with special needs,- he said.

"I have realised that more children spend time with children of their age. They are doing so much better,- he said. 
About his philanthropic nature he said, "From what you get you make a living, but from what you give you make a life. It is not necessarily money. It is time and being there. Being there for somebody is what charity is all about.-

The actor who takes fitness very seriously had tips for the readers, "Have breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like pauper. Do some kind of physical exercise. Fitness is not rocket science as it is made out to be but all about focusing.-

(Follow timesofoman.com on Facebook and on Twitter for updates that you can share with your friends.)

Help Kate Winslet with Autism

Tommy Hilfiger opens up about his daughter's autism

By Lindsay Goldwert / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee have more in common than just design success -- they both have children affected with autism.

Hilfiger said that one of the reasons he chose to appear in a public service announcement for the philanthropy Autism Speaks was to honour his 16 year-old daughter, Kathleen.

He said that she when was five years old, she was given the diagnosis of being “developmentally delayed.”

Despite seeing doctors at Harvard and Yale, he couldn’t get a grasp on what the trouble was.

Finally they discovered she was “on the spectrum of autism” -- but it still left more questions than answers.

He’s proud of his “really smart” daughter who now attends a special school.

“She’ll come and wake me up in the middle of the night and ask, ‘Am I intelligent?’ or ‘Someone in school told me I was a retard, is that true?’ It’s just heart-wrenching.”

While he’s happy his daughter is getting the care and help she needs, he wishes that more people cared about autism.

“The government is not involved in it. People aren’t donating enough money. There’s not enough research,” he said. “There’s no cure. It needs help, so we’ve become involved.”

He said that having a stepchild with similar problems has proved to be a comfort for his daughter.

“Dee has a son my daughter’s age who had the same issue,” he said. “That really brought us together.”

Recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control reveal that 1 in 88 children in the United States has some form of autism.

Designer appears in PSA for the philanthropy Autism Speaks

Children’s Book Shows How Those With Autism Can Face Life With Courage

By Mel Fabrikant Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 04:48 PM EDT

Told from the author’s alter-ego, “The City of Wistmore - Book One” by Motesem Mansur reflects the life of one young man’s struggle with autism as he stares down prejudice

In “The City of Wistmore – Book One” (ISBN 1470066076), artist and writer Motesem Mansur pens a children’s book that shows the realities people living with autism face in a society that often does not understand their condition. It is the first of a planned series that will showcase the triumphs and tragedies of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

The story follows the character of Gloves. Gloves is a very gifted builder with severe autism. His job is to build beautiful, elaborate castles for the city of Wistmore. Unfortunately, his condition prevents him from speaking. It is his burning desire to chat just like everyone else in town. [ READ MORE ]

CHECK POINT; Into the Fray Over the Cause of Autism

By BENEDICT CAREY

Published: March 4, 2008

''It's indisputable that autism is on the rise among children,'' Senator John McCain said while campaigning recently in Texas. ''The question is, What's causing it? And we go back and forth, and there's strong evidence that indicates that it's got to do with a preservative in vaccines.''

With that comment, Mr. McCain marked his entry into one of the most politicized scientific issues in a generation.

Mr. McCain is correct that autism diagnoses have increased in recent decades; no one disputes that. He is on much shakier ground when talking about the preservative as a cause. [ READ MORE ]

NY Times | Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Genetic Test May Spot Raised Autism Risk

Geared toward siblings of kids with the disorder, but experts question precision of the exam

By Barbara Bronson Gray
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers report that a new DNA test may be able to spot an increased risk of autism in children as young as 6 months old.

The genetic screen, called ARISk, is designed for babies and toddlers who have a sibling with autism, a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. The new test found 57 key gene variations that were associated with the condition in more than 1,000 families. [ READ MORE ]

health.usnews.com  |  Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net