Does the environment cause autism?

The cause of autism remains a mystery but there is no shortage of possible causes. Over the past 2 decades, almost everything underneath the sun has been blamed as a cause of autism.

Now scientists have come back full circle and claim that perhaps it is the environmental after all. The latest study from Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles indicates that children who live near freeways at birth have twice the risk of autism compared to children born in rural areas.

This study from LA found that babies who lived within 1,000 feet of a freeway were at a risk for autism. And this they say could be due to a high levels of pollutants in the freeways. The study observed that more than 50 percent of autistic children were born near areas of contaminated air.

So what does this all mean? 

Autism also occurs in children born to mother who live in rural areas. Therefore, the results of this study appear puzzling. Moreover, not a single study has ever shown that autistic children have high levels of any specific chemical, metal or any types of toxic gas in their body. Therefore, for now, this is just an academic study.

Even if this was true, parents who want to prevent autism have little choice- there are not many places in America where there are no highways or pollution. There are many other cities in the world that have worse pollution than Los Angeles- like Beijing, Bangkok, Jakarta, Dacca or Mexico City. Yet the incidence of autism does not appear to be any higher than anywhere else in the world. So for now, mothers-to-be who live in urban areas should relax and stop reading too much into these studies. And even if you wanted to sell your home and move away, chances are the economic situation won’t let you.

Electronic diagnosis of Autism in children: Part 2

At present, the diagnosis of autism is based on a range of behaviors and speech impediment including how much a child talks by a certain age, whether they make eye contact and the degree of repetition in vocabulary.

"Autism is a multi-factorial disorder and it has many behavioral dimensions to consider. And vocalization is clearly an important one," said Oller. "But I certainly don't think it should be used exclusively."

Dr Oller has noticed that the speech development process in autistic children does not follow the typical pattern and there are subtle deviations in both pronunciation and vocalization.

While all this may sound fantastic news, it is important to know that Dr Oller and most of his colleagues received consultation fees from the company that makes the device. Moreover, in fact some of the researchers even work for the company (LENA FOUNDATION). Secondly making the diagnosis of autism earlier in life makes no difference in treatment. To date there is nothing specific available for children under the age of 2-5.

From past history, researchers who have worked with medical industries and received funding always make everything look glossy. So before you rush out to buy this expensive device, remember the adage, “Buyer Beware.” Medicine is ultimately a business.

The results of the study have just been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Electronic diagnosis of Autism in children: Part 1

Researchers have developed a small electronic device that can now screen children for autism. This small recorder fits into the upper pocket of a shirt and can analyze words the child says during the day. The device has a powerful software program that evaluates all the sound the child makes. The software program recognizes the words, syllables and processes sounds made only by the child being studied. The 12 hours daytime recordings are then analyzed to examine a child's natural speech. Parents return the recorder back to the company after the child has worn it for a day. Back at the company, the researchers analyze the recording for language development progress and degree of autism.

This research done by clinicians at University of Memphis recently analyzed more than 3 million syllabic sounds gathered from over 1500 all day recordings from 232 children ranging in age between 10 months to 4 years. The tests were undertaken in English, but the head of research, Dr Oller said the technique could be applied to other languages. "It hasn't actually been tried yet, but there's every reason to think it should," he said.

Dr Oller, the head of the study has extensively studied language learning and evolution, and has recognized how the structure of diverse syllables changes during a child's first four years of life. This knowledge led Dr Oller to develop a device that could analyze speech.

Said Dr Oller, "Although clinicians have been saying for many years that they think that autistic kids sound strange when they talk, there's been no practical way to use vocalization as a part of the diagnostic or screening procedure in working with autism."

Can Autism improve with Different Diets? Part 1

With the sudden increase in autism, many people have been wondering if a change in diet may help. However, an expert panel says that there is no evidence that dietary or digestive problems are the cause of autism. Despite widespread claims by celebrities that special diets can help treat autistic kids- this is only speculative and not based on any established research.

In a report published in the Jan issue of Pediatrics, it is recommended that painful digestive problems that initiate problem behaviour should be treated medically and not by changed in diet. Said Dr Timothy Buie of Harvard Medical School, "There are a lot of barriers to medical care to children with autism. They can be destructive and unruly in the office, or they can't sit still. The nature of their condition often prevents them from getting standard medical care.”

Added Dr Buie, “Some pediatricians' offices can't handle those kids, especially if children are in pain or discomfort because of bloating or stomach cramps.” It is well known that pain can change behavior, which makes diagnosis difficult and this is even more so in children who have trouble communicating.

One of the hallmarks of autism is the inability to communicate or interact with others. Current estimates indicate that at least 1 in every 100 children may have some degree of autistic features.

Behaviour therapy works for autistic children Part 2

Children in the focused group had four hours of therapist-led management five days a week, in addition, parents were also asked to put in at least five hours a week.
After two years, many aspects of the children mental functions were improved including IQ. However, parents should note that this study did not cure autism in any child.

While the results are great, the long term follow up on this particular treatment is unknown. Many similar behaviour studies have shown initial improvement in autistic children with regression later one. Finally, such behavior treatments are exorbitantly expensive and can cost at least $50,000 a year. While some states require insurance companies to cover the costs, this is by no means the standard in other parts of the country.

This Study was recently published in the Pediatric journal online

Behaviour therapy works for autistic children Part 1

The latest study published by researchers from the University of Washington indicate that behaviour therapy for two years in autistic children as young as 18 months can significantly improve symptoms and result in better behavior.
The small study has led to renewed interests in this therapy in many centers where autistic children are treated.

The treatment of autism has been getting more consideration partly because so many quasi treatment claims have been made before. Most of the previous treatments have failed but this latest study appears to show some promise at least for the short term.

Moreover, there is a growing trend to treat autism at a much earlier age. This study showed that when treatment is started as early as 18 months, the results are great.

Children aged 18 to 30 months were randomly allocated to receive behavior treatment called the Early Start Denver model from therapists and parents, or they were referred to other types of less comprehensive treatments. The Denver model focuses more on social interaction and communication which are the most difficult features of autistic children.