Autism – At what age did you tell your child or were you told you or they were on the autism spectrum?

At what age did you tell your child they had autism

At what age did you tell your child they had autism

It is an interesting topic which comes up both at the school gate and our our facebook discussion page AutismTalk (check it out here https://www.facebook.com/AutismTalk).

At what age do you tell a child that she or he is on the autistic spectrum?

In the case of our son John he attended a nursery school specifically for children with autism.  You can read more about the story here https://patienttalk.org/how-easy-was-it-to-get-your-child-diagnosed-with-autism/.  So pretty much he know from the work go.

That being said others have very different opinions on the subject.

So we felt that it would be useful to run discussion blog post on the subject.  So firstly we have created a poll to allow you to share.

Secondly we hope that you will consider using the comments box below to flesh out your story in a bit more detail.  We are sure it will help people dealing with this issue.

Many thanks in advance



JosephDSmith PamelaHorbach JosephDSmithActually, I would recommend you read up on Temple Grandin, a world famous diary farm designer, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s. This is her website, if the Moderators don’t mind me to post the link;

Her website: http://templegrandin.com/

Also, use your favorite search engine, such as Yahoo!, Google, or whatever, and type in the search term, with the quotes around it, “Autism resources”.

I hope that this helps.

PamelaHorbach JosephDSmith PamelaHorbach  is there something i could read and study tounderstand about it better,thanks for your help
Alaskagirl59 Replying to lady asking about social skills. Medication played a big part in reducing inappropriatebbehaviors such as flapping, twirling, sqeezing legs etc. He started therapy at a young age, 3, and we began the education process as soon as we found out working closely with his educators. He had a few close friends who he felt comfortable with in school, and each year the school kept those classmates together with him. He was given many opportunities to educate his classmates about his condition, and he also had adult friends and family members who accepted him. In High School, he wanted to participate in some sports so we chose (together), Cross Country Skiing and Cross Country Running and Riflery and Swimming: things he could do that didn’t require alot of team interaction. He maintained the same 2 Counselors throughout High school, and we set up e-mail communication for weekly progress. He also has very concerned and SOCIAL siblings who stepped up…in a nutshell, a nearly perfect environment as much as we could make it, with feedback immediately for any inappropriate behaviors and real consequences to help him develop a few healthy supportive relationships.
JosephDSmith PamelaHorbach I can still be a loner at times, but it’s only when I first meet someone. After that, I tend to open up, and never close.

I really only bettered my social skills when I turned 18, when I actually found out that I was autistic. I learned what it really meant to have Asperger’s, which gave me the opportunity to learn that my actions are often inappropriate, and it helped me learn why they were such. Before that, I had no idea that I was out of line, because nobody had ever explained to me why, and I was stubborn when I didn’t have an explanation.

You just have to meet your son’s individual needs, and if he is ever diagnosed, then try to let him know what his condition makes him do, and let him know what can be done better the next time in regards to what his autism makes him do.

PamelaHorbach What did u do to better your social skills be cuz my son is very shy and a loneR and he has never been diagnosed and I wonder ? We’re u shy and a loner? He’s 20 now and in college
Alaskagirl59 We knew something was off when he was an infant. He was scissoring his legs. Did not like to be held, but enjoyed hours in his swing. Could imitate the sounds of a car shifting at several weeks of age. Talked early but sounds of any kind that involved machinery like fork lifts caused him to scream and panic. When he began walking, he started running from place to place and posing and dropping to the ground. This he also did in the middle of the street and we had to grab him up quickly to keep him from being hit. All the while my wonderful caregiver filmed video of his behavior to bring to the various doctors that evaluated him. Chief of Pediatric Neurology at Tulane University Medical Center, Oschner Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital . Complicating matters was my husband’s diagnosis of Tourette’s and Aspergers. Finally, a preschool Summer Volunteer, who also happened to be a Kindergarten teacher with a Masters in Speech and Language Pathology, called me aside and helped me get him evaluated by a Pediatric Neuropsychiatrist and into therapy and treatment. Diagnosis: High Functioning Autism vs. Aspergers. There is of course more to the story than this brief communication. Last year, in his High School swim class, we nearly lost him when a classmate noticed him on the pool’s bottom. He was unresponsive, taken to the ER, and treated for drowning…a follow up EEG showed abnormalities but not necessarily a seizure….through his hard work, honesty about his condition with classmates and loving, supportive siblings, he begins his Freshman year at UAA ( University of Alaska Anchorage), with a concentration in biological sciences with hopes to make it through Vet school. Our story may not be typical, but it’s our story.

JosephDSmith BeckyMcCleveTraeger Good for you! Your son sounds like an angel, an angel with a passion for tolerance and respect. Most importantly, he knows the meaning of understanding. Before I knew that I was autistic, my younger sister Wendy was diagnosed with low-functioning autism before she was able to turn 3. Before she received her vaccinations, she was a normal-functioning little girl, doing things for herself, talking, and even singing, but when she was diagnosed with autism she lost all ability to function normally.
My point is, my little sister taught me early on the meaning of understanding of others differences and I’ve always advocated for those with intellectual disabilities. I was only 3 when she was born, so that is an early age for advocacy.
Thank you Becky for being a wonderful parent to your son, and for raising a fine young man. May you and your family be blessed, forever.
BeckyMcCleveTraeger Our son wasn’t officially diagnosed until he was 5 1/2, with Aspergers so I answered the poll “5-6 years of age.” We have always been open and honest about being “different” and why he had to do so many therapies.  I didn’t want him to be “surprised” by one day sitting down and having “the talk” with mom and dad…
I based this off of experiences unrelated to ASD.  Growing up a few of my friends were adopted.  The ones that “always knew” were much more adjusted and confident while the ones who were sat down and told later on.  They always seemed to struggle more.
Being open/honest has also helped with extended family members and friends.  It’s been 2 years since his official diagnosis and just 2 weeks ago, he spoke to his whole class about ASD and the challenges he faces (also the good things).  He is already beginning to self advocate.  We have had nothing but positive experiences in telling our son as early as we knew.
Lenadass My son is 7, and we just found out he has Asperger’s syndrome and/or ADD. Should we tell him he is special from other kids? What is the appropriate age to tell?
CrystalHatcher I have 2 sons with Autism. My younger son was diagnosed at 12, and he knew each step of they way what was going on. We talked about what it meant because I thought it was important for him to know that their is nothing wrong with him, that everyone is different in their own way. My older son was diagnosed at 17, a year after his younger brother and we told him as soon as we find out.
Ymkje Wideman I was the primary caregiver of my grandson for the first 6 years of his life. He was diagnosed while living with me at 3 years of age. He asked me one day, “Autism Is…?” when he heard me talk about his autism with a friend. I later explained it by writing a story/poem for him. He loved it and so did my friends. In 2012 I published it as “Autism Is…?” It is available here https://www.createspace.com/3809107 and on Amazon.com. Many parents have used it to explain Autism to their children on the spectrum and it’s great for siblings, too. I hope this is helpful.
xenagirlcat My brother was diagnosed at about 14 I think my family had to research each false diagnose and find the right doctors that could help us. I know one of the biggest problems we have is that my brother from his dad has multiple psychiatric issues.
ohree1720 My son was diagnosed at age of 3. We were in disbelief initially, but quickly came to accept it . We read as many books as possible to get up to speed on a subject we knew little about but had a major impact on our lives.
GWall I think when the child starts to notice it is a good time to tell them, especially if start they label themselves as a ‘Bad Child’. Just remember its a bigger deal for the parents, kids don’t know any different If they know from early on. Its when parents hide the truth it creates confusion and feeling of deception and insecurities in older children.
JosephDSmith If it weren’t for me looking at my application for Vocational Rehab, I would’ve never have known that I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. My parents would NOT let a single soul tell me that I was autistic, not even my therapists, or my school counselors. I was shocked that they never told me, and this was a huge problem, because when I was going into the 8th grade, I noticed that I was “different” than everybody else, so I started to wonder what was “wrong” with me.

This wondering became overpowering through the years, so I had to seek therapy, but still the therapists weren’t allowed to tell me what was wrong, so I even thought that maybe it was from using permanent markers, but the therapist told me that just smelling them won’t make you do that. I spent many years just focusing only on what was wrong with me, and this lead to developmental problems with learning. I was so frustrated, trying to figure out every which was what was wrong with me, that I never learned to develop fully into an adult. If I had known that I was autistic from the beginning, I would’ve learned to develop better social skills and I would’ve realized why my actions weren’t appropriate.

I hope you understand what I am saying. I am now going through a lot of psychological issues from the many years of stress. I was diagnosed at around 2 or 3 years old. My parents hid this from me, and I am just now learning to take better care of myself at the age of 25.

I love my parents to death, and I understand why they hid it from me, because they didn’t want me to limit myself and to think that I was dumb or any less important. I have no resentment towards them like I did two years ago. I would do anything to protect them and to make them happy, and we are especially happy for my younger sister, at the age of 22, who is low-functioning autistic; she is the center of me and my parents’ lives!

KathrynA My son, now 44, was diagnosed with pervasive development disability at age 4.  We didn’t know it was a form of autism at that time.  There were very few programs back then.  It is very hard now that he is an adult because he is highly functional.  He drives and holds a full-time job with good pay.  We could use services for him because he is often uncommunicative with us.  I hope that because of so much awareness now that more services for adults will come out of it as these kids grow up.
MandyTanner My son started showing signs at the age of two but was officially diagnosed a few days after his 3rd birthday. I am still so overwhelmed and trying to find more information to help me with taking care of him. Your forum/blog has really helped in some of the areas I need help. I am just glad to have answers after a year wait to get him diagnosed. Thank you for your help as well!
KatrinaBaldwin My son was formally diagnosed at the end of last year, at the age of 8.  I’m still coming to terms with it and trying to understand it myself and as part of the process feel that it needs to be talked about openly both in our family and publicly. For that reason I have just this last couple of weeks started discussing it with him. I think it helping us both.

Diagnosing Autism – A How to Guide

Autism – diagnosis

Autism – diagnosis

See your GP or health visitor if your child is showing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or you’re worried about their development.

If appropriate, your GP can refer you to a healthcare professional or team who specialise in diagnosing ASD, or someone who has access to such a team.

The specialist or specialist team will make a more in-depth assessment, which should be started within three months of the referral.

If you’re referred to an individual specialist, they may be a:

psychologist – a healthcare professional with a psychology degree, plus further training and qualifications in psychology

psychiatrist – a medically qualified doctor with further training in psychiatry

paediatrician – a doctor who specialises in treating children

speech and language therapist – a specialist in recognising and treating communication problems

Some local health authorities use multidisciplinary teams. These are a combination of specialists who work together to make an assessment.

Assessment

A diagnosis of ASD is based on the range of features your child is showing.

For most children:

information will be needed from your GP, nursery or school staff, plus speech and language and occupational therapists, about your child’s development, health and behaviour

a speech and language therapist, and often an occupational therapist, will carry out an assessment

a detailed physical examination will need to be carried out to rule out possible physical causes of your child’s symptoms, such as an underlying condition like neurofibromatosis or Down’s syndrome

the assessment will include a check for any coexisting physical health conditions and mental health problems

In addition, for some children:

you may be asked to attend a series of interviews so a detailed family history and the history of your child’s development and behaviour can be drawn up

your child may be asked to attend a series of appointments so specific skills and activities can be observed and assessed

Once this process is complete, a diagnosis of ASD may be confirmed.

After diagnosis

When a child is diagnosed with ASD, many parents are keen to find out as much as they can about the condition. The National Autistic Society has an excellent range of resources and advice.

Diagnosing ASD in adults

Some people with ASD grow up without their condition being recognised, but it’s never too late to get a diagnosis. Some people may be scared of being diagnosed because they feel it will “label” them, and lower other people’s expectations of them.

But there are several advantages to getting a diagnosis. It helps people with the condition and their families understand ASD and decide what sort of support they need. A diagnosis may also make it easier to access autism-specific services and claim benefits.

See your GP if you think you may have ASD and ask them to refer you to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. The National Autistic Society website has information about being diagnosed with ASD if you’re an adult.

If you’re already seeing a specialist for other reasons, you may want to ask them for a referral instead.

Read more about diagnosing ASD in adults and advice for adults living with ASD.

You can also read the NICE guidelines about the recognition, referral, diagnosis and management of adults on the autism spectrum (PDF, 267kb).

Autism and the problem of Bullying – Please help with this research study

Autism and Bullying Research

Autism and Bullying Research

Bullying is a common problem in school-age children, and children with special needs are victims of bullying more frequently than their typically developing peers. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may be especially susceptible to victimization due to the social and communication deficits inherent to this disorder. Deficits in these areas can be especially problematic in social settings, such as school, as children with ASD may struggle to engage in social reciprocity, understand the perspective of others, or interpret nonliteral language. These difficulties may incite peers to engage in bullying behavior specifically directed towards children with ASD.

Researchers at the Institute for Child Development at Binghamton University (SUNY) are conducting a research study to learn more about perceptions of bullying in children with and without special needs. They have developed an anonymous online survey, which asks individuals to provide their perceptions of various scenarios describing interactions between two children. This research aims to better understand what bullying looks like in children with ASD, and also to understand potential differences between bullying in typically developing children. Findings will be useful to develop better assessment tools more specific to the experiences of children with ASD and will also inform more effective interventions to reduce bullying in this population.

The principal investigator for this study, Hannah Morton, M.S., is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Binghamton University; she is also a sibling of an individual with ASD. Her research focuses on the experiences of children with ASD and their families, with a goal of understanding how these experiences may differ from typically developing children and place children with ASD at further disadvantage for success across home, school, and community settings. Better understanding of bullying and other experiences can then be used to intervene and provide additional supports for children with special needs (e.g., ASD).

Morton and colleagues are currently recruiting participants for this anonymous online survey, specifically looking for parents of children with special needs (e.g., ASD), as well as educators and service providers for children with special needs. Parents of typically-developing children or individuals who do not have children are also welcome to participate. Participation will take up to 40 minutes, and participants may choose to be entered into a drawing for one of five, $50 gift cards. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Binghamton University.

Please click the survey link below to participate or email autism@binghamton.edu with any questions.

http://surveymonkey.com/r/BullyingBehavior

Hyperlexia – please share your advice and tips with one of our readers! Is this part of your autism experience?

Hyperlexia - get informed Hyperlexia – get informed[/caption]

A few months ago on our Facebook Page AutismTalk one of our readers, named Lori, asked “Has anyone heard of Hyperlexia, my son is very smart but struggles with comprehension? Reads 7 grades levels above his grade yet comprehension is still at grade level! Looking for suggestions on how to help him?”

Now I have a confession to make up until I read the question I have never heard of Hyperlexia (which may often come with autism) so, as you can imagine I was fascinated by the responses.

To those, like me who are not familiar  with the term Hyperlexia it is defined by Darold Treffert  in the Scientific American  as “the ability to read early” which when it presents itself in children on the autism spectrum “as a savant ‘splinter skill’ as one symptom of an autistic spectrum disorder. They read voraciously usually with astonishing memory for what they read, often accompanied by other memorization tasks and abilities, sometimes linked with number or calendar calculating abilities. There is marked obsessiveness and rigidity”.

It should been mentioned that Hyperlexia does not automatically come hand in hand with autism.  Indeed one type (actually called Hyperlexia Type 3) is often misdiagnosed as ASD.  Like its related condition Einstein Syndrome most children with a diagnosis developed in a fairly neurotypical fashion.  But this is the subject for a future blog post.

But back to Lori’s question.

Quite of a few of our readers were happy to share their experiences.  Amy, for example, was pretty confident of it being Hyperlexia when she remarked “If he taught himself to read at 2 I’d say its hyperlexia. Sounds a lot like my son.”

But Samantha wanted to know ““What tests were done for his comprehension? Maybe he can comprehend what he’s read, but he can’t express it written or verbally to explain what he read. Here’s what I mean; my 9 yr. old has Asperger’s. He has a 9th grade reading level. He was tested in 3rd and this year in 4th grade. After he reads, they give him a written test (this years was on the computer). He has a hard time gripping a pencil, so he doesn’t like to write. So he didn’t test well on the comprehension test in the 3rd grade because he didn’t want to write. So this year, they did computer testing and he also didn’t test well. I am guessing it is just because he didn’t want to do the test. He doesn’t like to be put on the spot and questioned and so he can’t explain verbally what he read about. So they stop the test and say that is his maximum reading level. But I know my son. I know he comprehends what he reads, even if he can’t pass a test about what he read. So what do you need to help your son with? He already reads 7 grade levels above his grade level. Then you don’t need to do anything. Here’s my advice: Sit back, relax, and be proud!””

Pamela gave some very useful advice “My oldest son (19) has Hyperlexia. Be sure to have appropriate goals and objectives in his IEP. There is a Hyperlexia group on FB that can offer a wealth of info. It is not just reading/comprehension….social skills and other factors can….may….will come into play. With proper supports (and making sure educators comply with IEP) he will thrive! My son is doing great at his university and totally independent.”

“I read all content, books, passages before my daughter does and note questions to ask throughout with reference to specific sentences. I then ask them, take her back to the sentence/paragraph and get her to explain how the person felt/what the science looked like etc. It’s a long process but now she knows she will be asked so she will read something then say ‘the boy was upset because his dog ran away’ it’s just a small portion of what she has read and she has ultimately ‘decoded’ the writing but knowing she will be questioned and I will go back through it with her is helping because ultimately she wants to read and then have the task finished. My daughter is 7 reads at the age of 14 and comprehends at the age of 3. It’s extra work and laborious and she HATES it but it works x x”” came the suggestion from Kerry.

But Stephanie shares “I would suggest reading the comprehension questions FIRST and then slowly reading the story and finding the answers, as he reads. This will eventually teach him what the comprehension questions usually consist of. Then, once he understands what information to look out for, he should be doing a little better. He may read more slowly, but at least he will understand what he’s reading. (I’ve dealt with this, my whole [reading] life.)”

We would like to end by sharing Michelle’s excellent suggestions “Please have Lori or anyone else who would like to know about Hyperlexia join us at : (just type this into your search bar, and request membership. I’ll approve you quickly.

Hyperlexia Parents Network on Facebook

A study from Nature Neuroscience offers new information on best practices for helping individuals with autism learn. The study shows that the traditional method of teaching through repetition may be flawed due to an ASD individual’s difficulty transferring knowledge from one context to another. In fact, the study indicates this teaching method may even be counterproductive to learning.

Also, here is a great website with so much information and articles, teaching aids, etc…: http://westwingpublishing.com/Hyperlexia_Parents_Network/Social_Media.html

You can also Google Treffert and Hyperlexia for a wonderful article about the types of Hyperlexia. My daughter is 12 and while we still struggle some, she’s doing great.”

So what next?

Well over to you.  We are really interested in the views and experience of both people with Hyperlexia and their families and caregivers.  Please do think in terms of the following questions but do bear in mind that anything you have to say will be of great interest to our readers.

  1. What were the original signs of Hyperlexia?
  2. How was it diagnosed/ were you told about it?
  3. What strategies did you put in place to help with the Hyperlexia?
  4. How successful were these strategies?
  5. What one bit of advice would you give to a person who has just been diagnosed with Hyperlexia? And to their families and caregivers?

Many thanks in advance for your help and we look forward to reading you comments.

Brain Inflammation and Autism by Dr. Sonya Doherty.

Autism

Autism

Dr. Sonya Doherty has very kindly allowed us to republish this fascinating article on autism and inflammation. She  is a licensed and board certified Naturopathic Doctor who is an active member of the CAND. Sonya Doherty completed her undergraduate training at the University of Western Ontario in a Bachelor of Science Honors Kinesiology program.  Very experienced in the field of autism you can access her website here.

If you have any questions about the article please feel free to ask them in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

According to recent estimates by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in every 68 children has autism. Autism is a complex neurological disorder previously thought to be a mental health issue but mounting evidence is showing significant medical aspects to this growing neurodevelopmental disorder.  A study at Johns Hopkins published in 2005 identified that people diagnosed with autism experience inflammatory changes in their brain tissue.  This finding was crucial because it was a major step forward in redefining autism as a medical disorder that is may be treatable and reversible.

This article will briefly review some of the potential causes of brain inflammation and treatments that are being used successfully to help children today.  With a 30% rise in autism in the last two years, parents are eager to see research translate into treatments that can address medical issues like constipation and diarrhea, as well as advanced approaches that improve social, language and cognitive development.

 

How do methyl B12 injections help with inflammation?

 

Jill James, a PhD biochemist at the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute has identified that 90% of children diagnosed with autism have methylation impairments.  So, what does that mean?  Methylation is the process that supports development in the body.  When babies are conceived, they are not methylated.  As babies develop, methylation makes sure the brain develops properly and is protected against toxicity.  Impairments in this cycle stop the production of a brain antioxidant called glutathione.  Antioxidants protect the body and glutathione is the head honcho when it comes to protecting the brain.  In fact, depletion of glutathione is also one of the medical aspects of autism and is up to 80% decreased in the disorder.

Methylation is fueled by methyl donors and one of the best ways to improve how this cycle functions is by injecting methyl B12.  Dr. James Neubrander was the first physician to use methyl B12 to help children with autism.  What he noticed after injecting his first patient is what hundreds of practitioners have observed since, improved language, social and cognitive skills.  Methyl B12 injections help to remove inflammation by improving glutathione production.

Glutathione is important throughout the body but in the brain, it is the rate limiting step which means are it decreases; it is exactly like a battery.  The lower the glutathione, the more the brain is at risk for developmental concerns.

 Why is your child’s digestion so important in regulating inflammation?

It is estimated that up to 85%  of people with ASD have digestive issues including chronic constipation, diarrhea, reflux, esophagitis and pain.  Research from the National Institute of Health, Human Microbiome Research Project has identified that the gut is 100% responsible for post-natal development.  Microbiome is the term to describe the intricate ecosystem of microbes that populates our intestines.  These microbes include good bacteria that help with nutrient absorption, as well as regulation of inflammation and immune function.  Other research coming out of the microbiome project has shown that children with ASD have 25% less bacterial diversity, meaning that they lack important good bacteria that work to support development in many ways including production of neurotransmitters and genetic expression.  Studies by Dr. Sidney Baker have found that the stool of children with autism shows higher amounts of certain bacterial species (Clostridia, Bacteriodetes, Desulfovibrio) than may cause harm to the brain by creating more inflammation.

 

How do special diets help inflammation?

For me, special diets are a strategy to improve both methylation and gut health. The most well-known “autism diet” is GFCF.  Gluten free, casein free.  This diet removes all sources of gluten and dairy.  While there are multiple mechanisms by which removing these foods may help, the most important is that gluten and dairy stop the production of glutathione. One of the other ways gluten has also been shown to cause inflammation through stimulation of zonulin which increases gut permeability.  Usually, the gut cells are bound closely together, the space between them closely regulated.  Gluten creates inflammation is by causing the separation of gut cells by the activation of zonlulin.  Discovered in 2000 by Dr. Alessio Fasano, zonlulin causes the space between the cells to open, allowing parts of gluten to escape into the blood stream.  This process causes inflammation by allowing what should stay in the gut, out into circulation.

In my opinion, the most effective diet for improving symptoms of autism is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  Co-founder of Defeat Autism Now!, Dr. Sidney Baker agrees that this dietary approach is the most comprehensive way to healing the gut.  The fortification of folic acid in our grains (which are all removed in the SCD approach) also slows the methylation cycle.  Removal of grains supports the methylation cycle and its production of glutathione.  Research is showing that limiting complex carbohydrates could play a crucial goal in balancing the good bacteria in the digestive tract.   Research by Dr. Derrick MacFabe on the bacteria Clostridia, is helping to build a strong case for dietary carbohydrate restriction as a way to decrease the impact unbalanced gut flora has on the brain, behaviour, social interaction and cognitive function.  The Gut and Psychology Syndrome book is a fantastic resource for anyone embarking on dietary carbohydrate restriction.  Written by a neurologist with a masters degree in nutrition, it is a powerful book that explains the dietary approach that helped to recover her own son from autism.

 

What is causing brain inflammation in autism?

Moms who have the flu during pregnancy are at increased risk of their children having autism.  Viruses activate the immune system in the brain.  The Johns Hopkins study that identified inflammation in the brain also identified immune activation.  Termed, microglia, the immune system in the brain can turn “on” in response to a virus.  For most of us, the immune system turns on, and then we actually have a low level of brain damage which is then repaired by the brain.  In autism, this microglial activation doesn’t shut off and causes massive issues with managing inflammation in the brain because of too much of the most abundant chemical messenger in the brain – glutamate.  This is termed IMMUNOEXCITOTOXICITY. Broken down, this term explains that chronic activation of the IMMUNE cells (microglia) can cause the brain to become EXCITED to the point of TOXICITY.  At this point, the brain will not function normally and the excess glutamate that is causing the excitement causes damage.

Dr. Russell Blaylock, the neurologist who first postulated that IMMUNOEXCITOTOXICITY may be the central mechanism in autism, believes that both environmental toxicity and infectious agents can “prime” the immune cells in the brain.  Once “primed”, these cells will release higher amounts  of glutamate. After priming, the next time the glia are put on high alert from a toxin, infection or by metabolites from unhealthy gut bacteria, the release of large amount of glutamate can have disastrous consequences for the brain.

Research around the world is striving to make sense of the staggering rise in autism.  Inflammation is a medical issue and research in this area offers hope that as we learn more, the causes can lead to successful prevention and treatment.  In the meantime, Dr. Dan Rossignol and the faculty at the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) are training medical professionals from around the world on biomedical treatments that can be used to prevent and treat developmental delays.  Many of these treatments focus on decreasing inflammation and improving the organ systems, like the gut, that manage the inflammatory process.  By addressing unbalanced microbes in the gut and reducing the impact of toxins, MAPS trained practitioners are able to decrease the excess excitement in the brain, improving social, language and cognitive potential in children diagnosed with autism.