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If you’re a teacher or parent who is parenting or educating a child with autism, you may be faced with a unique set of challenges. We want to make sure you get more information, tips and resources to face those challenges.
So, Own A Daycare recently interviewed Dr. Robert Melillo, an internationally known lecturer, author, educator, researcher and clinician in the areas of neurology, rehabilitation, neuropsychology and neurobehavioral disorders in children, including Autism, to get more insight about autism. Dr. Melillo’s 4th book, The Scientific Truth About Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders — and What Parents Can Do Now, gives a clear and compassionate explanation of the causes of the autism epidemic and a scientifically based approach for prevention and treatment.
Own A Daycare: What is autism?
Dr. Robert Melillo: The definition of autism is basically Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in the umbrella category of PDD. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Experts estimate that 1 in 50 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. The Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in some cases as early as 18 months. Studies suggest that many children eventually may be accurately identified by the age of 1 year or even younger.
There are five actual disorders that make up what we call Autism Spectrum Disorders, Classic Autism, Rhett’s Syndrome, PDD NOS, Aspergers and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. There are 2 primary subsets of Autism Syndromic and Nonsysdromic or Essential. Syndromic is autism that is associated with another known genetic syndrome like Fragile X, Tuber Sclerosis, and Downs Syndrome. Syndromic autism is found in about 10-15% of kids with an autism diagnosis and it looks very different from the rest of the Nonsyndromic types of autism .In fact I don’t believe that Syndromic autism is actually true autism I believe it is someone with a genetic disorder and some autism symptoms , but it is not Autism. In Essential Autism there is no known genetic mutation that explains the vast majority of cases; it is believed to be more epigenetic or environmental. There are many known risk factors that increase the risk of a couple having a child with Autism. .In my latest book, Autism, The Scientific Truth … I outline these risk factors and discuss how Autism may be preventable preconception and prenatally. Read more of the definition in part 2*
Own A Daycare What are some practical tips for parents and educators of of autistic preschoolers?
Dr. Robert Melillo:
1) Educate yourself , read as many good books and papers you can to try to understand what is actually happening in your child’s brain and the realities of what you may be able to expect from your child, but be careful most of the information out there is old and flat out wrong. Of course, I think my books are the best place to start. The 3 biggest myths are that 1.Autism is purely a result of a genetic mutation and therefore there is nothing you can do is completely wrong. Autism is epigenetic, meaning genes are not damaged or mutated in the vast majority of cases they are just turned off by various environmental factors, and there is good evidence that they can be turned back on in a certain percentage of kids. 2. The second is that there is some sort of brain damage or injury to their brain, this is also completely wrong there is nothing obviously wrong in their brain physically, this is partly why this disorder is so mysterious and misunderstood, it is a “functional “problem.There is not a biochemical imbalance that is causing Autism, there are immune and biochemical issues that are associated with Autism but there is no medication or pill for Autism and it is not a result of a “biochemical imbalance.” There is an imbalance as we discussed but it is not primarily a chemical one it is a functional imbalance. This imbalance can be corrected but not by medication or nutrition primarily.
2) Motor development is the number one most important issue not speech. If you can improve a child’s motor coordination and muscle tone you will completely change the course of their lives. No matter what your Pediatrician may say, motor milestones matter, if a child doesn’t roll over equally at 3-5 moths, this is a problem. If they don’t crawl on time or if they crawl in an unusual way, this is a big deal. They should walk independently by the latest the end of 13 months, if not, this is a big problem and they will be delayed in other things like speech or social development. Go to someone who understands motor and postural development, such as someone who specializes in Functional Neurology, Childhood Development , Pediatric Chiropractic ,OT Sensory Integration, PT etc. to help as early as possible.
3) Diet matters, but it is not the cause of autism. Almost every child I have ever seen with Autism also has a problem with their gut and with their immune system and their sense of smell. All of these are primarily a result of an imbalance of functional disconnection in their brain. So ultimately the solution for an obsessively picky eater, or an autoimmune or gut problem is to correct the brain imbalance. But in the interim what you feed your child is a big deal. You must identify food sensitivities and avoid nonorganic, junk or highly processed foods. Seek out someone who is expert in diet and nutrition but it should be someone who understands the neurology of autism. Never give them artificial sweeteners especially NutraSweet, as this may make the problem much worse and avoid other excitotoxins . The best would be a specialist in Functional Neurology or Functional Medicine.
Stay tuned for part 2
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