Treatment Options for Autism page 2

Mega Vitamin Therapy

AIA (Allergy Induced Autism)

Option Institute  (The Son-Rise Program)

The Squeeze Machine

AIT (Auditory Intergration Training)

Diet-Food

  Mega-Vitamin Therapy

      Dr Bernard Rimland, director of the Autism Research Institute, and other scientists investigated claims from parents on improvements seen in their children after taking certain vitamins.

      A vitamin and mineral therapy was developed, which is now considered an effective treatment for some individuals with autism.

      Researchers concluded that large doses of Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), with magnesium and other vitamins and minerals, are an effective treatment for 45-50% of the individuals with autism.

      It is important to take Vitamin B6 in combination with other vitamins and minerals, in order to help metabolize vitamin B6 and magnesium.

      Studies have shown that vitamin B6 helps to control hyperactivity, and improve overall behaviour. Although improvements vary considerably among individuals, other possible improvements are: speech improvements, improved sleeping patterns, lessened irritability, increased attention span, decrease in self-stimulation, overall improvement in general health.

      In some cases behavioural improvements can be seen in a matter of days. However, the vitamins often take 60-90 days to show any effects. Dosage is an important consideration. The Autism Research Institute provides a form letter on B6/magnesium therapy that includes a detailed description of the treatment, a dosage chart, a table of scientific research data, and an extensive bibliography. Reading this report before beginning the megavitamin therapy is recommended.

  aia (Allergy-induced Autism)

      WHAT IS 'ALLERGY-INDUCED' AUTISM ?
Autism........ The symptoms usually become apparent during the first three years of life.   We consider the children in our Group to have 'allergy-induced' autism, as all of them have autism that appears to have been triggered by intolerance to many foods and/or chemicals, the main offenders being wheat, cow's milk, corn, sugar and citrus fruits, although each child is different, and may be affected by different substances.   When these particular children develop autism, their diet completely changes, and they become picky eaters, choosing the foods they wish to eat and consuming them to excess, this after having followed a normal diet from birth. The children also have many almost unnoticeable physical problems, namely excessive thirst, excessive sweating, especially at night, low blood sugar, diarrhoea, bloating, rhinitis, inability to control temperature, red face and/or ears, dark circles under the eyes, etc.......

  Option Institute (The Son-Rise Program.SM)

      Barry Neil and Samahria Kaufman, founders of The Option Institute and Fellowship, pioneered their own method of working with children with autism.

      In the book Son-Rise, Barry Kaufman describes his son as exhibiting many of the characteristics of autism.   At eighteen months, Raun was formally diagnosed as autistic and functionally retarded by psychiatric and developmental professionals.   After searching nationwide without finding a program that would offer hope for Raun's recovery they designed an intensive stimulation program based on an attitude of unconditional love and acceptance.   After three years of this home-based, parent-directed program, Raum completely emerged from his condition with no signs of autism.

      As a result of great demand from parents wishing to learn more about the method, the Kaufmans founded The Option Institute and Fellowship.   The Institute offers training for families wishing to create home-based Son- Rise Programs for their special children.

      At present, no formal studies or evaluations have validated the effectiveness of the Son-Rise Program as a treatment for children with autism.   The program requires immense commitment and dedication on the part of the child's family.

The Squeeze Machine

      Many people with autistic disorder have problems with oversensitivity to both touch and sound.   The author (an autistic person) developed a device that delivers deep touch pressure to help her learn to tolerate touching and to reduce anxiety and nervousness.   The "squeeze machine" applies lateral, inwardly directed pressure to both lateral aspects of a person's entire body, by compressing the user between two foam-padded panels.   Clinical observations and several studies suggest that deep touch pressure is therapeutically beneficial for both children with autistic disorder and probably children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.   Only minor and occasional adverse effects have been noted.   Data are reported that show a similar calming effect in nonreferred college students.   A review of the animal literature reveals that animals have similar calming reactions, and also suggests possible additional physiological effects of deep touch pressure.   At present, there are increasing anecdotal reports of the clinical value of the squeeze machine, including suggestions that it can be used to reduce required doses of psychostimulant medications.   More clinical studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of this seemingly beneficial form of "physiological" stimulation.

AIT (Auditory Intergration Training)

      Auditory Integration Training (AIT) attempts to reduce problems with auditory processing which are experienced by some people with autism.   AIT is done with a device that filters some sound frequencies from recorded music which the trainee listens to via headphones...........

      Dr. Guy Berard, developer of Berard method of AIT, and Bill Clark, developer of the BGC method of AIT, state that filtering peaks is optional for the developmentally disabled population.   In addition, Drs. Bernard Rimland and Stephen Edelson of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego have conducted three empirical studies and have found that filtering peaks in one's hearing is not related to one's level of improvement using various post-assessment measures.   The music is, in all cases, modulated throughout the 10 hours of listening, whether or not peaks are filtered.

      AIT involves several components including some audiological work, behavior analysis and management, educational issues, and after-care counseling for the client and family.   The most satisfactory results can be obtained when a multi-disciplinary team approach is used........

  Diet-Food

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