|
|
|
|
Autism Autism is defined as permissive developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, and repetitive activities and behaviors. Autism has increased dramatically over the last several decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the prevalence is approximately 1 in 150 among 8 year-old children. It remains unknown why Autism has seen such a dramatic rise. The increase in autism might be due to an increased reporting/awareness of the condition that has led to increased diagnoses or that changes in the definition of autism have broadened, leading to more children being diagnosed with the condition. Autism is believed to be a multifactorial genetic condition. Twin studies have shown a 90% concordance rate among identical twins versus a 30% concordance among fraternal twins. Genetic association studies have implicated several distinct loci believed to contribute to the condition. However, it remains unknown what (if any) environmental triggers/factors may also contribute to the development of Autism. Many environmental agents have been suggested to have a role in the development of Autism including: mercury, allergies, GI flora changes, nutritional deficiencies, and vaccines. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies are popular treatments used by parent's of children with autism. In 2006, it was reported that 74% of families with children with Autism used some type of CAM therapy. Supplements and special diets were utilized by 54% of the families. Nutritional modifications are simple to begin and are proactive methods which may explain their popularity and high frequency of use among families of children with Autism. Many in the Autism community whom have explored CAM therapies have developed generalized theories about what causes Autism and what therapies are helpful. The following is a brief overview of some of these suspected causes of autism and the nutritional CAM therapies believed to treat them: GI Pathology Many children with Autism have gastrointestinal symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, reflux, and abdominal pain. It is believed that 30-40% of children with Autism have GI symptoms. It remains unknown why some children with Autism develop these GI symptoms. Common ideas that have been put forth to explain these GI phenomenon include:
CAM Nutritional Treatments Many who use CAM therapies for children with Autism believe that either individually or in some combination that bacteria, yeast, and exposure to gluten may cause the GI symptoms and possibly the neurological changes exhibited in Autism. Therefore, many of the CAM nutritional therapies are geared toward replacing suspected nutritional deficiencies or at eliminating the microbes/proteins believed to be responsible.
Summary Supporters of CAM therapies for children with Autism have a general theory that toxic substances (including exposure to heavy metals, mercury in vaccines, viruses, microbes, gluten/casein) all in some way contribute to the development of Autism. Therefore the CAM therapies that are used attempt to reduce exposure to these toxic agents and replace suspected nutritional deficits. These diets/nutritional supplements are sometimes referred to as "Biomedical Treatment". Some of the popular diets include the: DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) Protocol and the Cutler Protocol. Unfortunately, medical science has yet to fully understand the etiology of Autism. It appears that CAM nutritional supplements exist solely because conventional medicine has yet to provide parents/families with adequate understanding and treatments for Autism. The evidence for these CAM nutritional treatments is lacking and it remains unclear how these treatments may work.
|
|
|