Asperger’s

Serious Talk About Humor

This post details serious talk about humor, which can be a useful and powerful tool in dealing with children with autism. On my answering machine was a message from the mother of Lance, a fifth grader with Asperger’s Syndrome. She was distraught. Sassing the speech-language pathologist (SLP) who ran a weekly social skills group, Lance had exclaimed, “You can’t tell me what to do.” “To the office!” she spat. “You are suspended from this group for three weeks. And you are sentenced to detention, besides!” “Patty, find us another school!!” Lance’s mother cried. “I can’t take this anymore.” Listening, I agreed wholeheartedly. I had just returned from the 15th annual international conference on the Positive Power of Humor and Creativity. sponsored by The Humor Project in Saratoga Springs, NY. After spending the weekend taking life seriously and myself lightly, I wished that the SLP had been with me to hear Joel Goodman’s sage words. Seven Good Reasons to Be Serious…

Thyroid Dysfunction and Autism, ADHD, SPD and Other Developmental Delays

Excerpted from “Resistance to Thyroid Hormone: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Research on the Effects of Thyroid Hormone Disrupters, ” by Peter Hauser, J. Michael McMillin, and Vinod S. Bhatara, and from personal communication with Audrey McMahon The effects of thyroid hormone on the growing brain and on later cognitive functioning are well-documented. It is clear that thyroid hormone is essential to normal behavioral and intellectual development. Thyroid hormone influences the development of synapses, dendrites and myelination of the central nervous system (CNS). Doctors know that congenital hypothyroidism (low thyroid), if not treated, can result in mental retardation. They are only now recognizing, however, that mild to moderate impairment of thyroid function in a pregnant mother may adversely affect brain development, as well as cause subtle to severe intellectual and behavioral abnormalities, such as learning disabilities, attention deficits and possibly certain pervasive developmental disorders such as autism. Thyroid dysfunction and autism, ADHD, SPD and other developmental delays is common. Precise amounts of the…

How Homeovitics Can Help: A Mother’s Testimonial

Homeovitics has helped recover my son from Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), a form of autism. Before our recovery story began, I worked as an executive in a chemical company for 10 years. Although I did my best to avoid exposure to chemicals and heavy metal while pregnant, I didn’t know that the chronic, low-level exposures over the years may have accumulated toxins in my body. A Diagnosis of PDD These “hand-me-down” toxins were then passed along to my child in utero – ultimately compromising his immune system. Shortly after our son was born, this seemingly healthy baby was becoming more and more fussy. At about one year, he had stopped responding to his name and wasn’t babbling anymore.  High fevers, gastrointestinal problems, night terrors and ear infections soon followed. At 2 1/2, he was diagnosed as having Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). We began investigating the effects that toxins (xenobiotics) may have on developing fetuses. We read in Our Stolen Future…

Jacob: Recovery from Aspergers

Here’s the story of my oldest son’s recovery from Aspergers. Symptoms included: Chronic explosive diarrhea from age 18 months to 6 years Multiple food allergies and chemical sensitivities, that lasted until 6th grade Candida, yeast overgrowth Facial tics Night terrors Several violent tantrums per day from about 2 ½ to 3 years old. Took up about 3 hours of our day trying to calm him down. Difficulty transitioning Sensory Integration, or SI Literal interpretation of language ADHD/ODD/Depression The major healing elements: Strict diets I designed specifically for Jacob using muscle testing to watch for food sensitivities, and very few chemicals/preservatives/artificial ingredients of any kind. Limiting his exposure to environmental toxins. Homeopathy Chiropractic Emotional healing (NET, EFT, NLP) The right supplements The belief that your child can heal. 3rd grade was the official diagnosis. Broke my heart. Broke my heart a million more times, learning about SI, and finally understanding why he was so whiny, angry about sensory issues. Learning about…