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Autism

Autism is classically defined as a disorder of the neurological system which begins showing signs during early development. According to the DSM, autism is one of the five types of pervasive developmental disorders (otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder). The causes and physiology of autism are unknown, and the psychiatric symptoms are behavioral in nature rather than clinical. It is actually believed now that there are several types of distinct conditions that manifest themselves in similar ways rather than a single diagnosis. In alternative medicine, many are indicating that autism itself is caused by mercury, either pre-natal or introduced with certain types of immunizations. If this is the case, then it is possible that what some think of as genuine autism symptoms, may in itself be mercury toxicity.

Typically, autism symptoms appear during the first three years of life. There are strong indications that the incidence is growing, and it is now estimated that it occurs in as many as 1 in 150 individuals, and is 4 times more prevalent in males than females. There are reports that children have recovered from autism to the point that they can fully participate in "mainstream" education and social events. Still, as autism's diagnosis is behavioral in scope and not clinical, what some consider autism may in fact be heavy metal poisoning.

autism symptoms: the autism symptoms check list

DSM-IV criteria for autism are based on the absence or delay of certain developmental milestones. There are many differences in the individuals skills and behaviors of those diagnosed as autistic, and physicians will often arrive at different conclusions about the appropriate diagnosis. Still, professionals within pediatric care and development often look for early indicators of autism in order to initiate treatment as early as possible.

early autism symptoms include:

• by 1 year of age
  • does not make babble, point, or demonstrate meaningful gestures
  • does not have the ability to attend to something at the request of another individual
• by 16 months
  • does not speak single words
• by 2 years
  • does not combine multiple words
  • does not respond to name

other autism symptoms may include:

• may lack or avoid eye contact
• unlike other children, does not play with toys functionally
• may engage in obsessive/compulsive type behaviors
• is attached to one particular toy or object
• does not smile (socially, but may smile during periods of self-stimulatory behavior)
• engages in self-stimulatory behaviors
• has a dislike of touch, which manifests as tactile defensiveness

sensory integration dysfunction (SID) - clinical autism symptoms

The main indicator for clinicians making a proper assessment for autism includes looking for sensory integration disorder. Children with SID will exhibit difficulties coping with the normal sensory input.
Symptoms of SID may include:

• over sensitivity to sensory input including: touch, movement, sights, and/or sounds
• under reactivity to sensory input including: touch, movement, sights, and/or sounds
• specific learning difficulties/delays in academic achievement
• inability to unwind or self calm
• difficulty in making transitions from one situation to another
• tendency to be easily distracted and/or attention deficit
• physical clumsiness and/or apparent carelessness
• out of ballan ce energy level that is either unusually high or low
• social and/or emotional dysfunction
• poor self conceptualized awareness
• difficulty learning new movements
• delays in speech, language, or motor skills
• impulsive, lacking in self-control

social development symptoms of autism

From the start, typically developing infants are social beings. Early in life, they gaze at people, turn toward voices, grasp a finger, and even smile. In contrast, most autistic children prefer objects to faces and seem to have tremendous difficulty learning to engage in everyday human interaction. Even in the first few months of life, many do not interact and will avoid eye contact, seeming indifferent to other people.

Autistic children often appear to prefer being alone rather than in the company of others, may resist attention or passively accept such things as hugs and cuddling without caring. Later, they seldom seek comfort or respond to parents' displays of anger or affection in a typical way.

mercury toxicity and autism

Mercury toxicity looks very similar to autism, and is often confused clinically. If a child is displaying the symptoms of autism, certain questions should be investigated including but not limited to:

• does the mother have large quantities of silver amalgam fillings
• did the mother eat large quantities of ocean fish during pregnancy
• did the symptoms of autism begin directly after a round of immunizations that may have contained mercury

If the answer is yes to any one of these questions, a complete urine challenge test should be conducted to see if the child is excess in mercury and/or any other heavy metal. If the child is high in mercury, a form of chelation that is approved by their health care practitioner may be indicated including oral NDF, DMSA, or other indicated chelation measure.

Posted by Staff at July 3, 2005 4:36 AM

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Posted by: Sanna at July 27, 2005 3:46 PM

Posted by: Staff at July 27, 2005 4:57 PM