LivingWithAnASD

Welcome To Holland! : 

Welcome To Holland!

Slide 2: 

Living With An Autism Spectrum Disorder Patrick V. Suglia, DC, DCC (AAIM)

So how DOES an autistic personbecome a doctor? : 

So how DOES an autistic personbecome a doctor?

The Autism Spectrum Disorders: : 

The Autism Spectrum Disorders: PDD-NOS Autism Asperger’s Syndrome

Pervasive Developmental Disorders: : 

The 3 Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism Asperger’s Syndrome PDD-NOS Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Rett Syndrome Pervasive Developmental Disorders:

The Theoretical Causes Of Autism: : 

Heredity (genetics) Gluten or casein allergy Hypoxia during childbirth In utero exposure to toxins Thimerosal in vaccinations Just being “wired” that way Rise in rate ~ DSM reclassification The Theoretical Causes Of Autism:

The Mirror Neuron Hypothesis : 

The Mirror Neuron Hypothesis With normal learning, mirror neurons are active when a person observes another person doing something. With ASDs, mirror neurons are active only when they are observing oneself. They do not learn from others. Dingfelder, Sadie F., Autism’s Smoking Gun?, Monitor on Psychology, October 2005:52.

How are ASDs diagnosed and by whom? : 

No set diagnostic criteria Early indications from “well child exam” Observations made by Medical practitioners Social workers Most accurate determination is made by psychologists with the administration of Wechsler Intelligence Scale How are ASDs diagnosed and by whom?

Testing with Wechsler Scales is the best assessment because: : 

Measures areas and degrees of strengths & weaknesses Measures specific cognitive strengths/impairments Indicates if strengthening of weak areas is possible Reduced misdiagnosis, increases proper diagnosis Determines how communication can manifest Examines both mental and physical abilities Measures IQ Testing with Wechsler Scales is the best assessment because:

Audies In The “Real” World : 

Audie - Anybody that has an Autism Spectrum Disorder Neurotypical - Anybody that does not have an Autism Spectrum Disorder Audies In The “Real” World In the real world, you may not be able to tell if somebody is an audie unless you’ve spent a great deal of time around them. Their levels of function can be from very limited to having extremely high intelligence and intuition. However, social skills may be lacking or inappropriate.

Slide 11: 

This book is a must-have for every audie who needs guidance with navigating through the neurotypical world. It is also a must-have for every caretaker of an audie so that they can get a better idea of what goes on in the autistic mind, and so that they can interact with the audie on a more productive level.

The Ten Unwritten Rulesof Social Relationships : 

The Ten Unwritten Rulesof Social Relationships 1. Rules are not absolute. They are situation-based and people-based. 2. Not everything is equally important in the grand scheme of things. 3. Everyone in the world makes mistakes. It doesn’t have to ruin your day. 4. Honesty is different than diplomacy. 5. Being polite is appropriate in any situation. 6. Not everyone who is nice to me is my friend. 7. People act differently in public than they do in private. 8. Know when you’re turning people off. 9. “Fitting in” is often tied to looking and sounding like you fit in. 10. People are responsible for their own behaviors.

Treatment Options : 

While there is no known “cure” for ASDs, concomitant conditions may be treated medically. Natural or “alternative medicine” therapies are based on the assertion that one of the theoretical causes of autism is true. Such therapies may offer temporary reprieve to some, but they give false hope to others when they do not help. Options that are NOT based on a cause, and instead focus on optimizing overall physical and mental function, are ideal. Treatment Options

Medications to treat concomitant conditions: : 

Prozac Luvox Zoloft Anafranil Haldol Risperdal Abilify Zyprexa Geodon Valium Ativan Ritalin Anticonvulsants for seizure disorder Medications to treat concomitant conditions: depression & anxiety behavioral problems inattention & hyperactivity

Treatments based on theoretical causes: : 

Gluten/casein free diets Defeat Autism Now! Chelation therapy IV, oral, or transdermal for heavy metal toxicity EDTA DMPS DMSA (proven to be most effective for mercury & lead) Brain retraining/rewiring programs Treatments based on theoretical causes:

Practices that promote optimal function: : 

Chiropractic care Upper Cervical Specific Energy medicine Reiki Therapeutic touch Acupuncture Qi Gong Yoga Meditation Practices that promote optimal function:

Additional Resources : 

Many resources found online are partial to one particular theoretical cause or therapy. The one truly unbiased resource is the Autism Society of America. Their website lists many local resources and support groups in each state. Their website is: http://www.autism-society.org Additional Resources