Autism the Invisible Syndrome
Creating autism awareness
Autism is on the rise. It is no surprise. Statistics show it. In the late 1990s, the rate of autism was 1 in 200 and has over the years climbed to 1 in 36 in some places. Should we be concerned?
Have you ever wondered if you are living with autism, either on your own or with someone who has autism? Wonder why it is called the ‘invisible ‘syndrome? Today, with greater awareness among the population, perhaps because people can avail themselves of more literature on it due to deeper and expanding medical research on it and also owing to more media coverage on autism, and more activism covering autism activities, autism is receiving more recognition with autistic people receiving relevant additional support compared to previous years. Lacking awareness or ignorance was quite prevalent in earlier societies and resulted in untold suffering by autistic people for lacking necessary support. But its rise isn’t confined to just greater awareness. Apart from genes being a contributing factor (autism has a genetic component), the environment plays a significant role as a contributor too. Without a doubt, our physical world has undergone huge changes since the inception of the Industrial Revolution bringing with it all manner of conveniences, and fortunately or unfortunately, thousands of all types of chemicals such as industrial, manufacturing, agricultural, household, edible or food chemicals, pharmaceutical, and those used in the cosmetic industry, many of which have not been fully tested for safety (or their safety status are being challenged in the face of newer research.) There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the database of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), USA. TSCA does not require most chemicals to be tested for safety for approval for widespread use. A litmus test for the ubiquitous presence of some of these chemicals is the cord blood of newly birthed babies. More than 200 chemicals have been found in cord blood per the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in its commissioned study in 2005 on umbilical cord blood of 10 babies of African-American, Hispanic, and Asian heritage. BPA, a plastic additive mimicking estrogen, was of particular concern as the study despite its small size, was the first to detect BPA in umbilical cord blood. BPA has been shown to cause developmental problems and precancers in animals. In the same year, male Chinese factory workers, exposed to high levels of BPA, experienced erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems per researchers on BPA use. The interaction among chemicals is also of much concern.
“We know the developing fetus is one of the most vulnerable populations, if not the most vulnerable, to environmental exposure. Their organ systems aren’t mature and their detox methods are not in place, so cord blood gives us a good picture of exposure during this most vulnerable time of life.” Per Anila Jacobs, EWG senior scientist.
Leo Kanner first described autism in 1943 as a pervasive emotional disruption that led to it being defined as a psychiatric disorder in the DSM (2nd Ed. 1968), namely early childhood schizophrenia characterized by an aloofness from reality. Among its causes, unfortunately, was an attribution to unloving cold ‘refrigerator mothers’. This didn’t help improve the autistic person’s condition and instead unjustly vilified mothers. Thankfully, new research in the 1960s and 1970s pointed to pervasive developmental issues in the brain being the main actual cause of autism.
In 1944, Hans Aspergers, also an Austrian, found that there is a ‘subset’ of children with similar but milder symptoms of autism (lacking empathy, having difficulty forming friendships, monologuing, having limited interests with great intensity, being clumsy) with no or almost no language delay or much impairment in language development and use. Despite their better language ‘proficiency’ they nevertheless can, to various degrees, lack the pragmatic understanding involved in language ie the back and forth of language as in a dialogue. This sometimes gives rise to a tendency to monologue plus misunderstandings as they are perceived as understanding speech whereas they may not always comprehend what is said. Hans Asperger’s work was written in Austrian and was not translated into English until much later so this group of people went unrecognized (anonymously?) for a while and lived with their conditions without much support.
Aspergers while previously listed in the DSM–IV by itself, is now placed within the Autism Spectrum Disorder under the DSM-5 together with what Leo Kanner termed ‘classic autism’, and also pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
Autism is diagnosed by its traits, which include extreme aloneness, aloofness, echolalia, deep anxiety as in fight or flight, disabling obsessions, extreme desire for sameness as in difficulty to accept change resulting in inflexibility and rigidity, intensity of focus, limited interests, social impairments, repetitive behavior patterns, non-verbal communication, hyper or hypo sensitivities, among other traits. The current DSM sets out 16 criteria with an autism diagnosis being made if half of them are met. It is a life-long impairment and unlike an organic disease so cannot be cured. It is a developmental disorder that causes the said symptoms. It can however be helped by early (even late for that matter) interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, speech and physical therapies, and family training. Autistic people often suffer co-morbidities which are co-existing conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), or ADHD (ADD with hyperactivity). These conditions are treatable with medication that helps alleviate anxiety and lift moods. Medications however ought to be judiciously used as they come with side effects some of which are quite severe such as serious weight gain (possibly resulting in obesity) or abnormal unsightly involuntary movements (tardive dyskinesia or TD). TD when severe is sometimes irreversible and can be hugely distressing.
While hailing the good work done by the many health and mental health professionals, my view of the above is that while classification and diagnosis make for the ease and convenience of ‘treatment’, there is plenty more that can be implemented in the realm of whole body healing that can promote the well-being of autistic people and which can complement medications. Be that as it may, complementary modalities in holistic healing will certainly be beneficial in addressing some of the issues mentioned earlier. Of these, Applied Behavior Analysis is, notably, of much value as it helps the autistic person to understand the world he lives in and to adapt and cope.
That being said, when it comes to ‘treatment’ (please note the earlier acknowledgment there is no ‘treatment for autism’) I am inclined to think the ‘treatment’ of the whole person is the way to go. Autistic people suffer many bodily issues ranging from gut issues, mitochondrial problems resulting in low energy and brain fog, nutritional deficiencies, sleep, and detoxification (of toxins) issues. By themselves, these are big issues that impact whole body (including the brain) functions. Dr. Suzanna Goh, MD, BCBA, an accomplished board-certified pediatric behavioral neurologist, behavioral analyst, neuroscience researcher, Rhodes scholar, and author is changing the way autism is viewed and ‘treated’ with marvelous results. Using science and holistic approaches to deal with autistic children, she shows these approaches benefit them on many levels. Reducing inflammation in their brains and gut, detoxifying the body improving their diet, and supporting mitochondrial health, among other ‘treatment’ modalities, bring about healing changes in autistic children. In one case, a child without speech developed speech. She has many success stories with the ‘treatment’ of autistic children. It is immensely heartening to see promising holistic ways of ‘treating’ people with autism by accomplished medical professionals as this will open the way to new healing modes aside from relying chiefly on medication.
On the bright side of things, as there usually are, there are numerous autistic people who have attained great achievements in various fields where their intensity of focus and special interests have driven them to great heights and discoveries beyond the normal person’s abilities (see blog cited below.) When worked with their strengths rather than their shortcomings, autistic people, like typical people, can lead fulfilling lives with joy too. Society is the entity that needs to encompass the support and compassion for different others to thrive and be one with it.
NB: DSM refers to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Autism is an incredibly complex subject. To delve deep is not possible here so do look up further research materials if this article sparks interest.
Some identified toxins include (environmental – dirty air, water, food) – amalgam, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides in foods, insecticides, household cleaning chemicals, detergents, plastics, chlorine, fluoride, hormones in water. Some problem foods include gluten, wheat, and dairy. Some vaccines are suspected to cause autism particularly when many are given at very close intervals to very young children whose immune systems have not developed fully yet (know that much debate exists regard vaccines).
Ref:
https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/evolution-autism-diagnosis-explained/
Dr. Suzanna Goh, MD, BCBA (Cortica Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer)
Refer Podcast with M Hyman
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/food-additive-status-list
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=chemicals+in+cord+blood
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/newborn-babies-chemicals-exposure-bpa/
https://behavioral-innovations.com/blog/20-famous-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/