Legal Issues and Autism

Happy Holidays to everyone!
I'm sure it's been quite hectic for everyone these last few weeks amidst all the hustle and bustle!

I stumbled across an article the other day that I would like to share with everyone, and I would be delighted for a conversation to ensue!

Autism parents battle on: backers aim to reintroduce bill to require insurance coverage

After reading the article, I must admit that I am pleased to be living in a state that recognizes the need for such an extreme measure.
Personally, yes, I fully support legislation which takes care of these families.

I have my own views on healthcare and cost regulation, none of which I will share here (haha), BUT in this case, why wouldn't the government see fit to pass such a mandate? In the broadest sense of the term, autism is chronic and stable; it is non-life-threatening, and there is significant scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), as well as other burgeoning treatments.
The article mentions that insurance DOES cover diabetes and/or cancer.
Do NOT misunderstand me... these are legitimate health concerns that can have devastating consequences left untreated. However, diabetes can be regulated with regular diet and exercise and insulin therapy, should it be called for. Not many diabetic patients actually need extra pharmaceuticals, unless they are a bit more advanced. Cancer generally requires short bursts of aggressive therapy (should it become a cycle), but can also be palliated through diet and exercise.
So, it should stand to reason that autism should be given the same consideration. It, too, requires diet and exercise regulation, but there are more aggressive, invasive, effective treatments which are quite expensive and referral-based.

I'm interested in hearing all of YOUR thoughts, though. Let loose.
But remain respectful. :)

Blessings,
Tasha

Legal Issues and Autism

Delving into (Traditional) Treatment Options

Upon first researching autism and the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), I was extremely overwhelmed, as one could conceivably understand! The pervasive developmental disorders are, simply put, a daunting research topic.
Equally daunting: learning about treatment options!

This post, in particular, will be exploring the more "traditional" therapeutic interventions. Alternative, pharmaceutical, and experimental treatments will be discussed in later posts.

As elegantly as Autism Speaks puts it, I couldn't say it better if I tried:

Most parents would welcome a cure for their child, or a therapy that would alleviate all of the symptoms and challenges that make life difficult for them. Just as your child's challenges can't be summed up in one word, they can't be remedied with one therapy. Each challenge must be addressed with an appropriate therapy. No single therapy works for every child. What works for one child may not work for another. What works for one child for a period of time may stop working. Some therapies are supported by research showing their efficacy, while others are not. The skill, experience and style of the therapist are critical to the effectiveness of the intervention. 

At this point, the autistic child's parents and therapist must decide where to begin.

The relationship with the therapist may be extremely new, with therapy patterns and style generally unestablished; however, as discussed in our previous post, early intervention is key. The sooner treatment begins, the better.

So, naturally, some considerations may be: are the parents willing to begin pharmaceutical (drug) interventions right away? Should a more noninvasive method be applied until the patient/practitioner relationship develops? Or is the family concerned more about their child's chemical intake as a whole? How will a dietary change affect the family, should that be an option? What treatments may interfere with an existing disease and/or treatment? The list, really, could stretch on for pages... I'm sure you see what I'm getting at, though!

In order for any sort of informed decision to be made, the family must, MUST, MUST research. 


Let's take a look at a few of the available, traditionally used methods of treatment:

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): an interactive, personal therapy option that reinforces progress and strives to correct undesired behaviors; noninvasive, generally used in conjunction with other therapeutic biomedical, physical, dietary, and cognitive interventions; this treatment option is very widely varied, and (in my opinion) either includes, is related to, or has given rise to the following:

• Pivotal Response Therapy (PRT)

• Verbal Therapy

• Floortime (also called the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based Approach, or DIR)

• Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)

• Training and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH)

• Social Communication/Emotional Regulation/Transactional Support (SCERTS)

• The Son-Rise Program

Speech-Language Therapy (SLT): generally used for persons with speech, language, and grammar difficulties or deficiencies that may require a different approach than the ones offered in -- although, certainly can be used in conjunction with -- ABA, as well as other therapeutic biomedical, physical, dietary, and cognitive interventions

Occupational Therapy (OT): can be used for many different persons facing challenges in completing basic activities of daily living; in the child with autism, one may expect therapy sessions to focus on things such as learning styles and social interaction; a supplementary therapeutic intervention

Sensory Integration Therapy (SI): focuses on the child's ability to process and interpret sensory information so that activities of daily living can become better established; may be used alone, but is often used along with OT

Physical Therapy (PT): interventions focused on motor skills and mobility to prevent and/or remedy physical, functional limitations; generally used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): for children with very little or no verbal communication; teaches and allows patients to express themselves using visuals; generally used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions

Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT): uses techniques developed to retrain a person's auditory system, so that the person may potentially understand information more clearly; the child with autism may benefit from such an intervention, as it may contribute to the progress made by other therapeutic behavioral and cognitive interventions; generally used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions

Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF): a noninvasive, dietary approach that preliminary research is showing to have some positive effect on autistic patients; ideal for families that choose to forego chemical/pharmaceutical options; can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions

For more information, please visit:

• Autism Speaks
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Autism Society of America

We will see you next week! 

In the meantime, please be sure to visit RateADrug, search for any and every drug you've ever taken, and take a survey on it (them)! You CAN take as many surveys as you have drugs and/or supplements you've EVER taken!

To do so: search for and select desired prescription drug, supplement, or over-the-counter medication on RateADrug; click "yes" in the bar at the top of the drug page asking if you are taking that specific drug; a new (smaller) window will pop up with five preliminary questions; click "Start Now" and complete full survey; be sure to leave a comment stating if you recommend or do not recommend the treatment in question; an email address IS required, but you may use mine if you do not feel comfortable disclosing your own: nmarchbanks@radpprep2.com; after acknowledging Terms of Use, click "Evaluate Treatment"; on the following page it will ask how you heard about the website: please select "Student Intern" from the drop-down menu; it will ask for an alias, and here you will enter "nmarchbanks" -- this is how the surveys are counted toward my survey count, and the final number is factored into the decision of which intern will receive the scholarship! There is only one scholarship given per cycle! PLEASE DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!

Once again, thanks a million for all of the support y'all have given me in this endeavor! It's only week three, but I'm learning a lot already, and I sure hope you are, too!

Delving into (Traditional) Treatment Options

What are the signs and symptoms of autism?

In our last entry we explored what autism is, and basic diagnostic criteria for the developmental disorder.

Since conversing with a few friends and fellow students, requests were made to provide more in-depth information on signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria.

Please keep in mind that, though these signs and symptoms should not be ignored, they should be taken with a grain of salt. All children develop at different rates, have different personalities, and, even if there are concerns that your child may have autism, many resources are now available to properly diagnose and treat the disorder, as well as facilitate a healthy lifestyle.

The following list of normal, expected developmental behavior, taken directly from a CDC handout, cannot be improved upon in my humble opinion; thus, the literal transcription of such information:

By the end of 7 months, many children are able to:

• turn head when name is called
• smile back at another person
• respond to sound with sounds
• enjoy social play (such as “peek-a-boo”)

By the end of 1 year (12 months), many children are able to:

• use simple gestures (waving “bye-bye”)
• make sounds such as “ma” and “da”
• imitate actions in their play (clap when you clap)
• respond when told “no”

By the end of 1½ years (18 months), many children are able to:

• do simple pretend play (“talk” on a toy phone)
• point to interesting objects
• look at object when you point at it and tell them to “Look!”
• use several single words unprompted

By the end of 2 years (24 months), many children are able to:

• use 2- to 4-word phrases
• follow simple instructions
• become more interested in other children
• point to object or picture when named

By the end of 3 years (36 months), many children are able to:

• show affection for playmates
• use 4- to 5-word sentences
• imitate adults and playmates (run when other children run)
• play make-believe with dolls, animals, and people (“feed” a teddy bear)

By the end of 4 years (48 months), many children are able to:

• use 5- to 6-word sentences
• follow 3-step commands (“Get dressed. Comb your hair, and wash your face.”)
• cooperate with other children

Questions to ask your child's doctor or nurse:

• What can I do to keep track of my child's development?
• What should I do if I'm worried about my child's progress?
• Where can I go to get more information?
• Can you refer me to a specialist for more information?

www.cdc.gov/actearly

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Along with the above developmental milestone information, I have also included two very informative videos... from YouTube! Lately I've found it to be quite the educational video resource, believe it or not.

The first video is quite sterile and straightforward, direct from a physician's mouth, Dr. David Hill. 

The second is a little more animated and personal, featuring the video personality's (absolutely adorable) autistic nephew.

*** See you all next week! Please be sure to take surveys and leave comments/ask questions in the meantime!!!***

What are the signs and symptoms of autism?

What is Autism???

Absolutely!
In order to start learning about anything, you, as a learning entity, want to know what that something is.
Over the next four months, this blog will be offering up information on autism.

In a definition taken directly from the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (a service provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health) states that autism is:

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.

So what does this mean to you?

Perhaps you may have heard of the debate on whether autism is caused by a component in vaccinations. If you are parents, the chances you've heard of this are greatly increased!
According to the MedlinePlus website, the exact number of children with autism is unknown. It was thought at one point that trace amounts of a mercury called thimerosal used as a preservative in vaccinations was one of the causes. Medical researchers (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Institute of Medicine) are now stating that studies have shown no known link between vaccinations and autism.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain the proven safety of vaccinations further, and offers information that supports these findings: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

Autism may also be referred to as a pervasive developmental disorder, and these labels encompass varying degrees of the disorder, such as:

• Asperger syndrome
• Rett syndrome
• Childhood disintegrative disorder
• Pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (also called atypical autism)

Most parents will notice some cognitive and behavioral abnormalities in their child by about 18 months, and there are certain psychological tests that may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of autism.
Some symptoms include: trouble with pretend play, delayed development of speech, child becomes distressed with routine changes, child is highly sensitive to sound or light, may appear obsessive-compulsive.
For more information on symptoms and diagnostic criteria, please visit the CDC website:
Autistic Spectrum Disorders Diagnostic Criteria

Throughout the length of this research project, I will be giving more detail on this disorder, including discussing advocacy (awareness), treatments, well-known persons with autism, and I will also be sharing personal stories of friends and family (with their express permission, that is).

I do hope you'll find this journey as exciting and informative as I will!
Feel free to comment and ask questions below.

What is Autism???