Autism

CoronaVirus Updates

Probiotic foods can help children suffering from Autism (April 2 is World Autism Day)

<br>According to them, children with autism are often not able to express abdominal discomfort properly and thus gastrointestinal symptoms are sometimes shadowed by the resulting aggression. This could sometimes lead to people wrongly equating with behavioural characteristics of autism among these children. Chronic diarrhea and constipation tend to increase with the severity of autism, and this at times results into societal stigma, social withdrawal, and anxiety.Doctors said there are foods which help improve gut health, and these could relieve major pain point. Yogurts/curds and other probiotic foods help improve digestive system, develop gut-brain axis for good, and treat any form of disorders."Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show different compositions of gut microbiota. Specifically, the severity of Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with ASD has been linked to the derangement of the gut microbiota. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that are ingested as food or pills. These beneficial bacteria, when added in sufficient amounts, can correct the dysbiosis. Because probiotics have shown success in treating irritable bowel syndrome, it is likely to help reduce the behavioural symptoms of ASD as well," Dr. Daljeet Kaur, Consultant Psychiatrist, Continental Hospitals told IANS."Probiotics are safe to consume and have minimal side effects, like bloating that usually goes away after a few days of use. Rarely, probiotics can cause an allergic reaction or diarrhea or infection, and probiotics are a great tool for kids with autism, especially those experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms. Certain tests and recommendation from clinicians would help identify the right option to ensure child has a healthy diet at the foundation that makes a world of difference in gut health," said Dr. Anusha Karra, Internal Medicine, Western Plains Hospital, Dodge City, USA.Sreeja Reddy Saripalli, Founder and Clinical Nutritionist, Dietetics, Pinnacle Blooms Network (PBN), feels that how gut bacteria can influence the brain and behaviour so profoundly is 'absolutely unthinkable'. PBN, which claims to have conducted over seven lakh therapy programmes, has a free national helpline 9100181181 to share details."Autism spectrum disorder is a medical and social concern around the world because of its increasing incidence among children. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with multifactorial etiologic (genetic and environment) and varied presentation, early diagnosis is crucial to the implementation of early treatment, which can lead to immense improvement in the behavioural as well as cognitive functions of their child," said Dr. Suma Kandukuri, Consultant Neurologist, SLG Hospitals.The manifestation and severity of symptoms of ASD differ widely, and treatments include a range of behavioural, psychosocial, educational, medical, and complementary approaches that vary by a child's age and developmental status.The goals of treatment for ASD typically focus on improving core deficits in communication, social interactions, or restricted behaviours, as changing these fundamental deficits may help children develop greater functional skills and independence.According to doctors, individual goals for treatment vary for different children and may include combinations of approaches such as behavioural, communication, educative and medical therapies.--IANS<br>ms/rt
Health News

1 of 4 genetic conditions put people at autism risk: Study

New York- New research has revealed that people with certain genetic conditions are likely to have significant symptoms of autism, even if they do not meet all diagnostic criteria. More than half of individuals with one of four genetic conditions had significant autistic symptoms, despite not qualifying for a formal diagnosis, said researchers from Cardiff University. The findings, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, show clinical services need to adapt so that people diagnosed with autism-linked genetic conditions are not denied access to vital support and interventions. "Although many of those who were included in this study would not have met all of the criteria which define someone as having autism, more than half of those with these genetic conditions had significant symptoms associated with it -- such as social and communication difficulties or repetitive behaviours," explained Dr. Samuel Chawner, based at Cardiff University's MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomic. The international study analysed data from 547 people who had been diagnosed with one of four genetic conditions, also known as copy number variants (CNVs), associated with a high chance of autism. The results showed a high prevalence of autism in individuals with these four genetic conditions, ranging from 23 percent to 58 percent. Using clinical cut-offs, the team also found 54 percent of people with these genetic conditions who did not meet full autism diagnostic criteria nonetheless had elevated levels of autistic symptoms. "There was also considerable variability in symptoms of autism between those who had the same genetic condition". "Sadly, many families we have met through doing this research describe long-standing struggles in accessing autism support for their child. This is often due to a lack of integration between genetic testing services and autism diagnosis services," Chawner noted. It is estimated that 15 percent of autistic people and 60 percent of people with developmental delay have a genetic condition. Low awareness of genetic conditions can also be a barrier. "It is important that clinicians are aware of the risk of autism associated with certain genetic conditions in order to improve opportunities for early diagnosis and support," the study noted. (IANS)
CoronaVirus Updates

Clinical criteria for autism diagnosis

London, Jan 2 (IANS) People with certain genetic conditions are likely to have significant symptoms of autism such as social and communication difficulties or repetitive behaviours, even if they do not meet all diagnostic criteria, says an international study.The study by researchers at Cardiff University suggests that clinical services need to adapt so that people diagnosed with autism-linked genetic conditions are not denied access to vital support and interventions.Published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, the study analysed data from 547 people who had been diagnosed with one of four genetic conditions, also known as copy number variants (CNVs), associated with a high chance of autism -- 22q11.2 deletion, 22q11.2 duplication, 16p11.2 deletion and 16p11.2 duplication.Copy number variants happen when a small section of a person's DNA is missing or duplicated. Certain CNVs have been linked to a range of health and developmental issues. They can be inherited but can also occur at random.The results showed a high prevalence of autism in individuals with these four genetic conditions, ranging from 23 per cent to 58 per cent.The prevalence of autism in the general population is one per cent.Using clinical cut-offs, the team also found 54 per cent of people with these genetic conditions who did not meet full autism diagnostic criteria nonetheless had elevated levels of autistic symptoms.There was also considerable variability in symptoms of autism between those who had the same genetic condition."Our study shows that an individualised approach is needed when assessing the needs of people with genetic conditions," said Samuel Chawner, based at Cardiff University's MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics."Although many of those who were included in this study would not have met all of the criteria which define someone as having autism, more than half of those with these genetic conditions had significant symptoms associated with it -- such as social and communication difficulties or repetitive behaviours."Data for the study was pooled from eight clinical research centres around the world, which had used the "Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R)" and IQ tests on study participants.The ADI-R is used internationally in research as well as in clinical settings for making autism diagnoses. It involves an interview with the parent or guardian and asks about the child's developmental history across areas of social skills, communication skills and repetitive behaviours.--IANSgb/kr
CoronaVirus Updates

Kids with autism face higher eating disorders risk: Study

London, May 13 (IANS) Children with autism face a greater risk of eating disorders, say researchers, adding that autistic traits in childhood come before behaviours characteristic of eating disorders, and so could be a risk factor for developing eating disorders.Previous research has found that autism and eating disorders can occur together, as 20-30 per cent of adults with eating disorders have autism, and 3-10 per cent of children and young people with eating disorders."We have found that young children with autistic traits at age seven are more likely than their peers to end up developing eating disorder symptoms in adolescence," said study lead author Dr Francesca Solmi from University College London in the UK.The study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, involved 5,381 adolescents who have been participating in longitudinal research from birth as part of the University of Bristol's Children of the 90s cohort study.The researchers considered whether they had autistic social traits at age 7, 11, 14 and 16, and disordered eating (fasting, purging, prolonged dieting, or binge-eating) at age 14.They investigated autistic traits reported by the mother, rather than a diagnosis of autism, meaning that the study findings would involve children who do not necessarily have autism but also would include children with autism who might not have been diagnosed.In the study group, 11.2 per cent of girls reported at least one disordered eating behaviour within the previous year (7.3 per cent experience them monthly and 3.9 per cent weekly), compared to 3.6 per cent of boys (2.3 per cent monthly and 1.3 per cent weekly).Adolescents with eating disorders showed higher levels of autistic traits by age seven, suggesting that the autistic traits predated the disordered eating (as eating disorders are very rare at age seven), and therefore might pose a risk factor for eating disorders.Children who displayed higher autistic traits at age seven were 24 per cent more likely to have weekly disordered eating behaviours at age 14.Further analysis confirmed that eating disorders at age 14 did not appear to increase autistic traits by age 16.While the study did not investigate the reasons behind the relationship, the researchers point out that children with autism may have difficulties with social communication and developing friendships, which could contribute to higher rates of depression and anxiety at young ages.Disordered eating might result from dysfunctional methods of coping with these emotional difficulties, the study noted.--IANSbu/na
CoronaVirus Updates

Cognitive therapy may treat anxiety in children with autism

Sydney, May 7 (IANS) Researchers have found that cognitive behavioural therapy and other psychosocial interventions are effective for treating anxiety in school-aged children with an autism spectrum disorder.According to the findings, published in the journal Campbell Systematic Reviews, a total of 931 children diagnosed with autism involved in 24 studies were analysed.All of the studies were based in either the US, the UK, or Australia. They spanned between 2005 to 2018.Overall, the interventions showed a statistically significant moderate to high effectiveness for treating anxiety compared with treatment-as-usual."These are exciting results as they actually show evidence that some of the things that can be done at home or at school to reduce anxiety in school-aged children actually work," said co-author Petra Lietz from the Australian Council for Educational Research.Examined interventions ranged across clinical, school-based, or home-based settings, with a group or individual treatment formats, the researchers said.Across those settings, the first-line therapeutic intervention known as cognitive-behavioural therapy was used in 22 of the studies, while one involved Thai traditional massage and peer-mediated theatre therapy for the other.A thorough analysis of the studies showed high effectiveness for treating symptoms of anxiety by means of psychosocial interventions."There is evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective behavioural treatment for anxiety in some children and youth with autism spectrum disorder without co-occurring intellectual disability," the authors wrote."However, evidence for other psychoeducational interventions is more limited, not just due to the popularity of cognitive behavioural therapy but also due to the quality of the smaller number of non-cognitive behavioural therapy studies available," they added.--IANSbu/na
Yoga and Fitness

Yoga helps Kids with Autism

Children who are autistic tend to have sensory experiences that are very different from others. As children with special needs, they have the kind of responses to situations that put their bodies in fight, flight, or freeze modes. What this does is it diverts the flow of blood from the digestive organs to the skeletal muscles. This activity disrupts their digestion, increases their heart rate, and causes shallow breathing-which are big factors for anxiety. During this period of quarantine, it is recommended to train them in a few practices of yoga. This will help to increase their sense of peace; reduce their pain, anxiety, aggression, and any obsessive or self-sabotaging behaviour. Yoga along with making them calmer is also successful in regulating emotions. Brahmari Pranayama Method Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana) Straighten your back and close your eyes Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra) Place your thumbs on the Tragus, the external flap outside on your ear. Place your index finger on your forehead; your middle finger on the Medial Canthus and ring finger on the corner of your nostril Inhale and fill your lungs with air As you exhale, slowly make a buzzing sound like that of a bee, i.e., "mmmmmmm�." Keep your mouth closed the entire time and feel the vibration of the sound disseminate throughout your body. Duration You may begin by practicing this breathing technique for five minutes a day and gradually increase it with time. Benefits Calms the mind and rejuvenates the body Increases sensitivity to tastes and fragrances Relieves stress and anxiety Makes the voice pleasant and melodious and strengthens the vocal chords Treats throat uneasiness Balances blood pressure Improves concentration Udgeeth Pranayama Method Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana) Straighten your back and close your eyes Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra) Inhale deeply and fill your lungs with air While exhaling, form a circle with your lips and say "Oooooooommm" for as long as you can Feel the vibration of the sound disseminate throughout your body Duration You may begin by practicing this breathing technique for five minutes a day and gradually increase it with time. Benefits Calms the mind, brings stability and decreases stress It relieves tension, anger and anxiety Effective to treat hypertension Corrects sleep disorders (such as insomnia) Improves memory Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation can be taught to your child and it is ideal if practiced early in the morning. The Surya Namaskar contains a total number of 8 asanas woven into a sequence of 12 steps for each side, Right and Left. The sun's energy is represented symbolically through the right side, therefore you must start with the Right leg first. One complete cycle is made of 24 counts. There are many benefits of Surya Namaskar; it strengthens muscles and joints, balances the nervous system, improves digestion, promotes balance between both sides of the body, helps combat insomnia and many more. These postures or asanas along with the breathing exercises are effective relaxation techniques. Yoga provides the tools for self-regulation which can be useful for children with autism. Yoga helps to reduce irritability, social withdrawal, lethargy or hyperactivity, and noncompliance in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Quarantine or otherwise, the practices of is shown to optimize academic or creative engagement and improve learning abilities. (Aditi Roy can be contacted at [email protected])