7 Events In April; 11 Links For Autism & C-Sections

Autism: How did we get here and where do we go from here?

Dr. Brenda Trudell

From the first diagnosis of autism by Leo Kanner in 1943, to the march on our nation's capitol in 2008 for greener vaccines, it is clear that we have come far and yet barely moved on finding a clear cause or course of treatment for this devastating condition that is destroying hundreds of thousands of our children.

Autism, as defined by the Autism Society Of America, is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.

This is true, as the developmental delays and atypical behavior patterns are usually what leads to a diagnosis. But there are thousands of parents and doctors who realize that much more than the brain is affected. Many children have painful GI problems, including constipation, diarrhea, parasites, yeast overgrowth, and infections by bacteria and viruses. Heavy metals (mercury and aluminum) and inflammation are present in many tissues of the body, including the brain. Immune systems are inadequate, leaving these kids susceptible to other infections. Many have metabolic and detoxification abnormalities, meaning that they cannot properly process, breakdown, and remove toxins from their internal environment.

Because of the myriad of symptoms other than neurological and behavioral, many feel a better working definition is needed to describe autism. Autism One, a non-profit group created to connect parents and help them find the latest in autism research, considers autisma disease, where a disease is "a pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms."

Either way one chooses to look at it, the fact is that autism diagnoses are increasing rapidly, with an estimated 560,000 children in the US alone. In the 1960's it was so rare that if there was an autistic child at a medical school or hospital, doctors were brought in to observe because they might not ever see one again. According to Dr. Russell Baylock, neurosurgeon and editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, in 1983, the incidence was 1 in 10,000 births; in 2005, 1 in 250; today, 1 in 150, and 1 in 68 boys. In New Jersey, it is 1 in 94 births. NJ also has the highest number of mandatory vaccines and least amount of exemptions in the country. Interesting to note, in the 1983, US children were given 10 vaccines before starting school. Today that number is 36 before starting school, 23 by the age of two.

Use of common obstetrical procedures has also increased significantly over the last two decades, many of which lead to birth injury. Anytime there is an intervention during labor, it alters it from a normal physiological process to a medical procedure. The majority of interventions, in one way or another, can make labor more difficult, cause a misdiagnosis leading to other unnecessary interventions, cause a drop in maternal blood pressure, decrease blood flow to the fetus and the brain, directly damage the brain through trauma, damage the respiratory centers in the brainstem, or prolong labor.

Common procedures include ultrasound, induction, pitocin, epidurals, restricted maternal position, forceps/vacuum, c-sections and early umbilical cord clamping. It is also recommended that pregnant women receive the flu shot, which does still contain a large dose of mercury-based preservative thimerosal. All of these procedures have in common that they affect the brains of unborn or newborn babies, and either cause permanent damage or make the child more susceptible to damage from other environmental insults, including vaccines, antibiotics, stress, infections, toxins, food allergies, plastics and more.

There is a delicate balance between the nervous, immune and digestive systems, and this is especially true in newborns, as they are not yet fully developed. If we interfere with development in-utero, during birth or after birth, isn't it possible that some children are then born weaker and cannot handle many of the stressors we put on them? The majority of our immune system lies in our gut, and babies need to gradually grow the bacteria that will line it and will protect them for life. Vaccines, antibiotics and formula feeding disrupt this balance. Antibiotics also inhibit the excretion of mercury and other heavy metals from the body.

Some vaccines also contain ingredients which help chemicals cross the blood brain barrier, which is the "wall" that is supposed to keep toxins and microorganisms out of the brain. Research has shown viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, parasites, other chemicals and signs of inflammation in the brains of autistic patients. Many are the same ingredients that are found in childhood vaccines.

The purpose of this article is not to criticize certain medical procedures or call for a ban on specific vaccines or drugs. It is merely a wake up call that something serious is happening to our children. That sometimes the damage is irreversible, and we may be chronically and permanently disabling future generations. It is a chance for us to see the canary in the coal mine and listen to its warning. More isn't always better, sometimes it's just more, but sometimes it is devastating.

We are changing everything that are bodies are supposed to know as normal. Things that our body is designed to do, such as give birth, fight off an infection naturally, and develop a functioning nervous system, are now being controlled, challenged and changed. These are just some of the unintended outcomes that often result as a byproduct of universal medical procedures put in place without fully understanding the underlying physiological processes in the first place.

Next month's article will focus on the latest research and treatments being discovered to help in the fight of treating and preventing autism. This includes biomedical treatments, nutritional approaches, detoxification, and alternative healthcare. Together, these treatments have been helping thousands of children improve their quality of life.

Reiki as a Conjuctive Autism Therapy

Joan Pape, RMT

Reiki is a hands-on energy healing therapy that originated in Japan. This non-invasive technique is being used frequently in hospitals all over the world in their complementary and integrative medicine programs. Reiki is also being used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders and Aspergers.

Having moved into the more mainstream methods of alternative medicine along with acupuncture and Tai Chi, Reiki has been studied by the National Institute of Health and is now taught in some massage and nursing school programs.

Reiki does not cure autism, but it can be very effective in alleviating some of the chronic symptoms associated with autism and provides a calming effect without the use of drugs and without conflicting with other prescribed treatments and/or medications. Reiki can address sleep disorders, restlessness, anxiety, headaches, stomach pains, tight muscles and many more symptoms commonly associated with autism.

Interestingly, persons who are the primary caregivers to those with autism greatly benefit from Reiki as they, too, often are troubled by physical and emotional issues associated with the demands on their time and energy.

Our Reiki practitioners can provide Reiki sessions to children and/or their caregivers. Our techniques are sensitive to an individual child's needs and if necessary, Reiki can be administered to a child without touching them.

Two of our Reiki practitioners are Reiki Master Teachers and offer an educational program specifically designed for caregivers. This program is taught in a series of four weekly classes of two hours each. Anyone can learn Reiki and can benefit from this calming and soothing technique.

Reiki Master Teachers Joan Pape and Rita Stanton are hosting a free, introductory presentation about Reiki and its benefits for persons with special needs and their caregivers. If you are a caregiver of any kind, whether for a special needs child or an aging adult, please join us to learn more about how Reiki can help you and your loved one.