AUTISM THERAPY

We are quick to label school children who barely merit passing marks as slow learners. Well, it's a reality that some kids under-perform at the academe; to acquire new skills at a much slower pace than the rest. But did you know that learning difficulties can also be a symptom of a recognized developmental disorder called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). According to statistics, over 2 million teens are inflicted with either disorder while 5% of schooled pre-teens have been confirmed to be carriers of ADD or ADHD. Is your child a slow learner? He might just be part of the ADD and ADHD statistics.

ADD is a recognized developmental dysfunction that manifest during childhood, affecting an individual's natural ability to focus, concentrate and be attentive. ADHD likewise falls under the same category and definition but otherwise characterized by an extreme state of hyperactivity. These disorders may be outgrown at the onset of adulthood while others carry the dysfunction throughout their lives.

Quite easy to define, but then again every parent out there is obviously on the lookout for a remedy other than the usual prescription of stimulant medication such as Ritalin or Concerta that would avoid the risks of grueling behavioral side effects. Incidentally, modern day herbalists and clinical psychologists have today tapped the therapeutic benefits of herbs and homeopathic ingredients extensively used in many naturopathic herbal remedy formulas; among them the Gingko Biloba, Avena Sativa, the Hyoscyamus and Verta Alb.

The medicinal properties of the abovementioned herbal remedies and homeopathic treatments have been recognized in the practice of ancient healthcare systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Consequently, this wisdom is reapplied today in the manufacture of standardized herbal supplement formulas to produce natural and holistic treatments for developmental disorders such as ADD and ADHD. Unlike psychiatric drugs, herbal supplements such as Brightspark (ADD & ADHD) and Focus Formula (ADHD) do not operate to artificially stimulate the senses. Instead, natural remedies work in synergy to revive proper brain and nervous system functions in order to restore routine focus, concentration and attentiveness while stimulating healthy behavioral responses and eliminate touchy, restless moods in your child.

So in case your child consistently finds it difficult to cope up with scholastic demands-despite efforts to better his marks or helplessly restless to the extent of fueling constant troubles at school and even in the home; then perhaps it's time to consider the likelihood of developmental disorders distressing the cognitive and behavioral spheres of your child's brain. And if diagnosis confirms the condition, follow it up with the regular intake of ADD and ADHD herbal supplements today or forever endure the harsh labels and related troubles pertinent to that of a slow learner.

Being a parent of four children, I still remember vividly the apprehension I had regarding having my children vaccinated - not because of the link between vaccinations and autism - No - this was well before the rumors started about the possible link between the two. My apprehension was in that my child would have to suffer even the smallest amount of pain from the needle that would inject this unknown substance into my child, that would, by all known accounts, protect them from the harm of devastating diseases. I remember weeks before the appointment, that I would prepare myself and my husband for that "fateful day" when I would have to hear them scream out in pain, and look up at me with those big brown eyes and silently ask, "why did you let them do this to me?" But I also recall, after a small dose of baby Tylenol and a lot of hugs and kisses, my child, after each doctor's visit, would drift off into blissful sleep, almost as if the dreaded shot had never happened. While those were very distressful days, with the onset of growing evidence that there may indeed be a link between vaccinations and autism, I find myself longing for those simple days where my only concern was a small pinprick into my child's precious skin, and a few minutes of pain. Because, as all parents were told, the responsible thing is to have your children vaccinated, and there was no doubt about it. But that was then - this is now.

My husband and I married in 1980, with the future hope of having children. Before 1980, autism was diagnosed in just 1 out of every 10,000 children. Twenty-eight years later, the National Institute of Health reported that autism disorders affect one in every 250 children, and that number is estimated to increase 10% each year. My son, born in 1984, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 5. My daughter and youngest child was born in 1990, and was also diagnosed with autism when she was four years old. At the time, the questions that they kept asking me about "did you have any unusual things happened during the birth of your child" and "did you have your children vaccinated" were strange questions, but due to my lack of knowledge regarding autism, the shock of finding out that my children "had it", I answered the questions blindly, and honestly in hopes that they would tell me that there was a reasonable explanation as to why two of my four children had it, but two of them did not.

Although no scientific evidence has yet to prove a link between autism and vaccinations, both scientific and medical communities agree that further research needs to be conducted before the possible link can be completely dismissed. With the rumors of autism and vaccinations growing, and with more and more families coming out about their children having autism, including celebrity parents, many families are opting for alternative vaccination schedules or no vaccinations at all. The dangers of those decisions are frightening, however, as a parent of two autistic children, I do understand the dilemma. What exactly is the link between autism and vaccinations?

Autism and Thimerosal

The first connection with autism and vaccinations come through a preservative called Thimerosal. Thimerosal is a preservative found in many vaccinations. Thimerosal contains 46.9% ethyl mercury. Mercury is the second most harmful natural substance to humans, next to uranium. Mercury has been proven to cause neurological damage, among other ailments, and pregnant women are warned against the ingestion of mercury, such as eating fish. Autism and autistic spectrum disorders are neurological disorders. Although the CDC claims that vaccinations no longer contain Thimerosal, it must be noted that pharmaceutical companies were not prohibited, but strongly encouraged, to reduce the amount found in certain vaccinations. Seventeen vaccinations contain Thimerosal, including the flu shot. Although new vaccinations are being created without thimerosal, vaccinations containing the preservative are still being administered throughout the country.

Another suspicion linking vaccinations to autism comes from the amount of vaccinations children now receive. In 1985, when my son who has now been diagnosed with autism was one year old, infants received four vaccinations that contained thimerosal. In 1991, when my daughter now diagnosed with autism was one year old and when the rate of autism began to increase, infants were receiving eleven vaccinations containing Thimerosal. One physician, requesting to remain anonymous, states, "In the 80s, children received eight vaccinations in early childhood. They now receive thirty. Why thirty? With each public health scare, like Smallpox or Anthrax, that number is going to inevitably increase. Twenty years from now, children could easily be receiving forty vaccinations and because some people in the medical community endorse this, parents will vaccinate without knowing the risks. I tell my patients not to take my word for it. Not to take the word of the CDC or the APA, but to research themselves. It falls in the same myth that unvaccinated children cannot attend public school. Few people read the fine print and even fewer will inform them of it." I was a parent, like many, who never read the fine print regarding the affects of the needle prick through my children's precious skin. I assumed like the large majority of parents, that it was vital for my children to have the shots, to protect not only them, but other children from deadly disease.

While I find myself in a peculiar position regarding the controversy regarding vaccination vs. autism, I do not take either position - I do not fall on either side of the controversy. I fall on the side of parents who love their children and want the best for them. Now, autism is not a fear I have, it is a reality that I face each day. While I no longer have to feel the anxiety of having to see my children suffer physical pain due to a vaccination shot, I see the painful hurdles they must face in this fast paced world, that seemingly has no time to slow down to accommodate those children who cannot keep up the pace and who have to take alternative paths in life.

I have been told that my child would never be able to sit in a classroom, at the tender age of five. I was told that my children wit autism would never be able to hold down a job, earn a living, live on their own or have families. So my function as a parent of special needs children was to break down those barriers and those stereotypes and to help my children succeed - NOT to the level of the mainstream - but to the level of their individual ability and desire. The son that was told he would never sit in a classroom graduated from high school with honors and attended community college until he decided he wanted a job. He found a job that suits him, he has his driver's license and has the support of many friends, teachers, counselors and especially family, who have seen his struggles, but have seem him grow to be a fine young man. While my daughter has more intense developmental issues, she is a kind, thoughtful, and extremely talented writer, who has vowed to become a better writer than the author of Harry Potter books.

Leaving the Final Decision To The Experts

Yes, as parents, my husband and I have our struggles with the disease, and I feel much empathy for the parents of young children who have to decide whether to take the risk of not having their children vaccinated, or take the risk of having them vaccinated. At the time our children were vaccinated, we were unaware of the link between autism and vaccinations.

Vaccinations have been proven to be of benefit in decreasing the likelihood of many childhood diseases, that fact is not in question. The best advice that I can give to parents is to do your research. Ask questions, read the fine print on the medication that your child is being given, if you decide to go that route.

Leaving the decision to the medical experts is not the best idea. Their job is to do what they were medically taught to do - provide the best medical care for your children that they know how. The ultimate decision should be made by the child's experts and best advocates - their loving parents.

April 2nd of 2008 is the first World Autism Day, which was designated by the United Nations General Assembly following the adoption of the Qatari resolution at the end of 2007.

Autism is a kind of neurodevelopmental disabilities. Children with autism show symptoms like communication problem, repetive behaviors and limited interests, and so on. Autism can be diagnosed since the baby is 18 months old, the best age to prevent autism is from 36 to 40 months old. The cause of autism has not been known yet, all vaccinations, televisions, thimerosal, mercury and pitocin are suspects.

In America, 50 percent of autistic kids can graduate from schools at a proper age. Unfortunately, many kids with autistic signs are not diagnosed before 7 years old in Africa and Asia. Experts suggest that all babies should take autism examination twice between 18 months old and 24 months old, because early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important for preventing autism.

There are many celebration activities all over the world on April 2nd - World Autism Day. "Autism knows no geographic boundaries - it affects individuals and families on every continent and in every country," said Suzanne Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks. "The celebration of World Autism Awareness Day is an important way to help the world better understand the scope of this health crisis and the need for compassion and acceptance for those living with autism. This remarkable day - the first of many to come - promises to be a time of great hope and happiness as we work to build a global autism community."

The World Autism Awareness Day of 2008 - and the first World Autism Awareness Day ever is coming soon. Let's hope that this especial day could raise awareness of autism and be truly helpful to autistic children and their families.