Autism Spectrum Disorder Integrative Approach

By Prof Dr Mike KS Chan and Dr. Dina Tulina

Autism is a mental and psychological developmental disorder with a pronounced deficit in emotional and communication skills. The word ‘Autism’ is defined as a person being withdrawn into themselves. A person with autism spectrum disorder never expresses their emotions, fails to gesture or speak to others, and their behaviour often lacks social meaning. Many parents are concerned about how to recognise their child has autism and at what age the condition first manifests.

Written in accessible language for parents of patients as well as medical staff, this book provides tests for identifying autism without medical training. The symptoms which constitute Autism Spectrum Disorder are described at great length. The approach to the individual's condition is important. Autism is not an illness or even a diagnosis—it is a state of mind in which a person is ensconced in their own world. This book is based on an understanding of the person's condition, offering comprehensive, holistic help to improve the condition and help the individual socialise and integrate into society.

Parents of children diagnosed with autism often ask their doctor—can the condition be cured? There is no cure for autism, but by using corrective methods, it is possible to significantly improve the person with autism state and help them adapt to the world as much as possible. Of course, parents must work closely with educators, medical providers, and routines over a long period of time but the results of these efforts can be monumental. Autism is not a sentence, it is a story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: EUROPEAN WELLNESS ACADEMY
• Release date: Apr 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662930133

Book preview

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Integrative Approach

Copyright © 2022 by Dato Sri Mike K.S. Chan; Dina Tulina

All rights reserved. Neither this book, nor any parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022941487

ISBN (paperback): 9781662930126

eISBN: 9781662930133

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

DIAGNOSIS FOR PARENTS

Behavioural Symptoms

Impact of Autism on the Family

CHECKLIST FOR AUTISM IN TODDLERS

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AUTISM

Identified Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Causes

ASPERGER SYNDROME

Asperger Syndrome and Other Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Broca-like and Wernicke-like Conduction Aphasia

From Language Centers to Language Territories

IN OUR FACILITIES

Why Us?

ASD Management

GcMAF (Granulocyte Macrophage Activating Factor)

CNS Peptides

PRECURSOR STEM CELL THERAPY

Mechanisms and Potentials of Stem Cells

COMPLEMENTARY HOLISTIC THERAPY

Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy with hyperbaric oxygen chamber

Morphogenetic Harmonizer System

OZONE THERAPY

TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION (TDCS)

AUTISTISM EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTER

CASE STUDIES OF PATIENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3

Case 4

Case 5

Case 6

Case 7

Case 8

Case 9

Case 10

Case 11

Case 12

Case 13

Case 14

Case 15

Case 16

LITERATURE CITED

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

The word Autismus is derived from the Greek word autós (αὐτός, meaning «self»), and was originally used to mean morbid self-admiration, referring to autistic withdrawal of the patient to his fantasies, against which any influence from outside becomes an intolerable disturbance. The term spectrum in autism spectrum disorder includes a broad range of symptoms, as well as severity.

Autism spectrum disorder refers to conditions which previously were viewed as separate—autism, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and other types of developmental disorders. However, the term Asperger syndrome is still in use, which is generally viewed to be the light version of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder starts in the early years and ultimately causes issues of living in society within different social groups. Usually, kids demonstrate symptoms of autism during their first year after birth, while just a small amount of children seem to develop normally in the first year and then undergo a time of regression from 18 to 24 months as signs of autism symptoms appear.

As there is no treatment for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, HHS.gov

DIAGNOSIS FOR PARENTS

At 18 months of age, does your child...

• Make eye contact and point to the object they want to show you?

• Notice what you point to?

• Use imagination to pretend play?

If the answer is NO, your child may be at risk for AUTISM.

Consider informing your physician today.

Behavioural Symptoms

(from the Autism Physician Handbook)

Social Issues: Shows no interest in other children playing. May be vicious with siblings. Doesn’t pay attention when a parent leaves or returns home. May show no interest in interactive games. May strongly resist being held, hugged or kissed by parents. May not raise arms to be picked up.

Communication: Unaware of environment. Avoids eye contact. Hand-leading (using the parent or adult as a tool to get what they want).

Bizarre/Repetitive Behaviours: Flapping. Staring at the ceiling fan. Spinning. Lining up toy cars. Doesn’t take interest in their toys, but gets attached to objects like a space-heater. Picking lint in the sunlight. May not play adequately with toys and instead focus only on one aspect, like spinning the wheels of a toy car. Rocking. Obsessively switching the light on and off. Eating unusual objects such as clothes, drapes or their mattress. Finds ways to get deep pressure applied to the body. Smearing faeces. May not engage in imitative or role-playing games.

Motor: Children with autism can exhibit motor abnormalities. Some may have exceptional motor skills in one area yet be impaired in others. Fine motor deficits. Poor coordination. Toe-walking. Depth perception deficit. Even with normal motor skills, they can have difficulty with activities like tricycles, ride-on trucks, etc. Exceptional balance or clumsy. Unable to ride tricycles or trucks.

Sensory overload: A child with autism may have extreme difficulty tolerating music, noise, textures and new experiences or environments. The greater number of sensory exposures, the more likely a behavioural meltdown will occur. Extreme difficulty with receiving a haircut. May not like new experiences. May be almost impossible to bathe. Spinning objects close to face. Can have difficulty wearing outdoor clothing in winter. Resists having clothing changed. May rip at own clothes, labels and seams. During summer, may insist on wearing winter clothing.

Self-injurious behaviours: Head-banging. Self-biting with no apparent pain. Ripping and scratching at the skin. Pulling out handfuls of hair. No sense of danger. Doesn’t recognize situations where they may get hurt. No fear of heights.

Co-Morbidity: Gastro-intestinal disturbances: esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, colitis, lactase deficiency, diarrhoea, undigested food in stool, severe self-limiting diet and/or food sensitivity, constipation.

Sleep-Disturbances/Pain Responses/Seizures: Children may go days without any apparent need to sleep. May not seem to notice the difference between day and night. May have difficulty going to sleep and staying asleep. May only sleep brief periods of an hour or two maximum. Consider the parent’s sleep-deprived state as a consequence. Altered pain responses. Diminished/absent pain responses or heightened pain responses. Seizures. Co-morbidity, with seizures increasing with age. Unknown aetiology.

Impact of Autism on the Family

With a child with autism, routine everyday activities may be impossible. Stress on marriage and siblings can be tremendous. Referral to family/sibling counseling and local support groups may be appropriate. They are often very resistant to change, such as new situations, new experiences and new people.

CHECKLIST FOR AUTISM IN TODDLERS

Autism screening at 18–24 months of age

(Autism Physician Handbook)

Patient Name: ......................................................

Date of Birth: .......................................................

Medical Record Number: ...................................

Today’s Date: ........................................................

Section A: To be completed by the parent