Sunday, April 15, 2007

Co-occuring conditions in Autism


• Mental Retardation: Although it has been estimated that up to 75% of people with autism have mental retardation, research studies have frequently used inappropriate IQ tests, such as verbal tests with nonverbal children and, in some cases, estimating the child’s intelligence level without any objective evidence. Parents should request non-verbal intelligence tests that do not require language skills, such as the Test for Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI). Furthermore, regardless of the result, realize that autistic children will develop more skills as they grow older, and that appropriate therapies and education can help them reach their true potential.

• Seizures: It is estimated that 25% of autistic individuals also develop seizures, some in early childhood and others as they go through puberty (changes in hormone levels may trigger seizures). These seizures can range from mild (e.g., gazing into space for a few seconds) to severe, grand mal seizures.


There is substantial evidence that certain nutritional supplements, especially vitamin B6 and dimethylglycine (DMG), can provide a safer and more effective alterative to drugs, for many individuals

• Chronic Constipation and/or Diarrhea: An analysis of the ARI’s autism database of thousands of cases show over 50% of autistic children have chronic constipation and/or diarrhea. Diarrhea may actually be due to constipation—i.e., only liquid is able to leak past a constipated stool mass in the intestine. Manual probing often fails to find an impaction. An endoscopy may be the only way to check for this problem. Consultation with a pediatric gastroenterologist is required.

• Sleep Problems: Many autistic individuals have sleep problems. Night waking may be due to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Placing bricks under the head of the bed may help keep stomach acid from rising and provide better sleep. Melatonin has been very useful in helping many autistic individuals fall asleep. Other popular interventions include using 5-HTP and implementing a behavior modification program designed to induce sleep. Vigorous exercise will help a child sleep, and other sleep aids are a weighted blanket or tight fitting mummy-type sleeping bag.




very low pain thresholds.Interventions designed to help normalize their senses, such as sensory
integration, Auditory Integration Training (AIT), and Irlen lenses.

Note from writer

I have seen my students sensitiveness to light,whether its the light inside the classroom or the sun.One of them was playing up for the whole school year after outdoor play and would not participate anymore in any school work or activity.When I came in as his shadow teacher,I observed this so I suggested to the regular teachers that he should stay inside the room and do something to occupy the time his classmates were outside.I explained to them that it might be the sun hurting him thats why he was misbehaving after outdoor plays.They agreed.After that,he was able to join the class after their outdoor and he did not show any excitement or tantrums anymore.I knew its the sun hurting him here.

There is also one student i had that when he comes inside the classroom first thing he do is close the light.Then another would turn it on.Autistic children are so much different from each other.That is what makes teaching them a challenge.

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