Parents Partnering with Pediatricians to Treat Autism

In an ideal world, pediatricians would know exactly what to do when a child is diagnosed with autism.  Many parents know only too well, that is just not the case.   Sadly, most pediatricians are still not familiar with the array of treatable medical conditions that often accompany a diagnosis of autism.   GI distress, nutritional deficiencies, immune dysregulations, mitochondrial dysfunction, an inability to digest gluten or casein are all medical abnormalities that when properly identified and treated bring about positive changes in speech, behavior, cognitive function and general health.     

There are of course some leading-edge physicians who over the past 10 years took the time to analyze the research, delve into the science and listen to the parents.  As a result, they created strategies for safely and effectively helping to improve the health and behavior of some children.  But their numbers are small and we need more of them!     

How can we increase the number of doctors who will help parents prioritize treatment strategies, order the right tests, ask the right questions, interpret the test results and provide safe and effective interventions?  

             We have to create them!   

On June 3-5^th , in a beautiful conference center in western North Carolina, 5 of the top medical experts in the autism treatment community will teach, train and prepare 50 medical doctors to return to their offices on Monday morning better equipped with the understanding and the tools they need to make a difference in the lives of children affected by autism.    

Parents are already registering for this unique opportunity of education, hope and rejuvenation,   But we need your help in getting the physicians there!  

There’s never been an opportunity like this.  The scope and depth of medical conditions in these children demands that a paradigm shift occur in the medical profession and we are asking you to help us create one.   Please print out the postcard on the attached link, bring it to your pediatrician or family physician and encourage them to attend so they can become our partners in the healing and prevention of autism.   

Your Healing Retreat www.YourHealingRetreat.com  is being organized and presented by the “Sisters in Science, Spirit and Spunk”: Elizabeth Mumper, MD, Julie Buckley, MD, Maureen McDonnell, RN, Stephanie Cave, MD and Nancy O’Hara, MD 

Physician Postcard:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_h3LQ-jb0t9NDc0MzY1YjYtNDc1Yi00M2FlLThkZTYtZjVhZWUzZmZkYzc2&hl=en&authkey=CIfOy6AD

"When the Belly is the Beast" - Conference in Dartmouth, MA on Friday 4/1/11

The Gottschall Autism Center proudly presents

the Second Annual

"When the Belly is the Beast"

How Intestinal Health Impacts Brain & Behavior

Friday, April 1, 2011

8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Rachel’s Lakeside | 950 State Road | Dartmouth, MA

Autism is often thought of as a developmental disorder or neuropsychiatric problem. 

Join us on April 1st to hear how intestinal function plays a pivotal role in behavior, communication,

socialization, and cognition in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Martha Herbert

Pediatric Neurologist and the Director of the TRANSCEND Research Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston

and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School

“Autism as a Chronic Whole Body Treatable Environmental Illness”

Dr. Alessio Fasano

Medical Director of the Center for Celiac Research and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland

“Gluten, Leaky Gut, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder:  How to Connect the Dots”

Pamela Ferro, RN

President of the Gottschall Autism Center and co-founder of Hopewell Associates, Inc. in Mattapoisett

“Gastrointestinal Pathology & the Use of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet in Autism”

“Mothers of Children with Autism:  Strategies to Improve the Outcome of Health and Relationships”

Hosted by

Wendy Fournier

President of the National Autism Association

This year’s expanded schedule includes:

·         It Takes a Village:  Finding Family Resources

·         Autism & the Law:  Legal Basics for Parents

·         Transition:  A Parent’s Perspective

·         Autism AWAAREness:  Keeping our Loved Ones Safe

Registration is $65 per person and includes:

·         Admission to all presentations

·         Continental Breakfast (SCD legal menu)

·         Lunch (SCD legal menu)

·         Conference program book

·         Family Resource Guide

For more information or to register, visit www.gotSCD.org

Inspiration from a 113 year old pediatrician

Dr. Leila Denmark, a pediatrician who turned 113 last month, followed many of the principles we promote. Read her interesting and inspirational story via the link below.


http://www.sparkplugpeople.com/inspiration/dr-leila-denmark-turning-113/

Feeding Therapy, is it right for you?

Missy Olive, PhD is a Behavioral Therapist specializing in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) which includes feeding therapy.  Click on the link below to read a feeding therapy success story for a child with Autism.

http://blogs.chron.com/autisminthehouse/2011/01/missy_olive_is_the_supreme_que.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Fautisminthehouse+%28reader+blog%3A+Autism+in+the+House%29

To learn more about Missy and what she does, please visit her website at www.appliedbehavioralstrategies.com

Attention Function

ATTENTION FUNCTION

1.     Remedial Activities

A.    Encourage the child to use a verbally self-monitored “STOP, LOOK and LISTEN” approach to tasks to reduce impulsivity.

1.     Prior to beginning an activity, have the child cue him/herself to “STOP, LOOK and LISTEN” or alternatively, “Slow down. Look before you leap.”

2.     Use a visual or auditory prompt [e.g. a STOP sign on a bookmark] to help a child remember

B.    Encourage the child’s self-monitoring skills by frequent review of performance and pattern of errors as immediately as possible after the completion of task [use self-checking materials].

C.    The above can be supplemented by the use of reward systems [e.g. stickers, added privileges, etc] but these must closely  follow in time the behavior being rewarded.

2.     Compensatory Strategies

A.    Seat the child near the teacher where optimal opportunity exists for capturing the child’s attention

B.    Before presenting instructions to the child, capture visual and auditory attention

C.    Check for child’s comprehension of task before beginning

D.    If child is distracted by environment, provide a carrel or quiet study area for independent activities to help filter out distractions.

E.     Incorporate brief, frequent breaks into sustained activities to help diminish effect of fatigability. Supplement with rewards for sustained performance

F.     Anticipate situations that aggravate attentional weaknesses and point these out to child in advance in a supportive fashion.

G.    Praise the child regularly. These children show more favorable response to positive reinforcement rather than negative.

Inspiration...

Read the inspiring story of one of our patients in the April Issue of Golf Digest Magazine.

Golf Saved Our Life

A Passion Shared by Father and Son

by Sal Mancino

The article can be found at: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2011-04/golf-saved-my-life

First Annual Healing Retreat - June 3-5, 2011

Parents and practitioners please join us at the first annual healing retreat outside of Asheville, NC the weekend of June 3-5, 2011.  The retreat will be a combination of workshops, organic food, spa type treatments (like massage and HBOT) and lectures by experts in the field of autism and developmental disorders.  For more information, go to www.yourhealingretreat.com

Looking for delicious gluten-free pizza made with healthy and organic ingredients?

For our local readers…

Looking for delicious gluten-free pizza made with healthy and organic ingredients? Check out:

SAVOR

Eat Healthy, Live Well

430 Main Avenue

Norwalk, CT  06851

203-939-1666

www.savorhealthypizza.com

Open 11am-9pm ~ Closed Sunday

Office Space for Rent

We still have additional square footage (~500 SF) available for another like-minded practitioner.   Separate entrance, beautiful and airy space to rent.   Please contact the office at 203-834-2813 if you are interested.

Lecture by Dr. Nancy O'Hara this Thursday in NYC

Lecture by Dr. Nancy O'Hara in NYC on Thursday, March 10, 2011

The National Autism Association NY Metro Chapter
In Collaboration With
Beth Israel Medical Center's Department of Developmental Pediatrics
would like to invite you to our special event

"Reducing the risk of Autism and other childhood chronic illnesses"
with Dr. Nancy O'Hara

on Thursday, March 10th 6:30-8:30pm

Beth Israel Medical Center
10 Union Square East
New York, NY 10003
2nd Floor Conference Center


Dr. Nancy O'Hara is going to walk us through some of the most important
steps you can take in order to reduce your child's risk of developing a
chronic illness such as Autism. So whether you are pregnant, would like to
become pregnant or have a young child, there are many things you can do to
lower the chances.



Autism is one illness that is on many parents mind these days, since the
rates seem to keep climbing. Dr. O'Hara is on the front lines everyday
trying to treat these children. Dr. O'Hara has a comprehensive list of
things that you should avoid, supplements you can take and simple changes
you can make in your diet in order to lower your risk. Many of us know
that it is much easier to try to prevent than treat an illness once you
already have it. Some of the steps you will hear about will be quite simple
such as replacing some of the foods you eat or the type of toothpaste you
use. Even if you can just start with a few changes, then you are well on
your way to reducing the chance of someone in your family from developing a
chronic illness.



Nancy O'Hara, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to her medical
career she taught children with autism. Dr. O'Hara graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and earned a Master's degree
in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. She entered general
private practice in 1993, and in 1998 began her consultative, integrative
practice solely for children with special needs. She is a leader in the
training of clinicians, both in the US and abroad.


Come join us for this informative event. 

Refreshments will be served.

There is no fee for the workshop

Please RSVP to Stacey Purro, LCSW at 212.844.8431 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              212.844.8431      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or via email at spurro@chpnet.org

Looking for a fluoride-free, sugar-free and non-minty toothpaste?

Looking for a fluoride-free, sugar-free and non-minty toothpaste? Try Snappy Jaws (in awesome orange, strawberry and pineapple flavors).  It is made in Australia from local ingredients.  It can be ordered online at www.naturesgoodness.com.au

Enjoy!