This is my comment bellow on the ASD disorder for more information please visit our workshops on
” How to raise smarter Kids ”
call Wendi and find out when is the next workshop and see you soon.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
Are a group of related developmental disabilities, caused by a problem with the brain, that affect a child’s behavior, social, and communication skills. ASDs include autistic disorder, “pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified” (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome.
New data suggests that approximately 1 in 110 children have an ASD*. There is currently no cure for ASDs, however, children with an ASD can progress developmentally and learn new skills. The AAP strongly believes in the importance of early and continuous surveillance and screening for ASD to ensure that children are identified and receive access to services as early as possible. The sooner an ASD is identified, the sooner an intervention program can start.
Studies On The Causes of Autism
Studies have focused on the genetics of autism and the timing of the first
symptoms of autism.
Genetics of autism
One of the best ways to determine whether a particular disease or syndrome
is genetic is to examine the incidence in identical (monozygotic)
and fraternal (dizygotic) twins. Using a strict definition of autism, when
one twin has autism, 60% of identical and 0% of fraternal twins have
autism. Using a broader definition of autism (i.e., autistic spectrum disorder),
when one twin has autism, approximately 92% of identical and
10% of fraternal twins have autism. (8,9)
Therefore, autism clearly has a genetic basis.
Timing of development of autism
• Autism symptoms are present before 1 year of age
Perhaps the best data examining when symptoms of autism are first
evident are the “home-movie studies.” These studies took advantage
of the fact that many parents take movies of their children during their
first birthday (before they have received the MMR vaccine). Home
movies from children who were eventually diagnosed with autism and
those who were not diagnosed with autism were shown to blinded
neurodevelopmental specialists. Investigators were, with a very high
degree of accuracy, able to separate autistic from non-autistic children
at 1 year of age.(10-14)
These studies found that subtle symptoms of autism are present earlier
than some parents had suspected, and that receipt of the MMR vaccine
did not precede the first symptoms of autism.
• Autism symptoms are present before 4 months of age
Other investigators extended the home-movie studies of 1-year-old
children to include videotapes of children taken at 2-3 months of age.
Using a sophisticated movement analysis, videos from children eventually
diagnosed with autism or not diagnosed with autism were coded
and evaluated for their capacity to predict autism. Children who were
eventually diagnosed with autism were predicted from movies taken
in early infancy.(15)
This study supported the hypothesis that very subtle symptoms of autism
are present in early infancy and argue strongly against vaccines
as a cause of autism.
• Evidence that autism occurs in utero
Toxic or viral insults in utero as well as certain central nervous system
disorders are associated with an increase in the incidence of autism.
For example, children exposed to thalidomide during the first or early
second trimester were found to have an increased incidence of autism.(
16) However, autism occurred in children with ear, but not arm or
leg, abnormalities. Because arms and legs develop after 24 days gestation,
the risk period for autism following receipt of thalidomide must
be before 24 days gestation. In support of this finding, Rodier and
colleagues(17) found evidence for structural brainstem abnormalities in
children with autism
. Finally, children with fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis are also
at increased risk of developing autism.
Taken together, these findings indicate that autism is likely due to abnormalities
of the central nervous system that occur in utero.
Summing Up
Studies of 1) the genetics of autism, 2) the timing of the first symptoms
of autism (home-movie studies), 3) the relationship between autism and
the receipt of the MMR vaccine, 4) the histopathology of the central nervous
system of children with autism, and 5) thalidomide, natural rubella
infection, fragile X syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis all support the fact
that autism occurs during development of the central nervous system early
in utero.
Update: May 27, 2010
We are excited to announce that the The Brain Enhancement Institute will be available in the Fashion Island
during the summer time.
A 12 week program will focus on how to:
Increase 15-25 IQ scores
Improve 1-2 functional Grade Levels
Enhance the social maturity skills
and much more.
Call today 949 528 3836 for more information regarding availability for the next Brainy Arcade in Orange County.
The Brain Enhancement Institute will also offer Brain Analysis and the cognitive enhancement training program tat will be available for ADD and ADHD, and spectrum disorders to enhance Neurodevelopment, NeuroCognitive functions and skill sets.
Best of all check in with us on the next Brain Enhancement Institute summer Brainiac Camp that will take place in Newport Beach and learn how you can train your child’s brain for new skill and raise the IQ by at least 15 points.
Call us at 949 706 1212 for more information
See you soon
Dr Bar