Overview
Parents of children suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) decide to look into alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) to deal with overall health issues and issues with behavior.
A study estimates that 30-95 percent of children diagnosed with ASD have received any kind of CAM assistance.
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Some CAM support has been thoroughly investigated. Although many are safe, and some are even effective be cautious.
There aren’t any solutions that be suitable for all people across the spectrum. What is effective for one person will not work for someone else. Discuss with your doctor prior to changing your child’s methods of support and diet or lifestyle.
Autism diet
Some doctors recommend an autism diet. This implies reducing or eliminating the intake of casein as well as gluten in your diet.
Gluten is the protein found found in the wheat seeds as well as other grains like barley and Rye. Gluten is found in many food items and can lead to digestive issues.
Casein is a protein found in milk products. It could be a different cause of digestive problems. It is believed that both gluten and casein may be inflamatory and that eliminating their intake from the diet could aid in overall health and improve behavior for those with autism.
As per the Autism Society, the typical American diet is comprised of more dairy and wheat products than is needed. They also have the potential to influence behavior in a significant way.
As per University of Florida Department of Pediatrics it is due to the fact that peptides from gluten and casein are able to are able to bind to opioid receptors within the brain. These can trigger those effects from illicit substances, like morphine or heroin which can trigger:
- insomnia
- Giddiness
- unobservant behavior inattention, such as “zoning out”
- aggression
- self-abusive behavior
The Autism Society recommends an initial gluten- or dairy-free diet. The results can be noticed in just up to 3 months.
If you’re interested in getting rid of the intake of casein and gluten, be able to only take one item off at a. Try to determine if only one of them has an effect without having to eliminate both food items.
It’s crucial to ensure that your child gets the nutritional requirements they require and this can be challenging if they’re eating an individualized diet.
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Children who are on a dairy-free diet might require calcium-rich supplements or require a greater amount of calcium-rich non-dairy food included in their diet.
A recent study conducted the challenge of a double-blind test to test whether the autism diet really improved the behavior or health of children with autism.
The study did not find any evidence of the fact that eating this diet caused an enormous difference. The sample size of the trial was quite small but it is possible that the diet will help those with autism.
Omega-3 fat acids
Omega-3 acid is a form of healthy fat found in fish oils as well as in supplements. They aid in the development of the brain and its functioning.
In the Journal of Biological Psychiatry Trusted Source Some tiny, early studies have demonstrated that adding omega-3s into the diet of a child can help increase the frequency of repetitive and hyperactive behavior for those with autism.
Other studies published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent PsychopharmacologyTrusted Source suggest that omega-3s could help improve social skills in children with an ASD.
Some studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids. But certain studies discredit it. A recent study conducted by Trusted Sourceutilizing an experiment that was placebo-controlled found that children who had autism were able to tolerate omega-3s, but they didn’t to improve their behavior.
The study found that the beneficial health effects of omega-3 fats were are in use.
Consult with your physician or a professional dietician to talk about the best method to incorporate these healthy fats into the diet of your kid.
The sleep hormone and Melatonin
Many children who have autism suffer from chronic sleep problems like:
- struggling to fall asleep
- getting up early
- with poor quality sleep
- anxiety
Sleepiness can cause a lot aspects of autism. You should not ignore it.
A new study that was that was published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders discovered that the natural supplement melatonin could help children suffering from ASD to sleep better and reduced symptoms throughout the daytime.
The study explains, however that melatonin shouldn’t be taken in cases where autism is the primary cause of sleep issues. If you suspect that something else may be causing the issue, it’s best to tackle the root of the issue.
Other options for treating sleep disorders
Stress or overwhelming stimuli may cause children with autism to struggle to sleep.
Bright light therapy can be an option for children with autism who are unable to fall asleep at night. By using this approach children are exposed to bright light throughout the morning and this can aid in to release the natural hormone of melatonin.
Other solutions that can help your child get more sleep are:
- Beware of stimulants like sugar or caffeine before going to going to bed
- You should establish a routine to do each evening
- switching off the TV or video games for at least an hour before bedtime . Then, you can relax the child by playing gentle music or reading the book
- the addition of curtains that block light for your child’s room will ensure that outside stimulation isn’t disturbing them
Chelation treatment
Chelation therapy is a method to flush heavy metals out of the body. It’s a strategy to help with poisoning caused by heavy metals like mercury and lead. It’s not a regulated therapy for autism.
There is no proof that metals cause autism , or evidence to prove that this approach is effective. This could even be harmful to certain people.
The medications could cause seizures, heart issues, and even organ damage. Although some individuals advocate this, the risk of dangers aren’t justifiable.
Relaxation techniques
Problems with behavior are a typical problem for people suffering from ASD. Techniques to calm, like the use of a deep pressure massage or weighted clothes, can help ease the agitation of people suffering from ASD.
A renowned expert June Groden suggests progressive relaxation techniques that were developed in the work of Edmund Jacobson. The process involves teaching people to distinguish between tight as well as relaxed muscles.
They are taught to relax and tighten their muscles, which includes those in hands as well as the arms and legs. This is done with deep breathing. This helps to ease tension and anxiety.
What are the prospects for autistic people?
None of these solutions can be a cure for ASD. They will only limit the symptoms. It is the Centres for Disease Control as well as Prevention’s Trusted Source warns that what works for one person might not be effective for other patients.
The doctor must review every alternative approach before it is utilized in conjunction with your child’s program of support.
