Autism Awareness: Americans Asking for Answers

Autism is a word that has grown to hold significant meaning and worry for future generations. Today, the word autism can be heard almost anywhere. From presumptuous causes to the future of cures, autism is speaking loud and clear.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital investigates the available evidence to provide some facts, statistics, and advocacy routes for those looking to learn more about autism.

What is Autism?

Autism, according to autismspeaks.org, is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).

Disorders in this group can include Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Some refer to this group more simply as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Characteristics of autism are most often found in behavior, and can be seen from infancy with more obvious symptoms during early childhood. Developmental screenings are utilized to screen for possible autism with the child’s doctor asking questions about their growing and learning progress.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists five behaviors that signal further evaluation should be taken:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months
• Does not gesture by 12 months
• Does not say single words by 16 months
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.

These signs do not mean your child has autism; they only stand out as possible indicators. A multidisciplinary team can provide deeper investigation into behavioral abnormalities.

The Statistics

Based on autismspeaks.org statistics, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism. Further, an estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism, with government statistics suggesting that the prevalence rate is increasing 10-17% annually.

The Autism Society estimates that autism has an annual cost of $60 billion and that the cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.



What causes Autism?

No single cause is determined to cause autism. The vast majority of autism cases are not traceable to any definitive cause due to different levels of severity and combination of symptoms.

Researchers are finding that it’s most likely there are a number of causes for autism, with each case having its own various combinations. Multiple genetic components and timing of exposure during the child’s development may also play a role in the development or final presentation of the disorder.

Cases that are distinguished to have causes are small in number. These cases are linked to genetic disorders such as Tuberous Sclerosis, Fragile X, and Angelman’s Syndrome. Other cases are linked to the exposure of infectious or chemical environmental agents during pregnancy.

One thing is clear: autism is not caused by bad parenting, contrary to initial belief in the early 1940’s and 50’s. Dr. Bernard Rimland, founder of the Autism Society of America and the Autism Research Institute, helped develop and communicate this to the medical community in the 1960’s and 70’s.

Treatment options

Some children with autism tend to respond to a gluten-free or casein-free diet. Though a review of studies on this topic in 2008 didn’t find any evidence of diet affecting response, some parents say they do see a difference in behavior.

Other studies suggest that vitamin B6 and vitamin C may help some children. Studies of the vitamin B6 used doses that were higher than the recommended amount and potentially toxic. These should only be administered under doctor’s supervision. Vitamin C supplements may help improve behavior, but studies were not entirely conclusive.

Touch therapy and massage are alternative treatment options for some children with autism. Research shows that fewer symptoms were seen in children who had undergone several weeks of touch therapy.

Other treatment options include art, music, and pet therapy. Each of these provides an opportunity for the child to develop social and communication skills.

For more information regarding autism, visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/, autism-society.org, or visit our complete online health library.

Glaucoma: The Blinding Truth

This January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and Franciscan Physicians Hospital is here to provide you with some important information about the disease and how you can stay alert toward its occurrence. Dr. Karen Briggs, DO, brings us the following beneficial information.

What is glaucoma?
"Glaucoma is a disease of potential blindness. It is the #2 cause of blindness in the U.S. and the #1 cause in African American patients. Glaucoma is an elevation of pressure in the eye that destroys the optic nerve. The elevation of pressure causes minimized blood flow to the eye. The damaged nerve eventually kills the other nerves."

How long does glaucoma take to have a detrimental effect on an individual's vision?
"Each person is different. There are different types of glaucoma and depending on the individual, it progresses at different rates."

How many people in the U.S. have glaucoma, roughly?
"They figure that one in fifty people have it and don't even know. The number one age group is non-Hispanic white females above 80. The Hispanic population has emerged as especially susceptible to glaucoma. The chance of Latino individuals becoming blind is now equal to that of African American individuals. Macular Degeneration risk is the same as well."

What is the average age for acquiring glaucoma?
"Glaucoma can come on at any age, which is the problem. The misconception is that glaucoma only affects the elderly population. Patients should be screened much sooner than they often are. You should always have your eye pressure checked when you have an eye exam. Not every place takes eye pressure readings, which can be a mistake."

What are some early symptoms of glaucoma?
"Primary glaucoma, the most common form, has no symptoms until the patient has suffered such severe nerve damage that their side vision is affected. The goal in the United States is to catch that before it happens and the disease speeds up. Also, primary glaucoma has no pain, so it can't be physicially detected in the patient."

Can glaucoma be prevented?
"No, there is no prevention at this time."

How does someone with glaucoma treat the condition?
"in the U.S. the first role of treatment is eye drops."

What is considered normal eye pressure?
"Eye pressure below 21 with no nerve damage is considered normal. Unfortunately, there is a form of low tension glaucoma. People with this type have eye pressure in the normal range, yet they still face damage."

How is glaucoma diagnosed?
"Family history comes first. After risk and prevalence from family history is assessed, we take the eye pressure by dilating the patient and looking at their optic nerve. Nearly 50% of glaucoma is missed if you dilate the patient and don't take the eye pressure. Pressure can be normal at the doctors office, but it can also fluctuate from the time of day and from day to day. After assessing the patient's eyes, they determine if there is damage or not. If so, they do visual fields to determine side vision and many doctors now do nerve fiber analysis to measure the thickness of the nerves. They compare results with averages from age, sex and race."

How long does glaucoma treatment last?
"Each patient is different but almost always it's the rest of the patient's life. If surgery is successful, patients can stay off eye drops for a while, but they will eventually be back on them due to digression of the condition."

What are the risks and side effects associated with treatment?
"one of the risks associated with treatment is medication. Medications can cause increased pigmentation of the iris, dryness of the eye, and beta blockers can cause breathing problems in patients with asthma and COPD. Depression and slow heart rate can also occur. Patients have to be very forward about their medical history so that there aren't any confrontations."

As glaucoma treatment and research continues to expand, so does the knowledge of physicians at Franciscan Physicians Hospital. Dr. Briggs is exceptionally knowledged in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment. A special thanks to Dr. Briggs for the information she provided!