April is Autism Awareness Month

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that affects all persons regardless of race, religion, socio-economic status or geography.

Recent reports reveal that 1 in 110 children in the U.S. has Autism. A child is diagnosed every 20 minutes; more children will be diagnosed with Autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. It is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

There is no known cause for Autism, though there may be a genetic predisposition.Early intervention is key to developing the child’s full potential.

Recognize The Signs of Autism

In Infants:
Indifferent to surroundings
Content to be alone, happier to play alone — lack of interest in toys
Shows lack of response to others; no smiling; no eye contact— stares blankly
Does not point out objects of interest to others
Noticeable reduction or increase in activity level
Resists cuddling
No babbling by 12 months; no words by 16 months; no meaningful phrases by 24 months

In Children:
Avoids cuddling or touching
Abnormal play
Frequent behavioral outbursts, tantrums
Inappropriate attachments to objects
Displays little or no eye contact
Over- or undersensitivity to pain; no fear of danger
Difficulty with motor skills
Unresponsiveness to normal teaching methods & verbal clues (despite normal hearing, may appear to be deaf)
Loss of language or social skills

If you recognize any of these signs in your child, contact your pediatrician and
request a screening. Early intervention is key to your child’s future development.

An Autism diagnosis does not commit your child to a lifelong dependence on
psychotropic drugs. Holistic alternatives such as diet and brain-based Chiropractic Neurological therapies are available that address the source of the issue. Call to learn how our Maximum Achievement Program (MAP) can help your child reach his/her maximum learning potential without medication.

--Dr. Keri Chiappino DC,DACNB
Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner

Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders... Unlocking Your Child's Full Potential Holistically Through Diet, Vitamins & Brain-based Exercise -- Invitation to Lecture 11/9/10 Wild By Nature

Neurological disorders are on the rise. Autism now affects 1 in 110 children; The Center For Disease Control (CDC) figures show that 4.6 million children had a learning disorder in 2007 and 4.5 million children were diagnosed with attention defict hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that same year. CDC also reports that 56% of children with ADHD were on prescription medication (2003.)

Early diagnosis and intervention are key to developing a child's full potential.

Please join me tomorrow, Tuesday, November 9, 7:00 pm at Wild by Nature in E. Setauket for my lecture on holistic therapies for pediatric neurological disorders such as ADHD, Autism and learning disorders. Learn how natural therapies address the source of your child's symptoms, without the need for medication or surgery. Discover how diet, nutritional supplements, and physical and cognitive exercises can help improve connections in your child's brain.

Attendees will gain a better understanding of the neurological mechanism behind behaviors such as impulsivity and inattention in children diagnosed with ADHD or learning disabilities, or spinning, swaying and stimming behaviors in children with Autism. I'll cover the importance of diet, specifically how the gluten-free/casein free diet can make significant improvements in such areas as speech, bowel habits, language, behavior and sensory issues for children with neurological disorders. In addition, I'll provide helpful tips on how to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle and how to keep your child's diet on track during the upcoming holiday season.

For directions contact Wild By Nature; 631 246 5500.

Hope to see you tomorrow night!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Keri Chiappino
Board-certified Chiropractic Neurologist
Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner

Digestive Disorders in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Acknowledged by Mainstream Medicine

The New Year ushered in promising news for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as the first step were taken for guideline recommendations for treatment of gastric intestinal disorders (GI) commonly experience by those on the spectrum. The news validated what parents and we practitioners who care for children with ASD have known all along: GI disorders are a valid ailment of children on the spectrum and as such require evaluation and treatment.

The consensus recommendations were derived from a 2008 meeting sponsored by Autism Forum and were written by a multidisciplinary panel of pediatric and GI experts. They call for more scientific studies to be conducted on GI disorders in children with autism, acknowledging that GI distress oftentimes present atypical, self injurious behavior and disturbed sleep. The study further recommends that children with ASD who show signs of abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation or other symptoms of gastric distress be evaluated and treated just as their typical counterparts would be. In addition, trials are recommended to build an evidence base for developing diagnostic and treatment strategies for GI disorders.

For many children with autism, communication is an issue; limitations in speech often make it impossible to specifically communicate the pain that they are experiencing, culminating in behavioral issues that are often viewed as the face of autism. Digestive disorders up until now were often dismissed as a symptom of autism and further investigation often was not taken to treat the problem. According to Autism Research Institute’s Director Dr. Steve Edelson, “This is truly a human rights issue; every child deserves proper medical attention--whether or not they have autism.”

In my own ASD patients, I have found that GI distress is a common complaint. Diet is one of the first areas that I evaluate. While the recent report advises that more studies need to be undertaken to develop dietary guidelines, I have found time and time again that specialized diets such as the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) diet have been extremely effective in those who present signs or demonstrate allergies (on blood work) to gluten or dairy products. Feedback from parents regularly shows that children with GI disorders make significant improvements in such areas as speech, bowel habits, language acquisition, behavior and sensory issues when eliminating gluten and dairy foods. In fact, in a trial noted by the panel, more than half the participants elected to continue the GFCF diet after the trial, reporting positive changes in their child. While each child is unique, it’s been my experience that diet in conjunction with other supplementation continually proves to be an effective means of helping children with ASD reach their maximum potential.

For more information, see the January issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/125/Supplement_1/S1).