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Posts Tagged ‘joseph horrigan’
‘The Doctors Are In’ Live Chat
February 29, 2012
1 comment
Please join us Thursday at 3 pm ET/noon PT for this month’s “The Doctors Are In” live webchat. Our featured guest will be pediatric dentist José Polido, D.D.S., head of dentistry at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, one of our Autism Treatment Network centers.
Dr. Polido was instrumental in developing the newly released ATN tool kit for dental professionals. He welcomes your questions about dental issues including dental hygiene and visits to the dentist.
The live webchat will be hosted by Autism Speaks Head of Medical Research Joe Horrigan, M.D.
We hope you’ll join us!
What: “The Doctors Are In” webchat, with Drs. Horrigan and Polido
When: March 1 at 3 pm Eastern; 2 pm Central; 1 pm Mountain; noon Pacific
Where: Join via the Live Chat tab on left side of the Autism Speaks Facebook page
Categories: Science, Uncategorized
autism, Autism Speaks, dentist, gastrointestinal, Jose Polido, joseph horrigan, The Doctors Are In, webchat
Can vitamins, minerals and other supplements relieve autism symptoms?
February 3, 2012
17 comments
This week’s “Got Questions” answer comes from pediatric psychiatrist Joseph Horrigan, M.D., Autism Speaks assistant vice president, head of medical research.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common among those with autism, and in many cases, they relate to overly restricted eating habits. This is understandable as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are commonly associated with gastrointestinal problems and sensory issues with food textures and smells. It is also possible that the underlying biology of autism may cause deficiencies in the digestion of certain foods, which could affect vitamin intake. For example, a recent study documented that some children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have impaired carbohydrate digestion.
Normal growth and good health depend on the body absorbing and metabolizing the vitamins and minerals that are part of a well-rounded diet. In addition, studies have identified several examples of nutrient deficiencies affecting thinking and behavior – for example, the ability to focus or stay alert in school. Also, nutrient deficiencies such as those involving omega 3 fatty acids may worsen behavioral symptoms such as irritability and hyperactivity. As such, it’s entirely possible that taking supplements may improve such symptoms in some individuals with ASD – especially if the individual has clinical or laboratory evidence of low levels of crucial vitamins, minerals or other nutrients.
In recent years, researchers have looked deeper into how well particular vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements lessen the severity or intensity of core autism symptoms – namely communication difficulties, social challenges and repetitive behavior. The results of these clinical studies have been mixed.
One recent large study examined the effect of an over-the-counter supplement called Syndion on 141 children and adults with autism, as compared to the effects of a placebo pill. The researchers reported that the product effectively raised levels of vitamins and minerals in the blood. They also showed that it produced no significant side effects during the 12-week study. The study did not demonstrate meaningful improvements in autism symptoms according to three out of the four assessment tools used. It did, however, show modest but statistically significant improvements on a fourth measure (the Parental Global Impressions-Revised questionnaire) in terms of hyperactivity, tantrums and receptive language.
When interpreting the meaningfulness of these results, readers may take note that the two lead authors were also the developers of the commercial product being tested.
Despite the limitations of this study, it raises important questions as to whether vitamins may be helpful in addressing the core symptoms of autism. It is important to continue supporting research that will provide parents and individuals with clear answers about the value of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements in ASD. Autism Speaks is currently funding several projects to this end, including a new study investigating the possible role of carnitine deficiency in some individuals with ASD. (Carnitine is a nutrient used by cells to process fats and produce energy. It is abundant in red meat and dairy products, but some individuals appear to have difficulties absorbing and/or metabolizing it.)
We are also funding an ongoing collaborative project, through five Autism Treatment Network sites, to collect extensive information on the dietary intake and nutritional status of children with ASD.
If you are worried that you or your child may have a nutritional deficiency, supplements may be a good option to consider. It is important that you consult with your doctor about brands and dosages. Supplements vary in quality and potency, and some may have harmfully excessive levels of certain vitamins, minerals or other ingredients.
Explore more of the studies we’re funding through our grant search, and find more news and perspective on the Autism Speaks science page.
Transcript of Today’s ‘Office Hour’ Webchat with Drs. Dawson and Horrigan
February 2, 2012
1 comment
Thanks for joining today’s “Office Hour” webchat with Drs. Dawson and Horrigan . Here is the transcript.
Please join us next month (March 1st) and every first Thursday at 3 pm Eastern. Look for the “Live Chat” tab in the left column of our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/autismspeaks
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| 2:57 | Hi Everyone! This is Dr. Dawson. We will be getting started in just a minute or so. We are glad you are here. |
| 2:59 | Hi – this is Dr. Horrigan – I’m here , too – thanks for attending today’s ‘office hours’ |
| 3:02 | Advance question from Lisa, teacher of students with ASD: I have heard a few things…completely rumors…about how gluten-free diets affect those with autism. What are the affects, positive or negative, if any. Thanks! |
| 3:02 | Lisa: This is Dr. Horrigan. Yes, for some youngsters with autism, gluten-free diets can be helpful, but it is a minority rather than a majority that benefit, and it is usually youngsters that have a specific family history of GI problems and difficulties with food sensitivities, including more explicit problems like Celiac sprue related to gluten. It is worth having a discussion with the child’s physician about the potential utility of elimination diets (like gluten-free) if the youngster has persistent gastrointestinal problems and the family is motivated to shift (oftentimes the whole household, to assure the child’s adherence) to the specialized diet. The participants have to watch out, though, because it is relatively easy to become deficient in some essential vitamins and minerals if a rigorous elimination diet is pursued – so supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals would be important, too. | ||
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| 3:05 | Hi Tina, There are some good books that offer strategies for teaching children with autism to use the toilet. Here is one suggestion: http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Training-Individuals-Autism-Developmental/dp/1932565493 . We will be posting a tool kit on toileting on our website soon so keep your eyes out for that. YOu might also want to check with your behavior therapist, if you have one, who can develop a behavioral plan for teaching toileting. | ||
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| 3:07 | Hi Cara – this is Dr. Horrigan – Intuniv (guanfacine) is becoming more popular. It is formally indicated for the treatment of ADHD, and it is often helpful in combination with stimulant medicines like Ritalin or Adderall. But it can be helpful on its own to soften difficulties with impulsivity and excesive emotional outbursts. It doesn’t work for everyone, though, and it has its own unique side effects, especially if the dose is too ambitious (e.g. sedation/sleepiness/fatigue, headache, and there is even a potential for decreased blood pressure). So it needs to be taken under a doctor’s supervision. Definitive studies in the area of autism have yet to be completed at the time of this writing, but they should be forthcoming. |
| 3:08 | Dear everyone, Many of you have had questions about the new revisions to the diagnostic criteria for autism. Below is our policy statement on this issue which describes the issues that we all are concerned about and what Autism Speaks is doing to ensure that the revision doesn’t end up excluding people from obtaining the services they need. |
| 3:09 | Autism Speaks Statement on Revisions to the DSM Definition of Autism Spectrum DisorderAutism Speaks is concerned that planned revisions to the definition of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may restrict diagnoses in ways that may deny vital medical treatments and social services to some people on the autism spectrum. These revisions concern the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), scheduled for publication in spring 2013.We have voiced our concerns and will continue to directly communicate with the DSM-5 committee to ensure that the proposed revision does not discriminate against anyone living with autism. While the committee has stated that its intent is to better capture all who meet current diagnostic criteria, we have concluded that the real-life impact of the revisions has, to date, been insufficiently evaluated.Autism Speaks is committing substantial effort and resources to fund definitive research to ensure that the final definition of ASD meets the following criteria:1. Assures that all those who struggle with autism symptoms receive the treatment, services and benefits they need, without discrimination;2. Affirms that ASD can be a lifelong diagnosis, while allowing for treatment and services to change with an individual’s evolving needs;
3. Supports the importance of early ASD diagnosis and treatment as essential for helping individuals achieve their best possible outcomes and avoids creating barriers. As the proposed diagnostic criteria are evaluated over the course of 2012, Autism Speaks will be working with leading experts in the field as well as community stakeholders to evaluate the potential impact of the DSM revision on our community and to ensure that all necessary adjustments be made to assure access to vital treatment and social support resources for all those who struggle with the symptoms of autism. At the same time, we will actively serve as an informational resource and advocate for all members of our community, as they seek to make their needs known and understand how the evolving changes will affect them and their families. |
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| 3:11 | Dear Nancy, This is Dr. Dawson. Does your adult daughter have significant problems with social interaction, such as problems with eye contact, difficulties forming friendships, or trouble with conversational skills? Does your daughter have overly focused interests or engage in repetitive behaviors? If so, she may have an autism spectrum disorder. Having a diagnosis may open the door to services that could help. Check the following link to find resources in your area: |
| 3:11 | http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library |
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| 3:12 | Dear Guest at 3:02 – Yes- please just submit your question. |
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| 3:14 | Dear Tina, A child with autism can also have dyslexia, that is, trouble with reading. It is important that you have your son evaluated by a person who has expertise with dyslexia so that you can provide treatment for his reading difficulties along with treatments for his autism. |
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| 3:16 | Dear Linnea – this is Dr. Horrigan – I am assuming that SPD refers to “sensory processing disorder”, is this correct? There is a suite of specialized, hands-on tests that occupational therapists use to diagnose under- or overactivity to sensory stimulation, whether it is touch or heat/cold or sound, etc. I agree with you that it can be difficult to disentangle sensory prcessing problems from free-standing difficulties with anxiety. A lot of times it is important to determine if there is a high risk of anxiety disorders in an individual with autism based on one’s family history of anxiety, in which case, behavioral and medocation treatments (e.g. SSRIs like Zoloft/sertraline) can be really helpful, and you can get more traction from the desensitization techniques used by occupational therapists (e.g. brushing, as one example). |
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| 3:18 | Hi Lori, This is Dr. Dawson. Some parents report that a GFCF diet can help even though specific GI symptoms are not present. If you decide to try a GFCF diet, be sure to have someone who doesn’t know whether or not your child is on the diet keep a record of your child’s behavior (such as your child’s teacher). This way, you can objectively determine if it is helping. Also, check with your pediatrician about monitoring your child’s nutritional intake to make sure he or she is getting the nutrients your child needs. |
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| 3:21 | Dear Sandhya, This is Dr. Dawson. The diagnosis of autism is made on the basis of behavior observations. There are no specific lab tests for autism. Once a child has been determined to have autism, based on behavior, your doctor would want to order specific genetic tests to determine if there is a genetic cause. Other lab tests are sometimes ordered. If you have concerns about your child’s eating, you should talk to your child’s pediatrician. Autism is often associated with difficulties in eating, such as food allergies and food sensitivities. |
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| 3:24 | Dear Guest – this is Dr. Horrigan – that must be very stressful, having such unpredictably as to when your son will/won’t eat. It would be good to know exactly where your son is on the CDC growth charts, and what sort of medical workup has ben done so far. . I think at CHOP they will start off with straightforward things like a flat plate x-ray of your son’s abdomen (it’s painless) and they will obtain a comprehensive dietary history. They will also look at what runs in the family (e.g. things like Celiac sprue, irritable bowel, etc.). If there is specific evidence for a malabsorbtion syndrome, they will do more intensive things. They may also have to look more specifically at endocrine issues which usually means some blood tests (the blood volume they draw isn’t too bad, and they shoudl use topical anethetics or numbing meds) and they may also want to do an MRI (e.g of your son’s head), which is challenging because it can be loud and long and he will have to keep still – often means sedation has to be used. |
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| 3:25 | Dear Enid, This is Dr. Dawson. The Autism Speaks website is full of information and resources, including a list of books on different topics. Look under “What is Autism” and “Family Services” for information. I really like Lynn Koegal’s book – Overcoming Autism. |
| 3:27 | Dear everyone, I notice that there are many questions about GI problems, constipation, toileting, and eating. On our next webchat (next month), we will have a gasteroenterologist with expertise in autism on this webchat so we can provide more detailed information. Autism is commonly associated with Gi problems and it is important that these be addressed by a gasteroenterologist. These problems can interfere with a child’s ability to learn and behave well. | ||
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| 3:30 | Dear Guest – this is Dr. Horrigan – I may have missed the first part of the question or the discussion thread about bed-wetting. But what comes to mind is that there are basic behavioral manuevers that can be helpful (e.g. humane versions of fluid restriction before bed, and also humane use of bell and pad/alarm techniques – the latter can be tricky). It is also important to make sure tht he is not constipated as this can cause overflow incontinence even at night. There are some meds that can precipitate enuresis (e.g I am thinking of unpredictable responses to meds given at nightime like risperidone and some of the SSRIs), so you have to make sure that you are not dealing with a medicine side efect. That said, it is possible that other meds like DDAVP pills (0.2 to 0.4 mg) or low-dose imipramine (25 mg or less) can be really helpful if the bed-wetting is really causing a lot of distress. | ||
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| 3:31 | Dear Jill, This is Dr. Dawson. Sleep problems are very common in children with autism. On February 14th, Autism Speaks will be releasing a new tool kit for families and providers on how to address sleep problems in children with autism. Check back on our website on the 14th. I think you will find it very helpful. We are funding many studies on sleep, including treatment studies. | ||
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| 3:35 | Dear Joshua, This is Dr. Dawson. It is useful to understand what is the function of the delayed echolalia for your son. Is it a way of communicating his needs and wants? If so, then modeling a simple phase for him to use instead of the echoed response (ideally, that uses part of his response) and having him repeat the appropriate phase before getting what he wants may help. Is it a repetitive behavior? Distraction and involvement in other activities could be useful. Is it a sign of anxiety? Then, addressing the source of anxiety can help. It is true that echolalia does tend to naturally decrease as functional language develops. | ||
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| 3:38 | Dear Lisa, This is Dr. Dawson. Many children with tubersclerosis also have autism and it is important that both diagnoses are made. This will allow your child to receive specific interventions to address the symptoms of autism (e.g. social impairments) that not all children with TSC have. |
| 3:38 | Dear Lori – this is Dr. Horrigan – does your son have an IEP or 504 plan that includes the classic accomodations for indivduals with ADHD? I am thinking about the use of a carrel, as needed, and the proactive use of verbal cues as transitions occur in the classroom, as well as electronic desktop cueing devices triggered by the teacher or assistnat. In terms of meds, I know how you feel, in terms of your wariness, although sometimes you can get great benefit from the judiciosus and thoughtful use of stimulants, with the knowledge that each person has unique responses to each of the stimulant formuations/preprations (e.g. it is not just about Adderall or just about Ritalin, there are a whole range of choices), and this is important because soemtimes a youngster with HFA can get a very significant effect/benefit from a low dose of a carefully chosen med |
| 3:40 | Advance question from Pamela: My question is…is there any link between taking antidepressants while pregnant (2nd & 3rd trimester)(SSRI) and autism in the newborn child? |
| 3:41 | Hi Pamela. This is Dr. Dawson. We have written previously on this topic, and I refer you to that blog (link below). This is a question you should discuss with your physician because each woman’s situation is different in terms of weighing the risk and benefits. LINK: (http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/09/02/can-my-taking-medication-during-pregnancy-cause-autism-in-my-baby/). |
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| 3:42 | Dear Kathleen, Some children with autism have sensory integration dysfunction but not all do. Children with autism tend to have more significant difficulties in social interaction (e.g. eye contact, forming friendships, interactive play) and also have repetitive behaviors. You should have your son evaluated by a doctor with expertise in autism to better understand his diagnosis. You can check on this link for resources in your area: |
| 3:42 | http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library |
| 3:45 | Advance question from Andrew: Where can we find career guidance in the autism research field? I’m a 24 year old patient advocate. After spending 3 months on a Nation Outdoor Leader School trip in India, on which I watched a classmate pass away, I have a renewed sense of responsibility to my community. How can I help? I want to start getting my undergraduate degree this semester, despite the deadlines having been passed for applications (I just got home from India). I want to know where I should start, what types of paths are open to me, and other ways that I can help. |
| 3:46 | Dear Andrew. This is Dr. Dawson. There are many ways to get involved! You can volunteer at a local program for children with disabilities, become an advocate (see Autism Votes LINK), join a walk for Autism Speaks (LINK), or get involved with other college students (Autism Speaks U LINK). You can find the local groups who are providing early autism intervention services and train to be a therapist. There are many career options including becoming a clinician (physician, psychologist, occupational therapy, speech-language therapist), a teacher, a scientist, or lawyer, to name a few. It truly takes a village to support people with autism and other disabilities. I’m glad you are eager to help.HERE ARE THE LINKS: Autism Votes:http://www.autismvotes.org/site/c.frKNI3PCImE/b.3909853/k.BE44/Home.htm Autism Speaks U:http://events.autismspeaks.org/site/c.nuLTJ6MPKrH/b.4385867/k.BF59/Home.htm |
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| 3:48 | Dear Melissa, Children with Asperger syndrome are often helped by behavioral interventions that focus on social skills training. There are also interventions (Cognitive behavioral therapy) that can help with anxiety which is common among children with Asperger syndrome. Anger/emotion-regulation is often a challenge. Again, there are behavioral strategies that can be used to teach your son to better manage and appropriately express his feelings. Clinical psychologists are typically well-trained in these therapeutic methods. You should check in your area for a clinical psychologist who works with children and/or chidlren with Asperger syndrome and also check out the resources in your area on this link: |
| 3:48 | http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-guide |
| 3:49 | Hey everyone: When we posted the link to the resource “library” earlier, we meant THIS link to the resource “Guide.” Here it is again: http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-guide |
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| 3:52 | Dear Trish – this is Dr. Horrigan. I know it is very very tough to have a child that awakens frequently duirng the middle of the night. It will get better, I promise you, although it may take time. Behavioral contributions are always important to look at. One thing to think about is whether there are unitended reinforcers (rewards) that are occurring on a behavioral level that might be reinforcing her middle-of-the-night awakening (inlcudes letting her get in bed with you after she awakens). I am sure you have already thought about this. The other issue is whether she is accustomed to only a very specific set of cues (e.g. a CD with lullabies playing as a backdrop), associated with being able to fall asleep initially, that can be readjusted. In terms of meds, melatonin only helps with sleep onset, not continuity of sleep (staying asleep) and it shouldn’t be given during the middle of the night (e.g. after midnight) – it can make things worse the next night if it is given that way, because it can distrub the individual’s circadian rhythm. I would have a consultation with a sleep specialist, if you can do that, and this will allow you to discuss other medication possibilites that may be more effective with middle-of-the-night awakenings such as off-label miniscule doses of trazodone or mirtazepine or doxepin, although these meds for a 3 y.o. require a sleep specilist to be involved. You also could get some good behavioral tips from a sleep specilaist that are tailored to your daughter’s unique sleep habits. By the way, on February 14th, we will put up on our web site a “tool kit” on sleep hygiene that I think will be very helpful to parents. |
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| 3:54 | Hello Guest at 3:12. This is Dr. Dawson. Is it not common for a child with autism to engage in self-stimulatory behavior when he is nervous, upset, excited, frustrated, or even just wishes to communicate something. It would be helpful to try to understand what is the function of the visual stims. You can do some detective work by recording when it happens and then making a guess what the function is. If your child is trying to communicate something (e.g. This is exciting! or I don’t like this) then you can model for your child the appropriate behavior. If the function of the behavior is to calm himself, then using other ways of calming your child may help. The fact that your child stims when asked to do a task suggest that he might be telling you that the task is either something he doesn’t like or alternatively something he is excited about. If he doesn’t seem to like the task, consider ways of changing the task to make it more appealing (easier, broken into smaller parts). |
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| 4:00 | Dear Stephanie – this is Dr. Horrigan – I think they probabaly meant “slowing” rather than “sluggishess”, with regard to the wave length frequency of the most common waves seen on your daughter’s EEG. It is not a very specific finding, frankly. It would depend on whether the slowing is localized to a specific part of her brain, or if it is generalized (all over), to know if it is a patten that is clinically meaningful and amenable to treatment (e.g. medicines, like anti-seizure meds). . Slowing is associated nonspecifically with developmental and intellectual disabilites, and may (or may not) be associated with a future risk of seizures. Seizures are diagnosed clinically, by the way (e.g. by observing them directly in the affected individual). Enriching your daughter’s daily life with diffenet types of sensory stimulation (presuming she can tolerate this) and behavioral therapies (e.g. ABA) can also be associated with the lessening of EEG slowing, and rehabilitation, in general . |
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| 4:01 | Dear Lori, As your son gets older, he may be developing a stronger sense of what he like and doesn’t like and now has the ability to express himself. So, that may be part of what you are seeing. You mentioned, however, that he is also showing some symptoms of anxiety and it makes me wonder whether your son’t increase in rigidity might be a part of an anxiety disorder. Autism is often associated with anxiety symptoms. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by a child psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. There are specific interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, that can help. In addition, medications are often helpful. |
| 4:03 | Advance question from Krista My 14 yo son has a diagnosis of Asperger’s. Last year he had his brain mapped with an EEG, and subsequently did 16 weeks of neurofeedback therapy. My son has done many, many therapies over the years, and neurofeedback was the first (other than speech articulation) that seemed to make any difference. His interest in engaging with others and his ability to socialize successfully increased. His executive function skills improved. Family members and others, including his music therapist, noticed as well–even his guitar playing improved noticeably. What does the research say about neurofeedback in ASD individuals? Is this an area of research you are funding? |
| 4:03 | Krista: This is Dr. Horrigan. It’s really great that your son is doing so much better, and if neurofeedback played an important role in getting him there, then I think that is wonderful. There are some small studies that have reported positive results with neurofeedback in individuals with autism, with success rates ranging from 1 in 4 to 4 out of 5. But it is not clear to me if publication bias is playing a role (e.g. only the positive studies get written up and published). My experience has been closer to the 1 in 4 success rate, and success seems to be very dependent upon the expertise and charisma of the trainer, the commitment of the family, and the level of disability of the individual with autism (lesser levels of disability seem to be associated with greater probability of improvement with multiple rounds of neurofeedback). It is also expensive, and it can be very tough to get insurance to pay for it, so that is a pragmatic consideration. If a family wants to pursue neurofeedback for their loved one, I would recommend working with the neurofeedback therapist to articulate a very clear idea of what success needs to look like, even after the first 5 sessions, so that they can get out early, before having to spend too much money, if the ultimate likelihood of success looks like it is going to be limited. One important upside of neurofeedback, when it does work, is that the rates of sustained improvement are quite good and success can be sustained with periodic ‘booster’ sessions |
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| 4:06 | Dear Shelly – this is Dr. Horrigan – there is decent evidence that a subset of kids (with or without autism) are senstiive to artifical food colors and dyes. Some red, yellow and blue dyes are especially likely to have this type of association in susceptible individuals. Oftentimes, after incidents like the one that you described (the vomiting), the only way to get close to a definive answer for your child is to scrupulously eliminate that potentially offensive color (e.g. that red dye, in this instance) and then see if things settle down for your son. I know it is a hassle because red food dye/color is failry ubiquitous, all over the place in foods that we all eat, but it is worth trying to get it out of your son’s diet to the extent that you can, to test out your theory. You could be right. |
| 4:08 | Advance question from Jolanta: Hello. My son who is 6 years old is autistic. We live in the United Kingdom. We are considering having another child, but afraid of a possibility that a new child would develop autism. What are the chances? I’m 39 so I need to decide soon. Thank you. |
| 4:09 | Hi, Jolanta. This is Dr. Dawson. In the past year, there was a new study that was published that examined the risk for autism spectrum disorder in younger siblings. Although each individual family’s situation is unique, at a population level, the overall risk of a sibling of a child with autism developing the disorder is about 19%. We have summarized the new information on risk rates and had a webchat specifically devoted to that topic. I hope you find this information useful. Here are the two links: Summary: http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/08/15/risk-of-autism-in-siblings/ Webchat: http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/08/16/increased-risk-live-chat/ |
| 4:11 | Advance question from Desray: Hi my son is 5 an half yrs old. He’s stll in nappies and I’m finding it very hard to get him out of them. The problem I’m havin is that,he nows how to wee in the toilet but he does not want to put underpants or shorts on after his visit to the loo. I’m realy having a hard time dealing with this disorder. He’s my only child and I’m scared for him. I would also like to no if Risperdal or Ritalin is ok for Autistic kids to take. Sometimes Jose has some serious meltdowns sometimes and I feel like I need to give him something. Plse help. I’m from South Africa where we don’t have much assistance. Thank u for all that yull do. God Bless. |
| 4:12 | Dear Desray, This is Dr. Dawson. It is terrific that your son is now able to wee in the toilet. That is half the battle! I suggest that you create a series of pictures (these can be photos, drawings, or clippings from magazines) that illustrates the series of steps involved in going to the loo. This would include not only weeing in the toilet, but also pulling up his pants, washing his hands, and so on.Below is a link that describes how to develop these visual supports. You should begin by giving him a reward (this can be a physical reward, praise, food, whatever he likes) after he wees in the toilet. Then, slowly add each new behavior over time, encouraging him to carry out the next step and then rewarding him. Over time, you can start to withdraw the amount of help you provide and rewards for each step as he becomes more capable of doing it on his own. Keep in mind that pulling on his underwear and shorts requires many skills – motor skills and thinking skills – so you may need to provide both the pictures and physical help for a while.Regarding your son’s meltdowns, you should start by keeping a record of when he has those meltdowns and see if you can figure out why. Is it because he is tired? Is there a specific activity or environment that is upsetting? Is he trying to ask for something but doesn’t know how? Use this information to make adjustments in his environment and routine to try to avoid the things that are upsetting. If he is frustrated because he is trying to request something, prompt him to use a more appropriate way of expressing his needs (he could point to a picture, touch what he wants, or say a simple word) and then immediately reward him for using the more appropriate behavior. Talk to your son’s teachers to see if they have suggestions too.Autism Speaks will soon be publishing a new tool kits for handling challenging behaviors – so keep looking on our website for that. We also have a tool kit that can help you decide whether you should consider medication (LINK below). It is best to see if behavioral strategies are effective before turning to medications.HERE ARE THE LINKS: Visual supports tool kit:http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/resources-programs/autism-treatment-network/tools-you-can-use/visual-supports Medication decision tool kit:http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/resources-programs/autism-treatment-network/tools-you-can-use/medication-guide |
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| 4:14 | Dear Mary – this is Dr. Horrigan – it sounds like your son is feeling a lot better and i am very grateful for that. In terms of what he is taking, the only thing that came to mind immediately is to make sure that he is not too overboard on the B6 (e.g. I usually go up to 100 mg, max). I would need to know the exact compostion of the Super B to give you a more sophisticated comment about other potential yellow/red lights. The Monster drinks are probably ‘benficial’ for your son due to their load of caffeine and sugar. I would rather he try coffee, if he really feels that needs that extra benefit provided by cafeine. Just being practical here… |
| 4:15 | Advance question from Mel: Hi, I never done this before but I was wanting to ask a question. I have a 12 year old son with autism and a 4 year old daughter who I think has autism. We’ve had her tested and she shows a lot of autistic traits. I was told that because she can respond when they say hi, how are you, that she isn’t autistic at all. Is it possible that they misdiagnosed her? Should I try to find somewhere else to take her? Thank you. |
| 4:15 | Dear Mel, This is Dr. Dawson. I’m glad you asked your question. If you feel that your daughter may have autism and the doctor you saw missed it, you should seek another opinion. Siblings of children with autism sometimes have difficulties in areas related to autism, such as social and language skills, without meeting full criteria for autism. Even if your daughter is found not to meet criteria for autism, she should receive help in the areas she has difficulty in, whether that is language, learning, or social behavior. |
| 4:17 | Advance question from BA Travis: I am looking to see if there has been any research or if any of the Drs. would be able to tell me about links to high exposure to pharmaceuticals and ASD. The background is while I was pregnant I was working in a pharmeceutical facility that manufactured over the counter cold and pain medications. I was exposed daily to high volumes of raw powdered chemicals. I asked to be transfered but was denied. We were required to ware dust masks when pouring the powdered materials but that was it. I had a healthy baby after over 20 hrs of labor but by 2.5 he was diagnosed with being high functioning Autistic. At 5 he is on par educationally for his age but tests at around 30 months for speech and has trouble with focusing on the task at hand. Before I left the company over a year ago an environmental quality manager was brought in to do air testing and before long all personel working in the same areas as I was were being required to ware tyvek suits with battery operated air respirators. The thought has been in the back of my mind but not being able to find anything online on a link but after the drastic change in the way the employees now have to handle the product has brought that thought to the forefront. Any thoughts? |
| 4:17 | Dear BA Travis: This is Dr. Horrigan. While you have provided a limited amount of information here, it does sounds suspicious that the company changed its policy to require the use of specialized equipment by workers ostensibly to prevent hazardous exposure to something in the workplace. I would need to know specifically what chemicals that they had you handling, to have a more sophisticated insight into the potential relationship of in utero exposure to those chemicals and neurodevelopmental disorders. This is the type of inquiry that we are very interested in and we have funded and are funding several lines of research to help identify the relevant prenatal risk factors arising from the environment that are associated with autism. |
| 4:19 | Moderator’s note to BA Travis: You can send more info/reply after the chat to sciencechat@autismspeaks.org. |
| 4:20 | Advance question from Vanessa: My 7 year old son has been diagnosed with pdd-nos, anxiety and adhd. Currently he is having a hard time at school connecting with other children. He is obsessed with Hello Kitty and gets picked on by the kids in his class. Recently he is telling people he is a girl or that he wishes he was a girl. He is also introducing himself as his younger brother. I can kind of deal with all this but he seems to be increasingly aggressive lately and hurting himself. I am concerned because I am afraid he will really harm himself or another student. Is there anything I can do to help him? Usually he is pretty easy to work with and calm down but recently he just seems so angry. He is currently on a low dose of Zoloft and Intuniv. |
| 4:21 | Vanessa: This is Dr. Horrigan. The first thing that question that came to my mind is whether there are any easily identifiable factors occurring in your son’s school environment that are causing him to feel so distressed. For example, I am worried that he may be getting bullied, perhaps by multiple classmates. And it may be sneaky bullying, it’s hard to tell. Either way, any type of bullying would be completely unacceptable. Have you had a chance to discuss the issue of triggers for his aberrant behavior with his teacher(s), and/or the Exceptional Children’s coordinator, and have you had a chance to observe him in the school setting yourself, to see what may be associated with his distress? I also wonder if they might be pushing him too hard, with regard to the curriculum. Again, it’s hard for me to say. You need more information from the people at school. In terms of the medications, I am not sure how long your son has been taking Zoloft and Intuniv, but both can cause paradoxical heightening of anxiety as well as paradoxical worsening of irritability (it is more common when first starting Intuniv, in my experience). If you suspect that the medications may be worsening things, then talk to your son’s doctor and discuss a trial off one or both of the medication(s). |
| 4:24 | Thank you all so much for joining us, and we’re sorry we weren’t able to get to all your questions. Please join us again next month, on March 1st, with your questions. We’re going to invite a gastroenterologist with expertise treating those with autism to address your many GI concerns. Thanks again and be well!Dr. Dawson and Dr. Horrigan |
Got Questions? The Doctors Will Be In!
January 31, 2012
14 comments
Please join us Thursday Feb. 2nd for “The Doctors Are In!” the next in our ongoing series of monthly webchats co-hosted by Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Geri Dawson, Ph.D., and our Assistant Vice President, Head of Medical Research Joe Horrigan, M.D.
Held at 3 p.m. Eastern (2 Central/1 Mountain/noon Pacific), this monthly “office hour” will provide ongoing, personal access to two leading clinical experts in the behavioral and medical treatment of autism. Dr. Dawson is a licensed clinical psychologist, and Dr. Horrigan is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. Both have extensive clinical experience treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Drs. Dawson and Horrigan welcome your questions on behavioral therapies, medical issues and other concerns related to autism. However, the guidance provided on the webchat is not meant to substitute for care by a personal physician and other appropriate care providers.
This and future webchats can be accessed via the “Live Chat” tab in the left column of the Autism Speaks Facebook page. You can also set up a personal email reminder with direct link here.
We hope you’ll mark it on your calendar:
The Doctors Are In!
* The first Thursday of every month
* 3 p.m. Eastern (2 Central/1 Mountain/noon Pacific)
* Join via the Live Chat tab at https://www.facebook.com/autismspeaks.
Read the transcript of last month’s “Office Hour” webchat here.
I am a 26 years old with autism and many attention-seeking behaviors. What causes them? I am verbal.
January 13, 2012
6 comments
Today’s “Got Questions?” answer comes from Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Geri Dawson, PhD
Thanks so much for your question. There are many reasons why a person with autism would engage in many attention seeking behaviors. Perhaps you would like to socially interact and make friends with others, but aren’t quite sure the best way to do this. If you are being ignored by others, this might lead you to repeat your attempts to interact again and again.
If you are engaging in a behavior that is ritualized (exactly the same each time) and repetitive, it might reflect a general tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors, which is a symptom of autism. With appropriate guidance, you can learn more appropriate ways of seeking attention and this will help you develop more satisfying relationships with others. Seeking the help of a psychologist or behavior analyst may be particularly beneficial.
For more information and resources, you can follow these links to our pages on Applied Behavioral Analysis, Adults with Autism and Adult Services.
Got more questions? Send them to GotQuestions@autismspeaks.org, and join Dr. Dawson for her next “Office Hours” webchat with co-host, Joe Horrigan, MD, Autism Speaks assistant vice president and head of medical research (first Thursday of every month at 3 pm Eastern).
Transcript of Today’s Office Hours Webchat
January 5, 2012
3 comments
| Office Hours Webchat with Geri Dawson and Joe Horrigan Jan 5. Thanks to the more than 200 readers who joined us. As time allowed answering just a portion of more than 100 questions, we hope you’ll join us again next month—Feb. 2 (first Thursdays) at 3 pm Eastern. |
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Are there effective medicines for treating core autism symptoms?
December 9, 2011
12 comments
This week’s “Got Questions” answer comes from Joseph Horrigan, MD, Autism Speaks assistant vice president, head of medical research.
First, it’s important to note that medicines for treating autism are most effective when used in conjunction with behavioral therapies. Ideally, medicines are a complement to other treatment strategies.
Medicines for treating autism’s three core symptoms—communication difficulties, social challenges and repetitive behavior—have long represented a huge area of unmet need. Unfortunately, few drugs on the market today effectively relieve these symptoms and none of the options most often prescribed by practitioners work well for every individual.
In fact, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two drugs for treating irritability associated with the autism (risperidone and aripiprazole), it has yet to approve a medicine for treating autism’s three core characteristics. Nonetheless, medicines such as risperidone and aripiprazole can be beneficial in ways that can ease these core symptoms, because relieving irritability often improves sociability while reducing tantrums, aggressive outbursts and self-injurious behaviors.
The good news is that the range of medication options may soon change, thanks to recent advances in our understanding of the biology that produces autism’s core symptoms. This has made it possible for researchers to begin testing compounds that may help normalize crucial brain functions involved in autism. Early experiments suggest that several compounds with different mechanisms of action have great potential for clinical use, and many are now in clinical trials. [This link takes you to the search engine of the NIH clinical trial network, with results under the search term “autism.”]
Although these developments are exciting and hold real promise for bettering the lives of people with autism, we will have to wait at least a few more years before we know if any of these drug studies produce enough information on safety and effectiveness to merit FDA approval for the treatment of core symptoms.
Today, most medicines prescribed to ease autism’s disabling symptoms are used “off label,” meaning that their FDA approval is for other, sometimes-related conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disturbances or depression. Such off-label use is common in virtually all areas of medicine and is usually done to relieve significant suffering in the absence of sufficiently large and targeted studies.
An example in autism would be the class of medicines known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including fluoxetine. Several of these medicines are FDA-approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression, in children as well as adults. Although large clinical trials have yet to demonstrate their effectiveness, parents and clinicians have found that they can ease social difficulties among some people with autism. However, it has proven to be difficult to predict which medicines in this class may produce the greatest benefit for a given patient with autism. Similarly, determining the best dose can be quite challenging.
Another example would be naltrexone, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol and opioid addictions. It can ease disabling repetitive and self-injurious behaviors in some children and adults with autism.
These medicines do not work for everyone, and all medicines have side effects. And as noted above, each person may respond differently to medicines. In addition, changes in response to a medicine can occur as time goes on, even when the dose is not changed. Over time, some people develop tolerance (when a drug stops being effective) or sensitization (when side effects worsen).
Because using these medications in children and adolescents can be a difficult decision for parents, you may find it helpful to use our Medication Decision Tool Kit, a guide for actively working with a physician to find the approach that fits best with your values and goals. You can download it free here.
These are exciting times in the development of new medicines for relieving autism’s most disabling symptoms, and Autism Speaks is increasing its funding and focus in this promising area, while placing great emphasis on ensuring the safety of promising new medicines. Please stay tuned!
Read more science news and perspective on the Science Page.
I see more headlines about autism risk and antidepressants in pregnancy. What am I supposed to do?
November 4, 2011
3 comments
This week’s ‘Got Questions?’ answer comes from Rob Ring, PhD, Autism Speaks vice president of Translational Research, and Joe Horrigan, MD, Autism Speaks assistant vice president, head of medical research.
To bring readers up to speed, the above question stems from two reports: In July, a group of California researchers reported a modest increase in the risk that a child would develop autism if his or her mother took selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. The results were based on a very small sample of children exposed to antidepressants during the time their mothers were pregnant—just 20 children with autism compared to 50 without autism. This past month, another team of scientists reported that rats fed SSRIs as newborn pups exhibited abnormalities in brain development.
Given the great hunger for information about what causes autism, both studies made headlines. Unfortunately, the media stories may have served to alarm without putting these early and inconclusive scientific findings into perspective.
First and foremost, research with animals and investigations looking at a small number of cases are both important for guiding larger, more informative studies. But in and of themselves, these two particular studies don’t come close to reaching the bar at which scientific evidence is reliable enough to warrant a change in behavior. We feel this is particularly true of important medical decisions such as the need to treat depression, which can be a serious and life-threatening illness.
Take, for instance, the small number of children in the California study. This small “sample size” increases the likelihood that the results were due to chance or other unrelated factors. In other words, they may not represent real differences in risk. It is very common in science for such preliminary findings to vanish when researchers repeat the analysis with a larger, more “statistically significant” number of cases.
In addition, among women taking SSRIs, there may be other, hidden factors responsible for raising autism risk among their future children. For example, we know that anxiety is common among persons with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In fact, many of those who learn, as adults, that they have an ASD do so when they seek treatment for anxiety and/or related depression. A common type of medicine prescribed in these instances is SSRIs. We also know that ASDs tend to run in families. So it may be that family genetics—not SSRIs—produced the above-mentioned finding of a modest increase in the prevalence of autism among children whose mothers took these antidepressants during pregnancy.
And the rat study? While it’s useful for guiding the focus of further research, we simply can’t extrapolate results from rats to humans.
Finally, we worry about the consequences of women going off antidepressants when they truly need these medications. Certainly if a woman is pregnant or trying to become pregnant, she should discuss all her medicines with her physician—so that with guidance she can weigh the risks and benefits of continuing or discontinuing one or more of them. Certainly, a woman’s untreated depression can itself pose a danger to her pregnancy or newborn child. The bottom line: If you have concerns regarding your medications during pregnancy, discuss them with your physician, who can help you make the best decision for you and your family.
We hope that we’ve lent some helpful perspective to this issue. Please keep your questions coming (GotQuestions@autismspeaks.org).
Meet Joseph Horrigan, MD, Autism Speaks’ New Assistant Vice President of Medical Research
October 28, 2011
9 comments
Posted by Joseph Horrigan, MD, Autism Speaks assistant vice president of medical research.
In introducing myself to the wider Autism Speaks community, I’d like to start by conveying how thrilled I am to be part of its mission. It’s an exciting time for autism research, especially when it comes to finding new treatments for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Today, we know so much more about the biological mechanisms behind ASDs than we did just a few years ago. We are now poised to make a big leap forward in the development of new medicines and therapies that address the core symptoms. I’m so grateful to be part of an organization that’s leading the charge.
I came to Autism Speaks after almost ten years helping pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline develop clinical trials for safely and effectively testing pediatric drugs for conditions such as bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). I have also led clinical programs testing new medicines for chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. These experiences have given me valuable insights into the process behind bringing new medicines through the clinical trial process and into the hands of doctors.
Above all, however, I see myself as a physician. As a child psychiatrist, I care for people who face complicated clinical challenges. Since 1992, I have consulted at a residential treatment facility for children, which I continue to do on a pro bono basis. About a third of the youngsters I care for have ASDs, and I have always loved working with them. Their families are so motivated and passionate, and I enjoy the partnership of working with them, often shoulder to shoulder, to optimize treatment and outcomes.
And I’m most satisfied when we can craft a treatment program that fits a child’s unique needs. I’ll admit, it’s seldom an easy task—given the complexity of ASDs.
As a parent of two children who have experienced significant illnesses, I feel particular empathy for the distress family members feel when treatments fail to provide adequate relief for their loved ones. This inadequacy redoubles my passion for expanding and improving the treatment options available for ASDs. Working with Geri Dawson, Rob Ring and the many passionate scientists at Autism Speaks, I truly believe we will make tremendous progress in the years ahead.
In the last five years, we have greatly advanced our understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms of ASDs. Scientists have not only identified genetic changes associated with autism, but have gone far in understanding how these changes affect the internal workings of brain cells as well as brain development. Such insights open the door to the discovery and development of safe and effective new medicines and other interventions.
Five years from now, I anticipate seeing the many tangible ways that all of us at Autism Speaks—including our families, friends, donors, and volunteers—have helped accelerate the development of better medicines and other tools that truly improve the lives of those on the autism spectrum.
I’ve been following Autism Speaks since its genesis in 2005, and I can’t think of a better team of people for the job. I’m honored to be on the same team with you all. Let’s get started!
Categories: Science, Uncategorized
autism, autism science, Autism Speaks, clinical trials, joe horrigan, joseph horrigan
