Autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOD, Sensory Processing Disorders, and Chiropractic

Last night I attended a presentation by Dr. Charles Chapple called "The Structure and Function of Sensory Processing Disorders; From ADD to Autism." Dr. Chapple has published two papers in medical journals and is working on his third. One of the most important and interesting facts Dr. Chapple pointed out is the current medical diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum disorders doesn't even include sensory problems. Most doctors would be familiar with the DSM-IV-TR which for Autism focuses mainly on delays in language, behavior, and social interaction. Dr. Chapple's talk pointed out the fact that by not even including the sensory piece most physicians are not even aware some of the root causes of the language, behavioral, and social issues can be traced to the central nervous system and missed milestones. The brain, brain stem, and central nervous system have not developed properly creating some of the symptoms. He outlined the normal nervous system development from the primitive instinctive brain to the fully developed reasoning brain. Showed how some of the behavours we see in our kids relate to an incomplete nervous system. All of the ASD kids I know have some kind of sensory issue. Somehow our ASD kids have gotten stuck. To me it is reasonable to assume assisting the complete development of the central nervous system can help alleviate some of ASD's effects. The other thing I really liked about Dr. Chapple's approach is that at no time did he sound like this is THE answer to Autism. He recognizes each child will need multiple therapy's and recovery will require an individual plan with multiple practitioners.

"Daddy, I ... I can't get...my shirt off."

AJ's eyes were welling up. He was taking short deep breaths through his mouth. His arms were partially raised above his head. He was overwhelmed. On the verge of crying. I reassured him, "It will be OK, AJ. I can help you. Show me what the problem is." He grabbed the end of his sleeve and pulled his arm in. He strained against the fabric, but his arm was stuck. He couldn't get it all the way out. This shirt has 3/4 length sleeves, unlike any of his other shirts. "See... see Dad ... I can't get ... my arm ... stuck." he choaked out trying not to cry and meltdown. He strained against the fabric and began shaking back and forth. "OK AJ you are right your arm is stuck. How can we try a different way. Maybe you can pull your shirt up first and then get your arm out. He lifted his arms up, pulled his shirt over his belly and struggled to free his right arm. All the tension released from his face and body as his arm came free. He gave me a warm gap-toothed smile. Said "OH" and ran happily off to get in his Epsom salt bath. To teach him to dress and undress we taught him first one arm, then your head then your other arm. When that didn't work he saw no other alternative and felt trapped. I have told him "can't is a four letter word we don't use in our house. We ask how can I... When you think can't you need to change to How can I and try something else." Hopefully with enough practice he will learn to come up with new ideas on his own.

Two Steps Back. This is Recovery?

This is the hardest part of AJ's recovery. The last several days he has been an emotional powder keg. We have had crying fits, refusal, he even had an accident today. It's been weeks since the last accident. He wants to "stim" all day. At the sink, by the washer, the dryer, watching paper or receipts flap over the heat registers, watching flames in the furnace (we have latches to keep the doors closed,) but he will release the lowest one, crack open the doors, peak through the slats of the louvers, anything for his fix. We used to get freaked out during these phases, thinking maybe the supplements weren't working, maybe the pediatrician was right and there is nothing that can help him. Maybe we are making him worse instead of better. Our Dr. U warned us this would happen, but it is still difficult to go through it. As the toxins are released they can cause effects that look like regression, behaviors increase, accidents happen, AJ's temper flares. His body is "dumping" the toxins that were stored safely away in the fatty tissue of his brain and other organs until he was healthy enough to release them. This disruption to his system looks like we are losing progress and the temptation to quit creeps in. Now my wife and I remind each other, "looks like a developmental leap is coming" and we pray we're right. We pray we are doing what's best for him. We remind ourselves all the parents we've talked to who are successfully recovering their kids feel the doubt, all face the fears, all the successful ones keep going. Relentlessly forward in faith. I can't wait to see where his next great leap comes from.

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

PB&J the GF/CF way

I used 4 knives to make two PB&J's for my two kids. AJ is gluten-free, casein-free, KJ is not. We are carefull to avoid cross contamination of the peanut butter and jelly jars. Usually I make AJ's sandwich completely before starting on KJ's. Then I carefully drop the needed PB&J onto her bread, without touching the bread, then finish by spreading it out. The knife never contacts her wheat containing bread until I'm done using it to get the PB&J out of the jar. But today KJ asked, "Why does AJ always get to be first? I want to be first today." She struggles with seeing AJ's extra help and attention, but not having the understanding of why. I can't imagine how she's feeling to know there's a difference, but not knowing why. It's all she's ever known. So I made hers first. I spread the peanut butter and realised I needed a new knife for the jelly. Spread the jelly and got a new knife for AJ's sandwich. As I was spreading his jelly, she asked me to cut her sandwich, I did. And I needed the fourth knife to finish up his sandwich. I'm just glad we don't have a super sensitive kid that can't even have the crumbs from wheat near him.

Forgiven

Two days ago I finally did it. I forgave myself. My gut told me not to get AJ's vaccinations. I relented under the pressure of all the "experts" and all the other people in my life who love my son and wanted the best to keep him healthy. They truly believed it medically important and I had only a gut feeling it was not. I remember how I was treated at the hospital the day my son was born and I refused to allow the first vaccine. The nurse told me about all the terrible effects of Hepatitis and how without the vaccine I was needlessly exposing AJ to danger. We talked about the fact that hep. spreads primarily from sharing dirty needles and having unprotected promiscuous sex. I felt as a new born he was at very low risk for those issues and the vaccine could wait. She reacted like I was a crazy person putting him at risk. I didn't know enough then to know why I felt that way. I hadn't done any research into vaccines, I just went with my gut. Eventually I buried my feelings, I never did my own research, and I allowed the vaccines that delivered the toxins pushing him over the edge into his autistic spectrum disorder. I blamed myself for not following my instincts, for not doing the research, for letting it happen. I knew that if I was stronger my son and my family would not be going through this now. I can't change any of my past decisions. I forgave myself, I cried, and I am moving forward open and engaged.

Water, water, everywhere

Today I joined AJ at the sink. The water ran, we directed it down our fingers into cups, onto spoons, filling bowls. He smiled and laughed and I did too. I asked him why he enjoyed the water so much and he said "Watch." He then cupped his hand in his familiar way, diverting the water along his fingers and into a cup in the sink. He looked back at me and smiled and giggled in his infectious way, and went right back into the water. In his mind no other explanation is needed. I looked and watched the ever changing patterns of light dance off the water. I felt the cool silkiness of the wetness on my skin. The saw how the color changed as I moved my head into different positions and reflected different objects. A flash of green, a glimpse of red, blue, and even yellow, his favorite color. The way the sounds changed as the water splashed off of the sink, or a glass cup, or a Tupperware lid. One of AJ's favorite sounds is the echoing when a perfect arch of water is diverted directly into the open drain. Maybe with his processing delay and sensory issues he gets a sense of control. He can explore a wide variety of sounds and colors and he knows they won't surprise him or scare him overwhelming his system. The lights and textures and colors and sounds are ever changing, but never jarring the way they can be out in the rest of the world. AJ would spend his whole day at the sink if we let him. He would be content to watch the water run. Stop to eat, stop to potty, stop to sleep, that's all. Some days it's easier then others to get him interested in other activities. Some days I can't stop him without a tantrum. JC usually can avoid the tantrum, but she will also allow him much longer to "stim" then I will. Maybe he needs that extra time to regulate his system. Maybe the extra time is shaping his brain and making the urge to "stim" stronger. We have heard it explained by experts both ways. When I load the dishwasher I see more colors, hear more sounds, I notice the texture of the water changes with the pressure changes. I experience little tiny beautiful details and wonder if my son is one of many who are here to wake us up.

Losing Words

AJ walked out of his room this morning smiling and cuddling his new Webkin the little stuffed dog with a web page. He loves his new friend. I asked him "What's your dog's name?" and I watched his face as he processed the question. First his mouth opened slightly and his eyes got a far away look, as if he was reading off some files floating across the room. I watched him search his brain, saw him fidget, a wrinkle across his forehead formed briefly and concern flashed across his face. "That's OK Buddy, take your time." I hinted to him, hoping to trigger the right file to leap out at him. I saw his breathing increase and his eyes narrow, he knew the dog he loved has a name, but he couldn't remember it. His face dropped and he mumbled "a friend." My wife came to his aid "That's right AJ, the doggy is your friend, your friend named Buddy." AJ looked somewhat relieved and still disappointed he didn't remember himself. "Yea, Buddy" Friend was the first name he gave to the dog. More of a label then a name. My wife suggested he try a different name, and that one Buddy, the more abstract one is the one AJ couldn't find. Throughout the day she talked about his dog named Buddy hoping the repetition will anchor and create a link to the correct file for next time.