I wanted to touch on a few ideas for parents to watch for regarding child safety and toxins.  Many commonly used products ranging from baby bottles to toys contain chemicals that are being widely scrutinized by scientists and advocacy groups worldwide.  Two chemicals in particular are phthalates and bisphenol A.  Bisphenol A is used to make plastics stronger and shatter-resistant.  It is found in water bottles, food containers, baby bottles, dental fillings and the coatings for the inside of cans containing foods.  Conversely, phthalates are used to make plastics softer and more flexible.  Common products containing this are toys, rattles, teethers and in car interiors and medical devices.  

Just to give you an idea of how common exposure is, a CDC study in 2000 found phthalates in the urine of 75% of people studied.  95% of Americans test positive for bisphenol A.  Even the AMA has recommended that the FDA require labeling for medical devices containing phthalates that are used on newborns in hospitals.  California recently passed a law banning the use of phthalates in toys and other kids’ products.

More and more parents are going back to glass baby bottles and wooden toys.  Many household names make chemical free products.  Evenflo makes glass bottles, Gerber has many bisphenol free lines and smaller companies such as Adiri and BornFree have become very popular.

The bottom line is that it is important for parents to be aware of potential hazards in everyday products that are used with their children.  Be aware of the dangers of these chemicals and try to use products that are phthalate and bisphenol A free.

Uzbekistan is the world’s second largest exporter of cotton after the U.S., selling about one million tons per year.  Cotton is a huge economic boon for the country earning approximately 1 billion dollars annually.  Unfortunately, this profit comes at the expense of its citizens.  Many of the workers employed to work the fields are children ranging from age 6-14.  These kids are subject to working 13-hour days, are exposed to dangerous chemicals and get paid less than 50 cents per day.  Many of them must drink irrigation water, have no running water for bathing and may be in forced labor camps earning nothing at all.

As an environmental stressor, cotton is the world’s thirstiest crop using more than 500 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt.  It is also the world’s dirtiest crop, responsible for the release of $2 billion worth of pesticides every year, and accounts for more insecticide release than any other single crop.  For example, one teaspoon of aldicarb-a pesticide widely used in cotton production in the U.S.-is sufficient to kill an adult.

Organically grown cotton is free of harmful pesticides and most of the cotton fields are monitored by the fair trade organizations.  Products from these sources are certified by the International Control Union (ICU which was formerly know as SKAL).  These organizations help insure that labor is treated to stable work conditions and minimum age standards (14 years old).  They also monitor the environmental hazards associated with cotton production making sure that the cotton is grown pesticide and chemical free.

Consumers can have a huge influence on the shift to organic cotton products.  As the demand increases so do the economics.  According to the Organic Exchange, organic cotton production increased 76 percent between 2005 and 2006.  Sales of organic cotton are projected to reach $2.6 billion by the end of 2008.  Unfortunately, the sources of cotton are not coming from the U.S. due to American subsidies.  Billions of dollars go to enrich a small percentage of cotton growers, driving down the price of conventional cotton.  This drives down the worldwide market price and many world cotton farmers into poverty.  Hence, the competitive market is lost and there is no incentive for the mega-farms in the U.S. to go organic. 

As the consumer continues to demand organic products we can influence a supply and demand shift and influence important government agencies.  For more information go to Better Cotton initiative, www.bettercotton.org, Organic Exchange, www.organicexchange.org, Environmental Justice Foundation, www.ejfoundation.org, and Organic Consumers Association, www.organicconsumers.org.

There are many alternatives to utilize around the house that are more environmentally friendly.  Here are just a few ideas to decrease your chemical use.  Air fresheners contain many toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, benzene and phthalates.  Instead use essential oils in a diffuser.  You can use a scent that is pleasant to your own tastes.  Common examples are vanilla, orange, lavender and peppermint.  Another technique is to put cloves in a pan of wather and simmer it on a stove.

A common practice to help clean the drain is by using a cup of bleach which contains chlorine.  Instead of chlorine bleach use oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide based bleach.  To dissolve fatty, greasy clogs mix a half-cup of baking soda and one cup of distilled white vinegar in 6+ cups of boiling wather.  Pour this solution down the drain and cover with the drain plug for several minutes.  Remove the plug and flush with tap water and the blockage should clear.

When it comes to washing clothes, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water while only 10% is for the electricity driving the washer motor.  Studies have shown that washing clothes in cold water gets clothes as clean as washing in warm.  By minimizing hot water use the average houshold can save $60 and conserve more than 3,400 gallons of water yearly according to the Alliance to Save Energy.  Also use detergents that are all natural and phosphate free.

Not only are these ideas helpful to the environment, but they are also helpful in a healthy household.  For example, many of the chemicals in common air fresheners are known triggers for asthmatics.  Be aware of these hazards both to your family and to the environment.

A good web site to resource is www.autismspeaks.org.  It is sponsored by two non-profit advocacy groups: Autism Speaks and First Signs.  The site promotes early diagnosis and treatment to help children with autism lead more normal lives.

There is some confusion regarding the use of Natural vs. Organic food labels.  To clarify, natural is a loosely used term to describe a product that has been minimally processed and is preservative free.  Natural foods can include organic foods, but not all natural foods are organic.  The USDA has specific criteria to meet before a food can be labeled “organic”.  In 2000 the USDA established the standards for organic labeling.  They defined it not as the process of how it’s made, but rather how it cannot be made.  This includes being produced without the use of sewer-sludge fertilizers, most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetic engineering, growth hormones, irradiation and antibiotics.

Natural foods do not have a legal definition and are often confused with being as healthy as certified organic foods.  Be aware of this difference when at the supermarket.

Research shows that mattresses and pillows are two toxic exposures that we deal with on a daily basis.  As a matter of fact your mattress is said to be the second worst toxin offender of common household products next to your carpet.  Most of todays mattresses are made with petroleum products, foams, plastics and controversial flame retardants.  Due to our regular exposure and close proximity the gaseous release of these chemicals has been linked to many health ailments.  Reports show that autoimmune diseases, respiratory illness, allergies, asthmatic disorders and neurological symptoms have been associated with these chemicals.  Examples of these chemicals include Boric acid (a common roach killer) and Anitmony (a heavy metal almost identical to arsenic).  I know there are a lot of theories behind Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the degassing of these chemicals is one of those theories.

Part of the goal in treating Austism, Asthma and Allergies is to make the environment as toxin free as possible.  Changing to organic products will help in this process.  Natural wool, cotton, latex and recycled polyfills are all possible materials to use in this process.  They are light, comfortable, durable and environmentally friendly.  When shopping for pillows and mattresses buyer beware.

I am often asked about the effectiveness of CranioSacral (CS) therapy and children with Autism.  CS is an alternative treatment that involves using gentle touch to help balance cerebrospinal fluid flow.  Its origins stem back to the work of an Osteopathic physician named William Sutherland who developed the technique cranial osteopathy.  In 1970, Dr. John Upledger applied the work of Dr. Sutherland after observing the rhythmic movement in the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord while he was assisting with surgeries.

The work involves pressure or touching the skull, neck, jaw, sacrum, hands and feet.  The purpose is to time the sequence of breathing and CSF flow.  It is a gentle and non-invasive therapy.  There is no scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of CS therapy and the treatment of Autism, but there have been reported case studies demonstrating more relaxed children with improved eye contact and interaction following these treatments. 

I recommend parents use caution with their expectations involving CS therapy.  Being a therapy of the healing arts, it is also important to get a referral for a good therapist that demonstrates a unique skill and healing touch.  All massage and touch techniques can have a therapeutic effect on the nervous system by stimulating sensory receptors and improving blood flow and circulation.  This may improve behavior and other concomitants associated with Autistic Spectrum Disorders similar to child responses to shapes, objects, pressure and textures. 

A healthy nervous system is predicated on having optimal activation and fuel delivery.  I have discussed many principles of metabolic function including supplementation and dietary recommendations.  Being a sensory based system our brains are dependent on sensory stimulation and information that summates the firing of neurons in the brain.  By using modalities to stimulate various receptors of different systems a physician can increase the probability of second and third order neurons to fire thus improving plasticity and balance within the central nervous system. 

In a prior post I discussed the use of visual therapies and how they integrate into the central systems.  This post will focus on auditory therapy or the use of sound in treating functional deficits.  Sound therapy uses various frequencies to evoke change in the auditory systems.  Testing includes analyzing frequencies where a patient is hyposensitive (cannot detect) or hypersensitive (overstimulating).  Hemispheristic signs must also be examined.  This is the process of testing symmetry between the right and left sides.  A prudent clinician will assess how these findings correlate to the remainder of the neurological exam. 

Once it has been determined where the level of the functional lesion is and its associated hemisphericity a clinician may utilize a variety of auditory tools to help train the brain and strengthen the deficits.  Music therapy is the most commonly used modality for auditory stimulation.  One source in particular that has shown to be effective yet very controversial is “The Mozart Effect”.  Studies show that Mozart’s compositions have a somewhat unique effect on human auditory systems.  In general, it has been shown that any music that evokes a pleasurable response can be therapeutic for the nervous system whether it’s Mozart or Metallica.  Although auditory pathways are bilateral (each seperate ear fires to both sides of the brain) I will utilize unilateral earpiece stimulation in concert with the hemisphericity of the patient. 

Another concept is to isolate the strengths of each hemisphere.  For example, the left brain is the more analytical and responsible for recognizing linearity and language.  PET scans of the brain show that verbal language is primarily a left brain endeavour.  PET scans also show that pure music stimulation without language is primarily a right brain endeavour.  Therefore, these principles can be applied to therapeutic intervention.  Another example of a good left brain stimulation is the use of a linear beat sequence such as a metronome.

This brings me to what I believe is one of the more exciting therapies in the field of auditory integration, the Interactive Metronome.  This treatment involves the use of combining exercises with a sequence of beats to promote timing and rhythm.  13 hand and foot exercises are performed while auditory guide tones direct the individual to match the metronome beat.  Statistical analysis shows improvement many areas when Interactive Metronome treatment is used.  These include attention and focus, motor coordination, language processing and reading, math skills and the ability to regulate aggression and impulsive behaviour.  Obviously, these changes would help in treating Autism related behaviours.

There still needs to be a concerted effort in clinical research and the effectiveness of auditory therapies as there is a deficit in the scientific model surrounding these procedures.  However, there have been some exciting advances in understanding the principles of application for sound based modalities.  I believe that when used in concert with the many other treatment parameters I have discussed in my posts that auditory stimulation can be an effective treatment protocol in improving neurological function and balance.

Wow, who would have thought Jenny McCarthy could stir up such a hornets nest regarding Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  I am hearing a lot of rhetoric about her not being a scientist and that she is not qualified to write a book about Autism.  I think any parent of an autistic child is qualified (and could) write a book about their life with an autistic child.  The book she wrote is called “Louder Than Words” and she offers her story regarding treatments that were successful in helping her son thrive after being diagnosed with Autism. 

In the book she advocates dietary changes and other therapies that were effective with her son.  She also shares her life stories and trials that many parents can relate to - and does so in a humorous way!  I have discussed these dietary changes in prior posts but the main two she discusses are the elimination of dairy and wheat products.

I’m constantly in awe of the backlash that the cynics feel obligated to spread.  Why is the idea that natural and non-invasive remedies that may be beneficial in treating this disorder so threatening to them?  Although recommendations such as elimination diets may not work for every patient they are definitely worth trying.  It’s not like eliminating dairy and wheat from the diet for a trial period is on par with trying some experimental drug that ends up getting yanked due to its side effects and toxicity. 

One thing I have learned in practice is that I don’t argue with results.  There are so many case studies that demonstrate the positive outcomes with dietary changes and supplemenation that you can’t ignore these stories.  Give them a try and if it doesn’t work continue pushing that door open until you find a treatment or combination of treatments that do help.  I applaud Jenny McCarthy for standing up to the establishment to share her story and provide educational options for parents and patients dealing with this condition!

I have discussed a variety of treatments for Autism disorders in prior posts ranging from metal detoxification through nutritional supplementation.  Remembering that the basic principles of a healthy nervous system are proper fuel delivery and activation of the sensory systems/receptors.  When we look at receptor activation, this includes everything from muscle spindle receptors to visual receptors.  Our nervous system is a byproduct of the summative effect of all types of receptors.  In understanding this basic principle one can see that stimulating various receptors can be therapeutic and effective for evoking changes within the central nervous system.  When these changes amount to new and stronger pathways this is referred to as plasticity.

Visual systems are a very good diagnostic and therapeutic window to the central nervous system.  Trained physicians can recognize inappropriate visual compensations and imbalances.  These examples are seperate from refractive problems such as correcting near or far sightedness (although correction of ocular balance and reflexes may improve visual acuity).  Examples to look for include eyes that cross, diverge or slightly rotate either when focusing straight forward or upon motion.  Head tilt or rotation to compensate for visual imbalances.  Excessive blinking, squinting or blepherospasms (eyelid twitching).  Double vision or blurred vision.  Sensitivity to light or moving objects such as driving or ceiling fans.  Headaches, nausea, fatigue or irritability especially on prolonged visual exertion. 

Trained physicians will utilize this information and correlate it to their exam findings.  It should be noted that the visual system is an integral part of the global central integrated state and should not be assessed as an isolated entity.  Examination of this system may include visual acuity via Snellen charts,  Functional blind spot mapping, optokinetic tests, cover-uncover tests, light reflexes, yolking mechanisms of eye movements including lateral, vertical and angular gaze observation, retinal examination, electronystagmography, dominant eye testing, depth perception and peripheral vision testing.

These findings need to be correlated to the remainder of the motor, sensory and autonomic exam findings to have an accurate assessment of the level of the dysfunction.  Once the clinician has a working diagnosis there are many therapies that may be utilized to improve balance and integration of the visual systems.  These may include visual evoked potentials such as checkerboard computer programs, eyelights or other light/color stimulation.  This may be applied in a hemifield or quadrant pattern or via certain colors for the purpose of varying frequencies (ie. red has a slower frequency than blue-approximately 450THz vs 650THz).  Color filters can be used as glasses to change the frequency of visual systems in this same manner.  For example, if I wanted to increase the frequency of firing to the right cortex relative to the left I may utilize blue filters over the hemifield pathways to the right occipital lobe (left eye Temporal field, right eye Nasal field). Conversely, I could red filter the opposite visual fields.  A good reference is the Eyelights company website.  They make a good eyewear product that can be programmed for varying visual patterns. 

Eye exercises are also effective in strengthening weak or fatiguing systems.  This may include horizontal, vertical or diagonal repetitive movements.  Again, this needs to be performed in concert with observed deficits.  For example, if I observe saccadic dysmetria and rapid fatigue on right horizontal pursuit I may utilize right horizontal eye exercises to develop improved stamina and plasticity of that pursuit.  Patching of the dominant eye can also help balance the workload of the visual pathways.

Since all sensory modalities except smell relay through the thalamus, there are many other sensory based stimulations that may alter the ability for visual pathways to summate at the cortex.  If I diagnose a large thalamic blind spot on the right indicating decreased summation I may utilize visual or large diameter afferenation to increase the probability of second and third order neuronal firing.  For example, I could program eyelights to flash on the left hemifield or I could adjust the contralateral muscle or joint receptors to increase the sensory barrage of the right thalamus.  I will expand on these principles in future posts, but it is important to understand how using these principles can evoke central effects to make the nervous system more efficient and balanced just as one could exercise weak muscles to make them stronger. 

These are just some examples of many visually based diagnostics and exercises that can be effective in treating central dysfunction associated with autism or other central neurological disorders.  Patients and parents need to be aware of the benefits and many applications of functional neurological rehabilitation.  Many board certified chiropractic neurologists and neuroopthamologists are utilizing these parameters to improve neurological balance and function.  This is critical when it comes to diagnosing and treating neurofunctional problems such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders.