Autism Health Dictionary

An abnormal condition of early childhood where the child is unable to make contact and develop relationships with people. Scanning techniques show that blood-flow in the frontal and temporal lobes is impaired. A passive child fails to become emotionally involved with other people and isolates himself. When the even tenor of his existence is disturbed he flies into a rage or retires into anxious brooding. Diagnosis is assisted by recognising young children being socially withdrawn and teenagers developing peculiar mannerisms and gait.

A child may avoid looking a person in the face, occupying himself or herself elsewhere to avoid direct contact. Obsessional motions include erratic movements of the fingers or limbs or facial twitch or grimace. Corrective efforts by parents to educate into more civilised behaviour meet with instant hostility, even hysteria. Hyperactivity may give rise to tantrums when every degree of self-control is lost. For such times, harmless non habit-forming herbal sedatives are helpful (Skullcap, Valerian, Mistletoe).

A link has been discovered between a deficiency of magnesium and autism. Magnesium is essential for the body’s use of Vitamin B6. Nutritionists attribute the condition stemming from an inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals at pregnancy. Alcohol in the expectant mother is a common cause of such deficiencies. Personal requirements of autistic children will be higher than normal levels of Vitamin B complex (especially B6) C, E and Magnesium.

Such children grow up to be ‘temperamental’, of extreme sensibility, some with rare talents. Medicine is not required, but for crisis periods calm and poise can be restored by:–

Motherwort tea: equal parts, Motherwort, Balm and Valerian: 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 10-15 minutes; 1 cup 2-3 times daily. Honey renders it more palatable.

Alternatives:– Teas, tablets or other preparations: Hops, German Chamomile, Ginseng, Passion flower, Skullcap, Devil’s Claw, Vervain, Mistletoe, Ginkgo.

Diet. Lacto-vegetarian. 2-3 bananas (for potassium) daily.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin B6 50mg, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc. Aromatherapy. Inhalation of Lavender oil may act as a mood-lifter.

Note: A scientific study revealed a link with the yeast syndrome as associated with candidiasis. 

A rare condition in which a child is unable to relate to people and situations. Autism is more common in boys. It is by definition evident before the age of 30 months and is usually apparent in the 1st year of life. The precise causes of autism are unknown. Often, autistic children seem normal for the 1st few months of life before becoming increasingly unresponsive to parents or other stimuli. Extreme resistance to change of any kind is an important feature. The child reacts with distress to alteration in routine or interference with activities. Rituals develop in play, and there is often attachment to unusual objects or obsession with one particular idea. Delay in speaking is common and most autistic children have a low IQ. Behavioural abnormalities may include rocking, selfinjury, screaming fits, and hyperactivity. Despite these symptoms, appearance and muscular coordination are normal. Some autistic people have an isolated special skill, such as an outstanding rote memory or musical ability.

There is no effective treatment for autism, which is lifelong. Special schooling, support and counselling for families, and sometimes behaviour therapy can be helpful. Medication is useful only for specific problems, such as hyperactivity. The majority of autistic people need special, sometimes institutional, care.

A disorder, thought to be caused by a brain abnormality, that leads to a lifelong inability to relate in an ordinary way to people and situations. Autism is usually diagnosed before the age of three. It is rare, affecting around 20 people in every 10,000, and is three times more common in boys than in girls. The main features are a profound inability to form social relationships, delayed speech development, and a tendency to perform repeated compulsive actions or rituals. There is no cure at present, but behaviour therapy can help children to lead more normal lives.

n. a psychiatric disorder of childhood, with an onset before the age of 2½ years. It is marked by severe difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with other people, in developing language, and in using abstract concepts; repetitive and limited patterns of behaviour (see stereotypy); and obsessive resistance to tiny changes in familiar surroundings. Autistic children find it hard to understand how other people feel, and so tend to remain isolated even into adult life. About 50% have learning disabilities, but some may be gifted in specific areas. The cause is unknown, but genetic factors and brain damage may be important. The condition usually progresses into adulthood, and independent living is uncommon. Treatment is not specific, but lengthy specialized education is usually necessary. Behaviour problems and anxiety can be controlled with behaviour therapy and drugs (such as *antipsychotics). Autism and similar developmental disorders, including *Asperger’s syndrome and *Rett’s syndrome, are known as autistic spectrum disorders. —autistic adj.