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Asperger's Syndrome: Natural Remedies and Information on Treatment
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Asperger's Syndrome - "Not ANOTHER Diagnosis!" Asperger's Syndrome was first identified in 1944, but was only officially recognised as a diagnostic category in the DSM IV in 1994. As a result, many children were misdiagnosed over the years as ADD/HD, Autistic, OCD or even schizophrenic. Many different terms are currently applied, leading to great confusion on the part of parents and educators. Asperger's Syndrome may also be referred to as High Functioning Autism (HFA), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD - NOS), Atypical PDD or even Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD). There is still debate as to exactly how Asperger's Syndrome should be classified. In addition, it is not always an easy, clear cut diagnosis to make. As a result, diagnostic errors continue to be made and this often affects treatment, as well as access to appropriate help and information. Parents may find themselves going from one doctor to another, becoming more and more confused and frustrated in their attempts to help their child. (See bottom of the page for information about natural remedies for Asperger's Syndrome)
What
is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder which is classified as one of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). It is characterised by significant impairment in social interaction, as well as the development of repetitive and restricted fields of interest, activities and interests. While there are some similarities with Autism, people with Asperger's usually have average to above average IQ, and do not demonstrate clinically significant delays in language or self help skills. While they may have an extremely good command of language and have a very rich vocabulary, they are unable to use language appropriately in a social context and often speak in a monotone, with little nuance and inflection in their voice. Children with Asperger's may or may not seek out social interaction, but always have difficulty in interpreting and learning the skills of social and emotional interaction with others, leading to significant impairment in relationships and peer interaction. Although parents often notice problems at an early age, diagnosis is usually made during preschool age or later. While both boys and girls can have Asperger's, the syndrome is more common in boys. What are the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome? The
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM IV) lists the following symptoms for diagnosis
of Asperger's Syndrome (p77)
A.
Qualitative impairment in social interaction,
as manifested by at least two of the following:
C. The disturbance causes clinically
significant impairment in social, occupational,
or other important areas of functioning
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years) E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia What are the causes of Asperger's Syndrome? It is not known what causes Asperger's Syndrome, although there appears to be a definite genetic component as it tends to run in families. While there is as yet no clear evidence as to the causes of Asperger's Syndrome, there may be certain 'triggers' which may precipitate the condition. These include environmental factors like pollution, food intolerances (particularly to foods containing wheat, gluten, sugar and dairy products), digestive problems and even childhood vaccinations (particularly the MMRI). There are also suggestions that Asperger's Syndrome may sometimes be linked to high levels of Candida in the gut. Clearly much more research is needed in this area. One thing is sure - Asperger's is NOT caused by bad parenting or problems in the family. Is there a cure for Asperger's Syndrome? Asperger's Syndrome can currently not be cured and the condition is lifelong. However, with correct treatment and therapy, many people with Asperger's can go on to lead normal lives and may even excel in certain areas of occupational functioning.
Yes, most definitely! However, because Asperger's is a relatively new diagnosis in the field of developmental psychology and psychiatry, many treatment approaches are still in the developmental stages and lots of work still needs to be done in this area. It is also important to remember that Asperger's may manifest in many different ways and therefore treatment needs to be tailor made for the individual. What works for one may not work for another and parents must be prepared to investigate various treatment approaches and combinations of approaches in order to arrive at the best treatment plan for their children. One thing has definitely been established - the sooner treatment begins, the better! This applies especially to remedial, educational and therapeutic intervention. While there is no specific treatment or 'cure' for Asperger's Syndrome, there are many interventions which can significantly improve the functioning and quality of life of people and children with Asperger's. These are only a few: Social Skills Training: This should be one of the most important components of a treatment program. Children with Asperger's Syndrome can be helped to learn social skills by an experienced psychologist. Body language and nonverbal communication can be taught in much the same way as one would teach a foreign language. Children with Asperger's can learn to interpret nonverbal expressions of emotion and social interaction. This can assist them with social interaction and peer relationships and prevent the isolation and depression that often occurs as they enter adolescence. Teenagers can sometimes benefit from group therapy and can be taught how to use the teenage 'slang' and language forms of their peer groups. Educational Intervention: Because children with Asperger's Syndrome may differ widely in terms of IQ and ability levels, schools should learn to individualize educational programs for these children. Some of them may cope well in a mainstream class with additional support, while others may need to receive specialised education. In all cases, teachers should be aware of the special needs of Asperger's children, who often need a great deal more support than first appears necessary. Psychotherapy: Psychotherapeutic approaches which focus on supportive therapy, the teaching of social skills and concrete behavioural techniques are more effective than approaches which concentrate on emotional indepth therapy, which may be too uncomfortable and stressful for the person with Asperger's. Children can benefit from play therapy and 'story' therapy aimed at raising awareness of nonverbal communication, development and teaching of empathy and learning of social skills. Diet: Although there is no conclusive evidence, there are strong suggestions that changes in diet may significantly reduce the symptoms of some children with Asperger's Disorder. Many parents report that their children become much more manageable when certain classes of food are eliminated from the diet. These include dairy products, sugar, gluten, wheat and some artificial colorants and preservatives like MSG and tartrazine. It is worthwhile consulting a trained nutritionalist to assist with dietary intervention and parents should not simply eliminate important foods from their children's diets without expert advice. Psychopharmacological Interventions or Drug Therapy: Many children and adults with Asperger's Disorder do not need any form of medication, while others need to be treated symptomatically While there are no specific 'Asperger's' drugs, psychiatric drugs can be used to treat some of the problems which may manifest or be associated with Asperger's, such as ADD/HD, depression, mood swings, temper tantrums, irritability, aggression, obsessions and compulsive behaviours and anxiety. Many of the drugs used to treat the other Pervasive Developmental Disorders like Autism are also used to treat some of the associated symptoms of Asperger's. These include Ritalin, Adderall, Paxil, Strattera, Prozac, Risperdal and others. Like many psychiatric drugs, these often come with unwanted side effects and the risk of addiction and their benefits should always be weighed against the potential harm they could cause, particularly in the case of children. What are the natural alternatives to synthetic drugs? Herbal and homeopathic remedies can be viable alternatives to the synthetic drugs and may be just as effective, with far fewer risks and side effects. It is important that you only use remedies from a reliable source as the quality of herbs used, as well as methods of preparation, may affect the strength and effectiveness of the remedy. Depending on the symptoms that need treatment, Feelgood Health recommends the following remedies to assist in the overall treatment plan. All remedies have been carefully formulated by a practising Clinical Psychologist and manufactured in therapeutic dosage under strict pharmaceutical conditions: Mindsoothe Capsules (teenagers and adults) and Mindsoothe Jr Drops. Depression, mood swings, obsessive compulsive and repetitive behaviours, irritability, aggression, tantrums. These may all be symptoms of serotonin imbalance and may show improvement with the use of our 100% herbal Mindsoothe formula (available in capsules for adults and Mindsoothe Jr drops for children from 6 - 15 years old) The ingredients of Mindsoothe have been clinically proven to assist in balancing serotonin levels and act as SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) in much the same way as the synthetic SSRI's do. Research has suggested that continued use of an SSRI can also improve eye contact and emotional responsiveness in some children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders. It is important to remember that any SSRI must be taken regularly and that improvement is usually noted only after 3 - 5 weeks, although some individuals respond much sooner. Focus Formula for Hyperactivity and Concentration Alternatives to stimulants like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, etc for ADHD, hyperactivity and concentration problems. Like the benzodiazepines and tranquilizing drugs, the psycho-stimulants come with documented side effects and potential for dependency. Yet many parents find it very difficult to deal with Asperger's children who also have symptoms of ADHD, hyperactivity and concentration problems. For the treatment of hyperactivity, restlessness and lack of concentration, Feelgood Health has developed two highly effective remedies. Focus ADHD Formula is a 100% herbal remedy which has been especially formulated to treat the symptoms of ADHD in children and adults alike. Feelgood Health also offers BrightSpark, a safe and effective homeopathic formula. BrightSpark can be effectively used on its own or it can be combined with Focus ADHD Formula for severe or stubborn cases or for children with defiance and anger problems. PureCalm(BeCalm) for Adults and Children Alternatives to tranquilizing drugs like Valium and benzodiazepines. Tranquilizing drugs may be very effective in calming children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome, who can easily become highly distressed and volatile over seemingly small changes in their environment. However, many tranquilizing drugs are also addictive and individuals may build up tolerance, resulting in the need for increasingly higher doses. Becalm is a 100% herbal formula which has been especially formulated to calm and soothe children and adults without the risk of side effects and potential addiction. Available in easy to administer drop form, the dosage may be adjusted to suit children or adults. Becalm may be taken on its own when needed for quick symptomatic relief, and is also safe to use with most prescription and other herbal medicines. Treatment of Tantrums . Many Asperger's children have violent tantrums, sometimes seemingly without cause. Tantrums may often be a result of the child's frustration at being unable to communicate or understand and may also be a response to changes in routine or environment. Tantrum Tamer, a specially formulated homeopathic remedy, uses proven homeopathic ingredients which can greatly reduce or eliminate distressing and hard to handle tantrums. Tantrum Tamer dissolves easily in the mouth and is pleasant tasting and readily accepted by children.
Choosing the correct approach for you is important! People with Asperger's Syndrome are individuals first and foremost and each person is unique, requiring a unique treatment plan. Whatever approach you use, make sure that you are well informed and that you choose professionals who are prepared to listen and support you in your quest for the best intervention for your situation and circumstances. An integrated and holistic approach in which all family members are treated with respect and consideration is always the best option. Remember that Asperger's is not a sentence. Although it can not be cured, it is a condition which can often be very effectively treated to reduce or even eliminate certain symptoms. Because it is a developmental disorder, Asperger's often improves with the correct treatment, including therapeutic and educational intervention, accompanied by dietary and nutritional support and the appropriate use of herbal, homeopathic or synthetic medication. For help with remedy choices, please use our free ASKUS email service or phone 021 7970193 for assistance. 'Our 6 year old,
Wilf, was diagnosed with Asperger's a year ago today. Since
starting him on a combination of Tantrum tamer, serenite, focus,
brightspark, mindsoothe & pure calm, he's amenable,
settles well (previously this took upto 2 hours with lots of
stress) at night, Order Natural Remedies for Asperger's Syndrome South African customers order below or phone 021 7970193 for assistance. Your order will be posted to your nearest Postnet or PO Box to reach you within 2 working days.For African orders outside of South Africa, please Email for Shipping Quote.
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Carelse M.A. (Clinical Psychology) Disclaimer: The information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and is not a substitute for a professional consultation with a medical or health professional. Do not make any changes or additions to your prescription medicine without first consulting your doctor. Should symptoms persist, please consult your doctor.
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