A bit tricky to explain but the Osteopath's take is that in SOME cases there appears to be unnusual cranial development which can place undue pressure on the brain which with manipulation can be eased. I thought wahoo here we go, cheque books and bank loans at the ready, but from what I have actually seen it appears to be an inexpensive therapy which only requires about 6 sessions with the Osteopath. Particular cases which might be worth them looking at are those where children bang heads, never settle to sleep lying down and a few others. I'll paste a link on here for those who might like more information-there are no magic remedy claims, just some very common sense physiological observations and assistance worth exploring for some people:

http://www.cranial.org.uk/page4.html

"Early baby therapy could reduce autism diagnoses

Training parents how to respond to babies showing early signs of autism could reduce by two-thirds the number of three-year-olds meeting the criteria for diagnosis, a small study suggests. ... "

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58626945

Nature prescriptions such as picking up driftwood from a beach are being offered by GPs in Shetland in what is believed to be a UK first.

NHS Shetland and RSPB Scotland have teamed up for the pioneering initiative.

Listening to birdsong and taking a walk are among the other ideas being suggested to patients.

It is hoped it could help tackle a range of conditions such as high blood pressure and anxiety. ... ". 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-45758016

Many autistic people suffer from anxiety, do any of you think that greater exposure to 'nature' would be of therapeutic value to autistic people?

http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/video-cat-cafe-is-the-purr-fect-place-to-unwind-1-8422025

"Epilepsy drug warnings 'not reaching women', survey shows":

"Almost 70% of women surveyed about a powerful epilepsy drug have not received new safety warnings about the dangers of taking it during pregnancy, the BBC has been told exclusively.

Sodium valproate, known as Epilim, carries a 10% risk of physical abnormalities in unborn babies.

About 20,000 children have been harmed by valproate medicines in the UK since the 1970s.

The medicines regulator said the drug had been kept under constant review.

Babies exposed to the drug in the womb have a 40% risk of developing autism, low IQ and learning disabilities. ... ".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41345647

"Severely autistic boy, 4, is on the road to recovery after undergoing WORM THERAPY despite being told he would never lead a normal life ... ":

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4422218/Autistic-boy-4-road-recovery-thanks-WORMS.html

"A hot bath 'helps soothe the symptoms of autism and makes children more sociable' ... ":

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2522714/Autism-symptoms-soothed-hot-bath.html

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07w44ty

Has anyone tried light boxes for where there is strong seasonal behaviours, worse in winter? I would be interested to know of anyone's experiences.

Many thanks,

Elefan

It is called "Miracle Mineral Solution (or supplement)" and in many countries (especially the US) it is being touted as a cure for everything from cancer to AIDS and, inevitably, for autism. It is neither a miracle nor a mineral, though it is a solution, of sodium chlorite. Users are told to "activate" it with citric acid (eg orange juice) which turns it into chlorine dioxide, AKA industrial bleach! They then drink it and are told that the sickness that results is a "sign that it is working".

But for autistic children it is even worse as their parents are being told to give it as a enema. Yes really. Even now, some of the leading lights of the American Biomed-autism-cure movement are telling people to squirt industrial bleach up their childrens bottoms several times a day. Again, they are told that the fever, diarrhoea etc which this causes is a "sign that its working".

You might think I'm making this up but here are some articles about it:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/sep/15/miracle-mineral-solutions-mms-bleach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Mineral_Supplement

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/bleaching-away-what-ails-you/

If you google you'll find lots more as well as lots of people selling the stuff with the usual promises.

I'm amazed these people aren't arrested for incitement to child abuse. I have an awful picture in my mind of someone holding down an autisic child and forcing bleach up their bottom in the name of "achieving normalcy" (as they like to say). I ask myself which one of them is supposed to have something wrong with them?

Here is my problem. Nobody seems able to give me even a rough idea of when I might begin receiving DBT. And the longer my absence from work continues, the more I worry about job security.

To avoid the waiting list, I've looked into getting DBT privately but I'm struggling to find any local, private DBT services. The MIND website says there is no formal association for DBT practitioners, making it even harder to find a practitioner with credentials. Also, I understand that part of the DBT approach is to have group therapy sessions. It seems to me that this would be practically impossible for a private practitioner to facilitate.

I know DBT isn't very common but if there is anyone here who has experienced it, whether through the NHS or privately, I'd be very grateful to hear any views about it. At the moment, I don't know whether I should (1) keep my employer waiting, or (2) put myself in the hands of a private practitioner with unknown credentials, or (3) forget the whole DBT thing and instead tell all parties concerned that I'm fit to return to work immediately.

Thanks.

Adam

J's saw his cranial osteopath at the weekend who suggested I have him tested for mercury/heavy metal overload and recommended a certain lab in London beginning with a B (sorry, not sure if I'm allowed to name it). He's made enquiries and they can offer two means of testing:

1. a comparitive urine sample taken before and after administering DMSA

2. a single early morning urine sample taken without DMSA.

Treatment (if appropriate) would involve supplements of zinc and selenium, not sure yet of the daily dosage. Apparently there's a difference between chelation therapy and chelation treatment - anyone know what it is?

Having read the poll thread I'd be very interested to hear from other people (Jaded?) who have used a similar method. I'm aware that there's a certain amount of controversy surrounding DMSA and chelation generally, and don't want to make any hasty decisions. Does anyone know what DMSA contains? It seems to be 'safer' than EDTA which seems to be an industrial pipe cleaner by another name - wouldn't touch that with a cattle prod.

Supervision seems to be an issue too. Not sure if the osteo is sufficiently qualified to oversee this, and we're not under any consultant at the moment (although waiting for appointment with local ASD specialist July/August).

In the meantime, can anyone point me to a web link for Andy Cutler's protocol?

Thanks all.

Karen

x

They are not exactly cheap so before I organise ANYTHING I would value feed back form anyone who has used them.

This is actually old news but I was surprised to find no reference to this on this forum, especially when this game could have potentially big benefits for people with short term memory problems, like many on the autism spectrum.

I will be doing this task for the next few weeks and report back on my improvements, if any. Right now I'm struggling with "3-back" and in particular the auditory aspect.

Has anyone been offered CBT for their child. My son is 16+ (AS + Dyslexia) he becomes very anxious if we want to travel anywhere - new place, new people etc. We want to go on holiday. First one in 8 years. Its not for another three weeks but son is already feeling sick etc. It is not travel sickness.It is anxiety - how long in car - any traffic jams- what will place be like- will he be bored - etc. Doctor has put him on Phenagen and Omeprazole and says he needs CBT but waiting lists are very long. Can anyone tell me anything about CBT.

Julieann

does anyone have experience ? Does yoga help children on ASD ? I would like my son to have Yoga lessons but I don't know wheather they really help.

Danaxxx

After reading a lot of positive stuff about weighted blankets about nine months ago, i have been searching ever since to find a seller in the UK, with no luck. I feel pretty optimistic that my ds would respond well to one of these from experience of other sensory issues and some very convincing American research.

They are available in the USA, but as they normally weigh between 7 and 14 pounds, shipping is very expensive.

In desperation, a friend and i are trying to negotiate a bulk discount from a US producer and wondered whether anyone would be interested in making an order with us; the more we order, the cheaper they will be!

Alternatively, if anyone has experience of using weighted blankets or knows of a UK supplier, could they please let me know? Any information gratefully received!

Cheers

Ame

I've just started using Epsom Salts in A's bath and I was wondering if any of you have had any luck with it, in helping them get off to sleep?

I've only used it once, as I don't want to use it all the time - as I'm not sure how often you should add it to the bath?

I actually bought it a month or so ago, but put off using it.

A did actually go off to sleep that night, and slept through, which is amazing! but as he has been up so much on previous nights, I'm not sure if it was the salts that helped or if it was just shere tiredness!

Any idea's or knowledge welcome!

regards, tizz

Our 13 year old son who has aspergers and massive anxiety problems is on a daily basis hyperventilating and being generally tense all this is causing him to have a lot of pain round his shoulder,back,neck and ribs, along with having a sleep phobia so not getting quality sleep either. So I phoned a local therapy place and they have suggested trying the Bowen technique, and we have an appointment next week only thing is I am now wondering if we are just going to be handing money over and getting nothing back from it and our poor son still going through all this pain and stress, that sounds a bit cynical doesn't it . Any thoughts much appreciated

biker69

He has been started on a Listening Program which the NHS OT said should be v beneficial but which is not available on NHS in our area! Typical.

Anyone doing/has done this? What sort of effects/results? I have read lots of background info but would love to know more about how it has helped people.

He does have alot of sensory issues and I know he would need to know his goggles and nose clip were in place and working before he attempted to swim.

These all are symptoms mentioned as benefitting from therapies such as Dore.

Has anyone done any of these type of daily exercises and did they help?

I am also wondering if our own OT can put together a programme.

My son suffers severe anxiety which is stopping him doing almost everything. I have wondered if hypnotherapy could maybe 'take the edge' off the anxiety and enable him to access other help, such as CBT.

Has anyone used this for themselves or their child, or know anyone who has?

Moncs

I've a question about Epsom salts. I sprinkle some in the boys' bath but it seems to make them hyper sometimes and they take forever to settle down. I thought the opposite was meant to happen!!

Does anyone know why that is?

What are some other things that people use in the bath for their children to help them relax? (Besides lavendar, I hate that stuff!).

Thanks,

Eva

As I dont really want to put my daughter on medication I am

thinking of taking her to a homeopath

I have a leaflet on one lady Annie Hall she charges �68 for first visit

and �30 each visit after that this lady has apparently visited local autism

groups so she obviously thinks certain problems can be helped

Anyone tried this and also What is the treatment used???? unsure

T

I was told by an acquaintance, whose son has various problems, though not on the spectrum, that she has found his clinic a godsend. I think she said it was based in Troon, of all places!(my apologies to any Troonites online!)

I believe he has other clinics around the country too....

Her son was prescribed a variety of potions which seem to have helped him overcome many of his behavioural difficulties, including a language disorder. Without his daily intake of de Vries products, he becomes very tongue tied, agitated and slightly hyperactive. The only ting I have tried has been the De Vries calming child essence, which was kind of pants, to be honest. I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has tried this kind of thing, and if it was a success or not?

(posted by Mum at end of tether with Aspie son's frequent 'hyper' mode!!!!)

Esther x

The next day we went back and had another 2 hour session in which Cathy, the assessor. explained what she had observed and how this fitted in with the Handle philosophy. (We were also given videos of the assessment and the report back session to take away.)

Patrick was given a series of exercises to be done each day. We have had a couple of follow-up sessions in which the exercises were modified. They take about 20 minutes each day. Cathy also recommended that Patrick cut back his intake of sugar as much as possible, which he has done. He no longer has cereal for breakfast (he has croissants and bacon), and is not allowed sweets at lunch time (he has fruit instead).

Cathy explained that Patrick's systems are stressed. The exercises are designed to help calm that stress. Removing sugar and caffeine also helps. The exercises also help develop those parts of the brain that are under-developed in people with AS.

It is not a miracle 'cure', but we have noticed definite improvements in Patrick's behaviour. He sleeps much better ? before Handle he was gioing to sleep after 10 and waking at about 5-5.30. His handwriting has improved beyond recognition. He is more amenable to coming off Playstation and the computer, and he has fewer meltdowns.

Handle has a website http://www.handle.org/ where some of the exercises are explained.

It is difficult to explain Handle in just a few sentences. We recommend a recently-published book by the founder called The Fabric of Autism. It is available from Anna McCosh, Culter Craigs, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6PZ. Price �12.50 plus �2.10 p&p.

Colin & Shelagh

Has anyone any experience or knowledge of how effective this can be? Has anyone had one of these treatments and would like to tell me something about their experience?

i would like this information for a project I am doing and to develop my own skills.

Thanks for your replies

Sue