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Autism is classically defined as a disorder of the
neurological system which begins showing signs during early development.
According to the DSM, autism is one of the five types of pervasive developmental
disorders (otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder). The causes and
physiology of autism are unknown, and the psychiatric symptoms are behavioral in
nature rather than clinical. It is actually believed now that there are several
types of distinct conditions that manifest themselves in similar ways rather
than a single diagnosis. In alternative medicine, many are indicating that
autism itself is caused by mercury, either pre-natal or introduced with certain
types of immunizations. If this is the case, then it is possible that what some
think of as genuine autism symptoms, may in itself be mercury toxicity.
Typically, autism symptoms appear during the first
three years of life. There are strong indications that the incidence is growing,
and it is now estimated that it occurs in as many as 1 in 150 individuals, and
is 4 times more prevalent in males than females. There are reports that children
have recovered from autism to the point that they can fully participate in
"mainstream" education and social events. Still, as autism's diagnosis is
behavioral in scope and not clinical, what some consider autism may in fact be
heavy metal poisoning.
Autism Symptoms: the Autism
Symptoms Check List
DSM-IV criteria for autism are based on the absence or delay of certain
developmental milestones. There are many differences in the individuals skills
and behaviors of those diagnosed as autistic, and physicians will often arrive
at different conclusions about the appropriate diagnosis. Still, professionals
within pediatric care and development often look for early indicators of autism
in order to initiate treatment as early as possible.
Early Autism Symptoms Include:
- by 1 year of age
- does not make babble, point, or demonstrate meaningful gestures
- does not have the ability to attend to something at the request of
another individual
- by 16 months
- does not speak single words
- by 2 years
- does not combine multiple words
- does not respond to name
Other Autism Symptoms May Include:
- may lack or avoid eye contact
- unlike other children, does not play with toys functionally
- may engage in obsessive/compulsive type behaviors
- is attached to one particular toy or object
- does not smile (socially, but may smile during periods of self-stimulatory
behavior)
- engages in self-stimulatory behaviors
- has a dislike of touch, which manifests as tactile defensiveness
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
(SID) - Clinical Autism Symptoms
The main indicator for clinicians making a proper assessment for
autism
includes looking for sensory integration disorder. Children with SID will
exhibit difficulties coping with the normal sensory input.
Symptoms of SID may include:
- over sensitivity to sensory input including: touch, movement, sights,
and/or sounds
- under reactivity to sensory input including: touch, movement, sights,
and/or sounds
- specific learning difficulties/delays in academic achievement
- inability to unwind or self calm
- difficulty in making transitions from one situation to another
- tendency to be easily distracted and/or attention deficit
- physical clumsiness and/or apparent carelessness
- out of balance energy level that is either unusually high or low
- social and/or emotional dysfunction
- poor self conceptualized awareness
- difficulty learning new movements
- delays in speech, language, or motor skills
- impulsive, lacking in self-control
Social Development Symptoms of
Autism
From the start, typically developing infants are social beings. Early in
life, they gaze at people, turn toward voices, grasp a finger, and even smile.
In contrast, most autistic children prefer objects to faces and seem to have
tremendous difficulty learning to engage in everyday human interaction. Even
in the first few months of life, many do not interact and will avoid eye
contact, seeming indifferent to other people.
Autistic children often appear to prefer being alone rather than in the
company of others, may resist attention or passively accept such things as
hugs and cuddling without caring. Later, they seldom seek comfort or respond
to parents' displays of anger or affection in a typical way.
Mercury Toxicity and Autism
Mercury toxicity looks very similar to autism, and is often confused
clinically. If a child is displaying the symptoms of autism, certain questions
should be investigated including but not limited to:
- does the mother have large quantities of silver amalgam fillings
- did the mother eat large quantities of ocean fish during pregnancy
- did the symptoms of autism begin directly after a round of immunizations
that may have contained mercury
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