Are there drugs to 'treat' autism, et al?

[Deja Q]

Just curious.

[agates]

1. Not specifically

However, the atypical antipsychotics are often tried and can be helpful. Risperdal, Zyprexa and Abilify are examples.

[Deja Q]

2. So autism is a form of schizophrenia?!

:cry:

[cornermouse]

4. No. It is not.

For an more accurate explanation, look up Temple Grandin; read her books. Its straight from the horse's mouth in a manner of speaking.

[KamaAina]

9. Temple says that if they did come up with a "cure", she wouldn't take it

I had the honor of co-presenting with her once, at an autism conference in Waterbury, Conn. (and no, PedoPhil Giordano was not there so stop saying that!)

She believes that if she took the blue pill to turn her into a "neurotypical", she would lose the sensory and imaginative capabilities that have made her one of the world's top designers of animal handling facilities. It is estimated that around one-third of the world's beef cattle are processed in one of them! Her innovations include a curved approach path, so the animals can't see what's in front of them.

And yes, she has engaged in plenty of raucous debate with supporters of animal rights; no need to rehash that here.

[cornermouse]

16. That's her right if she chooses not to be cured.

She's fascinating. She's also progressed much farther than most autistic individuals ever will. As far as I'm concerned, she's got my respect and she can do anything that she wants to do.

I've only listened to a couple of her interviews, but it really helped me understand.

[AlienGirl]

21. Check out this site:

http://www.autistics.org

[KamaAina]

29. And this fine article as well:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/health/20autism.html?ei=5090&en=95ad1f4a0fa92945&ex=1261198800&partner=rssuserland&pagewanted=print&position=

"We don't have a disease," said Jack, echoing the opinion of the other 15 boys at the experimental Aspie school here in the Catskills. "So we can't be 'cured.' This is just the way we are."

From behind his GameBoy, Justin Mulvaney, another 10th grader, objected to the program's description of people "suffering" from Asperger's syndrome, the form of autism he has.

"People don't suffer from Asperger's," Justin said. "They suffer because they're depressed from being left out and beat up all the time."

But unlike many programs for autistics, this school's program does not try to expunge the odd social behaviors that often make life so difficult for them. Its unconventional aim is to teach students that it is O.K. to "act autistic" and also how to get by in a world where it is not.

Right ON, guys!

Small world: A friend of mine, perhaps the last remaining authentic hippie :smoke: , knows the woman who runs that school. She used to live in a little cottage right outside Woodstock!

[AlienGirl]

5. No, it's not schizophrenia

Autism is something else entirely. There's a theory right now that it may be auto-immune.

Tucker

[agates]

19. No it isn't

but the same medications provide improvment in some people.

[Spider Jerusalem]

37. No, but they give autistics antipsychotic meds (misguidedly)...

I'd seriously advise against them. I was prescribed Seroquel, and stopped taking it because it turned me into a dazed, foggy zombie. Antipsychotic drugs are also called "neuroleptics", which means "lobotomising"...that should tell you something about their effects.

[cornermouse]

3. I wouldn't drug them unless they were extremely severe.

Less severe doesn't need to be sedated.

[MichiganVote]

6. No. Nor is there a specific test to determine Autism.

Autism is not schitzophrenia. Autism is believed to be a sensory based neurological disorder. Schitzophrenia, on the other hand, is largely believed to be a prevasive mood disorder with specific features such as deluions, hallucinations, thought disorder and impulsive behaviors that cannot be explained by other diagnosis (ADHD). Both Autism and Schitzophrenia have been examined for an genetic etiology.

[Deja Q]

7. Can schizophrenics or autistic folks be able to do things that seem

totally at odds with other symptoms? (e.g. being able to memorize peoples' names and numbers, arcane things, yet have trouble grasping "the big picture" regarding scenarios or incidents or events?)

[MichiganVote]

8. Absolutely. Some AI children exhibit savant like knowledge

or skill in given areas. Sadly, some are within the retardation range. I currently work with an AI 5 year old who has the ability to memorize maps and directions (very handy if you don't know where you're going). I have an AI middle schooler who wrote the Greek alphabet for the writing segment on his state testing.

Autistic youth and adults lack the critical thinking skills needed for cause and effect, pragmatic speech or communication and nuance interpersonally. They tend to think very concretely as opposed to engaging in abstract thought.

[Deja Q]

10. Critical thinking skills needed for cause and effect...

I don't know how the hell I've survived... or how I will. You've found the words to what I've never been able to say. When I tried, I ultimately got misdiagnosed. (Many never considered childhood events, and even said as much. Even I knew that didn't seem right...)

I'm just lucky to be able to have lived, despite my negative points. Maybe I figured out my limits... and ultimately managed to hide behind them to turn a liability into an asset.

Still, it also explains why I never seem to get past the first date! :-) :-(

[KamaAina]

12. You actually *get* a first date?!

Still, it also explains why I never seem to get past the first date!

You get dates? You must tell me your secrets!

Females just don't seem to be getting the signals that indicate "member of opposite sex of same species". Perhaps I should allow myself to be recruited by the "other team"? :-)

[Deja Q]

13. Well, I'm gay. That seems to help...

and women only want me as a 'friend' anyway, so I've nothing to complain or be frustrated about. Except for not getting beyond first date, but oh well. :7

[MichiganVote]

15. A diagnosis for Autism is an extremely detailed process

At least it is with me. I have had some clients with Autism who are very "high-functioning" who are able to learn to adapt very well to people, places and things with minor to moderate eccentricities. I'm reminded of one client who explained to me that he could see the world clearly but he needed an interpreter to tell him what the picture was all about. The area that presents the most difficulty for Autistic youth or adults in in the social domain. Largely because the level of commuication involves so many non verbal cues, intuition or give and take. Usually Autism involves problems in receptive and expressive language.

You may be interested in learning more about Aspergers Syndrome which also falls within Autism Spectrum Disorder. Speech and communication difficulties are greatly reduced. A tendency to get stuck on certian ideas, practices or people is typical.

Enjoy! The world is full of differences!

[Deja Q]

35. A tendency to get stuck on certain ideas, practices, or people...

Thanks for the advice! (you also hit a nail on the head.)

And I definitely enjoy (most of) the world's differences. I just wish the world was a bit more peaceful. :D

[MichiganVote]

20. Well, one of my clients has a parent who is blind, and a history of abuse

His family is very poor but I consider him a survivor. To me he is amazing and as a result of all the adversity he has had to handle he has developed more 'real life' skills than average kids. His writing is atocious but his ability to retain information is pretty incredible. He too has been misdiagnosed in the past. Diagnosis of anything is generally predicated on whatever symptoms are most obvious. Too many clinicians rely soley on what is above the surface, however, and that leads to problems with long term planning for the client and his family.

As far as getting past the first date...maybe think of dates in a less traditional fashion and lean into those "dates" that don't require as much verbal communication. Movies, concerts, lectures, plays, etc. Get to know your own social needs and then look for people who are like you. You may find groups of people easier to handle or more of hassle.

[AlienGirl]

23. Consider dating someone else on the autistic spectrum

Communication between autistic people can be more satisfying than communicating with neurotypicals.

Tucker

[KamaAina]

27. Got anyone in particular in mind?

Hmmm... there IS that great-aunt up in Edmonds I haven't visited... :-)

Seriously, two factors are working against me there: that pesky 4- or 5-to-1 gender imbalance, and geography. I do know of one such woman here, and she even lives right down the street, but it just wasn't happening for some reason. Perhaps I should go back to NY and go after the fine young composer and keyboardist whose family story lured me out here in the first place -- but then again, I also have a thing for her typical sister!

Maybe it's that I lived for so many years among the typicals. The A-word was dropped as soon as I started to perform above grade level. Can't be challenging the professionals' assumptions (around 1970) that autism = mental retardation, you know. :sarcasm:

[AlienGirl]

30. You could try a personals ad?

[KamaAina]

33. I see you've never read our Honolulu "Weakly"!

The Stranger it ain't, not by a long shot. I just happened to have this week's here on my desk, so I snuck a quick glance at it.

Number of personals ads: 2.

That's right, 2. Everyone else out here must be blissfully satisfied, I guess. :eyes:

[AlienGirl]

34. That's weak, all right!

[KamaAina]

11. About three-quarters are within the retardation range

about half are nonverbal. These are robust figures that have held up over decades.

At the top of the scale, however, you have people, like that guy KamaAina who posts on DU for instance :-) , whose WAIS scores were off scale (indicating an IQ >145). That same guy holds a cum laude degree from Yale, which is certainly more than Bush** can say!

Maps and directions, you say? Mom's neighbors used to "borrow" me for that very purpose when I was about that same age!

[Deja Q]

14. Impressive.

I'm only 130 and find tests to be exceedingly difficult, despite showing a reasonable hands-on ability with things.

But I often feel like 2 because of 'critical thinking'. :-( :-)

[purr]

17. My brother is "autistic" as labeled by doctors

I think they labeled him wrong... Hes 23 and he has the mentality of a 3 year old. He cant live on his own, cant function, and needs to wear diapers at night. Thats not the whole picture, but just to get an idea. The doctor gave him adderall for when he was in school and it didn't seem to touch a thing.

He has a lot of "autistic" behaviors, but a lot of them aren't. From what I've read, his doctor did a genetic test and his chromosomes are normal, but he was born with a larger than normal head. The nurse also held my mothers legs together during labor because the dr wasnt in the room yet, therefore cutting off oxygen.

He needs direct supervision at all times and can never be left alone longer than 2 minutes - bathroom break, make dinner, etc.

Then you have my neighbor who was/is addicted to heroin and methadone while pregnant and has a soon to be 3 yr old son who is severly behind. The doctors also mentioned the possibilty of autism with him.

[cornermouse]

18. Stop right there.

An autistic child does NOT mean the mother took drugs.

[purr]

22. no no no

I never said that.. the doctor told her that and is now labeling the kid autistic. I think he told her that for the blame factor nothing else.

My mother never did drugs or alcohol and has an autistic son so I never will point anything to drugs.

[cornermouse]

25. Okay.

No problem.

[MichiganVote]

24. A child born with drug addiction or fetal alcohol is not autistic

Their behaviors may replicate Autism but the reasons for the deficit areas is critical to both diagnosis and treatment. As regards your brother, some Autistic youth or adults are severely limited and the line between severe cognitive impairment and severe Autism can be difficult to determine. However, Autisitc youth or adults do demonstrate very consistent patterns of behavior or relating whereas cognitively impaired persons may have a smattering of just about everything. I'm sorry your family has this to deal with, it can be very hard. You and your family must be very brave. Sounds to me as though he suffered a birth trauma.

[purr]

26. I think he has suffered a birth trauma as well..

Thank you for your insight.. I have to admit, dealing with this for the past 25 years and not really knowing more than what the doc wrote down in 1983 is pretty ignorant. I've been through genetic testing with my first son and the genetictist told me not to worry but its not guaranteed.

My bro will sit there and talk to my grandfather who passed a few months ago as if hes still there, has an obsession with toy balls (the ones found in mcdonalds) and if he gets scissors or a knife he'll chop the heads off of action figures (no knives anywhere in sight there lol). He also feels NO pain if he gets hurt.

As far as my neighbor, she has also blamed her usage on the reason he is the way he is. I always tell her she doesnt know that for a fact and not to blame herself.. child development in utero is a very complicated matter where things can happen that are unexplainable. Hes a beautiful boy and a joy in their lives, no matter if there is a problem or not.

[MichiganVote]

28. Well Autism and birth trauma are not necessairily exclusive

Obcessive or repetitive behaviors are one of the hallmarks of Autism in conjunction with other symptoms.

[tjdee]

31. No, but some support the idea of a gluten/casein free diet....

Apparently there is some anectodal evidence which claims that a gluten and/or casein (not remembering the difference between gluten/casein) free diet is beneficial to some with autism.

To what degree, I have no clue.

I've never met an autistic person "cured" by that... I'm not sure it was tried though.

[bloom]

36. some people swear by it

not eating wheat or milk products...


Here's a page:

http://members.aol.com/lisas156/gfpak.htm

[bigwillq]

32. My b/f's nephew is on Ritalin

mainly for his ADHD! He doesn't take anything for the autism.