Autism and ADHD in InfancyBy: Kimberly Bass

OutlineAutism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD

Definition

Prevalence/Who is at risk?

Diagnostic criteria

Dietary Recommendations

Autism Also knows as Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD)

ASD is a general term for a group of disorders which includes autism

Defined as a condition in which the person affected has difficulty with verbal, non-verbal, and social skills.

Autism speaks

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)-difficulty relating to others, difficulty with changes in routine, repetitive movements and playing with toys in an unusual way

Asperger Syndrome-Obsessive or repetitive actions, social problems, and sensitivity to light, taste and sound

Rett Syndrome-loss of speech, and intellectual and social problems

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder-loss of language, social and motor skills

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development “Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)”

Autism Speaks

Autism Babies may be considered “good” because

they are quiet or calm/don’t have a lot of interaction with others

Autism is not identified by unusual behaviors, but the absence of usual behaviors

May excel in certain areas like art, music, or math

Autism speaks

Autism Children with autism may focus on a single

object for several hours

May engage in repetitive behaviors (rocking) or self-abusive behaviors (head-banging or biting)

Don’t understand social clues (tone of voice, facial expressions)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Autism fact sheet

Autism Some autistic children have unusual physical activity

and unusual eating patterns, leading to obesity

Other studies show that children with autism may prefer soft, sweet foods or energy dense foods such as cake and hotdogs

A recent study showed 30.4% of children with autism as being obese whereas only 23.6 % of children without autism were obese

“The prevalence of obesity in children with autism: a secondary data analysis using nationally

representative data from the National Survey of Children’s Health”

Risk Factors Gender-boys are 3-4 times more

likely to have autism than girls

Family history-having one child with autism increases the chances of having another child with autism

Father’s age-above age 40

Mayo Clinic-Autism Risk Factors

Prevalence/Who is at Risk?

The CDC says that 1 in 88 American children are diagnosed with ASD

(1 in 54 boys vs. 1 in 252 girls in the U.S.)

Autism speaks

Diagnostic Criteria In infants, some possible signs of autism

include the absence of the following behaviors:

Responding to his/her name

Following a gesture with eyes

Playing with others

Reaching out to be held

Making noise to get attention

Smith, M., Segal, J., & Hutman, T. (2010, December 20).Health guide.

Diagnostic Criteria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5SponU

gbNo

Treatment Options for treating and maintaining Autism

Spectrum disorders include:

Behavioral Therapy

Speech Therapy

Physical and/or Occupational Therapy

Medication (anti-anxiety and anti-psychotics)

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development “Autism

Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)”

GFCF Diet Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet

The idea is to remove gluten and casein from the diet of someone with Autism to improve their symptoms

Where are gluten and casein found?

Gluten- wheat and grains (oats, rye, barley etc.), also soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and artificial colors

Casein-milk and milk products (May also be in soy cheese and hotdogs)

Autism Web

A Parent’s Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A disorder in which the individual has difficulty with over-activity, impulsivity, inattentiveness, or a combination of the three.

PubMed Health

Prevalence/Who is at Risk?

Boys are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls

CDC reports about 5.2 million U.S. children with ADHD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: FastStats

Risk Factors The chances of developing ADHD are more

likely when the following occur:

Smoking, drinking, using drugs, or being exposed to toxins while pregnant

Low birth weight

Family history

Mayo Clinic-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children

Prevalence2007 survey: North Carolina had the highest number of children ages 4-17 diagnosed with ADHD at 15.6%

Diagnostic Criteria ADHD is not diagnosed during infancy; however,

temperamental infants are more likely to become hyperactive children

Signs of ADHD to look for in infants:

-restlessness/unusual sleeping patterns

-difficulty feeding

-tantrums (banging head, screaming, kicking, rocking)

-impatient

-difficult to hold/cuddleeHow Health: Signs of ADHD in Infants

ADHD Across the Lifespan myadhd.com

Diagnostic Criteria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GIx-

JYdLZs

Dietary Recommendations Children with ADHD should have a diet

that excludes:

artificial colors, especially yellow

Any food additives including aspartame and MSG

There is no evidence that eating lots of sugar causes hyperactivity linked to ADHD

WebMD: ADHD Diets

Treatment options Medication-psychostimulants

(Adderall, Ritalin)

Behavioral treatment

Exercise

Web MD-ADD and ADHD Health Center