New Autism Cure - breakthrough treatments and cures for autism

A new study conducted by a professor at the University of Memphis suggests that Autism can be detected through speech patterns and signatures of children with the disorder. The study focuses on the analyzing of sounds produced rather than words in children.

The theory supports the idea that many Autistic children have an inability to communicate effectively, and rather than words, produce grunting,  or random sounds. Analyzing these sounds at an earlier age, when it’s typically considered “baby talk”, could be the key to diagnosing Autism.

The research study was headed by Dr. D. Kimbrough Oller, professor and chair of excellence in audiology and language pathology. Dr. Oller hopes that LENA (Language Environment Analysis) will enhance the study of language development and Autism.

LENA itself is a pocket-sized processor and analysis software. Running the processor is an algorithm developed by Oller and his team that analyzes 12 aspects of language development. The LENA processor fits into the pocket of the child’s clothing and records a full day of his/her speech. It detects and differentiates between crying, attempts at talking, etc. It also can tell and filter out other voices and background noises.

Oller says that his LENA was 86% successful in detecting Autism in children. The system can detect the difference between speech patterns conducive to Autism,  typically developing children, and children with a language delay.

LENA will hopefully give parents a much more cost efficient way to diagnose their child with Autism. In fact, Oller hopes to get LENA to the point where it is offered in family doctor’s offices. This way pediatricians can conduct the test, analyze the speech, and then make the decision whether or not to refer the family out to an Autism specialist.

Currently, the average age of diagnosis for Autism in children is between 5 and 6 years old. This is typically well after the average child begins speaking, communicating, and functioning at a more advanced level. Dr. Oller and his team say that LENA can bring that age down to 18 months. The sooner autism is detected, the sooner that appropriate treatment methods can be implemented, and the chance of recovery and improved symptoms heightens.

An online report of the aforementioned study can be found online in the July 19th edition of   Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Just in case you missed it, last week, we took a look at the basics of Biofilm. If you did miss it, go on and get caught up, and then come on back.  In summary, Biofilm as a slime like organism that can form almost anywhere where water is present. One of its favorite places to form is in the human gut as well as in the bloodstrean and on teeth. That little fur coat that your teeth seem to be wearing after no brushing your teeth? Yes, that’s Biofilm. In most cases, Biofilm hides itself so well that it is often not affected by even the highest and strongest doses of Antibiotics.

The interesting thing about Biofilm is that once it is broken down during Chelation, it gave off a large discharge of toxic metals into the bowel. This was detected in stool samples. Interestingly enough, a stool sample taken from someone before Chelation may not have shown that high metal level. See how smart Biofilm is? Until its accessed and broken down, it isn’t detected. If it’s not broken down, it’s just holding onto bacteria and metals that can contaminate the body.

High levels of toxic metals has been known to be something that is often found in those with Autism. A large amount of Autism treatments include the removal of these metals and improvement of symptoms has been noted. If these toxic metals are hiding deep inside of a matrix as biofilm does, it makes the removal a bit more difficult.

Enter: Biofilm Protocol Treatment:

The Biofilm Protocol was developed by Dr. Anju Usman and her staff during the Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) Think Tank. It wasn’t discussed much as it was relatively new at the time. The idea of the protocol is to break down the Biofilm by targeting the fibrin that biofilm needs to form. Breaking down the fibirn is done with the help of enzymes such as silk-worm produced serapeptase. Once this has begun, then the body must be trained to recognize what’s about to be released. If the immune system doesn’t recognize the broken-down biofilm, then one may get sick. It’s not always about killing the bugs and sickness. The idea is rewiring the gastrointestinal system to that those bugs cannot exist.

The protocol was also developed keeping in mind that the body may have to go through a heavy metal detox since the biofilm may be holding onto toxic metals like aluminum and lead.

The Protocol itself is meant to be a 2-3 month process and comes in three steps:

ONE: Detatchment of the Matrix - the Matrix is where the biofilm hides itself, so it’s essential that this is broken down. Chelation is often used to be able to disolve the minerals in the matrix to initiate a breakdown. This is done on an empty stomach.

TWO: Targeting the Microorganism: Since the biofilm is now unprotected, a dose of antibiotics is given to the body to attack it.

THREE: Clean up:  The body is given anything that can bind up the matrix and potential metals in the gut.

This isn’t an overnight treatment. It took a while for the body to get to the point where the infectious biofilm forms and is hiding to the point where its affecting the body, but undetectable. So, reversing the situation also takes a bit of time.

In 2009, at the Lyme Induced Autism Conference, an interesting point was brought up concerning the outbreak of MRSA.  The most effective antibiotic to MRSA was vancomycin.  However, it wasn’t effective because there was a biofilm. When the drug was combined with EDTA (a Chelation agent), the elements of the biofilm were extracted and the film was broken down. This shows that the idea of breaking down the biofilm and then dismembering the matrix has been effective in other situations as well.

How beneficial is HBOT in treatment of Autism symptoms? (via)

The Hyperbaric Chamber is something that we often hear about athletes and high-profile celebrities using. The chamber has proven benefits by delivering 100% natural oxygen to the body while inside a pressurized chamber.

When 100% natural oxygen is delivered to the body under pressure, a great amount is absorbed by the blood stream and hereby delivering more oxygen to the body organs and tissues. This improves the effect and benefits of many antibiotics, activates white blood cells to fight off infection, and promotes chronic wounds to begin the healing process.

In cases of psychological and behavioral conditions, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), some research and studies have indicated a change in symptoms such as irritability, hyperactivity, speech and repetitive behaviors; all of which are commonly found in Autism cases. Other studies, such as the one discussed in a recent issue of Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, show little benefit of HBOT therapy in Autistic patients.

This recent study, conducted by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and led by Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D; Jonathan Tarbox, Dennis R. Dixon, Arthur E. Wilke, Michael S. Allen, and James Jeffrey Bradstreet, found that HBOT therapy had no significant effect on the symptoms of Autism.

There were only 2 factors considered in the randomization of study patients; age and ABA hours of treatment. When children are participating in ABA treatment, it’s to be assumed that a decent amount of them will be exhausted mentally and physically. This exhaustion level can prevent the HBOT therapy from working at full capacity and enabling children to benefit completely from the treatment.

There are some other controversial concerns about this most recent study as well. More than likely there will be another research and study done in which some of the constants are modified. Until the idea of HBOT and its effects on Autism symptoms is further examined, it may be too soon to write this off as an unbeneficial treatment option.