SYMPTOMS

Autism is usually detected at the age of 2-3 years, in connection with abnormalities in the child’s development. Typically, one will see that speech development is inhibited and the child seeks less comfort from mother and father. The child often does not seek social contact with other children either. The child may have difficulty accepting change and may have violent reactions that are expressed, for example, through screaming or banging on the head. This is only one side of the autistic condition, each child is individual and the degree can vary from a quite slight tendency to the more pronounced condition.

TREATMENT IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Psychological counselling and social pedagogical training are offered. Medical treatment only comes into play when there are mental complications such as in depression.

CAUSE

One cannot talk about a single cause of autism. Research shows that there are many factors that play together. Although autism is primarily biologically conditioned, there are a number of psychological factors, as well as factors in the external environment, that can influence how the developmental disorder affects the individual.

It is known that in several cases autism is hereditary. Only one in four who are diagnosed is a girl. In addition, several study results show that a large proportion of children with autism have had infantile spasms (infantile seizures) as the first type of seizure.

There is also some association between autism and epilepsy. Recent Swedish studies show that every third child with autism will have epilepsy before adulthood. The coincidence between autism and epilepsy is greatest among children who also have severe learning and motor problems. This can be explained by the fact that children who have problems with learning and motor skills will usually have this with a background in a brain injury, a developmental disorder in the brain or brain disease. This will thus be the cause of both autism and epilepsy.

NORDIC CLINICS TREATMENT

At Nordic Clinic, our therapists work on the basis of the principles of the consensus report Defeat Autism Now and the educational organization Autism Research Institute. www.autism.com 

We treat both children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Regardless of the wording of the diagnosis, the starting point is first and foremost the person’s individual problems and biochemistry. Working with causes also includes identifying the things that trick or aggravate the symptoms. In recent years, many studies have been published indicating that people with autism often have disorders of bowel function. This can result in incomplete digestion of, among other things, milk and gluten. The incompletely digested parts are morphine-like substances that can cross the blood-brain barrier and influence behaviour. Part of the treatment at Nordic Clinic is based on a urine sample that assesses the formation of neuropeptides from milk and gluten. In addition, it will also be investigated whether there is an overgrowth of fungi and bacteria. It is most often expressed as a thin stomach, foul-smelling stools or abdominal pain. Heavy metal loads can also play a role. Nordic Clinic can, among other things, examine for heavy metal loads with a urine collection. Mild cleaning of heavy metals may be included as part of the treatment.

In the treatment, guidance is given in nutrition, recipes, dietary supplements, and you will receive useful advice to make everyday life success with a child on a diet. The recommendations are based on the analysis answers and there will be a strong focus on the child having his or her nutritional needs covered. The treatment can take place in parallel with other treatment measures.