| Gene & Autism |  |
| Gene & Autism |  |
Another article to share with you guys....
Worldupdates
Wednesday March 19, 2008 MYT 3:01:33 AM
Gene for brain connections linked with autism
http://thestar.com.my/news
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gene that helps the brain make connections
may underlie a significant number of autism cases, researchers in the
United States reported on Tuesday.
Disruptions in the gene, called contactin 4, stop the gene from
working properly and appear to stop the brain from making proper
networks, the researchers reported in the Journal of Medical Genetics.
These disruptions, in which the child has either three copies of the
gene or just one copy when two copies is normal, could account for up
to 2.5 percent of autism cases, said Dr. Eli Hatchwell of Stony Brook
University Medical Center in New York, who led the study.
"That is a significant number," said Hatchwell.
"Generally the mistake that people make is they are looking for one
unifying cause for autism, and there is no such thing and there never
will be," Hatchwell said in a telephone interview.
He said his finding adds to the list of potential tests for autism,
and perhaps treatments for a range of conditions known as autism
spectrum disorders.
Hatchwell's team tested 92 patients from 81 families with autism
spectrum disorder and compared them to 560 people without autism.
They did a whole genome analysis, looking at the entire DNA map, and
e of the patients had deletions or duplications of DNA that
disrupted contactin 4.
They were all inherited from fathers without a history of autism,
which can cause severe social and developmental delays and even mental
retardation.
This may seem like a small number but millions of people have some
type of autism, Hatchwell noted. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimates that 1 in every 150 children has autism or a
related disorder such as Asperger's syndrome, which is marked by often
mild social awkwardness.
"Autism is a syndrome. These individuals have all been grouped
together as having the same thing. There will be many, many dozens if
not hundreds of different causes," he said.
MUTATION PRESENT AT BIRTH
Contactin 4 is involved in the development of axons, which are the
long strings that connect one neuron to another. Other disruptions of
this gene are known to cause developmental delay and mental retardation.
The genetic mutation is present at birth, Hatchwell said.
"In each case a father who was reported as normal had the same thing,"
he added.
"This happens in genetics all the time. Often there are cases in which
someone is reported as normal. They pass it on to their child, who has
severe disease."
It could be the fathers had mild Asperger's or some other condition
that was never diagnosed when they were children. Hatchwell noted that
parents today in the United States are far more likely to seek a
diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder in their children than parents
were in past generations.
This is controversial, with some advocates and experts saying autism
and related disorders have become more common in recent years, and
others saying there is no evidence this has occurred.
"My personal view is that it is not becoming more prevalent," said
Hatchwell. "If a parent has a child with some sort of learning
f they get labeled as autism they get all sorts of help at
school," he added.
Hatchwell has helped found a biotechnology company called Population
Diagnostics Inc. to develop DNA based pre-symptomatic and early
detection tests for autism, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Type 2 diabetes
and other genetic diseases.
In 2004 researchers at Yale University found one child with
developmental delays who had a deleted copy of contactin 4. In
January, they and two other teams linked a gene called contactin
associated protein-like 2 with some cases of autism, and a third team
found a stretch of DNA on chromosome 16 that they said may cause 1
percent of autism cases.
| Getting Your Child Of A Pacifier | |
| Getting Your Child Of A Pacifier | |
by Jennifer Vroom, M.S., CCC-SLP
Can using a pacifier for too long hinder my child’s development?
There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not a pacifier is right for your child. There is still much debate over the potentially positive versus negative consequences of using a pacifier.
Here are some of the pros and cons:
- As a sleep aid.
-
To comfort your child in stressful situations: serve as a helpful distraction during a doctor’s visit.
- To distinguish between a hungry vs. a fussy baby: If a fussy baby turns away the pacifier, he/she may be ready for another meal. However, keep in mind that a fussy baby may be trying to communicate a need to burp, be held, or be changed. Though pacifiers are not recommended as a treatment for acid reflux, the sucking action may actually help keep stomach fluid from rising
- To help with reflux:
-
For infants who are tube-fed:
Using a pacifier during tube-feedings may increase an infant’s association between oral movements and food intake, which is beneficial when they transition to eating via mouth.
Cons: Pacifiers may result in…For some babies, learning to switch between the
- Dental Problems: Long term use or using the pacifier after the eruption of• Increased risk of middle ear infections.Since using a pacifier involves an immature suck-swallow
- Swallowing Difficulties: Prolonged pacifier use may lead to delayed swallow
- Dependency: Some children come to rely on their pacifier for comfort.
- Negative Social Impacts: The older a child gets, the more difficult it may be to
-
Breast-feeding difficulties: breast, bottle, and/or pacifier may be difficult. Frequent use of a pacifier may even reduce a mother’s production of milk.
- Dental Problems: Long term use or using the pacifier after the eruption of permanent teeth, usually past the age of 4-5 years, may result in future dental issues such as the misalignment of teeth.
- Speech Problems: pattern, some children who use these over a long period of time may experience a delay in developing more mature tongue movements, resulting in sound errors.
- Swallowing Difficulties: Prolonged pacifier use may lead to delayed swallow development.
- Dependency: Some children come to rely on their pacifier for comfort.The older a child gets, the more difficult it may be to socialize with peers, if he/she is still using a pacifier.
- Negative Social Impacts:
When is a child too old for a pacifier?
Even before babies are born, they display a natural tendency to suck on thumbs/fingers. It is
Many children let go of the pacifier before 3 years of age. However, others continue to use them until age four or five. If your child has not yet given up his/her pacifier by three years, it’s a good idea to go ahead and encourage decreased dependency on it. Some things you can do to reduce use of the pacifier include:
- Keeping the pacifier out of sight. As the saying goes, “out of sight out of mind.”
- Being consistent. It may be challenging at first, but don’t give up. If you give in on one occasion, the child learns that he/she will get what he/she wants just by pushing hard enough.
- Designating certain times of the day for the pacifier. For example, you may allow the pacifier at naps or at bedtime.
- Slowly reducing the amount of time allowed for pacifier use. Your child doesn’t have to go cold turkey. Rather, many children will respond more positively to a gradual change
- Encourage good dental care. Put more emphasis on teaching mature oral• Find other ways the child can comfort himself/herself versus resorting to theA favorite toy can work as a good substitute.
- Decrease use at developmental stages. For example, when a child is learning to crawl, you may want to begin limiting his/her access to the pacifier. You could continue to decrease availability as the child begins to talk.
- A pacifier should NOT be a substitute for nurturing. A fussy baby may also be calmed through cuddling, massage, reading, playing, rocking, or with music. So, when an infant cries, these other methods should be attempted first to increase the bond between parent/caregiver and child .
- Children learn from each other. Children may be more motivated to stop pacifier
- Purchase a pacifier that’s dishwasher safe. Pacifiers need to be washed often for good oral hygiene.
- Avoid too many changes at one time. Assess what’s going on in the child’s life (e.g., moving to new place, adjusting to new baby) and whether it would be appropriate to expect him/her to decrease pacifier use at that particular time.
- Be patient. You’re probably not going to see an overnight change, so allow your• Give praise often! In order to keep your child’s attention away from the pacifier, praise him/her while engaged in other activities.
- You can always consult your child’s pediatrician, dentist, and/or speech pathologist with any questions/concerns.
Resources:
Kirkland: Marshalla Speech and Language.
McLaughlin, E., RN, BSN (2004). Infants and Pacifiers.
MarshallaHow to Stop Thumbsucking: Practical Solutions for Home and Therapy. http://health.discovery.com
Mayo Clinic staff (2003). Pacifiers: The Good and Bad News. http://www.mayoclinic.com
Morelli, J. (2000). Pacifiers May Help Babies with Acid Reflux. http://my.webmd.com/content/article
Snopek, R.W. (2004). To Plug or Not To Plug: The Pacifier Debate.Http://breastfed.com/resources/articles/plugornot.htm
BabyCenter editorial staff (2004). The Ins and Outs of Pacifiers. http://www.babycenter.com, P. (2001).
| Help Your child To Break The Thumb Sucking Habit | |
| Help Your child To Break The Thumb Sucking Habit | |
I found this interesting article and would like to share with those parents who have difficulties in breaking their child from thumb sucking.
by Becky Spivey, M.Ed.
There are numerous theories as to why children suck their thumbs, and why they won’t stop. There are fewer suggestions, however, to help children break the habit. Infants suck their thumbs even before they are born. It is a natural reflex and makes them feel secure, happy, and restful. When thumb suckers get older, the reasons for sucking remain the same. They still enjoy the comfort, pleasure, and safety of the thumb.
As children get older, thumb sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth, especially when permanent teeth begin to come in. Thumb sucking may cause upper teeth to protrude and result in “buck” teeth. The teeth may be pushed towards the tongue. Children may develop a high roof in the mouth as well as a lisp. Thumb sucking may prevent the child from learning other ways to cope with stress. A child’s social skills are also interfered with, as “non-suckers” will tease and make fun of the children that do.
Don’t believe the tale that thumb sucking is the result of a maladjusted or unhappy child. Thumb sucking is a learned habit and not the result of psychological or behavioral problems in early childhood. Nor does it mean that your child is insecure or anxious. Again, it is a habit.
Wean your child gradually. If your child is an infant, prepare a slow-flowing nipple. Try to substitute a pacifier. Children break a pacifier habit quicker than thumb sucking.Do not fuss at, ridicule, or make fun of an older child for thumb sucking. Nagging or scolding will only make your child feel guilty and may encourage the habit to continue. Advise friends and relatives to ignore it.
• If the habit hasn’t obviously decreased in about a month, consult your physician or dentist. Mouth appliances are available which interfere with the comfort of the thumb sucking. They are relatively inexpensive and may produce quicker results.
Consult your physician for specific questions.
Internet: http://www.mindpub.com/art015.htm
American Dental Association, Oral Health Topics from A-Z, “Thumb sucking”
• Offer incentives. Rewards increase the chances that the child will practice a new behavior. Find ways for your child to be motivated to stop.
• Allow the thumb sucking only at certain times and places for a specific length of time. Use a kitchen timer. Reduce the time up to10% each day. Reward with hugs and praise.
• Choose a “penalty” for thumb sucking outside of the specified time and place. (Remember, no nagging or fussing.) For example, insist that your child pay you a dime, nickel, or penny from his bank or take a specified amount of time away from an enjoyed activity.
• Introduce an alternate activity to replace the thumb sucking. The activity should occupy both hands (jumping rope, basketball, piano, card games, dressing a doll).
• Place a glove or soft mitten over your child’s hand, but remove before naptime or sleep. Use a bitter tasting substance on your child’s thumb nail, especially during sleep. You may purchase products to deter thumb sucking at your local pharmacy.
**This article is intended for general information and not to be considered professional advice.
ReferencesSharma, Vijai P. , Ph.D. “Help to Break the Thumb Sucking Habit,” Mind Publications,http://www.ada.org/public/
How can I help my child break the habit?Most thumb suckers break the habit on their own before turning five years old. Others quit before their eighth birthday. The timing of a parent’s intervention is of great importance. It is not suggested that you should force breaking the habit during toddlerhood when the child feels that he really “needs” his thumb. Here are some suggestions for breaking the habit.| The Unborn Child | |
| The Unborn Child | |
What if the pregnancy is to be terminated when a defect is discovered? What will your decision be?
Honestly from my heart, I wouldn't keep the child.
| I Am Just Speechless | |
| I Am Just Speechless | |
I believe Freud Sigmund has some truth in his theory about us having `animal instinct'. I am not here to talk about his theory and his analysis. What I am more concerned about is Physical AGRESSION.
I believe we are all born as human beings with the natural ability to fight for survival. It's just civilisation that has brought us to be `better behaved' human sapiens if compared to stone age where hands and legs were used as mode of communication and defense. Nowadays we have weapons and language to throw abuse and attack.
Yes I am in one of my ADD moods. 
My mind wonders on the topic of aggression. I know as for myself I am a hot tempered person. But through my days of study and exposure to the causes and harm, I am more careful these days in handling my emotions. I suppose if you put a video recorder in front of me, I will fail desperately on what I just preached! Hey, I am still learning and evolving. The main fact is at least I am AWARE of my weakness and willing to change. Not just right there yet but hopefully a better person.
It didn't occur to me how dangerous and how easily we fall into the same trap over and over again passing down the temperament from our upbringing and exposure. It's researched that we shouldn't allow children to watch violent movie. Why? Because there is a likely hood they will develop aggressive behaviour. How true is this analysis? It's debatable of course. But from my experience and from what I notice, I believe this is true to a certain extent. We are what we put in us - be it food or external influence.
If you are brought up in an war like environment with gun fire in the air and even holding a gun. You are most likely hood to end up violent in nature.
Try an experiment yourself. Allow your child to watch some violent cartoons and notice the change in their behaviour. Than switch to a quiet scene, you will notice the difference.
Just imagine the same impact you have on your child with your behaviour. You show physical `violence', your child will most probably be also `violent' himself.
This is just merely my observation. And it made me realise and also guilty for being sometimes `aggressive' to my children simply because I loose my cool. Having a bad temper or being hot tempered is not an excuse to allow you the right to abuse your children. You can't simply live a lie to yourself and say...I can't help it...he drove me crazy, mad and therefore I whacked him. Obsessive anger if not treated can be detrimental not only to the child but also the entire family.
I believe the media has a lot of influence to us and society considerably. With all the violence portrayed not only in the movies and media, don't blame people's personality and moral also evolving. What used to be bad and evil is no longer that truly evil as it has turned to be grey. After all everybody else is doing it.....the more violence you pump in to the brain, there is a tendency also one become physically violent. That's my observation and thoughts for today.
If everything and everybody becomes your enemy and everything drives you crazy, it's time to check yourself. Maybe you are the one with the problem and not other people. It's being a coward to admit you are wrong or even want to change. Admiting and knowing you have a problem is the first step to rehabiliation ie. changing yourself to be a better person and for the world's sake.
If anger is not managed, you will forever be a frustrated being and nothing in the world will ever satisfy your need. Seek treatment before it's too late...............