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How To Tackle A Child Showing Signs Of Autism?
Question: Sir my son is showing autism symptoms so kindly guide me but kind of diet I should give to him.specially he is allergic to cow milk is lectogen is safe for him and how to tackle him to break his cycle of individual playing.
Brief Answer:
Get him evaluated first
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic. I am sorry to hear about your child. But has your suspicion of autism been verified by a pediatrician or a child psychologist? If not, please visit a doctor and get him evaluated. The following links will help you to assess whether the child is actually autistic:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/screen-your-child
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/mchat
In case of autism, gluten free and casein free diets are advised although not much research has been done to back up the claims. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye whereas casein is found in milk and dairy products. So these foods are to be avoided. Most formula milks including lactogen are based on cow milk and hence neither lactogen nor cow milk are advisable. So a rice based, milk free diet should be enough for him. But before a confirm diagnosis is made, I would not advise interventions like change of diet. Moreover, the effectivity of dietary limitation is not evidence based and hence I would not comment on the safety of such a milk. Let me mention that in case of a child of 1.5 years of age, he basically needs a mashed version of adult diet low on spices, so milk is now an optional item anyway, provided that you back it up with other nutritive items. So milk can be skipped anyway, to be on the safer side.
About trying to break the habit of individual playing, it could be normal. But he needs to be evaluated first. Please answer the questionnaire that I have mentioned and also get him evaluated first. If the doctor really feels that the child has autism, the management would be supportive and would not constitute of breaking the individual playing cycle.
Get him evaluated first
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic. I am sorry to hear about your child. But has your suspicion of autism been verified by a pediatrician or a child psychologist? If not, please visit a doctor and get him evaluated. The following links will help you to assess whether the child is actually autistic:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/screen-your-child
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/mchat
In case of autism, gluten free and casein free diets are advised although not much research has been done to back up the claims. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye whereas casein is found in milk and dairy products. So these foods are to be avoided. Most formula milks including lactogen are based on cow milk and hence neither lactogen nor cow milk are advisable. So a rice based, milk free diet should be enough for him. But before a confirm diagnosis is made, I would not advise interventions like change of diet. Moreover, the effectivity of dietary limitation is not evidence based and hence I would not comment on the safety of such a milk. Let me mention that in case of a child of 1.5 years of age, he basically needs a mashed version of adult diet low on spices, so milk is now an optional item anyway, provided that you back it up with other nutritive items. So milk can be skipped anyway, to be on the safer side.
About trying to break the habit of individual playing, it could be normal. But he needs to be evaluated first. Please answer the questionnaire that I have mentioned and also get him evaluated first. If the doctor really feels that the child has autism, the management would be supportive and would not constitute of breaking the individual playing cycle.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
We visited pgi XXXXXXX they assessed him on our description and said can't say any thing as he is so young. He used to say mama,papa,baba,de earlier but now he only says mama occasionally. He is not learning bye,and not recognize relations.so pls guide us what to do and in which kind of activities he should kept busy. And kindly explain on diet and what amount should be given if we try to stop milk from his diet.
Brief Answer:
Elimination diet
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. The doctors at PGI XXXXXXX have said the right thing. Although autism can normally be diagnosed in children at around the age of two, it might still be quite early to comment based on the little findings at present. You will have to be a bit patient but keep him under regular follow up and monitor if he is reaching the developmental milestones on time. In case you find developmental delays, definitely you need to contact your doctor who can suggest appropriate steps based on the specific delays.
About the diet, it is basically an elimination diet. In other words, you will have to eliminate wheat based and milk based items from the diet. About the rest of items which should naturally be rice based, you will have to figure out a reasonable amount that is enough to meet the hunger of your child. It is hard to delineate a specific amount as it may vary from one child to another. Reading through the following link should be helpful:
http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/489844.pdf
Elimination diet
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. The doctors at PGI XXXXXXX have said the right thing. Although autism can normally be diagnosed in children at around the age of two, it might still be quite early to comment based on the little findings at present. You will have to be a bit patient but keep him under regular follow up and monitor if he is reaching the developmental milestones on time. In case you find developmental delays, definitely you need to contact your doctor who can suggest appropriate steps based on the specific delays.
About the diet, it is basically an elimination diet. In other words, you will have to eliminate wheat based and milk based items from the diet. About the rest of items which should naturally be rice based, you will have to figure out a reasonable amount that is enough to meet the hunger of your child. It is hard to delineate a specific amount as it may vary from one child to another. Reading through the following link should be helpful:
http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/489844.pdf
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
That's OK sir.what pls tell us what we have to do to reduce his symptoms. And pls tell us is autism curable?
Brief Answer:
Symptomatic support needed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Rather than using the term autism, it is better to use the term autism spectrum disorder. Be it autism or some other disorder, such disorders are characterized by developmental delays and the management is supportive and constitutes of appropriate developmental support in order to prevent disabilities. Autism is a problem of socialisation and many autistic children are equally or even more intelligent than their peers. Autism cannot be cured but with proper support, such children can lead a practically normal life. You need to keep the child under periodic assessment in a centre with facilities of developmental pediatrics. They will be better equipped to handle his problems.
Symptomatic support needed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Rather than using the term autism, it is better to use the term autism spectrum disorder. Be it autism or some other disorder, such disorders are characterized by developmental delays and the management is supportive and constitutes of appropriate developmental support in order to prevent disabilities. Autism is a problem of socialisation and many autistic children are equally or even more intelligent than their peers. Autism cannot be cured but with proper support, such children can lead a practically normal life. You need to keep the child under periodic assessment in a centre with facilities of developmental pediatrics. They will be better equipped to handle his problems.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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