Autism (Autism Spectrum Condition) in Children and Adults
Does your child display signs of Autism? Do they find it difficult to interact with their friends and family and are they showing repetitive behaviours? Are you frightened about what the future may look like for them and confused about how best to help support them?
Autism affects about one in 60 people and tends to run in families. Unfortunately, 70% of parents whose child recently received a diagnosis of autism were told by the NHS that “nothing can be done”. However, there is much you can do to support those with autism by optimising overall health and wellbeing.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
The term ‘Autism’ literally means ‘Self-ism’, as those affected may appear locked in their own world. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can also be referred to as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and it now has a 3-tier diagnosis banding, based on severity of symptoms.
The mainstream medical community has described autism as “a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world” (National Autistic Society). However, to only view Autism as a social or communication condition would also be limiting the therapy avenues to be explored to improve functioning.
There is an inextricable link between how we behave and how healthy our body is.
At The Key Clinic, we aim to support those with autism by optimising their overall health, while attempting to reduce hypersensitivities.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Autism is diagnosed when children show deficits in social and verbal interactions and display repetitive behaviours such as hand-flapping and spinning.
Children may show autistic traits within their first year of life, such as poor eye contact, while some children appear to develop normally in their first year and then regress between 18 months and 24 months, potentially losing the ability to speak and interact.
Some people aren’t diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood and miss out on receiving care when they are younger. Girls with autism are particularly adept at ‘masking’ or imitating others socially, in an attempt to blend in. This can be exhausting and can mean they do not get diagnosed until much later.
Many physically debilitating factors may also be seen in those on the spectrum, but these do not currently form part of the assessment. Areas of active research include gut pain/poor digestion, weakened detoxification, dysregulated immune functioning, and hypersensitive hearing.
There is currently no medical test for autism, so diagnosing it can be difficult for doctors, who have to rely on children’s behaviour and subjective reports from parents.
Importantly, many wonderful autistic traits can also exist: the ability to hyperfocus, integrity, musical and/or mathematical ability, and logical thinking, to name a few.
Signs of Autism in children
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Avoiding eye contact
Not responding to your facial expressions (ie smiling at them)
Repetitive movements, such as spinning, hand flapping and rocking (also known as “stimming”)
Difficulty with imaginative/ pretend play
Not talking as much as other children (delayed speech/echolalia/no speech)
Sensory processing difficulties:
They may be hypersensitive to sounds, smells light, clothing textures and fussy eater
They may be hyposensitive to their own internal signals eg too warm/cold or needing to go to the toilet, they may also enjoy specific sensory input, such as a weighted blanket)
Having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
Stomach pain and/or difficulties with digestion
Get ill frequently or (rarely) never get ill
Dislike loud environments/sounds
Signs of Autism in adults
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Getting anxious about social situations
Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
Seeming blunt, rude, or not interested in others
Finding it hard to say how you feel
Focussed interests
Having the same routine every day and getting anxious if it changes
A logical, rational interpretation of things, finding Intuition difficult
Difficult/delayed speech or no speech
Speaking ‘at’ someone and not being interested in their response.
Poor digestion/ stomach aches
Get ill frequently or (rarely) never get ill
Dislike loud environments/sounds
Alternative Therapies to Support those with Autism
We always recommend discussing your concerns with your GP. While mainstream medicine has little to offer those diagnosed with autism, there may also be comorbidities that require medical investigation.
You may also have heard of ABA therapy, which some parents find helpful. It aims to ‘train’ a child to behave in a more neurotypical manner, masking underlying traits. However, other parents report it can increase stress and anxiety levels.
The Key Clinic’s approach is complementary to these mainstream approaches. We aim to rebalance the body and brain as one functioning whole because the brain does not function in isolation. We aim to give the body what the brain needs to function.
Every child is different and our approach is fully tailored to each child’s needs.
The Key Clinic’s Individually Tailored Support
Improving gut health:
Encouraging a broad, healthy gut microbiome, eliminating any nasties such as parasites and eliminating foods which may be contributing to symptoms.
Reducing toxic load:
Supporting the body’s natural ability to detoxify.
Maturing the nervous system:
Symptoms of a retained Moro reflex can be similar to some symptoms of autism. If retained reflexes are a factor, we can use NeuroMature exercises to integrate them.
Encouraging healthy Immune functioning:
Providing nutrients to help optimise the immune system.
Balancing the biochemistry:
If lab tests show evidence of biochemical imbalances, we address any nutrient imbalances using ‘Walsh Nutrient Therapy’.
Calming reactions to sounds
Autistic individuals often have hypersensitive hearing. We use BrightBeatz Auditory Integration Training, a music-listening programme, to try to restore calm.
Do I need to have an official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition to receive support from The Key Clinic?
No, because The Key Clinic aims to investigate underlying contributing factors, to make life easier. You do not need a diagnosis to participate in one of our therapies.
Auditory Integration Training - BrightBeatz
Many individuals with Autism have hypersensitive hearing.
BrightBeatz is The Key Clinic’s proprietary form of Auditory Integration Training (AIT).
It involves listening to customized, modulated music in the comfort of your own home over a 10-day period, to help encourage calm.
“Sofia has come on leaps and bounds. Her conversation skills and speech have hugely improved, it's amazing!”
– Parent, Dec 2023
BioMedical Nutrient Therapy - BioTransform
BioTransform is a 6-month, bespoke programme designed to optimise overall health, based on your bio-individuality.
Our approach includes Functional Medicine, Nutrition and Walsh Nutrient Therapy. We help to optimise health, using diet, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations. We will support you over the next 6 months, to achieve results.
This programme is drug-free, and involves dietary/lifestyle changes and targeted supplements. Rest assured, we are very adept at helping come up with strategies to help even the fussiest eaters and those with sensory issues!
Neurodevelopmental Movement - NeuroMature
If a child on the spectrum also has evidence of retained primitive reflexes, we may recommend a NeuroMature programme.
The six-month NeuroMature programme is designed to integrate any primitive reflexes. We have different exercise programmes to suit different requirements. Some are carried out at home with parental guidance and others can be directly supervised and carried out by our experienced practitioners.
Parents have reported that our NeuroMature programmes can improve eye-tracking, balance, coordination and self-confidence, while reducing anxiety levels and making it easier to cope with changes.
"Ollie was over sensitive to sound and now perfect. Since the neurodevelopmental exercises he is calmer, more confident and like a different child. We have also seen a remarkable change with regards to biomedical supplements. Really pleased."
– Parent, Oct 2024
Autism and ADHD
ADHD and autism used to be viewed as completely separate conditions, but more recently, the medical community has acknowledged that symptoms can overlap and that the two conditions may co-exist in one individual. A new term ‘AuDHD’ has recently been coined to describe this. They may have poor focus, poor impulse control poor organisation skills, time management, and social skills.
A child with autism may potentially appear hyperactive or may have an ‘autistic rage’ or meltdown. This can be very hard to distinguish from a similar outburst or hyperactive behaviour witnessed in a child with ADHD.
However, the underlying, contributing factors can vary. This is why we take the time to assess each child as an individual.
Source: https://chadd.org/about-adhd/adhd-and-autism-spectrum-disorder/
The Key Clinic can help individuals with Autism to thrive
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Autistic individuals vary enormously, which is why it is important to take the time to assess underlying contributing factors and create a fully individualised approach to support them.
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It is possible to optimise overall health and wellbeing of those with autism.
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There are many wonderful advantages to being autistic. We aim to help make life easier and help unlock potential.
Please call us on 020 7486 4462 or email welcome@thekeyclinic.co.uk to find out how we can support you or your child.