Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an overlapping group of conditions, including Asperger’s syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD).  This condition typically presents before the age of three years though the condition may go undetected for years especially in those at the more able end of the spectrum.

Although ASD is a behaviourally defined disorder, it is the end-point of several organic causes and is not primarily psychological in origin. The estimated prevalence rate of people with ASD in the UK is almost one in a hundred and rising. Overall, the disorder is four times more common in boys than girls. There has been a sevenfold increase in ASD in the last ten years; it can be reliably diagnosed between 2 and 3 years of age. There are complex, life-long developmental disabilities affecting commmunication, imagination and social interaction. Affected individuals on the autistic spectrum may be very different and intellectual ability ranges from severe learning disability to normal or above-average intellect. There is often altered sensitivity to, and abnormal processing of, sensory information and stereotypic behaviour.

There are two distinct forms of autism: “classic” autism (once called Kanner’s Syndrome) is present from birth and remains relatively rare, and “regressive” autism, where development progresses normally until the child is typically one or two years old. Regressive autism is epidemic; a recent study estimated that one in one hundred and fifty children in California has regressive autism.

The causes of ASD are not clear. It is generally agreed that genetic and environmental factors are both implicated. Children with ASD have been found to have a range of abnormalities affecting different body systems. These abnormalities and systems interrelate but can be usefully separated into the following categories:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Toxic metals
• Other toxins
• Allergy
• Infection
• Autoimmunity
• Immunology(including vaccination)
• G protein defects      
• Genetics

 

At Breakspear Hospital, we start with an examination of the patient’s medical and family

history and follow with a series of laboratory tests to measure levels of toxic metals and nutritional state as well as other investigations in order to understand which areas must be addressed through nutrition, chelation, treatment of allergies by using low-dose immunotherapy, which is a neutralising technique that stops allergic reactions, giving respite to the body and building immunity. Often a special diet and supplements are recommended; these have produced success in most of our patients, though it must be emphasized that each child is different and response to a given treatment varies from one to another. Combination therapy appears more effective than treatment with single agents.

New ASD Team

Note: For many years, Dr Christopher Heard has had a special interest in ASD patients at Breakspear Hospital and had been Defeat Autism Now! registered, however, Dr Heard retired from practice at the end of March 2008.

In order to provide complete, targeted care, we have formed an ASD Team. Each member has a special area of interest and unique set of skills to help the many different needs of all ASD patients. We all have been extremely fortunate to have been able to recruit more specialist doctors to our clinical team and we have arranged their future schedules to provide a comprehensive and full-time biomedical service in order to ensure that someone from our ASD Team is available at all times.

The members of our ASD team are:

Mr Ron Leon Nutritional Consultant, has 10 years training in nutrition. In early 2008 he was shadowing the now-retired Dr Christopher Heard and is Defeat Autism Now! registered.

Dr Christabelle Yeoh has been working with us for over 2 years and is experienced in nutritional, environmental, toxicological and metabolic medicine. Dr Yeoh is a Defeat Autism Now! registered practitioner.

Dr Peter Julu, Specialist Autonomic Neurophysiologist and Consultant Physician/Senior Clinical Lecturer, is the world authority on autonomic abnormalities in children, particularly neurodevelopmental disorders. He also works at the Royal London Hospital, is Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary’s University Hospital, London and is a consultant in Sweden and Denmark.

Dr Jean Monro has worked in environmental medicine for the past 28 years and the biomedical management of children with behavioural disorders has always been part of her practice.

 

Ron Leon will be co-ordinating the clinical administration for the ASD team and will be in daily contact with the rest of us. He will be your primary email contact for the whole ASD team and will be able to respond to, or pass on your email queries promptly. All emails should be sent to asd@breakspearmedical.com

A consultation with one of the doctors will be necessary for Prescription Only Medicines. If your consultation is with Ron Leon, it will normally be possible to make an appointment for a brief medical consultation on the day of your visit. Please phone Reception on 01442 261 333 ext. 300 to make appointments.

For prices, see Patient Information.

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References:

Baird G, Cass H, Slonims V. Diagnosis of autism. BMJ 2003;327:488-93.

Bradstreet JJ. Testimony before the US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform, April 25, 2001.

California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Developmental Services. Changes in the population of persons with autism and pervasive developmental disorders in California’s Developmental Services System: 1987 through 1999. A Report to the Legislature. Sacramento, CA: Department of Developmental Services, 1999.

National Autistic Society. Diagnosis of autism: a brief guide for health professionals. London: NAS; 2001.

Wing, L, Gould J. Severe impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: epidemiology and classification. J Autism Dev Disord 1979;9:11-29.