The question of âhow was your day?â normally produces a rather tame answer when I present it to people. These days I find myself presenting that question and being blindsided with a âmy thumb was almost bitten off,â or âI got peed on, and it was great.â You see, I have a roommate that does Behavior Therapy for children with Autism; I am becoming more and more familiar with the disorder as time passes. I get to hear all the funny quirks and patterns that the children exhibit, and I get to learn about how conditioning and positive reinforcement works on the human mind. I see how the spectrum of Autism is essentially infinite, I have learned how truly crippling this disorder can be for the individuals, and how oftentimes inconceivably difficult and stressful it can be for the families.
April being Autism Awareness Month, letâs take some time to dive a little deeper into understanding ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Disorders) defines Autism Spectrum Disorder as: a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. Not the easiest definition to read through, but summarizes the disorder well. So you see what I mean about a big spectrum? Patterns and articulations of the disorder vary from person to person, as do the severity of symptoms.
The most recent report shows 1 in 68 children have landed on the spectrum of the disorder, significantly more of them being male. No one knows what causes ASD, and there is no âcureâ. There are plenty of frustrated parents jumping to conclusions on the cause, as well as searching for any snake oil promising relief.
As of right now, we know the best way to live a harmonious life with ASD is to use a combination of therapies to increase independence and communication skills, and reduce more problematic behaviors. With the right support, great strides can be made to help people with the disorder live happier lives. As far as pharmaceuticals go, none exist that relieve primary symptoms, though some can help with things like anxiety or OCD.
I have a vested interest in understanding the functions and applications of REST (restricted environmental stimulation therapy), otherwise known as Float Therapy. I was aware that it could be used to relieve some of the symptoms of ASD but I wasnât keen on the details. While researching for this article I came across studies that, I can objectively say, shocked me. Overstimulation and inability to process normal amounts of stimuli properly, or at all, are essentially the key parts of ASD, so some researchers decided to see what would happen if they let these kids experience a state of consciousness that isnât constant chaos for them. The study has been done and improved upon three times now, albeit I want to do an even MORE intensive one now that further strides have been made in the field. The studyâs results are impressive, as they are significant. The subjects in the studies showed positive changes in learning, social and play behavior, as well as cognitive functioning!
And what kind of tank lover would I be if I forgot the Salt? Isolation tanks are incredibly rich in Magnesium(~1,000lbs of Epsom Salt). A striking portion of the population is deficient in this mineral, and this deficiency in people with ASD can throw things into disarray. The effect it has on offensive and defensive aggressive behaviors is absolutely bananas, to save you the complicated details. This would be an unnecessary blow to their well-being, and have negative implications for their therapy, if theyâre lucky enough to receive it.
The frequency is increasing at which this mysterious disorder is occurring. While this is alarming, science hasnât found the answers for us yet. For now, we must learn how to best live with and love our brothers and sisters dealing with ASD.
Just A Skinny Boy can give us a few pointers.
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