Dear Readers,
The journey toward good health — it’s in the news every day. It’s circulated on television, social media, newspapers, magazines…we are inundated by free-flowing advice. It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the reports, as they often contradict and they aren’t always easy to follow.
That’s why we have chosen to focus this month on excellent ways to keep children on the spectrum healthy. One obvious method is to make good food choices that will benefit our families for life. We all know that isn’t always easy, from financial and time restrictions to just having a household filled with picky eaters. Eating right, we learn, affects the body in myriad ways. For example, in Nick Malcuit’s exclusive interview with Dr. Chad Larson, NMD, DC, the doctor explains the relationship between diet to the gut and brain and how diet can impact behavior. As described in Expert Advice on Making Good Food Choices Every Day with Your ASD Child, by eliminating certain foods from the diet and replacing them with healthier choices, Dr. Larson believes we have the power to lessen certain behaviors and stressful situations with children who have autism.
We are thrilled to also feature advice from Dr. Raphael Kellman. In his article, Advice on How the Thyroid/Autism Connection Can Make a Difference, Dr. Kellman discusses a significant connection between the thyroid and the brain, urging parents to consider testing levels. Often, low thyroid function treatment can lead to gains in speech, language, eye contact, motor function, growth, GI function and socialization. It’s an avenue worth investigating with your child’s doctor.
The past couple of months we have highlighted articles from Dr. Jared M. Skowron, Biomedical Autism Expert on supplements. This month, Dr. Skowran shares the promising research surrounding a supplement called Trehalose. Researched since 1925 as a disaccharide, only in the past decade has research revealed how it helps the brain. Dr. Skowran sees promise in the potential effects Trehalose may have on memory and learning.
Equally important to keeping the body a well-balanced machine is the need to exercise. Be sure to read 10 Tips for Promoting Physical and Mental Health for Your Special Needs Family by Elizabeth O. Morejon, OTD, OTR/L, C-SIPT, Michael A. Pizzi, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA and Sandra Schefkind, MS, OTR/L, AOTA Pediatric Program Manager. Together these experts provide excellent advice on low-cost ways to increase physical activity, health and wellness with your child. Your entire family will benefit.
As parents, we seem to work tirelessly in an effort to get everything right for our children. In addition to selecting healthy foods and adequate exercise programs, we can’t forget about one thing, OURSELVES. You are the most important person to your child with autism — you are the link to securing their future. Be sure to take a look at some excellent advice from best-selling author and speaker Siobhán Wilcox, a stress management expert in this issue. In New Ways to Be Happy and Healthy While Parenting an ASD Child Siobhán discusses how to reduce stress and increase your well-being. Take time to also read Living Autism Day By Day – A Focus on Family Strength by book author Pamela Bryson-Weaver, as she shares her inspiration and advice on keeping a household happy and strong. Take care of yourself because as parents, you are the glue that holds your family together.
As always, we are happy to share several personal narratives with our readers this month. Be sure to read The Day You Learn Your Child is Autistic – A Physician’s Personal Story by Francesca Buskulic, DO as she reveals her personal struggle as a patient and parent when she suspects her child is on the spectrum.
Wishing our readers good health and the infinite strength of family.
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Kind regards,
Amy KD Tobik
Editor-in-Chief
Issue 38 Features:
- Expert Advice on Making Good Food Choices Every Day with Your ASD Child by Nick Malcuit
- Pets Can Make all the Difference in the World of Autism by Michelle Huntting, B.A., CPDT-KA, ABCDT
- 10 Tips for Promoting Physical and Mental Health for Your Special Needs Family by Elizabeth O. Morejon, OTD, OTR/L, C-SIPT, Michael A. Pizzi, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA and Sandra Schefkind, MS, OTR/L, AOTA Pediatric Program Manager
- The Day You Learn Your Child is Autistic – A Physician’s Personal Story by Francesca Buskulic, DO
- New Ways to Be Happy and Healthy While Parenting an ASD Child by Siobhán Wilcox
- Affordable Emergency App Makes Difference in Autism Community by Bob Brotchie
- Workplace Opportunities For All People On The Spectrum by Eric Jager
- Father of Six Shares Valuable Life Message – The Real Reward of Parenting by Kyle Jetsel
- Advice on How the Thyroid/Autism Connection Can Make a Difference by Raphael Kellman, M.D.
- Life Perspective: When a Picture is Not Worth A Thousand Words by Steven Josias
- How to Take the Worry Out of Appointments with Your ASD Child by Gabi Morgan
- 5 Special Things You Might Not Know About Autism by Matt O’Keefe
- Fueling your Child’s Passion: An Educator’s Look at The Spark by Angelica Villafuerte
- Living Autism Day By Day – A Focus on Family Strength by Pamela Bryson-Weaver
- Trehalose: The Promising Supplement You’ve Never Heard About by Dr. Jared M. Skowron, Biomedical Autism Expert
- Promising New App Can Help ASD Kids Communicate Better – Press release
- 5 Simple Ways to Achieve Playdate Success with Your ASD Child by Sarah Kupferschmidt, MA, BCBA
- How To Help Your Aspie Learn social skills: The 6 P’s to Social Skills Coaching for Parents by Southeast Psych
- What Happens to My Child’s Coverage if Special Needs Support is Cut? by Ryan F. Platt, MBA, ChFC, ChSNC
- Banana Crunch Pops and Crispy Fish Balls Sure to Delight by Elouise Robinson, Autism Food Club
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