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Study Finds Higher Levels of Toxic Metals in Kids With Autism: Our Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Discuss the Research

Posted on March 22, 2013 by

In a recent study involving 55 autistic children ages 5 to 16 and 44 healthy children of similar ages and genders, researchers at Arizona State University (ASU) found higher levels of toxic metals in the blood and urine of children with autism. They also found that levels of toxic metals “are strongly associated” with autism severity, especially mercury and cadmium. According to Healio.com, “the researchers said the reason for the higher burden of toxic metals among children with autism may stem from increased exposure to the toxic metals, increased absorptions as a result of intestinal permeability or decreased ability to excrete the toxic metals.” Researchers measured toxic metal levels in participants’ whole blood, red blood cells and urine. They found significantly higher levels of lead in the autistic children’s red blood cells and urine, as well as higher urinary levels of thallium, tin and tungsten. According to an article about…
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Child With Cerebral Palsy Uses Yoga As A Part Of Her Therapy

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Eleven-year-old Abbey Vallance has cerebral palsy. She is unable to speak, experiences frequent seizures and uses a wheelchair to maintain mobility. She has undergone multiple surgeries in order to achieve a better, less painful quality of life. Her mother, Cynthia, is always on the lookout for new ways to enrich Abbey’s life. Cynthia first thought of yoga as a way to deal with her daughter’s anxiety regarding an upcoming surgery. After inquiring at a local yoga studio about an instructor willing to work with Abbey and her disability, Cynthia was put in touch with a registered occupational therapist who includes yoga as a part of her therapy. An occupational therapist uses both mental and physical life activities (like writing a letter or cooking dinner) as a means to strengthen essential motor skills. Yoga has proven to provide both physical and mental benefits to its practitioners. The Windsor Star reported that…
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Birth Trauma Attorney Weighs In On Fraternal Twins With Autism

Posted on March 15, 2013 by

Parents Peter and Gaynelle Russert were more than surprised when they learned that at the ages of 40 and 44, respectively, they were going to be parents—and to twins nonetheless! The couple’s fraternal twins, Drew and Skyler, were almost four when they were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Skyler’s case was more severe than Drew’s, but with no family history of autism, Peter and Gaynelle began to question what other reasons could have caused this diagnosis. NBC reports that the family wondered whether environmental factors or possibly genetics caused the autism, but were never able to nail down one specific cause like most parents of children with autism. From an early age, Peter and Gaynelle involved the boys in medical studies, like a Stanford University investigation about fraternal twins with autism. Additionally, they began different forms of therapy and augmented the boys’ diet. Now 16, both Drew and Skylar…
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