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"Pulsed Electro-magnetic Field Therapy" to Treat Autism

“I have been hearing about both the 'PEMF' mat and 'neurotherapy' which people are making huge claims about - lots of testimonials about the wonders it has done for their autistic or Asperger's children (some have used the word 'cured) but I have yet to see anything I would consider REAL evidence (all anecdotal and no one I actually know personally).   Do you have any experience with either of these, and can you make any recommendations, or do these fall into the 'if it sounds too good to be true...' category?” 

Pulsed Electro-magnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT) is a healing procedure most commonly used in the field of orthopedics for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis, depression, fractures, and failed fusions. PEMFT uses electrical energy to direct a series of magnetic pulses through injured tissue. Each pulse induces a tiny electrical signal that stimulates cellular repair.



Some research has demonstrated the effectiveness of PEMFT in suppressing inflammatory responses at the cell membrane level to alleviate pain, increasing range of motion, and healing soft-tissue wounds. There are several electrical stimulation therapy devices (FDA approved) that are available for patient use. The use of PEMFT to treat various diseases and mental illness is not commonly known by most physicians in the U.S. since it’s not yet part of the curriculum offered in medical school.

How does PEMFT relate to autism spectrum disorders?

Structural differences between autistic and “normal” brains contribute to the symptoms of autism, (e.g., sensory overload, repetitive behaviors, social skills deficits, communication problems, etc.). In one research study, autistic patients showed fewer symptoms of hyperactivity, sensory overload and repetitive behaviors at the end of the treatment period. The study also revealed that treatment did not diminish areas of "giftedness" that are often present in high-functioning autism.

Preliminary results show a great deal of promise in reducing the severity of symptoms that children and teens on the autism spectrum find most upsetting (specifically depression and sensory overload). But, needless to say, more research needs to be conducted before we can say, categorically, that PEMFT is a “must have” treatment modality in a parent’s arsenal of interventions.

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

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How to Prevent Meltdowns in Children on the Spectrum

Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's or HFA child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day -- and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

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Parenting Defiant Teens on the Spectrum

Although Aspergers [high-functioning autism] is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager on the spectrum are more difficult than they would be with an average teen. Complicated by defiant behavior, the teen is at risk for even greater difficulties on multiple levels – unless the parents’ disciplinary techniques are tailored to their child's special needs.

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Older Teens and Young Adult Children with ASD Still Living At Home

Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with ASD face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult. As one mother put it, "There's so little time, yet so much left to do."

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Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers. As a result, he or she may be perceived by adults and other children as selfish, insensitive and uncaring.

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Highly Effective Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.

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