Long-Term
Outcome for Children with Autism Who Received Early Intensive
Behavioral Treatment
By John J. McEachin, Tristram Smith, and O. Ivar Lovaas.
American
Journal of Mental Retardation, 1993 Vol 97 No.
4,
pp. 359 - 372.
Documents the success of ABA as a treatment for young
children with autism.
Case Study: Deterioration,
Autism, and Recovery in Two
Siblings
By Richard Perry, M.D., Ira Cohen, Ph.D., and Regina
DeCarlo,
M.D. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry,
February 1995 34:2
Written by the professionals who originally, and separately,
diagnosed
the Maurice children. Objectively documents and confirms the
successful
recovery of the children via ABA (see Let Me Hear Your Voice for the
full
saga).
Autism: Electroencephalogram
Abnormalities and Clinical Improvement
with Valproic Acid
By Audrius V. Plioplys, M.D.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Feb.1994, Volume
148
Documents three sample case studies of children who
demonstrated
marked, measurable improvement after a trial period of valproic acid.
Acquired Epileptiform Aphasia
By Roberto F. Tuchman, M. D.
Department of Neurology, Miami Childrenís Hospital,
Solomon
Klein Pavilion, 3200 SW 60 Ct., Suite 302, Miami, FL 33155.
Elaborates on the 3 different acquired epileptiform aphasias (
Landau-Kleffnerís
syndrome, autistic epileptiform regression, and disintegrative
epileptiform
regression) that may be affecting up to ONE THIRD of all children
diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder. (Source
for statistic: Tuchmanís own presentation on November 15,
1997
in
Rockville, Maryland. Other neurologists have mentioned a
range
from 25% to 40%.)
Treatment of
Electroencephalographic Epileptiform Activity on
Overnight
EEG Studies in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder or
Autism:
Defining Similarities to the Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
By Michael G. Chez, M.D., Cathleen Buchanan, M.A., Michelle Field-Chez,
M.D., Maurice F. Loeffel III, B.S., and Michael S. Hammer, M.D.
The Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders, Vol. 2 No.2, 1998,
pp. 217-229.
This article reviews the 278 children with PDD or autism who were referred to Dr. Chez for an overnight Digitrace EEG to check for acquired epileptic aphasia or LKS; includes treatment results of those children whose abnormal overnight EEGís warranted medical treatment. Concludes that ìour experience and recent reports show that early diagnostic testing with prolonged sleep or overnight EEG data collection is critical to the identification of partially or fully treatable conditions in children with PDD or autism.îLocally, we have one of the few doctors in the country who uses the most sensitive Digitrace EEG equipment to not only perform unmedicated overnight EEGs but also one of the few aggressively treating kids who turn out to have abnormal overnight EEGs:
Dr. Michael ChezContacting the office of Dr. Chez is crucial, especially if your child ever had any language and lost it, "stares" or seems deaf (although standard hearing tests are normal). If Dr. Chez is booked up, ask for his associate. Sleep disturbances are also common in these children. This may be clues that there may be a condition (usually seizures or seizure-like activity that often only can be detected with the overnight sleep EEG) that may be treatable with Valproic acid and/or Prednisone. As I understand it, get the brain working better and the kid can become much higher functioning. Meanwhile, the doctor is conducting research with other medicos to determine what is causing this abnormal brain activity.... you can get updates on the doctorís on-going research by getting on the mailing list of the Dr. Michael G. Chez Fund for Epilepsy and Autism Research (a non-profit fund established to raise monies for further medical research, research which in turn may help persuade other neurologists to replicate Chezís testing and treatment of kids with abnormal overnight EEGís, and thus eliminating the need for a long wait for an appointment) - a periodic free newsletter, the Foundation Forum will include reports on the research projects made possible by this newly established (1999) fund. You will also be notified of education seminars/presentations. Just FAX your address to the doctorís office (indicate you wish to receive the Forum) at 847/735-0400.
(moved to Sacramento, California as of January 2007)
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