There has also been important discussion about social, economic, and institutional access of families and their need for support in these spheres. While this can certainly help families cope, it does not directly address autism as a condition.

Autism is diagnosed under guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed based on social, emotional, and cognitive behavioural deficits and impairments. However, researchers across the globe are searching for testable biomarkers for autism. Autism is therefore a medical-psychiatric/psychological, and mental health diagnosis. It is not an educational diagnosis.

Autism is diagnosed by developmental paediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, or neurologists. Speech and language therapists can assess and contribute to an autism diagnosis, usually as part of a multidisciplinary team. Autism cannot be diagnosed by an educational psychologist. Autism is not a learning disorder, but it is a condition that can have implications for learning. Additionally, people with autism may have learning disorders like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and others, along with their autism diagnosis.

There is an unquestionable need for a comprehensive education policy for children with autism. There is also a need for an approach to lifelong learning with continuous intervention support across the lifespan of all people with autism, of any age. However, some of the most significant contributors to the experience of autism from birth to old age, are matters related to health and mental health. There is therefore a need for a comprehensive autism health policy in Barbados.

How we generally think about autism

When we speak about autism, the focus is usually on the outputs of behaviours and learning and not the inputs to behaviour and learning. That is, we do not focus on what causes behaviour, we tend to look at the behaviour as the starting point and try to stop problematic behaviours. All human behaviours are rooted in functions of the brain and its development – the central nervous system and sensory experience, neurotransmitters, hormones, metabolic processes, motor control and several other integrated biological factors. Behaviour is also influenced by social and emotional factors, but they too are influenced by the workings of the brain as we engage with the physical and social world around us. Doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists know this but the conversation in Barbados about autism only focuses on teachers and the education system. It is time for the conversation to include health and medical issues in autism intervention, care, and management.

Notably, whenever things reach an emergency point for a child, adolescent or adult with autism, the response is usually a health or mental health response, not an educational response. When people must be hospitalised for gastrointestinal disease, or psychological/psychiatric crises and emergencies, or children medicated to manage their behaviour in classrooms, the response is within the health and mental health systems. So, what happens to create a gap between the moment of diagnosis within the medical-psychiatric-psychological fields and the situations of emergency requiring hospitalisation? How is it within the health fields at the start and in the worst-case scenarios, but in between there, it is treated as an educational matter?

Therapies and education are the engagement tools to stimulate brain plasticity for change and learning to occur. The focus of every therapy is to use an external tool, method, or approach to stimulate an internal change in the brain. The indicator of change is a new output of expected behaviour. But even before we get to therapeutic interventions, even before we get to new learning, there must be consideration of what the child starts with, from the time of conception and development; the state of their health as the foundation for learning; and the early exposures to factors that affect their health and developmental trajectory.

A missing piece of the autism puzzle that we are never speaking about in Barbados is health. Thus, we are only barely touching the surface of the potential autism support that could be available here. There is so much more that needs to be done to optimise the lives, well-being, and full potential of persons with autism.

Health status of women prior to conception and the relationship to autism

For years, it was thought that autism had a genetic basis. However, the most current research on autism recognises the interaction of a combination of both genetic susceptibilities and environmental factors, or epigenetics, as contributing to the development of autism. Epigenetic factors related to autism consider the link between exposure to chemical and environmental toxins and pollution, medications, viruses, bacteria, etc. and the genetic profiles of some individuals. Susceptible people may have difficulty with detoxification and a decreased capacity to reduce the inflammatory responses that exposure to certain environmental factors may trigger.

Recent research, like Association Between Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matters and Risks of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: a Systematic Review and Exposure-response Meta-analysis, in the Journal of Environmental Research Letters 2021, and other similar research, have identified exposure to and bioaccumulation of toxins within women’s bodies prior to conception. In multiple studies, toxins which have been found in the placenta and cord blood of pregnant women, the breastmilk of mothers, and within some infant formulas, have been identified as related to autism. This means that exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, and many other pollutants may be occurring from conception within the mother-to-be, throughout pregnancy, very soon after birth and in the early infant and toddler period.

Therefore, if we really want to look at making a difference with autism in Barbados, we need to address pollution and toxic chemical and environmental exposures. We need to examine gardening and farming practices that are pesticide, antibiotic and hormone free, rearing animals for consumption that are organically raised and grass fed. It is also necessary to seek to reduce exposures to air pollution and other sources of pollution, so that pre-pregnancy exposures are reduced and developing infants and children are protected from exposure from conception to birth and beyond. There must also be encouragement of breastfeeding by mothers who are eating an organic, non-toxic diet, and provision of safe organic baby foods and infant formulas for our infants and toddlers, as other research has found toxins in some baby food. These types of considerations are a preventative health matter.

The post A Missing Piece of the Autism Puzzle is health – Part 1 appeared first on Barbados Today.

As people across the globe marked World Autism Awareness Day today, Barbadians were not left out. Blue was the hue of the day as individuals wore the colour designated for autism. This evening, members of the Autism Association of Barbados and representatives of both the House of Assembly and Senate converged at the Parliament Buildings which were lit up in the colour which is also associated with calmness and acceptance. Family members Nadia, Aidan, and Robert Simmons were among those in attendance for the lighting up.

(Photo by Jeffrey Bishop)

The post Blue House appeared first on Barbados Today.

“World Autism Awareness Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with ASD”

View the full post World Autism Awareness Day 2024: From surviving to thriving on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Steps to prevent further spread of chickenpox at Mt Gay Hospital on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Natural and refined sugars and their effects on the body on NOW Grenada.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday that a person in Texas has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, otherwise known as H5N1 bird flu.

"This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. The patient reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom, and is recovering," the CDC said in a statement. "The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu."

The CDC said this is the second case of a human testing positive for H5N1 in the United States, after a previous case was observed in Colorado in 2022.

"This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low," it added. "However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection."

US TUBERCULOSIS CASES IN 2023 WERE AT HIGHEST LEVEL IN A DECADE, CDC SAYS

Last week, dairy cows in Texas and Kansas were reported to be infected with bird flu – and federal agriculture officials later confirmed infections in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.

This bird flu was first identified as a threat to people during a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong, according to the Associated Press. More than 460 people have died in the past two decades from bird flu infections, the World Health Organization says.

PUERTO RICO HEALTH OFFICIALS DECLARE DENGUE FEVER A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

Texas officials did not identify the newly infected person, nor release any details about what brought them in contact with the cows.

The CDC said it is "working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds/animals and test those people who develop symptoms." 

"Human illnesses with H5N1 bird flu have ranged from mild (e.g., eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe illness (e.g., pneumonia) that have resulted in death in other countries," the CDC also said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Unit will visit Field Road, Factory Avenue, Parkinson Field, Rock Avenue, Rock Close, Wildey Road, Wildey Garden, Terrace Road, East Terrace Avenues Nos 1 to 3, Newton Crescent, St Ann’s Road, and neighbouring districts on Tuesday, April 2.

The following day, Wednesday, April 3, Villa Road, Valerie Housing Area, Collymore Rock Main Road, McClean Gap, Brittons Cross Road, Mission Gap, Layne’s Road, Perkins Road, Seaman Road, Millyard Road, Knights Road, and Scotts Gap will be sprayed.

On Thursday, April 4, the team will go to Villa Road, Warner Road, Liverpool Road, Reece Road, London Road, Burkes Road, and surrounding communities.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, April 5, in Reece Road Nos 1 to 3, Flag Staff, Streats Road (both sides), Ifill Road (both sides), and Highgate Gardens.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

The post Fogging schedule for April 2 – 5 appeared first on Barbados Today.

He said the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for NCD Control (2023-2030) reflects this urgency by providing a comprehensive framework consisting of eight priority areas, aimed at tackling the rising burden of NCDs.

“More specifically, the strategic plan emphasises the reduction of risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy consumption of alcohol, poor nutrition, and sedentary lifestyles; through educational initiatives and policy interventions targeting communities, schools, and workplaces,” he said as he addressed the National Nutrition Centre’s Nutrition Conference, held under the theme Good Nutrition: A Prescription for NCD Prevention and Control, on Wednesday, at the Radisson Aquatica Resort.

“The plan also highlights the importance of NCD self-management and improving healthcare-provider interactions, with a focus on empowering patients and caregivers. Additionally, childhood obesity prevention efforts are prioritised through educational campaigns and creating supportive environments, particularly within schools. This healthier environment is centred on promoting appropriate levels of physical activity, front-of-package warning labels, and restricting the marketing of unhealthy products to children.”

He added that it was imperative to involve persons living with NCDs in these efforts to ensure “inclusivity and responsiveness to their needs”.

(BGIS)

The post Government aims to cut NCDs in half appeared first on Barbados Today.

As pieces of medical equipment from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Shaw Centre for Pediatric Excellence (SCPE) were being donated to the Frederick ‘Freddie’ Miller Polyclinic, Glebe, St George on Thursday, SCPE Barbados Director Dr Clyde Cave said there needed to be a refocused approach to monitoring early health challenges in children.

Far too often, parents would only take their children to be accessed during specific times of their early life, particularly surrounding their primary school enrolment, or when preparing to set the 11-plus examination, he told reporters.

“I think we are missing an area of monitoring the development of our children, which can be done by a trained person whenever you see them, but in our immunisation schedule we see them in the first year and then the second year and then we don’t see them again until four years of age. So between two and three, there are things there that can be picked up on a screen,” Dr Cave said.

“For immunisations, we don’t see them again before 11-plus, and there are things that are going on there that straddle health and education, school health systems, and those kinds of areas which are, perhaps to some parents, nontraditional medical issues.”

Dr Cave added that while some physical and health issues in children might manifest early on and have an impact on their learning abilities, parents far too frequently avoid seeking an examination.

“The first place you think of taking your eight-year-old child who may have had a change in school performance, may not often be the polyclinic or the paediatrician, but oftentimes that is where we can start the assessment. It could be something physical like hearing or vision, it could be something that we are now detecting like dyslexia or attention deficit disorder.

“In the younger ones, we are seeing more children on the autism spectrum. We don’t want to wait until 11-Plus when that problem has become ingrained and so difficult that change gets harder. We want a spectrum of monitoring children who are well or have identified problems so that we can make every Barbadian child the best that they can be,” he said.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Arthur Phillips said early signs of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and other health issues more commonly found in adults can often be detected in young children.

He said: “While it is true that most NCDs still present in older persons, there are things that we can detect in children that would allow us to intervene and make a difference. In particular issues around potentially detecting children who may have raised blood pressure. Very uncommon but possible. So if we do detect raised blood pressure in children, we can try to understand the causes and intervene early.

“That is one of the ways in which this donation may assist, and then of course our continued interest in childhood obesity. This equipment allows us to continue and strengthen our effort in terms of monitoring child development.”

Minister of Health Senator Dr Jerome Walcott, praised SCPE – the government’s partnership with Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) – for its donation of medical equipment and resources to primary healthcare institutions.

“There was a time where in primary healthcare in communities we were second to only Cuba in the region. In terms of our reach and the involvement of medical staff and nursing staff in the communities. We’ve recognised that we need to refurbish and probably expand some of these facilities to do greater outreach and provide greater services in the primary care setting,” he said.

“We need equipment, we need extra human resources and trained resources, and of course we need research. This project covers all of those.”

(SB)

The post Health officials seeking to track kid health appeared first on Barbados Today.

The medical official made the announcement to reporters following the donation of medical equipment from the Shaw Centre for Pediatric Excellence – a partnership between the government and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) – to the Frederick ‘Freddie’ Miller Polyclinic at The Glebe, St George.

While acknowledging that salt intake is a crucial contributor to high blood pressure and other chronic diseases, he said current research on taxing salt would have little discernible effect.

“In terms of the salt tax, this is something that was raised as a potential consideration, and the Ministry of Health was asked to submit documentation in terms of our position and recommendations and we have done so. In short, our view is that there is limited evidence of the potential effectiveness of a salt tax in our current setting and that the approach to dealing with excessive consumption of salt needs to be holistic. Dealing with public awareness, dealing with availability, those are the sort of drivers that we would want to focus on in terms of reducing consumption in Barbados.

“We feel that a salt tax would not have a major role to play in dealing with salt consumption in Barbados at this time, and that’s what we have indicated,” the deputy CMO said.

He said the 20 per cent excise tax on sugary drinks, which has been attributed to a decline in the sales of sodas, was different from any possible salt tax, given the number of products that can easily be found to contain added sugar.

Dr Phillips said: “With sugar-sweetened beverages, you have a defined set of products that are relatively easy to identify and to tax in terms of their tariff codes for importation. Salt is co-consumed in products, it’s a very cheap item, and so it presents itself in a wide variety of areas, and the literature unfortunately around salt tax has not indicated that it is an easy intervention to design and implement and that it is effective as a measure for reducing salt consumption.”

He added that stakeholders were still looking into the possibility of using the revenue collected from the sugar tax, to help offset prices on healthier options.

“There has been some specific work done with the Sweetened Beverage Committee and with colleagues from UWI [University of the West Indies], looking at potential cross-subsidies, potentially using some of the revenue generated by the sugar-sweetened beverage tax to then further assist in making healthier items of food more affordable,” Dr Phillips said. (SB)  

The post No salt tax appeared first on Barbados Today.