autism

[DeeDesai]

i didn't know where to post this question, so i am posting it here.  

1.  Deletion (1), duplication (2) and inversion (3) are all chromosome abnormalities that have been implicated in autism.  Given that if autism is a chromosomal defect, than how is it a developmental defect, and why there is no notice of symptoms before the age the two years.  

2. Can alternative medicine i.e. yoga (asans and pranayama) and also other therapies that are head massages and others or homeopathy can be useful in calming the activities of a autistic person.  

Thank you  

[MJIthewriter]

I'm not sure that all autism is caused by chromosome abnormalities. That may be one cause of autism, but I believe there are several things.  We're looking at a certain set of characteristics, perhaps a certain way a brain functions which can be the result of many things.

Think of a number in math. There's many ways you can get to the same number by different equations.  It's like that for autism as well.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Regarding your first question, the classification (even though the condition is biologically-based) in the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders has to do with the impact of the condition on aspects of development, in particular communication and attachment/social relations.

There is no reason to think that some alternative approaches might not be helpful to investigate relative to achieving an enhanced degree of physical regulation, but I know of no research that deminstrates the effectiveness of such.