Boston Globe Columnist Baard on “New” Tech for Mapping Common Autistic Characteristics

Check out this blog entry from Mark Baard about new mapping techniques to try and determine if there are any physical characteristics common to autistic children that can be used for early intervention.

Scanning Faces for Autism

(If only they will use this tech for good instead of evil…)

Claire Danes to play autistic scientist in HBO pic

Apparently Claire Danes is in negotiations with HBO to act in a movie about Temple Grandin, a leading scientist who also happens to be autistic. You can find out more about Dr. Grandin HERE.

Be careful with Sorbitol in Autistic diets with bowel issues

For those who have their children (or themselves) on special diets due to bowel issues connected with their ASD, take care when consuming items that contain sorbitol.

Sorbitol (aka glucitol) is an alcohol-based sugar that metabolizes more slowly in the body, which normally might be a good thing when you want to avoid large blood sugar spikes. However, if too much sorbitol is consumed it may cause irritable bowel syndrome to act up, causing bouts of diarrhea. It is an ingredient in some non-stimulant laxatives. It also can cause fructose malabsorption.

So if you have cut a lot of sugar out of your diet due to ASD or other issues, just make a note of how much sorbitol-sweetened foods, candies and other edible items you might be consuming if you have IBS or other intestinal issues. If you notice a difference in bowel issues when you or your ASD child consumes foods containing sorbitol, you might want to cut back on these items and substitute other items for them in the diet.

Some foods and other items containing sorbitol:

Drupes (or stone fruits) which include prunes, plums, nectarines, cherries, coconuts,
and also blackberries (druplet aggregate fruit from brambles), blueberries, and related fruits.

Other products that may contain sorbitol, or similar alcohol sugars like xylitol and mannitol:
Chewing Gum
Breath Mints
Mouth Wash
Liquid Cold and Flu medicines
Other “sugar-Free” items – check your labels for any ingredient ending in the letters “ol”.

There have been some instances where people who are habitual gum chewers (or mint eaters) have experienced a rapid and undesirable weight loss from over consumption of these items containing alcohol sugars. It is also in question if these substances might be actually dangerous for diabetics.

Related articles:
How Sorbitol causes IBS
Drugs.com FDA Info Article