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The Teitelbaums conducted a unique study about ten years ago. For the study Philip Teitelbaum, a professor of psychology at the University of Florida, requested video tapes of infants who had later been diagnosed with autism. Together, the couple went over the tapes frame by frame - and using a specialized technique, came up with a list of developmental differences which, they say, are indicators of autism.
For years, they have worked to push the medical community to accept - or at least more fully research - their theories. Finally, in frustration, they produced a book for parents. Their hope is that parents will use the book to find these markers in their own children - and perhaps push their doctors to diagnose and treat their infants. In the long run, the Teitelbaums hope, this book will be the first step in a new era of ultra-early diagnosis and treatment.
While the Teitelbaums may be absolutely right in their theories, however, no further work has been done to confirm their findings. No one has looked at actual infants, found these developmental markers, and then watched to see whether those infants did, in fact, develop autism. Their theory remains a theory - and because the Teitelbaums are researchers, not clinicians, we still don't know whether the very early treatments they recommend are likely to have any particular impact on the development of autism.
In my opinion, the fact that there is so little research behind this theory - and so little support for parents who use the book - means that this book was written too early, and for the wrong readers. While I understand the Teitelbaums' frustrations, I think a manual for parents should be based on solid research - not a single video-based study conducted by a single team.
But I'm not a medical activist - I'm a writer concerned that parents of children with autism are already too anxious and too overwhelmed. I worry that this book will just add to the anxiety load without offering much in the way of help. What's your opinion?
My son would had the one to show those markers and he did. The hard thing about infants is just how debilitating can autism be for them? Many parents would miss earlier signs since babies pretty much are relying on full parental care and hardly are social bee’s or showing sensory issues. An overly quiet child to a parent is a dream. A child who cries all the time has colic. When we’re talking babis, there can always be a reasonable explanation, and I found many. Turns out, all my explanations were wrong. I blew off many very early things as umm, that’s odd but ok. I asked my sister once when my son was an infant, if her then age 7 daughter did this or that? Her answer was she couldn’t remember that far back and who notices those things? Well, then I felt odd.
Just imagine if I had started reading about autism in those infant years? I still may of had a hard time getting any doctor to listen (my own sister didn’t) but I could of had a better understanding of my own child all the sooner. Imagine if doctors noticed sooner, how much more sooner help can come for that child.
Also, in the media a celebrity will make a comment of an early behavior and not even realize what they just said. I have heard this twice so far off the top of my head. In my opinion the research or book wasn’t done too early, it just doesn’t happen upon those with an open mind or those willing to consider autism might had been then sooner than they thought or noticed. I think this research by far goes unnoticed which is a shame since it could lead tomany answers.
Actually, the markers described by the Teitelbaums are not “debilitating,” nor do they include the typical descriptors like avoiding eye contact or cuddling. Instead, they have to do with issues like the shape of the baby’s mouth, the way they move when they’re tilted, and so forth. Up to this point, these markers have not been confirmed by anyone outside the Teitelbaums, so it’s hard to know whether they’re useful or reliable.
Best,
Lisa (autism guide)
Ehhhh…parents are neurotic enough nowadays. (Present company included.) Screening for ASD based on nebulous and unproven diagnostic criteria is going to push parents over the crazy edge. Plus, for what? I mean really – are we going to start subjecting infants to ABA now? *shudders*
The indicators were there with my youngest from being 10 months old. That was when his buggy broke and we had to replace it with a new one. I think I carried him around on my hip for the next four months. Every time I tried to put him into the new buggy he would go rigid and scream. It was also about this time we tried to introduce a feeding cup instead of a bottle – again he showed great resistance. He also developed a tummy bug and because I had to change the bedding on his cot he refused to go back into the cot and screamed for the rest of the night. I have also always sung to my kids at bed time (shocking I know) but they appeared not to mind. I realised that if I changed around the order of the songs my son became very distressed. I have no idea if these indicators appear in the book but they were ours. There were many more. We were thrilled at how well he settled into a rountine for only four weeks old, little did we know how that one was to progess. Our son did not point, he did not miss me if I went missing for hours. I worked and he never once looked for me or cried. Now it’s as plain as the nose on my face but then – well it was just his little ways.
It sounds like an area that warrents more research. At this point, I’m not sure how useful it is. I’d be interested to read the book to learn more.
I also found some older research on the topic if anyone is interested.
Title: Are Infants with Autism Socially Engaged? A Study of Recent Retrospective Parental Reports
Authors:
Wimpory, Dawn C.
Hobson, R. Peter
Williams, J. Mark G.
Nash, Susan
Source: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders; Dec2000, Vol. 30 Issue 6
Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed. of http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/
I mentioned debilitating because even though my son showed signs as an infant, it wasn’t until he was older that autism did become debilitating. Doesn’t matter what study there is when it concerns babies, when you really REALLY notice there’s an issue at hand is when it does become debilitating and that’s generally toddler age.
The tilt has always been interesting to me as to it relating to my child and his over all movements as an infant and to this present day. I never of course tried this when my son was an infant, but I did when I first heard about this since my own kids movements makes this study interesting.
with all the new research coming out – this is important work and deserves a serious look.
I was a graduate student with the Teitelbaums during the work on which this book was based. I left the doctoral program to work hands on with autism (ASD) at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities in Gainesville, FL, for in fact the very reason the book reviewer suggests : more work needs to be done. THE BOTTOM LINE is that very few people are fluent in Eshkol Wachmann Movement Notation (EWMN), and therefore the study cannot be replicated, until more people learn it. EWMN is a fascinating and mathematically accurate system for the analysis of movement of any body (human, animal, robot…anything that moves through space and time). I hope more can be done to further it! Until then I must agree with the reviewer that parents should read this book- as they should ANY book – with an open and objective mind. Quite a task for anyone who expects their child might have ASD! I still believe in the parent as the #1 researcher: if YOU suspect, start seeking a professional you feel comfortable talking with : pediatrician, speech therapist, occupational therapist…and don’t stop until you find someone who listens to YOUR observations.
I believe that the problem is not that the book was written too early, but that not enough is being done to follow through on this incredibly important research!
My daughter, now 23 months, displayed these markers to a striking extreme. She was diagnosed PDD NOS a few weeks ago. I took her to the neurologist expecting a CP diagnosis and was surprised when the doctor told me the asymmetrical traits were related to the autistic traits (which we also knew she had). I found the book by the Teitelbaums after she was diagnosed, when I looked up asymmetrical and autism. I am so upset that it took me this long and so many professionals and evaluations to get this information.
Thank goodness I have raised a PDD child and have an MS in Special Education. When I noticed that my daughter jumped only on her right leg in the Jolly Jumper and dragged the left I brought a video of it into my pediatrician. My pediatrician told me to “wait and see”. I went home and thought about it. I knew that one of the most important tenants of early childhood and special needs was THE SOONER THE BETTER! So I called back and asked for a referral to a neurologist. The neurologist ordered a PT evaluation and we had Early Intervention by five months – at least for the motor problems.
However, no one knew to put the motor problems together with the PDD traits that were also becoming apparent. My daughter did very little manipulating toys and although she had a good relationship with me she withdrew from her therapists, turning her back and refusing to acknowledge them. They did an educational evaluation and said that she had autistic traits, but they were not autism specialists and treated it as a disciplinary problem with dire results. Finally out main provider was changed to a specialist in autism and we began a modified ABA approach. I am happy to say that she is making good progress.
I am probably as savvy as a parent can be as far as what to look for and getting help. I am very computer literate, have raised an AS child to adulthood (my children are 23 years apart), and have degrees in Early Childhood and Special Education. I have taught autistic preschoolers and have worked as an advocate for the disabled.
Although I am upset that is took me two years and intense effort to finally connect the dots, things has worked out pretty good for my little girl. Most parents do not have the starting point I had. Few would have known how significant it was that their four month old was only using one leg. Few pediatricians would have picked up on it on brief exams (mine didn’t). Most parents would have taken the advice to “wait and see”. After all, the doctor knows best, doesn’t she? Many parents do not know that babies do not have a dominant hand. I could go on and on regarding how many ways the system would have failed most babies, but I think my point is made.
Professionals, at least, should know that there is at least a theory that there may be a relationship between some early motor signs and autism so that if they begin to see some autistic traits developing they know to take them seriously. I don’t think children should be diagnosed based on just the motor traits, but they should get EI for the motor aspect and watched for signs of autism that might otherwise go unnoticed. The motor signs should be treated as ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE! Even if children are undiagnosed they can receive EI for behaviors and deficits that qualify as per EI evaluation. How can anyone possibly be wrong with that?
More than that, my wish is for other researchers to pick up on this and do more follow up research and case studies. There does seem to be “something there”, we just need to further define how much relationship there is and what the best thing to do is.
I am so thankful that I finally found a doctor that put all the pieces together. My other wish is for other parents to find good and appropriate information and support.
Yours Truly,
Laurette Ellis
Another researcher who worked with the Teitlebaums has gone on to do some excellent research to further their work.
Look up: Symmetry in Infancy: Analysis of Motor Development in Autism Spectrum Disorders by Gianluca Esposito and Paola Venuti
I just read their paper with more explanation of their hypothesis here: http://www.movementnotation.com/publications/docs/ReflexesGoneAstray.pdf, and I want to cry. Lisa, this is EXACTLY my child, and I have the videotapes to prove it. If you read this more detailed theory, you can see that at least for some children, this is not pie in the sky. This is extremely easy to detect, because these are specific primitive reflexes that should be gone already that are not. I actually noticed myself that my son still had certain primitive reflexes, including one that made him turn his head when he should not, and raised it with the pediatrician, who blew it off. You see in this paper a discussion of the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, and how it keeps a child offbalance. When my son was trying to walk, he walked exactly like he was fencing. We thought it was cute, but inside I worried. I knew it wasn’t normal. He also feel about every 4 steps. This isn’t a coincidence. These neck muscles are needed for speech, for balance, for pointing and gesturing … I don’t need a study because if you see what this reflex is and then you read what these neck muscles do (see here: http://www1.american.edu/adonahue/m7neck.htm), it is obvious that if a child still has these reflexes after they should have faded, then YOU HAVE A PROBLEM! is it “autism”? will all autistic kids have it? does it matter?? there is no reason why pediatricians should not be testing children to see if they still have these reflexes. REtained primitive reflexes cause ALL KINDS of problems. Whether there is a therapy or not to help is something I’m still looking up, but I am heartbroken that no one discovered this when my child was still an infant, and that I was unable to figure out on my own what it all meant.
My response is a year too late, but there are many people in the US doing primitive reflex integration. There is a new book from Dr. Harald Blomberg about his method called Movements that Heal, Rhythmic Movement Training and Relfex Integration. It is very effective and simple to do. There are many practitioners in the US and classes as well. For more informatin check http://www.rhythmicmovement.com.
Lorilee – you had a link to neck movement which I could not access. I am desperate to take a look since my 5, almost 6 month old is displaying some of the movements in Teitelbaums book. I am quite concerned but I am not waiting and have an appt for next week with a PT for evaluation