Concerned Aunt

   I have a niece and a nephew that was diagnosed with autism when they were approximately five years old. They are currently seventeen and twenty-four. My husband and I were watching TV one night about fifteen years ago and we heard on the news about how pig secretion can help with Autism. Back then, I researched the information and I found this study that was conducted by the National Institute of Health and Human Development, it was titled, The use of Pig Secretion to Treat Autism, http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/secretin.cfm, retrieved on November 14, 2012. What they reported was that three children with autism spectrum disorders who under went upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and intravenous administration of secretin to stimulate pancreaticobiliary secretion. All three children increased pancreaticobiliary secretory response when compared with nonautistic patients. Within five weeks after the intravenous administration of the secretin, they show dramatic improvement in behavior, eye contact, alertness, and expansive expressive language. The clinical observations suggested an association between gastrointestinal and brain function in subjects that had autistic behavior.

   I did tell my sister-in-law about this study, but she never looked into it. I thought it was very interesting and I was in hope that she would keep an open mind. I never brought this topic up again because it is somewhat personal and their family’s business as to what they want to do or not want to do when it comes to their children. I just thought I would pass this on for “food for thought’. I also have included other websites I found interesting about this topic.

The Informed Parent

http://www.informedparent.com/legacy/article-transitional.html?secretinuseinautism

Secretin Trials: A drug that might help, or hurt, autism children is widely prescribed but is just now being tested.

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/19475/title/Secretin-Trials--A-drug-that-might-help--or-hurt--autistic-children-is-widely-prescribed-but-is-just-now-being-tested/ 

My Topic

   The career path I have chosen is education. What I mean by this is not only to learn, but to teach. I have been working with students of all ages for about eight years to date. All of my students have different challenges in their lives such as culture, drugs, pregnancy, children, homeless and many more, this list goes on and on. I have already earned Maters in Adult Education and know I want to further my knowledge by obtaining an early childhood development degree. By doing this I will be able to further understand my students and help them with their individual needs. My ultimate goal is to gain the understanding of why so many kids “fall through the cracks”, and help prevent this from happening. I came to the realization that it starts from an early age, even before birth, and I wanted to learn all about how to help prevent any child from becoming an “at risk youth”.

   All kids have the capacity to succeed in school and in life. Yet far too many children fail to meet their true potential. Many students, especially those from poor and minority families, are placed at risk by school practices that sort some students into high-quality programs and other students into low-quality education the purpose of this research is to find out ways I can help kids before they reach this point. 

Topic

The “Nocebo Effect”

Subtopics

1. Is there a link between the numbers of stressful events experienced during pregnancy and does this lead to increased, risk behavioral problems in children?
2. Do birth complications contribute to violent behavior and potentially lead to violence?
3. Can good nutrition and a loving environment help the fetus to develop their brain in a positive way?

   I have much to learn in the research process and this class has already helped me to understand the process, now all I have to do is apply it. I am open to any suggestions anyone has to offer me, thanks Tammy.