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In most family physician, pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist offices patients report symptoms and are given a diagnosis based on those symptoms. For example, if a patient says, “I’m depressed,” they are likely going to get a diagnosis of depression and prescribed an antidepressant medication or psychotherapy for depression. If a patient complains of being anxious, he or she will likely get an anxiety disorder diagnosis and medicine or therapy for anxiety. Or, if a patient has attentional problems, he or she often gets a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD and is put on medicine to help with focus or impulse control. The problem is that none of these diagnostic labels tells us a single thing about the underlying biology of these problems. So, people end up with one-size-fits-all treatment plans, which is the cause of many treatment failures. One such disorder where this happens quite frequently is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In 2013, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, not otherwise specified were rolled into one umbrella category: ASD. The problem with this is that people now diagnosed with ASD are often presumed to be dealing with the same underlying issues…but we know this is NOT true! “I had taken my son to some of the top universities in California seeking care and don’t feel I was taken seriously. The providers at Amen Clinic have taken us seriously and looked at my son as an individual. He has been assessed medically rather than being looked at as just having behavior problems.” ~Jacqueline, mother of son with ASD After decades spent studying brain activity patterns and having seen more than 1,000 patients with ASD at Amen Clinics, we understand that the condition is not caused by one specific thing in the brain. Rather, there are at least 8-10 different factors that influence abnormal brain function. In fact, we have discovered that people with ASD tend to have brain patterns of high activity or low activity (and, in some cases, both).

High Activity Patterns:

These high activity patterns can relate to symptoms such as:

Low Activity Patterns:

These low activity patterns can relate to symptoms such as:

Additionally, research demonstrates that more than 70% of children with ASD also experience another medical or psychiatric condition, and over 40% have two or more co-existing conditions. Distinguishing between ASD and other diagnoses can be challenging because the traits of ASD often overlap with symptoms of other disorders which leads to missed diagnoses and less targeted treatment. It is not unusual to have two different people with ASD who have virtually the same symptoms, but radically different underlying brain function issues. One might have low activity, the other high activity. Do you think they’ll respond to the same treatment? Of course not! Treatment needs to be tailored to individual brains, not a cluster of symptoms. Due to the variability of the underlying brain function problems in ASD and the complicating factor of a high rate of co-existing disorders, SPECT brain imaging is extremely useful for revealing otherwise hidden information. This helps us select the best course of treatment for each person with the disorder. ASD is a multi-faceted and misunderstood condition; Amen Clinics can help decipher the right treatments and protocols. If you would like to learn more, please visit us online or call 888-288-9834 today.

In 2013, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS (not otherwise specified) were rolled into one umbrella category: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ASD is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition characterized by developmental delays, communication problems, abnormal social skills, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems – but the range and severity of the symptoms can vary widely. The symptoms of this disorder may be noted as early as age 1-2 but a child is often not formally diagnosed until 4-5 years old. 

Currently, the neuroscience community does not have a clear understanding of what is causing these symptoms to occur in a majority of cases.

A very small percentage (5-10%) of ASD cases are determined to have a specific medical cause to explain the condition from either genetic disorders (Fragile X Syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis), exposure to infectious agents (Toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalovirus, or Rotavirus), or from exposure to specific toxins (such as mercury, lead, or thalidomide).

For the remaining 90-95% of cases of ASD, no specific cause is known.

What we DO know is that ASD is not caused by just one thing. Rather, this broad condition can have many different causes. Similarly, there is not just one brain problem found in ASD, but actually 8-10 factors that can influence abnormal brain function.

During the past few decades, Amen Clinics have seen more than 1,000 adults and children with ASD. The SPECT studies of these patients reveal that their brain patterns tend to have high activity or low activity (and both in some cases):

Low Activity Patterns

High Activity Patterns

Due to the variability of the underlying brain function problems in ASD, SPECT imaging is extremely useful for revealing otherwise hidden information. In addition, a detailed clinical history, neuropsychological testing and laboratory studies may be used to target treatment specifically to the brain using the least toxic, most effective means. 

If we don’t look, how do we know exactly what we’re treating?

Autism is a multi-faceted and misunderstood condition; Amen Clinics can help decipher the right treatments and protocols. If you would like to learn more, please visit us online or call 888-288-9834.

ASD is characterized by developmental delays, communication problems, abnormal social skills, learning disabilities and behavioral problems—all ranging from mild to severe. While some symptoms are apparent during infancy, most children exhibit ASD symptoms between the ages of 1 and 2. The frequency of being diagnosed with an ASD has been increasing at an alarming rate over the past 20 years. As the fastest growing developmental disability, it is estimated that 1 in every 68 births will now be affected. Additionally, boys are almost 5 times more likely than girls to have this disorder. Having seen more than 1,000 patients with an ASD at Amen Clinics, we understand that the condition is not caused by one specific thing in the brain, but that there are actually 8-10 different factors that influence abnormal brain function. Watch this short video in which Dr. Daniel Amen shares more about ASD, including: Brain SPECT imaging can be incredibly helpful for those with ASD. The SPECT studies of these patients reveal that their brain patterns tend to have high activity or low activity (and both in some cases).

High Activity Patterns in ASD:

Low Activity Patterns in ASD:

As you can see, brain activity patterns in ASD are quite varied, making it even more important to “look” at the brain with SPECT imaging. If we don’t look, how do we know exactly what we’re treating? If you would like to learn more about how Amen Clinics can help with ASD, please contact us or call 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit today.