Autism and Theory of Mind

We often hear or read that those with autism lack “Theory of Mind” (ToM). What exactly does this mean? For the answer we went to our own Dr. Emily Rastall. Here’s what she told us.

Theory of Mind (ToM) is defined as an understanding that others have minds that are different from our own. More specifically, it is the understanding that others have thoughts, feelings and perspectives that differ from ours. In short, ToM allows us to understand and predict the behaviors of others based on what we think they might be thinking. For example, though we may not be feeling sad ourselves, we can imagine another’s perspective and empathize with someone who might be having a hard day.

The classic Theory of Mind task (called the Sally-Anne task) exemplifies this understanding that others have minds that are different from our own. In the task a child must determine what another’s response would be based on false belief. In the task, the child observes two models (Sally and Anne). One of the models (Sally) places an object in a hiding spot and then leaves. The second model (Anne) moves the object to a new hiding spot.

When Sally returns, the child must indicate where she (Sally) will look for the object. In order to respond correctly, the child must be aware that Sally did not see the object being moved and therefore has the false belief that the object is where she originally placed it. Researchers have shown that prior to four years of age, children’s responses are inconsistent, with some children showing this ability while others do not. However, between the ages of 4 and 6 years, this ability emerges and becomes consistent in typically-developing children. This “mentalizing” ability appears to be impaired in individuals with autism.

Within the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), deficits in ToM may be at the core of many of the behaviors associated with the disorder. For example, ToM limitations may lead to misreading or failure to read emotions, intentions, or cues from others. In addition, ToM challenges may lead to limited expression of empathy toward others. ToM deficits may also result in one approaching a social situation with assumptions that may not be accurate. Finally, reciprocity (the give-and-take, mutual benefit of a relationship) may be impacted, as a result of having challenges picking up on cues from the social environment.

ToM may help parents and others to understand the often perplexing behavior of children with ASD such as:

•   Inappropriate reaction to the emotional expression of others (i.e.: laughing or not “getting it” when someone is angry or sad)
• ·         Difficulty understanding that their behavior has an effect on others
• ·         Assuming that what they think and feel is what others think and feel
• ·         Difficulty with taking turns in a conversation and asking questions about the other         person or allowing him or her to share what their interests are
• ·         Difficulty understanding characters in a book or movie or engaging in pretend play
• ·         As such, it’s important for family members to remember that these perplexing behaviors are not willful or intentional, but the downstream effect of challenges with TOM.

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HOW CAN I LOSE WEIGHT?

How can I lose weight

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD

WebMD Expert Column

How can I lose weight, It's always common question in some peoples mind. Working on weight loss? Then you probably want results -- fast.Let me save you some time: skip the fad diets. Their results don't last. And you have healthier options you can start on -- today!

You can safely lose 3 or more pounds a week at home with a healthy diet and lots of exercise, says weight loss counselor Katherine Tallmadge, RD.

How to Lose Weight Fast

If you burn 500 more calories than you eat every day for a week, you should lose about 1-2 pounds.If you want to lose weight faster, you'll need to eat less and exercise more.

For instance, if you take in 1,050 to 1,200 calories a day, and exercise for one hour per day, you could lose 3-5 pounds in the first week, or more if you weight more than 250 pounds. It's very important not to cut calories any further -- that's dangerous.Limiting salt and starches may also mean losing more weight at first -- but that's mostly fluids, not fat.

"When you reduce sodium and cut starches, you reduce fluids and fluid retention, which can result in up to 5 pounds of fluid loss when you get started," says Michael Dansinger, MD, of NBC's The Biggest Loser show.

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Why do we need food supplements?

Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in our modern society fresh food is a thing of the past. They so called fresh fruits and vegetables we buy today have little nutritional value because they are grown in nutrient-deficient soil, picked before they ripen naturally, gassed, irradiated, artificially ripened and stored for days before we eat it. Therefore, our diets lack the essential building blocks of functional foods vital to our health and well-being.

why we need to take supplements at all. Most people that aren’t in some sort of health crisis, wonder why they need to take a supplement. “I feel fine…why would I need to take anything?” Here’s some reasons why it is important that everyone take some sort of natural, whole-food supplement:

• Depleted Soils
• Long Transit Time for Delivery
• Overcooking Our Foods
• Not Eating Regular Meals
• Normal Aging = Digestion Issues
• Stress, Stress, Stress = Compromised Immune Syste

Natural and herbal supplements can help to restore the body to a place of balance. But it’s probably going to take more than one thing; or even two. Generally, it might take between 5-10 supplements to help restore your health. And if there is a “serious” health issue on the table, it will take much more than that.

Of course nothing will take the place of eating a good and healthy diet. But taking good-quality, whole-food based natural supplements can go along way towards helping you maintain a better level of health. Particularly if you’ve got some bad habits (like skipping meals and not eating organic), you need them even more!

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Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

• More than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes.
• In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high blood sugar.
• More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• WHO projects that diabetes deaths will double between 2005 and 2030.
• Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

In the United States, nearly 26 million children and adults – that’s 8.3 percent of the population – have diabetes. It affects the young, old and everyone in between. It’s a disease that costs the U.S. $174 billion each year. But, many people (about 7 million) don’t even know that they have diabetes. And this costs us too. Not only is it hurting the health of millions, but undiagnosed diabetes costs around $18 billion each year.

It’s not getting much better either. In 2010, 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people 20 years of age and older. And the complications of diabetes are serious – heart disease and stroke, hypertension, blindness, kidney disease, amputation, complications in pregnancy and depression are just a few. But there are ways to fight diabetes. Living a healthier lifestyle can help prevent type 2 diabetes and using the resources, services and tools available can help you manage your diabetes and live well

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