What is the Role of the Amydala in Autism?
-Kathleen Gilmore
Autism is a neurological disorder, the very structure of the brain is different. One of the ways it is different is the amygdala.
The amygdala is a small, central brain structure located deep inside the brain.
Illustration credit: Society for Neuroscience (2010). Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved October 1,2010 from: htt:p://www.sfn.org/index.aspx?pagename=brainBriefings_09_ptsd
This small structure is responsible for multiple functions from social skills to survival skills. It takes information from multiple sources, the senses, the cerebral cortex, the spinal column, the hippocampus and then sends information back out. For general information regarding the functions of this small structure check these websites:
http://www.psycheducation.org/emotion/amygdala.htm
http://www.cns.nyu.edu/home/ledoux/overview.htm
There have been several studies regarding the differences in the structure of the amygdala in the brain of an individual and the brain of a neurotypical individual. Some found them to be enlarged and others found them to be smaller. For the most part, children seem to have a larger amygdala while adults amygdala is smaller. One theory behind this is that there is rapid growth due to increased stimulation (could this be from “over wiring” of the senses?) and then the growth stops prematurely. Some children do have smaller amygdalas, could these be the children that have no fear? Those daredevils that are ready to jump off the top of the playground equipment? In addition to the physical differences, how this part of the brain is used has also been shown to have differences. Imaging found that activities that “lit-up” the amygdala for neurotypical people (looking at human faces) did not do the same for those affected by autism. These websites have insight into the differences between the brain biology of an individual affected by autism and a neurotypical individual:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/2040
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Autism/14041
In addition, here is a link to a paper which describes the theory (and the research behind the theory) that the amygdala is more instrumental in anxiety and fear in individuals affected by autism than it is the social difficulties.
Now, knowing all of this, what can we do? How can we help these individuals cope with everyday life?
As Parents and Caregivers…
Routines are very important to individuals affected by autism, partly because they are predictable and “safe”. We should recognize and honor this need. Of course, change will happen and therefore we need to build in planned changes and help teach people what strategies they can use to deal with change as well.
Pre-teach changes and new experiences. If you are going somewhere you have never been before, understand this is going to raise anxieties and very potentially trigger “fight, flight or freeze.” If you pre-teach what is going to happen, you can help relieve some of this tension. Pre-teaching can simply be talking about it (We are going to a new store today. It is big and bright. There will probably be a lot of people there. We will be there for about 15 minutes while I look for shoes. I will be with you the whole time and you will just walk with me and sit with me. You won’t have to do anything else and you can have your toy with you the whole time.) It can involve pictures of where you are going and what you will do or who you will see. Using a timer to show exactly how much longer they will need to be there (just make sure you really can leave when the time goes off.) Plan for the possibility that things may be different by using words like “might” or “could be” and try to explore all possibilities and what you will do if they come up (There might be a long line that we need to wait in. If that happens, I will let you have a box of raisins and play with my cell phone until it is time to go.) If you are going somewhere that may be more stressful, like the doctor’s office or barber shop, take a dry run first. Call ahead and let them know what you are doing and why. Go to the building, talk to the people, explain what will happen when you really have your appointment and make sure you follow up with a really enjoyable activity to help them associate with the visit positively, First, we will go to the barber, Then we will go to the ice cream shop.
If something comes up suddenly, have your own plan in place. Knowing what you will do will decrease your own stress and help you cope with the stress of those around you. So think about what you will do if you are in a public place and a person accidentally bumps into your child, triggering the “fight” response and your child kicks that person, HARD. Having a phrase you say to your child, even if you know they won’t understand it but you are truly speaking to those around you, can help. Something like, “I know that really scared you and you weren’t really thinking when you kicked him, but even though you are autistic, you need to be safe.” Making sure you react calmly will help keep your child calm and help them back down from their emotional impulse. If you were to react with a lot of emotion, the situation would certainly get worse. Don’t feel the need to apologize, but you can reach out to teach, “Please understand, she is autistic.” Or even hand out a small card explaining autism (click here for an example).
As Community Members…
If you don’t know the child, but happen to be there when a situation arises, ask the parent if you can help. Sometimes it is something as simple as retrieving a toy that is out of reach or telling the kid playing the radio to please turn it down. If a child is running recklessly from a parent or caregiver, block their progress. Be aware that you may get hurt, they are frantically attempting to escape a situation their system is telling them is life threatening and if they have to kick, scratch, bite, head butt, etc. to get away, they will. But what is the worse consequence, you get bruised, or they get hit by an oncoming car?
In addition, avoid causing the situation. Be aware that as many as 1 in 100 children are affected by autism. That means many of the children we see daily are affected and having to deal with a world that can be very scary and different. Try not to be overly loud, fast or even wear too much perfume when you are in public. Don’t look to startle children to be funny, it can be frightening. Talk to children in a normal tone of voice. Even neurotypical children who are misbehaving can be disciplined in a normal tone of voice, “If you continue to bump into my cart I will contact the store manager and/or have a discussion with your parents.” If they do not appear to hear you, they may very well be autistic.
Most of all, understand. Even the experts don’t have all of the answers when it comes to autism, but the one thing we do know, is it is not something that children or parents can “control” believe me, if they could, they most certainly would!