Wis. surgery reduces autism related screaming
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A University of Wisconsin Health doctor is doing a surgery that helps quiet autistic kids who scream loudly and repeatedly.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports Vicki Hanegraaf looked into the surgery for her 16-year-old son Kade who would scream louder than a lawn mower more than 1,000 times a day.
In a news release, Hanegraaf, of Appleton, says it was horrific and they couldn't go anywhere.
In 2011, Seth Dailey, a UW Health surgeon and ear, nose and throat doctor, separated the cartilage in Kade's vocal cords, creating a larger gap for air flow and limiting the sound power.
Since then, Kade has screamed 90 percent less often and at half the volume. The surgery is reversible.
Dailey reported on Kade's surgery in March's Journal of Voice.
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