Autistic Spectrum Disorders
ADHD | Asperger’s | Developmental Delay | Learning Disabilities
Autism represents itself both diagnostically and functionally as a spectrum of disorders.
On one end of that spectrum one could place classic Autism and place Attention-deficit Disorder on the other end of the spectrum. PDD (pervasive developmental disorders) and Asperger’s Syndrome fall in between.
In addition to Autistic symptoms or behaviors, each child has their own medical issues. Some children have chronic gastrointestinal problems (e.g. reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, maldigestion, malabsorption), others have immune dysregulation (e.g. allergies, recurrent infections, autoimmune phenomenon), still others present with metabolic abnormalities (e.g. methylation abnormalities, transulfuration problems, mitochondrial dysregulation, detoxification problems). Some children face all of these challenges in addition to other physiologic symptoms.
The dramatic rise in the rate of Autism and related disorders, without any concordant change in diagnostic criteria, led us to investigate environmental factors that could affect genetically susceptible children. We believe that underlying biochemical abnormalities and problems may cause or significantly contribute to these disorders. By addressing abnormalities at the source reversal of Autism can become a reality.
Spectrum children show consistent abnormal trends in the biochemical make-up of amino acids; glutathione; and plasma sulfur, zinc, & selenium . We see elevated:
- markers associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction
- ratios of copper to zinc in the serum,
- microbial metabolites in the urine indicative of yeast or bacterial overgrowth
- brain & thyroid auto-antibodies in serum indicative of autoimmune disease
- unusually elevated immune markers associated with vaccine components implying unusually strong reactions to their vaccinations
- abnormally high elemental toxins on provocative challenge (e.g. mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and aluminum) indicative of toxic metal body burden
We tailor treatments to address these abnormalities including:
- orthomolecular supplementation for amino acids
- vitamins, minerals and macronutrients to support metabolic abnormalities
- immune therapy for autoimmune disease and immune dysregulation
- detoxification for abnormal metabolites and heavy metals
- naturopathic and allopathic interventions to address the physiologic symptoms and disease processes.
Our holistic approach addresses the whole patient from biochemistry to physiology to psychology to spirituality. Autistic Spectrum Disorders are cataclysmic of body systems and biochemical pathways failing. Biomedical interventions endeavor to synergistically restore, rebuild and support the damage and the inherent weaknesses. This normalizes the body’s function and allows the body’s innate healing capacity to take over.
If you have an affected child, please let us help you to move toward recovery. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians.
These same treatment principles have proven extremely effective for children with learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, auditory or visual processing disorder, dyspraxia).
