Autism, ASD
NutritionB vitamins, vitamins A, C, D, E Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium Essential Fatty Acids Cofactors: Coenzyme Q10, Biotin ToxicityUrine Toxic Metals I don’t think it is enough to test only for mercury with a “Kelmer” test for instance. And I normally do a straight, unchallenged test first, then a challenged one to see how much the excretion rises. Before doing the second one the patient needs to have full protection in place. Fat Biopsy, Mitochondrial studies These are not always necessary, but can sometimes be crucial in identifying pesticides, flame retardants and other toxins that harm health. TreatmentI learnt the hard way — which for doctors means hard for the patient — that doing detox without adequate protection can make a child worse. The damage wasn’t lasting, but since then I take full precuations anyway. Detox is usually necessary for autists, but getting the full nutritional protection in place is necessary first. NutritionCorrect deficiencies (see Nutritional deficiencies above) We run tests of nutritional status and correct any deficiencies we find. Sometimes this produces a real and rapid improvement, sometimes it does nothing evident, but it is still necessary; we all need full nutritional status to achieve full function. Protect from toxic damage |
Before removing heavy metals or other toxins we need to make sure that full protection is in place. This means not only good levels of all vitamins, minerals etc, but some specific supplements; vitamin C, melatonin, alpha-lipoic acid, etc, all as appropriate and tailored to the individual. DetoxingIt’s complicated, and it can have side-effects if you’re not careful, but detoxing — removing heavy metals such as mercury (and lead, cadmium, even uranium) is often necessary. I use DMPS, DMSA and glutathione most often. And we give them transdermally — as an oil rubbed into the skin — by preference, although each child is individual and needs individual treatment. Specific therapiesB12 James Neubrander showed that vitamin B12 by injection can, at least sometimes, produce a major improvement in autistic kids. We use his protocol often, although with our own precautions and checks. Doing this doesn’t remove the need to do the basics like correcting deficiencies though. LDN I’ll be honest; I haven’t used LDN (Low Dose naltrexone) for autistic children; I’ve used it in Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t; I suspect it’s the same in autism. Jacquelyn McCandless has researched this best and most, and says much the same. It’s a treatment option. FinallyMy view on what we do for autistic children is that we do our best to get them fit to take advantage of the training and learning options that are out there; that’s the purpose. |