Autism / ADHD

If you have a child diagnosed with ADHD or Autistic Spectrum disorder, you may have been told that your child has a genetic problem for which there is no cure, and that medication and behavioural therapy can help but ultimately it is a lifelong condition.

There is increasing evidence that these conditions (as well as asthma, allergies and other similar problems) are due to environmental toxins that cause problems with digestion, the immune system, and the nervous system, including the brain.

Food Allergies - Children with these disorders often have chronic problems with food allergies and as a result, can't digest the vitamins and minerals in their foods or supplements. Or they may become 'spacy' or 'hyperactive' as a result of eating certain foods.

Heavy Metals - They may also have high body levels of heavy metals such as lead or mercury from polluted air, water, or even eating fish that swim in polluted waters.

Toxic Solvents/Plastics - Solvents or other toxins from flame retardants are present not only in the air we breathe, but also in the fabrics and furniture we use. Think, for example, of that 'new car smell' - those are solvents.

Overuse Of Antibiotics - Multiple courses of antibiotic therapy — necessary to help combat serious infections — are proving to be a double-edged sword. We now know that antibiotic use can upset the balance of bacteria and yeast in the digestive tract. The resulting incomplete digestion and inflammation can create immune system imbalances and disrupt neurologic function.

In my training from Defeat Autism Now!, I have learned that both autism and ADHD are treatable.

To establish the source of the problem(s) in ADHD, autism and other chronic childhood conditions often requires detective work via specialized testing of stool, urine and sometimes blood.

Some of the common tests we may want to consider are the following:

Comprehensive digestive testing: This is done using stool samples that are sent to Metametrix labs in Atlanta, Georgia for DNA analysis. This can pinpoint the presence of intestinal yeast, bacteria and/or parasites that may be missed by more conventional tests. It can also detect the presence of gluten intolerance and gut inflammation, and can help determine whether important vitamins and minerals are being digested and absorbed into the body.

IgG Food Allergy Testing: This is run though US Biotek labs in Seattle, USA. While many people are familiar with the 'scratch' (or IgE) test done by allergists, testing the blood for IgG antibodies can often pinpoint foods which cause reactions hours or days after a food is eaten. These reactions often contribute to gut inflammation in many children with autism and ADHD. Additionally, problems such as asthma, eczema, allergies and chronic ear infections may also respond to elimination of foods identified though IgG testing.

Hair/urine metals testing: Both are performed through Doctor’s Data lab in the US. While we use both types of testing to determine body levels of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, we’ve found that in children under 5 years old, hair testing tends to be a more practical way of determining whether metals may be a problem, and to monitor ongoing detoxification programs.

Organic acid testing: This is a urine test also performed through Metametrix labs. An organic acid profile can pinpoint problems with nutrient deficiences, detoxification, metabolism, or brain neurotransmitters that are often missed by conventional testing. It can also help us individualize nutrient therapies to help improve such issues as hyperactivity, stimming and problems with speech and attention.

Book Resources for Autism/ADHD

I recommend that all parents read this book as they are investigating biomedical therapies for autism and ADHD - it lays out a comprehensive program that we all follow in an easy accessible form:

• Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: the groundbreaking program for the 4-A disorders. Kenneth Bock, MD and Cameron Stauth. Ballantine Books, 2007.

There are other books we recommend as well to help become familiar with the biomedical approach:

• Recovering Autistic Children. Stephen M. Edelson, PhD. and Bernard Rimland, PhD. Autism Research Institute, 2006
• Changing the Course of Autism: A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians. Brian Jepson, MD with Jane Johnson. Sentient Publications, 2007.
• Children with Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jaquelyn McCandless, MD. Bramble Books, 2005.

One of the more controversial issues in autism research is the area of possible links with vaccination. Dr. Bock addresses this in his book, but for a more in depth and balanced view, I recommend the following book by Dr. Stephanie Cave, MD a family practice physician in Louisiana, USA:

• What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations. Stephanie Cave, MD. with Deborah Mitchell. Warner Books, 2001.

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