Published October 24, 2007 in the North Island Weekender

For the last century Autism was thought to be a psychological illness, now it is increasingly being shown that it is very much a biological disorder due to organic not psychological causes. What this means is that autism needs to be treated as whole-body disease, rather than just a disease of the brain.

Autism expresses cognitive, communication and interaction difficulties. There are many aspects making up the diagnosis ranging from lack of eye to eye contact, delayed language development to symptoms of hyperactivity and attention deficit that is evaluated by a trained health care provider. There are over 200,000 Canadians or one in every 165 children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the US this number is over one million with one in seventy eight of the general population affected in certain jurisdictions such as Brick Township, New Jersey, home to a toxic landfill! The three most common types of Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) the general term for autism are: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger’s Syndrome considered to be a milder form of autism, and Atypical Autism where children manifest only two of the three criterion for diagnosis.

Naturopathic physicians also look at the following as complicating factors and when treated autistic children often improve. These include: inability to process casein and gluten, fungal overgrowth, digestive problems, leaky gut syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune problems, weakened immunity, chronic upper respiratory infections and heavy metal toxicity. (According to Dr. Robert Abel N.D who sees hundreds of autistic children per year most autistic child tests positive for lead or mercury toxicity.) According to DAN (Defeat Autism Now), autistic children have skewed immune systems which means that viruses and fungi affect the digestive system that leads to inflammation affecting mood, sleep, appetite, memory, learning and social interaction.

What are the causes of autism? This is greatly debated but according to mounting research certain vaccinations may trigger symptoms within 2-4 weeks after the administration of the vaccine. Other causes include: lead and mercury toxicity, viruses, cranial distortions from birth trauma, genetics, allergies and sensitivities and fatty acid synthesis disorders.

What Can You Do?
Avoid allergens: New evidence shows that allergies affect the brain and nervous system, not only mucous membranes and the skin. Ask about Dr. Pincott’s newsletter on “How Wheat Affects Your Brain”. The most common allergen or sensitivity found in autistic children is to gluten and casein. Food allergens such as MSG, BHA, BHT, artificial coloring and sweeteners such as aspartame, may also play a role in autism.

Avoid mercury: During pregnancy, patients of naturopathic physicians are encouraged to avoid fish and obtain the important DHA and EPA essential fatty acids and vitamin D required for optimal brain health, from purified fish oils such as Carlson’s or Nordic Naturals Cod liver oil. Why is it that mercury is not safe for food additives, over the counter medication and mercury thermometers are no longer available but it is still safe to put into vaccines?

Avoid Toxins: Ask for total disclosure on the contents of the vaccines. Many still contain mercury called thimerosal. There is a long list of ingredients in vaccines including aluminum, formaldehyde, antibiotics and sugar. In the United States the average child receives 33 doses of 10 different viral and bacterial vaccines by the time the child is five, not to mention the additive affect of the preservatives! Toxins such as cadmium, manganese, nicotine, pesticides, dioxins, PCB’s and solvents in paint, glue and cleaning products are a threat to child development as stated in a report by Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility. In one year alone (1997) in the United States, industrial plants released more than one billion pounds of these chemicals in the air, water and land!

Support the Immune System, Detoxify and Treat Deficiencies: This is done by optimizing the intestinal health with excellent probiotics such as HMF forte, and fortifying the diet with supplements such as purified cod liver oil, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins and homeopathic remedies. Simple detoxification programs include medicinal clay baths which gently remove heavy metals over months with good results.

In my clinical experience if the autistic child can be treated very soon after the onset of symptoms, the prognosis of recovery is much greater and the results can be astounding. If many months or years have passed since diagnosis then naturopathic treatment is very much encouraged along with a very high dose of patience! Remember that to create an “oil change” in the brain, replacing bad fats with good DHA and EPA can take two years!

There is much hope for autistic children if they are treated with a multidisciplinary approach including applied behavioral analysis.