Published December 14, 2002 in the North Island Weekender
I have seen a few autistic children in my practice and would like to talk about the nutritional component of this syndrome that can make a dramatic difference. Autism was first described in 1943 by Dr. Kanner. The term was applied to children who were socially withdrawn and preoccupied with routine, who struggled with language yet who often possessed intellectual gifts that ruled out mental retardation. Asperger’s disease was applied to children who were highly verbal, bright but yet socially maladapted exhibiting bizarre obsessions. Autism often runs in families. It has become more common in the last 15 years affecting one in 150 children under the age of 10. It is five times as common as Down’s syndrome and three times as common as juvenile diabetes. The first sign that something is wrong with children is that these children do not mimic, they do not point, they are not talking by age two and they do not engage in pretend/imaginative play. Early education and speech therapy helps pull these children out of the autistic world. Looking at the physical health of the child is important too. This is where naturopathic medicine comes in.
First on the list of suspicions is the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. There is mounting evidence that autistic children have significantly higher than normal levels of the measles, mumps and rubella antibodies compared with normal children and according to Dr. Edelson this significantly affects the delicate immune system in the gut. Vaccinations may also affect the immune system by giving children a significant dose of mercury. Dr. Edelson M.D. and his approach to autism includes clearing the gut of dysbiosis (pathogenic bacteria and yeasts that over grow in the gut), determining food allergies, aiding detoxification, improving nutritional status and correcting biochemical irregularities. Dairy and wheat are the common food allergens however blood IGG testing is more accurate in determining other foods that may be suspect. Skin testing for food allergies is not accurate. Dr.Feingold M.D. gets good results eliminating foods containing salicylates. Eliminating yeasted foods and the overgrowth of yeast in the gut promotes the healthy colonization of the gut flora improving these children.
Often autism arises suddenly between 18-30 months of age in normal developing children. Vaccinations as well as antibiotic usage may be to blame in these cases. Antibiotics also upset the delicate immune system in the gut and cause dysbiosis.
Dr. Megson M.D. has seen a correlation with night blindness in the mother’s of autistic children. She recommends all autistic children take vitamin A in a cod liver oil supplement (make sure it is purified). Hair analysis indicates deficiencies of magnesium in these children along with increased levels of heavy metals. B6 is known to help autistic children and this may be due in part to its essential role in magnesium metabolism. Learning and behavioral problems in adults and children have been correlated to heavy metal elevations as diagnosed from a hair analysis, namely mercury, cadmium and lead. A colleague of mine diagnosed cadmium toxicity in an autistic child and chelated him with an oral chelator with dramatic results. Vitamin C is a very good chelator for lead and other environmental toxins. When the liver detoxification pathways are augmented these children do well. Dr. Judith and Robert Reichenberg-Ullman N.D in their books talk about the homeopathic approach to these children. When used in combination with the above outcomes are even better.
In summary a treatment approach for autism should include
the following naturopathic treatments as well as education and speech therapy:
1. A diet rich in essential fats; DHA, EPA and minerals including calcium and
magnesium.
2. Eliminating food allergens.
3. Evaluation of heavy metals and removal of.
4. Balancing gut dysbiosis.
5. Augmenting detoxification pathways.
6. Homeopathic medicine.
To determine specific deficiencies blood, hair and urine tests are available.
Resources: www.autismresearchinstitute.com
, www.feingold.org ,
www.edelsoncenter.com , www.icmt.com , www.ritalinfreekids.com
Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com