| Step #3:
Consult a DAN! Practitioner and Conduct Tests |
|
Overview
OK, here's where we need your complete attention, so please
read carefully. Leading-edge research continues to reveal metabolic abnormalities
commonly found in children with autism. Parents and physicians have witnessed
improvements to health, behavior, and development ranging from good to recovery
when such abnormalities are corrected. Improvements occur through the course
of biomedical treatments specific to the child's condition. Treatment is established
by addressing problems such as gastrointestinal issues, metabolic problems,
nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, and special dietary needs. Please note that
all these issues are easily revealed through the testing we're about to describe.
We cannot stress enough the importance of this testing, but
before we get started, we need to establish a few things:
1. Most General Practice Physicians, including Neurologists,
will not suggest--let alone encourage--the testing or alternative treatments
we're about to describe. Medical doctors are trained to treat with corrective
surgery and treating specific symptoms with prescription medication.
2. Although a small number of exceptions exist, most General
Practice Physicians and Pediatricians have little or no experience with autism.
Needless to say, these individuals are unfamiliar with current research, including
treatment. Your child needs to be seen by a specialist in the field of autism,
preferably a DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) Physician.
3. You don't need to be a PhD to request and pursue these tests. Granted,
the more you understand, the better off you'll be, but don't let skepticism
or difficulty in grasping the following concepts discourage you from getting
some answers as soon as possible.
4. None of these tests are dangerous or painful. Most
tests are conducted on samples of your child's blood, stool, urine, or hair.
5. Don't overlook or dismiss the testing and treatment that
could change your child's life.
Test
Recommendations
Digestive Function: Metabolic processes, specifically
those that occur in the "gut" (the intestine) play an important (critical)
role in the maintenance of a normal functioning brain. The intestine
has three primary functions; food digestion, absorption of nutrients, and
filtration of toxins. The human intestine supports a complex environment consisting
of micro-organisms designed to carry out these functions. These organisms, or
"good bacteria," must not only be present in the intestine, but must
also be in the proper balance. When such a balance exists, the intestine
is in a normal state known as "orthobiosis." The balance and
support of these organisms has everything to do with the normal functions of
the intestine. One of the more common disruptions to this balance is caused
by the overgrowth of yeast, or "bad bacteria." The result of this
disruption can cause a wide variety of problems and changes the intestine to
an abnormal state known as "dysbiosis." Although the specific cause
of dysbiosis is unclear, research has identified intestinal dysfunction as a
common factor among children with autism.
Intestinal Permeability: The intestinal lining also
plays an important role in helping the body absorb nutrients and block toxins,
bacteria, allergens, and other potentially harmful molecules from entering the
bloodstream. "Leaky gut syndrome" is the name given to a condition
that allows molecules to penetrate the intestinal wall. Due to various causes,
the intestinal wall cannot keep out large, undesirable molecules. When this
happens, substances such as proteins that are normally kept outside of the body
"leak through the intestinal wall. Impaired intestinal permeability has associated
autism with conditions like autoimmune dysfunction, food allergies, gastrointestinal
imbalances, bacterial and fungal overgrowth, and nutritional deficiencies.
Metabolic: There
are four critical
areas of our metabolism:
the gastrointestinal
function, cellular
energy production,
neurotransmitter
processing, and amino
acid/organic acid
balance. Metabolism
is a critical part
of our digestive
function and overall
health. Metabolic
analysis can reveal
problems related
to mal absorption,
vitamin/mineral deficiencies,
dysbiosis,
the production of neurotransmitters,
and the body's ability
to convert food into
energy.
Nutritional: Clinical evidence suggests that diet and
the digestive function play important roles in influencing many symptoms in
many autistic children. Amino acids are the chemical building blocks of key
neurotransmitters that act on the brain to influence mood and behavior. For
this reason, the proper balance of these nutrients is essential for healthy
emotional and cognitive development in children. Essential fatty acids are one
of the more critical nutrients for the brain and are especially important for
children suffering from developmental disorders like autism. Nutritional tests
are invaluable in revealing imbalances.
Toxic
Elements: Numerous
studies have shown
that large numbers
of autistic children
have high levels
of toxic chemicals
in their blood, specifically
metals. Although
the
cause is still under
clinical debate,
the build-up of toxins
may not simply be
a matter of excessive
exposure, but the
inability to process
and eliminate toxins
from their bodies.
One of the more common
and heavily debated
issues is the presence
of mercury. The
affects of metal
toxicity are far
reaching and can
cause a variety
of serious health
problems, including,
but not limited to,
a compromised immune
system and brain
damage. Please review
the following section
for an expanded explanation
of mercury poisoning
and treatment.
Mercury & Vaccinations
You
may be familiar with
the controversy surrounding
childhood vaccinations
as a potential cause
for autism. If
not, you may want
to review one or
more of the web sites
listed below. The
issue is the use
of a preservative
called Thimerosal,
which, until recently,
was used in many
vaccinations, including
MMR (Measles, Mumps,
and Rubella). The
problem is that Thimerosal
contains mercury,
(nearly 50%) and
has been clearly
and repeatedly identified
as a neurotoxin. NOTE: A
large percentage
of autistic children
have been tested
positive for abnormally
elevated levels of
mercury in their
bodies. It's
for this reason that
we recommend testing
for heavy metals
as an important part
of your metabolic
testing efforts. Testing
can be performed
on the same blood,
urine, and hair samples
used for the intestinal
dysfunction previously
described (and should
not be overlooked).
Although
the cause of autism
is still under heavy
debate, there is
significant evidence
that suggests a strong
link to childhood
vaccinations.
See
one of the following
web sites for more
information about
Thimerosal:
Generation
Rescue
National
Vaccine Information
Vaccines
Fueling Autism Epidemic
Thimerosalfyi.com
Thimerosal
in Vaccines
Healing-arts.org
Mercury
Poisoning in the
News
Treatment
for mercury poisoning
is also available
and is encouraged
in the event of its
presence. One of
the more effective
treatments for mercury
poisoning is done
through a process
known as chelation.
Chelation is a method
of detoxification. Detoxification
occurs when provoking
agents such as DMSA
and DMPS are taken
orally or intravenously.
The agents act as
magnets, attracting
the mercury in one's
body. The mercury
attaches itself to
these agents, which
are then released
from the body through
urine and stool.
See
one of the following
web sites for more
information about
Chelation:
What
is Chelation?
Chelation
Overview
Safety
and Efficacy of Chelation
Therapy
Now the good news; most of these conditions can be easily detected
with testing. Patients are normally treated with specific supplements (to be
determined by a DAN! or specialized physician) and may include the avoidance
of specific foods, beverages, or environmental conditions. Examples of supplemental
treatments include probiotics, digestive enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins
and minerals. Many parents find great benefit from gluten-free (wheat) and casein-free
(dairy) diets alone.
Do not overlook testing for conditions that may be contributing
to, if not causing, your child's condition. Contact a DAN! Practitioner IMMEDIATELY.
DAN! Practitioners
The Autism
Research Institute has assembled a large group of healthcare practitioners
educated in the biomedical aspect of treating autism. It's important to note
that DAN! Practitioners are some of the best qualified in diagnosing and treating
neural, immune, and digestive system dysfunction.
DAN!
Practitioners (Within the U.S.)
DAN!
Practitioners (Outside the U.S.)
