Autism Spectrum Disorder

Overview: Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and language development and a restricted or stereotypical pattern of interests and activities.

• Formerly a relatively rare condition well out of the public eye, autism has increased in prevalence more than 10-fold since 1990, from an estimated prevalence of approximately 5 to 6 per 10,000 children to 110 per 10,000 according to the most recent estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• As a comparison, this disorder is now more than 5 times more prevalent than Down syndrome, which has a prevalence of approximately 20 per 10,000.

• No scientific agreement exists on the cause of this rapid increase in prevalence, often referred to as an “epidemic” in the media.

• Regressive autism refers to children who have normal development until the age of 1 to 2 years, after which they lose language, social interaction, and other developmental milestones.

  • This type of autism has mainly caused the wide- spread public concern over the influence of the measles- mumps-rubella (MMR) and mercury-containing vaccines on the development of autism.

  • The available studies indicate that regressive autism accounts for only 30% to 40% of autism cases.

Important Points to Consider

• Rather than thinking of autism as a brain disorder that has systemic effects, autism can be thought of as a systemic disorder that affects the brain.

• The gut–immune system interface is an area of opportunity in developing a better understanding of how to treat autism most effectively.

• Although it is clear that mercury is a potent neurotoxin, especially in the developing brain, the idea that mercury exposure is a significant cause of autism is at this point largely unproven.

• Low levels of environmental toxins can affect neurologic development in animal models. Although evidence is not yet available for a strong relationship with autism, the precautionary principle should be implemented and practiced.

• No good evidence supports the potential relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and the development of autism.

Pearls for instituting a Gluten-Free Diet
for Autism

• Make sure that no other interventions are being started simultaneously.

• Discuss carefully the need for strict adherence during the trial period.

• Discuss the reading of labels and locations where gluten-free, casein-free products can be obtained.

• Dr Sanford recommends eliminating artificial colors and flavors.

• Use a supportive nutritionist whenever feasible.

• Do not substitute large amounts of soy for casein.

• Soy is also a significant player in childhood food allergies.

• Following this diet is hard. Parents need support and guidance.

Experiential Pearls for using Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Autism

• Dr. Sanford tends to use a fairly balanced dose of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid for a total dose of 15 mg/lb.

• Prefers using Nordic Naturals, Carlson Laboratories, or Genova Diagnostics products.

• These manufacturers have a good variety of products, including reasonable-tasting liquids and
  chewable capsules.

• However, the chewable capsules can become expensive for older or larger children.

• Start slowly and move up the dose.

• Hyperactivity is an occasional side effect and disappears when the dose is lowered.

• Dr Sanford prefers to start omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins, zinc, and probiotics at the same time.

• This approach may be less scientific, but synergy may exist among some of these products.

Prevention Prescription

No definitive means exist to prevent autism. Some reasonable possibilities are the following:

• Have pregnant women avoid any unnecessary
  mercury intake. This would involve not eating certain fish and not having dental work done on amalgam fillings while pregnant.

• Encourage mothers to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and breast-feeding. If bottle-feeding, infants should use the omega-3– enriched formulas.

• Consider probiotics during pregnancy and infancy.

• If immunizations are a concern, the family could consider having fewer immunizations at once and separating immunizations when possible.

• Avoid exposure of pregnant mothers and infants to toxic household products of any kind.

• Avoid pesticide exposure wherever possible.

Therapeutic Review

• NutritionGluten-free, casein-free diet

• Try the Food Intolerance and Elimination Diet

• SupplementsOmega-3 fatty acids: 15 mg/lb total eicosa-pentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid to start

• Follow The Antiinflammatory Diet

• Probiotics: 1 to 10 billion colonies daily (one or two capsules)

• Zinc: 20 to 25 mg daily; be careful of mineral (copper) malabsorption

Mind-Body Therapy

• Intensive behavioral therapy (Lovaas, applied behavior analysis, Floor-time)Sensory integration therapy Auditory integration therapy

• Dr. Ali's Neck Massage for a total of 30 minutes in combination with occupational therapy and other integrative therapeutics mentioned.

Other Therapy

• Speech therapy (for language development) 

• Occupational therapy (for manual tasks and motor skill development)Experiential Pearls for using Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Autism

• Use a fairly balanced dose of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid for a total dose of 15 mg/lb.

• Nordic Naturals, Carlson Laboratories, or Genova Diagnostics products. These manufacturers have a good variety of products, including reasonable-tasting liquids and chewable capsules. However, the chewable capsules can become expensive for older or larger children.

• Start omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins, zinc, and probiotics at the same time. This approach may be less scientific, but synergy may exist among some of these products.

  
  

Key Web Sources

• Talk about Curing Autism. www.TACAnow.org. http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/tag/gfcf/.

• Autism Research Institute. www.autism.com

• MIND (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute at the University of California, Davis. www.ucdmc. ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/.