What Your Family Needs To Know About Autism Spectrum Disorders

We doubt there is anything you hold nearer and dearer to your hearts than the health and well being of your children and grandchildren.

Among integrative physicians like us, there may not be a single more perplexing and disturbing trend than the growing epidemic of children being diagnosed with conditions that range from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to autism.

These disorders, which include Asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), autism and many others, are collectively known as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Discussion of these conditions among parents, laypeople, educators and medical professionals alike is often heated, emotional, and full of conjecture and "blame."

Expert opinions are all over the map regarding which factors contribute to their development: genetics, environmental conditions, vaccinations.

There are even those who say there is no "epidemic," but simply that we have better diagnostic tools and earlier intervention so it only looks like more children are affected.

We do not subscribe to this view. Diagnostic tools have not changed since 1994, while autism continues to increase at double-digit rates.

We understand how these discussions and hypotheses create fear, and how opposing camps of information (and misinformation) can leave you puzzled and confused about what to do. We are parents ourselves.

Due to our expertise in environmental and immune-related illnesses and conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat, we began to study and treat children with Autism Spectrum Disorders many years ago.

In our opinion, we are in the midst of a worldwide epidemic that cuts across all social and economic boundaries.

Staggering Statistics

Prior to 1970, the incidence of autism in the US was approximately 1 child in 2000. By 1996, it was approximately 1 in 500. In 2000, the ratio had risen to 1 in 150 in some regions.

In California alone, there was a 238% increase in level one autism (which does not include Asperger's syndrome, PDD or other higher-functioning forms of autism spectrum disorders) between 1987 and 1998, compared with a 583% increase in the number of children diagnosed with level one autism from 1999-October 2001.

California is not alone in this epidemic. Nationwide, diagnosed cases of autism increased by 544% between 1992 and 2001.

These statistics do not include the millions of American children with ADHD.

A Knowledgeable Physician is Your Greatest Ally

Given these statistics, what can you do if your child or grandchild has been diagnosed with autism, or an autism spectrum disorder?

As confusing and scary as autism spectrum disorders can be, there is much you can do. You must start by understanding that, just as with many chronic illnesses, there are many underlying causes.

The next step-the one you are undertaking right now-is being informed.

If you have a child or grandchild with Asperger's syndrome, PDD, autism or a related disorder, the single most important thing you can do is find a knowledgeable physician with an integrative approach who can work with you to develop a plan to address his or her unique needs.

Because there are so many variables that can contribute to autism there is no "one size fits all" treatment plan.

While genetics play a role, our research and experience indicate that a web of interwoven variables-including environmental insults, gastrointestinal disorders, biochemical, metabolic and neurochemical factors, and/or immune system abnormalities--contribute to the development of autism in a genetically vulnerable child.

Genetic underpinnings

Autism occurs in a diverse range of children, and results from abnormalities on many genes, not just one.

These genetic factors can include a family history of autoimmune disorders, genetic dysfunction in detoxification and/or gene-related vitamin, antioxidant and other deficiencies.

Environmental insults

Environmental factors contributing to autism include heavy metal and chemical toxicity. Abnormal liver detoxification (caused by genetics or otherwise) combined with heavy metal or chemical exposure can have devastating effects.

One fairly recent study of 56 children with autism indicated that 100% had levels of heavy metals outside the normal range, 95% had levels of toxic chemicals outside the normal range, and 98% had imbalances or malfunction in liver detoxification.

Children were routinely exposed to high levels of heavy metals through mandated vaccinations, many of which contained thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative.

In fact, most children were exposed to 187.5 micrograms of mercury by 6 months of age.

On average, the schedule of vaccines given at 2, 4 and 6 months result in a one-day exposure to 62.5 mcg of mercury, exceeding the Enivornmetal Protection Agency's allowable daily exposure of 0.1 mcg per kg of body weight.

In the first 6 months of life, this is approximately 80 times greater than the daily allowable amount.

Mercury is neurotoxic and immunotoxic (toxic to the nervous system and immune system), and is very difficult for the body to eliminate. In a child with a developing immune system and perhaps genetic predisposition to detoxification or immune system abnormalities, mercury can contribute to the development of autism or other illnesses.

Detoxifying heavy metals requires high cellular levels of the antioxidant glutathione. A detoxification protein called metallothionine is also important.

If a child is deficient in these or other protective agents, they may not be able to eliminate heavy metals, and may develop autism as a result.

These deficiencies may be genetically based, which explains why some children develop autism while others do not-even though they are exposed to a similar amount of mercury.

There are many things an integrative physician can do to improve heavy metal detoxification. Certain nutrients such as taurine, sulfate, zinc and lipoic acid can be given to improve detoxification.

Intravenous glutathione can be used to replenish glutathione within the cells. Chelation therapy, which removes heavy metals from the body, can also prove helpful.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal factors (noted by bloating, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea, or foul smelling stools) can contribute to autism. These factors include conditions of improper digestion; dysbiosis, including bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal infection; "leaky gut" syndrome; and/or food allergies/sensitivities.

The average physician may not look at GI function as a contributing factor. Integrative physicians, however, are knowledgeable of the important connection between the gut and the brain.

GI abnormalities in autistic children are often the result of an atypical autoimmune condition (sometimes brought on by the live measles component of the MMR vaccine) affecting the gut-brain connection, in which the immune system attacks the body as if it was a foreign invader.

We recommend comprehensive testing for yeast overgrowth, bacterial, parasitic and viral infection and food allergies for any autistic child with gastrointestinal abnormalities.

Eliminating gluten and casein, and in some situations yeast, sugar and food allergens can help tremendously.

Treating fungal overgrowth, restoring bowel flora, restoring and maintaining intestinal wall integrity and improving overall digestion through the use of digestive enzymes are some of the therapies we employ in treating autism-related GI problems.

It is important to always remember the gut-brain connection. With proper treatment, neurotoxic bacteria in the gut can be removed from the equation. Upon improving GI health, we often see dramatic improvement in behavioral symptoms as well.

Biochemical or neurochemical imbalances

Biochemical factors such as vitamin, mineral, essential fatty acid or amino acid deficiencies/imbalances are often present in autistic children.

Common deficiencies and biochemical abnormalities we frequently diagnose and address include magnesium (which can help tremendously with constipation), vitamin B6 (which can improve eye contact and speech) and vitamin A (which can help visual symptoms).

Vitamin A deficiency, which we see in approximately 70% of our autistic patients, can result in a downward spiral of illness, infection and impaired immune response.

The sideways glance so common in these children can result from vitamin A deficiency, and can be improved with supplementation.

Neurochemical abnormalities, such as neurotransmitter imbalances can also play a role. These and other metabolic abnormalities and deficiencies can be diagnosed and addressed by an integrative physician.

Immune system abnormalities

Immune factors such as chronic (often hidden) infections-whether viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal (such as yeast-related infections) can predispose a child to autism.

Autoimmunity, including reactions in which the immune system attacks its own cells, can also be a contributing factor.

A family history of autoimmune conditions or elevated levels of antibodies in the blood to neural (nervous system) components or tissue are clues to autoimmunity in autistic children.

We recommend that families with histories of autoimmunity have immune profiles done prior to vaccinating their children. Many vaccines are contraindicated in children with immune deficiencies or autoimmune conditions.

At the very least, you should discuss a more conservative vaccination schedule with your pediatrician. We believe this is good advice for any parent or grandparent of a child with immune system challenges that may predispose them to developing autism.

Our goal in writing this article was not to be controversial, or to make parents and grandparents feel guilty or stressed if there are children in the family with Asperger's syndrome, autism or other autism spectrum disorders.

Rather, our goal was to give you accurate and comprehensive information regarding the varied underlying causes of these conditions-health issues that are rife with emotion and fear and, unfortunately, medical misinformation.

We hope many children and families will benefit from this brief overview. We feel as passionately as you do about safeguarding the health and well being of our children, and the children we treat in our practice.

If there is a child in your life with an autism spectrum disorder, we hope you will seek the advice of an integrative physician who can help you to address their health issues in an open, compassionate and positive way.

To find a physician in your area, visit the Defeat Autism Now (DAN) web-site, http://www.defeatautismnow.com, or contact the Autism Research Institute, 4182 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116.

To arrange a consultation with us, contact The Rhinebeck Health Center, (845-876-7082), or email us at rhc@rhinebeckhealth.com.