Autism Spectrum Disorders have been named The “Autisms” by Dr. Martha Herbert from Massachusetts
General Hospital, since in Autism there are clusters of patients who may have similar genetic and
environmental exposures, each cluster of patients may have similar metabolomics (chemistry profiles
on blood and urine testing). The majority of children and adults diagnosed with one of the Autisms have
may have a pure genetic disorder, a pure metabolic disorder or more commonly, genetic predispositions
(for immune dysregulation and/or detoxification weakness[es]) and exposure to environmental agents.
Environmental agents can include allergens, infections, toxicants and biotoxins). Heavy metal detoxification
improved the condition of 80% of the children (Rimland, 2006, ARI Publ. 34 Feb.) and Borrelia Related
Complex (Borreliosis and the co-infections AKA Lyme disease or Vector borne disease (infections carried
by insects) contributes to approximate 25% of the Autism cases in East and West coast studies (Bransfield,
2008 and by experience of this author ). The Physicians of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics Special
Needs (MAPS) state that 25% of children, when treated early, are treatable/recoverable. I have found
that a much higher percentage have improvement, in some aspect of their health, when a biomedical
treatment program is begun.
Diagnosis and Management of the underlying medical problems associated with the Autisms, as a
appropriate, may include evaluation for, and treatment, when found:
- Allergies and delayed hypersensitivities to food and environmental antigens (include blood IgA, IgE, and IgG titer testing
and screening for Celiac disease)
- Autoimmune Disease
- Genetic testing (chromosomal microarray, Autism panel, intellectual delay panel, mitochondrial DNA panel, or if necessary, whole
genome exome testing)
- Genomic testing
- Heavy metal poisoning testing and treatment
- Hormone level abnormalities
- Insomnia (factors which contribute to insomnia include airway obstruction, fungal infection, hypothyroidism, magnesium deficiency,
melatonin deficiency, pain, and seizure).
- Infections (bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral)
- Neonatal brain injury (head MRI)
- Neuroimmune Disorders (neuroimmune disease associated with Borreliosis PANDAS/PANS and other infections).
- Nutritional deficiencies (amino acids, carnitine, essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins)
- Stool (screen for inflammation, infection, maldigestion, lack of digestive enzymes and/or beneficial bacteria.
- Seizures (video EEG, MEG (magnetoencephalogram), QEEG
- Sleep Disorders (sleep study or polysomnogram)
Therapies includes:
- Antimicrobials (antibiotics, herbs, homeopathic therapy)
- Detoxification of heavy metals, and other toxicants by identifying and by stopping exposure, and treating with amino acids,
antioxidants, minerals, Epsom salt baths, infrared saunas, and increased stooling frequency.
- Diets (GFCF, Feingold, PST, SCD, antifungal, Paleolithic, and low glycemic diet).
- Environmental clean up
- Genetic and genomic counseling and optimization with diet /nutritional supplements or sometimes prescription of medications.
- Hormonal replacement, bioidentical
- Case management
- Coordination of Care/triage
- Conference with other physician specialists as needed, other medical specialists such as naturopaths, nutritionists,
- Neuropsychologists, psychologists and therapists.
- Therapies (cognitive rehabilitation, Feldenkrais, music, Neurofeedback occupational, physical, speech and vision therapy)
General information about therapies and underlying medical problems
- Many children come off the spectrum or improve cognition and neurodevelopment if treatment is started early enough. Older patients
have improved whole body health, including improved brain, immune, and gut health.
- MTHFR gene mutation is associated with an inability to rid the body of heavy metals (correcting methylation weakness can be
essential) to detoxify heavy metals, improve attention, and gain brain and body energy.
- Nutritional supplements, especially amino acids, and mmi/mvi can be tailor made into powder or capsules.
- Gut infections (fungal, bacterial, parasitic) and lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut lead to:
1. suboptimal production of vitamins
2. increased inflammation in the gut.
3. Increased propensity for food allergies.
- Possible treatment plan, depending on the patient’s presentation
1. ABA
2. Detoxify heavy metals.
3. Nutritional supplementation optimizing nutrition.
4. OT, PT, and ST as indicated.
5. Rid the body of gut infections and inflammation.
6. Treat for cysteine, sulfate and glutathione deficiencies.
7. Trial of casein and gluten free diet or other diets as indicated.
- Seizures, epileptiform activity- may be secondary to underlying other medical problems, which may be alleviated or lessened
- Differential diagnoses of possible modifiable conditions include:
1. anemia
2. mercury poisoning
3. gluten removal in Celiac disease
4. Nutritional deficiencies/ suboptimal levels of vitamin B6, omega 3 fatty acids, and/or glutathione
- Methylcobolamine shots only if oral is not well absorbed or is not effective.
Disclaimer: Any therapies must be evaluated by a physician to see if appropriate for each
individual patient. Please discuss with patient’s doctor before instituting.
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