Reprinted from Nature's Field Vol. 12 No. 4

Autism
by Janna Somers

Autism is not a disease, but rather a syndrome manifested by characteristics that can be physical, mental, and/or emotional, and can range from mild to severe. The severe form of the syndrome may include extreme self injurious, repetitive, highly unusual and aggressive behavior. There is not one single consistent factor that can diagnose autism.

In a list of sixteen specific autistic characteristics where if seven of these are present, the child is said to have autism. Two children could each exhibit seven characteristics, each be diagnosed as autistic, and not have any of the same behaviors. The most frequent general characteristics include: impaired social relationships, impaired communication, impaired make-believe play, peculiar pattern of intellectual abilities, repetitive rituals, abnormal response to sensations, i.e. sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, rigid body positions, and extremely passive or extremely nervous, active behavior. It is estimated [1996] that 15 per 10,000 live births in this country are children with autistic characteristics, with males being affected four to five times as often as females.

Autism usually begins shortly after birth and always appears before age two and a half. Some possible causes include: fetal alcohol syndrome, lead poisoning, brain stem defects, a defect in the myelination process (insulation of nerve fibers), viral infections (during mother's pregnancy or severe infections during infancy), food allergies (especially wheat, sugar, and cow's milk); infant vaccinations, yeast infections and deficiency of digestive enzymes, and aggressive antibiotic regimens (frequent use of antibiotics may interfere with immune development).

Since the late 1960s, research has turned from treating autism as a psychological problem to looking at the data neurologically; however, no consistent neurological symptoms or patterns of brain dysfunction have been identified. Many autistic children suffer from other disorders which are clearly of neurological origin, and much of the neurological testing of autistics has shown damage to the brainstem and cranial nerves. The characteristics that indicate autism - social withdrawal, ego weakness, etc. - are the effects of sense perception disorders. The autistic child lacks the tools-the five senses working properly - that give meaning to the external world.

Research is being conducted in several areas, including: measurement of the blood flow through the areas of the brain, exploring a connection with an immune system dysfunction, infant vaccine reactions, candida, an opportunistic organism that can create or accentuate problems in an already dysfunctional host or immune system; food allergens and sensitivities. Additional studies with definable markers are urgently needed in the areas of elimination diets, anti-fungal therapies and anti-viral/immune active therapy.

Autism is not a specific disorder or disease that can be cured with a singular remedy, and there is no standard or universally accepted method of treating autism. The best reported results, in fact, are from a multidisciplinary approach, using diet changes, nutritional supplementation, controlling parasites and yeast infections, addressing allergies to food, chemicals and inhalants, auditory integration training, craniosacral therapy, and psychological support.

Major allergies or intolerances to chemicals and foods are common in autistic children, with cow's milk, wheat, and corn being some of the main offenders. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Great Britain, autistic children adhered to a restricted diet for one month. Their response to the reintroduction of certain foods was a worsening of behavior. This trial demonstrated that diet can contribute to behavior disorders.

Keeping a diary to track behavior is helpful in identifying "off" times. What did she or he have to eat before the decline? What was done differently? Diet is an important factor in treating autism, and should include a lot of whole, unprocessed vegetables. Food additives can have adverse effects on autistics, so canned, packaged and processed foods should be avoided. Vitamin B6 and magnesium, Vitamin C, supplementation of zinc, as well as other B vitamins have all been used with some success in treating autistic children.

Auditory integration training is a method of changing a person's sensitivity to sound at different frequencies, and can reduce distorted hearing. Behavioral and cognitive problems may arise when people perceive sounds in an unequal manner.

Craniosacral therapy manipulates the bones of the skull and the underlying membranes to alleviate pressure and restrictions. A combination of craniosacral therapy and nutritional treatment offers an effective therapy for autistic children.

Sufficient digestive enzymes are often lacking in children with autism, and this lack can be supplemented with herbal remedies.

Parasites and yeast infections can also be controlled with herbal treatments; however, this should be done under the care of a health professional. For any treatment to be the most effective, it is important for the autistic child's family to be strongly and lovingly supportive and involved.

Footnotes:
Alternative Medicine, pg. 540 Sources: Harris L. Coulter, Vaccination, Social Violence and Criminality (Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 1990)
The Burton Goldberg Group, Alternative Medicine, (Puyallup, WA:Future Medicine Publishing, Inc, 1994)

This information is for educational purposes only.
Consult with a qualified health practitioner for all serious or persist ant illness. Copyright ©1999 by Robinson & Horne, L.C., P.O. Box 1028, Roosevelt, UT 84066. This material may be duplicated for educational purposes only (not for resale) provided it is not altered in any way.

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