The Rules of Tack Sitting
“Tacks” Rules, By Sidney MacDonald Baker, MD
Rule Number One: If you are sitting on a tack it takes a lot of aspirin to make it feel good. The appropriate treatment for tack-sitting is tack removal.
Rule Number Two: If you are sitting on two tacks, removing one does not produce a 50% improvement. Chronic illness is, or becomes, multifactorial.
“May I be blunt? You have a thirteen-year-old daughter who weighs forty-eight pounds. She’s less than five feet tall, and you keep an appetite suppressant patch on her from morning till night. I think she’s starving.” Ava was on her first visit to my office and quietly played with a game on her iPad the entire time.
Her parents wore stunned expressions. “What do you mean, an ‘appetite suppressant patch’? It’s for behavior and she’s worn it for years,” they say.
Ava is on the autism spectrum, and had the typical trio of problems I see in my patients: chronic constipation, disrupted sleep patterns, and irritability. Apparently Ava behaved quite differently—lots of hitting and biting—when she wasn’t wearing this ADHD stimulant-type patch. Her doctor prescribed it to control aggression and irritability, without delving deeper to find out why her behavior was so difficult, and told the parents to keep it on from the moment she woke up to right before she went to sleep at night.
Three months later, Ava’s parents returned to my office for a follow-up visit. “I took the patch off over the school break and she ate from morning until night,” her mother reported. Ava had gained fifteen pounds and grown an inch since her first visit. The school nurse takes the patch off at lunch time now, and Ava is eating and growing normally again.
In 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encouraged pediatricians to assess and treat underlying medical conditions before prescribing medications for difficult behaviors in ASD and went as far as to state, “Medications have not been proven to correct the core deficits of ASDs and are not the primary treatment.”1 AAP went on to say, “In some cases, medical factors may cause or exacerbate maladaptive behaviors, and recognition and treatment of medical conditions may eliminate the need for psychopharmacologic agents.”2 I thought this would change the way children on the spectrum are assessed and overmedicated. It did not. The conventional medical approach to children with ASD continues to match prescriptions to behaviors.
For many years, the public seemed superficially aware of gastrointestinal (GI) troubles on the spectrum, although these children have so many issues that it got lost in the noise. Then, in January 2010, a stunning consensus report3 headed by Dr. Timothy Buie of Massachusetts General, the teaching hospital for Harvard University, brought these issues into better focus and connected the dots between gastrointestinal issues, disrupted sleep patterns, and difficult behaviors such as irritability, self-injuring, and aggression. I thought it would dramatically change the way children and adults with ASD are evaluated and overmedicated. It did not.
I think it’s time we change the way conventional medicine looks at and treats children with ASD.
What You See Isn’t What You Get
The DSM-5 description of ASD4 is what we see, what we know, and what we expect when it comes to autism spectrum disorder, as in Figure 1-1.
Typically, when a child is diagnosed with ASD, we launch into intense therapies and classroom supports designed to address the deficits described in the DSM-5. Rigorous demands are placed on the child as we try to improve communication, social skills, behavior, and learning, to name a few. A lot of time, effort, and expense are put into improving function, and the child is working harder than anyone else.
What the DSM-5 doesn’t indicate is that the child may actually be staggering under a silent burden of health challenges, such as those in Figure 1-2.
Figure 1-1
These health issues may dramatically affect your child’s brain, mood, language, energy level, and ability to learn. Our current conventional approach is focused on medicating behaviors caused by these medical issuesinto submission (while still leaving the tack in the child’s hind end!). In reality, we have suppressed the symptoms, while leaving the original underlying health challenges simmering beneath the surface.
Figure 1-2
Meanwhile, we continue placing demands on the child in the classroom and in therapy sessions. Interventions, therapies, and behavior programs cannot possibly be at their maximum potential for success when the child they are aimed at is powering through a haze of discomfort and dysfunction. We are asking these children to do their best while they feel their worst. The children are struggling through their day in a fog of unaddressed health issues. (See Figure 1-3) The perfect storm continues to build, as the medications used to control behavior and mood often amplify and exacerbate these underlying health conditions.5
Figure 1-3
No wonder skilled therapists and teachers feel they can’t get through to them. One speech pathologist describes it “as if the child with ASD is in a locked room, and I’m standing outside yelling through a locked door.”
Did you know that when your child’s health is properly supported, these issues can often be minimized, allowing for better focus and function? What am I saying? I’m saying your child will still be autistic but may eat, sleep, and play better, be in a better mood, and have better speech and social skills when these health issues are properly addressed. With some simple natural support strategies, ASD children may catch fewer colds and see their allergies calm down. Every child responds differently, but wouldn’t you love for yours to just have a good day most of the time?
I often hear autism parents say their child doesn’t need to be “fixed.” They accept him just as he is. I get that—I’m an autism mom and I love my son just as he is—but this host of physical and medical issues, which can affect everything from language, eye contact, and social skills to sleep, constipation, irritability, and aggression, shouldn’t be part of who any child is. Accepting your child for who he is doesn’t mean you have to accept poor health and impaired function as part of the package. Pulling out these tacks will let his true personality shine through and give him his best chance of success with therapies, school, and life. We need to support vibrant health in these children so that they can be who they are meant to be.
And that’s what this book will help you do. We’ll explore these underlying health challenges and some simple ways to support balance and healing for your child. Your child must feel his best to do his best.
Would you love to try therapies and programs available for autism, but your child can’t even get invited to a birthday party right now? With a calmer child whose gastrointestinal dysfunction, immune dysfunction, and sleep deprivation have been addressed, families can access services and begin therapies they never would have been able to before. The tremendous hope and joy this new reality brings to parents is something I have experienced firsthand and see time and time again at my center.
The medical model in our country is based on very brief visits, at which well-meaning doctors who are pressured for time tend to offer a prescription or even a supplement that “matches” any behaviors or symptoms you might mention during your allotted time (see Table 1-1).
Prescriptions and medications are useful tools (after all, this is not the Anti-Prescription you’re reading!), but now that you’ve gotten the MiraLAX, clonidine, and risperidone, you’re probably finding they aren’t the complete answer you were hoping for. They seemed to help at first with the constipation, lack of sleep, and irritability. They gave you a brief honeymoon period and, after a while, seemed to lose effectiveness. Then the dosages had to be increased, right?
Table 1-1
The trouble is, these behaviors and symptoms—can’t poop, can’t sleep, can’t behave—are signs of deeper internal problems that these medications do not address. I’ve seen parents put young children on enough melatonin to put down a horse in an attempt to keep them asleep all night! But no one is asking why they can’t sleep soundly. Doctors are putting two- and three-year-olds on risperidone! But no one is asking why they are so irritable and restless. Although clinicians and researchers have found many of those answers, sadly, conventional medical approaches do not reflect that yet. You need a plan that addresses the source, not the symptom.
These helpful medications and supplements may be employed as temporary “bandages” without your realizing there is more that could be done to bring real relief. And while they may be helpful on a short-term basis, our parent radar is telling us that they aren’t the complete answer. Check Table 1-2 and see if your child is using any “bandages” before we get started:
Table 1-2
Let’s continue to explore the health challenges of autism spectrum disorder—how they affect the brain, behavior, and speech—and discover the areas where your child might benefit from the tools you’ll find in this book.
My New Patient Questionnaire
The New Patient Questionnaire may at first seem overly long, but it is designed to shine a light on things other doctors may not even notice (but I’ll bet you have!) that are vital to figuring out how to help your child. This questionnaire, which I use at my office, not only reveals areas of concern that can be addressed, but also helps build a custom Action Plan and team of experts for your child. It will show us when a referral is appropriate for therapy, a psychological evaluation, a developmental optometry evaluation, a sensory program, a behavioral program, and so on. If indicated, lab tests may need to be ordered. The plan will include everything you need to know to maintain the gains, too, so you can say good-bye to the two-steps forward, one-step backward dance you have probably been practicing.
So what are some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate health problems in your child? Who makes a good candidate for the Un-Prescription Action Plan? Let’s start by stepping back and taking a really good look with new eyes at your son or daughter.
Here’s a clinical snapshot of common characteristics I see in about three out of four of my patients. Children with some or most of the characteristics are usually the most dramatic responders at my center. If your child has these characteristics, sit up and take notice. Better yet, take action!
Common Characteristics
Pale, pasty skin
Deep, dark under-eye circles
Puffiness under the lower eyelids
Frequent colds
Runny nose
The “allergic salute”—that frequent vertical hand swipe at a runny nose that can create a horizontal crease across the tip of the nose
A sleepy, foggy, or tired look
Acting wired but tired
Eczema
Rashes on face, bottom, arms, legs, back
Red ring around his bottom
Poor eye contact
Chewing on clothing
If you checked off some of these, your child may have GI challenges that could benefit from proper support. This could eliminate pain and discomfort that is causing challenging behaviors and sleep disruption. And there is a good chance he may respond with improved alertness and eye contact, and better immune response, language, and imagination, because as you’ll see, the brain is downstream from the gut in a number of ways.6 In other words, some pollution is being made in the gut that affects brain function. It’s not news anymore that ASD children have gastrointestinal issues. Doctors are relying on MiraLAX, clonidine, and risperidone to fill the gap, but your child needs more.
Medications
Next, let’s sneak a peek at the medication log, because it will tell me right away many of the things your child is struggling with. See Table 1-3.
Which medications and supplements does your child take, and what does that tell us about him or her? Are you just going to accept those issues as “who your child is,” or would you like to look deeper?
If you need an official diagnosis to obtain an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or another source of aid or support, or just to satisfy personal curiosity, I suggest you take your child to a psychologist who specializes in comprehensive psychological testing. Don’t settle for someone spending fifteen minutes in a room with your child and then telling you that he is on the spectrum. Why comprehensive testing? Because it may not be autism you’re dealing with, or your child may have autism in addition to a mood disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive–compulsive disorder, or an intellectual disability. Each child deserves a complete evaluation.
Table 1-3
I often direct parents to the E2 Form on the Autism Research Institute (ARI) website. It was developed by Bernard Rimland, and research shows it is a reliable predictor of the likelihood that your child is on the autism spectrum. Go to Autism.com and fill it out. It is scored at no charge by ARI’s wonderful volunteers. It is an easy and inexpensive way to see if your suspicions are on the right track.
Before you get started, take photos and videos of your child. You’ll have something for comparison later, when you wonder if you’re dreaming or not.
Let’s go on a virtual “New Patient” visit to my office. Let’s start at the beginning—with your pregnancy—and look for early indicators that your child may need specific health support. Watch your Action Plan components build as you work through each section. Write down any suggestions as you go, especially if a suggestion comes up repeatedly for different sections of the questionnaire. When you’re finished, you’ll have an idea of which protocols you will need (many can be found in Chapters 6, 7, and 9 and others in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan), what other therapies and professionals to add to your team, and which testing might be of use. We’ll arrange them in a logical order later. I’ll teach as I go.
The Pregnancy
Any problems with the pregnancy?
Why I ask:
The Pregnancy Antibiotic use may reduce the beneficial bacteria in your birth canal for when the baby comes through, setting him up for tummy troubles and other health issues.7
Bacterial Infections
Antibiotics
Why I ask:
Babies delivered vaginally have the opportunity to pick up good bacteria from the birth canal. Colonization of the GI tract in C-section babies is more haphazard and suboptimal.8
The Birth
Vaginal
C-section
If yes, did your doctor transfer birth canal bacteria to your baby with gauze?
Did the baby receive any antibiotics at the hospital?
For many of my young patients, their gut has turned into a ghetto, starting with events on their first day of birth.
How Does a “Gut Ghetto” Start?
Your child’s beneficial bacteria—crucial for GI and immune health—may have gotten off to a poor start. A baby’s gastrointestinal tract is thought to be sterile at birth (although that information may be changing9) and is initially colonized with good bacteria when he passes through the birth canal during a vaginal birth. Figure 4-2 on page 107 shows how stressors can cause mothers to not have enough beneficial bacteria for an optimal transfer to the baby during the birth. C-section babies skip the birth canal inoculation altogether.
Without a strong initial colonization of beneficial bacteria in the GI tract, babies are at higher risk for immune and metabolic differences, celiac disease, diarrhea, thrush, eczema, poor sleep patterns, obesity, allergies, asthma, and frequent ear infections and colds.10
Research is now examining the benefits of giving probiotics to pregnant mothers, and the preliminary findings look promising.11 Cutting-edge delivery rooms are using gauze to wipe down newborns with bacteria from the mother’s birth canal after a C- section to help the gut microflora get off to a better start. (Chapter 4 describes the benefits of these essential bacteria.)
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Probiotics (see Chapter 4)
Infancy/Toddler Years
Research indicates that children on the spectrum may struggle with GI dysfunction including reflux, Candida, constipation and diarrhea, mitochondrial dysfunction, and alterations in their immune system.12 Answer the following questions and see if your child may be affected, too:
Why I ask:
Breastfeeding helps strengthen the immune system.13 The AAP recommends breastfeeding for a full year.
Breast-fed or bottle-fed
History of thrush (white overgrowth of yeast in mouth)
Prone to diaper rash
Prone to body rashes
Red ring around the anus/cracking/ bleeding
History of strep infections
Sinus infections
Ear infections
Caught a lot of colds as an infant
Why I ask:
Children with ASD are more prone to Candida and microbial imbalance in the GI tract.14
Why I ask:
Children with ASD may have altered immune systems.15 This section alerts me that your child may need immune support.
Why I ask:
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says introducing solid food before six months of age makes it more likely that your child will be obese or overweight and more prone to eczema, ear infections, and respiratory infections, which means more doctor visits and prescriptions and ending up in the hospital more often.16
The gut is the “local neighborhood” for the immune system and 70 percent of the immune system lives there. How nice the neighborhood is determines how healthy the immune system is. GI support becomes important here.
Asthma
Allergies
Age solid foods were introduced
Sleep habits as an infant and as a toddler
Why I ask:
A telltale pattern of frequent night awakenings leads me to suspect acid reflux and tummy troubles. Such a child will likely need GI support, not sleep and reflux medications.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Basic GI Support Protocol (see Chapter 6)
Basic Immune Support Protocol (see Chapter 7)
Milestones
Why I ask:
Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute are beginning to identify subtypes of ASD that may help in developing specific interventions for better health and improved function.17
Did your baby hit milestones on time and then regress?
Did your baby hit milestones on time and then hit a plateau?
Was your baby just different from the beginning?
Was head circumference larger than average?
Language and Communication
Research indicates that children on the spectrum may have inflammation,18 including brain inflammation,19 oxidative stress20, and nutritional deficiencies,21 that may affect their language, social skills, and communication. Answer the following questions and see if your child may be affected, too:
Why I ask:
I’m getting a feel for your child’s level of expressive and receptive language, which may show improvement after his GI and other medical symptoms are effectively managed. I want to make sure you are working with a good speech-language pathologist or using assistive communication devices. (See Weeks 19 and 33 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan.)
Does your child understand what is being said to him?
Does she use low-tech methods of communication like sign language or picture communication systems?
Does he use high-tech communication such as an iPad app like Proloquo2Go?
Why I ask:
Certain supplements support neurological health or have anti-inflammatory effects that may support an increase in language in certain subsets of ASD children. 22
Can your child speak?
Does he express needs and wants?
Does he use “I want” statements?
Will she go get items that you ask for?
Does he answer by repeating your question?
Does she initiate conversations?
Describe his speech:
Why I ask:
It is not unusual for my patients with GI dysfunction to gain new vocabulary words and begin speaking in longer sentences after starting the basic support protocols.
0 words, mumbles, makes some noises
1–2 words in a row
3–4 words in a row
1 sentence at a time
Why I ask:
Impairments in methylation chemistry are common in ASD.23 The methylation cycle is a crucial biochemical pathway in the body involved in detoxification, immune function, switching genes on and off, protein synthesis, and controlling oxidative damage. Supporting this cycle may improve neurological health and support improved language and communication.
2–3 sentences in a row
Many sentences in a row
Language highly developed and appropriate
A “wall” of one-way conversation
Can sustain a back-and-forth conversation, not just reply to questions
Repeats stories he/she has heard on TV (scripting)
Why I ask:
The gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet and enzymes with DPP-IV (pronounced “Dee Pee Pee 4”) do not treat or cure autism, but may improve cognition and language in the subset of children with GI dysfunction and constipation. See Chapter 3 for more information on the gut-brain connection.
Echoes or repeats what you say
Repeats some words or phrases over and over all day
Why I ask:
Learning verbal and nonverbal slang will help him be part of the conversation and learn to understand jokes. Unintentional Humor by Gund Anderson and Brent Anderson, Volumes 1 and 2, are fun, helpful books for mastering slang.
Speaks in a singsong voice
Shows concrete thinking (does not understand slang phrases, takes words literally)
Has a sense of humor, but does not get jokes most of the time
Cannot keep up with peer conversations that involve a lot of slang
Learning
How is your child doing in school?
Why I ask:
Your child may need a referral for a psychological educational evaluation (a “psych-ed eval”) to understand his learning style, get more time on standardized testing, and get help at school and at college. I sometimes suggest Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, a special center that can improve learning and comprehension.
Has learning difficulties
Performs work at his/her grade level
Has been held back a grade before
Is being homeschooled due to difficult behaviors
Why I ask:
The Feingold diet has an 80 percent success rate with attention and hyperactivity issues. It even helps improve handwriting. As an autism clinician, I know that food sensitivities should be checked before a child with ASD is prescribed ADHD medication.
Is in an Autism or Special Education class
Has poor handwriting
Is hyperactive or has trouble sitting still
Hits, kicks, or bites other students or teachers
Difficulties in communication, language, attention, and learning, as well as difficult behaviors, may improve when the silent health issues of the autism spectrum are appropriately addressed.24
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Basic GI Support Protocol
Psych-ed eval
Assisted communication device or system
Work on learning verbal and nonverbal slang
Supplements known to support language development (see Week 20 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
ADD TO THE TEAM:
Speech-language pathologist
ASSIGNED READING:
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm
Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm with Veronica Zysk
Unintentional Humor: Celebrating the Literal Mind by Linda Gund Anderson and Brent Anderson, Volumes 1 and 2
THINK ABOUT FOR LATER:
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy
IgG food sensitivity testing
The Feingold diet
Sensory Screening
Rocking, hand flapping, jumping, twirling
Sensitive to noise/sounds
Sensitive to the textures of fabrics
Sensitive to the textures of food
Why I ask:
Clinical observation: About 30 percent of my patients see improvement in their sensory issues after underlying medical issues are addressed. It’s all about balance.
Sensitive to hot or cold foods
Sensitive to smells
Sensitive to light
Bothered by seams and tags on clothing
Does not like to have teeth brushed
Likes to be hugged or touched
Pressure is calming
Why I ask:
If your child has trouble processing sensory information, he may be seeing the visual input from each eye separately—in other words, what he sees is different from what others see. In the next section, the Developmental Optometry Screening, you’re in for a real eureka!
Sensory seeker
Sensory avoider (avoids playground equipment, textures are a problem)
Gets overwhelmed by crowds, the mall, or parties
High pain tolerance (see Connor’s story)
Connor’s Story
Connor was four and half years old, and Marie, his single mother, was at her wit’s end.
“I don’t think he ever feels pain!” she exclaimed. After breaking his arm when he was three, he didn’t cry or complain, and she didn’t discover it for several days. In another incident, he fell while running and snapped off his two front teeth. He reached in his mouth, pulled out the loose pieces, and kept on playing.
Other children are too sensitive—to everything: noise, tastes, textures, smells, clothing, even socks. I don’t “treat” sensory issues, but I do see these behaviors calm down in many children as their neurological and overall health improves and balance is achieved.
Developmental Optometry Screening
Does a lot of sideways glancing
Why I ask:
Sometimes the different visual fields, including peripheral vision, are not smoothly integrated and the child experiments with the crazy jumble of images he is seeing. A developmental optometry evaluation may even reveal he’s seeing double. One eye may become “lazy” and not track correctly as the brain ignores it to avoid this double vision.
Holds toys up very close to eyes
Leans in to look very closely at things
Head frequently tilted to one side
History of a lazy eye
Has been diagnosed with dyslexia
Avoids homework; has been called “lazy”
Is very intelligent, but makes poor grades in school
Why I ask:
I don’t believe in lazy children. If vision is jumbled, this means your child is working much harder than everyone else in school and getting only half the credit.
Skips over lines when reading
Dislikes or avoids reading
May dislike movies in 3-D
Is careful on the stairs: holds the rail, moves one foot at a time, sits down to do stairs
Cannot catch a ball very well (ball avoidance)
Why I ask:
Depth perception is poor when the visual input from both eyes is not coordinated. This may translate to difficulties walking stairs, catching a ball, driving, and reading.
Sometimes trips or stumbles over nothing; tends to be clumsy
Sometimes bumps into the door frame when going through a doorway
A developmental optometry evaluation is the miracle referral at my office—I have seen children go from making Ds and Fs in school to top of the honor roll. They cannot see correctly, they don’t know it, and neither does anyone else. “He never told me!” many of you exclaim. Whatever he is seeing has always been his “normal,” so he didn’t know to tell you.
Most of you have no doubt already taken your child for an eye exam. And many of you will insist that your child’s eyes are healthy and their vision is normal, because the eye doctor said so. And yet, here I am, wanting you to take your child to a different kind of eye doctor.
Think of this other eye exam as a brain exam. Specifically, developmental optometry looks at how the brain is handling all of the sensory information from the eyes. Remember, vision is one of the five senses, and man, do these kids have sensory integration issues! If the input from both eyes is all mixed up, your child may actually be seeing double.
As one of my eight-year-old patients said upon getting his new prism lenses, “Now I know which ball to kick!”
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Developmental optometry evaluation
Occupational therapy evaluation for sensory integration problems
A “sensory diet”
Chiropractic adjustments
Music therapy
Yoga for children
Massage therapy
ADD TO THE TEAM:
Developmental optometrist
Occupational therapist who specializes in sensory techniques
Chiropractor
Seeing Through New Eyes by Melvin Kaplan
The Out-of-Sync Child and The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Kranowitz
GI and Immune System
Why I ask:
My patients with GI troubles are often very pale, with deep, dark circles under their eyes.
Very pale skin
Dark under-eye circles
Puffiness under lower lashes
Frequent runny nose
Asthma
Allergies
Why I ask:
Your child may be feeling a little itchy due to Candida or a bacterial imbalance.
Frequent, brief grabbing at penis or vaginal area, as if itchy
Food sensitivities
Celiac disease
Why I ask:
Observant clinicians report that red ears and cheeks may be a food sensitivity reaction as well as a soft clinical sign of increased intestinal permeability.
Seasonal allergies
Cheeks and ears sometimes flush bright red after eating for no reason
Eats inedible things (pica)
Why I ask:
Pica may be a sign that your child is not absorbing nutrients and minerals from a dysfunctional GI tract, and therefore craves them.
Exposed to secondhand smoke (do any smokers live in the home?)
Why I ask:
Children who live in homes with smokers are more susceptible to ear infections and upper respiratory infections25, and miss more days of school.26
Strep infections
Sinus infections
Why I ask:
Is your child a “frequent flyer” at the doctor’s office? Missing a lot of school? A simple Immune Support Protocol will get him back in class in no time. See Chapter 7.
Ear infections
Has ear tubes
Catches every cold “coming and going”
Had tonsils removed
Has an autoimmune disease
Why I ask:
Children whose autistic symptoms improve when they have a fever may respond favorably to an extract of broccoli sprouts rich in sulforaphanes.27 Studies are ongoing.
Seems less autistic when she has a fever
Gets warts that are refractive to treatment
Has molluscum contagiosum
Cold sores
Thrush
Candida
Why I ask:
Unusual susceptibility to viral infections like the common cold, warts, molluscum, and fever blisters, or fungal infections like thrush or yeast may indicate a type of immune dysfunction seen in ASD called the “Th1 to Th2 shift.”28
Clostridia difficile
Why I ask:
Some children with ASD struggle with high levels of “C. diff.”29 These bacteria produce propionic acid, which may contribute to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, glutathione depletion, and other factors that are suspected of exacerbating ASD symptoms. If you answer yes, add S. boulardii to your support protocols.30 See Chapter 5.
Comprehensive stool testing
Basic Immune Support Protocol
Chiropractic adjustments
Broccoli sprout extract
Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast
Don’t smoke in the house or the car
Test for Vitamin D level
Candida Screening
Research shows our children are prone to candidiasis. Read this list and see how many of these characteristics describe your child.
Silly, “drunken” laughter that is inappropriate
Cheeks have bumpy red patches
Rashes around the crotch and buttocks
Red ring around the anus (may also be due to perianal strep, parasites, sexual abuse)
Rectal or vaginal itching
Eczema
Why I ask:
You’ve probably tried creams, special shampoos, and nail treatments. What your child really needs is basic GI and immune support.
Cracking or peeling hands or feet
Ridged, discolored nails or toenails
Jock itch or athlete’s foot
Wet hair that smells funny or like a wet dog
Crusty or flaky scalp
Dry flaky skin around the ears, eyebrows, or nose
Persistent cradle cap
Urinary tract infections
How many rounds of antibiotics has your child had in her entire life?
Pediatricians are using creams, powders, even steroids to combat eczema, rashes, and the painful red ring that forms around the anus. However, the main culprits, microbial imbalance and Candida within the intestinal tract,31 go untreated. Basic GI support is needed here.
You know how you usually get a yeast infection when you’re on an antibiotic? Your new secret weapon is a powerful beneficial yeast you can take during a round of antibiotic. Saccharomyces boulardii (pronounced “Sac b” 
) is the most researched probiotic on the planet. It hates other yeasts and helps keep them under control when taken with your antibiotic.
If every round of antibiotic was partnered with a month or two of high-potency probiotics and “Sac b,” I doubt we would see so many GI, sleep, behavior, allergy, and immune problems in our children.
Here are more signs of a Candida imbalance:
Why I ask:
Don’t write these things off as autistic behavior. Scientific studies show our ASD children are more prone to candidiasis and dysbiosis. Bacteria and yeast make a lot of metabolic by-products, including toxins and alcohol. The brain is downstream from all this pollution, and the end result is brain fog, irritability, and a really mean sweet tooth.
Cravings for desserts and sugary foods
Depression or irritability
Has needed to use Diflucan (fluconazole), nystatin, or other antifungals
Spaced out, foggy, in a different world
Do you have to say your child’s name several times before you get a response? Does it seem like your child has to power through some serious brain fog to speak or respond to requests? Don’t just assume this is “who he is.” Try the Basic GI Support Protocol to see if his brain is simply downstream from some pollution in the gut.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Basic GI Support Protocol (which includes Sac b)
Basic Immune Support Protocol
Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates in the diet
Immune Support Protocol
Antibiotic Support Protocol
Sleep Patterns
Why I ask:
Autism parents have horror stories to tell of the frequent night awakenings and infamous poor sleep patterns on the spectrum—problems that are mostly due to acid reflux and GI discomfort. You will be glad to know your child’s sleep pattern is often one of the first things to improve when the Basic GI Support Protocol is started. Hallelujah!
Difficulty falling asleep occasionally
Difficulty falling asleep most of the time
Stays asleep all night but body is restless (e.g., tossing and turning, covers all torn up)
Awakens maybe once a night and goes right back to sleep
Frequent night awakenings; does not go back to sleep easily
Not unusual to “be up for the day” at an extremely early hour (e.g., 3 a.m.)
Moans or cries in sleep
Nightmares or night terrors
Sleep walks
Sleeps less than normal
Why I ask:
I’ve had several cases where overwhelming fatigue and excessive sleeping were found to be due to intestinal parasites.
Sleeps more than normal
Takes melatonin, clonidine, or other medications for sleep
Antipsychotic or antidepressant medication is strategically taken at night to help with sleep
How many caffeinated drinks are consumed each day?
Children with autism tend to get significantly less sleep than non-ASD children.32 They go to sleep later, get up earlier, and may wake up several times a night. Poor quality of sleep significantly affects the daytime functioning of autistic children, and from personal experience, I can assure you that sleep-deprived children equals sleep-deprived parents. This leads to difficult behaviors and high levels of family stress. I spent years in a crabby stupor before I learned how easy the sleep patterns are to restore.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Follow the Basic GI Support Protocol (believe it or not, sleep will usually respond and improve)
Try the sleep tips (see Week 4 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
Reduce and eliminate caffeine in the diet
Alpha-Stim 20 minutes a day (see www.alpha-stim.com)
THINK ABOUT FOR LATER:
Lab testing of specific hormones and neurotransmitters (rarely needed, unless nothing else works for poor sleep patterns)
ASSIGNED READING:
Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, MD
Dietary History
A healthy diet is the best medicine, and yet many of us can count on one hand the number of foods our children eat. What’s up with those restricted eating patterns? Fill in the blanks below and see what pattern emerges for your child:
Organic foods
Nonorganic foods
Partially organic diet
Why I ask:
Individuals with ASD may have impaired detoxification status.33 A diet free from chemicals, dyes, preservatives, additives, hormones, and antibiotics can be an important foundation of health for them.
Fruits
Vegetables
Meats
Why I ask:
I am looking for restricted and addictive eating patterns. If there is such an eating pattern, your child may benefit from enzymes with DPP-IV or one of several special diets.
Grains
Seeds, nuts, and nut butters
Snack foods
Dairy products
Bread, pasta, pizza
Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Picky eater
Why I ask:
Picky eaters with low muscle tone or an extreme sensitivity to textures, smells, and tastes may benefit from a referral to a feeding specialist.
Consumes diet high in processed foods
Consumes artificial sweeteners
Attitude or mood changes after meals
Why I ask:
I’m looking for addictive eating patterns. If a child drinks a gallon of milk a day, or eats chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and pizza likes it’s his job, I might jump ahead to the next section of the questionnaire to see if he’s constipated. Chapter 3 also explains why gluten and casein can cause constipation, and why enzymes with DPP-IV can help.
Demands or wants certain foods every day
Drinks a lot of milk (white/ chocolate/strawberry)
Number of glasses per day:
How much would your child drink if you let him have all he wanted?
Ever been on a gluten-free/casein-free diet?
Was it done strictly?
What happened?
Who’d have thought food—ordinary, everyday food—could have such dramatic effects on cognition, mood, learning, processing speed, ADHD, irritability, hyperactivity, and being “zoned out”?
Why I ask:
Your child will likely surprise you by trying new foods once he’s on the enzymes with DPP-IV for about a month.34
Science and clinical observation are revealing that food is powerful for ASD children. And you can harness its power for evil or for good. We will explore why our children eat addictively and how it affects them in Chapter 3. No matter what else I share with you in this book, remember that a good diet is the foundation of anything we do. And I’ll show you how to overcome the picky and addictive eating habits in as painless a way as possible.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Enzymes with DPP-IV (part of the Basic GI Support Protocol)
A good quality multivitamin
Go as organic as you can afford, especially with meats, milk, and eggs
ADD TO THE TEAM:
Feeding specialist
Bowel Habits
Next, I ask about the frequency, texture, and well, yes, the smell of your child’s poop and gas. Some parents and even children look a bit taken aback by this line of questioning. (Some even laugh.) But many of you exclaim, “Finally, someone who’s asking about all these weird things that we deal with every day!”
Why I ask:
Children with ASD are significantly more likely to have constipation and diarrhea35 and may need a GI support protocol or special diet. Keep reading!
How often does he have a bowel movement?
Has he had to use laxatives or stool softeners?
Has he been hospitalized for constipation?
Bowel movements are very foul-smelling.
Gas is very foul-smelling.
He is excessively gassy.
Why I ask:
Gassiness may indicate poor digestion and insufficient digestive enzymes. The foul odor may indicate a microbial imbalance (unless, of course, you ate some spicy food last night!).
Look at the following chart, and mark all the stool types your child has:
Dr. Ken Heaton, at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, developed the Bristol Stool Scale, or the Bristol Stool Chart. He first published it in 1997 in Lewis S. J., and K. W. Heaton, “Stool Form Scale as a Useful Guide to Intestinal Transit Time,” Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 32, no. 9 (1997): 920–24.
Constipation may contribute to:
• Reflux
• Candida
• Pain and discomfort
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Poor sleep
• Impaired detoxification
How often does your child have a bowel movement? The goal is daily type 4s.
Do you give any enemas, suppositories, or laxatives?
Does your child have to crouch/perch on the toilet seat to have a bowel movement? This can be a tip-off to constipation.
Enormous bowel movements: Colon has become stretched out from impacted stools.
Diarrhea and constipation.
Why I ask:
Let me explain about an alternating pattern of diarrhea and constipation: Our food begins the process of digestion as a rather liquid slurry. If a hard, impacted mass of poop is blocking the colon, the liquid poop will simply go around it, making you think your child has diarrhea.
Undigested food present in stools: Many ASD children do not make sufficient digestive enzymes.
Mucus in the stools: This is a marker for inflammation.
Sticky stools: May indicate gluten or lactose sensitivity.
Why I ask:
I am disturbed by doctors telling autism parents it’s just “toddler constipation” or “toddler diarrhea.” Giving it a name does not make it normal. How long do these children have to be miserable?
Foul-smelling bowel movements and gas: May indicate a microbial imbalance.
Gassiness: May indicate maldigestion or microbial imbalance.
Basic GI Support Protocol
ASSIGNED READING:
Poophemisms: Over 1737 Fun Ways to Talk About Taking a Poop by Douglas Fir
Digestive Wellness for Children by Elizabeth Lipski, PhD
Stool and urine testing may reveal dysbiosis or nutritional needs.
LAB TESTS TO CONSIDER:
Comprehensive stool test
Organic acids test
Amino acids test
TREATMENT TIP
Addressing GI dysfunction and eliminating constipation should be the centerpiece of any health plan. Taking MiraLAX forever is not acceptable.
Aaron’s Story
The story of six-year-old Aaron’s visit to a gastroenterologist baffled me. His mother, Katherine, listed MiraLAX, fiber, frequent enemas, and stool softeners on the list of interventions. She described attempts to pry the hardened stools from his rectum and said that untreated, he had bowel movements every twelve to fourteen days. With MiraLAX, he had them every five to seven days. Aaron’s pediatrician referred him to a GI doctor for chronic severe constipation. The GI specialist was over an hour’s drive away. After Katherine filled out papers, the nurse refused to put them in an exam room. “The doctor says he has to be constipation-free for six months before he can evaluate his GI tract.” Katherine thought she must have misunderstood. “But we’re here for the constipation!” she cried. The nurse would not budge. Six months.
Within three and a half weeks of starting digestive enzymes with DPP-IV, the first step of the Basic GI Support Protocol, Aaron was having glorious daily bowel movements, and his aggression began to smooth out.
By eliminating constipation, it is very likely your child will need far less, if any, medications for reflux, sleep, and behavior problems.
Breath smells:
Not bad
Like freshly baked bread
Stinky, bad
Just like poop36
Why I ask:
Bad breath may come from a microbial imbalance, a Candida overgrowth, or poop and bile refluxing back up into the stomach. (Yes, really!)
Abdominal bloating
Why I ask:
Bloating may be due to gas from maldigestion and Candida, stool impaction, or even severe malnutrition due to not being able to absorb nutrition.
Drapes his tummy or leans over tables, chairs, or arms of couches
Presses his tummy up against the edges of tables
Random self-injuring behavior and head-banging
Why I ask:
Don’t miss this clue! These “random” incidents may be pain behaviors indicating belly discomfort.
Random sadness or crying, or unexplained tantrums
Spotting of feces in underwear
Not toilet-trained
Bed-wetting
Why I ask:
I never make promises, but I often see these last three issues disappear with a solid Basic GI Support Protocol.
Reflux Screening
Why I ask:
If your child puts off going to sleep or wakes up a lot during the night, he probably has reflux. Reach for the Basic GI Support Protocol in Chapter 6 first, not reflux medications.
Has known reflux
Swallows or clears throat frequently
Tooth enamel is being eroded by gastric acid (here’s your sign)
Relieving constipation can reduce or eliminate reflux. The answer: enzymes with DPP-IV to the rescue!
Facial grimacing
Gritting teeth
Wincing
Sighing, groaning
Burping
Paces around the house, jumps up and down, is hyperactive
Puts off going to sleep
Why I ask:
Sleeping in a propped-up position is the “reflux position,” a tip-off that your child likely has reflux.
Frequent waking at night
Falls asleep propped up in bed, sitting up on couch, in an armchair, or in the car seat
Reflux is one of the most unsuspected conditions in children. Read that sentence again. Most parents say their child does not have reflux, but upon persistent questioning, a pattern emerges that is consistent with reflux. Reflux is a significant factor in poor sleep patterns and irritability on the autism spectrum.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Basic GI Support Protocol
Chiropractic adjustments
Elevate the head of the bed with a mattress wedge
Behavior
Why I ask:
“Symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorders, especially pain, may function as setting events for problem behaviors.”37 These behaviors indicate pain and discomfort—missing this clue can lead to inappropriate use of antipsychotics and ineffective, time-consuming behavior programs. Go for the Basic GI Support Protocol first.
Easily frustrated
Easily angered
Tantrums or outbursts
Irritability
Aggression
Self-injuring
Destructive around the home
Few realize these behaviors can be an expression of pain and dysfunction in a child with poor communication and social skills.
Health professionals seem to assume that the high levels of constipation, irritability, aggression, rages, nighttime awakenings, hyperactivity, and self-injury that many of the children display are simply inexplicable “autistic behaviors.” Hello?
These behaviors are due to real medical problems that children on the autism spectrum have. There are simple, natural protocols to correct these problems, calm your child, get rid of the GI issues, and let you and your child get well and get some real sleep. Now, that sounds like just what you need!
Let’s peek at Isaac’s story.
Isaac’s Story
Every day, children with autism are asked to do their best while they feel their worst.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Isaac is on the autism spectrum and was having a bad day at the pediatrician’s office. The doctor was annoyed and told the family that he wouldn’t get any stickers: “This is not autistic behavior, this is bad behavior. We don’t reward bad behavior with stickers.” He told all of the nurses not to give Isaac any stickers and wrote it on the outside of his chart. When Isaac began head banging, the doctor instructed the angry family to admit him to the psychiatric floor of the local hospital via the emergency room.
I started Isaac on the Basic GI Support Protocol, and he is now a much mellower and happier ASD child.
Like many health professionals, Isaac’s pediatrician doesn’t understand that pain and dysfunction in the GI tract can affect mood and behavior for those on the autism spectrum. Isaac wasn’t giving the doctor a hard time, he was having a hard time.
Toddlers like Isaac are routinely referred for psychiatric medications to control behaviors when a simple, natural GI support program would clear up most of the problems. We need to change the conventional approach to ASD so that every child can have a good day (and get his stickers!).
This book teaches parents and health professionals to recognize and address these unseen health challenges and support vibrant health on the autism spectrum. With improved health comes improved clarity, cognition, and clearing of the brain fog, as well as improved mood and behavior.
If you try the Basic GI Support Protocol, yet your child still has loose stools and behaviors such as hitting, screaming, biting, kicking, and head banging, it’s time for a comprehensive stool test and more targeted treatment. Why? Studies indicate our children are more prone to Clostridia difficile and other bacterial infections in the GI tract that are associated with these behaviors.
Why I ask:
“Lactase deficiency not associated with intestinal inflammation or injury is common in autistic children and may contribute to abdominal discomfort, pain, and observed aberrant behavior. Most autistic children with lactose intolerance are not identified by clinical history.”38 Read Chapter 3 to get inspired about using digestive enzymes.
Your treatment plan is developing as we go. Are you beginning to feel like there might be some hope?
Comprehensive stool testing
Basic GI Support Protocol
Applied behavior analysis (see Week 23 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
GABA and other calming support tips (see Week 3 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
Tics and Obsessive
Why I ask:
Tendencies Tics and obsessive tendencies seem to run with our crowd39 and may be triggered by antibodies to strep species cross-reacting with certain structures in the brain. Antibiotics are sometimes used, and some patients successfully manage tics with the Xylitol Support Protocol. (See Week 48 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan.)
Sudden, brief involuntary muscle movements or jerks (I am not talking about hand flapping or finger twirling)
Repetitive blinking, snorting, or coughing; touching the nose, smelling objects
Picking at skin until it is raw
Sudden, brief involuntary vocalizations or sounds
Tic disorder such as Tourette disorder
Obsessive–compulsive disorder or tendencies
My Story
I’ll share a story that illustrates how strep infections can contribute to an increase in tics. One of my sons has Tourette disorder. We brought the noises and twitches under good control with the Xylitol Support Protocol, which I provide in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan. After a couple of quiet years, we became complacent and didn’t always use the xylitol nasal and oral care products regularly.
We were on a family trip to a dude ranch out west, when he said, “Hey, Mom, watch this!” His entire arm shot up in the air and back, quick as a wink.
“Was that a tic?” I wondered. I was mystified. We hadn’t seen one in months, and never one that dramatic. Two days later, he was transported by ambulance to the medical center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with strep pneumonia. His strep titers (antibodies) had been building while the infection was subclinical, and we had missed the clue of the newly reappeared tics.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Xylitol Support Protocol
ASSIGNED READING:
Saving Sammy: Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD by Beth Maloney
Mitochondrial Screening
For this material I owe special thanks to Nancy O’Hara, MD, and Elizabeth Mumper, MD:
As an infant:
Difficulty latching on
Difficulty swallowing
Excessive drooling
Poor head control (“floppy baby”)
Poor muscle tone
Why I ask:
I am looking for signs of low muscle tone due to mitochondrial dysfunction, which may be due to chronic oxidative stress. We can provide “mito” support if appropriate. (See Week 23 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan.)
Problems with fine motor skills (e.g., difficulty writing letters)
Curved back, “C” shape when sitting
Difficulty knowing self in space
Poor eye-hand coordination
Hyper-flexible joints
Poor speech, expressive and receptive
“Crashes” when he gets sick (i.e., gets dehydrated or even hospitalized)
It is estimated that up to 60 percent of ASD children may struggle with mitochondrial dysfunction,40 which may be due in part to oxidative stress created by chronic inflammation. This translates to low muscle tone and being easily fatigued. Proper support includes antioxidants, anything that reduces inflammation, and supplements known to support mitochondrial function.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Mitochondrial support tips (see Week 23 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
Antioxidant Support Tips (see Week 17 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
Anti-inflammatory Support Tips (see Week 17 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
Seizures
Why I ask:
Staring spells could be due to:
• Seizure activity
• Opioid peptides from the gut
• Fatigue from sleepless nights
• Brain fog caused by Candida and dysbiosis
• Inflammation and oxidative stress
Staring spells
Seizures
Does your child chew his shirts to pieces? Studies show children with ASD tend to be low in zinc.41 I always give zinc for the “chewies.”
Some autism clinicians have noted that some of their patients report a reduction in frequency of seizures when a healthy balance is achieved in the GI system, although we aren’t sure why. I have noticed this in my own practice as well.
Signs of Zinc Deficiency:
Benefits of Zinc (one of my “Fab Five” favorite supplements):
• Healing to the gut
• Improves appetite42
• Supports immune health
• Important for attention and focus
• Competes with copper and mercury for absorption, two things children with ASD may be high in43
Has white dots or horizontal white lines on multiple fingernails
Acne/sparse hair/psoriasis
Canker sores
Chews on toys, objects, clothing
Signs of a Magnesium Deficiency:
Muscle twitches/tingling
Sighing
Salt craving
Chews on toys, objects, clothing
Why I ask:
If zinc doesn’t get rid of the “chewies,” I add magnesium to the Action Plan. Of course, chewing may be a sensory need as well.
Signs of an Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency:
Why I ask:
Essential fatty acids or EFAs are very beneficial for children with ASD.44 They are another one of the “Fab Five” supplements I love.
Keratosis pilaris (little bumps on the backs of the arms)
Dry, coarse hair
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Zinc
Magnesium
Essential fatty acids
Dental
Does your child have regular dental visits?
Does your child tolerate visits to the dentist? If not, arrange a few “practice runs.”
Why I ask:
Xylitol is great for oral health—it works against the mutans streptococci bacteria that cause cavities, reducing both plaque and cavities.
Does your child have cavities, now or in the past? Add xylitol to the plan.
Has the tooth enamel been eroded by gastric acid? It’s a sure sign of acid reflux.
Have steel caps been placed on the teeth? Yep, acid reflux!
Is your child sedated for procedures? If so, prevention becomes very important.
Tolerates brushing? Occupational therapy may help.
Regular flossing? Floss picks may make this chore easier.
Has had molars sealed? Dental sealants smell so very toxic, yet they are worth the trade-off if they prevent cavities and sedation.
Uses a probiotic toothpaste or rinse.
Uses xylitol toothpaste and mouthwash.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Basic GI Support Protocol for the acid reflux
Xylitol Support Protocol
Probiotic toothpaste and rinses
Get molars sealed
Dental hygiene tips (see Week 48 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
Focus, Attention, and Impulsivity
Why I ask:
Food sensitivities, including foods high in salicylates, may cause significant troubles with attention and hyperactivity. IgG food sensitivity testing and the Feingold diet may help your child avoid powerful stimulant medications.
Has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD
Poor self-control
Impulsive (acts before thinking)
Poor memory for directions and instructions
Dreamy, distracted type
Needs special seating in the classroom
Trouble following directions
Why I ask:
Neurofeedback can help with ADHD, executive thinking, and disorganization. It is worth the investment.
Frequently interrupts
Is the class clown
Disorganized
Poor planning
Exercise
What is your child’s exercise level?
Why I ask:
Exercise is great for hyperactivity and ADHD. If your child avoids sports, consider a developmental optometry evaluation.
Completely sedentary
Not much exercise
Moderate level of exercise
High level of exercise
Activity
Restless, roams around
Fidgety
Hyperactive
Why I ask:
I often see hyperactivity and impulse control improve as families work through the basic protocols and balance health.
Headaches
Talks excessively
Touches everything
Easily excited
Lethargic/fatigued
Compliance
Why I ask:
Too many children are being labeled and medicated for “oppositional defiant disorder” (ODD) instead of getting the help they need with their belly troubles. I expect many of these symptoms to improve or disappear as GI health is restored.
Has difficulty following the rules
Argumentative
Engages in negative behavior to get attention
Destruction of household items, furniture, or walls
Gets physically aggressive with family members
Gets physically aggressive with classmates, teachers, or aides
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Exercise
Feingold diet (see Week 41 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan)
IgG food sensitivity testing (see Week 39)
Neurofeedback (Week 40)
Developmental optometry evaluation (Week 30)
Tests for detoxification status (Week 24)
Peer Relationships and Behavioral Difficulties
Why I ask:
There are many resources for teaching social skills: counseling, therapies, books, DVDs, supervised playdates, and even summer camps.
Would like to have friends
Truly prefers to be alone
Parallel play (plays near other children, not with them)
Has trouble with group activities
Blames others
Is a “provocative victim”
Bullies or bosses other children
Teases excessively
Unpredictable behavior scares other children away
Is rejected or avoided by others
Emotional Difficulties
Why I ask:
Supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus early in life may reduce the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders later.45
Research indicates that individuals on the spectrum are more likely to have mood disorders such as anxiety or depression.46 Look at the following and see if your child may be affected too:
Has been diagnosed with a mood disorder
Frequent mood swings
Irritable
Why I ask:
Your child may need a referral for psychiatric medications or counseling. Up to 84 percent of those on the spectrum may experience anxiety to some degree.47 See Week 43 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan for tips for handling anxiety.
Often anxious
Depressed or unhappy
Does your child wander or run away?
Why I ask:
Project Lifesaver is a GPS bracelet that finds a zippy little runaway in an average of twenty minutes instead of hours or days. (See Week 22 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan for more safety tips.)
Maturity
Why I ask:
I find that many ASD children are less mature for their age than their peers. Just be patient and let them develop at their own pace.
Behavior resembles that of a younger child
Prefers younger relationships
Prefers the company of adults
Home Situation
How many homes does the child live in, or divide time between?
If more than one home, will both homes be cooperative with the health plans?
Why I ask:
I keep the protocols very simple for complicated home and marital situations.
Are there any difficult family situations that may hinder treatment?
Who Lives in the Primary Home?
Why I ask:
To be honest, the answer to this question gives me an idea of the “chaos status” of your home. It’s usually more difficult to maintain the protocols when there is a revolving door for various relatives, friends of friends, and strays.
Mother
Father
Stepmother
Stepfather
Girlfriend
Boyfriend
Brothers
Grandmother
Grandfather
Others
Why I ask:
On the other hand, I see great success when family members join together to support the health protocols.
ADD TO THE ACTION PLAN:
Project Lifesaver or other ideas from Week 22 in the Chapter 9 Online Action Plan
Social skills resources such as books, DVDs, counseling, and camps
Referral to a psychiatrist
Okay, so far your child may be nonverbal, or only able to get out a few words at a time. You’ve discovered he may struggle with GI and immune dysfunction, a nightmare of sleep patterns, a very restricted diet, sensory integration dysfunction, anxiety, and ADHD, to name a few concerns. His world may make more sense after a visit to a developmental optometrist. You’ve discovered medications may help, but aren’t the complete answer, and you’re putting new tools into the toolbox.
I would love for your child’s true personality to shine through and not be dulled by the fog of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, opioid peptides, immune dysregulation, or depression and anxiety.
Want the Science
For sources of information found in this chapter, turn to the Endnotes.
What’s in Your Toolbox?
You’ll get to choose from a suite of protocols to address and support these challenges in Chapters 3, 4, and 5. Then, in Chapters 6, 7, and 9, I will pull it all together for you. Don’t settle for just MiraLAX, clonidine, and risperidone; there are lots of natural tools that work beautifully for these children and that address the problems on a deeper level.
The Action Plan isn’t a buffet where you can eat dessert first if you feel like it; there is a logical order for each step. Let’s continue to explore and learn what you can do to restore and enhance your child’s health over the next few chapters. Chapter 6 will show you how to begin your Action Plan, and Chapters 7 and 9 will keep you going. And remember, these are just the basics for supporting vibrant health on the spectrum. Find a good MAPS—Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs—physician for complete medical management of your child’s metabolic and genetic challenges. But first, let’s get organized in Chapter 2.