Autism

What can parents do themselves to help their child?

Avoid environmental factors as much as possible in order to protect children with genetic susceptibility.

  1. Give your child the best nutrition available, i.e., organic nutrition, while avoiding packaged foods. By doing this you will prevent an increase of further toxicity with heavy metals, pesticides, flavor enhancers like MSG, color additives, GMOs, preservatives and other waste products. Many studies mentioned in John Erb's book, The Slow Poisoning Of America link MSG to obesity, diabetes, migraines and headaches, autism, ADHD, and even Alzheimer's.
  2. Give your child sourdough bread instead of yeast bread to prevent the binding of zinc and magnesium to an insoluble complex with phytine acid and to enable the assimilation of nutritional zinc and magnesium. Since whole wheat sourdough bread is often very heavy, it would be better to start with lighter sourdough bread.
  3. Give your child enough pure water without copper or other toxins.
  4. Avoid the use of the microwave for all food and drinks; avoid also as much as possible plastic containers and packages.
  5. Avoid as much as possible sugar, sweets in general and artificial sweeteners. It is poisonous to the intestines and pancreas and several other tissues. Sugar also inhibits the production of EPA and DHA , both omega-3 fatty acids that are of crucial importance to the brain tissue.
  6. Provide a quiet and peaceful environment for your child, eliminating excess stimuli such as TV, Game Boys or computers.
  7. Make sure your child is well grounded to the earth. Static electricity may give rise to both emotional/mental disorders and physical complaints. Synthetic clothing, insulating shoes (rubber or plastic soles) and synthetic floor coverings should therefore be avoided. If possible, have your child walk around barefoot. Eliminate all electric appliances in the bedroom such as electric alarm clocks, TV, computers or audio equipment. Turn of Wi-Fi during the night (and day).
  8. Provide a healthy sleeping environment for your child. A healthy bed should not contain any metal. If possible, have your child sleep facing north or east. A dark room is important for the production of melatonin (sleep hormone).
  9. Avoid antibiotics as much as possible since they impair intestinal flora and consequently increase underlying problems. In case of infection, opt for naturopathic solutions.
  10. Put your child on omega-3 fatty acids, the highest and purest quality you can find. Normally I prescribe not more than 500 mg a day. Avoid the overconsumption of omega-6 fatty acids from soy and corn, which are mainly in packed foods. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, omega-6 are pro-inflammatory. The ideal ratio would be 1:1, but modern food contains 1:25!
  11. Give the two different types of Vitamins C. Both are available in tablets or capsules and as powder. The rule is that in case of diarrhea the dose should be lowered a little bit until the diarrhea disappears (bowel tolerance dose). This is without danger; only patients with haemochromatosis should avoid extra vitamin C, because vitamin C stimulates iron absorption. The general rule is not more than 1000 mg per year of age. So a child four years old can be given 4000 mg a day divided over three doses a day. That means three times an ascorbate of 1000mg and 3 times ascorbyl palmitate of 500mg (which is 3x 200mg of vitamin C). That makes 3600 mg per day. For children 6 years and older the maximum dose I advise is 6 grams a day, which is generally enough to attain our goal.
  12. Give also extra zinc, up to age 4 give 10 mg, from age 4 to 8 give 20 mg, then 30 mg for older children.
  13. Then make an appointment with a CEASE therapist. Autism is a serious disease that can be treated successfully, but even if I have given give you a lot of information about its treatment here and in my book Autism Beyond Despair, it needs professional help. Otherwise you will ultimately be disappointed and not get the results you hoped to achieve. You child is too precious to treat yourself.