I have always had a special desire to help care for patients on the autism spectrum. Growing up, I nannied for a young boy in my neighborhood who was autistic, and I gained a great appreciation for patience, flexibility, and unconditional love that his caregivers poured into his upbringing. Now, as an integrative medicine physician, I have been searching for ways in which I can better serve patients with autism.
Recently, while researching about MTHFR mutations and depression, I came to learn about nutrient therapy as a treatment for autism- and the results seem promising.
Even today, we still do not know that exact cause of autism. However, it seems to be an epigenetic phenomenon that is the result of a genetic predisposition together with an environmental insult on the developing brain. This results in a developmental regression that includes a combination of traits, such as reduced social skills, repetitive behaviors, increased sensitivity, limited eye contact and expressive language, obsessive interests and impulsive behaviors. Intellect can, be but is certainly not always, decreased.
Nutrient therapy is specifically designed to target concomitant toxic overload, food intolerances/sensitivities/leaky gut, metal metabolism abnormalities, immune compromise, and oxidative stress. When prescribed in addition to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy), especially prior to age 6 (or, immediately at the time of diagnosis), there is enhanced effectiveness of the nutrient therapy.
As I learn more about implementing nutrient therapy, I am hopeful I may be able to provide more comprehensive and effective treatments for patients with autism.
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