Posts Tagged ‘Complementary and alternative treatments’
Friday, May 17th, 2013
The goal of biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions treatment is to optimize health in order to minimize inflammation, prevent disruptive behaviors, enable normal development, and allow the traditional therapies to take hold. This is the story of one of our parents who became a believer after getting rid of the offending nutritional fare.
After our son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, I spent about two weeks in a very dark place. As soon as I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I knew I needed to try to be as strong as I could so that I could help our son. About six weeks after our first visit with Dr. Udell, we received all of the test results for food sensitivities. My son had been a great eater (this is a story for another time) until we found out he was highly allergic to peanuts; then, after experiencing anaphylaxis at 17 months due to eggs, food became a MUCH bigger problem. He had pneumonia for the first time in February 2012, which was frightening. We were told that he suffered from Reactive Airways Disease and that he would be sick for quite a few years. I had such a difficult time just accepting this news, so I researched solutions. He was on a regimen of Singular, Xoponex, and Pulmicort in the nebulizer and, if it got severe enough, oral steroids. Our son was always ill. Sick so much that people did not believe us. This year, my son was on steroids (either oral or inhaled) from October until March, but he was still not better. One of the fill-in pediatricians proclaimed, “He is on too much medicine to be this sick!”
This past March, after our follow-up appointment for biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions treatment, we started our son on a high dose probiotic and Diflucan. At that visit, we received a long list of items for our son not to eat. My husband and I decided to dive head first into this and get rid of his beloved bananas and Lorna Doones (cookies). I was skeptical about the food changes because any time you hear the word autism, GF /CF diets are soon to follow. I am not sure if the food, the probiotic or the Diflucan changed our son but something did and he has not had any more respiratory issues. I am not a Dr. but as we noticed our son changing with all of the new protocols, he became a healthy 3 and a half year old little boy. No steroids for 7 weeks and counting.
Back to my son’s food issues. He never got back to eating fish and chicken, as he did in his infancy. He eats a lot of pouches from Earth’s Best or Plum Organics. He drinks a smoothie in the morning but, since we had to change to rice milk, we provide Silk protein drink and soy yogurt. I went to my local health food stores (the big box ones are so expensive) and found Annie’s Gluten Free Bunnies, Crunch-master cinnamon sugar crackers, Enjoy Life sugar cookies and Home Free little sugar cookies. We had to bribe him with toys to get him to try new foods, but it worked. Now, we have a few items to take when we go out, so he can feel like a normal kid.
Quick tips for giant food changes. Talk to your local health food stores and see if they can order selected products for in-store purchase. Often, they will offer a discount if you order a case or more. Check out Amazonmom.com (it’s free) where you could get discounts on baby and kids items, make sure to sign up for their ‘subscriptions and save’ programs. The pouches from Plum Organics are $1.79 at Babies R Us and they are shipped to me for $12.46 per dozen, a savings of $9.02. The Enjoy Life cookies list for $4.69 a box, but through Amazon they are $2.84. Not everything is cheaper at Amazon, but with the expense of a GF/CFGluten free and casein free dietGluten free and casein free diet/egg/nut etc. diet, every little bit helps.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, Attention deficit, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, casein free, CF diet, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, diagnosis, diet for autism, doctors curing autism, food allergy, GF diet, Gluten free, Hyperactivity, medical doctor, oppositional behavior, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, remove toxins, vitamins and ASD, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Autism Therapies, Diets, Earliest Red Flags, Patient experiences, Special Guests, Speech and Language | No Comments »
Sunday, March 31st, 2013
30º angle
Search Engine Statistics @ TheAutismDoctor.com indicate that many readers come to this venue looking for ‘B12 shot’ information. Since you can read that first round of explanations here, I will use this post to add to our B12 frequently asked questions knowledge base.
Can you have too much? I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Neubrander‘s opinion about this at the recent MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. conference. He compared responders with higher-than-expected levels of vitamin B12 to insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus; where pharmacologicThe amount of a substance needed to achieve results
U-dictionary dose, rather than physiologicThe amount of a substance that the body produces to achieve an effect. U-dictionary dosages of sugar-lowering hormone may be required for optimal effects. Interestingly, drugs such as Prevacid and Tagamet, which are frequently prescribed for many ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients with GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease-a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus, can interfere with B12 absorption. Furthermore, when there are problems such as stomach and small intestine disorders, B12 levels may be reduced, reducing cognitive function.
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements ”no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals”. In clinical trials, vitamin B12 supplementation did not cause any serious adverse events when administered in very high doses for 3 to 5 years. When there is kidney failure, liver disease and some blood diseases, B12 levels can be high, but it’s not the other way around.
High cobalt levels (as in methylcobalamin, as in MB-12) have also been reported as possibly leading to neurologic symptoms. Some artificial implants in adults have been implicated. In one study examining metal levels, cobalt was not implicated as a factor in autism, however. Other reports did not show significantly elevated blood or hair levels in ASDAutism spectrum disorder. And, recent papers even reported a slight decrease in cobalt in ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients. Possibly, the bottom line is to measure blood cobalt in patients receiving ‘shots’ who are not responding, but getting plenty of MB-12.
What is the best way to administer MB-12? Since it is a water soluble vitamin, getting the compound into the body is pretty straight forward. Sublingual, intranasal spray, liquids, gummies and lollipops will all raise the MB-12 levels. However, excretion is very prompt and so repeated doses throughout the day (and night) would be the only similar manner to the subcutaneousUnder the skin route. There isn’t literature other than anecdotal information that documents similar improvement to the preferred route. Even the advertisements for Dr. David’s Original B-12 Patch only claim superiority to pills.
The subcutaneousUnder the skin injection is the most common, documented, successful method of administration. Our experience at the Child Development Center has been that expensive anesthetic creams such as EMLA are rarely required or even that helpful. “After the child falls asleep, apply to the skin, mark the area and wait 45 minutes?” Many a parent has fallen asleep themselves waiting for that. The idea is to get the liquid into the most likely tissue to let it leak out into the circulation, so a 30º angle with a tiny needle into the upper outer area of the buttocks is great.
If this preparation works, it should be thought of as insulin to a diabetic. For some reason, those parents, and the children, accept that reality (of shots) more freely. So, the parent who complains that “Every time we even enter the room, he wakes up,” or “It’s impossible to give it to her,” is simply in denial. If you want the child to improve, and B12 shots have a fair chance of being part of that improvement, then do what is necessary.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, b12 autism, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, heavy metals, mb-12, methyl b12, methylcobalamin, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Therapies, Chelation, Diets, Reversing autism | 1 Comment »
Monday, March 18th, 2013
I get a great deal of requests from students around the world to assist with their research papers. Because these questions are asked so frequently, I decided to post the latest inquiries with my responses, which I think will help all readers.
Dr. Udell,
I am a Junior in high school. For my advanced placement English class we were assigned to write a research paper. I have decided to write about the rise of children being diagnosed with Autism. If is isn’t an inconvenience I would greatly appreciate a response to my questions below:
1. According to the CDC one in 88 children are diagnosed with Autism. What factors have contributed to this sharp increase?
A. Toxic environment acting on susceptible fetuses and infants. This is by far the most important reason for the increase.
B. Better recognition.
C. Broader range of signs and symptoms included in the diagnosis.
D. Inclusion of some genetic syndromes such as Fragile X and Retts syndrome.
2. Is this issue global or more centered in the United States?
I see patients from all over the world, including the Middle and Far east, India, Africa, south America, Central America, Europe. Although most countries have not reported as high an incidence, there is definitely a world wide increase (think toxic world).
3. What are some of the ramifications seen by this increase now, and what are some long term effects on society if this trend continues?
A. Increased need for early recognition.
B. Increased need for services and useful interventions.
C. Increased need for physicians suspecting the diagnosis and research.
D. Future increased needs for adult services and appropriate living facilities.
4. What are some proposed solutions to this issue, and what preventative measures can and are being taken?
A. High index of suspicion with earlier diagnosis and interventions.
B. Recognizing toxic environment and reducing toxic load.
C. Use of successful medical interventions at earliest possible times.
D. Healthier pregnancies with better nutrition and less toxic exposure.
E. Finding genetic and other markers of risk for prevention.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
Posted in >ALL<, AD/HD, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Patient experiences | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
Don’t you just love it? An ADHDAttention deficit - hyperactivity disorder patient was (finally) doing really well on 20mg of medicine in the AM, plus 10mg in the afternoon. It took months to fine-tune the correct medication, dose, and timing. Everything was going well and then the insurance company intervened with the following ‘recommendation’ from their protocol committee, “Change the medication to the generic form, change the dose to different dose (either a lower or increased amount) of a long-acting formulation, and therefore change the timing.” Of course, the parents don’t HAVE to change what was working, the company just won’t pay for the therapy to be delivered that way.
Thank you, NoGo Insurance Company. Your complicated explanations are neither welcomed, nor helpful. In fact, such a recommendation creates extra work for the family and physician, and chaos for the patient. Often, costs go up as we try to adjust to the new meds. The money that gets saved is because of deals that the company had cut with the drug maker. How about negotiating with pharmaceutical manufacturers so that the patient gets to take the medications that are already effective?
This is a uncomplicated example of a single medication given for ADHDAttention deficit - hyperactivity disorder. You can imagine, therefore, the complex decisions that are involved in patients with ASDAutism spectrum disorder. There are the determinations about which therapies to fund, what meds are required, which doctors to reimburse, and the educational environment. The autism epidemic has created an entirely new set of circumstances about which the insurance companies know NOTHING. However, they continue to operate with the same set of rules and in the same universe as conventional pediatric care.
One study reported “It can cost about $3.2 million to take care of an autistic person over his or her lifetime. Caring for all people with autism over their lifetimes costs an estimated $35 billion per year.” A summary of how individual states handle services can be found here. Perhaps surprisingly, the therapy that my patients are least likely to utilize is ABAApplied behavior analysis... the science of controlling and predicting human behavior, which has been proven to help. Even though it is part of the allowed treatment options in selected states, companies apparently balk at payment, by providing few baseline dollars.
The combination of biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions and traditional therapy is a powerful solution that can significantly reduce the time that it takes for children to recover, or at least become mainstreamed. The well published >$40,000 per child per year EXTRA that it takes to care for a child on the spectrum equals $200K for 5 years. Therefore, we must make the diagnosis as early as possible – before 3 years – and not “wait ’til the child is older”. Most children could be mainstreamed by 8 years and that could save hundreds of thousands of dollars (over a lifetime) with a superior outcome.
There are two major reasons why the paucity of insurance coverage presently exists. First, the insurance company doesn’t really pay much attention, because the epidemic is so new and they haven’t historically covered any amount – so they don’t see the savings. Second, the conventional medical community is still arguing whether there even IS an epidemic, whether ASDAutism spectrum disorder is a genetic condition, whether this condition is treatable, and whether the patient can recover. You want best practices? Use the work of Dr. Martha Herbert, Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, The University of Washington, Dr. Richard Frye, and Columbia University’s Dr. Michael Gershon. We need a new paradigm, and that starts with pediatricians, neurologists and psychiatrists understanding that kids can get better – as reported in the recent literature.
Most of us won’t have access to the powers-that-be in health insurance companies and get them to listen and cooperate. But doctors, if you can’t help us, please stay out of the way.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, Attention deficit, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, Hyperactivity, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
Posted in >ALL<, AD/HD, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Therapies, Earliest Red Flags, Patient experiences, Reversing autism, Speech and Language | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
My dream was to create a fun and inviting space, entirely free of charge, where children with special needs could have a great time and interact with one another, with the help of devoted professional volunteers; a space that would also provide support, awareness and information to the families, and which would, hopefully, grow and inspire others.
There are many great parents in our practice who contribute in various and helpful ways to addressing the autism epidemic. Some volunteer at their school, others provide professional services for developmentally challenged children, and some donate their time and resources to the community.
The Autism Society - Broward is one great example. Through local efforts, the organization helps raise money (Dan Marino Walkabout for Autism), sponsor surfing and golfing events, provide yoga classes, a monthly lecure series, and as a clearing house for ASDAutism spectrum disorder problems in our community. The all-volunteer Board of Directors makes sure that all monies are directed to actually help our ASDAutism spectrum disorder community, through education, participation and fund-raising efforts. It is the most hands-on and friendly Board that I have had the pleasure to assist, and I have served on many Boards of Directors throughout my pediatric career.
Taking the desire to address the Autism Epidemic to a whole new level is The Bubble Tree, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It was founded by a grateful parent who wished to give back to the community by providing a safe place for all children to come and play. In a magical setting, kids have the chance to play, get therapy and socialize. Special classes, such as art, are even provided on a regular basis. No fee is charged for this unique haven, with a suggestion/donation box as the sole evidence that such a resource does require monetary assistance for continued survival.
In addition to providing such a wonderful indoor play area, The Child Development Center of America has been allowed to offer our medical services to patients who would not otherwise be able to travel to Weston, where our main office is located. Since, June, 2012, I have been taking a staff member and some equipment twice a month to visit with a different set of parents than that who makes the other trip. We have been able to help patients who have never been exposed to biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions intervention and many who have visited several conventional clinicians without getting real improvement in their child’s condition.
Given the need for such an amazing resource, a surprising challenge for The Bubble Tree has been the need to raise awareness for community support and volunteers. It seems that, at the end of a busy school day, many children go to aftercare, therapy(s), or tutoring classes. After dinner, homework is the major chore and before you know it, it is bedtime so the day is completed and there was never time to get to play. The Bubble Tree is open Monday through Friday, so families who are concerned that there aren’t any parks or recreation should make time to find their way there. The website provides plenty of information about the activities and even provides a scheduling program to streamline services.
My advice to locals – don’t let such a fabulous opportunity to help your children languish. Visit the website and take your chldren to the funhouse. You won’t be disappointed.
Addendum:
Well, it was built but the population didn’t come. Too many other things to do, I guess.
So, our last clinic will be in June and we hope to see you in Davie.
Thanks for all the great work that the Bubble Tree owners tried to get going. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, oppositional behavior, Pediatrician autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Earliest Red Flags, Patient experiences | 3 Comments »
Saturday, February 9th, 2013
“The teacher said that my child doesn’t listen… The Speech and Language therapist said to use only one language… The DAN! Doctor wants my child to take… The OTOccupational therapy... enables people to participate in the activities of everyday life said that the child needs practice… My in-laws say that nothing is wrong… I read something on the Internet about… Somebody-I-know-who-knew-someone-with-autism-who-got-better said…”
AutismSpeaks keeps telling us about genetics. Alternative doctors continue to offer chelationinvolves the administration of agents to remove heavy metals from the blood. NAET practicioners say that they can get rid of a child’s allergies and help autism. Chiropracters. Neurofeedback. Neuromuscular Reflex Integration. Hearing therapy. Hyperbaric Oxygen chambers, hard and soft.
Have you heard about the study on stem cells? Is that the same as IVIG? How about the research on Bumetanide, Spironolactone, Actos, Secretin, Namenda, Baclofen, Biotin, Folinic acid, NAC, DMGDimethylglycine, a precursor of Glutathione, TMGTriimethylglycine, a precursorA building block of another substance of Glutathione, SAM-e and B12 ‘shots‘? Do I know about MMS for autism?
The pediatrician wants to keep putting the child on antibiotics. The neurologist suggests Risperdal to improve behavior. The psychiatrist is thinking Abilify. The teachers think that Adderall would do the trick. Intuniv is touted as a helpful medication. The dermatologist says that the rash is eczema. The allergist advises steroids. The gastroenterologist wants to do an endoscopic examination, and give Miralax in the meantime.
Parents are often counseled that stimsStimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner... known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement.Stimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner...known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement. should be ignored. The Son-rise program advises joining the child’s unusual repetitive behaviors. There are numerous supplements to address symptoms; including taurine, GABAgamma-Aminobutyric acid, the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system (Wiki), CoQ10, carnitine, carnosine, vitamins and minerals. Speak™ for speech. True Focus for focus. There are protocols for immune system support, G-IGastro-intestinal (stomach, small intestine; large bowel) system support, and brain support. Want more? Treatments have been advocated using fecal transplants and even parasitic worms.
Then, there are the diets. GF/CFGluten free and casein free dietGluten free and casein free diet, The Some-Other-Food-Specific Diet, Low Yeast Diet, The Blood Type Diet, Low Oxalate Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, The Feingold Diet, Organic foods, and Dr. Udell’s diet. Oy veyan exclamation of dismay or exasperation (Yiddish)an exclamation of dismay or exasperation ... (Wiki).
Studies have shown that ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients can get better, and we know people who have. Older literature indicates that individuals don’t really lose the diagnosis, a self-fulfilling prophecy that explains such a belief. The cause has been ascribed to inflammation, the environment, mercury, lead, aluminum, plastic, etc. Research indicates that the problem is mostly in the brain, while distinguished professor Martha Herbert teaches that ASDAutism spectrum disorder is a whole-body disorder.
Hello! Is it any wonder that parents are so confused about what to do with a non-typically developing child? We can’t even agree on a diagnosis. Is it Asperger’s, ASDAutism spectrum disorder, Severe, High Functioning or PDD-NOSPervasive (or Persistent) Developmental Delay, not otherwise specified? Parents come to our practice all of the time with developmental problems that you just can’t put your finger on. It isn’t the ADHDAttention deficit - hyperactivity disorder of the olden days, or the speech delay, or just oppositional behavior. The broadest category is “non-typical” – not what you would expect. For now, anyway. More precise diagnoses among the various professional organizations and disciplines will only serve to hasten effective intervention(s).
There will be additional theories offered, and sometimes treatments may work. But others may make patients worse. And some children who could have improved – even on their own – may deteriorate because of the wrong line of thinking, whether intervention is conventional or alternative. At a juncture so critical as this, in the thick of the most important childhood epidemic of the 21st century, physicians need to lead and assist an increasingly learned public on how to proceed. If pediatricians do not investigate and practice new protocols, the families will proceed without them.
Parents and patients need guidance through such a complicated maze of opinions and treatments. A united front on autism will emerge as parents, educators, physicians, therapists, and other practitioners agree about their role in recovery of function. Doctors should be more knowledgeable and speak honestly with the families about how much we do not know, what doesn’t work, what could be harmful and what is just too expensive without acceptable statistics proving benefit.
All treatments need to be assessed with scientific scrutiny and with empathy. That doesn’t mean alternative and complementary treatments should wait. Sometimes, physicians have to prescribe pretty strong medications to very disruptive children in order for the family (and the unfortunate patient) to get relief. On the other hand, let’s not get too upset with parents who try a GF/CFGluten free and casein free dietGluten free and casein free diet diet when there exists the myriad of treatments such as those listed here.
Parents need to find honest practioners with lots of experience who can analyze and properly utilize all of the possible protocols and recommend a reasonable and safe course for each affected individual.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, casein free, CF diet, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, diagnosis, diet for autism, doctors curing autism, food allergy, GF diet, Gluten free, Hyperactivity, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, vitamins and ASD, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, AD/HD, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Therapies, Chelation, Patient experiences, Reversing autism, Special Therapies | No Comments »
Sunday, February 3rd, 2013
A flurry of interest in a recent autism-outcome study prompted me to Google “cure autism news”, which yielded the following first page results (minus the paid links):
1. Clinical trial attempts to cure autism with cord blood | Fox News, from October, 2012
2. Study looks at worm therapy to treat autism | Fox News, January, 2013
3. Home | Autism Speaks - that links to Autism Speaks’ home page.
4. Promising Research in Autism: But Far From Cure – Technorati Family - a study about possible cause and treatment – in mice.
5. ScienceDaily: Autism News - another report involving laboratory research.
6. Autism cures promised by DNA testers belied by regulators … - about the proliferation of genetic under-information that has led to over-utlization of poorly understood supplements.
No wonder parents are so confused! One of Webster’s definitions – the one that I suppose most people mean when they ask about a ‘cure’ – is “A complete or permanent solution or remedy.” So, is a hip replacement a cure? It represents a permanent solution, but will certainly involve limitations. The word depends on the patient’s expectations (at least walking without pain, run with slower times, less distance), time (more abilities as time passes), and reversal of the underlying condition. For cancer, 5-year survival is the principle goal, and that is considered a cure.
The research that stimulated my Google query utilizes the term ‘optimal outcome’ to represent the most complete resolution of the signs and symptoms of autism. Specifically, “losing all symptoms of ASDAutism spectrum disorder in addition to the diagnosis, and functioning within the nonautistic range of social interaction and communication. Domains explored include language, face recognition, socialization, communication, and autism symptoms.”
In addition to the ‘optimal’ outcome, a group of high functioning individuals were described and the groups were compared to neuro-typical subjects. This study helps to set a standard for describing return of function for affected patients. Such precise definitions are an important beginning as we attempt to gain a better understanding of this developmental epidemic. The “cures” seemed to be documented in the lesser-affected children who received early behavioral therapies.
When children progress and achieve, as they appear to recover neuro-typical abilities, mainstream medicine remains skeptical. Common criticisms are that, either the original diagnosis was wrong, or the follow-up testing wasn’t looking at the correct parameters. “Sure,” it is commonly said, “If you think that what you are doing is helping, that is OK, but there aren’t any miracle cures.”
Parents aren’t looking for miracles, or even ‘”complete” cures. The most common wish is that their child will grow up to be 1) Healthy, 2) Happy, 3) Productive, and 4) Self-sufficient. The present study, and the discussion about other studies that have demonstrated “outgrowing” the diagnosis provide plenty of hope for gaining skills and ultimately achieving an independent life, especially by early diagnosis and intervention.
The bottom line is this: the condition that we call ASDAutism spectrum disorder has increased from 1/5000 to 1/88. If we don’t find some answers there is no reason to believe that this epidemic won’t continue to increase in coming generations. Whether patients outgrow it, get improvement from traditional, biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions, individual, or as-yet-unnamed treatments, the goal of optimal outcome is a realistic target.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, cure autism, DAN doctors, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, remove toxins
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Autism Therapies, Earliest Red Flags, Reversing autism, Speech and Language | No Comments »
Saturday, January 19th, 2013
We get lots of mail about the practice and the children that we help. I often tell parents not to believe most of what is posted on the web, ’cause, as they say, “If you’ve taken care of one kid with autism, you’ve taken care of one kid with autism.” Experience being our greatest teacher, here are some letters that document our practice’s development (stressing the word ‘practice’):
From Dr. Susan Widmayer, Administrator, Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Inc.
Early Steps – My First Autism Clinic (April, 2008):
Thanks, Brian. We are all very happy and excited. These children are among the most tragic we see and the parents are most definitely the most distressed. My hope is that we will be able to: 1. help the parents by giving them confidence that we are there for them and that we will be following their child with great care; 2. provide whatever intervention services that are most appropriate to each individual child; 3. establish a theoretical question and a sound research approach to gathering data so that the clinical care will help guide the future work; and 4. approach funders so that we can obtain support that will allow us to provide whatever evaluation and interventions are really useful in ameliorating the effects of the condition. Of course, if we could find a real pattern that gives us a clue to the origin of this condition, I will be very happy to carry your suitcase to Stockholm!!
November 2008 – First email from patient:
Thanks so much for seeing us yesterday. It was a pleasure meeting you and Karen. <<my child>> wants to know when we’re going back. I suppose I should have been upset with your news; however, I found myself kind of excited. It certainly makes sense and answers a lot of questions that we’ve had for the past 10 years. I really appreciate your frankness and directness in coming up with some possibilities. After talking with my husband and sister we think we’d like to give this a try. My sister is particularly interested as she has arthritis, another auto-immune disease… When we talked in your office you mentioned B12… So we’re saying it’s a go if after you have read the information I gave and still feel confident with your diagnosis. Let me know our next step. We’re just delighted that our path crossed yours.
November 2008 - from our Kind and Efficient Practice Administrator, Karen:
FYI the GSHGlutathione, a major body antioxidant composed of 3 amino acids smells like S.H.I.T.
January 2009
“…Reflux has gotten so much better since we put him back on bethenecol- screeching is gone and he is eating well. He was shaking his head after eating which seems to have subsided as reflux has stabilized. Very infrequent spit ups 1-2 a week, and small. We are working on more solid foods- cereal, smashed banana, mashed potato, avocado and he is doing better with slightly thicker. Am going to try ground sirloin burger tomorrow…”
April 2009:
I just wanted to “check in” with you. <<my child>> has 10 days left of the Valtrex presecription you wrote us…. so we’re 20 days into the antiviral treatment right now. He is doing absolutely amazing. He had a really high fever (over 101) and a bad diaper rash for about 3 days, followed by a cold (the rest of the house caught it as well, so it was not Valtrex related) but after that was over, he was a new kid. Literally…
July 2009:
I just wanted to let you know we are seeing progress in <<my child>> after only 3- Mb12 injections. All of his therapists have commented on how well he is doing as well. Thank you!
August 2009:
Well we just wanted to let know whats been going on. The boys started kindergarten its only been 2 days but they are doing fine so far. We are so proud of them… It is taken a little longer to come to see you because <<my child>> was seen by a pediatric dentist and needs some serious dental work. You were right about his teeth. Thanks for the heads up…
November 2009:
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your time yesterday. Leaving your office was the first time we have taken <<our child>> anywhere (and trust me we have been a lot of places) where we have felt hope. We are very excited to see where this goes and are very grateful to have you in the journey of helping our son.
December 2009:
…Following up… since beginning diflucan..-the glutathione- multi vits- fish oil- and iflora….<<my child’s>> belly went down…it seems unswollen to us….he completely stopped banging his head on floor after 2 days on protocol….he stopped hitting us …( we think he was then hitting us to communicate his own pain, which he did not know how to put into words)…he stimsStimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner... known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement.Stimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner...known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement. less….climbing has stopped…sleeping is great…. interaction has increased….so did his communications skills….he went from 2 words sentences to now 3-4-5 words sentences…he says please every time he ask something….he points at what he wants as well…(ex; ” this one mommy please”..while pointing)…we have witnessed multiple progresses….we are so amazed….and so happy…. Dr udell…we look forward to see again… .thank you so very much…. we are so pleased with <<my child’s>> progress already… WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND YOU….
January 2010 – another one from our Kind and Efficient Practice Administrator:
This week one of Jake’s spelling words was ‘piece’. He had to write sentences at school for each word. His sentence was ” I want a piece of bread”…(the thoughts of a child on a GLUTEN-FREE diet).
February 2010:
Thank you Dr. Udell for putting the results in english for me. I have some questions about this fungus in her gut but I can wait until I see you on March…
March 2010:
We are sending you a picture of <<my child’s>> rash. As you can see, it’s not red any more, but today we noticed he has more little bumps on his forehead…
Another patient:
I know you mentioned increase in stimminga repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner... known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement., jumping, hand movements etc. Do you know how long the increased stimminga repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner... known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement. will last? He has never had an excessive amount of spinning and have noticed spinning this past week. I went to pick him up at his preschool in the afternoon and he was spinning around in the gym. Should I be concerned?
April 2010 – one of many international patients we are lucky to assist:
I spoke with Great Plains International division regarding getting test sent to Argentina. Attached is an information sheet regarding the process. It is fortunate that the family is in Buenos Aires. From what they explained, there will be some difficulties in getting the kits/samples in and out of Argentina. The kits will need to be picked up at the airport. It can not be sent directly to the family…
May 2010:
I wanted to let you know that <<my child>> started his 3rd refill of diflucan and this week… and the first box of the probotics… still on glutathione… multivitamin… His therapists are reporting improvement in eye contact, communication and sensory tolerance!! His teacher still deals with his tantrums although much better in terms of duration and intensity but still random and over reactive… we went to Disney and he behaved exceptionally well despite the sensory over stimulation. that may just be what he needs…more stimulation overload then a human can provide:)
June 2010:
I was having a hard time getting <<my child>> to take the glutathione. I had been able to get it in his gfcf waffles or pancakes, etc., covering with syrup but he is now getting upset (yelling and biting himself) and stops eating and he’s not eating that much to begin with. It is a struggle everyday. Once he stops eating I can’t be sure if he even got it all in. I will buy another bottle and continue to try if you think that’s what I should do…
Another patient:
We believe that <<our child>> is still experiencing die-off symptoms. His behavior is more aggressive and irritable with tantrums. On a positive note, when he is in a good mood, he is repeating more, manding more, and demonstrating normal play…
You get the idea. Different patients, different problems, different solutions.
Thank you all for reading, and my great families who allow us to assist in their children’s recovery.
Brian D. Udell, MD FAAP
Medical Director
Child Development Center of America
©TheAutismDoctor.com
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Therapies, Patient experiences | No Comments »
Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Thirty years ago, scientists at a major drug company wished to develop a medicine that would open arteries in order to lower blood pressure. The chemical that was fabricated did, indeed, help reduce anginaPain associated with low blood flow to the heart muscle (U-dictionary). After several years of R&D, the product appeared to be safe, but the male volunteers reported an unusual side effect. The original intent of the drug was scrapped, and Viagra™ made it to market – much more quickly than the process usually takes.
Now, the warnings and side effects are myriad, including possible BLINDNESS and DEAFNESS. Yet, sales have soared, because what Viagra does is so valuable to patients. And, forget about “erections that may last more than 4 hours,” since that seems to be a selling point. There are lots of medications that have actions other than those for which they were invented. When does a side effect become the effect? Lumigan is another example. Originally meant to treat glaucoma, patients noticed that their eyelashes grew longer; so voilà - LATISSE®!
A prescription is considered as “off-label” when the actual usage of a medication is not included in the detailed written descriptions of the intended use based on studies submitted to the FDA. Importantly, as reported in Consumer Reports, off-label drug use is legal and often beneficial. Furthermore, it is quite common, especially in children.
According to one well-known study, “Most patients (79%) hospitalized at tertiary care pediatric institutions receive at least 1 medication outside the terms of the Food and Drug Administration product license.” Medical News Today recently reported that “Morphine… many inhaled bronchodilators, antimicrobials, anticonvulsants, and proton pump inhibitors… are used in children without formal FDA approval.” So, let’s not get too excited about the off-label use of medications to help children who have autism.
Then, there are the substances that ARE approved for behavioral symptoms of ASDAutism spectrum disorder – RISPERDAL® and ABILIFY®. There exists little evidence of their value for ASDAutism spectrum disorder. Anyway, manufacturers do not even claim to address the core delays in the ‘Social’ and ‘Communication’ domains. In the end, their use is often discontinued (or ignored), with many parents reporting more negative than positive results.
That brings me to the anti-fungal medication, Diflucan (fluconazole). At any time in my practice, nearly a third of our patients are getting very tiny doses and their parents have reported great relief. Sleep improves. Silly behaviors abate. Their fog clears and their ability to focus is enhanced. Other supplements, such as Glutathione and B12, seem to work better with improvements, not only in behavior, but communication as well.
Because it is supposed to eradicate yeast, we assume that the symptoms were due to a fungal overgrowth in the gut. Sometimes there is laboratory evidence that documents such a condition. However, fluconazole also improves symptoms when there ISN’T such evidence, or the medication has been used for a very long period – longer than it should have taken for the yeast to die. It even ‘appears to work’ when the organism tests resistant to the drug. Furthermore, the effects – both positive and negative – become evident within days of administration, a shorter duration than expected for the yeast to either die, or to return.
So, we call the disruptive behaviors that precede fluconazole ‘yeasty’, and we call those that follow shortly after administration ‘die-off’. There are books and blogs suggesting how to reduce yeast and sugars in food and other supplements that are supposed to accomplish the same improvement. Some are natural, such as turmeric and citrus seed extract. Also, there is another anti-fungal medication, nystatin, which is supposed to pass through the gut unchanged, perhaps conferring less toxicity (though certainly not less tolerance – the stuff is yucky).
In my experience, and that of many other Special Needs Medical Practitioners, few interventions address the symptoms that we assign to autism itself and/or yeast complicating autism as well as diflucan. Period. It feels as if that particular medicine (and maybe a few others like it) must be doing some ‘off-label’ magic to show such positive effects in ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients.
No medication is without risk or side effects. Adverse symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea – the same symptoms that we assign to ‘die-off’. But these often go away after 3-5-7 days. The main complication of possible liver toxicity is a major sticking point when I explain that to parents. It is, admittedly, a very rare occurrence that requires appropriate lab testing and follow-up, with close medical observation and consideration. Just like in every other medical protocol.
I often ask parents, “What if fluconazole were called ‘Anti-Autism Medicine’?” Their answer would be, “Gimme some of that stuff!” There would be more understanding about possible minor side effects, the labs that need to be checked and the doctors to check them, the cost, or the frequent dosing. This medication is not a panacea, but it sure sometimes helps in the war on this epidemic.
So what if the reason it works is only a side effect?
*Of course, I am only describing my experience and do not recommend this drug unless it is part of an established medical protocol which can be followed and documented.
Brian D. Udell, MD
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, diagnosis, doctors curing autism, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Autism Therapies, Patient experiences, Reversing autism | No Comments »
Saturday, January 5th, 2013
My practice continues to speak with families who remain confused about the most accurate diagnosis for their developmentally challenged offspring. Three professionals can provide 6 different-sounding diagnosis, depending on when they examined the patient, insurance and reimbursement requirements, what they have read on the web or experienced through the media, and well-meaning (sometimes ignorant-of-the-situation) friends, relatives and ‘experts’.
There are parents who say, “I don’t care about the exact diagnosis. Please, if someone could just make things better.” For a scientist who expects to provide the most precise remedy for the condition at hand, an accurate diagnosis is the most important first step in addressing the problem correctly. Otherwise, therapies may only represent poorly-placed, short-lived bandaids; hit-and-miss at best, under which infection may occassionally smolder and worsen. Here is a list of the alphabet soup of diagnoses that professionals offer to explain the patients’ various symptoms:
Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDAutism spectrum disorder), “Spectrum”
Asperger’s, Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)
Pervasive Developmental Delay, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOSPervasive (or Persistent) Developmental Delay, not otherwise specified)
Developmental Delay (DD)
Developmental Delay plus ADHDAttention deficit - hyperactivity disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), HypotoniaLow muscle tone, etc.
Mental Retardation (MR – yes, parents still hear that)
Cerebral EncephalopathyAny of various diseases of the brain (Medical dictionary) (yes, neurologists still say that)
There’s nothing wrong with your child
A previous blog, Another Model of Autism, was the result of a great deal of thought about how to paint a picture of what I perceive, as a physician, on a daily basis. My illustration was offered to represent why symptoms such as low tone or G-IGastro-intestinal (stomach, small intestine; large bowel) problems could precede the actual diagnosis, while ‘stimsStimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner... known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement.Stimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner...known in psychiatry as a "stereotypy", a continuous, purposeless movement.’ and sleep problems might occur as the child got older. However, as I was explaining my elaborate model to parents, I could see the puzzlement on their faces. The problem is that the term “Autism” is based on the 70 year-old observations of the father of modern child psychiatry, who believed that poor parenting was the cause, at a time when the incidence was less than 1 per 10,000, patients presented with much more severe symptoms, and at a an older age.
The puzzle pieces don’t fit together because we are talking about, and looking at, different pictures!
It is no wonder, then, that parents are so confused, since the professionals are likewise not in agreement about what constitutes the diagnosis. For example, there are many children who DO exhibit eye contact or some socialization and others who DON’T have severe tantrums or obvious repetitive movements. Is that ‘autism’ or is that PDD-NOSPervasive (or Persistent) Developmental Delay, not otherwise specified? It depends on the professional, their training, experience, and understanding of the problem. Furthermore, there exists the belief that people cannot recover from autism, so, if the patient improves, it wasn’t autism. Or, thinking that that the condition ‘turns into’ Asperger’s Syndrome, because the patient can talk and appears to be ‘high-functioning’. There is really no term to define the situation in patients who have improved from the condition because of ABAApplied behavior analysis... the science of controlling and predicting human behavior or biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions intervention, yet still have some ‘leftover’ behavioral challenges.
Because of such a plethora of definitions, the DSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 will include all similar symptomatology under the ‘Spectrum’ banner. Perhaps the revised nomenclature may make the terminology more streamlined, but I am not sure that it will help parents and professionals understand 1) why development is not proceeding normally, 2) how to choose the best intervention(s), and 3) what the prognosis will be? In my practice, I observe many different types and presentations of autism, Asperger’s, PDD-NOSPervasive (or Persistent) Developmental Delay, not otherwise specified and variations of normal development. It would be preferable if science could detail each type of developmental delay, because treatments could be evaluated and targeted with more precision, and therefore more likely to be successful.
As in other epidemics (Legionnaire’s disease, HIV, ‘Swine’ flu, breast cancer), patients are left in the dark while science determines cause(s) and effective treatments. The present condition that we call ‘Autism’ is so extensive, poorly-defined and enigmatic that it leaves families extremely frustrated as they seek help for their affected children. In the meantime, we are left to call it something as etiologyThe study of causation or origination, prevention and precise treatment await further discoveries. It’s not fair.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD etiology, Attention deficit, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, doctors curing autism, Hyperactivity, medical doctor, oppositional behavior, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
Posted in >ALL<, AD/HD, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Therapies, Earliest Red Flags, Patient experiences | No Comments »
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