Autism Spectrum Disorder: Before You Take Another Supplement,Do This First
Many parents who have children on the autism spectrum turn to the biomedical approach for answers. The Autism Spectrum includes A.D.D., A.D.H.D., Sensory Integration Disorder, Processing Disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, Tourette’s Syndrome, O.C.D. and Autism. Whether I am approaching the child with the intent to use a functional neurology approach, Hemispheric Integration Therapy or as a functional medicine practitioner, the point is to treat findings. The decision as to what test to order simply comes down to three issues:
- One – What are we looking for? This should be narrowed down as to reasonable suspicions after a thorough history and functional neurological examination.
- Two - What can the child tolerate? Many times although a blood test may be the most accurate way to test for a particular problem , many children have had horrible experiences with phlebotomists, including being strapped down, and can not emotionally deal with a blood draw.
- Three - What can the parents afford?
The intestinal permeability test is a simple, relatively inexpensive urine test that can be done with little aggravation to the child and in my opinion should be near the top of the list when considering a functional medicine analysis of a child on the Autism Spectrum. Many of the lab findings with children on the Autism Spectrum such as dysbiosis, yeast, gluten/casein sensitivity, allergies, autoimmune disorders are found associated with intestinal hyperpermeability or as it is commonly known a leaky gut. The gut barrier allows assimilation and absorption of vital nutrients as well as excluding toxic substance and antigens. Increased gut permeability, leaky gut, can cause toxins to exceed the livers capacity to detoxify the body. It can also cause an overly sensitive immune system which translates to allergies. Leaky gut can also lead to autoimmune issues, the body’s immune system attacking itself including nervous tissue in responses due to cross reactivity.
How does this test work? First a urine sample is taken. Then the patient drinks a solution containing two sugars. For simplicity, one sugar, a smaller molecule should be absorbed and pass through to the urine and another larger molecule should be only slightly absorbed. The urine is then collected over the next six hours. The amount of the two sugars in the urine sample is then measured. Too much of the large sugar and you have a leaky gut. Too little of the small sugar and you may have some malabsorption. Obviously, other factors have to be considered but you now have an intro 101 to intestinal permeability testing.
Here is the important part regarding leaky gut and supplements. If the gut is inflamed due to a leaky gut, you probably have absorption issues. Which means that even if you are giving your child five million milligrams of vitamin D, it may not be getting through. You may be just as well pouring the supplements down the toilet. That is where they are ending up anyway. I am in Florida and we have patients that come from other states and other doctors and a substantial amount have never had an intestinal permeability test done. This does not mean that your doctor should not be looking at many other possible problems such as yeast. Yes, if yeast is found, it would be a top priority. It does mean that treating your child is a little more complicated than finding out that he tested low for vitamin “x” and giving it to him. Or that if a new study comes out showing an association between a mineral “z” deficiency and Autism you should automatically run out to the health food store to purchase it. Let us use our energy and resources, including money efficiently. Why is he or she deficient in vitamin “x”? Perhaps, it is due to a leaky gut or gut inflammation or perhaps something else. Always investigate so you do not end up feeling frustrated or worse yet quit an approach that may have helped your child if applied properly.
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I enjoyed the main point of this article very much…”Treat the findings”. I have experienced these very frustrating situations with my own little boy, with leaky gut…I bought a tremendous amount of wonderful supplements, and literally gave this child…Mega amounts! — Only to keep his health just barely hanging on by a thread, and his Autistic symptoms persisted still…Was it that the Supplements were not doing any good? Yes…They could not do any good with his condition of “Leaky Gut” — the source of the problem…And this is why I appreciated this article so very much, and admire this approach…”Treat what you find”. A doctor that will actually look beyond…test the possibilities…and…find the source…truly remarkable! Thank you for a very informative, and interesting article.
Sincerely,
Kim Larochelle