Nutritional and Metabolic Status of Children with Autism vs. Neurotypical Children, and the Association with Autism Severity

"The autism group had many statistically significant differences in their nutritional and metabolic status, including biomarkers indicative of vitamin insufficiency, increased oxidative stress, reduced capacity for energy transport, sulfation and detoxification. Several of the biomarker groups were significantly associated with variations in the severity of autism. These nutritional and metabolic differences are generally in agreement with other published results and are likely amenable to nutritional supplementation."  Click (here) for the full study

Here we go…

Within one month of doing the protocol that the Thoughtful House suggested, we were seeing improvements. The dark circles under his eyes started to go away, and as we completed a round of Diflucan, we heard him utter his first descriptive 2-word sentence since his regression, “fish swimming.” He said this as he lifted a toy fish up and moved it back and forth. Aidan was now almost 3 ½, and he was starting to do the things that we saw glimpses of when he was 2.

When we started adding in supplements, we found that not everything agreed with him. This made the process take a bit longer. I would add something and notice that it would make him constipated or aggressive, and then I would have to find a better alternative. Cod liver oil/ fish oil has always been an issue for us. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that it was because we were using orange or lemon flavored oil. Aidan just has issues with citrus fruits for some reason. Nordic Naturals Peach flavored Cod Liver Oil has been a winner for us.  The original calcium/magnesium supplement we had him on really bothered his tummy. I found the Thorne Cal Mag Citrate to be a perfect combo. We noticed a real improvement in Aidan’s bowel movements once Vitamin C and Magnesium were added. I know a lot of people have diarrhea prone kids, but mine was always constipated. Aidan would go 2-3 days without pooping. When we first started the GFCF diet, and added enzymes he began going daily. Then we switched to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (which was NOT a match for him in the beginning!), and he got really constipated again. After this, I had the hardest time getting him regular again. The magnesium and vitamin C definitely helped. I definitely plan on writing my next entry on our experience with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It can be a miracle worker for some kids, and disaster for others.

At this point we had just finished a round of antibacterial and antifungal.  Aidan was now taking a multivitamin, some extra vitamin C, fish oil, probiotic, calcium and some magnesium.  Now it was time to put him back on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet at the advice of our Nutritionist from the Thoughtful House. I was very nervous because we had such a bad experience the first time around. 

Enter the real DAN! Doctors...Thoughtful House Center for Children

So, Aidan’s occupational therapist put me in contact with another patient’s mother who had some success using biomed to help her son. She immediately recommended the Thoughtful House Center for Children in Austin, TX. As if the stars were not already beginning to align for us, my husband’s job was moving us to Texas! This was perfect!

Things were beginning to fall into place. A few months later, we had our first appointment with the Thoughtful House.  It was exactly what I hoped for. They understood every symptom, regression, and behavior that I explained. No one judged, or watched Aidan to pick apart his every move. For the first time, I felt like I was in the presence of people who truly wanted to help my child. I knew we were on the same page. I wanted my son to be healthy again, and they were there to make sure that we were doing everything possible to make that happen.

I handed over all of the test results from our previous DAN! Doctor, and within minutes I heard the words, “So it looks like he may have some toxic levels of mercury and lead”

JUST LIKE I THOUGHT! Ugh! I wanted to go back to our last DAN! Doctor and say, “Why do you even order tests that you can’t decipher the results?”

During our visit, we also found that Aidan DID have some issues with bacteria. The plan was to treat the bacteria, add supplements (more vitamin D then just 2000 IU!), and then schedule a follow up appointment to discuss MB12. YES! Finally we are getting somewhere!

That night when we went back to our hotel room, I cried. I was so happy because I knew we were taking the first step to healing our baby’s little body. I imagined him looking at me without puffy, dark circles under his eyes. I imagined him having the energy to do all of the things that he could once do! And while I dreamed of the progress he would make, I prayed for every other family that I met in the waiting room of the Thoughtful House that day. I met Mothers and Fathers that had driven or flown in from out of state, and in some cases the other side of the country, just to take their child to the Thoughtful House. I felt so lucky that we lived so close.