Autism

This page is Wisconsin Institute of Nutrition’s main page on Autism. This website contains many other pages about Autism as well. We urge you to explore them:

COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF AUTISM

Autism is a complex problem and requires complex solutions. In my medical practice, I treat both children and adults with Autism. I have found that one needs to approach Autism from a medical perspective as well as a therapeutic perspective. Therapy won’t work well if the child or adult is feeling ill or has a headache.

I use both Anti-Yeast treatment and Homeopathy to treat autism, as well as medications in cases where the parents or guardians desire that approach.

Anti-Yeast Treatment of Autism

Here is a case using anti-yeast treatment:

Carl came in at the age of five with a diagnosis of autism from the age of 2 and a half. At 18 months he had lost his language. He could speak the alphabet but no words. He went to a number of doctors and received a diagnosis of autism about a year later. He was having subclinical seizures on EEG (electroencephalogram, a test of brain electrical activity). DMG (dimethyl glycine) calmed him and helped his mood. Some other supplements had been helpful. He had started behavioral therapy at the age of three. He learned some reading through the association method.

He had had an elevated lead level at 18 months at a prior residence. Mother tried homeopathic remedies but could never find anyone to do chelation therapy (a procedure to take toxic minerals out of the body). The family moved and the lead level went down in six months. He had been continued on supplements and behavioral therapy. He had had loose stools as an infant. He had never had an ear infection. He was taking Depakote, an anti-seizure drug, at 125 mg twice a day. He had never had a seizure.

He had walked on time. Some speech had begun with behavioral therapy. He had a rash on his buttocks. In the room he was active and responded to some questions with rote answers. He was echolalic (Echolalia means the repeating of phrases said to a child. Echolalia is a sign of autism) and he was not destructive.

I started Carl on the anti-yeast diet and nystatin. A month later he was talking more spontaneously without prompts. He could nod yes or no. He was relying less on body language. He was more spontaneous. He was more naughty, more like a normal kid. He was eating better and was in a growth spurt. He was trying new foods with less difficulty. He was not running away from the dinner table. He was helping to set the table. His appropriate play had increased. He was interacting with his brother and was generally more interactive and could say, “that’s mine”. He was taking nystatin 1/4 tsp. four times a day and he was taking Depakote.

On exam he was playing appropriately and he showed me his toys. He was smiling spontaneously and appeared comfortable. He fought with his brother over toys and appeared more normal. Rash on buttocks was better.

He came back at six months and his mother said that he was doing much better. He was off Depakote for two months. He cried more easily, and he hit if he was frustrated. He seemed more clear headed and more present (not withdrawn). He was very verbal, saying appropriate things and was responding to what other people were saying and he would greet people spontaneously. He would make appropriate comments to others. He was working on these things in therapy. He said phrases to himself. Mother said that he looked more normal. He was more easily frustrated now. He liked to take the nystatin. He had filled out and he was refusing dairy. He no longer had dark circles under his eyes. He could read and write. On exam he made appropriate comments and repeated some phrases. Overall he was much more verbal. He responded to questions and played appropriately. His skin was clear.

A year after beginning treatment, he was in a full day kindergarten shadowed by a therapist. He was eating better, growing well, was not pale, and was more spontaneous. He no longer echoed, although he still reversed pronouns. He had trouble with first and last and with abstract concepts. He played very appropriately with toys. He skin was clear. He was taking 1/4 tsp. nystatin four times a day and was on stage 1 of the diet. On exam he answered questions appropriately and he played appropriately and he smiled and interacted with his mother. His mother also noted that he could verbalize when he had pains, which he could not do before. He could toilet himself and dress himself, and he was not running away. I commented to mother that one had to look closely at him to see that there was anything wrong. He was not totally normal but close observation was required to see his deficits.

This child is now eight years old. He is no longer diagnosed as autistic. He has some speech and language delays and some social delays. He is close enough to normal that kids do not know how severe his handicaps used to be. They tease him.

Why does Anti-Yeast Treatment Work for Autism?

Autistic Spectrum Disorders are severe developmental disorders, which was first described around 1940, about three years after the introduction of the first major commercial antibiotics, the sulfa drugs. As antibiotic usage grows, so do rates of autism. Antibiotics help the yeast Candida albicans grow in the intestinal tract. Candida albicans makes toxic chemicals which hurt the developing brain. I have a complete explanation of my anti-yeast treatment on another page on this website. For now, know that in my experience, this treatment works for Autism. Click here for that complete explanation.

One of the main reasons is that using anti-yeast therapy gets rid of toxic chemicals that slow the brain down. Slowing of the brain, especially in speech areas has been found in brains of autistic children. Alcohols are well known to disrupt brain development.

Every child I have seen who has followed this anti-yeast therapy has improved. Children who can speak always speak better and more. Children under two and a half who can talk a little can be brought back to normal or near normal. Behavior and sleep all improve. Children are calmer and easier to teach. The key is to follow the diet.

Homeopathic Treatment of Autism

Homeopathy is a different system of medicine. I explain much more about it on another page, Homeopathy Works. I have used many different remedies for patients with Autism, including several that I have developed. Particular remedies are important in individual cases. Providing a list of remedies would not be helpful here, because each individual is so unique. However, I have developed remedies that have helped decrease “pica” (eating non-foods as foods), problems with molds, problems with balance, and increasing functional ability globally. Homeopathy works well in conjunction with a yeast free diet.

Other popular treatments for Autism

Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet

The anti-yeast diet includes a gluten free, casein free component for people who need it. I explain elsewhere what the relationship is between the gluten free, casein free diet and autism. We have a separate page about the relationship between gluten free, casein free diet and autism.