Comprehensive testing will be undertaken following the initial appointment. Tests will be tailored on individual basis depending on the history and examination of the child.
Tests to be undertaken will be Urine tests, Stool tests and Blood tests. Test kits will be handed out during the initial consultation along with request forms and information will be given on how to collect the samples and where they have to be sent off.Diet
Casein free and gluten free diets have consistently shown to cause improvements in the behaviour’s and bowel problems in children with Autism. We suggest that all children with autism should try this diet for atleast 3-6months. Specific Carbohydrate Diet is also strongly recommended for some children
After the initial consultation and testing we will advice you if there are other dietary modifications that could be of benefit.
Nutritional Supplements
Children with autism are deficient in various essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids etc. Hence supplementing these essential nutrients will lead to improvements in behaviours, language and cognitive skills.
After comprehensive testing we will be able to recommend supplements based on the child’s nutritional deficiencies as apparent from the test results. The supplements suggested could be oral, transdermal or sub cutaneous injections.
Chelation
Chelation is the removal of heavy metals from the body. Children with autism seem to accumulate heavy metals like lead, mercury etc and have impaired detoxification. If this is evident from the results of the tests, then natural or therapeutic chelation may be offered. If chelation is commenced then the child will require regular monitoring with urine and blood tests.
Antibiotics and Antifungals
Depending on the results of various tests, antibiotics and antifungals will be suggested. Patients/parents are given a choice of natural or prescription antibiotics and antifungals. Private prescriptions will be done for the prescription antibiotics and antifungals.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
This is a relatively new and promising intervention for autism. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for autism is now being used in many countries worldwide. The results are varied and the individual reports from families and health professionals are encouraging. There are many testimonies on the internet from families who have taken HBOT for their autistic child with varied results, mostly very encouraging.
HBOT increases the oxygen tissue concentration in the brain and the gut. It therefore helps with healing the gut inflammation and improves oxygenation in the brain, helping restoration of any areas which are suffering from hypoxia. Parents are encouraged to educate themselves on this new dynamic use of HBOT so they can make informed decisions for the future of their child.
We do not provide HBOT at the moment but can advice you where to access it . Also we can advice regarding the number of sessions that will be required by the child.
Auditory Integration Training for Autism
Berard method of Auditory Integration Training (AIT) is one of the educational interventions for children with (ASD) autism spectrum disorders including (PDD) Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome. AIT has been shown to normalize the way the brain processes information so that we often see the sensory issues and hypersensitivity diminish or resolve completely as well as improvements in speech and language. Theory behind it is that if one can hear more accurately, one can develop speech more accurately and easily. If one can have more normalized senses then there are fewer over-loads and a reduction in "self-stimming" behaviors. AIT is a good pre-cursor to other therapies as once the functions are more normalized it allows the individual to utilize other therapies more effectively. AIT uses filtered and modulated music to help stimulate the audiological and neurological systems. Since AIT uses sound, which is vibrational, going into the areas of the brain where all the different glands and organs are that control different senses and systems of the body, we often see improvements not only in the hearing but in other areas such as vision, taste, smell, touch, balance, coordination, and hand writing among others. Programs are individualized for each person based on a pre-screening evaluation. Dr. Berard utilized some of the ideas of Dr. Tomatis to develop his approach, however, where Tomatis focused on the psychological and emotional issues, Dr. Berard felt it was important to get at the hearing and brain functions. Once improvements in behavior and learning begin to occur, we often see improvements in mood and social skills as well.