Does my child still need 25 supplements a day?

Autism One 2008

Mary N. Megson, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Even Paradise Has Autism
The Balanced Child
Issues Over Time
ACADEMIC

SOCIAL

MEDICAL

LONG TERM NEEDS

Academic Support

Speech and language disorders

Reading disorders
Math problems
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
Pragmatic semantic language
disorder
Language emerges in a predictable fashion
Receptive before expressive
Huge noun vocabulary with memorized phrases
Clarity of speech before intent
Prolonged word finding problems and pronoun reversal
Loose topic at hand, social intent
Conversation with adults before conversation with peers
Rx: social skills groups and courses, R.D.I.
Reading recovery in autism
Hyperlexia
 Reading beyond comprehension
 Do not confuse with ADD reading
Dyslexia
 Defined by schools as 1 year or more delay between
expected reading achievement level and childs
performance
 Discrepancy between I.Q. and achievement
 Often lack phonemic awareness
Treatment :Multisensory
The Rod Problem
Letters move on the page Colorblindness is a G
Lines scroll protein disorder – these
Reads easier on the kids can’t read color on
computer than a book color
Rx: Erlen Institute – Color
overlays, write with color
Math problems

Errors of inattention

 Word problems
Auditory processing disorders
Often lack figure ground descrimination
Need to look away to listen
Rx: Update hearing evaluation
Central auditory processing evaluation
Preferential seating
?Auditory trainer
Supersonic ears – panic in cafeteria, and on firedrills
Think yeast or clostridia-can’t modulate sounds by G
proteins
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder

Primary inattentive
Primary hyperactive
Mixed type

With autism…………………
 Visual attention is prolonged
 Auditory attention is weak
 To treat medically: Does this improve auditory
attention?
Treating ADHD in Autism
B12 shots, nasal spray
Zinc 20-80 mg. a day
Small class size, or one on one instruction
Preferential seating
Medications
 Use medications as a BRIDGE
Medications
Stimulants---------------------sedating, watch for anxiety
Clonidine----------------------Very sedating, helps with sleep
disorder, and focus in A.M.
Tenex---------------------------Less sedating
 Both help with outbursts Attention
 Help with O.C.D. Tics
Imipramine- Tricyclic Antidepressant, one fifth dose for
attention, prolongs QT interval, over age8, document normal
EKG
Risperdal----FDA approved (obesity, diabetes)
Strattera---- Attention only, some ACETYLCHOLINE effect
Social Support ---3 “B”s
BULLIES
BUS
BIG BLACK hole of middle school
 Social skills training
 Work on slang and inuendos
 Need out of school structured activities
 ie.music, scouts, karate, riding
HYPERBARICS
 OXYTOCIN NASAL SPRAY
Keep your I.E.P.
Socialization with Peers
LAST LANGUAGE TO RETURN
KEEP PEER PLAY DATES SHORT AND
STRUCTURED
EASIER TO INTERACT OUTDOORS
STICK TO DIET
AVOID SENSORY OVERLOAD
PEER BUDDIES AT SCHOOL
SPONSOR TEEN REC PROGRAMS
Medical Support
Gut health
Methylation
Oxidative stress
Environmental needs
Avoidance : Foods IgG, and IgE, and IgA reactions
Toxins
Vaccines
Food additives
Oxidative stress
Social, emotional stress
Ongoing nutritional support
Cod liver oil
Multivitamin/multimineral from food sources
Calcium/magnesium/zinc
B complex
Methyl or hydroxycobalamine
Light- sunlight!
Healthy diet- organic, avoid allergic foods, gf/cf?
Exercise
?Intermittent chelation?
Monitor for
Exaustion, endurance-mitochondrial support
 Acetyl-l-carnitine – 1000 mg. a day
 Coenzyme – Q10 50 to 300 mg./day
 Chronic viral infections
“The With It Factor”
 Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy
 Oxytocin nasal spray 40 u/ml. 2 sprays
 B.I.D.
Ongoing medical support
Metabolic syndrome
Diabetes
Cancer-P21 ras
Autoimmune disorders
Alzheimers
Roles of cAMP in different tissues
Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes
Metabolic Syndrome--Diabetes
Fish oil
Avoid obesity
Protein snacks with carbohydrates between meals
Chromium 150 mcg./day
Midday sunlight
Daily exercise
Limit T.V., computer, video games
Resetting “fright or flight”
Restore acetylcholine
Sensory Integration therapy
Vestibular Stimulation
Study breaks with frequent exercise
Pycnogenol?
Sunlight, full spectrum lighting
ADHD medication
Daily exercise
Cancer Prevention
Avoid inflammation, radiation, sunburns
P21 ras------?reconnect off switch
 Normal light dark cycles
 Melatonin?
Continue routine medical care and screening-pap tests
Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics
Maintain healthy barriers: GI, and skin
Oxidative Stress is Always Part
of Aging!
Longterm nutritional support- antioxidants, HBO, etc.
Needs reassessment with new challenges-ie.infections
Examples: Pandas, Chronic E.B.V.
?Intermittent chelation???
Any regression deserves full reevaluation of what the
growing child needs at that point in time
Basics, Basics, Basics
Older age regression
Raynauds
Red palms
Night sweats
Rage-mood dysregulation
Leaky gut “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome”
Poor short term memory
Autoimmune Disease and
Alzheimers
Avoid Metal exposure – filtered water
 Organic foods
Avoid subsequent vaccines – Use only if necessary
 Risk vs. benefit ratio
Boyd Haley, Ph.D.– 6 times the Aluminum and Mercury
 in brains of Alzheimers patients
Autoimmune disease model in animals- Inject with
 Mercury

Avoid colitis
Intermittent evaluation of gut function
Maintain motility
Avoid antibiotics, daily probiotics
Treat Irritable bowel symptoms---
 L- glutamine
 Butyrates
 Coconut oil
 Ghee
 Maintain nutrient support- cod liver oil, zinc
Avoid inflammatory foods- allergy, autoimmunity
G.I. followup- rescope
Long term needs
Balance cost of intervention vs. long term financial needs
Support increased independence
Protection
 Financial
 Physical
 Legal
Adult housing arrangements
 WHY CAN’T WE CREATE
 A NATIONAL MODEL?