Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Behavioural problems in children which can be due to food intolerances and additives.
Possible Factors in ASD
Autistic spectrum (ASD) and a range of behavioural problems in children can be due to food intolerances, food chemicals, toxic over-load or gut infections. Typically, a child gets upset without good reason, sleeps poorly, gets easily distracted, fails to make eye contact and, later on, shows poor sociability and underperforms at school. Once some foods have been identified as reactive and are eliminated from the diet, the child's behaviour can show a marked and sustained improvement. In ASD the underlying factors are more complex and require a more comprehensive approach.
ADHD - Some children are left-handed and some others may have dyslexia; most are gifted with bags of energy. It is sad that, due to difficulties in identifying reactive foods, some of these children are prescribed long-term courses of amphetamines (Ritalin), a medication popular in the USA and UK but rarely used in most other European countries. A few studies identified that a child treated with such medications for ADHD or other behaviour problems is more likely to use recreational drugs during adolescence and become a persistent young offender.
Management of ASD
Food intolerances are much easier to identify during childhood - they become more complex later in life. Toxic load associated with epigenetic changes of the DNA and the impact of earlier infections play an important, possibly "causal" role. Nutritional deficiencies are common and supplementation using good quality vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids often proves beneficial. We use a range of tests to identify:
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Infectious agents affecting the microglia (the immune system of the brain)
- Any infectious agents in the intestine (bacterial or fungal dysbiosis and amoebas)
- Chemical sensitivities or toxic load (such as mercury, nickel, aluminium, cadmium and so on)
We guide you to:
- Optimise your child's diet
- Correct any deficiencies
- Use effective means to deal with infections
- Encourage natural detoxification of the cells
- Use a range of measures to accelerate the recovery and development of the brain.
Not Only a Problem in Children
Hyperactivity and restlessness often tend to continue into adult life. As adults, they can experience anxiety, irritability, aggressive behaviour, poor concentration and sleep disturbance caused by the same underlying factors. The same people may become prone to alcohol or drug misuse.
Contact us if you have further questions or to make an appointment for a consultation.
