Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Including Aspergers Syndrome
Definition
Autism, or Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), are a series of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive behaviors, social withdrawal and communication deficits. Patients with ASD display a wide range of cognitive ability, ranging from severe impairment to high functioning adults with an above average IQ.
Key statistics:
- In the U.S., as of 2024, Autism affects 1 in 36 children, a considerable rise from the 1 in 44 from 2018. Further, the rate of Autism has risen 241% since baseline in 2000.
- In the UK, the rate of Autism in children aged 10-14 years is 1 in 34.
- In Australia, the most recent data from 2018 reveals that 1 in 100 people have autism, a 25.1% increase from 2015. Also, the rate for children specifically is roughly 1 in 25. Currently, autism rates in Australia are growing faster than the global average.
- ASD is nearly 4 times more common among boys than girls.
- During a study period between 2009-2017, about 1 in 6 children were diagnosed with a developmental disability.
- 40% of children with autism are nonverbal.
- Autism has risen from 4-5 in every 10,000 in the 1970s to a predicted rate of half of all kids in 2025 (research by Dr. Stephanie Seneff from MIT, supported by the latest CDC statistics on rising prevalence rates)
There are three main categories of ASD:
1. Autism – Autistic disorder – The diagnosis of autistic disorder is given to individuals with significant impairments in social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviors which are generally evident prior to three years of age. There are subtypes of autism:
a. Regressive Autism: When a child appears to develop normally but then starts to lose speech and social skills, typically between the ages of 15 and 30 months.
b. Infantile Autism: When a child does not achieve developmental milestones and if effectively determined to have had autism from infancy.
2. Asperger’s disorder – Individuals with Asperger’s disorder have some difficulties with social interaction and social communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviors. However, those with Asperger’s disorder do not have a significant delay in early language acquisition, cognitive abilities or self-help skills. The condition is often detected later than autism as speech usually develops at the expected age.
3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) – This diagnosis is made when an individual has a marked social impairment but fails to meet the full criteria for either autistic disorder or Asperger’s disorder. These individuals may also have some communication impairments and/or restricted or repetitive interests, activities and behaviors.
Causes/Risk factors
Some possibilities include:
- Heritable genetic polymorphisms influencing detoxification, methylation and neurotransmitter signaling.
- Gender bias, with a 4:1 ratio (males to females)
- Heavy metal exposure – especially mercury, but others may be implicated.
- Immune dysfunction – Severe maternal inflammation, infections, allergy, and autoimmunity during pregnancy may lead to a ‘cytokine storm’ causing microglial activation and CNS inflammation, influencing neurodevelopment.
- Immune dysfunction – mild acute or chronic gut mucosal inflammation with ileocolonic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH) leading to “autistic colitis”. Maybe a cause or consequence of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation associated with autism.
- Nutritional and environmental factors such as heavy metals (see above), nutritional deficiencies and/or infections
Signs and Symptoms (Including diagnostic criteria)
Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least 2 of the following:
- Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
- Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
- A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interests)
- Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
Qualitative impairments in communication, as manifested by at least 1 of the following:
- Delay in, or total lack of, development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gestures or mime)
- In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
- Stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
- Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level
Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
- Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or in focus
- Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
- Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
- Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
- Characteristic deviant communication features in autism include a lack of social chat, pragmatic deficits, pronoun reversal, delayed echolalia, neologisms, lack of emotion in speech, phrase repetitions, and idiosyncratic use of language. Behavioral manifestations frequently involve repetitive, self-stimulatory behavior, especially in more severely affected individuals. This behavior can be self-injurious in some, as with arm biting, head-slapping, and skin picking.
Treatments
In order to obtain optimal results, the patient might consider a holistic approach that integrates several treatments to address biochemical, physiological, energetic, emotional and/or spiritual imbalances.
Integrative & Functional Treatment for Autism
Functional Treatments include Diet, Nutrient Therapy, Detoxification and treatment of infections.
Consult a Functional Doctor or Naturopath to investigate the needs of the individual to:
- Improve gastrointestinal health
- Screen for food sensitivities and allergies
- Address nutritional deficiencies
- Determine the impact of environmental toxins
- Balance hormone levels (e.g. reducing estrogen)
- Balance blood sugar levels
- Restore healthy sleeping patterns
Diet and Lifestyle Considerations for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Eliminate all food allergens from the diet. The most common allergenic foods are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat, fish, eggs, corn, food colorings, and additives. An elimination/challenge trial may be helpful in uncovering sensitivities, or an IgG ELISA food allergy test may be used. Remove suspected allergens from the diet for at least two weeks. Re-introduce foods at the rate of one food every three days. Watch for reactions which may include gastrointestinal upset, mood changes, headaches, and exacerbation of asthma. Warning: Do not challenge peanuts, or any other food, if there is a history of anaphylaxis.
- Reduce pro-inflammatory foods in the diet including saturated fats (especially poultry and dairy), refined foods, and sugar. Patients sensitive to antibiotics should eat only organic meats to avoid antibiotic residues.
- A small percentage of people respond dramatically to a diet free of nightshades. They include peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and white potatoes. A month-long trial is recommended.
- Emphasize foods high in essential fatty acids such as oily fish (small, cleaner fish – sardines, mackerel) and nuts/seeds
- Eat a minimally processed diet rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and bioflavonoids
- Protein is essential for connective tissue support and should be consumed regularly
- Nutrients to support digestive health including fiber and fermented foods (yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi) should be consumed if tolerated to enhance beneficial bacterial levels
- Stress management techniques should be implemented (yoga, exercise)
- Quality sleep and good sleep hygiene (limited screen time before bed, timing of meals)
Integrative Treatments Overview
In order to obtain optimal results, the patient might consider a holistic approach that integrates several treatments to address biochemical, physiological, energetic, emotional and/or spiritual imbalances. These treatments can include Allopathic Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Biomedicine, Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, Functional Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Energy Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Ayurvedic, muscular-skeletal support, Psychology and more. It’s important that treatments are overseen by experienced and certified practitioners who are able to work in teams (see below for where to find one).
Nutritional & Environmental Medicine Overview
Nutritional & Environmental practitioners focus on cellular health by optimizing nutrient uptake while minimizing toxic exposure. Biomedicine, Functional Medicine and Orthomolecular Medicine are all subsets. The overall goal is to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress which are key drivers in chronic modern disease (e.g. asthma is inflammation of the lungs, arthritis is inflammation of the joints, eczema is inflammation of the skin, IBS involves inflammation of the gut and ADHD and Autism include inflammation of the brain). A combined approach of diet, lifestyle and natural therapies supports the body’s innate ability to heal and prevent disease by maintaining homeostasis (balance).
It is recommended that a patient consult a certified practitioner to assess their symptoms and case history and explore their individual need to:
- Screen for food sensitivities and allergies
- Implement dietary intervention geared to the individual (e.g. GAPS, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, FodMAPS, Evolutionary, low oxalate/salicylate, Ketogenic)
- Supplement with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and probiotics
- Improve gastrointestinal health to support the vagus nerve and brain and immune function
- Support neurotransmitter function
- Supply fat-soluble nutrients for brain structure and function
- Reduce toxicity and heavy metal accumulation
- Minimize infections (e.g. bacteria, yeast, virus, parasites) to reduce immune response and nutritional deficiencies that can impact on mental and physical health
- Regulate blood glucose and establish healthy eating habits
- Use energy healing (acupuncture, homeopathy, kinesiology, Emotional Freedom Technique)
- Assess neurodevelopment and need for psych-neuro therapies (speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, cognitive psychological, developmental, social skills, arts, animals, ABA)
Where can I find a certified practitioner?
Finding a well-trained Integrative and/or Functional practitioner requires research but is a vital step in treating complex and chronic illness.
Below are links to lists of practitioners worldwide. We recommend you research the scope, expertise and experience of any practitioners you are considering.
U.S. & Global
Institute of Functional Medicine
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Integrative Medicine for Mental Health
http://www.immh.org/find-a-practitioner/
Medical Academy of Paediatric Special Needs (MAPS)
http://www.medmaps.org/clinician-directory/
Australia & New Zealand
Mindd Foundation
https://directory.mindd.org/
The Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM)
https://www.acnem.org/practitioners/
UK
The British Society for Ecological Medicine
https://www.bsem.org.uk/pages/14-practitioners
Disclaimer: Mindd Foundation does not endorse any specific individuals listed and makes no representations, warranties, nor guarantees and assumes no responsibility for any services provided. Mindd Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind as a result of using any products or services provided by those listed.
SOURCES:
https://thespectrum.org.au/autism-in-australia-today/
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
