Autism Therapies

What is Autism?

Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication skills. Symptoms usually appear during the first three years of life; and four times more often in boys. Autism is the most common of the five disorders that fall under the classification of Pervasive Development Disorders (PPD), which appear in about 1 in 250 births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003). As many as 1.5 million American children and adults are believed to have some form of autism, and the rate is growing at 10 to 17% per year, according to government statistics.

What Causes Autism and How is it Treated?

While a specific cause of autism has not been isolated, research is focused on links to heredity, genetics, medical problems, as well as environmental factors, such as increased mercury levels. Conventional treatment has been focused on behavior modification, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, etc. Many parents of autistic children are turning to alternative treatments such as dietary changes, supplements, and chelation therapy, a therapy used to treat heavy metal toxicity, to rid their children's bodies of mercury. Overall, regardless of approach, treatment appears to be most effective in children diagnosed early.

Alternative Treatments

Some physicians advocate the use of transdermal DMPS (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid) as a chelating agent that can be spread on the skin to avoid the side effects which often accompany oral medications. DMPS appears to release significant amounts of mercury and other heavy metals into the urine. Dr. Rashid Buttar has published a DMPS protocol for patients looking to explore chelation treatment. More information on this therapy can be found by reading "Alternative Autism Therapies" by Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.. Bellevue Pharmacy compounds transdermal DMPS per a physician's prescription.
Another option is Glutathione. Glutathione deficiencies are also seen in autistic patients. It has been shown glutathione levels decrease as our body's age. Moreover, many environmental toxins can play a role in depleting glutathione levels. Glutathione, also called GSH, is a crucial cell protectant in the body's immune system. It protects the body's tissues as well as the arteries, brain, heart, liver, lungs, and skin from dangerous "free radicals". Bellevue Pharmacy offers an OTC glutathione supplement called Essential GSH™. It is an alcohol-free and glycerin-free. It is a convenient and affordable solution for increasing system bioavailability of glutathione--the most powerful antioxidant naturally occurring in all human cells. To order this item, click here.

Other Resources

• Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org
  
• Dr. Buttar's Website: http://www.drbuttar.com/about/about.asp
  
• Dr. James Neubrander's Website: http://www.drneubrander.com/dev/index.html