A whole body approach to autism, ADHD, and mood.
Over the years, Dr. Marianne has found that a whole body approach to autism and similar problems works best. It starts with improving digestion and immunity, then supports cells to do what they do best–create energy and communicate with each other, ultimately supporting the body to ‘mend the brain’. Many of these treatments have been used by doctors affiliated with the Autism Research Institute, formerly known as ‘DAN!’ doctors.
These components include:
- Healing gut problems – Often, common behaviours associated with autism—head banging, stimming or ‘meltdowns’ are actually responses to abdominal pain from chronic constipation, diarrhea, maldigestion or low level bowel infections with yeasts, parasites, or bacteria. DNA stool testing and/or organic acid testing can often help uncover these underlying issues so that we can treat them effectively.
- Treating Food Sensitivities – sensitivities can start as ‘spacey’ or ‘hyperactive’ behaviours and progress to rashes, mood swings, and meltdowns after eating, sometimes lasting days. Often children with serious food sensitivities may start to self limit or seem like they are ‘hooked’ on certain foods. Identifying problem foods through sensitivity testing or clinical history, then eliminating them from the diet while we work on gut healing, can lead to significant symptoms improvement.
- Reducing High levels of Toxic Solvents/Plastics – Solvents or other toxins from flame retardants, fabric treatments, and home renovations can affect young children to a greater extent, and lead to problems with mood, speech, or sleep. We can test for thesepollutants and help the body get rid of these substances with nutrient therapies so that normal cellular function and growth can continue.
- Reducing High Levels of Heavy Metals – Similar to toxic solvents and chemicals, many children with autism, ADHD and similar problems may have high body levels of heavy metals such as lead or mercury from polluted air, water, household dust or food sources. We know that many of these metals can affect a child’s ability to think or pay attention, or even slow down their brain development. We can test for these levels in both hair and urine samples to give an idea of long term body burden. Dr. Marianne is certified to do oral chelation in children and has extensive experience with oral and topical DMSA and DMPS chelators.