1 in 45 children, ages 3 through 17, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to a new government survey of parents. This is notably higher than the official government estimate of 1 in 68 American children with autism, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nov 13, 2015
Autism is characterized by three main symptoms: social impairments, communication difficulties, and repetitive/restricted behaviors. While no one understands the reason, the boys outnumber girls by four to one, according to autism researchers. Why this gender imbalance? Many researchers suspect girls with autism may simply display less severe or just different impairments than boys.
What Causes Autism?
According to many researches, diet, heavy metal, or craniosacral rhythm are known to cause autistic behaviors.
Holistic recommendations to prevent (or help healing) the autism
- If the child had a difficult birth and shows a tendency of head-banging or repetitive behavior, then it could be related to the craniosacral rhythm. Craniosacral therapy which manipulates the bones of the skull and the underlying membranes to alleviate pressure and restrictions, could be very beneficial in this case.
I recently met an MD from Germany who now practices Craniosacral therapy in Denver, Colorado. In Germany, she said you have to be an MD to do the Craniosacral work. She was very passionate about promoting this therapy for any babies who had gone through birth trauma (including C-section & edidural), as a preventive measure. Unless you can find a person like her, you probably have to find a very skilled massage or physical therapist who does this work and also good with young children.
- It could also be environmental toxins and heavy metal, especially mercury poisoning. Thimerosal, a preservative used in many vaccines contains about 50% mercury. The hair analysis can be done to check the mercury level in the body.
- Autism is known to be related to metabolic disorder. Correction of metabolic issues often yields improved behavior, cognition, and communication. Defects in the breakdown of peptides (simple proteins such as insulin, endorphins, and other neuro-transmitters) during the digestive process have been found in autistic children. So improving diet and taking enzymes can be the key to treating autism.
*** The following dietary changes are proven to be very effective for autism:
- Avoid sugar as chemicals are used in refining sugar. Replace sugar with agave or dates.
- Avoid canned, packaged, processed and frozen foods as they contain preservatives and other food additives, and they can have adverse effects on autism.
- Dairy products should be avoided because of their mucus-producing properties.
- Foods with yellow, red, and green dyes should be completely eliminated from the diet, along with MSG and aspartame (diet-foods/drinks).
- Avoid Gluten as it is also known to aggravate the issues in autism.
- Autistic children show significant behavioral and other benefits from large amounts of vitamin B6 and magnesium.
- Avoid chemicals, heavy metals, and side effects of pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-shelf medicines. Instead, I highly recommend kids (and the whole family) use natural products as much as you can. Here’s an example of all natural, organic, and therapeutic products from YoungLiving: (need any help on YL, contact louiseseyes@bresnan.net)
Ningxia-Red: contains antioxidants and nutrients to strengthen the immune system and brain function.
TummyGize, SniffleEase, Owie, GeneYus, Sleepylze, Lemon/Orange/Tangerine for Vitamin-C, Peppermint for high temperature, Lavender for cuts/bruise, Thieves for cold/cough/infection/teething, etc.
- Stimulation of the limbic region of the brain may also help treat autism. Aromas from essential oils have an amazingly powerful ability to stimulate this part of the brain and exert a powerful influence on autism.
Brain Power, Sacred Frankincense, Valor, Peace & Calming, Lavender: Inhale, diffuse, or apply on the spine and/or bottom of feet. (If needed, dilute with YL’s V-6 or organic olive oil, especially for young kids below 6 years old)
NOTE on mind-body-emotion connection: Make sure no negativity exists in the person who’s applying the oil to the child because the child could make those association when the oil is used again.
*** Have you heard of Brain Gym? I just learned about it at the recent Natural Vision Educators conference in Boulder, CO. The simple movements, exercises, or activities from Brain Gym help people to enhance their brain functions such as vision, reading, writing, thinking, and learning ability. Brain Gym could help kids and adults with their autistic behavioral and learning difficulties. (for more info, www.braingym.com)
Hope this article helps for your awareness and prevention on Autism.
Mimi Shekoski, PhD, Natural Health & Holistic Nutrition Doctor | Natural Vision Teacher
(reference: Alternative Medicine by Deepak Chopra, Essential Oil Desk Reference)
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