There is no known single cause of autism. The possible causes and/ or contributory factors could be many and varied in different individuals who are affected. This is the main reason why Conventional Allopathic Medicine which usually works on a “one size fits all” approach has failed to find any effective treatments beyond attempting to control a few symptoms with use of antipsychotics and stimulants like aggression and hyperactivity. Using Integrative and Functional Medicine, we try to unravel the possible causes and/ or contributory factors and look at individual biochemistry. We then, come up with a customized plan.

Research and Evidence Based Medicine is showing that many individuals affected by ASD are not enjoying optimal health. They could have defects or deficiencies in metabolism, detoxification pathways and abnormal inflammatory responses. The reasons for these can be varied and different systems of the body could be affected to different degrees in different individuals. They could have food sensitivities, nutrition deficiencies… to name a few. The better we are able to characterize this disorder, the better we will be able to treat it.

It is important to realize that structured educational programs and behavioral modifications could be beneficial for some but insufficient for many. Optimizing health will help the structured educational programs using various therapies work better.

We need to optimize the health to unlock the true potential of any individual. ASD being a heterogenous spectrum disorder, could affect different individuals with different severities. Cobbling together bits and pieces of different therapies into so called structured programs is kind of a piecemeal solution. The results you get are going to be slow and sometimes we may get tired of doing it without getting satisfying results if health is not optimized.

ASD is just a label. This terminology describes a cluster of symptoms and does not impart any understanding to the underlying pathophysiology of the symptoms.

Apraxia, ASD, SPD, ADHD, many auto immune conditions, allergies…all have some overlap among them. These debilitating conditions can be improved and sometimes recovery can be achieved by correcting the underlying imbalances which could be contributing to and or leading to the manifestation of these conditions especially when dealt with early depending on the severity of the case. Once the health is optimized, utilizing appropriate therapies and educational programs to stimulate development becomes more impactful. At this time, intensive structured programs can help to catch up development. Thus, we can enrich and enhance their life by optimizing their heath thereby accelerating their learning. Treating these kids, will help us unlock their real potential and then, we can see their true self shine through.

Depending on the individual’s vulnerabilities, predispositions and the timing and severity of affliction, different individuals express their imbalances as different dysfunctions which we label with different names. Those with lesser degree of deficits will have faster and marked response to treatment compared to others affected critically.

The outcomes of treating individuals using Integrative and Functional Medicine approaches are variable. It depends on the severity of one’s condition and the time of start of treatments and other appropriate interventions. First, we should be able to find the issues that are contributing or possibly causing their symptoms. This is like, peeling layers of an onion. After that, we need to find ways in which we can help them overcome their problems or fix the issues causing or contributing to what we are calling as ASD. Timely and appropriate treatment could help some of them recover, though not all and many can do better.

It is a medically treatable condition in many cases. We should first, realize that and spread awareness and information to families affected about the same and encourage them to explore treatment options.

We all do well and become more available to learn, grow and develop when we are healthy. And it is no different with the individuals affected by ASD. So, treating them will make them become more available for learning from the structured educational programs and therapies will work better. Also, the healthier one is, the more reserves one has, to cope with the daily stresses of life.

Behaviors could stem from defects or deficiencies in metabolism, pain and/or inflammation from various reasons, food sensitivities…. Finding the underlying cause of the behaviors and treating them whenever possible is important and effective way of managing behaviors rather than just trying to control them using behavioral therapies or psychiatric medications in first place.

Transgenerational weakening of our bodies and transmission of toxins, epigenetic influences from living in a more toxic world than before, increased inflammation, infections and deficiencies in nutrition could all play a role in deterioration of overall health in general …