Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

Understanding Autism Differently: Natural Ways to Support Children and Help Them Thrive [Podcast Episode #236]

How Understanding Autism Biology Can Help Children Thrive

Autism Is Not One Thing: Why So Many Children Struggle — And Why It’s Not “Just Autism”

For decades, autism has been treated as a one-size-fits-all label. But parents everywhere are starting to notice something that traditional models have missed:

Not every autistic child struggles for the same reasons — and many challenges aren’t “autism,” they’re biology.

New research confirms this intuitive truth. Scientists are now identifying multiple autism subtypes, shaped by different biological pathways such as immune function, gut health, metabolism, detoxification, and sensory processing.

This shift marks a turning point away from the idea that autism equals a fixed set of symptoms — and toward understanding each child’s unique neurological and biological profile.

And that’s exactly where powerful breakthroughs happen.

Autism vs. the Challenges That Come With It

Let’s be clear from the start:

Autism itself is not a disease. Autism is a different neurotype — a unique way of communicating, processing the world, and experiencing life.

But the challenges many autistic individuals face are not personality traits.

They’re not “who the child is.”

They are biological stressors layered on top of their neurodivergence — stressors that can be reduced, supported, and improved.

These may include:

• chronic inflammation
• gut dysbiosis
• nutrient depletion
• impaired detox pathways
• mitochondrial or energy-production issues
• hormonal imbalance
• persistent immune activation
• environmental toxins
• food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, oxalates, salicylates, phenols, histamines)...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/236

The Benefits of Far-Infrared Saunas [Podcast Episode #235]

Far-infrared has been used for centuries as a natural, safe method to assist health in multiple ways. Additional methods to assist detoxification are extremely important, especially for children with autism. Far infrared saunas are an excellent resource for this.

Please watch this interview with expert Phil Wilson, to discover the many stress-relieving, and additional health benefits of far-infrared heat, including in-home, portable saunas.

See studies and testimonials below.

A few of the many Studies associated with the benefits and safety of far-infrared:

Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant- induced and other chronic health problems.

Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications.

Effects of far infrared accupoint stimulation on autonomic activity and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. (This study also shows the reduction of stress and fatigue on the autonomic nervous system.)

Below are some video testimonies (Almost all Doctors)  that you might find helpful in recognizing that the Relax Sauna is Unique in its effectiveness because of it being able to generate 95-99% pure far infrared energy, unheard of in the infrared sauna industry. These are just a few of the 650 + video testimonies on the relax sauna...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/235

When “Healthy” Foods Aren’t So Healthy: Thallium, Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, and What to Do About It [Podcast Episode #234]

Leafy greens, beans, and whole grains have long been celebrated as the heart of a clean, nutrient-rich diet. And yes — they can be incredibly nourishing. But there’s a side of the story most people simply never hear: how certain crops accumulate heavy metals, how common pantry staples can harbor mold and mycotoxins, and how all of this can overwhelm the body’s natural detox systems… especially in people with sensitivities or impaired detox pathways.

Let’s pull back the curtain on the part that rarely gets talked about.

Thallium in Leafy Greens: What Most People Don’t Know

Some leafy greens — especially kale, chard, and mustard greens — are what botanists call “hyperaccumulators.” They’re very efficient at pulling minerals from the soil. The problem is that they don’t distinguish between minerals you want and metals you absolutely don’t.

If the soil contains thallium or other heavy metals, those greens can soak it up.

Thallium exposure has been associated with:

• Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

• DNA strand breakage

• Neurological symptoms

• Mood changes

This doesn’t mean kale “causes” depression or neurological issues. But for people already dealing with inflammation or impaired detoxification, thallium becomes one more burden the body has to manage.

Why Children With Autism Can Be More Sensitive

Many parents intuitively notice that their child on the spectrum is more sensitive to environmental triggers than other children — and there’s a reason this can happen.

Many autistic individuals have variations in genes involved in detoxification and methylation, including MTHFR. These variations don’t mean anything is “wrong,” but they can slow or alter the way the body processes toxins.

That means heavy metals, mold toxins, and chemical residues may:

• Build up more quickly

• Hit harder

• Stay in the system longer

• Interfere more with neurological and immune function

For a child already dealing with sensory processing, gut challenges, or nervous system overload, these exposures can compound the stress on the body, sometimes showing up as sleep issues, irritability, mood changes, or behavioral shifts...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/234

New Research Junk Food, Packaging Chemicals, and Kids’ Brain Health [Podcast Episode #233]

Researchers from Virginia Tech have discovered that ultra-processed meats and beverages are the worst for brain health. Individuals who consumed one or more extra servings of either of these foods showed a significantly increased risk of developing cognitive impairments, including those associated with forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

A recent article from Children’s Health Defense shared new research ranking which junk foods are most harmful to the brain — and it’s not just about kids’ waistlines or sugar highs. It’s about how what we eat can shape how we think, learn, and even feel.

Let’s dig into what this new research is saying, and more importantly, what it means for our families.

How Junk Food Impacts the Brain

These studies found that foods loaded with refined sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients don’t just harm the body — they change how the brain functions.

Think of it like this: the brain runs on clear signals, kind of like a radio station. When it’s getting clean fuel — whole foods, real nutrients — that signal is clear. But when it’s constantly fed ultra-processed foods, it’s like turning up the static. The brain starts to lose focus, memory gets fuzzy, and mood and motivation can shift.

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) are now known to include obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, depression, and an increase in all-cause mortality. In fact, according to a study published in Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association, up to 220,000 young Americans under age 20 are likely to have Type 2 diabetes by 2060 — a 673% increase from 2017 levels.

One of the studies found that people who ate a lot of processed meats, fried snacks, and sugary drinks had measurable changes in the areas of the brain that control memory and emotion. Another study showed that even short-term diets high in sugar and fat can rewire how the brain’s “reward center” works — making people crave those same foods even more.

A study of nearly 124,000 people found that drinking just one daily serving of artificially sweetened drinks increased the risk of a liver disease known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or metabolic dysfunction.

That means the more we eat these foods, the more our brains want them, creating a loop that’s hard to break.

Why Kids Are Especially Affected

Recent research has shed light on a startling concern—more than 300 chemicals have been detected in babies’ cord blood and placenta at birth. This discovery highlights the fact that exposure to harmful chemicals begins much earlier than we previously thought.

From conception through pregnancy, toxins can pass from the mother to the fetus, raising concerns about their potential long-term effects on child development and health.

Children’s brains are still developing, which makes them much more sensitive to these kinds of foods. When a growing brain is constantly exposed to sugary, processed foods, it can interfere with how nerve connections form.

Some of the research cited by Children’s Health Defense found that kids and teens who eat a lot of junk food have more trouble with memory and learning, and can experience more mood swings or attention issues.

Part of that is because junk foods crowd out the nutrients that developing brains need — like omega-3s, zinc, and iron. And part of it is chemical: those processed ingredients can actually change the way the brain’s reward systems respond, which makes healthy foods less appealing over time...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/233

Don’t Underestimate a Child with Autism: One Mom’s Journey to Real Recovery with the Naturally Recovering Autism Roadmap [Podcast Episode #232]

Many parents are willing to do anything to help their child with autism. When traditional therapies don’t bring the progress they hope for, it’s easy to feel desperate—and to keep searching for the next answer.

That’s exactly where one devoted mom found herself. After years of struggle, she tried nearly everything—including expensive stem cell injections overseas. She and her husband even took out second mortgages to afford treatments that promised breakthroughs.

But despite their best efforts, the results were temporary. Her son still struggled to connect, focus, or express how he felt. The spark she knew was inside him hadn’t yet come alive.

Then she found the Naturally Recovering Autism Membership Program, and everything changed. 

From Desperation to Direction

Instead of chasing one treatment after another, she finally had a clear, step-by-step roadmap—a natural, whole-body approach that addressed the real root causes behind her son’s symptoms.

Through the membership program, she learned how to:

• Support her son’s gut health to reduce inflammation and improve focus
• Use safe, natural detoxification methods to clear underlying toxins that affect the brain
• Restore nutrient balance to strengthen communication between the brain and body
• And most importantly, how to bring calm, connection, and joy back into their daily lives

Within months, she began seeing real, lasting progress:

Her son started making eye contact, engaging with others, and showing affection—saying “I love you” for the very first time.

Why “Don’t Underestimate a Child with Autism”

This mom’s story is a reminder that every child—no matter where they begin—is capable of so much more than we’re often led to believe.

When the body is supported naturally and the right healing steps are followed in order, the changes can be remarkable. These are not “miracles.” They’re the result of understanding how the body and brain are connected—and how to restore balance so healing can happen naturally...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/232

From Silence To “I Love You”: A Mom’s Story of Hope and Healing with Naturally Recovering Autism [Podcast Episode #231]

Every parent of a child with autism knows the moments of doubt, frustration, and heartache. For one devoted mom, the journey began with silence—days and months where her son barely spoke, struggled to connect, and seemed trapped in his own world.

Like many families, she searched tirelessly for answers, trying therapies and interventions that promised breakthroughs. But true, lasting progress remained out of reach—until she discovered the Naturally Recovering Autism Roadmap.

A Roadmap to Real Recovery

The Naturally Recovering Autism program gave her a clear, step-by-step plan designed to support her son’s body and brain in a holistic way. Instead of chasing quick fixes, she learned how to:

• Support gut health and reduce inflammation 
• Rebuild nutrient balance to fuel focus and communication
• Promote safe, natural detoxification
• Create predictable, supportive routines that encourage learning and connection

Within months, she began noticing remarkable changes: small gestures became words, words became sentences, and eventually, the phrase every parent dreams of hearing: “I love you.”

Hope, Healing, and Possibility

This story is a powerful reminder that every child with autism has potential beyond what we often imagine. With the right guidance, patience, and tools, progress is not only possible—it can be transformative.

The Naturally Recovering Autism Roadmap gave this family the framework to see real, lasting results—proving that recovery doesn’t always come from the most expensive or dramatic interventions, but from consistent, thoughtful support that addresses root causes...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/231

California Approves Independent Vaccine Guidelines Law As Multi State Alliances Emerge [Podcast Episode #230]

California Passes Law Allowing State to Set Its Own Vaccine Guidance

In a landmark move, California has passed a new law (AB 144, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 17, 2025) that gives the state authority to establish its own vaccine schedules and related policies — rather than being bound by federal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Here’s a breakdown of what the law does, why it was enacted, and how it fits into a broader trend among U.S. states.

Key Provisions of the Law

Some of the main changes under AB 144:

• It establishes a baseline for vaccine coverage based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations as of January 1, 2025.
• It authorizes the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to modify or supplement those baseline recommendations, using guidance from independent medical organizations (like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, etc.).
• It requires that state-regulated insurance plans (including Medi-Cal) cover vaccines that the state health department endorses under its guidance — meaning no copays for many Californians under those plans for state-recommended vaccines.
• It gives CA authority to act more independently of federal advisory bodies when those are perceived by state leadership to be compromised or less trustworthy.
  
  

  Why This Law Was Enacted

  Several reasons motivated the push for this law:

  1. Concerns over federal changes: The law reflects growing concern in California (and some other states) that recent shifts at the federal level — including reconstitution of advisory panels, changes in vaccine eligibility criteria, and what state officials view as politicization of public health — have undermined trust in the CDC’s recommendations...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/230

Benefits Of A Late Autism Diagnosis: Self-Understanding and Support At Any Age [Podcast Episode #229]

Instead of just focusing on the controversy or risks of misdiagnosis, you can pivot toward the benefits of finally having clarity through a late diagnosis, and then be empowered with actionable, natural strategies that align with what we do at Naturally Recovering Autism.

The Benefits of a Late Autism Diagnosis

1. Clarity & Self-Understanding

• Many people spend years confused about why social situations, sensory environments, or certain tasks feel harder for them than for others. A diagnosis provides a framework — “Oh, that’s why.”

   

• This self-knowledge can reduce self-blame, shame, and anxiety.

  2. Access to Resources & Support

• Even later in life, a diagnosis can open doors to support groups, therapies, accommodations in work or school, and tools for managing sensory overload or executive function.
• Parents of children diagnosed later can finally advocate more effectively for educational resources.

   

  3. Direction for Healing & Growth

• Instead of trying random approaches, families (or adults themselves) can pursue strategies that actually match the needs of an autistic brain and body.

   

• You can move from “what’s wrong with me?” to “here’s how my brain works, and here’s what helps.”

Natural & Supportive Approaches for Autism 

Once someone receives a diagnosis — whether at 5, 15, or 55 — the question becomes: What can I do now?

Here are some natural interventions:

1. Nutritional & Gut Health Support

• The gut-brain connection is well-documented. Late-diagnosed individuals may realize their digestive issues, food sensitivities, or chronic inflammation have been compounding their challenges.
• Approaches: gluten/dairy-free diets, probiotics, gut-healing protocols, anti-inflammatory nutrition. Get my free food guide at autismcheatsheet.com...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/229

Banned Pesticide Found in Popular Children’s Cereals [Podcast Episode #228]

Pesticide used on oats known to harm development, fetal growth and harming reproductive health later in life.

Asheville, N.C. – Aug. 25, 2025 – A new investigation by Moms Across America has found disturbing levels of a banned pesticide, chlormequat, in some of the most popular children’s cereals sold in the United States.

Given this disturbing finding, Moms Across America is calling on the administration to revise the recently leaked draft of MAHA Commission strategy report, which falls short in calling for increased policy enforcement to reduce exposure of harmful pesticides to our children and American families.

The findings raise serious concerns about food safety, particularly for children, and call into question the effectiveness of regulatory oversight by the Food and Drug Administration.

Chlormequat, which has been linked to infertility, cancer, and developmental harm, was detected in 11 out of 14 cereal samples tested. The highest level—134.16 parts per billion—was found in General Mills’ Honey Nut Cheerios. It is not permitted for use on food crops in the U.S., and it was illegal for any imported grains to contain detectable levels of it until 2018.

Key findings include...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/228

Wearable Phototherapy Patch For Autism: Stem Cell Activation Explained [Podcast Episode 225]

I’m excited to share a non-invasive, easy-to-use technology that is showing tremendous promise for children with autism, as well as many other health conditions. This could really help your child now.

This wearable patch is a form of light therapy that activates our own dormant stem cells in the body. Stem cells are how our bodies heal. 

This one-of-a-kind breakthrough patch technology uses the body’s own light to activate its own stem cells, promoting better cellular health-benefits that can help children thrive by:

• supporting natural healing, 
• resetting genes, 
• Improving function of the immune system, 
• balancing inflammation, and the immune response.

The X39 patch is FDA compliant as a general wellness product, and backed by over 80 double-blind studies...

 

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/225