Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

Autism Treatment With Cannabis with Dr. Christopher Shade

Autism Treatment With Cannabis  

In an effort to find help for their child with autism many parents have turned to the use of high quality medical grade cannabis. Those who had resisted in the past due to stigmas attached to it have found new hope.

For the treatment of the symptoms of autism parents have reported a greater ability in focus and concentration, increased ability to handle emotions such as rage and fears, friendlier and more socially aware, increased appetite, and better sleep.

One lesser known fact about children with autism is that roughly fifty percent start having seizures around the onset of puberty. The best news lately for this issue is that cannabis is a solution for it that works for many individuals.

Some of the newest and most enlightening studies regarding seizures, Crohns disease, pain, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer is in cannabis, that’s right, marijuana. Specific strains are used for specific needs. Before you think about it as only a drug that people use to get high, think again.

Decades ago, in the 1970’s, Israel became the medical marijuana research capitol. There are two ingredients in cannabis; THC and CBD. Israel was the first to isolate the psychotropic portion of cannabis called THC, from the medicinal, non-intoxicating, CBD portion. Medical marijuana can have less than one percent THC and it has the potential to treat many diseases with NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS! This is opposite of what the medical prescription drugs are doing. Every nineteen minutes there is a fatality due to accidental prescription medical overdoses. There are no reports of fatal marijuana overdoses, and it is less harmful or addictive, (less than nine percent), than alcohol.

The science behind it tells us so far that the CBD or cannibal diol modulates chemical and electrical activity in the brain that quiets excessive activity causing seizures. Specific strains are used for different illnesses. In Israel over 10,000 patients are licensed to use marijuana medicinally. There are more than a dozen studies to treat illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohns disease, pain and cancer.

Depending on the age or need of the patient, cannabis can be used like an herbal tincture in liquid form with only a few drops put under the tongue. Additional methods of delivery are as a topical cream, encapsulated, or added to food. Dr. Christopher Shade has developed a liposomal delivery system to allow for optimal absorption in the mouth. You can watch my interview with him about this here.

Although the FDA has approved studies there are organizations who say there is no evidence that it is effective. These organizations include the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institute of Drug Abuse. They block out the studies that are positive because it is not in their scope of beliefs. This can be the case with any organization. Changing beliefs is a difficult thing to do. I strongly encourage you to make your own educated decisions.

Radio Show Interview

To help with your education on CBD and cannabis, I have interviewed Dr. Christopher Shade, an expert on the medical benefits of CBD. In this radio show interview we deep dive into the many details on how CBD positively benefits the cells of the body, and the systems of the body including the immune system. CBD is also widely known to calm in cases of anxiousness and hyperactivity. Please listen to radio show #67.

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How To Find Resilience In the Face of Challenges with Madelyn Blair

Parenting a child with autism has many challenges. Lack of sleep, pressure from school and their staff, tantrums, anger outbursts, and a myriad of health issues create a life of pressure and uncertainty for them. Parents find themselves in need of support and tools to work with the ever-changing behavior of their child. What can a parent do to build their own resilience in this challenge?

Resilience is the ability to react gracefully and decisively to a situation that is unexpected, deeply complex or brings uncertainty. In this radio show interview with Madelyn Blair, PhD, an expert in resilience training, we will offer some daily practices for both parents and for children with autism to assist in a more peaceful way of life. Please listen to radio show #66.

In this interview we discuss the five principles to build resilience:

1. Take 5 minutes of silence for yourself every day.
2. Write a personal story every day-like a mirror of who you are.
3. Social-find social support in your life like a loving family, a good friend, a community of like-minded parents.
4. Seeking-nurturing your curiosity. Every day ask a question.
5. Selection-Every day decide the most important thing to do as a person.

Dr. Blair has practiced these principles successfully with parents of children with autism and with people with autism themselves. They focused on positive stories because the child knew she was different, but it helped her realize she was special, and brilliant.

Decide to be happy, no matter what. It’s your decision. Points to help remember to do this are:

1. Know who you are.
2. Have in-depth knowledge in something.
3. Be insatiably curious.
4. Always have respect for others and acknowledge their strengths.

When you feel overwhelmed and in the moment, remember to:

1. Breathe.
2. Pause and think of a time when you were successful. Create a visual image in your mind that you can pull up whenever you need it.

Madelyn Blair, PhD 

Madelyn Blair, has a PhD in Sociology, with a concentration in Organizational Psychology–a discipline that applies psychological theory and principles to workplaces, business decisions and the well-being of employees.

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Five Tips To Get Nutrition Into Your Picky Eater

I often hear, “I’ve had my boy on a diet of no gluten for a long time but he’s still not better. Why?”

The reason is that his gut has not healed and he is not absorbing all nutrients so he’s deficient. There’s much more work to do than diet alone. Supplements and detoxification are necessary, but here’s where to begin.

The co-infections prevent gut healing too so they must be addressed. (Mold, lyme, PANDAS/strep. There’s not enough hydrochloric acid in the stomach to assist digestion but also to kill any strep in the gut. 

What foods to remove first:

Remove all processed carbohydrates and sugars such as dairy, wheat, corn, soy, sugar, (including fruit), MSG, food coloring, and eat only organic.

Be patient. This takes time to slowly remove the bad foods and begin integrating more of the good ones.

(NOTE: lyme and mold affect the gut too, so once they’re worked with it will help, but first we stabilize, so here are a few helpful tips along the way).

Refusing to eat:

Refusing to eat is a common issue because they are addicted to the sugars in the bad foods and the opiates created by gluten and casein. It is a very slow process to wean them off of them.

Do I have to remove gluten and dairy? My child won’t eat anything else.

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Neurofeedback with Heidi Seastrand

In this episode I interview Heidi Seastrand, expert in Neurofeedback. Heidi has a masters degree in clinical psychology and extensive training in Neurofeedback. She became a practitioner in this field due to her own personal challenges of ADD which it has helped to overcome. I took my own to Heidi for this non-invasive treatment and had immense benefits, so much so, that I have added it as part of my mentor program as, what I feel, is a necessity. 

Neurofeedback helps people of all ages to exercise their brainwaves and strengthen their mind to promote symptom reductions. It addresses symptoms related to stress, anxiety, attention, depression, anger management, sleep issues, and hyperactivity. The emphasis is on reducing symptoms and increasing long term success.

It all depends on which part of the brain processes the information they are having trouble with. Neurofeedback doesn’t “fix” conditions, but improves brain regulation. Listen and learn how this computerized feedback technology can possibly improve your child’s life. It has for my son.

Please also listen to radio show #64, with Heidi Seastrand on Neurofeedback.

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Maternal and Paternal Dietary Interventions PreConception with Geri Brewster

Dietary intervention preconception for both mother and father can have a potentially large impact on a child’s development in utero and after birth. The state of the mother’s health and toxic exposure, as well as an overgrowth of candida in the gut can all be transferred to the fetus. This sets up a toxic dumping in the child’s delicate system which can lead to the symptoms of autism.

The fetus can be born with susceptibilities that influence and become triggers for genetic mutations. Neurotoxic effects create many developmental delays including cognitive impairment, and speech delay. This, along with gut dysbiosis, all play a part. The gut controls the brain and is often referred to as “the second brain”. Also noted as infections that create susceptibility and can be transferred in utero and via breastmilk are the Comorbid Symptoms of Autism.

Further Environmental Triggers

Additionally, the effect of environmental  toxins on the brain and neurological system are significant. For example, if a mother has mercury amalgam fillings and other heavy metal toxicity the fetus is used as a conduit for her bodies  detoxification. Pesticides in food, toxic adjuvants in vaccinations, and exposure to electromagnetic field radiation are also involved. The overexposure to these environmental triggers are known to negatively effect the neurological system of the fetus, newborn and child. See EWG.org for further environmental toxins.

3 Steps To Take To Reduce The Toxic Load

1. Reduce body burden by eating organically grown, non GMO foods and eliminating toxins from your home. 
2. Reduce inflammation-Dietary changes begin this first stage of detoxification.
3. Support detoxification by supporting the liver, the lymphatic system, and the colon.

Radio show Interview

Please listen to my radio show interview with Registered Dietician, Geri Brewster, on the differences that dietary intervention can make both pre and post conception, radio show #63.

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How To Keep the Immune System Strong with Karen Thomas

Holidaze

During the holidays we tend to eat too many sweets which weaken our immune system. As much as we may enjoy the festivities our daily routines become even busier, we tend to get stressed and we don’t always get as much sleep as we need.

Strengthen Your Immune System

It is important to keep immunity strong, especially during the cold and flu season. Up to eighty percent of the immune system comes from the digestive tract. Poor eating habits, including too much sugar, will weaken the immune system.  When we eat sugar and drink alcohol in excess, that feeds the bad bacteria in our gut such as candida albicans or yeast. Candida thrives on sugar! When candida is overgrown, it substantially weakens our immune system and increases the body’s toxic load.

Probiotics And Omega 3

A key supplement that will assist the immune system and the gut are probiotics. Probiotics will assist in fighting both flu viruses and colds by building the strength of the necessary, healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. They will also help to crowd out the bad overgrown bacteria such as candida albicans.

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Special Detoxification Scenarios with Dr. Dashore

Often when children are mysteriously not detoxing, in-spite of a ton of effort from the parent,  here is whats helpful or what might be brewing underneath.

 

Where to Begin

You could start out with basic bloodwork and understanding labs keeping the broad picture in mind. Lyme is immune suppressing and often we don’t get the real picture of whats going on underneath. Mold toxins cause damage centralized in the brain where all the control centers are.

Get your free resource guide to Lyme and mold.

 

What Systems Can Be Affected

These can have an endocrine effect and many children can have an underlying adrenal, thyroid, issues slowing things down.

 

Yeast v/s phenols the similarities

Magnesium, B vitamins, Thiamine and appetite,

Methylation cycle

B6 and the serotonin pathway

PST sulfation pathway – connection to the genetic snips or SNP’s.

 

Radio Show Interview

In this interview with Dr. Dashore we will go over a few examples from labs and then we can talk about lyme bands a little bit more on detoxification, different symptoms that can arise and what you can do about it.

Please listen to radio show #61.

 

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The Benefits of Homeopathy for Autism with Amy Lansky

Although used commonly in Europe and India, homeopathy is not quite as accepted in America mostly because it is not well understood. Although many studies have been done, those in who do not understand how it works disclaim it. This is just like anything else, so you need to be informed.

Homeopathy is a very different concept to grasp. It is based on the Law of Similars. This law states that “a disease can be cured by a substance if that substance can cause, in a healthy person, symptoms similar to those of the disease.” The word homeopathy comes from homeo meaning similar and pathy meaning suffering.

This excerpt was taken from the book, The Impossible Cure by Amy Lansky. It is my favorite book about homeopathy for two reasons: firstly, it is written for the layperson and is very easy to understand; secondly, the author, Amy Lansky, also has a child who “was” on the autism spectrum. After her son’s 18-month measles, mumps, rubella shot he began exhibiting symptoms of autism. Homeopathic remedies have since recovered him. For the whole story you can read all about it in her book, “The Impossible Cure.”  It is filled with multiple studies on homeopathy.

The rise in cases of autism coincides with the increase in vaccinations. Another benefit homeopathy offers is to remedy illnesses or damage that the body has been affected by from vaccinations. This is what happened with Amy Lansky’s son. Homeopathy can repair the damage done by vaccinations including the body’s response to allergies, asthma, and behavioral problems that are a result of vaccinations. A homeopathic remedy should help the body do what it needs to do. It is used to inspire the vital force. Homeopathy works on susceptibility. It comes from recognizing the weakness in the body that has already occurred and the symptoms that are already present.

A “constitutional” remedy takes in both mental and physical components. The homeopathic doctor will take into account every aspect. The emotional and physical components are accounted for in order to help understand the larger picture of a person’s distress. Treatment is determined, generally, by matching symptoms. There is a common factor in that homeopaths take into account what is unusual about an individual’s pattern. Remedies are specific to each individual. Be patient, it can take some time for a good homeopath to find the proper remedy.

Today, Amy’s son Max, is great.  There have been no signs of his former autism since he was about 9 or 10. He is 28, living in LA, working as a motion graphics artist. Got his degree from the USC film school.

Please listen to my radio show interview with Amy Lansky. It’s show #60.

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Colonics and Enemas to Assist Detoxification in Autism with Julie Loggins

Children with autism have congested liver and detoxification pathways. We must support these areas during the detoxification process.

The Health of the Colon and Constipation

The health of the colon, or the large intestine, is critical to overall health and proper detoxification. Daily bowel movements must release toxic material or it can be reabsorbed into the walls of the large intestine. Constipation allows for toxic reabsorption due to the extended amount of time the waste stays in the bowels.

Proper amounts of water are needed to allow for the removal of waste including pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics in animal feed, and carcinogenic agents in the air we breathe. Dehydration and lack of proper fiber can cause constipation.

The large intestine also absorbs minerals necessary for our health. An improperly working colon causes nutrient deficiencies. Overall gut healing is essential.

The Effects of Toxins on Behavior

The bowels effect behavior through toxic reabsorption, but they are also very sensitive to the neurotransmitters in the digestive tract. These brain signaling chemicals include adrenaline, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

What About Fiber for Constipation?

Fiber is essential when feces are moving well to keep digestion on track, but contrary to popular belief, if the bowel is constipated and lodged with waste, taking fiber often makes it worse. Fiber acts to further bind what is not moving. If you are constipated, aloe leaf is an excellent choice for getting things moving. Be sure to avoid binding foods such as gluten, cheese and red meat.

Enemas and Colonics for Detoxification

Enemas are helpful to release fecal matter from the lower portion of the large intestine via stimulation from the hemorrhoidal veins. Coffee enemas will stimulate the nerves in the liver and assist its detoxification processes.

Colonic irrigation or colonics are an essential part of health.They gently remove old debris from the entire colon and its walls by cleansing it with distilled or purified water. Colonic hydrotherapy will flush the intestines much higher than an enema will.

Colonics can be done as early as age six, although many children may not agree to this. If they do, be sure to see an Advanced Certified Colon Hydrotherapist. To find and I-ACT certified professional go to, www.i-act.org, or call (210) 366-2888.

Your child must be willing to do this. A professional colonic hydrotherapist will be able to make your child feel as comfortable as possible. The first appointment may feel foreign to the child but once they feel how much better they are afterward they are often compliant to go again.

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The Role of Iron, Zinc and Copper in Autism with Dr. Beth O’Hara

Children with autism often have low levels of iron due to leaky gut or poor absorption of nutrition which leads to anemia, but is supplementing with iron really the best choice? Zinc is commonly deficient too and it is necessary for multiple functions in the body, especially with respect to the strength of the immune system. Copper levels tend to often be higher than they should be. Copper can displace zinc and zinc can displace copper so we need to be sure there is a balance between the two. This imbalance can lead to multiple health issues including mast cell activation.

 

In my radio show interview with Dr. Beth O’Hara, we discuss this delicate balance and what you can do about it for your child. Please listen to my live radio show interview with Dr. Beth O’Hara on The Roles of Iron, Zinc and Copper. It’s show #58.

 

Dr. O’Hara also shares her personal story in this episode about how it was for her growing up with undiagnosed Asperger’s, how she coped, and how she has been able to improve her social abilities, create a thriving medical practice and have a happy marriage. Please listen to radio show #58.

 

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