Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

Breaking Point to Breakthrough: Transforming Life For Your Child with Autism [Podcast Episode #192]

A time comes in your life when you know that in order to make changes in your life you have to do something differently.

When my son had debilitating symptoms of autism that no one knew how to help me with I realized it was up to me to make a change happen for him. After that last trip to the Emergency Room it was the fuel for my fire to learn on my own.

Do you have this fire burning inside of you? If you want to know how to help your child with autism to live a happier, healthier and more productive life to their full potential then please join me for my free live virtual event, the  Autism Recovery Action Plan. Registration is now open. Register here now!

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/192

Why Is Candida So Hard To Get Rid Of? [Podcast Episode #191]

Candida is very tricky to work with so you need to know many of the contributing factors and why it is so hard to get rid of. It’s never just one thing, and prsistency is key.

Candida Induced Alcohol Poisoning

Candida requires sugar as food. This can come in the source of any chemical that ends in “ose” such as glucose, fructose, or sucrose. Carbohydrates such as bread and pasta are also converted by the body into sugars that act as another food source for the yeast. When glucose (from sugars and carbohydrates) is digested by Candida, it creates the alcoholic chemical ethanol and its extremely toxic byproduct, acetaldehyde.

Candida and this alcohol, acetaldehyde, are transferred via the placenta to the developing fetus and are capable of doing harm during development. After birth, the baby continues to receive alcohol through the mother’s breast milk.

Alcohol can cause malnutrition by preventing the body from digesting proteins. Many liquid herbal tinctures contain alcohol. Be sure supplements are alcohol free.

Associated problems from alcohol:

• Aggressive and violent behavior. Alcohol causes damage to areas of the brain that can increase aggressive behavior to violent behavior.
• Anxiety
• Lethargy
• Impaired coordination, speech, and memory loss.
• Liver damage causing a lowered ability of the body’s detoxification processes.
• Damage to the intestinal lining reducing the ability for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Inability of the hormones released by the thyroid to become activated. NOTE: The thyroid may produce an acceptable lab test because it is releasing the proper hormones. The problem is that, once released, the hormones cannot do their jobs due to acetaldehyde inhibiting the working sites needed by those hormones.
• Malabsorption and malnutrition due to inhibition of pancreatic enzymes and reduced ability for the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/191

Autism and the Candida Mercury Connection [Podcast Episode #190]

Children on the autism spectrum usually have both candida and heavy metal toxicity. The essential candida diet where we starve out the bad bacteria by removing the bad processed carbohydrates and excess sugars that they thrive on ensures a better outcome.

However, it is lesser know that mercury will slow down the removal of candida. Mercury inhibits the body’s natural ability to fight off excess candida so it is imperative to not only do a proactive diet and candida protocol, but this must include heavy metal detoxification.

Mercury is candida’s friend. It’s likely that one reason why candida can be so challenging to get rid of is because there is still mercury in the system. I have found that if we get rid of the mercury, candida seems to go away more easily, but first we must heal and strengthen the gut. The toxins released from heavy metals and fungus lower the body’s ability to turn the food we eat into energy.

With conventional sulfur containing heavy metal chelating methods, such as DMSA, one must exercise caution to be sure the liver is supported first and the gut has more balance prior. Sulfur may likely disturb the already weak GI tract. These drugs also deplete the body further of important minerals and allow for reabsorption of the toxins while it’s being excreted.

Mercury is known to inhibit the human body’s ability to kill Candida. It does this by preventing a type of white blood cell called neutrophils from killing the Candida fungus. These cells normally destroy microorganisms and foreign matter in the blood.

Some common sources of mercury come from our environment. The air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink all contain heavy metals. Be sure you have a high quality water filter like the one here.

Additionally, mercury amalgam dental fillings are a strong source of toxicity and the amalgams a mother has during pregnancy leak mercury into her system which is passed in utero to the growing fetus so the child can be born with mercury toxicity...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/190

What Is It Candida and How Does It Affect Children With Autism? [Podcast Episode #189]

Children on the autism spectrum almost always have an overgrowth of candida in their gut. In fact, scientists estimate that 70% of all people have an overgrowth of candida. In our intestinal system we have what are known as “good” bacteria. They work hard to keep our gut lining and our immune system in good health to fight off infection and disease. Candida, also known as yeast or fungi, is some of the normal bacteria we all carry in our gut. The problem arises when Candida’s numbers grow too high and get out of control. When the bad bacteria grow to a higher count than the good bacteria we have what is known as an overgrowth. This is often referred to as a yeast infection or Candida albicans.

These bacteria have a delicate balancing system. This balance can easily be thrown off by such things as physical injury, poor diet, toxins, emotional stress and the use of antibiotics. Fungus, and yeast, such as Candida albicans in the gut, can easily be inhaled through oral secretions and affect our respiratory pathways and lungs. Fungus in the body is unknowingly tied to many allergies and can also mimic symptoms of a heart attack...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/189

Calcium and Magnesium Absorption in Autism [Podcast Episode #188]

Parents wonder, “If my child with autism is on a gluten free and casein free diet then how will they get enough calcium?”

No dairy!!! Why not? A few reasons are that it’s Inflammatory, has a naturally high sugar content, and it creates opiates just like gluten does.  Yes, just like opiate drugs, so your child may be addicted to them. Then you may ask, “How do I get calcium into my child’s body?”

Minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium aid in eliminating acids from the body. An acidic body is one with toxicity, infections, and disease.

Calcium

If there is not an adequate supply of calcium absorbed from food or supplements, the body will recruit from its own resources, such as retrieving calcium from teeth and bones and magnesium from muscle. This leads to deficiencies in those areas and greater problems can result.

I do not advocate supplementing with calcium either since excess cellular calcium can trigger many destructive processes in the brain, especially when there is lead toxicity. There are many good nutritional sources to get calcium from food. Such as broccoli, kale, almonds, salmon and sardines.

Additionally, supplements that help with calcium absorption include:

Magnesium 

It’s estimated that up to 80% of people are deficient in this mineral.   It can become depleted by many things including lipid peroxidation which largely affects organs that are made of fat.

The brain contains 60% fats; therefore it is highly susceptible to the damage that can be done by lipid peroxidation and to toxins from lipid-soluble substances such as pesticides and mercury...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/188

What You Need To Know About Low Iron and Autism [Podcast episode #187]

People are told by well-meaning traditional medical practitioners that if ferritin (iron) is low, then they should take iron supplements – what could be the problem with this?

IRON

Beware of low iron in children. It is important in brain development. There may be many causes to their fatigue, lack of ability to focus, or ADHD, and low iron may be one of them. Our children often have heavy metals in their bodies and levels of lead may also be elevated if there is a deficiency in iron.

Proper enzymatic activity is critical and iron also helps assist the many functions associated with it. These enzymes are necessary for proper functioning of iron and are often not working properly due to the presence of aluminum in the body.

Why Too Much Iron Is Bad

On the other hand, we do not want excess iron in the body because it can cause oxidation and inflammation. Yeast and intestinal bacteria can use excess iron to their advantage, and it can be overall immunosuppressive. Iron can help strengthen pathogenic (bad) bacteria in the gut. 

Too much iron in the body can increase the damage from excitotoxicity due to glutamate. If your child has weak liver or kidneys, check with your healthcare practitioner regarding his iron levels as too much can be dangerous for him. Diabetics should also be very cautious with excessive iron. 

Studies show excessive iron can cause increased susceptibility to infection, immune abnormalities, inflammation of the stomach lining, and ulcers. 

Taking iron in supplement form as excess iron can promote viruses to grow-it is best to get it from food sources.

ANEMIA

It is common for those with imbalanced gut flora to be anemic. Anemia is when there are a lowered number of red blood cells in the body. Our kids often look pasty white and can be lethargic and weak most of the time. One likely culprit is the lack of iron, but it takes much more than iron to balance anemia. Healthy blood needs almost all of the B vitamins, vitamin C, A and D, amino acids, along with multiple minerals, including magnesium, manganese, iodine, copper and zinc...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/187

Viruses and Their Association With the Symptoms of Autism [Podcast Episode #186]

There are many types of viruses and they can cause many different health related neuro-developmental issues. In this podcast we will discuss many of these that relate to common symptoms of autism including speech, autoimmunity, cognition and our ability to think.

Viruses and Autoimmunity 

Many viruses can adversely affect the immune system, either by suppressing its function, or causing it to mistakenly attack the cells and tissues of the host body. This is called autoimmunity. We must not overlook the harmful effects of overstimulating the immune system. The brain’s immune system contains protective cells called microglia. These cells regulate brain development, maintenance of neuronal networks, and injury repair. Viruses can be active in the body for years and be a continuing over activity of the immune system.

When stimulated by a foreign substance the microglia secrete chemicals, including glutamate, preparing for an immune attack. This can get triggered in a sort of “on” position and stay activated spreading these chemicals and leading to an autoimmune issue. Multiple systems and organs of the body can be damaged. For example, the cells of the liver are highly susceptible, as well as the respiratory system. I’d also like to mention that glutamate can trigger seizures, so the viral component needs to be observed as a factor in them.

The immune system plays a vital role in brain development and a weak immune system can impact brain function, especially cognition and our ability to think. Inflammation is a strong factor here. We are always working to reduce inflammation to regain health...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/186

Study Reveals Non-Persistent Nature of Autism Diagnosis [Podcast Episode #185]

JAMA Pediatrics Study: October 2023 released a study, Persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Early Childhood Through School Age.

Findings  Of the 213 children in this cohort study, 79 (37%) had non-persistent ASD. Higher baseline adaptive functioning and female sex were associated with non-persistent ASD.

Oct. 11, 2023 – According to a new study from Boston Children’s Hospital researchers found that more than a third of toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder outgrew the disorder by the time they were about 6 years old. The findings were published this month in JAMA Pediatrics.

ASHA Wire noted that some children with autism may LOSE their diagnosis as children.

“Diagnoses can evolve as a child develops,” says Elizabeth Harstad, a developmental medicine physician, who led the study. “Our research shows how important it is that we monitor kids over time, because some children may really have changes in their social communication and behavioral function. This underscores the need for continuous assessments and adaptable intervention strategies.”

The study found no meaningful association between the intensity of a child’s interventions and their chance of keeping their autism diagnosis, indicating the need for more research to understand the role that intervention may have in children who outgrow their diagnosis...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/185

The Benefits of Martial Arts for Autism [Podcast Episodes 53 and 184]

Studies show that martial arts can be an effective way to build motor control through the repetition of movement in people on the autism spectrum. This helps both the motor and planning areas of the brain. It is also offers a great form of exercise in a group setting where socialization can be increased, while still allowing the individual to move at his or her own pace. Martial Arts is a great way to keep them physically active and engaged. This improves overall physical and emotional well-being.

Meet Sensei Al Loren

Al Loren has taught over 300,000 martial arts classes in 27 years. Al instructs kids, teens, adults, and seniors in multiple forms of martial arts including Karate, Aikido, T’ai Chi.  Al was the 1986 National champion in Karate. He teaches in Marin County and San Francisco. He has had great success working with children to adulthood who are on the autism spectrum and finds that it increases balance and coordination, motor skills, muscle strength, gives confidence and offers self defense.

Al Loren’s success comes from being compassionate and understanding the sensitivity necessary for each unique individual. Know that each accomplishment, however small, is a big deal. Building self esteem and trust through connection is key.

Please join me for my podcast interview #53 with Al Loren, an expert in martial arts who specializes in working with children on the autism spectrum and those with other special needs.

In my podcast #184 interview with Al Loren, we discuss the benefits of martial arts and his success methods for working with children and adults on the autism spectrum  which are found in his new book, Martial Arts on the Autism Spectrum...

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/184

Empowering Futures: Comprehensive Guide To Special Needs Estate Planning and Children’s Trusts [Podcast Episode #183]

Trusts and wills for children with special needs are essential to have in place now, so their future is well prepared in advance. We need to be sure our children with special needs are cared for with or without us when we are either incapable, or no longer here.

 

In this podcast episode I interview attorney, Blake Baxter, on the subject of trusts and estate planning for children and adults with special needs.

Some of the questions we address in making sure the trust is set up correctly to protect your family are:

1. Who do you talk to about setting up a trust?
2. What kind of trust to have?
3. Who will be the be the beneficiary, the executor, or have power of attorney?
4. Who oversees the trust and handles the investments and accounts?
5. What if I’m still alive but no longer capable of making decisions for my child or their care?
6. Do I still need a Will if I have a trust set up?
7. Who are special needs attorneys who set up estate planning and how do I find a reputable one I can trust near me?

Click Here or Click the link below for more details!

https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/183