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Inspiring parents with natural solutions to create the most fulfilling, healthy and productive life possible for their children with autism. Empowering Parents with the Resources to Naturally Recover Autism from a mom who has done it. Having once been told her son could not recover from his symptoms of autism Karen Thomas now shares what she has learned through over a decade of personal research and experience that has brought her own son to recovery. Her background as a Craniosacral Therapist allowed her the awareness that the brain could heal if given the right support. Learn how you can allow your child a clear path for a happier and more fulfilling life with improved communication, better sleep, improved social abilities, and overall improved health. Get your FREE GUIDE to the top 7 foods to eliminate from your child's diet for better sleep, calmer moods, improved focus and speech at, NaturallyRecoveringAutism.com /7foods For more resources go to, NaturallyRecoveringAutism.com
Episodes
![Causes and Prevention of Worsening Symptoms When Detoxing Your Child With Autism [Podcast Episode #172]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog1796738/Episode_Naturally_Recovering_Autismahvu2_300x300.jpg){kind=logo}
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Rapid detoxification
Detoxification, even the initial phase when you’re changing the diet can cause some toxic “backlog” in your child’s body. You may notice some very heightened symptoms in this process. Rapid detoxification or die off can be too much for the body to handle and throw a person into mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
Since kids with autism have poor detoxification pathways we need to support them right away. Healing the gut is the beginning phase of everything. The gut controls the brain and 80% of the immune system. We begin with the right diet by removing the top inflammatory foods, supporting detoxification pathways properly, and giving only one new supplement at a time.
We use the lowest possible dosages too. Never just use a recommended dosage on any supplement bottle when working with a child with autism or it is more than likely that you will throw them into a die off reaction.
Die off reactions include worsening behaviors, increased stimming, loss of focus or speech, headaches, fever, anxiousness, stomach ache, flu-like symptoms, rash, and more.
By offering toxin binders to help sop up additional toxins that their body cannot process out fast enough, giving supplements to assist strengthening the detoxification pathways, and by supporting the liver you can help to reduce rapid die off symptoms. Always remember to move forward slowly.
Die-off is not an illness or infection, it’s a temporary syndrome in response to the process of detoxification. It is the body’s immune response to releasing toxins. As toxins break down or pathogens die, they can release harmful substances that can exacerbate symptoms. The symptoms from die off generally resolve within 3-7 days. It is when the die off symptoms do not slow down and worsen that we must look at what other issues may have been triggered.
PANS
Beyond these worsened behaviors we can throw our children into more harsh issues such as PANS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. What this really means is an autoimmune issue where the immune system has become overactive due to fighting harder against an onslaught of toxins being released too fast and the immune system becomes overactive.
Symptoms of PANS include a rapid onset of obsessive compulsive disorder, fearfulness, clinginess, and increased anxiousness.
It is important with autism not to boost the immune system. It may already be overactive and likely is with PANS. For this reason we need to be sure our treatment regulates the immune system. Regulating the immune system and treating infections with the right diet and the right supplements that also reduce inflammation are essential.
The goal is to keep the child stable. Triggers that contribute to a PANS flare-up include Streptococcal infections, mold biotoxins, Lyme, rapid die-off reactions from detoxification that is going too fast for the child’s body to keep up with, and toxic exposure...
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Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
The All-Important Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is the part of our brain that tells our nervous system if we should feel calm or fearful. This is commonly known as the fight or flight response. The hypothalmus is often injured in children on the autism spectrum. The hypothalamus has no protective blood-brain barrier, making it easy for toxins to enter this area and cause damage. A few known environmental toxins are mercury, aluminum, and bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastics such as drinking bottles, baby bottles, toys, dental sealants and the linings of food cans. Mold biotoxins are also a top offender.
The hypothalamus holds within it the areas responsible for aggression, territorial defense, and sexual pursuit. It also controls sleep and appetite cycles along with the limbic system (another part of the brain). Estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus effect food intake, energy, and the distribution of body fat.
Two Neurochemicals You Should Know
The hypothalamus is part of both the endocrine system and the nervous system and is responsible for messages between the two. The hypothalamus releases many neurochemicals including:
- Dopamine: a neurotransmitter affecting reward-based motivation, decision-making, ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, lack of focus and motor control. It also affects a part of the brain called the pre-frontal cortex. The pre-frontal cortex controls executive functioning such as the ability to see consequences for our actions and organizational planning. It is a big issue for people on the autism spectrum.
- Oxytocin: released via the pituitary as a part of hypothalamic functioning. Oxytocin is the hormone involved with the ability to bond with others, especially the mother after birth.
How Can We Help the Hypothalamus?
What can we do to assist the hypothalamus?
Zinc, vitamin D3, proper iodine levels and exercise are crucial to the proper functioning of the hypothalamus.
Scientists have found that gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and dopamine. Up tp 95% of serotonin is made in the gut. The gut must be healthy for adequate amounts to be produced and transfer properly to the brain.
There is an excellent product called Stress Reducer Elixir that may increase oxytocin and serotonin levels naturally . This comes as tasteless sublingual drops.
Your Unborn Child’s Exposure To Toxins
It goes without saying that you should do your best to avoid toxins around your children and during pregnancy. When a mother is exposed to environmental toxins during pregnancy the fetus is directly affected. The liver is our main organ of detoxification. When it is congested and not working properly, then bile and toxins are frequently pushed back into the stomach. The cells become injured and weak and are then more susceptible to damage from pathogenic microbes such as candida, parasites, H. Pylori, and more.
These pathogenic bacteria then cause inflammation in the gut which weakens the lining and even breaks holes through it. This is known as leaky gut. Leaky gut allows for undigested foods and other toxins to leak into the bloodstream causing inflammation throughout the body and brain. The behaviors we see are due to many factors but they all include inflammation and its effect on the central nervous system and the brain in particular...
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Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
I know, first hand, what it’s like to be a parent of a child with autism inside the whirlwind of confusion of not knowing if a food or supplement is right for your child, or how much to give to them in dosages. All people are unique too, so everyone’s needs will be different, especially a sensitive child with autism. I also know how it is to feel desperate for the right answers and support. I’m grateful to have gone before you on this journey and to now be able to offer you the resources you need to help clarify so much of this. It is why I created this podcast and the programs I offer parents.
The first person to look to for help is yourself. You know your child best and you are his or her best advocate. No one else, not even a doctor, is with your child seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Others do not see the changes that you do. Do not be afraid to take charge. One of the first tools to learn is muscle test response or muscle testing.
Where Did Muscle Testing Come From?
I was first introduced to muscle testing in 1987 when I began working as a chiropractor’s back office assistant. She was an Applied Kinesiology (AK) doctor. AK doctors are licensed healthcare professionals who use this technique in their practices to link weak organs and nutrition deficits in patients. I worked in that office with her for ten years. The accuracy and efficacy have no question in my mind.
The prevalence of muscle testing has grown tremendously since the early 1960’s when it was introduced by Dr. George Goodheart, a well-known Applied Kinesiologist (AK). Originally, muscle testing was referred to as Applied Kinesiology...
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Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
To calm anxiousness we basically want to calm the nervous system. There are many tools and resources available to help with this task.
Lift Something and Exercise
Exercise releases serotonin in our brain so it can actually improve our mood. It’s also healthy for us to move, getting oxygen into our blood and brain, strengthening our muscles and bones, and flushing toxins out of our system. Aerobic exercise like running or biking are great but simply going for a short walk can help a lot.
Using our muscles is one way to calm. Lifting a heavy object actually has a calming effect on the system. Ask your child to carry a fairly heavy object, within his
capabilities, like a box with some papers or books in it out to the garage for you.
One of the best tools we have found for calming is the door jam bar. Easily installed in any doorway this indoor support bar is strong enough to do pull ups on and has an attachment so you can add a swing or trapeze bar to it. This is especially helpful on rainy days.
There are many door jam bars available, but not all are safe. The bar our occupational therapist told us about that we have had great success with and has a good reputation for being safe is sold by Playaway Toy Company Incorporated. Properly installed the weight limit is 175 pounds. For more information see www.playawaytoy.com or call (715)752-4565...
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Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Autism has many contributors, but there are specific ones among them that most people use daily. These toxins affect the neurological systems of fetuses and children at an even greater rate than they do adults.
Our families are the most important thing in the world to us. We must educate ourselves in order to protect them. There are many environmental toxins that we live in and around. Studies are coming out regarding their safety, or lack thereof, but most people are either unaware of the dangers or disregard the warnings rather than give up convenience.
Toxins are cumulative. Yes, small amounts over time build up and cause disease. Precautions can be made to detoxify the body or prevent them in the first place. Due to the nature of biology, each of us can tolerate different loads of toxins. These factors include our body’s ability to detoxify, the health of DNA, repair enzymes, amounts or toxins absorbed, the strength of cellular enzymes, age, genetic inheritance, possible pre-existing diseases, the number of toxins we are exposed to at different or concurring times, and the overall strength of the immune system.
The list of the top ten chemicals in consumer products that are suspected to contribute to autism developed by The Children’s Environmental Health Center are:
-lead
-methylmercury
-polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB’s)
-organophosphate pesticides
-organochlorine pesticides
-endocrine disruptors
-automotive exhaust
-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
-brominated flame retardants
-perfluorinated compounds...
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Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Lyme disease is on the rise. One in every four children on the autism spectrum tests positive for Lyme disease. It is the fastest growing vector-borne infection with 300,000 new cases per year. This number is said to likely be an underestimate. It continues to be under-diagnosed due to the Center for Disease Control’s inadequate established bands or markers used for detection in blood tests.
Lyme disease is usually contracted through a tick bite. Some of these ticks can be as small as a poppy seed and go unnoticed. Lyme can be passed in utero from a mother to her child, as well as in breast milk. Lyme can also be passed from mosquitoes, sand fleas, head lice and other insects.
Symptoms of Lyme disease (which can also mimic other disorders including symptoms of autism):
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Learning difficulties
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Anger/rage...
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Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
In our last podcast episode #165, we discussed adrenal fatigue. When the adrenals are taxed then the thyroid is directly affected.
SOME COMMON CAUSES OF THYROID IMBALANCE
Low levels of iodine, and other nutritional deficiencies, as well as certain drugs can cause the conversion of T4 (thyroxin), the lesser active thyroid hormone, into T3 (triiodothyronine), the necessary active form, to become blocked. T3 is about three times more potent than T4. Clinical symptoms, the entire endocrine system, and nutrition all need to be evaluated. It is possible to have a subclinical condition, which is difficult to detect.
Nutrient deficiencies, medications, including birth control pills, and diet all play a role in an inability for thyroid hormones to convert to their active states. Pesticides, fluoride, mercury, and lead are among the strong factors. Certain foods can be contributing factors to the alteration of T4, to T3 conversion. Soy is a food that is associated with blocking this conversion and reduces the ability of the thyroid to function. The artificial sweeteners sucralose (Splenda) and aspartame also create weaknesses in organs such as the liver that diminish nutrients needed by the thyroid.
Internal stressors, such as inflammation, also contribute to thyroid disorders. If the adrenal glands are imbalanced, there may be an imbalance in Cortisol levels. T3 only gets into the cells if there’s enough Cortisol. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can cause symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, rapid heart rate, sweating, fatigue, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, increased appetite, eye disorders, tremors, and weight loss. For this reason, the high quality lab Diagnos-Techs includes Gliadin testing (a derivative of gluten), in the saliva/adrenal test. Most natural practitioners carry these take-home tests in their offices...
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Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Adrenal Fatigue
Stress can lead to weakened adrenal glands which leads to excessive fatigue. This can also mean trouble thinking clearly or being able to focus. Starting a new school year has multiple stressors involved, but especially so for those on the autism spectrum.
It is more than common for kids on the autism spectrum to have elevated adrenal hormones, otherwise known as cortisol, due to the internal stress from inflammation that their toxic overload, coinfections, and pathogens have on the multiple systems of the body. There is also a lot of outside stress from sensory overload, not being able to do what they want to do, lack of speech, poor sleep, etc. There’s a lot of frustration that is stressful for them, and for you as a parent too. It’s never just one thing that causes a symptom, so it is important to work with all of these triggers from A-Z. This will all help the adrenals but we can support them further as we work with the underlying causes.
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Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
As I write this I want to be sure you know it’s never just one thing, but a combination of them that triggers anything, including seizures. Autism is a complicated diagnosis with many underlying biological issues that need to be addressed properly so the body can strengthen on its own. We don’t want to mask symptoms, but work with the causes.
Here are common culprits of seizures to be worked with:
Diet
Remember that the gut controls the brain and up to 80% of the immune system, so take diet seriously! A diet low in carbohydrates and higher in Keto based foods is best. You can begin by removing the top 7 foods that contribute to inflammation and leaky gut syndrome. Get your free guide to them here.
Please also see information and links to studies on the “Ketogenic Diet For Those With Seizures”.
Histamines
Histamines, whether food based or environmental can be a trigger for many things such as anxiety, sleep issues, increased stimming, mast cell activation syndrome, and seizures.
Environmental factors can include things in and around your home such as chlorine which is not only in swimming pools but also in our household water. Always use a quality filter for your drinking water such as the Aquatru. Also use a shower filter to help remove chlorine from the shower since the hot steam allows it to enter our pores in the shower. Santeforhealth.com has a shower filter and a bathtub bulb filter for those areas...
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Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Thousands of parents biggest worry is the question what will happen to our autistic children and adults when we are no longer around? Parents all need piece of mind that practical and emotional support will be available when they are not there to help.
♥
Who will look after our children when we are no longer around?
♥
Dr Anna Kennedy OBE, is founder of the Anna Kennedy Online Charity.
As a mother of two sons with autism, Dr. Kennedy saw the great need for support for adults diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. For many, autism is a lifelong condition that creates challenges for the individual based on levels of anxiousness, sensory issues, communication, and other behavioral difficulties.
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