In part two this week, Fouzia Khan writes about the vitally important initial stages of autism, the need for special autism labs and alternative treatment in the Kingdom, as well as important dietary changes parents of autistic children can implement. AS Dr. Ghazanfar has indicated, the two stages of autism - at birth or after 12 months - determine the kind of symptoms the child will exhibit. Children that are autistic from birth show difficulties in adapting basic social behavior, for instance. Moreover, DR. Ghazanfar notes that children born with other medical conditions, such as Down syndrome, are more likely to develop autism compared to others. Many of these conditions are hereditary on, including Tuberous sclerosis, Rett's syndrome, Lysch Neyhan syndrome, Frangile X syndrome and others. “The second type of autism is typically more aggressive and the major impetus for it includes a combination of both genetic and environmental factors,” remarked Dr. Ghazanfar. She added that there are approximately six major and six minor symptoms, although the major observation is concerning a child's social behavior, where some autistic children cannot make eye contact and display a lack of emotion, not even reacting to pain. Alternatively, some autistic children are hypersensitive. Autistic children are also highly isolated and lonely, and since this is a spectrum disorder, they don't feel the need to connect or interact with other people. This exacerbates the condition, because children learn most things via interaction with other people. Dr. Ghazanafar makes it clear, however, that whatever the perception, “autistic children are not mentally retarded”. “Only one per cent of autism cases involve mental retardation, and these are actually mentally challenged children that have autism as well,” she explained. On a psychological level, the condition is very frustrating for the patient as they can absorb everything around them but often don't have an outlet for their own emotions. Additionally, despite often being very intelligent, such children cannot express themselves, make friends, converse with others or take part in teamwork. Need for labs The dilemma facing the Kingdom is the dire need for approval and permission for DAN doctors to operate here and the availability of specific labs that can allow for special tests to be conducted. These include a comprehensive diagnostic stool analysis, parasitological urine test, red blood cells, fecal toxic metals and essential elements (MTFHR), Apo-lipoprotein E genomic study and organic acid test. Testing for toxins and heavy metals in autistic children often throws light on the child's condition as normal children excrete harmful toxins from their body while autistic children seem to somehow absorb them. Heavy metal compounds, for instance, are found in food preservatives and even some vaccines. As these substances deposit in the child's body and brain, it is imperative that detection tests are conducted on them to measure the level of lead and mercury, for instance. These two require special tests conducted on the plasma as regular blood tests do not show their levels and the two metals deposit in the membrane and cells. How do children get exposed to something like mercury? This could be due to anything, from water contamination, inhalation of fossil fuel fumes and more rarely, mercury amalgamations in teeth. Moreover,virtually all vaccinations are a source of mercury. According to both Dr. Naqvi and Dr. Ghazanfar, mercury leads to the impairment of the excretory passageway in autistic children, and the only solution is to effectively remove the mercury while repairing and enhancing the damaged passageway. The importance of diet As recent research and the consensus of almost all autism specialists indicates, diet plays a decisive role in helping autistic children overcome their difficulties. Primary steps involve giving children a gluten and casein-free diet, where casein is a milk protein that is difficult to digest. A diet that is based on carbohydrates is also useful for autistic children, although both doctors recommend following it diligently for at least six to 12 months for visible results. “These things are not a magic wand where you get a result the very next day,” remarked Dr. Ghazanfar. Moreover, the excretion of heavy metals is vital so processed food should be completely avoided, and particularly that which has sugar in it. Instead, it is recommended to feed children whole food items like fresh fruit, raw vegetables and whole grains. Another excellent tip is to dilute juice with water to make it more digestible and ensure that autistic children drink lots of water in general. Autistic children should also ideally experience one thorough bowel movement daily to ensure that their colon does not get blocked as this leads to the blood re-absorbing harmful toxins and affecting brain function. “For excretion, children need proper medicine that will bind with the metals and bring them out via three routes: urine, stool and sweat,” said Dr. Ghazanfar. “These agents, however, draw out essential minerals along with those metals, so we need to give patients mineral supplements to provide the body with balanced growth.” Autistic children are essentially sensitive, so it is important to ensure that most aspects of their lives involve products that are non-toxic and biodegradable. Early recognition and acceptance of autism is the most important advice to parents, according to both doctors. Though some recovery is possible at any age, the earliest treatment starts for an autistic child, the greater the chance fore recovery. The three most important steps are to “heal the gut, clean the body and then supplement the body.”
