Current statistics show that autism affects 1 in 150 children, which is a dramatic increase from 1 in 10,000 in the early 1990’s.  Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life.  Autism is defined by symptoms that appear before the age of three which reflect delayed or abnormal development in language, social skills and behavior.  Autistic disorder symptoms can manifest in various ways.

• Impaired social interaction including; inappropriate eye contact, facial expression, body posture and gestures.
• Difficultly making and maintaining friendships that are appropriate to their developmental level.
• Inability to reciprocate emotions. 
• Delayed or absent development of spoken language.  In children who can speak, there are inadequate attempts to begin or sustain a conversation.
• Repetitive speech or phrases
• Preoccupation with interests such as; spinning, counting, lining up
• Rigidly sticks to routines or rituals that do not have a purpose

There can be many possible factors contributing to children developing autism; poor nutrient absorption, food allergies, inflammation of the digestive tract, imbalance of bacteria in the digestive tract, yeast (candida albicans) overgrowth in the digestive tract, poor liver detoxification, and mitochondrial disorders.  There is a urine test called an Organic Acid Test (OAT) which can help identify many of the possible contributing factors to the symptoms associated with autism.  The OAT can evaluate inborn errors of metabolism; such as PKU, maple-syrup urine disease, and many others. In addition, the organic acid test will check for many other abnormalities such as vitamin deficiencies and abnormal metabolism of neurotransmitters such as; catecholamines, dopamine, and serotonin. The organic acid test will also detect overgrowth of intestinal yeast and bacteria.  The OAT allows your child’s physician to develop a treatment plan specific to your child’s test results.  Using a treatment plan specific to your child, makes treatment much more effective.

Please call East Valley Naturopathic Doctors to schedule a free 15 minute consult at (480)985-0000 or visit www.EastValleyND.com