The Biomedical treatment of Autism

 

Dr Antony Underwood

 

For many years autism was thought to be a psychiatric illness of genetic cause and little treatment was offered. The explosive rise in the cases of autism has led researchers to revaluate this concept because genetic illnesses do not suddenly rise in incidence.

Also the predominance of late onset or regressive autism has led to the belief that there must be a trigger that causes autism in previously normal children. Increasingly gut pathology is becoming a common theme in these children, as are vaccine reactions, recurrent use of antibiotics, heavy metal toxicity and viral infections. Researchers were finding abnormal peptides and metabolites in the urine of autistic children, which suggested biochemical problems. As biochemical problems were addressed there was a corresponding improvement in the autism. If, these children are sick, then perhaps they can be treated and their autism will improve. Medical and other practitioners are finding that the use of dietary intervention, vitamin supplements, detoxification of heavy metals and repairing the damaged gut, is helping an increasing number of children recover from autism.