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The Autism Research Institute calls for further investigations into the use of chelation therapy for individuals with autism  SAN DIEGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two studies published by the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in the October issue of BMC Clinical Pharmacology investigated the use of oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a prescription medicine approved by the FDA for treating lead poisoning, and used off-label in these studies for treating heavy metal toxicity in children with autism.    In the investigations, DMSA was given to 65 children with autism (ages 3 -8 years) to determine its effects.  The researchers found that DMSA dramatically increased excretion of several toxic metals, including a 10-fold increase in excretion of lead.  In terms of safety, the study found that there was no adverse effect on standard safety tests, including no effect on kidney or liver function.    Of greatest interest was a surprising finding that DMSA therapy had a dramatic effect on glutathione levels.  Glutathione is the body's primary defense against toxic metals, and it was very abnormal in children with autism.  Treatment with DMSA for only 3 days normalized glutathione levels for at least 1-2 months in almost all children.  DMSA therapy also had promising effects on possibly reducing some of the symptoms of autism, including improvements in language, cognition, and sociability.  However, a formal randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm those results.  The study was led by Matthew Baral, N.D., Chair of the Department of Pediatric Medicine and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) and James B.

A Marietta College student and Warren High School graduate is attempting to cover new ground in autism research, exploring an area of the disorder mostly ignored until now.

Heather Haught, 20, of Tunnel, a junior at the college, is entering the second phase of a research project aimed to form a better picture of what foods those with autism spectrum disorders prefer and how a diet can be made to cater to their needs and address eating problems associated with autism.

Often, children with autism are underweight, while many adults with autism are overweight or obese.

"I want to try to determine how we can get these people into a healthy weight range and have it be based in science," Haught said.

Haught had little background on autism when she learned a bit about it in a developmental psychology course at the college. She took that interest to assistant psychology professor Alicia Doerflinger, who had a background in the research of development of feeding behaviors, and the study was born.

The two found they would be virtual pioneers in their experiment, titled "The Effect of Food Preferences, Food Intake and Taster Status on Body Weight in Children with Autism."

"When we started to look at the literature, there was obviously not a lot of work done in that area," said Doerflinger. "Even though it's pretty well known that parents of children with autism have feeding issues on a daily basis, there didn't seem to be investigation into that in any depth. It was a little niche we could move into."

The lack of previous studies may be due to the difficulty of working with young children who are autistic or simply because with all the functionality issues related to the disorder, it may not have been a high priority, she said.  read more »

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Research on a new device - a version of which is now available to consumers -  that measures young children's language-learning environment and holds promise for use in the screening, assessment and treatment of  young children with autism, will be the topic of the first 2009-2010 UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute Distinguished Lecturer address on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The address will be presented by Steven Warren, a senior scientist, professor of applied behavioral science and vice provost for research and graduate studies at the University of Kansas, at 4:30 p.m. in the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute auditorium, 2850 50th St., Sacramento.

Warren is internationally recognized for his contributions to understanding language development in children and his leadership in the field of developmental disabilities. He has conducted extensive research on early communication and language-intervention approaches and has published more than 120 papers, chapters, and books on these and related topics.

Warren’s major research interests are early communication and language development and intervention and the prevention of mental retardation. His Distinguished Lecturer address focuses on his research using a new device that is an extension of the LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) system, which Warren calls a “breakthrough technology.”  read more »

(NaturalNews) According to a U.S. government survey just published, rates of autism in children have doubled since 2003. Today, an estimated 1 in 91 children are being diagnosed with autism, making this the highest rate in any population in the history of human civilization. Meanwhile, the vaccination push in America continues, specifically targeting children with not just seasonal flu vaccines (which may contain thimerosal), but also the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.

It all begs the question: Is there a link between vaccines and autism?

In defending vaccines, many doctors have blamed autism on a genetic cause. But if it's genetic, why are rates skyrocketing so quickly? The gene pool obviously isn't changing that dramatically. There's no such thing as a "genetic epidemic." If genes caused autism, the rate of autism diagnosis should be holding steady year after year. Clearly, something else is at work, causing the sharp increase in autism.  read more »

         hello i just wanted to share something about my little girl. she is five years old and pretty much non verbal. we have tried several different things to help her including chelation. I can't say for sure that it works but i also can't say for sure that it doesn't.  we started giving her something called metalshield and i know when she's on it she can concentrate more and babbles more still not a lot of new words but i'll take what i can get.

         I was just wondering if anyone else knew of another chelation pill to use that might be stronger or have a stronger reaction. we don't have alot of money and no insurance so we are trying to do the best we can on very little money. i would welcome any advice. and blessings to everyone going through this same journey.

Hello,

I'm interested in starting the oral chelation drops and clay baths for my 11 yr. old son.

Dose this stuff really work?

my son has been on a few biomedical things this past month. I want to share them with you in a bit, but first I want to tell you a new thing that he never did before. Just this past month my son (who is 5) never before, been understanding the comprehension of language. Now he seems to be understanding language. For instance, I ask him to do something he does it! He did it twice. The first situation he patty caked, I told him no more and go back in the kiddie pool, (i have to regulate his patty cakes, he will do them all day and night). and he turned and went back in! The other thing I told him it is potty time. He got up and went to the bathroom, pulled his own pants down without prompt. My son has always repeated words, but never understood them quite well. This is a new experience of progress

These are the treatments he has been using this past month:

Methyl-B12(again i tried it last year no real improvement) from his DAN Dr (defeat autism Now)

Oral Chelation and the clay bath at www.evenbetternow.com (by the way i got this site from another parent on here and i would like to thank him or her for sharing it with us)

Probiotic ThreeLac (he has been on this for year, helps him stay regular) www.threemax.biz or email him atmwinicki@yahoo.com (this is the cheapest sight that i use to order probiotic. Its a powder and mixed in drink. Its lemon flavor.

This is for a research paper on Autism Spectrum Disorders. How was your child/sibling/loved one diagnosed? How did you feel then? Now? What is a typical day with your Autistic loved one? If possible, you can either reply here or preferably email me at Desiree.Delattre@gmail.com

Thank you so much! This will be a big help! 

Some parents of autistic children want researchers to look into a controversial and unproven treatment for the condition. It's called Chelation, and it works by extracting metals from the body. The drug is usually used to treat lead poisoning, but some believe that autism is linked to metals, including mercury from vaccines, that contribute to the condition. The treatment is bringing mixed reviews from doctors when it comes to results.

Dr. Giuseppina Feingold, Sam & Thomas' Pediatrician: "Verbal skills are the first that we see. Improvements in eye contact, cooperation."

Dr. Barry Kosofsky, child neurology, New York Hospital: "These desperate parents will take money that they often don't have to spend on such therapies, which are experimental at best, and likely not to work."

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