If your child is diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the next thing to know is that autism is treatable. If your child's psychologist or pediatrician tells you that nothing much can be done to change things, it’s only because they lack information..

Many of us who work at Thoughtful House are parents of affected children. Our years of researching effective therapies have resulted in a comprehensive plan, so that a child in treatment at THCFC can consult with Thoughtful House team clinicians encompassing these areas:

Medical Treatment:  Children with childhood developmental disorders (CDDs) have dysregulated immune systems, a finding supported by many studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Treatment directed at correcting immune system abnormalities is imperative, and includes supplying nutrients key in normal immune function, supporting the detoxification pathways, and breaking the inflammatory cycle.

To read more information, click on this link: Autism: the Evolution of a Disease

Gastrointestinal Diagnosis and Treatment:   Many children with CDDs have GI symptoms that precede, coincide with, or appear after the onset of neurological symptoms or regression. A child should produce one formed stool per day--anything else merits attention. GI symptoms common in autistic children include constipation, diarrhea (often described as mushy or grainy, not watery), abdominal pain, abnormal posturing, malodorous stool, undigested food in stool, abdominal distention, and failure of the child to grow. Many children don't present obvious symptoms until they're older, and because of communication and pain-response issues, the GI symptoms of many autistic children are completely overlooked. , There is also a subgroup of autistic children that appear to lack GI symptoms, but without endoscopy evaluation, the question of an occult (hidden) GI inflammation remains unanswered.

To read more information, click on these links:

Dr. Wakefield's presentation

Dr. Krigsman's presentation

Clinical Nutrition Treatment:  Because of abnormal permeability in an autistic child’s inflamed gut, and weakened digestive enzyme function, before some food proteins are fully digested they ‘re able to leak into the bloodstream. The immune system responds by making antibodies against these proteins, further contributing to inflammation. Particular proteins also can act as false neurotransmitters and detrimental drug analogs, affecting brain function adversely; gluten and casein proteins (from grains and milk products) are two examples. Counseling can be key in determining which foods a child might be reacting against. When offending proteins are removed from the diet, it can profoundly improve both gastrointestinal and neurological functioning in some children. Furthermore, because many affected children have bowel disease they may not be absorbing enough nutrients from their food, making supplementation and a well-designed nutritious diet even more important. In addition, unless properly supervised, various dietary interventions employed that are ostensibly helpful might result in protein, nutrient, and caloric deficiency. The poor metabolic, immune system, and methylation pathway functions in affected children mean that they require individualized supplementation.

ABA Therapy, provided by C.A.R.D.:  Behavior Analysis is the science of behavior; Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the systematic approach to assessment and evaluation of behavior, and the supervised application of interventions based on the principles of learning theory. ABA focuses on the development of adaptive social behavior and the reduction of maladaptive behavior. “Social behaviors” include academics, communication, social skills, and adaptive living skills. C.A.R.D. is recognized as the most caring and productive approach to behavior modification in children on the autism spectrum.

For more information click on this link:

Dr. Granpeesheh's presentation

Families who don’t live near Thoughtful House can do most of the work by phone consult, but our doctors must see the child at least once a year. The limits imposed by location mean that our staff makes every effort to be available by telephone and email to parents who choose this profoundly rewarding if arduous journey toward recovery for their child. For mutual support with other parents, consider joining our online list serve:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thoughtfulhousecenterforchildren/

"Respect and value your instincts about your child – never ignore them, no matter what anyone tells you. Holding a loved one's life in your hands means that you have to accept a position of power even when you don’t want it. You must become an advocate for your child, even if it means standing alone against the world.”   - Karen Siff Exhorn