Autism help naturally, how to reduce symptoms with alternative treatment methods and a review of dietary supplements

Autistic disorder, or autism, is a developmental disorder resulting in social, language, or sensorimotor deficits, occurs in approximately seven of 10,000 persons. Early detection and intervention significantly improve outcome, with about one third of autistic persons achieving some degree of independent living. Indications for developmental evaluation include no babbling, pointing, or use of other gestures by 12 months of age, no single words by 16 months of age, no two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months of age, and loss of previously learned language or social skills at any age. Autism is frequently associated with fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, and may be caused by lead poisoning and metabolic disorders. Autistic children often suffer form mental retardation, seizure disorder, and psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Natural options for the treatment of Autism
There is a scattering of research that indicates diet and nutrients may be of some benefit in treating autism, but  much more research is needed before we have a better understanding the role of diet and nutritional supplements in the therapy of this condition.

Research that indicates that a gluten and casein-free diet may be helpful.

Children with autism given carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture. The carnosine dose should be probably be low for kids, much less than the adult dose.

Children with autism may be deficient in Fish oils, DHA and EPA, hence a role of diet in autism

A multivitamin supplement should be considered.

Autism and serotonin
There seems to be a relationship between autism and serotonin, but we are not sure whether providing 5-HTP supplements would help children with autism.

Faulty serotonin--DHEA interactions in autism: results of the 5-hydroxytryptophan challenge test.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008 June. Croonenberghs J, Spaas K, Wauters A, Verkerk R, Scharpe S, Deboutte D, Maes M. Croonenberghs J, Spaas K, Wauters A, Verkerk R, Scharpe S, Deboutte D, Maes M. University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, A.Z. Middelheim, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
Autism is accompanied by peripheral and central disorders in the metabolism of serotonin (5-HT). The present study examines plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) and the cortisol / DHEA-S ratio following administration of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the direct precursor of 5-HT, to autistic patients.  The 5-HTP-induced DHEA-S responses were significantly higher in autistic patients than in controls. In baseline conditions, the cortisol / DHEA-S ratio was significantly higher in autistic patients than in controls. Our results suggest that autism is accompanied by a major disequilibrium in the serotonergic system. The increased Cortisol (neurotoxic) versus DHEA-S (neuroprotective) ratio suggests that an increased neurotoxic potential occurs in autism. It is concluded that a disequilibrium in the peripheral and central turnover of serotonin and an increased neurotoxic capacity by glucocorticoids are important pathways in autism.

Serotonergic disturbances in autistic disorder: L-5-hydroxytryptophan administration to autistic youngsters increases the blood concentrations of serotonin in patients but not in controls.
Life Sci. 2005 March. Croonenberghs J, Verkerk R, Scharpe S, Deboutte D, Maes M. Croonenberghs J, Verkerk R, Scharpe S, Deboutte D, Maes M. The University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, A.Z.M., University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
Some studies have suggested that disorders in the peripheral and central metabolism of serotonin (5-HT) may play a role in the pathophysiology of autistic disorder. This study examines the whole blood concentrations of 5-HT and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in baseline conditions and during a challenge with L-5-OH-tryptophane (5-HTP; 4 mg/kg in non enteric-coated tablets), the precursor of 5-HT, in a study group of 18 male, post-pubertal, Caucasian autistic patients (age 13-19 y.; I.Q.>55) and 20 matched healthy volunteers. In baseline conditions, no significant differences in 5-HT or 5-HIAA levels could be found between autistic youngsters and normal controls. 5-HTP administration significantly increased the levels of 5-HT in autistic youngsters but not in normal controls. Following 5-HTP challenge the 5-HT levels were significantly higher in autistic patients than in healthy volunteers. After challenge with 5-HTP, no significant differences were found in the concentrations of 5-HIAA or the test substance between autistic youngsters and normal controls. Differences in the peripheral metabolism of 5-HT which may not be observed in baseline conditions but which became clear after loading with 5-HTP, suggest that an increased synthesis of 5-HT from its precursor 5-HTP might be a one factor responsible for differences in the serotonergic system between autistic post-pubertal youngsters and normal controls.

Cause of this condition
While a mother of a child with autism is pregnant, she develops an immune response to her fetus's brain. Her body develops antibodies that can attack the fetal brain. The mother's fetal brain antibodies are circulated back to the fetus through the placenta, possibly triggering inflammation in the brain that could eventually result in autism. Dr. Harvey Singer, at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, took antibodies from human mothers of autistic children and injected them into pregnant mice, exposing the unborn mice pups to the antibodies as they circulated through the placenta. A second group of pregnant mice was injected with antibodies from mothers of non-autistic children. Autistic-like symptoms developed in the mice exposed before birth to the antibodies from the mothers of autistic children. For example, the affected mice behaved more anxiously, spent less time in open spaces, and were more hyperactive. They were also more easily startled by loud noises and were less social. "Comparing mice to humans is tricky," Dr. Harvey Singer cautioned in a prepared statement, "and we should be cautious anytime we do so, but our findings strongly suggest that the behaviors we observed in the offspring of mice injected with fetal brain antibodies from human mothers did behave in a manner that mimics some behaviors seen in people with autism. Autism is a complex disorder and it would be naïve to assume there's a single mechanism that can cause it. It's most likely the cumulative effect of several factors, including genes, metabolism, and the environment. We believe we have identified one of those factors." Journal of Neuroimmunology, April 2009

Autism studies
Mercury Preservatives and Autism
A study of specially bred mice suggests that a mercury preservative in vaccines could potentially cause some of the brain changes in autism. The publication of the study gives fuel to an alliance of environmentalists, parents of children with autism, anti-vaccine advocates and politicians who say they will continue to fight to prove that vaccines can cause autism in susceptible children. But experts who issued a report last month saying there was no link between vaccines and autism said they had already seen the study and rejected it. Dr. Mady Hornig of Columbia University in New York said her study shows the possibility that a genetic predisposition could leave certain children vulnerable to a range of toxins in vaccines, including a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal. Writing in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, Hornig said specially bred mice that have deficient immune systems did show changes in behavior after getting the equivalent of the childhood vaccinations given to U.S. babies and toddlers. "I think that these findings suggest that it is very plausible that there could be a genetic factor that creates risk for some individuals with autism," Hornig said. But Dr. Marie McCormick of Harvard University's School of Public Health, said Hornig's research stretched credibility. For instance, it is not clear that children with autism have impaired immune systems. And the findings from specially bred mice can not be extended to humans. "Even though she says these behaviors are like autism, it is not clear that these behaviors are analogous to autism," McCormick added.

Autism natural treatment emails
I have an adult son diagnosed with Autism (ASD), PPD and severe mental retardation. He is in his own home with one on one supervision. Up to this point, we have been able to support our son with Positive Behavior Supports, including comprehensive training and a behavior support plan. However, recently, due to continual changes in staff, schedule, routine, etc. we have seen a significant increase in "aggressive" and other unsafe behaviors. We met with his primary physician to discuss pharmaceutical supports and options. I brought up natural alternatives for autism, but he was quite negative about their effectiveness. And like so many MD's in my circle have little positive input regarding their use; even implying their side effects are no different than psychotropic medications. Anyway, he prescribed Depakote 125mg BID claiming he has seen many positive results and little reported side effects. However, that is not what we are reading. We wonder about GABA, 5-HTP, KAVA, etc. to stabilize moods and reduce aggressive behaviors. You probably are unable to to respond this inquiry, but we are really concerned for the welfare, health and safety of our son. Any suggestions for a confused and frustrated parents would help.
    The options on the anxiety page are worth a try with medical supervision. We would not use kava in children. Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error before finding a supplement that works to reduce aggressiveness.