Naturally dealing with Autism

May 20, 2009 by Monica
Filed under Healthy Family

This is part of the series Natural Solutions for Common Health Problems. Make sure to visit the blog these days for more natural remedies and treatments.

The number of children that are diagnosed each year with autism continues to grow, especially in certain cities and polluted areas. Each child diagnosed is different from the next and no one is ever quite sure what causes autism as each case appears differently. As of now, there is no cure, but as the research continues several autistic families are finding natural ways to improve the symptoms.

photo credit: KARLOSWAYNE

Healthy eating and diet

There are some ways you can improve symptoms of autism naturally, meaning with no drugs. The diet is the first and easiest way to start, both by improving the intakes of important nutrients and by getting rid of certain foods. For some families success has been gained by taking out wheat or other gluten products out of a diet. This would include breads, some kinds of oils such as soybean and canola, and other flours.

Another food that families find helpful to eliminate is dairy products. Milks, cheeses, yogurts, etc. Of course, before going this way you should probably consult a nutritionist to make sure you are still giving your child everything he/ she needs that would be in the products you are getting rid of. To know exactly what foods are going to make a difference in his you need to experiment a bit by eliminating one at a time and see the results. There are many great alternatives that you can find to most dairy and gluten products, just check out your local grocery store that has an organic/ natural/ gluten free section.

Nutritional supplements

If their dietary intake doesn’t make a difference in symptoms you can try to add some nutrients to your child’s diet. Two of the best nutrients found to improve autism symptoms are vitamin B6 and magnesium. In proven studies, it’s shown that both dietary supplements and different diets have made huge changes in autism better than most drugs.

This means that you have a better chance of improving your child’s quality of life by using their diet than by choosing the medicated path.

Infant and child massage

Another proved way to help dealing with autism is infant and child massage. In cases of autism it would become necessary to have a certified instructor teach you the technique, since your child might not accept certain kinds of massages at first. Infant massage is not only good for the child but also for the parents and the rest of the family, since it can become a way of affective connection among the child and their close family members.

Chelation

Safe chelation therapy might be also necessary and in many cases the first step to take. If the child’s condition is related to heavy metal intoxication due to pregnancy or after birth exposure, very few improvements are possible before eliminating the toxic metals from the child’s body. Check with your naturopath or a holistic dentist, if dealing with dental filling issues.

Everyone has their own opinion on the treatments to use for autism, so if you don’t agree with your doctor or you should consult someone else for a second opinion.

Not all cases need medication and for many the symptoms can improve with the intake of vitamins, nutrients and diets.

The down side is it takes a bit longer to go through and find something that works out of all the available options for diet and supplements.By researching the symptoms your child shows you may be able to reduce this time and get better results faster, you can also get help from your local support group or online forum, as these too may decrease the amount of time you need to spend doing trial and error. It can take a lot of time to see significant improvements, but the earlier you start, the better your chances, and in the end it will be well worth it.

Share and Enjoy: