THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC by Lawrence Wilson, MD Revised, September 2008, The Center For Development

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1 THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC by Lawrence Wilson, MD Revised, September 2008, The Center For Development Autism is a serious behavioral disorder among young children that now occurs at epidemic rates. According to a recent article by Donald Miller, MD, autism is diagnosed in about 1 of every 250 girls and 1 in every 100 boys or more. According to California records, autism has increased 1000% in the past 20 years! Autism used to account for 3% of the caseload of the California Department of Economic Security. It now (2004) accounts for at least 34% of the caseload and costs taxpayers about $2 million per child. Lifetime care costs for an autistic person are $5 to 10 million each. This article discusses natural approaches to helping autistic children and more importantly, the prevention of autism. The natural approach to health and healing recognizes correctly that autism is due to the accumulation of toxic substances, allergic reactions, infections and other nutritional, structural, energetic and other insults to the body. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS In a typical autism case, around his second birthday, a normallydeveloping boy stops communicating with others and withdraws. He avoids eye contact and becomes strange and aloof. He often develops various motor nerve disturbances such as jerking movements or walking on his toes. Physicians also describe behaviors such as head banging, crying spells, speech problems, and gastrointestinal and immune system problems. Other behaviors depend on the severity of the condition, which may vary. Some autistic children are able to attend school, while others must be institutionalized as their behavior is so disruptive to their families. CAUSES OF AUTISM

2 There is, as of this writing, no official cause for autism. Here is what we find to be true about it, however, which allows us to correct the condition in most cases. * A Gestational Disorder. I will discuss two ways this is true. 1. Inadequate or improper gene expression. Genetic or inherited DNA errors cannot begin to account for the staggering increase in autism in the past 20 years. However, genetic expression is different. Genes are activated by nutrients. This simple fact is known by geneticists, but completely overlooked, as far as I am concerned. In fact, most so-called genetic defects are related to the poorer nutritional status of today s mothers and their unborn children. Fortunately, this can often be overcome by reversing the causes. These include toxins in the mother s diet, drinking water and air. They also include stress from poor eating habits and other stressful situations. Pregnant women should be at home, ideally, not staring a computer screens all day or running corporations or any stressful job. This is not about sexism. It is just common sense once one understands the devastating effects of stress on human beings today. Indeed, I feel this is the major cause of many autistic children, especially those born with the problem (and many others such as cancer). It is especially the case with the lucky few who are not insulted with antibiotics, bottle feeding, vaccines and other horrors that are other causes to be discussed below. 2. Genes fine but body chemistry disturbed in utero and after. In other cases, genetic expression plays a minor role, though it may still be present. In these children, the toxic metals from the mother and other toxins simply poison the brain and other organs, causing symptoms of autism and other disorders. Most poisons, especially metals, passing from the mother, in particular, to the fetus during gestation. Hence the term gestational disorder is an excellent description of autism, ADHD and other disorders of young children. The process often begins soon after conception and continues to become worse until the child s birth. The cause is the body chemistry of the mother, in part. This prevents the baby from protecting himself or herself

3 from the toxins in the mother s body and in her environment that get into her body. These toxins today are everywhere and include those found in her food such as mercury in fish, lead and cadmium sprayed on produce and hormones added to meats and dairy products. They also include medications, both prescription drugs and OTC remedies used widely by women even more than men. They also include cosmetics, skin care products and a large number of other drugs and products available without prescription that mothers are falsely reassured are safe during pregnancy although they are not safe. In fact, no artificial substance is very safe. The less the mother exposes herself to all toxins, the better for the baby inside of her. Contact toxins, of course, are another problem today. These include dental amalgams, other metals in the mouth, work-related poisons in offices and factories and many more. Even new plastic equipment such as computers outgas toxins that are harmful for developing fetuses if the mother breathes them or touches them. People forget that all toxins are absorbed through the skin, often even moreso than those that are ingested in the food or water. Often, conditions such as autism, ADHD and others are merely the end result of the process. Most women unaware. Most of the time, mothers to be are totally unaware of the influence of their toxic makeup, toxic shampoos and toxic skin creams they later on each day to stay so beautiful. Nor are they aware of the toxicity of their daily headache aspirins and so many other drugs they so casually take for fatigue, anxiety, irritability before their menstrual periods and so many more. As if this is not enough toxicity, there are many more problems of young women today. These include horrendous diets filled with toxic chemicals whose mixtures have not been researched and really cannot be known. In addition, most are fatigued, reducing their ability to eliminate these toxins. One cannot see identify these imbalances without doing a hair mineral test, as they do not show up on routine blood tests. As a result, mothers innocently and unknowingly pass their deficiencies and toxicity on to their children. Indigenous cultures much more aware. In some indigenous cultures, as soon as a young woman reaches puberty, the community

4 celebrates by feeding her special foods to prepare her for bearing children. The adults may walk for miles, or go on special fishing trips to locate just the right type of foods they have found will help produce superior offspring. Many health-minded societies are described in the classic book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston Price, DDS. This brilliant man went around the world in the early twentieth century and studied tribes that were the healthiest to determine why this was so. His work has never been duplicated and probably cannot be as many of the tribes no longer exist, thanks to the intrusion of modern society upon their tribal lands. The people are far worse in their health today as a result, though civilization has brought far greater benefits in other ways. However, we can learn from the primitives how to support our children in health and this book provides the key, more than any other I know. A teenage disaster. In contrast, teenage girls and young women in America often eat the worst diets imaginable. They are taught to lather their bodies with toxic makeup, soaps, rinses, shampoos, hair spray and so much more. What is called prenatal care comes much too late and much too little. For most women, prenatal care does not even begin until the formation of the brain and nervous system are well underway, a month or more into pregnancy. The only nutritional support most pregnant women are offered is usually a single multivitamin. It rarely contains what the woman needs as no testing whatever is done before prescribing it. This is nothing short of insanity. So many cases of autism could be prevented or reduced by the simple concept of prevention. Animal breeders smarter than doctors. Animal breeders understand well that to produce healthy offspring they must feed the parents, especially the mothers-to-be, a very high-quality diet. They usually add special nutritional supplements as well. They also know that this feeding should begin long before a female animal becomes pregnant. They also understand that all toxins affect living creatures, not just the food and water. So chemicals in the environment and those put on the skin or in the mouth create just as many problems as those in the food and water.

5 The truth revealed on tissue mineral analyses (TMA). Tissue mineral analyses of autistic children and of their parents almost always reveal mineral deficiencies, toxic levels of heavy metals, intense stress patterns and so much more. Of course, one must be able to interpret the test, which most doctors who offer TMA do not understand today. This is why this website contains so many articles on this subject. In addition, the analysis must be performed correctly, which is usually not the case. The laboratory must not wash the hair at the lab for the most accurate results. These factors account for just a part of the reason TMA is not accorded more importance today. This will change, I am guessing, as time goes on and the truth becomes known. Soon, anyone who does not do this test on every teenager or at least every pregnant woman will be viewed as negligent, as it is the truth. Now let us address some more specific causes of some but not all cases of autism. * Mercury Toxicity and Vaccines. Symptoms resemble mercury toxicity. The symptoms of autism are very similar to the symptoms of mercury poisoning. Six-month old children today receive over 100 times the safe dose of mercury for their age due to vaccines. The first case of autism occurred in 1943 in America, twelve years after a mercury-containing preservative, thimerosal, was added to the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. In the 1950s, with only four recommended vaccines, the incidence of autism was 1 in 10,000 children. As more vaccines were recommended, the incidence of autism increased dramatically. By 1981, children received 135 micrograms of mercury in vaccines. The incidence of autism increased to 1 in 2600 children. Children in 1996 received 246 micrograms of mercury in vaccines and the incidence of autism was about 1 in every 350 children. Today, 13 vaccines are recommended with varying numbers of booster shots. The number of shots ranges from 50 to over 100 in some areas. The incidence of autism now averages about 1 in every 150 children by some estimates and shows little evidence of decline. Children who receive vaccinations containing thimerosal have six times the amount of autism as those who received a vaccine free of thimerasol. The majority of autism symptoms begin after a vaccination. Some physicians particularly blame the hepatitis B vaccine, at times given on a child s first day of life. At that time, children do not have a welldeveloped immune system, and their nervous system is extremely

6 vulnerable. In one day, a child receiving the hepatitis B vaccine may receive 36 times as much mercury as the safe limit. This vaccine, in my view, is totally insane and guaranteed to produce many more problems than it could possibly solve. The reason is simple. Newborns receiving it are not exposed to hepatitis B, except perhaps in the hospital by accident. Why doctors go along with such inanity is beyond my comprehension. Of course, vaccines containing mercury are also given to mothers. In one study, 50% of autistic children s mothers had received Rho Gam shots containing mercury as a preservative. These shots are given to mothers who have an Rh negative blood type and may be carrying an Rh positive baby. Flu shots may also contain the mercury-containing preservative, thimerasol. This outrage, I am told, is slowly ending as mercury is removed from vaccines. However, vaccines may contain other deadly preservatives such as other mercury compounds, aluminum compounds and others. Vaccination remains a problem for all young children today. For more about vaccination s effects, read the article on this site entitled Vaccines, Today s Abomination. Chronic Infections. Infections often affect the brain. They may not show up on many scans, blood tests or other tests, for that matter. They may be chronic, which means they are low-grade. However, they can cause significant behavioral problems, seizure disorders and so much more. About 80% of autistic children have autoantibodies in their blood that are present in only about 5% of normal children. These autoantibodies indicate an exposure to a virus such as measles, mumps or others. Although the vaccine for measles and mumps (MMPR) does not contain mercury, it intentionally introduces viruses into young children s bodies. This indicates that all vaccines may be harmful. All vaccines work by exposing one to a low level of a harmful virus or bacteria. One overlooked cause is incomplete or partial removal of vaccine toxins. These can persist for years, in fact. It is another problem with vaccination that is overlooked completely, in most instances. Vaccines can also cause low-grade infections for other reasons. For example, mercury in the vaccines impairs the child s immune response just enough to stop the child from being able to overcome another infection. So vaccine toxins are part of the problem in most cases of infection of newborns and children.

7 Other infections are also problematic for many autistic children. These include colds, flu, sore throats and many more. Once again, their impaired body chemistry makes it harder for them to eliminate the infection completely, even if no sign of it is present. The bacteria continue to secrete toxins that affect the brain. Often the infection is in the intestines in many of the children. This is covered separately in the section on food reactions. However, the infection can be anywhere and its toxins affect the liver, the brain and other vital organs as these travel through the blood. Once again, tissue mineral analysis or TMA often, if not always, shows evidence of chronic infection in autistic children. * Autistic Children Have Difficulty Eliminating Toxic Metals. Ninety-nine percent of autistic children in a recent study have dysfunctional metallothionein metabolism. Metallothionein is a protein that binds to minerals such as mercury, copper and others and allows the body to eliminate them. If this binding protein does not function well, one is less able to transport and eliminate many toxic metals. * Autistic Children Often Have Food Reactions or Sensitivities. Many autistic children are highly allergic to milk protein, soy protein, whey protein and other foods. This may be due to digestive disturbances, chronic intestinal infections, toxic metals or other causes. Regardless of the cause, the issue must be addressed at once. Any food that is not digested properly will leave a residue that is fermented or putrefies and gives rise to infectious organisms in the intestines and beyond. This just adds to the burden on the body, in particular the eliminative organs such as the liver and kidneys. When these organs or overwhelmed, the child becomes ill and autism can be one result. The overload also reduces the child s ability to remove other toxins such as mercury from vaccines and many, many others that are needed to maintain health and development. Food problems are so important they deserve a separate article as well. Several articles on this website address the issue of what should children eat, such as Children s Nutrition. * Stress from other sources may also play a role. TMA tests of autistic children often reveal chronic stress patterns. In addition to the stress due to

8 vaccines, poor diets and medications, stress may be related to other causes in the child s environment. Stress is a vague concept except if one has a TMA. Then one can easily see patterns of stress expressed as mineral ratio imbalances, in particular. The balance of the minerals in the body are quite accurate to reflect stress in child s life that may come from problems in the home, parental discord, food and diet-related issues, chronic infection, toxins in the environment and more. * So-called spiritual differences in some of these children. Another cause that is far more nebulous but truthful also is that some autistic children are very sensitive children. They simply cannot handle the usual school, family or social situations as well as other children. These children suffer even more from toxic food, toxic vaccines and other insults to the body as well. They are called indigo children in some circles. One can read more about them in a separate article on this website entitled The Indigo Children. PREVENTING AUTISM These causes are of the greatest importance because it is far easier to prevent autism than to work to correct it. Prevention starts with the nourishment and general health young women before they become pregnant. The nutritional condition of the father probably also plays a part. A healthful lifestyle with plenty of rest and sleep, a quality diet, freedom from toxic chemicals and metals in the food, air and water and healthful emotional states are all important. Once children are born, the question of vaccination must be considered carefully, as autism often occurs soon after a vaccination. This is a difficult decision for parents. The references at the end of this article mention just one of many books available about vaccine problems so that one can evaluate different options. Young children, of course, also need a quality diet, and the avoidance of junk foods and medications wherever possible, including fluoride applications to the teeth and mercury amalgam dental fillings. Based on current research, these measures would significantly reduce the chances of a child developing autism.

9 CORRECTION OF AUTISM If a child has been diagnosed with autism or a related disorder, there is still much that can be done. Here are basic measures: Diet. One needs to begin with a diet of only natural foods, preferably organically grown. This means fresh vegetables, whole grains, natural meats and eggs, and healthful beverages such as spring water or herbal teas. Young children all need healthful fats in their diet for the development of their nervous system. These include foods such as eggs, butter, meats, avocado, fresh nut butters, coconut oil or olive oil. Strict avoidance of all cow s milk products is beneficial for many autistic children. Avoiding wheat, sugar and perhaps other foods also helps many of them. Many autistic children have chronic intestinal yeast infections that make them very sensitive to sugars. It can be very important to avoid all concentrated sugars including soda pop, candies, cookies, and even natural fruit juices and other sweetened foods. Excessive carbohydrates in the diet, even good quality one, may also worsen an intestinal yeast condition. Supplementary Nutrients. In addition to avoiding allergic foods and improving the general quality of the diet, a scientifically designed nutrition program based on hair mineral analysis can be most helpful. The key to nutritional balancing programs, and the way they differ from what may be called symptomatic approaches, is to gently and delicately balance body chemistry. Through an individualized hair mineral analysis, a custom program can be set up to help to slowly detoxify and rebuild the body. A child s first hair mineral analysis reflects the top layer of metabolism and will not show all the imbalances. We address what is revealed on the test with diet, supplementary nutrients, lifestyle modification and detoxification procedures. After a number of months, a retest will reveal a deeper layer of metabolism. Many times it will look quite different from the previous layer if the healing program was followed. Uncovering and reversing layers of adaptations and compensations, a process called retracing, requires time and some persistence, but is far more permanent and health-producing than simply removing symptoms. The results are:

10 * Enhancement of absorption and digestion of all nutrients. Mineral imbalances play an enormous role in the production of digestive enzymes and for rebuilding the intestine. Also, mineral imbalances often contribute to intestinal yeast infection and other disturbances of the normal intestinal flora. Autistic children may also require digestive enzymes, probiotics such as acidophilus, anti-candida supplements and specific dietary changes to help rebuild the digestive system. * Nutritional balancing programs facilitate the removal of mercury, copper, manganese, iron, lead, cadmium and other metals that are commonly present in excess. This will occur even if metallothionein metabolism is impaired. We do not recommend synthetic chelating agents. They are unnecessary with the nutritional balancing program and may be harmful. Nutritional balancing programs help remove toxic metals by six methods simultaneously: 1. Improve the overall energy level 2. Balance the autonomic nervous system. This is most important for autistic children. The sympathetic nervous system inhibits the eliminative organs and has a catabolic effect on the body. Catabolic means that it breaks down body tissue. The sympathetic nervous system is overactive in many if not all autistic children. Parasympathetic supplements and even foods, along with balancing the chemistry, can calm the sympathetic system, allowing for much better elimination of toxic metals and chemicals. 3) Improve the organs of elimination. For this we use digestive enzymes, liver support, kidney glandular substance at times and sauna therapy, especially in older children. Enhancing the body s energy level also helps the eliminative organs. 5) Provide natural toxic metal antagonists and chelating agents. Antagonists are minerals or other substances that get in the way of the absorption or metabolism of toxic metals or toxic chemicals. For example, zinc is an antagonist for cadmium, copper and lead. Selenium has an antagonistic action on mercury and other toxic metals. Natural chelators include vitamin C and sulfur-containing amino acids such as L-taurine and L-cysteine. Other Natural Therapies. Other natural therapies may be helpful for autistic children. These may include chiropractic, massage, craniosacral therapy and many others.

11 CONCLUSION The autism epidemic, and it is an epidemic, causes a staggering level of suffering and wasted human potential. It is also an enormous financial burden on families and helping agencies. Standard medical treatments are not very effective. Natural therapies, especially nutritional correction, are demonstrating positive results. Prevention is definitely best. On the positive side, a few states have banned the use of thimerosal in vaccines and seen a slight decline in autism. In addition, there may be other positive outcomes from the autism epidemic. It is definitely drawing attention to the problems of multiple vaccines. Alert doctors and parents are beginning to question the wisdom of injecting multiple viruses into their newborn children, especially when the vaccines are preserved with toxic metals such as mercury and aluminum. Autism is also contributing to a shift in society from a more maleoriented society to one in which women are playing a greater role. This is occurring simply because between four or ten times more male children are affected by autism, ADHD and related disorders. This in itself is shifting the balance so that more girls are emerging as mentally superior, although the reason for it is terribly painful to behold. Most important for the future, we hope autism will also cause more people to be concerned with the way young women are prepared for motherhood and whether they choose to vaccinate and medicate their children without regard to the dangers inherent in these interventions. This is a critical factor in the development of many conditions including autism. If the pain we all suffer from the autism epidemic helps us to wake up and pay more attention to the nutrition of teenage girls and young mothers-to-be, this would indeed be a positive step toward producing healthier generations of children in the future. For a recent case history of a case of autism, click here. References 1. Miller, D.J., MD, Mercury on the Mind, Health Freedom News, pp , 27, December Also available at 2. Mercury in Medicine, The Congressional Record, May 21, 2003, E1011- E

12 4. O Shea, T., The Sanctity of Human Blood: Vaccination Is Not Immunization, Miller, N. Z., Are Vaccines Really Safe and Effective, Autism Research Institute ( 6. Geier, M. and Geier, D, MD, America s Developmental Disorder Nightmare, Dental Truth, A Publication of DAMS International, pp , December Defeat Autism Now ( For more articles go to