www.autism-and-treatment.com
by Marcia Hinds – Megan and Ryan’s Mom
I have searched and search, but I still haven’t found that “magic bullet” to treat autism. It takes many thing combined to help our kids recover. Unfortunately, ONE CURE DOESN’T FIT ALL. But there is much to celebrate with the research. Microbiota transplants (sometimes known as fecal transplants) are showing tremendous promise to help alleviate many of the symptoms of autism and other spectrum disorders.
While this treatment isn’t yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the early results are providing a dose of hope for our families. Microbiota transplants could be one of the big guns used in the future to win our war against autism.
First, you have to know what a microbiota transplant is. This simple procedure can replenish the gut’s balance. It does not involve any surgery like it sounds. The transplanted material contains around 1,000 different strains of gut bacteria, acting like an ultra-potent probiotic that helps our children regain the intestinal flora that is needed for a healthy gut.
At the end of the eight-week research trial, the participants showed a significant increase in the diversity of their gut microbiome. These changes in the microbiome seemed to lead to significant long-term reductions in autism symptoms.
Studies have shown that kids with autism are missing several hundred species in the microbiome needed for proper health. Antibiotics used to treat recurring ear infections and other medical issues have caused big problems with our children’s immune function. Antibiotics disrupt a person’s normal gut flora, and the unintended consequence for kids is the overgrowth of candida (or yeast) in their digestive tracts.
Researchers are finding micro flora transplants (FMT), are getting rid pathogenic yeasts, clostridia, and a whole host of other issues. Right now the only way to fix the gut problems is to do millions of lab tests. And then when you discover the issues causing all the trouble, the multiple problems must be addressed one at a time. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if microbiota therapy could correct all our kid’s gut issues by just swallowing a liquid or a pill every day for about 8-10 weeks? Then B-A-M, the immune system starts working.
We wouldn’t even have to know which bacteria or pathogens might be the root cause of our child’s issue. This kind of microbiota therapy is restoring a more normal flora in the children in the trials at 90 percent range. They also showed a 25 percent improvement in behavioral symptoms, including better sleeping habits and social skills. The positive results continued, even after the treatment period ended. One of my mom’s told me that after two weeks of taking the magic juice her 3 year old gained 50 words and was potty trained for the first time. And she said the gains have remained not like some other treatments that need to be repeated.
Think about what this could mean for our kids. They would no longer be dependent on the continuous use of antifungal medications or antibiotics to keep the gut issues under control. And it may help the kids that are unable to tolerate the medications because their immune systems are so broken, they react to everything.
What we call “autism, ADD, ADHD and many spectrum disorders” is really caused by a compromised and dysfunctional immune system that is not working properly. And if you can help kids regain their health, that’s when children improve and full recovery becomes possible. FMT treatment is not yet approved by the FDA for autism in the states, but has been used for C-Diff disease for quite a while. Fecal Transplants are currently being done in other countries, but parents always proceed with caution. Remember to use your head instead of your heart and trust your instincts!
Recovery or the R-word is happening more and more for children who receive proper medical intervention. My son is now an aerospace engineer because we treated his autism medically, behaviorally and educationally. Ryan and many like him are now leading full “typical” lives. When he was younger all I wanted for him was to be invited to a birthday party and have friends. I never expected him to accomplish all he has.
My kid is recovered, but he is not cured. Unfortunately, Ryan is still dependent on prescription medications to keep his immune system working. Autism is not the cause of the gastrointestinal issues our kids suffer from. Actually it is the other way around. It is not one thing but the cumulative effect of multiple triggers and assaults on the immune system that cause all the trouble. And the gastrointestinal issues are just one of the many problems that can put a strain on our children’s immune system.
When it is possible to reduce the “total load” on a child’s immune system, they can learn what they couldn’t before. But the medical must be combined with a rehab program like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that helps our children catch up and learn all they missed. Doctors who know how to treat what we inaccurately call “autism” understand that once the body works, the brain follows. But autism is tough to beat. The multiple causes of our children’s immune troubles are different for every individual. And it is difficult to reinvent the wheel with each child’s treatment.
Dr. James Adams and Dr. Richard Frye who are doing this research are two of my personal heroes. I have been waiting for this research to be published for years. Dr. Adams says, “It’s not just wiping out the bad bacteria, but allowing the good bacteria to regrow so they fight off the bad bacteria.” strains we all need for good intestinal health.
This is Dr. James B Adams website with information about the research trials:
To sign up to participate in Dr. James Adam’s research trials go to https://autism.asu.edu
Autism Research Program Arizona State University (480) 965-3316
Below is some media about the research on fecal transplants and autism:
- http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/01/25/fecal-transplants-may-help-children-with-autism-researchers-claim.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33087514/
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/autism-gut-bacteria-fecal-transplant_us_588642e4e4b096b4a2335f6a
- http://newatlas.com/fecal-transplant-autism/47525/
- http://www.ageofautism.com/2017/01/small-study-shows-big-success-fecal-microbial-transplants-and-autism.html
Stem cells are now being used to treat autism and in my opinion they will be instrumental in future treatment. However, I’m not sure they are there yet because of the varying success and failure stem cells have. It is has become apparent to me that the first step in helping our children must be to fix the gut before other treatments are tried.
NOTE FROM MARCIA HINDS – Megan and Ryan’s mom:
My son, Ryan, became an aerospace engineer, because he received proper medical treatment combined with behavioral, and educational interventions. To preview my book, “I Know You’re In There – winning our war against autism” go to Amazon or my website www.autism-and-treatment.com
Contact info for Marcia:
Phone: 805 796-8213 Email: For help finding a doctor marcia@autismandtreatment.com
There is more info to help on my website.
