Children with autism doubled from 1975 to 1995 (Magnusson + Saemundsen, 1996) Today, depending on the study, 1 in 150 to 1 in 75 children are diagnosed with autism by 3 years of age. This clearly indicates the reasons for this epidemic are overwhelmingly environmental, with genetic detoxification weaknesses playing a small role.  If autism was strictly genetic, there would be millions of 40, 50, 60 and 70 year old autistic adults today, which is not the case.  Today children are bombarded with chemicals: car/bus exhaust, outgassing from paint, rugs and dry cleaned clothes, toxic household cleaners (bleach, ammonia), aluminum, mercury, msg, chemicals leached from plastic bottles among others. Not to mention the 400 toxic chemicals found in the placenta by research scientist recently!

The good news is that your child can recover from this devastating neurological defect. Fortunately, there are many wholistic pratictioners (nutritionists, environmental or integrative physicians, nutritional chiropractors, oriental medical doctors and acupuncturists) who, together with biochemical nutritionists, have developed nutritional protocols which have already recovered many formerly autistic children. All autistic children benefit from the many excellent intense educational, auditory training and special developmental behavioral programs that have evolved over the past 20 years.  However, many of these kids need appropriate nutritional guidance to fully benefit from the programs.

Some suggestions to begin recovery.

1. Eliminate sugar in all forms from your child's diet (corn syrup, splenda, agave nectar, sucralose, nutrasweet, white/brown sugar, fruit juices, fruit smoothies, sodas, etc)

2. Sugar substitutes are: small amounts of stevia, Lakanto or Veggie Sweet.  Baking substitutes are B-Grade Maple syrup, molasses, fruit purees, applesauce. Always use spices such as cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg when baking with sweeteners.

3. Eat organic foods to avoid toxic pesticides.

4. Cook their food in ovens and warm their drinks on the stove instead of a microwave.

4. Include fermented vegetables (pickles) and drinks (kefir) in your child's diet (www.bodyecologydiet.com)

5. Eliminate soy, wheat and cow dairy products from their diet. (many of these children can tolerate goat milk, yogurt and feta cheese,).

6.Have them drink at least 5 cups of water daily

7. Include a salad with organic baby greens at dinner.

8. Give them organic foods to avoid toxic pesticides.

8. Get them tested for food + airborne allergies by a nutritionist or an MD specializing in allergies (suggest they perform the ELISA allergy test instead of the skin scratch)

9. See a nutritionist for specific dietary recommendations for the child.

Local practitioners can be found by asking the local health store owners/managers or checking various autistic websites.