12 Simple Steps to Reduce the Risk for Autism, ADHD and other Developmental Disorders

According to CDC statistics, one in six children is now being diagnosed with a developmental disorder from autism to speech and language disorders to ADHD and sensory processing disorders. Increasingly, research and clinical practice show that these conditions are related, caused by environmental and lifestyle factors and therefore preventable. Genetic and epigenetic factor seem to play a role by increasing susceptibility to environmental toxins and various other stressors. Autism and related disorders constitute a heavy burden on families and society at large and there is an urgent need for the prevention of these crippling disorders.

Autism Risk Reduction Counselling

I offer autism risk reduction counselling to prospective parents, especially those who already have a child with autism or a related disorder. Counselling includes assessment of risk factors based on health and family history, detailed nutritionals evaluations, hair mineral analysis, fatty acid testing, a home visit to check for environmental toxins and systematic preconception detoxification. 

1) Eat Organic

Both parents should ideally prepare for the pregnancy by optimizing their nutritional status. For at least six months if not a year, eat an organic diet low in sugar, food additives and refined grains.

​Supplement with Vitamin D, trace minerals, folic acid, calcium and fish oil. Take a prenatal vitamin. Research on over 100,000 women has demonstrated that taking a prenatal multivitamin around the time of conception can reduce risk of autism by 40%.

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2) Eliminate Chemicals

​A 2006 report from the CDC showed that the average American had 116 of 148 synthetic compounds tested for in their fatty tissues, including dioxins, polycyclic hydrocarbons and pesticides. These were also found in umbilical blood and breast milk.

Get rid of all chemical from your home. This includes cleaning agents and many cosmetics. The average home contains between 3-10 gallons of hazardous chemicals and 85% of registered chemicals have never been tested for their effect on the human body or developing baby.

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3) Detoxify Before Pregnancy

Address toxicity issues prior to pregnancy, especially if you have taken just about any medications in your life, including antibiotics, steroids, acne medication, recreational drugs, have worked around exhaust, in chemical agriculture, with paint or other chemical exposure.

These substances appear to create changes, possibly through epigenetic mechanisms that can affect the risk of autism and other developmental disorder in offspring and can continue for generations.

​If you needed fertility treatments to conceive be aware that this can also increase the risks of developmental disorders, including speech disorders and ADHD. See me or another naturopathic or homeopathic doctor experienced in homeopathic detox therapy or CEASE therapy for help with the detoxification of these substances. 

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4) Optimize Your Microbiome

Increasingly, autism in linked to changes in the microbiome or gut flora. Personally I do not think that is the only cause of autism but it appears to be a major contributing factor and should be addressed preventatively.
Optimize your microbiome by consuming fermented foods and supplementing with probiotics. Buy a probiotic with as many strains as possible and take 400-500 billion organisms a day. Here is a link to a very interesting product made in Switzerland, Bravo Yogurt. 

You can buy a starter kit and make your own yogurt. Dr. John Gray in the US is a closer distributor, here is a link. It is cheaper to buy it from Dr. Gray. Seriously consider a fecal transplant if you have had more than five rounds of antibiotics in your life. 

The Baby's Microbiome

The baby will inherit its microbiome from the mother. Babies born via C-section have microbiomes that are different from babies born vaginally. Research shows that C-section babies that are inoculated with the mother's vaginal flora after birth have lower allergy and asthma rates later in life. Ideally all C-section babies should be inoculated with the mother's vaginal flora. 
Address candida overgrowth and food allergies as part of a general digestive system overhaul.

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5) Optimize Folic Acid

​Folic acid has been shown to reduce or increase the risk of autism, depending on the study. I think this is related to the type and amount of folic acid the mother takes. Instead of taking a folic acid supplement I would recommend eating a lot of green. Just put them into the blender, an easy way to ingest a head of lettuce or a bag of spinach. 

Also makes for a quick soup or stew. Use common sense and get your nutrients the old-fashioned way, from fresh, organic food.

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6) Heal Childhood and Partner Abuse

​Research shows that a maternal history of childhood abuse can almost double the risk of autism in offspring, likely for a number of reasons. The more severe the childhood abuse the higher the risk of autism. If you have suffered childhood abuse please seek professional help, including counselling, regression therapy and homeopathy to deal with the aftermath.
Recent research has also shown that being in an abusive relationship within two years of conceiving a child can almost double the risk of autism. ​

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7) Avoid Toxins During Pregnancy

The developing brain is extremely sensitive to toxins during pregnancy and throughout the first three years of life.

Avoid all chemical exposure during pregnancy, especially the use of medical drugs and vaccines. 
Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, anti-nausea medication, antibiotics, steroids, Tylenol and other meds have all been linked to autism either in research studies or in clinical practice.
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Most vaccines conaint aluminum salts which are highly neurotoxic and no vaccines have been safety-tested on pregnant women. Vaccines during pregnancy have been linked to fetal deaths.​ Choose natural health-care to deal with health issues during pregnancy. Homeopathy and acupuncture are the safest methods.

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8) Avoid Ultrasounds

Avoid ultrasounds during pregnancy if possible. The more ultrasounds a woman receives during pregnancy the higher the risk of autism in the child, according to new research. There is very little benefit to receiving routing ultrasounds. If ultrasounds cannot be avoided seek help from a naturopathic or homeopathic doctor. There are homeopathic remedies which may help the fetus deal better with ultrasounds. I have also used a homeopathic preparation of ultrasound successfully to help a number of infants and even older children with sleep disorders. 

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9) Aim for a Natural Delivery

Minimize medical interventions during labour and delivery if at all possible. Have a midwife and/or doula attending the birth, preferably someone with training in homeopathy and acupuncture to help deal with pain and any complications. Have a home birth if possible to avoid exposing the infant to dangerous hospital bacteria at birth.

Avoid C-sections if at all possible. Anaesthesia is linked to behavioural and developmental issues. In case a C-section is needed the newborn should be exposed to the mother’s vaginal flora by inserting gauze into the vagina and inoculating the baby with it after birth.

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10) Avoid Medication Use in Infants

Breast-feed your infant and strictly avoid giving all medications, especially antibiotics. The gut microbiome is increasingly being implicated in the development of autism and antibiotics can permanently alter it.

Avoid Tylenols as its use has also been linked to autism as well as asthma and other health issues. If you want to circumcise your baby wait until he is more than two years old and use homeopathy for pain control. Circumcision has been linked to autism due to Tylenol.

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11) Make Informed Choices about Vaccines

Make informed choices regarding vaccines, especially if there is a family history of allergies and/or auto-immune conditions or a family history of tuberculosis and cancer. These conditions can mean that your child may be at an increased risk of adverse events from vaccines, including autism. Underlying mitochondrial disorders may also contribute to adverse events after vaccines. Testing is available. Autism is listed as a possible adverse event on many vaccine package inserts and settlements in the millions have been paid out by the vaccine compensation system in the US for autism due to vaccines. Read more here. 
Also watch this video for more information.

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12) Avoid Plastic Containers

Avoid plastic containers and baby bottles, or at least ensure that they are bisphenol free. Bisphenol-A has been linked to autism and other developmental disorders. In general continue to avoid all household chemicals and continue a high-quality organic diet.

These tips should go a long way to ensuring you'll have a strong and healthy baby with a normally developing brain and immune system!

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