Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism is a condition that has touched Dr Ayla Wilson, ND’s life personally. As a former Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapist, she spent five incredible and challenging years working with a young girl with autism. A girl who inspired her to help other families untangle the amazing personalities within these children.
We look at factors underlying your child’s symptoms before recommending a specific treatment protocol catered to their unique needs.
About
Autism
1 in 50 children in Canada are diagnosed with autism, and boys are 3-4 times more likely to receive this diagnosis than girls.
Children with autism may show difficulty with social interaction, impaired or abnormal use of language, repetitive behaviours and strict adherence to routine.
Autism spectrum disorders are the result of a complex blend of factors. A single cause for autism cannot be identified, but more and more research points to a multifactorial etiology.
Several of the following factors may be investigated to support the child’s immune system, digestion, detox pathways, and cognitive function:
- Immune system dysfunction
- Chronic infections (including yeast/fungal overgrowth, parasites, Lyme disease and Co-infections, viral infections, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and intestinal dysbiosis
- Inflammation of the basal ganglia of the brain as a result of Streptococcal or other infection (PANDAS / PANS/AE)
- Environmental toxin and heavy metals exposure
- Impaired detoxification pathways in the body
- Methylation issues and the MTHFR gene
- Excess inflammation
- High histamine levels
- Autoimmune reactions
- Food sensitivities and allergies
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Neurotransmitter imbalance
- Genetic factors
The biomedical approach to offer support for a patient with autism spectrum disorder is based on the most up-to-date scientific research about the biochemical pathways in the body.
Testing +
Support
Tests
Testing may include:
- Viral and bacterial titers (CMV, EBV, Coxsackievirus, Strep bacteria, Lyme and Co-infections)
- Food Sensitivity Panel
- Heavy metals testing / other toxicity testing
- Organic Acids Testing (OAT)
- Gluten + casein peptides
- Stool analysis for digestion and absorption markers, yeast overgrowth, parasitology and bacteriology profile
- Immune deficiency testing
- Specific vitamin and mineral levels
- Blood count and blood chemistry
- Cholesterol panel
- Thyroid function
- Urinalysis
- Neurotransmitter testing
- Mycotoxin testing for mold exposure
- Blood histamine testing
Support
Supportive treatment is based on what is found during testing, and the specific protocol is catered to the child and the needs of their family.