Cass Nelson-Dooley
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Lab Tests:
Conditions: autism, gastrointestinal disorders

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Tools and Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Friday, 29 August 2008 12:00 by Cass Nelson-Dooley   RSS Feed

AutismWhile some doctors say there is little hope for children diagnosed with ASD, the stories of many children who made major behavioral and quality of life improvements demonstrate that there is hope for modifying or minimizing the symptoms of autism. Integrative and functional medicine doctors often view ASD as inflammation of the GI tract and the nervous system. Some experts even call it “brain inflammation.” There may be many factors that predispose a child to autism. Nutritional deficiencies, toxic exposures, oxidative damage, gut dysbiosis, and allergenic foods are some of the factors which, if addressed with nutritional and dietary interventions, can relieve some if not all of the symptoms of ASD. This teleconference series explores the great successes seen in cases of autism when using blood, urine, and stool tests to individualize treatments.

 

Toxic Metal Assessment in Children with ASD
Toxic Metal AssessmentListen to this discussion with Julie Matthews and David Traver, MD on the complicated topic of toxic metal assessment in children with ASD. Laboratory tests used to determine heavy metal exposure and toxicity are reviewed, especially urinary porphyrins and toxic elements in hair, urine, blood, and stool.

View a PDF of the Case Study: Porphryins Tests in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Click player to stream audio...

 

GI Function Test in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Laboratory TestingBowel disorders are a very common feature of ASD. Repairing and healing the GI tract is a key step in quelching inflammation and improving overall neurological health in children on the spectrum. Listen to Cass Nelson-Dooley, MS and Julie Matthews, CNC, discuss the “gut-brain connection” and the importance of stool tests in the clinical management of children with ASD.

View a PDF of the Case Study: GI Function Tests in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Download the latest version of Adobe Reader if needed to view the PDF file.
 Click player to stream audio...

 

Nutrition Intervention for Autism - 3 Part Series

Nutritional InterventionsNutritional interventions have helped many children with ASD on their road to recovery and improved function. In this 3 part interview, Kara Fitzgerald, ND and Julie Matthews, CNC, discuss the common biochemical patterns seen in children with ASD. Blood and urine tests reveal biochemical abnormalities common in children with ASD. Treatments tailored to these results can bring about significant clinical improvements.

View a PDF of the related slide presentation: Evaluating Methylation and Sulfuration in ASD children Using Functional Laboratory Testing
Click player to stream audio... Part I -
Part II -
Part III -

Subscribe to the Metametrix Institute Podcast on iTunes for free.

 Julie Matthews  

Julie Matthews, a Certified Nutrition Consultant, is the author of Nourishing Hope and the show on Autism One Radio that goes by the same name.

You can learn more about Julie's Nourishing Hope program at her site http://www.nourishinghope.com/

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder

David Traver, MD is a pediatrician who specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), child psychiatry, and the biomedical treatments for children with ASD or other neuro-developmental challenges.

 

Cass Nelson-Dooley

 Cass Nelson-Dooley is the Research Coordinator in the Science and Education Department at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory and educates clinicians about the use of laboratory data in patient care. She is co-author of, “Nutrient and Toxic Elements” in Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine. Ms. Nelson-Dooley completed a Fulbright scholarship and Master of Science in Ethnopharmacology. She has published in journals such as The Journal of Nutrition, Obesity Research, and Current Medicinal Chemistry.

 

Kara Fitzgerald Kara Fitzgerald received her doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fitzgerald has a keen interest in understanding biochemical abnormalities found in autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Fitzgerald consults with clinicians worldwide to assist with laboratory metabolic profile interpretation and clinical interventions.


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Comments

March 14. 2010 19:39

Kendra Riley

We are taking our daughter on tue 3-16-2010 for an EEG Sleep Deprived what are they looking for she has been diagnosed with Austism Mild to Moderate possiable Asphbergers Syndrome what else could we be facing with this disorder and they prescibed her Concerta to take and it works for a few days then wears off and doesnt work any more what medication should we have her on she is only 6 yrs old.

Frustrated and Tired
Kendra
Sebring FL

Kendra Riley United States

March 15. 2010 10:39

kara fitzgerald

Dear Kendra,

I am sorry to hear about challenges you and your husband are facing with your daughter.

Fortunately, help is available.

As you probably know from listening and reading our various posts, the cause of autism is thought to be multifactorial, with environmental factors (food reactions, infections, medications, toxic exposures) and genetics (immune and detoxification imbalances, among others)playing key roles.

I know this can seem overwhelming.....but a crucial piece of the puzzle for your daughter is going to be identifying her imbalances, and then treating them. I beleive you will see improvements with her when you start this individualized, multifactorial approach.

I recommend that you don't go it alone.

I suggest you find a good doctor treating ASD individuals using the above approach. We can assist you in your search. Call the lab at 800-221-4046 and let us know you're looking for a doc in your area specializing in ASDs. I also suggest you visit the Defeat Autism Now website (www.defeatautismnow.com). They have a list of doctors trained in the DAN approach, which is complementary to what I describe above.

All the best to you and your family.

Kara Fitzgerald, ND

kara fitzgerald United States

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