Autism: Getting To The Root Cause With Functional Medicine

Rates of autism have skyrocketed over the years, from an estimated 1 child in 5,000 in the 1960s and 1970s to just 1 in 54 kids today. The diagnosis of autism can be shocking and difficult for parents and families which may leave them feeling isolated, alone, helpless, and hopeless, but it doesn’t have to be that way. While we don’t have all the answers, and more research is needed to identify and validate the causes and treatment of autism, there are new signs of hope. And there is no such thing as “autism.” Rather there are “autisms”—different patterns of biological dysfunction unique to each child that result in multiple insults to the brain that all manifest with symptoms we call autism. Like every condition or illness, the key is to dig into the layers and peel the onion to discover what is really happening. It is not usually one thing but a collection of insults, toxins and deficiencies piled on susceptible genetics that leads to autism.⁣
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In this episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with Dr. George Papaicolaou to discuss the Functional Medicine approach to treating children with autism. They also share specific patient stories that they have treated.⁣
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George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine Practitioner. Upon graduation from his residency he joined the Indian Health Service. He worked on the Navajo reservation for 4 years at the Chinle Comprehensive Medical Facility where he served as the Outpatient Department Coordinator. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He practiced with a philosophy centered on personal relationships and treating the whole person, not just not the disease. He called that philosophy “Whole Life Wellness”. Over time as the healthcare system made it harder for patients to receive this kind of personal care Dr. Papanicolaou decided a change was needed. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health – a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou to join The UltraWellness Center in 2017.⁣
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This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens and Better Help.⁣
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[sarahb.]

Please remember there are countless adults with autism too, many of us just getting diagnosed recently in our 40s, 50s or 60s. We are from the lost generation of kids who grew up in the 70s and 80s. It was diagnosed in girls back then. And we just never knew why we had all of these problems. I didn't even know what autism was back when I was a kid.

[livinginnorthernaz]

My son is 23 and was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years. We’ve tried most of the trendy therapies, been accused of being “ bad parents” for not doing what parents with perfect kids think we should be doing. Doctors love to throw hardcore pharmaceuticals at these kids, but last year my sons urinary system started shutting down, urine backing into his kidneys. I thought he was going to die! Then he went off the 3 hardcore psychotropic drugs and his urinary system got better. He still has constant gut issues, often indigestion and vomiting. I do think that getting him on a diet of whole and natural foods, but it’s hard to get these kids to eat what you suggest.

When I look back on pre pregnancy, I see a lot of things that may have contributed. I had a very high stress job at Intel, I was 35 years old. Bad eating habits because I worked so much and was so stressed I had no time for meal planing and prepping. I was extremely depressed, on SSRIs because doctors insisted I needed them and they had “no adverse impact” on pregnancy. I was also infertile, probably due to all the things I just described, and needed fertility drugs and in vitro to get pregnant. Also, when I was a kid we lived in the middle of cotton and alphalpha fields, and I would wake up to the harsh smell of crop dusting chemicals every day in late summer and fall. Forget the 80 percent genetic bullshit, I think all those environmental factors is what caused my beautiful boy to have autism.

[donnafisk]

I am raising a 15yr old autistic grandson, never had vaccines till age of4, he showed symptoms at age of2, stopped making eye contact, stopped talking, , its more than vaccines, , he is not on meds of any kind, never has been, does not speak in sentences, , but reads, spells any word, , focus on calenders, days, holidays, loves school, has no close friends that i know of, , he is a loving mystery, , never angry, , keeps us humble trying to find ways to promote his life, for his future, not easy to do

[heatherh]

I'm so grateful to have watched this. I was on the verge of losing heart with our functional medicine doctor. I knew it was going to be tough but I didn't know it was going to be as tough as it is. I'm completely by myself with no help I'm also not able to work because I'm a single mom and my son needs so many services for his severe autism. $5, 000 in debt already from only this year's medical plan with very little gains. My son can't take medicine and it makes the journey so much more difficult because I have to hide everything. I just needed to step back I think. Breathe, listen to this and realize that it's a hard journey. What really struck me was when he said it's expensive but what's more expensive is having a lifetime of therapies, etc. I don't know how I'm going to do this by myself but I don't think I could picture myself giving up on my son and just letting autism have him all our lives. Thank you for giving us hope.

[healingfeelings]

Thank you so much for this podcast! My niece has been struggling with her daughter for a few years and the doctors just keep giving her the runaround! They put her on psych meds that affected her mental health so severe that she wouldn’t stop screaming or crying! I’m a therapist and this infuriated me to hear that they put her on psych meds without doing any bloodwork to see what else is going on in her body. She is six years old!
I will see if we could do to try to get her in to see you as this little girl is precious and deserves a chance at having happy and healthy life! Thank you and God bless all of you for your good words and advice❤🙏

[VS]

My friend works with kids with special needs. She tells me every parent story goes like this: my child was fine until we gave them multiple vaccines and then it started that they could no longer function like a normal child. Coincidence? Not sure, but it sure deserves attention.

[bodyatwar]

My son lead me to becoming a holistic integrative nutritionist/practitioner when he was diagnosed 17 years ago.
We have worked on detoxing him and crowding in micronutrients and anti inflammatory foods for the past 10 years and his autism label has been removed. As in REVERSED!
His teachers and other special needs parents think I’m a natzi- but it has and is literally saving his life.
If only we could get out of diet culture for JUST LONG ENOUGH as parents to take their power back and HEAL the gut.

Ps: he is still drastically delayed, but the “autism” traits are gone. (Truly a lifestyle change)

[nondisclosure]

48 vaccines by the age of two, what could go wrong?

[misun]

This is what I’ve been thinking and feeling all along. Before, during, and after pregnancies doctors/hospitals need to check the mother and baby’s micro biome, inflammation, allergies to foods, etc... All this could change so many lives. Thank you for this episode!

[thepennycrafters]

Same here. I'm crying and angry all at the same time. Doctors should be taken to court for their absolute neglect

[annarold]

I can only confirm.. in my 30s ADHD ALL THOSE SYMPTOMS on the gut. After a heavy treatment still on it (probiotics no gluten sport, etc) I’m another woman after 3 months. First of all, No fear to eat anymore ( not flatulences or inflammation) . Thank you all doctors and health practitioners who understand the significance of holistic approach

[sarahmoorman]

The thing that's difficult is getting autistic kids to eat healthy. Sometimes they barely eat enough to even get enough calories each day bc of textures and being very picky eaters and one is thankful they eat something! Throw in a loose tooth occasionally, colds etc and it's twice or more as hard to get them to eat healthy. I am thankful though that my son's vaccines were way more spread out than others and he never had the flu vaccine. He is high functioning and very verbal. He is also healthy most of the time but definitely sensory and emotionally sensitive. I home-school him and that helps him to not be as stressed and overwhelmed with too much 'structured' (and still) time in large quantities. Kids need more freedom to move and wiggle! Especially those on the spectrum! Love and blessings to all!

[Vicky-eccw]

True doctors . I wish I could of known this information years ago . My sons 18 now and lots of what you talk about makes sense

[tvtime]

As far as vaccines go I think we are giving babies and toddlers way too many vaccines way too early. In the 1950's babies stayed home until kindergarten and now we send them to daycare all day and they require all these vaccines. Vaccines have even increased since the 80's. I'd like to see what happens if vaccines are delayed because I'm sure there's a group of kids who are sensitive to them

[elizabethdumas]

I still think the astronomical numbers of vaccinations children are being subjected to is a factor. There is supporting data, but it has been hidden for nefarious reasons. Children growing up in the 50s-60s did not have to get anywhere near the jabs they are required to get today. I grew up on junk food as did most people I knew and no one had autism.

[corinneransdell]

I wish your guest could finish what he wants to contribute without being interrupted.

[vettechsrule]

My son was diagnosed at 22 months. There was never any chance of altering his diet. He hates everything. A feeding tube was all that saved his life. He's 25, non verbal, all kinds of gut issues.

[IQTech]

I'm grateful that you included the fact that one in forty-five girls are now affected by autism. My understanding is that autism presents differently in females and the result is that it takes longer for them to be diagnosed and receive services.

[pgadeb]

Thank you for being voices of reason in the medical world...

[cherishlifewithjenelaine]

I DO BELIEVE the vaccines affect children! Our son was talking up until 18 months the the doctor suggested to us to give him 5 different vaccines which included the Flu shot and that evening he had a high temperature and was acting like his stomach was killing him (acted as if he was seizuring) He is now 16 and still has trouble talking. We've done the diets, the therapies, oxygen chamber, and still trying to figure out the puzzle.