Discussing Autism

I’ve been struggling with this diagnosis subject all week even though I have been blogging about it. We just received our results back from the HRI Pfeiffer Clinic on Saturday. Little Pickel was originally diagnosed with Institutional Autism back in February of 2006 when he was just 2.5 years old. He was only out of the Russian Orphanage for 5 months. However, Sheila Gahagan, the Developmental Pediatrician who was conducting the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome study also referred us to an Autism study at the University of Michigan because he also scored unusually high on the CARS test. Unfortunately, he had to be at least 4 years old to be part of that study. So, we looked to other resources.

We went to M.I.N.D., the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders for a Neurological evaluation.

They found nothing.

Our final option was the Pfeiffer Clinic, a biomedical facility that specialized in Autism Spectrum Disorders and biomedical treatments.

Metallothionein and Autism-Spectrum Disorders: A database study of 503 autism-spectrum patients has revealed strong evidence of severe copper and zinc abnormalities in this population. Blood testing of autistics and controls indicates (a) most autistics exhibit low levels of the protein metallothionein (MT) compared to controls, and (2) these levels approach normality following our novel MT-Promotion therapy. An outcome study is underway to measure the efficacy of MT-Promotion therapy in treatment-naïve autistics.

Currently, Little Pickel is on what Pfeiffer calls a Primer.

The Pfeiffer Clinic approach has been to treat autistic children with high copper to zinc ratios with an initial supplement of zinc (“Pfeiffer Primer III”) for 6-8 weeks followed by an amino acid supplement (“MT Promoter II”). During the zinc loading phase amino acids, glutathione and selenium should be withheld. A too rapid reduction in copper sometimes causes increased stimming and irritability. Dosing the zinc in a pulsatile manner often reduces these potential side effects.

The Pfeiffer Clinic practitioners also attempt to identify intestinal bacterial imbalances and correct these, remove the toxic metals using chelation or clathration protocols and supplement with appropriate nutrients and digestive enzymes. This methodology has resulted in improved functioning in up to 90% of autistic children, however there are some who get no benefit or who have had side effects (increased stimming, graying of hair, etc).

The good thing? It has worked. He is more verbal and more receptive, sleeps better, is less violent, there is less stimming, and is eating like a horse. He craves hamburgers, cheese, eggs, cocoa puffs (gluten and casein free, of course), and french fries.

The bad? He went through two weeks being a HOLY TERROR when he first started the primer and when he increased his dosage to two pills a day. Our awesome nurse, George, says that he was Chelating his high Copper out of his system. I would hate to see what would happen if he had a fast Chelation.

Little Pickel’s test results were interesting, to say the least. In my opinion, they were indicative of Organic Autism. He has a vast amount of Heavy Metals (including Mercury, arsenic, aluminum, titanium, uranium, silver, nickel, and cadmium), a bacteria gut imbalance, yeast, VERY low ferritin, high copper (but average zinc, calcium, and magnesium), and low Selenium. To me, some of those are red flags because of his behavior issues, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, gluten and casein intolerances, and expressive and receptive language delays.

We have our consultation with George next week so maybe we will get some answers then but I would love your opinions…This is driving me NUTS!

Can you help?
Metallothionein Promotion Therapy for Autism Symptoms: The Pfeiffer Treatment Center is looking for healthy kids between the ages of 3 and 10 to participate in a research study to find new and more effective treatments for Autism. Participation in the study would involve a small sampling of blood, urine and hair for laboratory testing. A $35 gift card will be issued at the completion of test collection as a token of our thanks. Pfeiffer Treatment Center is a non-profit, outpatient medical facility specializing in biochemical testing and individualized nutrient therapy for children and adults. For additional information, please call 630-505-0300.

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