If you ask mainstream medical associations about the causes of autism, you will hear that there are no known causes. This is horrifying, as the 1 in 10,000 rate of 1980 turned into 1 in 250 in 2003, and that turned into 1 in 90-110 in 2009. Because 90% of autistics are boys, currently 1 in 20-30 boys born will have autism.
Note: this essay is a review of A Case-Control Study of Mercury Burden in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders by Jeff Bradstreet MD., et al., Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Fall 2003
If you ask practitioners of the biomedical approach to autism about the causes, you will hear about a number of specific biochemical abnormalities. Many of these abnormalities have been documented in peer reviewed research, many plausible and/or proven theories for their causes exist, and biomedical practitioners are successfully treating autism based on their understandings of these abnormalities.
This study enters into the middle of this divide as peer reviewed research showing that autism is not a mental problem but a physical. It is not an emotional imbalance but a chemical imbalance. Only fifty years ago, autism was treated by forcing the mothers of autistic children to admit that they hated the baby and never wanted to have it. This hatred was believed to be the root cause of autism. Unfortunately, vestiges of this tragic outlook exist to this day.
Specifically, this study shows that autistic children have statistically significantly greater amounts of mercury in the blood. The methodology involved administering oral chelating agents (chemicals that pull toxins out of the body) and measuring urinary heavy metals concentrations afterwards.
Mercury is documented to be toxic to the brain in dozens if not hundreds of studies. The symptoms of mercury poisoning happen to be similar to many traits of autism.
This study can not differentiate as to whether the increased levels of mercury comes from increased exposure to mercury or a reduced ability to excrete mercury. Perhaps of some significance, other research has shown that exposure to high levels of mercury will reduce the body’s ability to metabolize further doses of mercury.
The study found that children vaccinated with mercury containing vaccines have an increased likelihood of developing autism. I would add that it is not only mercury but exposure to any neurotoxin that can interrupt normal childhood development and cause autism.
The abnormalities of autism are not limited to mercury metabolism; this is just one thoroughly researched area. It is beyond this paper to get into the relevant biochemistry.
But it’s my view that to “treat” autism with psychological or educational prescriptions alone is to sell ourselves short; it might even be a farce. Every child with autism deserves a comprehensive biomedical treatment. Gluten free casein free diets, specific carbohydrate diets, detoxification and methylation support (including intravenous chelation), vitamin B6 and magnesium as well as other vitamin therapies, essential fatty acid therapies, thyroid problem treatment, immune system support, amino acid therapies for mood support, addressing yeast and parasites, diagnosing food allergies, and rebuilding the digestive system (with probiotics, avoidance of allergenic foods, glutamine, etc.) are among the many biomedical therapies that can all be part of an effective treatment plan.
First, we need to acknowledge that the causes of autism—currently right in front of our noses—are being completely ignored and with tragic results.
Further information:
Autism: Effective Biomedical Treatments by Pangborn and Baker
Autism Research Institute/Defeat Autism Now!
