Educational Material On Nutritional Treatments For Autism - Where To Find Them?

by Mark DeRosa

Posted on Sunday 4th of October 2009

According to recent studies, one out of five children in America is suffering and will suffer from autism. This means that out of five newborns, one will be inflicted with this disorder (furthermore, only one out of five autistic children is female). This extremely disturbing fact has led us to one thing: the influx of so-called autism treatments and medications. A simple online search would reveal that there are so many possible alternative treatments for autistic children. However, no other treatment is as prominent as the use of nutritional treatments for autistic children.

In a way, this is not entirely new or groundbreaking; in fact, it is even a little too obvious. After all, everyone needs proper nutrition in order to live a normal and healthy life. Why should children with autism be any different? However, what makes it different is the fact that autistic children have different internal functions due to physical limitations and internal deficiencies brought about by their disorder. In several studies, it has been proven that autistic children have weaker immune function. Also, it is an acknowledged fact that the digestive system of an autistic child is not working in full capacity (meaning, it cannot fully absorb the nutrients of the food they ingest). Needless to say, in lieu of this fact, it is only inherent that parents give their children nutritional treatments in order to address this physical deficiency. Because of the alarming number of children with autism in the country, such nutritional supplements and treatments are quite easy to find. However, what isn’t as easy to find are education materials on the matter.

For such an important topic, why aren’t there sufficient materials at hand?

For one, while the use of nutritional treatments is not necessarily condemned by the medical world, there aren’t too many studies that can prove that such treatment is harmful. Of course, nutritional treatments can only be beneficial; the extent of their efficacy, however, is not acknowledged by experts and doctors who believe autism is a genetic disorder. So you’re not very likely to see mainstream researches on the matter (although, in actuality, there aren’t that many papers in autism treatments in general; for such a wide spread disorder, research on the matter is negligible). What has served as the savior for those who want to try this kind of treatment is the Internet.

There are many articles online claiming the effectiveness if nutritional treatments. Perhaps the most scientific in nature are the researches of the Autism Institute and by the Defeat Autism Now movement, those behind the protocol of natural treatment for autism cure. Recently, there have been a good number of books published discussing how mainstream science has been wrong regarding their belief on autism and how the natural treatments for autism (nutritional treatments, for one) can indeed be the answer people are waiting for. One such book is written by Jenny McCartney, one of the advocates of the practice after her son was diagnosed with autism. Also, mainstream media has done research on the subject matter. The verdict: while not officially proven to be effective, many parents have experienced firsthand the effectiveness of nutritional treatments, among others.

Of course, as with most things, it is best to take everything online with a grain of salt. Trust only those who can and should trust.