Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Toxins and ASD

Children with Autism have abnormal detoxification systems = increased risk of damage from environmental insults.
Toxins?
v Food as a ‘neurotoxin’.
v Medications
v Environmental; metals, chemical exposures, mold, fabrics, carpeting, cleaning products (at home and especially at school).
v Why can’t children with ASD detoxify?
v How do we lower the toxic burden?

FOOD: Are we feeding our kids toxins?
food preservatives - food additives - food borne pathogens genetically engineered food - cooking oils - baby food - fluoride in foods - food irradation - aluminum in processed food- artificial sweeteners

12 Key Additives to Avoid and Their Health Risks:
1. Hydrogenated Fats—cardiovascular disease, obesity
2. Artificial Food Colors—allergies, asthma, hyperactivity; possible carcinogen, ADHD, ADD
3. Nitrites and Nitrates—these substances can develop into nitrosamines in body, which can be carcinogenic
4. Sulfites (sulfur dioxide, metabisulfites, and others)—allergic and asthmatic reactions
5. Sugar and Sweeteners—obesity, dental cavities, diabetes and hypoglycemia, increased triglycerides (blood fats) or candida (yeast)
6. Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K and Saccharin, Sucralose, Fructalose)—behavioral problems, hyperactivity, allergies, and possibly carcinogenic. The government cautions against the use of any artificial sweetener by children and pregnant women. Anyone with PKU (phenylketonuria—a problem of phenylalanine, an amino acid, metabolism) should not use aspartame (Nutrasweet). By the way---Splenda is NOT natural.
7. MSG (monosodium glutamate)—common allergic and behavioral reactions, including headaches, dizziness, chest pains, depression and mood swings; also a possible neurotoxin
8. Preservatives (BHA, BHT, EDTA, etc.)—allergic reactions, hyperactivity, possibly cancer-causing; BHT may be toxic to the nervous system and the liver
9. Artificial Flavors—allergic or behavioral reactions
10. Refined Flour—low-nutrient calories, carbohydrate imbalances, altered insulin production, and for ASD children peptide-opiod effect from products containing gluten.
11. Salt (excessive)—fluid retention and blood pressure increases, beware of non-clumping agents added to table salt—some are chemically derived, others contain gluten.
12. Olestra (an artificial fat)—diarrhea and digestive disturbances, long term effects are UNKNOWN.

Other Concerns:
Food Waxes (protective coating of produce, as in cucumbers, peppers, and apples)—may trigger allergies, can contain pesticides, fungicide sprays or animal byproducts. Plastic packaging—Carcinogenic (vinyl chloride); immune reactions, lung shock…
What can we do?
Begin by avoiding the most questionable additives. Colors and sweeteners are the most common ‘offenders’ for kids with ASD. Make a decision to either cut down on or cut out altogether those food additives that may be hazardous to your child. Although it may seem difficult to change habits and find substitutes for foods your child enjoys, remind yourself that you will be adding to their diet some wholesome new flavors and foods that they may come to like even more.
Avoidance and discrimination are crucial proactive steps you can take to protect your child from toxic overload and promote repair. Changing your shopping and eating routines isn’t something you can easily do overnight. The first step is to sharpen your awareness about what you’re currently feeding to your family.

ARC of Kitsap

The ARC Parent to Parent program focused on Autism Awareness month.

  1. They have A Kitsap County support group. The group ASIF is ordering puzzle pieces to sell to support Austim research and go support sending a member of their group to a meeting in Detroit.contact is Sherryt Charlot (360)377-34732.
  2. Autism Awareness classes ( Autism 101 and 200) sponsored the Children's Hospital for paernts and caregivers.
  3. They have a video and telecommunications outreach program for those who can't attend.contact is Sherry Charlot.
  4. There is a grant for families to pay for biomedical treaments, supplements or therapies paid directly to venders via National Autism Association.
  5. A Kingston mom is doing two Awareness walks this week, one in Suquamish and another in Port Gamble/Sklallam. The North Kistap Herald has an article about her on April 26th.contact Trisha: (360)340-4925

ARC of Kitsp County has more information. ( 360)377-3473

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Dad's Night--Mariner's Baseball!

Join Autism Speaks and our Athletes Against Autism program as we raise awareness about autism and funds for the research, education and outreach initiatives of Autism Speaks at Seattle Mariners Autism Awareness Night!

Benefiting: Athletes Against Autism & Autism Speaks

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
7:10 PM @ Safeco Field, Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers

There will be information booths on the concourse and much more.

Ticket Prices: 100 Level Seats - $32 or 300 Level Seats - $15
For more information on purchasing tickets and more event specifics, please contact Susan Barlet at barletmarksusan@msn.com or (253) 826-9723.
www.athletesagainstautism.org
www.autismspeaks.org

A group of IAM- Dads will be going together, contact catb@IAM-HOPE.org for info.

Calling all Autism-Moms!

IAM is putting together a collection of our stories for an informal Mother's Day publication. Please send your stories to catb@IAM-HOPE.org before Mother's Day, May 11th.

This is an idea of one of the IAM Moms, who writes:

"Each of us has our story, a place where it started. I find a lot of solace in hearing each of the other IAM's stories, and I think it would be wonderful to collect them up and have them available for other parents who join the group to read. I also think it would be very helpful to parents with questions about their children to read the stories of what we noticed, and when, and what our paths to diagnosis (or not) have been like. Please let me know what you think of this idea - If there are concerns about protecting the privacy/anonymity of our children/families, we could write them up anonymously and control the distribution, etc."

Funny, thought inspiring, often heartbreaking and poignant, long, short.....please write whatever comes to mind--we will edit if you can only manage a draft!

Let's celebrate our Motherhood of these amazing kids!