Since the majority of epidemiological research
has been on the basis of the DSM-IV criteria, the current epidemiological
information is inadequate to determine how many people have an autism spectrum
disorder. What we do know is that the incidence of autism is reported at a
much higher rate in males, and yet is often more severe in females, leading
to a great deal of research into autism as a genetic condition. Using the
definition of autism that we have given, specifically identifying the substance
which is the target of the cytokine reaction to be lutein, we could foresee
a rigorous attempt to compile information leading to the understanding that
a female fetus with this condition is at greater risk of being naturally aborted.
Information does exist which identifies female autists as having greater
mortality risk factors. The in utero instance of the immune reaction that
results in autism is likely to be equally distributed between male and female
fetuses. Respiratory pigments released from the fetus would contribute to
a higher incidence of toxic fetal environment, contributing to the possibility
of spontaneous abortion. Spontaneous abortion has been identified as a potential
outcome for a fetus with the CAG repeat. Also, the incidence of spontaneous
abortion is identified as a greater potential risk factor for females generally.
The child’s relationship to parent/caregiver
Immune regulation and reduced enzyme production could contribute to abnormal
levels of hallucinogenic by-products and naturally manufactured opioid by-products
for the autist. Vitamin and mineral levels could impact the types of by-products
produced. Direct sunlight exposure could also increase immune system responses
in some autists. The resulting disturbance in the adrenocorticotropin–cortisol
axis (ACTH/cortisol axis) - the immune system battling with the ‘molecules
of emotion’ - leads to many of the challenging behaviours seen in autism.
We know that extreme lack of nurturing can result in behaviourally
challenging and learning-disabled children such as the Romanian orphans, similar
in many ways to autists. We also know from experience that it is not likely
that treating chemically dependant people will result in a positive outcome
until the toxins (drugs, alcohol) are cleared from the body and we can therefore
anticipate that it is not likely that we can expect positive outcome for
autists until the chemical irregularities are understood and addressed.
The child’s relationship to parent/caregiver is affected as the adult
attempts to feed the infant/toddler foods which trigger adverse reactions
and the toddler begins to recognize foods which make them feel good i.e. wheat
and dairy, and avoids foods which make them feel bad i.e. coloured fruits
and vegetables. The child craves nutrients lacking from the self-selective
diet, and this can contribute to pica (ingesting sunscreens containing cocoa
butter or aloe vera gel, mud, wall plaster, feces). The child does not develop
a trust relationship with caregiver/parent. The young child is intoxicated
from self-manufactured substances: opioids, gut fermentation products, bufotenin.
The child is unable to proceed naturally through the developmental stages.
Changes in eye colour have been reported and observed when a lutein-restricted
diet was implemented: in the original study group of 800 individuals, this
result occurred in about 47% of cases, but changes were not as easily recognized
in the brown-eyed children. These changes included temporary ‘blue sclera’
responses.
Qualitative impairment in social interaction
As we look at the autist through ‘new eyes’, the characteristic presentation
of qualitative impairment in social interaction would be an expected outcome
for infants who experience environmental stimuli through the primal immune
response of survival while simultaneously experiencing the Major Histamine
Class (MHC) delayed hypersensitivity type IV reactions or Type V cytokine
initiated cytokine mediated responses.
Other factors then contribute significantly to the arrested developmental
process for the autist:
- Immune system manufacture of ‘natural pain killers’ resulting
in infants who are under the influence of self-manufactured opioids, gut fermentation
products, hallucinogens from abnormal tryptophan and cytochrome metabolism;
- ‘Fight or flight’ response to internal and environmental
stimuli;
- Medical interventions i.e. vaccines and antibiotics resulting
in a variety of outcomes for individuals including vaccine reactions and gut
dysbiosis;
- Inability to develop emotional maturity skills as a result
of sensory difficulties, lack of trust, reduced capacity for success when
attempting simple tasks;
- Diet, providing the immune trigger, exacerbating the immune
response and which may result in unrecognised pain stimuli in the autist from
the breakdown of the food pathogen and decreased potential for producing prostaglandin
type pain regulators.
The individual with autism may undergo
additional insults:
- Toxins build up in a metabolism with reduced capacity for
xenobiotic and hepatic metabolite removal and/or increase in hepatic metabolite
manufacture;
- Self-selective diets result in nutrient excesses and deficiencies
and opioid addiction. These factors contribute to acetylcholine depletion
(affecting speech, behaviour, motor control, abstract thinking, memory and
speech) and arachidonic acid and cytochrome P-450 responses resulting in symptoms
some of which are perceived as behaviours in this population.
- Conditions, which co-occur with autism, are not detected,
tested for or treated.
- Hyperactivity as toxins reach the brain. (The brain healing
process, or ‘re-growth of mossy fibers’, results in hyperactivity.)
- Increased presentation of skin pigmentation abnormalities
and immune epithelial output resulting in itching, scratching and contributing
to self-injurious behaviours. This can be reduced or eliminated when the immune
trigger(s) are identified and removed from the diet;
- Altered response to ultraviolet light exposure further affecting
hormone balance and sometimes contributing to behavioural-type responses.
This response can be reduced with protective eye-wear and protective clothing;
- Self-injurious behaviour, which may contribute to the production
of natural pain killers (opioid type) and could therefore be understood as
an attempt to self medicate rather than to self injure;
- Gut disturbance and continence difficulties potentially
initiating oppositional-defiant type behaviours surrounding feeding and toilet
training;
- Food intolerances and abnormal serotonin metabolism contribute
to the development of eating disorders ranging from anorexia to compulsive
eating (serotonin contributes to regulating feelings of satiation);
- Visual and auditory processing differences 119 seen as ‘tuning
out’ behavior and reflected in the resulting stereotypical behaviors;
- Mitochondrial abnormalities 57 resulting in decreased
cellular energy for some, appearing as laziness.
