Autism Therapy: vitamin

definition of vitamin: Type of nutrient that is important for normal functions in the body. There are several different vitamins that are important for different processes. Non-essential vitamins may be produced by the body. Essential vitamins are vitamins that have to come from foods or supplements, and are not produced by the body.

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Efficacy of Methylcobalamin and Folinic Acid Treatment on Glutathione Redox Status in Children with Autism
Am J Clin Nutr, by James, SJ, Melnyk S., Fuchs G., Reid T., Jernigan S., Pavliv O., Hubanks A., and Gaylor DW, published in 2009, summarized Aug 17, 2010

Vitamin B12 and folic acid may help to normalize the metabolism of children with autism.

Around 74% of parents use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their children with autism. The goal of this study was to show whether or not vitamin B12 and folic acid could improve markers in the blood of children with autism. The authors measured SAM:SAH and GSH:GSSG in the blood of 40 children aged 2 to 7 years who had autism. The children were given 75 µg/kg of vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) 2 times/week and 400 µg folinic acid 2 times/day for 3 months. The vitamins improved the blood results in the children, but did not bring the blood results to normal levels.


Complementary Alternative Medicine for Children with Autism: A Physician Survey
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Golnik, AE, and Ireland M., published in 2009, summarized Jan 8, 2010

Some physicians may recommend complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for children with autism.

A survey was offered to 3,100 pediatricians and family medicine practitioners, and about 1 out of 5 responded to the survey (539 physicians). The survey showed that 49% of the doctors encouraged multi-vitamin therapy for children with autism. And 19 to 25% of them encouraged essential fatty acids (EFAs), melatonin, and probiotics as therapy for autism. Physicians discouraged parents from using some therapies. Therapies that were discouraged include chelation (61%), anti-infection treatments (57%), and secretin (43%). Many of the doctors (76%) also urged immunizations according to the recommended schedule. The authors said that doctors may want to ask families about therapies that families might be using, even if the parents do not bring up the topic.


Bite Size and Texture Assessments to Prescribe Treatment for Severe Food Selectivity in Autism
Behavioral Interventions, by Sharp, WG, and Jaquess DL, published in 2009, summarized Nov 26, 2009

Children with autism who are very picky eaters may also have poor eating motor skills like chewing and swallowing.

Some children with autism may not have enough calories and vitamins and minerals if they are very picky about what they eat. Behavioral therapy, based on ABA therapy, may help children eat a broader range of foods. This case study described a 3 year-old boy who was eating only liquid food (PediaSure) given by a bulb syringe. He was not eating enough calories every day to grow. He would get upset when more food or other foods were given to him. He would not swallow food and sometimes gagged. The behavioral therapy plan involved slowly giving him new foods in this order: 1) less than a teaspoon per bite of 16 pureed foods; 2) slowly making the bite size larger; and 3) slowly increasing texture. The authors said that each child may have different problems, and the therapist may help figure out which part of eating the child may need help with.


Commentary: Potential Neurobiologic Mechanisms through which Metabolic Disorders Could Relate to Autism
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Johnston, MV, published in 2000, summarized Oct 21, 2009

Scientists are beginning to understand how some gene defects and metabolic problems can lead to autism symptoms.

Metabolic problems are defects in specific proteins or enzymes that make energy from food in the body. The author describes how these defects may cause brain problems in two ways. One way of causing problems is by changing specific steps of normal functions as the brain does its job every moment of every day. The second way of causing problems is by changing brain development, causing lifelong changes in how the brain works. The first type of problem may be quickly fixed with a metabolic therapy such as diet or vitamin therapy. The second type of problem may be difficult to correct if the stage of development has already passed and the brain is mature.


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Nigerian Reporter Discusses Various Therapies for Autism Being Used in Her Country

Nov 10, 2010

Ruth Olurounbi, a reporter in Nigeria, provides a broad overview of autism and autism therapies currently being used. She explains symptoms and diagnostic tools. Olurounbi discusses a number of treatments that have proved successful including “auditory training, discrete trial training, vitamin therapy, anti-yeast therapy, facilitated communication, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and sensory integration.” For the sake of categorization, she divides these therapies into three major groupings: behavioral and communiation, biomedical and dietary, and complementary.

Read original article: Is Autism Treatable?


Is Your Child with Autism Getting Enough "Brain Food"?

Sep 24, 2009

Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleau, a doctor of naturopathic medicine in Canada, has written about the importance of "brain food" for all children, and most recently those with autism and other learning disorders. She calls the brain the "hungriest organ" in the body and stresses that breakfast along with essential fatty acids, like omega-3, are important for learning and concentration. She is finding that kids who do not get enough protein and iron in their foods may have problems with distraction and hyperactivity (ADHD). Dr. Rheaume-Bleau thinks that the most important supplements are found in the foods we eat, but that sometimes, vitamin supplements may be necessary.

Read original article.


Methyl-B12 May Be a Good Vitamin for Children with Autism

Apr 23, 2009

Dr. Jon Ahrendsen at the Wright Medical Center in Iowa has begun using Methyl-B12 as a supplement for children with autism. He learned about this vitamin therapy from Jodie Harker, parent of a patient with autism. She had heard about a New Jersey physician, Dr. James Neubrander, who is considered the "father" of Methyl-B12. Neubrander discovered that this vitamin may help with a defect of an enzyme that children with autism might have. Ahrendsen has used Methyl-B12 injections in 6-8 weeks trials and his patients' autism symptoms have improved. Harker says, "We were, and continue to be, amazed at the results and steady progress Chance is making. The Methyl-B12 treatment brought our son back."

Read original article.


Doctor Urges 3-Level Plan of Treatment Including Essential Fatty Acids

Mar 6, 2009

Dr. Bryan Jepson, an Austin, TX physician and father of a child with autism, recommends a 3-level plan of treatment: "replace what the child is missing; remove what is causing harm; and break the inflammatory cycle." He suggests treating symptoms of the gut, the brain, and the immune system. Especially important is nutrition; children with autism should receive enough of the right vitamins, including omega-3 fatty acids (essential fatty acids (EFA)).

Read original article.


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to Vitamin B6 and magnesium

Apr 18, 2012 by Anonymous

I think these factsheets are useful, and I would print them for interested families if there was a PDF source.


Responding to Vitamin B6 and magnesium

Apr 18, 2012 by Anonymous

I think these factsheets are useful, and I would print them for interested families if there was a PDF source.


Physician Cautions Against Restrictive Diets for Autism Unless Necessary

Feb 17, 2011 by Anonymous

This is in response to Dr. Jay L. Hoecker, an emeritus consultant in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, suggests that parents of children with autism should be careful when starting their child on a new diet.

What terrible advice.  It is not hard to do a Gluten Free Casein Free Diet and in fact is healthier than most diets people have their children on. 

It is meat, vegetables, fruits, and avoiding wheat based flours, but this doesn't mean they don't eat "grains" .  It is about cooking from scratch.  It means no preservatives, or colored dyes.

Calcium and Vitamin D can be achieved from Almond Milk or Rice Milk.

The added comment that "Temple Grandin's Mother didn't put her on this diet is ridiculous.  I know first hand that when my daughter has "gluten" she regresses in her behaviors, her ability to concentrate and her ability to talk.

It sunds like Dr. Jay is just another doctor that would rather pump kids with drugs that go the natural healing route.  Simply appalling!


Responding to essential fatty acids (EFA)

Sep 1, 2010 by PWSMom

Why is the omega 3/6/9 or the Cod Liver Oils not mentioned?  It was my understanding that this is the best way to get them into the chilren and the easiest.

Thank you,

 Diannna

Firstly, cod liver oil has high levels of vitamin A. See the therapy fact sheet on vitamin A to review some of the risks associated with vitamin A therapy.

Secondly, most of the studies were performed using omega-3 fatty acids from fish and therefore the Healing Thresholds summary focuses on the use of omega-3 fatty acids from fish.

Lastly, I think that you will find that fish oil (prified, pharmacautical grade) is as easy to administer as cod liver oil and may be better tolerated by your child. For example, my son had loose stools when we gave him cod liver oil and he does not have this problem with Ultimate Omega oil from Nordic Naturals.

- PWSMom (Healing Thresholds)


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