I knew in my heart that Moses would be okay. I knew that to be true in my heart.

And, yet, then longer we were there, and the greater the interventions were being used and the deeper Moses’ illness got, I feared that Moses’ system was being trashed and that there might be a point at which he wouldn’t be able to rebound. That was my fear. I feared that all of the “good” things that we had done to heal my son up to that point were being unraveled before my eyes.

Shortly after our time in the hospital, we consulted with Moses’ naturopath, whom both my husband and I dearly love. We don’t see Moses’ naturopath very often. Currently, we only see her about once a year, just to bring her up to speed on things.

DH and I find it so healing to see our naturopath. She provides a middle ground where DH and I can meet. DH loves her because she is so level-headed and intelligent. He sees her as a physician who uses “natural” supplements.  He can understand her logic (whereas, he just can’t understand Heilkunst homeopathy). I love her because she is so intuitive and empathetic. She provides a very safe space for us both. A session with our naturopath is like having a session with a marriage counsellor for us. DH and I both share our views, and she holds them for us, and helps us to find a compromise, a way that it can work for both of us.

I shared my fears with our naturopath and she told me a story about snakes and ladders. And I will remember this story if I ever need it again.

She told us that Moses’ healing journey is like a game of snakes and ladders. Moses’ healing journey has been step by step and gradual. Taking time. Whereas others around us seemed to be getting a lot of ladders, we would roll the dice and get a one, and then another one, and then another one. But slowly, incrementally, he was healing. We were making progress. We were kicking this game’s butt! And then we landed on a big snake (the pneumonia) and it felt like we were going back to square one. And the fear was that we were going to have to take that healing journey, that long and arduous healing journey, one step at a time again.

She assured us that shortly after our time in the hospital, we would find ourselves landing on a big ladder, and we will wind up back where we were. Maybe even past where we were. She says that she sees this all the time. Healing journeys are like games of snakes and ladders. Not snakes and snakes. And not ladders and ladders. But snakes and ladders. And ladders always follow a snake. And all of the hard work we had put into this journey didn’t just vanish. And we will “win” this game. We  have already won because we’re playing it.

She was right. Moses rebounded just fine. He is right back to his old (healthy) self. It took a bit of time, but he did.

Now the hospital visit is just a distant memory. And, I’ll remember next time not to be so fearful of the snakes*. Because there is always a ladder waiting around the corner.

* In actuality, in the shamanic view, snakes are not to be feared at all since snakes symbolize deep healing, shedding of the past and connection to Mother Earth.

I don’t really want to dwell in the past, about the two weeks that Moses spent in the hospital in November, but I feel that I still need to  talk about it because it helps with my process.

I always wonder about the meaning of things…  why things happen…  the message behind events…  what are the lessons?

Why did Moses get so sick and why did he go so deep, after a period of time when he was doing so well.

I have some ideas.

It occurred right before 11-11-11, during the 2 week period immediately following October 28, 2011 (which marked the end of the Mayan calendar, according to some interpretations). It was a time of great light / big energy / huge shifts. Somehow, I feel that time in the hospital symbolized a time for us as a family to be sequestered, away from normal life, away from work and to be together as family.

Certainly some things fell away at that time. It marked a time for me to release some of my old roles, to make space for changes in my life. Self care became a priority.

I feel a real shift occurred for the whole family.

Throughout that period, I felt in my heart that Moses would be okay. That helped me get through that time.

I certainly felt a lot of anger towards the medical system and loss of power. I’m still trying to figure out how to stand in my power, stand up for my son and what I feel he needs, especially when it conflicts with the medical professionals’ opinions.

It’s difficult too because my husband goes to a place of fear during this time, and we often stand divided, not together in how we want to approach things (he’s fearful that I won’t let any medical interventions occur, and I’m angry that he is allowing the medical interventions occur).

I feel that Moses got so sick because of the “just in case” IV antibiotics that he received for four days and the lack of sleep during this time as we travelled back and forth to the hospital during all hours of the day and at night. My boy is a sensitive boy, whose homeostatis gets out of whack easily.

I didn’t mention this earlier, but during that time, Moses was also clearing one of the chronic miasms, sycosis, related to his Heilkunst homeopathic healing. Obviously a huge one for him to clear.

Sycosis is one of the eight chronic miasms, or archetypal diseases.

Sycosis is related to excesses in mind and tissue.  People with an active sycosis miasm are susceptible to vaccine damage.

The main expression of sycosis is excess in all areas. You may have an increased appetite for food, excitement, action. Sycosis is the root of most “-itis” diseases, with inflammation and copious discharge. Memory problems and slowness are typical.

Sycosis is related to a host of conditions involving the prefix “hyper” (duh…  Moses’ diagnosis is hyper IgE syndrome). It’s related to blood disorders (Moses has a second diagnosis, G-6-PD deficiency, which makes his blood susceptible to hemolysis, which actually happened during his time in the hospital as well). Ironically, it’s also related to blood transfusions and Moses needed a blood transfusion during our time in the hospital.

Prior to the clearing, his homeopath didn’t think this miasm would be difficult to clear, and I had hoped that she was right (but had suspected that it would be a big one). I had remembered that early in Moses’ treatment, she mentioned that this miasm was active in Moses (e.g., showing up in the abscesses he used develop), but to a lesser extent than the Syphilis or Tuberculosis miasms.

Four days after we started clearing sycosis, Moses developed the dental abscess, which led us down this road. I think it eventually developed into pneumonia due to his body’s response to all of the suppression that was occurring (IV antibiotics, anti-fever medication, etc.). Our Heilkunstler mentioned that Moses’ sustentive power (his life force that works hard to bring his body back to balance) is now so much stronger and the large pneumonia that resulted was evidence of his body trying hard to rid itself of toxins and come back into balance. I think our time in the hospital was also so long because the homeopathic remedies that he was taking to counter act all of the medical interventions were bringing out strong responses. Responses that the medical system mistook as illness, but was actually his body trying hard to come back into wellness.

It wasn’t an easy ride to take. I consulted with many of my own healers / health practitioners about it after. Some admonished me that I didn’t stand in my power enough. I knew that the medical interventions were going to be difficult on my son and I stayed silent and seethed inwards with anger at a system that doesn’t understand how healing works, but mostly angry at my own silence.

I’ve forgiven myself. I have to. And I’m not sure what I would do different if I had to walk that path again. I feel like a crazy person sometimes because I know that some of the things that I think sound so foolish to many people. Most people don’t understand homeopathy, and Heilkunst, I think is particularly difficult to understand. And yet it is working. This “foolishness” is actually leading my son to true, deep and remarkable healing.

Although I’ve shared so much on this blog, I still feel so vulnerable sharing. Scared that someone in the medical profession, one of Moses’ doctors may come across my blog and read it. Scared that they will think that some of my thoughts are not only foolish, but harmful to my son.

And yet the truth, the real truth is that Moses is healing. And he is healing not as a result of all of the medical interventions, but in spite of the medical interventions. (And I say this with great respect because I know some of our children need to use medical interventions to survive and to thrive. I am merely sharing my own truth of my son’s situation).

The scary thing is that Moses has only cleared two levels of sycosis (there are four levels to clear in total). I stopped the sycosis powders when he was in the hospital and we still need to clear the next two levels. I had planned to do so in January, giving us all a much needed and well deserved break over Christmas. I’m going to wait a bit longer still because I want to see first how he does with increasing his glutathione levels. One thing at a time. But I’m definitely going to continue with it because I feel that Heilkunst is healing the root causes of Moses’ illness.

It’s obviously not an easy path, but it is a path that has brought remarkable healing for my son.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about the benefits of glutathione, and how increasing glutathione levels can help people with many disorders, diseases, syndromes, etc. It’s been stimulating my left brain as I’ve been delving into the scientific literature and I’ve been finding the reading so rich. (In case you are interested, I’ve been compiling what I’ve been learning here).

Then last night, just for fun, I wondered if there might be a link between shamanism and glutathione.

Much to my surprise, Dr. David Perlmutter and Dr. Alberto Villoldo’s Power up your Brain book came up in my search.

This is of particular interest to me because a couple of months ago (around the same time that I was getting the message that it was important to increase my glutathione levels), I was getting the message that it was important for me to read this book. I knew about the book because Dr. Alberto Villoldo is one of the main influences in my shamanic path. He is the teacher of most of my own shamanic healers and teachers, and I’ve read as many of his books as possible. He’s the author of one of my favourite books, Shaman, Healer, Sage. At the time, I tried to find out what supplements are recommended in the book to “power up your brain” because I knew that their suggestions would be useful for my son. I couldn’t easily find out during my search, and let it go..

In Power up your Brain, Drs. Perlmutter and Villoldo team up to teach about the science of enlightenment. Dr. Perlmutter discusses the neuroscience of enlightenment, as well as treatments and supplements that can help best feed your brain, and Dr. Villoldo discusses spiritual and shamanic exercises one can do to awaken your higher brain. Two of the treatments that they discuss as being important in stimulating your higher brain is hyperbaric chamber oxygen treatments and IV glutathione treatments (interestingly, both of these techniques are also discussed in McCarthy and Kartzinel’s Healing and Preventing Autism book as being treatments that can help autistic children). Fascinatingly, Dr. David Perlmutter is one of the pioneers of using IV glutathione to treat individuals with Parkinson’s disease. (You can watch a video about that here and read an interview with him here).

Our protocols utilize intravenous glutathione and hyperbaric oxygen to optimize mitochondrial function as well as foods and supplements that help undo the damage done to the brain by years of stressful living. We find that mitochondria, the mind, and the brain respond extraordinarily quickly to these interventions. Then, through shamanic meditation practices, we can heal from toxic emotions and discover inner peace…

Using this program, you can develop the gifts once ascribed only to a privileged few. And in the process, you’ll have the chance to gain other health benefits, including a reduced risk of devastating brain diseases, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s; elimination of debilitating mood swings; the breaking of unhealthy emotional and behavior patterns; the overcoming of painful memories and past traumas; a powerful clarity of thought; and the potential for maximum human life span; all without the use of drugs. When we repair our brains and heal our toxic emotions, we move toward a state of personal health and well-being. Then, we can bring forth the qualities attributed to enlightened beings: inner peace, wisdom, compassion, joy, creativity, and a new vision of the future. (excepted from their article here)

Felt like a big cosmic wink to me and how I’m on the right track…  Just seems so funny to me that such seemingly divergent topics are actually related.

I’m going to get a copy of Power up your Brain and will share more as I learn more…

More reading:

• Power up your Brain website
• read an article by Drs. Perlmutter and Villoldo about the neuroscience of enlightenment here.
• How glutathione can help children with autism here.
• A way to increase glutathione levels by supplementation here.

I have been feeling very good (I really feel that increasing my glutathione levels have helped with that).

I’ve been (as much as possible) taking time out every day to centre, ground, connect with the earth and Spirit, practice a cleansing and purifying breath and a candle meditation. Balance my chakras.

I’ve been walking 20 minutes every day. Stretching when it feels like my body wants to stretch.

Practicing gratitude.

My shift from teaching a weekly yoga class to taking a weekly yoga class has been a great one for me. Took a contact improvisation class with some friends a couple of weeks ago to try something different.

Our family went for a little walk through the woods on Sunday. It had been a long time since we had done that, and it was a good reminder for us to do more of that. We had forgotten that nature is our church. It was good to spend some time breathing in fresh air and the smell of spruce trees, connecting as a family.

I feel that I’ve created more space in my life. Less stress. The days are feeling longer because I have been trying to practice more moment to moment mindfulness.

I’m planning a trip to Sedona in October. Have my mom’s yearly visit to Newfoundland booked for November.

Moses is thriving. Emotionally, mentally and physically. My husband and I are so pleased.

Breathing in….  breathing out…  Life is good! Feeling thankful.

My name is Carly Fleischmann and as long as I can remember I’ve been diagnosed with autism.

I am not able to talk out of my mouth, however I have found another way to communicate by spelling on my computer. (and yes that is me typing on the computer by myself)

I used to think I was the only kid with autism who communicates by spelling but last year I met a group of kids that communicate the same way. In fact some are even faster at typing then I am.

Last year a story about my life was shown on ABC news, CNN and CTV here in Canada.

After my story was played I kept on getting lots of emails from moms, dads, kids and people from different countries asking me all sorts of questions about autism. I think people get a lot of their information from so-called experts but I think what happens is that experts can’t give an explanation to certain questions. How can you explain something you have not lived or if you don’t know what it’s like to have it? If a horse is sick, you don’t ask a fish what’s wrong with the horse. You go right to the horse’s mouth.

Carly’s website is here.

Her story on ABC news is here. This brought me to tears, particularly the part when she tells her dad how much she appreciates how he’s always been there for her, supporting her and how much she loves him.

Dr. Kartzinel discusses how many autistic children come from “poor methylating families”, meaning families that tend to have a difficult time producing glutathione (i.e., the overall function of the methylation pathway is under genetic control). Poor methylating families have a family history of depression, bipolar disease, schizophrenia, suicide, constipation, attention deficit disorder, alcoholism and, of course, autism. See also this list of diseases and illnesses that are linked to low glutathione levels. Furthermore, the methylation pathway is sensitive to environmental toxins, such as mercury. So a person who is exposed to a toxin (like mercury) who is already undermethylating (i.e.,  under producing glutathione) will have an even more difficult time detoxing when exposed to such toxins. It turns into a vicious cycle.

Glutathione can be taken intravenously, transdermally or through a nebulizer. Note that supplementing directly with oral glutathione is generally not effective because studies have found that glutathione does not survive the digestive process. Furthermore, supplementing with oral glutathione can result in a yeast outbreak and gut imbalance. Watch a news story about autistic children receiving glutathione IV treatments here. Injections are only minimally useful, since glutathione cannot enter into the cells themselves. It must be manufactured inside the cells (when the necessary components are available.) As Dr. Kartzinel explains, methyl B12 injections and supplementing with trimethylglycine (TMG) or dimethylglycine (DMG),  folic acid and N-acetyl-cysteine can increase glutathione levels. Read Dr. Kartizel’s blog post about the methylation process, glutathione and autism here.

When I first read about glutathione, I knew that both my son and I needed to increase our glutathione levels (given that we have a history of diseases within our family that indicates that we are a poor-methylating family), but it sounded so complicated to do. When I first found out about this supplement, MaxGXL, that is known to increase glutathione levels, a voice within me told me that it was a significant supplement that could help many individuals (including autistic children).

I first found out about MaxGXL 1.5 years ago.  I tried it back then and found a noticeable difference in my energy levels and my mental clarity. I felt excited about it and felt that it could really help Moses, as well as many others. But, one of its ingredients is derived from shellfish (one of Moses’ allergens), and so I didn’t continue with the supplement because I was looking for something that could help Moses.

Then back in November when we were in the hospital with Moses for two weeks and my reserves were depleted, I kept getting the message that the supplement could help me.  So shortly thereafter, I did many things for my own self care, and one of the things that I did was order some MaxGXL for me.

Within hours of taking it, I felt my energy levels increase and my mental clarity improve. I felt more focused. More balanced emotionally. I found that my body was starting to crave healthier foods (like greens, salads and smoothies) and not comfort foods (like potato chips and chocolate). I was having energy at night to exercise. I could actually feel my brain detoxing and GI tract detoxing. I could literally feel poisons being released from my system through my bowels. Really.

I’ve spent the last month researching it and not only do I intuitively feel that this supplement could help most people, I also feel that there is strong science behind this (because glutathione has been so well researched, and there is strong science behind MaxGXL as well).

Also in the last year, Max International introduced another glutathione producing product, MaxOne, that is allergy-friendly because it is not derived from shellfish or mushrooms. Since MaxOne is so potent and my boy is so sensitive, I’m giving him the tiniest bit of it right now (approx. 1/6 of a capsule). Even with that little bit, I’ve been finding that he’s been noticeably detoxing, which is a good sign that the MaxOne is working. Nonetheless, I’m going to cut back to 1/6 of a capsule every other day and see how that goes. I’d like to support a gradual increase in his glutathione levels, while making it comfortable for him. Over time, I’ll eventually increase it to 1/2 to 2/3 of a capsule, which is appropriate for his weight (45 lbs).

Within the first week of starting MaxOne, Moses’ penmenship and ability to use scissors drastically improved (I feel that this has something to do with something in his brain detoxifying which allowed these neural pathways a better chance to function). His face had a “glow” to it. He stabilized emotionally (prior to this, he was understandably “fragile” emotionally, after our time in the hospital).

In any case, I’ve decided that I like the product so much that I’ve decided to recommend Max International products. If you want to find out more, I’ve written more about this topic in the following posts on my Healing with Glutathione website:

• What is glutathione;
• Disease and illnesses linked to low glutathione levels (there are A LOT) here;
• Why glutathione production is important for autistic children, including testimonials by other parents with autistic children here;
• What is MaxGXL, including ingredients;
• Testimonials;
• Price and how to order MaxGXL; and
• General instructions for taking MaxGXL.

As always, I’ll continue to let you know how things unfold for me and the family. And, if you have any experience with trying to increase your or your child’s glutathione levels using this product or other methods, I’d love to hear about it.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or send me an email at spirityoga@live.com.

Additional reading

• read these scientific papers about autism and glutathione here
• a general article about the link between Parkinson’s disease and autism [i.e., low glutathione levels] here;
• Scientific paper: “A clinical trial of glutathione supplementation in autism spectrum disorders” here (note that they did not test MaxGXL specifically, but this study shows that scientists feel that there is scientific merit to increasing glutathione levels in autistic children).
• Low natural killer cell cytotoxic activity in autism: the role of glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15. “We conclude that that 45% of a subgroup of children with autism suffers from low NK cell activity, and that low intracellular levels of glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15 may be responsible.”
• Mercury and autism: Accelerating Evidence? “The process of cysteine and glutathione synthesis, which are crucial for natural mercury detoxification, are reduced in autistic children, possibly due to genetic polymorphisms [13,30]. Therefore, autistics have 20% lower plasma levels of cysteine and 54% lower levels of glutathione, which, among others, adversely affect their ability to detoxify and excrete metals like mercury”
• Biomarkers of environmental toxicity and susceptibility in autism. “Significantly decreased plasma levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), cysteine, and sulfate were observed among study participants relative to controls. The transsulfuration abnormalities observed among study participants indicate that mercury intoxication was associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased detoxification capacity.”
• read an article by American Healthcare Foundation about glutathione and autism here. “A study performed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine suggested that excessive cellular oxidative stress may be a factor causing autism. In the study, researchers measured plasma glutathione and its metabolic precursors in 95 autistic children and 75 children without autism. It was found that levels of glutathione are significantly lower in autistic children than in the children without autism.”
• an article discussing the importance of glutathione for detoxing heavy metals of autistic children here and here. Glutathione is the body’s chief detoxifier.  It works with MT proteins to remove heavy metals and other harmful substances like pesticides and PCBs. Dr. S. Jill James has shown that 90% of children on the  autism spectrum as well as their parents have impaired methylation.  The active form of glutathione is reduced 80% in kids with autism.

Jini Patel Thompson feels that there are eight key protocols that nearly everyone needs to implement in order to see their digestive healing progress rapidly:

1. Rest the bowel
2. Eradicate pathogens
3. Re-opulate the gastrointestinal tract with good bacteria
4. Heal inflammation and ulceration
5. Resolve nutrient deficiencies
6. Detox your living environment
7. Heal emotional contributors
8. Balance your endocrine system

Such great information. A lot of information that I’ve seen before, but she has specific supplements that she suggests in Step 5 (click on this link to find out which supplements she suggests), and I also like that she includes step 7 (i.e., heal emotional contributors) and suggests techniques such as emotional freedom technique (EFT), which is a method that I’ve used in the past which I’ve found to be very effective and easy at addressing and healing emotional issues.

Healing the gut is so important for some many ailments, including colitis, Crohn’s, diverticulitis, IBS, auto-immune disorders, MS, allergies and autism.

She also had specific suggestions for my friend’s son, who has Hyper IgE Syndrome (Job’s syndrome), including:

• an elemental diet
• Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol (cycling on and off as needed, according to his symptoms). See her video with 5 year old Zara for the easy way to take it.
• cod liver oil – 6 capsules per day, or 1.5 tsp.
• Vitamin D (get levels tested, but likely needs at least 3,000 IU per day)
• Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) – 1 per day
• Bone Support – 1 tbsp per day
• Minerals Of Life Trace Minerals – 1 tbsp per day
• Natren probiotics – high dose
• Cycle on and off (2 weeks on, then 1-2 weeks off) these immune strengtheners: Astragalus, Maitake
• L-glutamine – 1,000 mg per day
• N-Acetyl Glucosamine, or if he has intestinal inflammation or pain issues, then MucosaHeal instead – follow label directions for adults
• B-Complex vitamins – 1 per day
• Houston Enzymes
• MetaCleanse – likely will only need a small amount, or 1 tbsp. chia seeds mixed in liquid

She also suggests a daily green juice (here is a recipe for a green smoothie that we use in our family).

She also suggests watching this “Healing Journey Movie”.

Many of her suggestions are things that we are currently doing for Moses, have considered doing, or have done in the past. It also gives us some ideas for things that we might want to implement at some point.

For myself. For my family. For you. For your family. For all of us.

I played The Wish Game with this intention a couple of days ago with some dear friends.

During The Wish Game, you are guided to choose cards from various decks and the cards that you choose are messages from Spirit about your wish.

During the game, one of cards that I chose said, “You are blocking your wish. What are you anxious about?”

I spoke of how I have this underlying anxiety that runs constantly, an anxiety about Moses’ health, that it might take a turn at any moment. It’s like a computer program that’s constantly running in the background, draining my energy.

I spoke about how I wanted to let go of this anxiety, to release it, since this anxiety doesn’t serve or help Moses or me.

I asked for Spirit to release me from this anxiety. So be it. And it is so, and so it is.

During the game, my friends reflected back their own intuition / messages that they received.

One shared that she felt that somehow Moses and I were orchestrating this dance and that my anxiety was feeding Moses’ episodes of illness, which was feeding my anxiety — a vicious cycle.

Another shared that she experiences the love of our family (the three of us) like a huge waterfall, the size of Niagara Falls — big, tremendous, powerful. So much love.

And the other gently reminded me that our children are not our own. That Moses is on his own soul’s journey.

As Kahlil Gibran says in The Prophet:

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they do not belong to you.

You may give them your love, but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

Other messages came up for me during the game. Messages like, “We are all One”, which is a reminder that we are all connected. And me wishing for balance, ease and joy also helps everyone else around the world come into balance, ease and joy. For we are all connected. We are all One.

One of my friends shared that I often help her to feel balance, ease and joy in her life. And I remarked that I feel like my life purpose, through teaching yoga and through energy healing, is to help others experience ease and joy in their own lives.

And so dear friends, I am wishing for us all, a year of balance, ease and joy — for my family and for yours. For us all.

I feel that the universe is calling us strongly home to our heart space, and if we remain in that space, we will be in balance, ease and joy. Our heart is calling us home.

I had this amazing carrot, beet and avocado salad at a Christmas party, and it was delicious and full of goodness!

Red beet is unique for its high levels of antioxidants that protect the body against heart disease and certain cancers. They are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and an excellent source of folic acid.  Betacyanin, the the pigment that gives beets their red color is absorbed into the blood and can greatly increase the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood.

I’m sharing this on my blog so that I don’t lose track of this great recipe, and so you can enjoy it too!

Ingredients

1 large carrot, grated
2 medium beets, grated
2 cups jicama, grated (or you can use 2 green apples instead)
1 avocado, cubed
1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
 For dressing:

3 Tbs. frozen apple juice concentrate
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raw sesame seeds
Celtic sea salt to taste
Directions
Place the carrot, beet, jicama (apples) and cliantro in a bowl and toss. In a separate bowl, wisk together ingredients for dressing. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss with seeds. Salt to taste if desired. Add the avocado just before serving.

A fresh perspective on autism research with the developing “Bacterial Theory” of autism. The fastest-growing developmental disorder in the industrialized world, autism has increased an astounding 600 per cent over the last 20 years. Science cannot say why. Some say it’s triggered by environmental factors and point to another intriguing statistic: 70 per cent of kids with autism also have severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Could autism actually begin in the gut? The Autism Enigma looks at the progress of an international group of scientists who are studying the gut’s amazingly diverse and powerful microbial ecosystem for clues to the baffling disorder.

I love and highly respect David Suzuki and was glad that he addressed autism in this recent episode. The documentary mostly addressed the link between the health of the gut flora and autism. I feel that it was mostly well done for a “mainstream documentary”. (In my opinion, parents who are healing their children with autism could put together a better documentary since they actually know what is helping and healing their children. I disagree with the fact that the documentary discredited the potential link between vaccines and autism, and feel that it was too bad that it didn’t discuss many of the other biomedical or homeopathic treatments that are out there and are actually working).

Healing the Gut

Nonetheless, I feel that it is worth watching. It provides the scientific explanations for why healing the gut of our children is so important. And this is why probiotics, cultured foods, the Body Ecology diet, and the GAPS diet are an important part of healing our children. Likely most of my readers will be very familiar with much of the information that is presented in the documentary. (Read my friend, Lisa’s, recent post about the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet here).

Given that my son has been on a prophylactic antibiotic for over a year now (related to his Hyper IgE Syndrome diagnosis and something that I’m not a big fan of), this documentary was important for me to see to remind me of what is likely going on in Moses’ gut. He is on a daily probiotic, but it feels like it’s a losing battle since he takes the antibiotic twice a day. I also need to get started on the cultured veggies again.

(Happily, despite the fact that Moses is on a daily antibiotic, he is still healing and has been getting stronger overall in the last year, therefore, I feel that all of the other good stuff that we’ve been doing with him — especially Heilkunst homeopathy – has outweighed the potential negative effects of the antibiotic.  My long-term goal is to eventually get DH onside with using a “natural antibiotic” instead of a pharmaceutical one.  Moses is on miracle mineral solution (MMS), which is a natural antiobiotic as well, but DH doesn’t feel that it’s enough at the moment).

Increased rate of autism in Somalian children

One thing that I learned from the documentary is that there is a high rate of autism amongst Somalian children who have immigrated to North America (and autism is virtually non-existent in children in Somalia — so much so that they refer to autism as a “western disease”). In Somalia, fermented foods are a typical part of the diet. What they didn’t say in the documentary is that children in Somalia don’t receive the same number of vaccines as they do in North America (in general, children in Somalia don’t have the same access to vaccines, and certainly don’t receive up to 36 vaccinations by the time that they are five years old). Things that make me go ”hmmm…..”

More reading:

• Article about  Somalian children, vaccinations and autism here.
• Globe and Mail article about the “Somali autism puzzle” here.