Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

Nanti’s son was diagnosed with autism at twenty-eight months. For almost a decade, she searched for answers to help give him a future with more independence, peacefulness, and a better way of life. After trying various practitioners, one after the other, that did not give her any real help or hope for his future, she persevered to find the education, guidance, and support she needed and found it at Naturally Recovering Autism. Today, due to her efforts, Nanti’s eleven year old son has greater independence, is now calm and happy, sleeps through the night, can speak, write, ride a bike, has friends, and the whole family has more peace. She says he is FINALLY on the road to recovery... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/194

Karen Thomas Interviews Zen Honeycutt, Founding Director of Moms Across America Diet does matter! The food we eat causes chemical reactions to take place in the body. These reactions can be healthy ones such as strong bones and immunity, or they can be unhealthy reactions such as an underlying cause for aggression and even violent behaviors, sleep disorders, hormonal disruption, gut dysbiosis, weak immunity, inability to focus, fatigue, anxiety, and much more. Please listen as Karen Thomas interviews Founding Executive Director of Moms Across America, Zen Honeycutt , to discuss important environmental factors relating to the food you eat and the connection to a variety of health issues. Learn what you need to know to keep your family healthy. Talk points: Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/193

A time comes in your life when you know that in order to make changes in your life you have to do something differently. When my son had debilitating symptoms of autism that no one knew how to help me with I realized it was up to me to make a change happen for him. After that last trip to the Emergency Room it was the fuel for my fire to learn on my own. Do you have this fire burning inside of you? If you want to know how to help your child with autism to live a happier, healthier and more productive life to their full potential then please join me for my free live virtual event, the Autism Recovery Action Plan. Registration is now open. Register here now! Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/192

Candida is very tricky to work with so you need to know many of the contributing factors and why it is so hard to get rid of. It’s never just one thing, and prsistency is key. Candida Induced Alcohol Poisoning Candida requires sugar as food. This can come in the source of any chemical that ends in “ose” such as glucose, fructose, or sucrose. Carbohydrates such as bread and pasta are also converted by the body into sugars that act as another food source for the yeast. When glucose (from sugars and carbohydrates) is digested by Candida, it creates the alcoholic chemical ethanol and its extremely toxic byproduct, acetaldehyde. Candida and this alcohol, acetaldehyde, are transferred via the placenta to the developing fetus and are capable of doing harm during development. After birth, the baby continues to receive alcohol through the mother’s breast milk. Alcohol can cause malnutrition by preventing the body from digesting proteins. Many liquid herbal tinctures contain alcohol. Be sure supplements are alcohol free. Associated problems from alcohol: Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/191

Children on the autism spectrum usually have both candida and heavy metal toxicity. The essential candida diet where we starve out the bad bacteria by removing the bad processed carbohydrates and excess sugars that they thrive on ensures a better outcome. However, it is lesser know that mercury will slow down the removal of candida. Mercury inhibits the body’s natural ability to fight off excess candida so it is imperative to not only do a proactive diet and candida protocol, but this must include heavy metal detoxification. Mercury is candida’s friend. It’s likely that one reason why candida can be so challenging to get rid of is because there is still mercury in the system. I have found that if we get rid of the mercury, candida seems to go away more easily, but first we must heal and strengthen the gut. The toxins released from heavy metals and fungus lower the body’s ability to turn the food we eat into energy. With conventional sulfur containing heavy metal chelating methods, such as DMSA, one must exercise caution to be sure the liver is supported first and the gut has more balance prior. Sulfur may likely disturb the already weak GI tract. These drugs also deplete the body further of important minerals and allow for reabsorption of the toxins while it’s being excreted. Mercury is known to inhibit the human body’s ability to kill Candida. It does this by preventing a type of white blood cell called neutrophils from killing the Candida fungus. These cells normally destroy microorganisms and foreign matter in the blood. Some common sources of mercury come from our environment. The air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink all contain heavy metals. Be sure you have a high quality water filter like the one here. Additionally, mercury amalgam dental fillings are a strong source of toxicity and the amalgams a mother has during pregnancy leak mercury into her system which is passed in utero to the growing fetus so the child can be born with mercury toxicity... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/190

Children on the autism spectrum almost always have an overgrowth of candida in their gut. In fact, scientists estimate that 70% of all people have an overgrowth of candida. In our intestinal system we have what are known as “good” bacteria. They work hard to keep our gut lining and our immune system in good health to fight off infection and disease. Candida, also known as yeast or fungi, is some of the normal bacteria we all carry in our gut. The problem arises when Candida’s numbers grow too high and get out of control. When the bad bacteria grow to a higher count than the good bacteria we have what is known as an overgrowth. This is often referred to as a yeast infection or Candida albicans. These bacteria have a delicate balancing system. This balance can easily be thrown off by such things as physical injury, poor diet, toxins, emotional stress and the use of antibiotics. Fungus, and yeast, such as Candida albicans in the gut, can easily be inhaled through oral secretions and affect our respiratory pathways and lungs. Fungus in the body is unknowingly tied to many allergies and can also mimic symptoms of a heart attack... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/189

Parents wonder, “If my child with autism is on a gluten free and casein free diet then how will they get enough calcium?” No dairy!!! Why not? A few reasons are that it’s Inflammatory, has a naturally high sugar content, and it creates opiates just like gluten does. Yes, just like opiate drugs, so your child may be addicted to them. Then you may ask, “How do I get calcium into my child’s body?” Minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium aid in eliminating acids from the body. An acidic body is one with toxicity, infections, and disease. Calcium If there is not an adequate supply of calcium absorbed from food or supplements, the body will recruit from its own resources, such as retrieving calcium from teeth and bones and magnesium from muscle. This leads to deficiencies in those areas and greater problems can result. I do not advocate supplementing with calcium either since excess cellular calcium can trigger many destructive processes in the brain, especially when there is lead toxicity. There are many good nutritional sources to get calcium from food. Such as broccoli, kale, almonds, salmon and sardines. Additionally, supplements that help with calcium absorption include: Magnesium It’s estimated that up to 80% of people are deficient in this mineral. It can become depleted by many things including lipid peroxidation which largely affects organs that are made of fat. The brain contains 60% fats; therefore it is highly susceptible to the damage that can be done by lipid peroxidation and to toxins from lipid-soluble substances such as pesticides and mercury... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/188

People are told by well-meaning traditional medical practitioners that if ferritin (iron) is low, then they should take iron supplements – what could be the problem with this? IRON Beware of low iron in children. It is important in brain development. There may be many causes to their fatigue, lack of ability to focus, or ADHD, and low iron may be one of them. Our children often have heavy metals in their bodies and levels of lead may also be elevated if there is a deficiency in iron. Proper enzymatic activity is critical and iron also helps assist the many functions associated with it. These enzymes are necessary for proper functioning of iron and are often not working properly due to the presence of aluminum in the body. Why Too Much Iron Is Bad On the other hand, we do not want excess iron in the body because it can cause oxidation and inflammation. Yeast and intestinal bacteria can use excess iron to their advantage, and it can be overall immunosuppressive. Iron can help strengthen pathogenic (bad) bacteria in the gut. Too much iron in the body can increase the damage from excitotoxicity due to glutamate. If your child has weak liver or kidneys, check with your healthcare practitioner regarding his iron levels as too much can be dangerous for him. Diabetics should also be very cautious with excessive iron. Studies show excessive iron can cause increased susceptibility to infection, immune abnormalities, inflammation of the stomach lining, and ulcers. Taking iron in supplement form as excess iron can promote viruses to grow-it is best to get it from food sources. ANEMIA It is common for those with imbalanced gut flora to be anemic. Anemia is when there are a lowered number of red blood cells in the body. Our kids often look pasty white and can be lethargic and weak most of the time. One likely culprit is the lack of iron, but it takes much more than iron to balance anemia. Healthy blood needs almost all of the B vitamins, vitamin C, A and D, amino acids, along with multiple minerals, including magnesium, manganese, iodine, copper and zinc... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/187

There are many types of viruses and they can cause many different health related neuro-developmental issues. In this podcast we will discuss many of these that relate to common symptoms of autism including speech, autoimmunity, cognition and our ability to think. Viruses and Autoimmunity Many viruses can adversely affect the immune system, either by suppressing its function, or causing it to mistakenly attack the cells and tissues of the host body. This is called autoimmunity. We must not overlook the harmful effects of overstimulating the immune system. The brain’s immune system contains protective cells called microglia. These cells regulate brain development, maintenance of neuronal networks, and injury repair. Viruses can be active in the body for years and be a continuing over activity of the immune system. When stimulated by a foreign substance the microglia secrete chemicals, including glutamate, preparing for an immune attack. This can get triggered in a sort of “on” position and stay activated spreading these chemicals and leading to an autoimmune issue. Multiple systems and organs of the body can be damaged. For example, the cells of the liver are highly susceptible, as well as the respiratory system. I’d also like to mention that glutamate can trigger seizures, so the viral component needs to be observed as a factor in them. The immune system plays a vital role in brain development and a weak immune system can impact brain function, especially cognition and our ability to think. Inflammation is a strong factor here. We are always working to reduce inflammation to regain health... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/186

JAMA Pediatrics Study: October 2023 released a study, Persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Early Childhood Through School Age. Findings Of the 213 children in this cohort study, 79 (37%) had non-persistent ASD. Higher baseline adaptive functioning and female sex were associated with non-persistent ASD. Oct. 11, 2023 – According to a new study from Boston Children’s Hospital researchers found that more than a third of toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder outgrew the disorder by the time they were about 6 years old. The findings were published this month in JAMA Pediatrics. ASHA Wire noted that some children with autism may LOSE their diagnosis as children. “Diagnoses can evolve as a child develops,” says Elizabeth Harstad, a developmental medicine physician, who led the study. “Our research shows how important it is that we monitor kids over time, because some children may really have changes in their social communication and behavioral function. This underscores the need for continuous assessments and adaptable intervention strategies.” The study found no meaningful association between the intensity of a child’s interventions and their chance of keeping their autism diagnosis, indicating the need for more research to understand the role that intervention may have in children who outgrow their diagnosis... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/185

Studies show that martial arts can be an effective way to build motor control through the repetition of movement in people on the autism spectrum. This helps both the motor and planning areas of the brain. It is also offers a great form of exercise in a group setting where socialization can be increased, while still allowing the individual to move at his or her own pace. Martial Arts is a great way to keep them physically active and engaged. This improves overall physical and emotional well-being. Meet Sensei Al Loren Al Loren has taught over 300,000 martial arts classes in 27 years. Al instructs kids, teens, adults, and seniors in multiple forms of martial arts including Karate, Aikido, T’ai Chi. Al was the 1986 National champion in Karate. He teaches in Marin County and San Francisco. He has had great success working with children to adulthood who are on the autism spectrum and finds that it increases balance and coordination, motor skills, muscle strength, gives confidence and offers self defense. Al Loren’s success comes from being compassionate and understanding the sensitivity necessary for each unique individual. Know that each accomplishment, however small, is a big deal. Building self esteem and trust through connection is key. Please join me for my podcast interview #53 with Al Loren, an expert in martial arts who specializes in working with children on the autism spectrum and those with other special needs. In my podcast #184 interview with Al Loren, we discuss the benefits of martial arts and his success methods for working with children and adults on the autism spectrum which are found in his new book, Martial Arts on the Autism Spectrum... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/184

Trusts and wills for children with special needs are essential to have in place now, so their future is well prepared in advance. We need to be sure our children with special needs are cared for with or without us when we are either incapable, or no longer here. In this podcast episode I interview attorney, Blake Baxter, on the subject of trusts and estate planning for children and adults with special needs. Some of the questions we address in making sure the trust is set up correctly to protect your family are: Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/183

Mary is a true inspiration of a mother’s unwavering love and persistence to find the answers to give her autistic son Kevin his best life possible. Mary has gone from “being at the end of her rope” to finding triumph and success for Kevin. She says, “Consistency with the right roadmap make all the difference”. Please listen to Mary’s inspirational story, and share it with those you know on the autism journey who could also use some inspiration. From Mary regarding her son’s autism journey: October 2023 Currently Kevin 16 year old, 10th grade Background Diagnosed 2009 (2yrs)- speech impairment- went to pre school in elementary school for the speech Diagnosed 2012 (5) Autism like features, ADHD- told to go to Social Skills Diagnosed 2016 (9) Autism level 2 needing substantial support, ADHD, Auditory processing delays, sensory issues, speech language impairment, Learning disability Our Journey up to joining the Naturally Recovering Autism Program A lot of research, going to different Autism Dr’s. Trying different protocols for 4 years. Little progress. Speech, OT, feeding classes, Brain mapping, changed diet, cranial doctor, Chiropractor, supplements Little eye contact, stomach issues, gluten intolerance, low weight, hitting, biting At school, he hid a lot under the desks even in 6th grade. In 7th grade, he would leave to go to the bathroom and stay in there for a LONG time. Active with soccer, Baseball/- challenger league, and Tae-Kwon-Do. Started Naturally Recovering Autism program 11/2020 With little eye contact, stomach issues, gluten intolerance, low weight, hitting, biting, low social skills Below grade level for all classes except Math Struggling with Life Importance of staying in the program Today: Moved from Autism level 2 down to Autism level 1. Still below grade level in the reading/ language skills. He is about 8/9 grade level in reading/language. Has grown educationally 99% in the last year... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/182

Oxalates, salicylates, and phenols may be the culprit of new physical and/or emotional symptoms. They can trigger histamine intolerance and lead to many unwanted symptoms. A low histamine, low oxalate, low salicylate, low phenol diet along with support for detoxification, including liver support and healing the gut, and balancing candida, are all crucial. There are some enzymes that can help along the way as we work on the underlying root cases, but we need to reduce the amounts of these foods our child is eating, especially if we notice symptoms after eating. Histamines Close to 100% of children with autism have histamine intolerance and mast cell activation. Histamines are released by the digestive tract and the brain in defense as an allergic reaction. In histamine intolerance the body is over producing histamines and there are too many for the body to break down. This stress type response is a trigger for mast cell activation which creates a strong inflammatory response in the body. Symptoms to look for in histamine reactions Symptoms from histamine triggers are both physical and behavioral. They can vary from itching, hives, rashes, sleep problems, anxiety, extreme mood changes, seizures, digestive issues and diarrhea to increased stimming and more. By reducing stomach acid histamines contribute to further issues with digestion working against your efforts to heal the gut, and is a common reason for GERD or acid back up. One reaction can happen without all of the others. This can make it hard to determine what the cause is. Try a low histamine diet for a week. If symptoms subside then it can be helpful in determining... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/181

Why is my child a picky eater and what can I do to improve his diet? I hear this question all the time. In fact, it’s one of the most common questions I get so let’s dive into some of the reasons why and what you can do about it. Diet can be tricky to transition for our picky eaters, especially those with autism, but there is hope. My own son was once a very picky eater and today he is not at all, and I’ve helped hundreds of parents transition their kids to healthier diets over time. Children and adults with autism can be stuck in their routines and have some obsessions around food, but there’s even more to this. Some of the reasons why your child with Autism is a picky eater: Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/180

Artificial sweeteners are unhealthy alternatives. For example aspartame is an excitotoxin which means it literally can excite brain cells to death. Current evidence indicates that sucralose and saccharin could influence the gut microbiota by reducing the good bacteria in the gut, and it has been linked to cancers. For instance, in one study, scientists fed Splenda to rats for 12 weeks. Splenda is an artificial sweetener that contains sucralose. The authors concluded that, after 12 weeks, the rats had fewer beneficial gut bacteria. Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar Hypoglycemia is a condition that comes from low blood sugar or glucose. Behavioral outbursts, anxiety, and lack of ability to think clearly come from the brain being starved of its energy supply. When it has been too long since our last meal or snack, blood sugar drops and our brain cannot function properly. If we eat too many sugars and refined carbohydrates, our body responds by releasing large amounts of insulin to counteract the effects of all of the sugar. This is especially hard on the liver and can cause it to become congested creating further physical and behavioral problems. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can trigger many unhealthy reactions in our bodies. Excess insulin secretion can contribute to many severe disorders including allergies, asthma, alcoholism, cancer, heart disease, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, and more. The Glycemic Index The glycemic index or GI is a way to measure the physiological effect that various foods have on blood glucose levels. Knowing this can help you to control those hunger and energy fluctuations during the day by eating better choices. This becomes very easy in a short period of time. Once you begin to learn what foods are high and which are low it starts to fall into common sense... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/179

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins and one that most people are deficient in. Be sure you supplement with vitamin D3, as it is the most bioabsorbable form. Many neurodevelopment conditions are associated with vitamin D deficiency such as depression, lack of motivation, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, muscular sclerosis, and schizophrenia. Vitamin D helps neurons grow and survive, and is important in brain development and its protection. It also decreases heavy metal damage to the brain, and is anti-inflammatory. As we approach the winter months we have less exposure to vitamin D from the sun. I’ve always said it’s not flu season, it’s low vitamin D season. This is why the prevalence of colds, flus and other viruses is so strong in the months with less sunlight and less skin exposure due to long sleeves and long pants covering our skin. Vitamin D is essential for fighting both viral and bacterial infections. It seems to be especially important in fighting viruses and is a far better choice in fighting the flu than anything, especially other toxin filled options that only cover one strain of influenza. A 2009 pediatric research journal stated that children and infants deficient in vitamin D are more susceptible to viral infections. Several large observational studies have shown a link between a deficiency and respiratory tract infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. —Any mechanism that prevents UVB absorption (clothing, increased pollution, longer periods spent indoors, etc.) works in a similar fashion to prevent cutaneous production of vitamin D3. Using the definitions from above, estimates suggest that 1 billion people around the world may be vitamin D insufficient/deficient... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/178

Sonja is grandmother to her autistic grandson, Kyle. She is getting results now because she has been proactive and persistent to find the right program that offers a complete roadmap and the support she needs. Sonja says, “We could have recovered Kyle a long time ago if we weren’t so overwhelmed.” Sonja and her daughter no longer live in overwhelm on the autism journey and are finally getting results recovering her 21-year-old grandson, Kyle. She says it’s all thanks to the Naturally Recovering Autism roadmap she now has in our membership program. It lets you do steps one at a time as a slow and steady process so it has also helped bring Kyle’s mom on board. Sonia is so happy to hear Kyle saying his first clear sentence and says, “I know I will recover my grandson now that I have the Naturally Recovering Autism roadmap”. Kyle has only spoken in broken words in the past. This time it was a complete sentence and it was clear with NO STIMMING. It was as if you and I were having a normal conversation. Being on this program is a lot better than the last one I was on. Responses were weeks and weeks away with testing results. The Doctor was difficult to get online. Thanks again for all you do Karen. It’s amazing these children deserve a much better life. These kids deserve college, marriage, and being the person they were meant to be. Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/177

Inflammation is a crucial process for our health, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to a host of health problems. Recent studies have suggested that inflammation may play a role in the development of autism. A study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that children with autism had higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood than typically developing children. Another study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that children with autism had higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in their brains than typically developing children. Some Causes of Inflammation Environmental toxins including heavy metals, coinfections, pathogens (viruses, fungi, candida, parasites, Lyme, Mold, etc), Poor diet, Electromagnetic Field Radiation, plus maternal stress increases inflammation in the fetus. What is inflammation and how is it related to autism? Inflammation is a natural response by the immune system to protect the body from harmful stimuli such as pathogens or toxins. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to tissue damage and a variety of health problems, including autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and even neurological disorders like autism. Recent research has suggested that inflammation may contribute to the development of autism by disrupting brain development in utero or early childhood. Inflammation can also exacerbate symptoms associated with autism, such as irritability and social withdrawal... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/176

There are Some Common Causes Why Children With Autism Have Trouble Focusing, however, as we do this there are natural supplements that can assist. We will discuss both. Know I am here to help you on this journey. Natural Supplements to Help Focus and Behavior Prescription medications come with negative side effects. There are natural ways to work with focus and attention issues. Always check with your practitioner for individual dosage needs. Omega 3 fatty acidsneurotransmitterPANSneurotransmitter These next two have strong caveats with them so let me explain further… Probiotics Probiotics build good bacteria in the gut. This also crowds out the bad bacteria which interfere with immunity and clear thinking. You must start slowly with probiotics due to a die-off reaction that happens when too many bad bacteria die at once and release their toxins. Half of a capsule is plenty to begin as you watch for symptoms. Reduce the dosage if symptoms arise. Parents are rarely educated in the essential knowledge of die off reactions that can happen from detoxifying too rapidly and not having enough proper toxin support binders in place. When yeast “dies off” it releases toxins that can enter your bloodstream. This is also known as Herxheimer’s reaction. It means that the liver cannot keep up with filtering out the toxic waste being released by the dying pathologic organisms. Symptoms of die off include irritability, headaches, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Some people also experience either diarrhea or constipation.There may be heightened emotional outbursts or hyperactivity... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/175