Allergies in Children with Autism – The Autism Exchange

Introduction

Allergies are defined as: "an acquired abnormal immune response to a substance that can cause a broad range of inflammatory responses." The most commonly understood inflammatory responses known as allergies are the first level of allergic reactions triggered from something environmental or food related that occur in the case of an immediate response, such as skin rashes, tearing eyes, hives, swelling, congestion etc. These reactions create antibodies (proteins) known as Immunogobulin E (IgE) which fight the inflammatory response. IgE allergies are seen as more immediate reactions by the general population. These involve hyper reactions to bee stings, peanuts, shrimp, etc.

The next level of allergic reactions trigger symptoms that manifest more than two or more hours later. These reactions, called IgG allergies, cause the immune system to react in a more long term way creating issues such as sleep disturbances, bedwetting, asthma, chronic sinusitis, ear infections, bladder infections etc. These allergies, known as Immunogobulin G (IgG), are much less understood as being allergies because the inflammatory reaction is affecting the immune system.

When autoimmunity develops due to Leaky Gut Syndrome, immune function is impaired and inflammation in the gastrointestinal lining causes the protective coating of antibodies called Immunogobulin A (IgA) to be released. The body is unable to fight off infection and becomes vulnerable to pathogens, bacteria, viruses, parasites, Candida, fungus etc. When the GI tract is unable to eliminate toxins, then these toxins overload the liver and deplete the liver of its sulfur containing amino acids so the detoxification process becomes impaired. Furthermore, high levels of ammonia are created due to a toxic liver which affects brain functioning. Any chemicals or toxins at this point that are ingested cannot be detoxified out of the body by the normal process and they in turn affect the brain. This is the reason why children with autism spectrum disorders may have a "neurological" reaction to foods, environmental toxins and chemical toxicity. Autistic behaviors and characteristics may be a response to an inflammatory reaction going on with the immune system due allergies which affect the child on a neurological level triggering unwanted behaviors, moods and poor cognitive functioning.

Related Sites

The Feingold Association of the United States
Description: The Feingold site helps parents eliminate foods with harmful additives and toxic ingredients and environmental toxins. They provide lots of information and support for parents with children who have behavioral problems with no apparent answers from the medical community.

Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET)
Description: NAET is a non-invasive, drug free natural solution to eliminate allergies of many different sources by employing a variety of techniques which include energy balancing, testing and treatment procedures utilizing acupuncture/acupressure, chiropractic, nutrition, and kinesiology. There are also variations on NAET such as BIOSET and ZYTO; see http://www.cnmhealth.com/2006/03/04/bioset-naet/.

Books

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies: The Ground Breaking Program for the 4-A Disorders by Kenneth Boch MD
Description: Allergies are one of the conditions that have been identified with autism spectrum disorder children. Over the last twenty years the number of children with allergies has literally sky rocked in America. Dr. Bock and his colleagues have gone to the root of the problem to find solutions which address the ongoing issues. Dr. Bock has a compelling healing approach that treats the underlying causes not the prevailing symptoms.

Why Can’t My Child Behave? by Jane Hersey
Description: This book is based on the work of Ben Feingold MD who discovered that chemicals in our food have the ability of changing behaviors in children such as causing low frustration tolerance and irritability, hyperactivity, violent outbursts, inability to pay attention and focus, asthma attacks, headaches and so on. Artificial flavorings, preservatives, fake sweeteners, salicylates, dyes found in food, medicines, beverages and vitamins may be triggering unwanted behaviors and affecting learning in our children.

Tools

ALCAT Test for Food Allergies, Food Sensitivity, and Food Intolerance
Description: This test is based on immune stimulation and each patient has a unique set of responses to substances that may trigger potentially harmful immune system reactions. A customized elimination/rotation diet is provided to reduce the body’s ongoing burden and reverse the inflammation to help balance the immune system.

Alessio Fassano, MD
Description: This video of Dr. Fassano, pediatric gastroenterologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMDSOM), from a recent Autism Research Institute conference discussing the impact of gastrointestinal problems in children with ASD. Food allergies in this population are extremely common and can affect any site in the GI tract. Dr. Fassano points out the research and explains how baseline testing can help identify infections, allergies or food sensitivities.

Parent Forums/Blogs

Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.

Forum/Blog Name: Curing ADHD, Autism, and Allergies
Description: Post successful information to help others who suffer from food created illnesses.

Forum/Blog Name: Autism and Food Allergy/Intolerance
Description: This group is for parents, caregivers, professionals in related fields and relatives of children who have both an autism spectrum disorder and food allergies/intolerances.

Consumer Corner

The AEX Directory
Description: We do not provide medical advice on this site. Please consult your practitioner to discuss treatments for medical conditions. We do have a Directory feature that includes Practitioner Lists as well as Supplement Suppliers, Lab Test Companies, Compounding Pharmacies, and Prescription Drug Lookup. This feature can be accessed by clicking the link above or clicking The AEX Directory icon from our home page or any of the Navigation bar pages.

Community Library

Better Health USA: Food Allergy Testing for ADHD and Autism by Louis B Cady MD
Description: Dr. Cady a Child, Adolescent, Adult & Forensic Psychiatrist, gives a very comprehensive explanation of the science and research behind the food allergy testing for children on the autism spectrum. She also correlates the link between the child’s symptoms and the child’s reactions to the toxic food they are ingesting possibly every day.

Immunodeficiency, Gastrointestinal Candidiasis, Wheat and Dairy Sensitivity, Abnormal Urine Arabinose, and Autism: A Case Study
Description: William Shaw, PhD, of the Great Plains Lab, discusses immunodeficiency as well as wheat and dairy sensitivities as they relate to autism.

(coming soon)