Specific Behavioural Issues
Children on the Autism Spectrum exhibit a wide range of behavioural issues. Here I have listed some of the more common behavioural traits, what may be causing them and how they can be managed.
This is not a complete list, if there is a behavioural issue that you are trying to deal with that is not listed, email me and I will endeavour to sort it out.
WARNING!!
Please consult a practitioner familiar with supplementing ASD children. There are appropriate dosages that need to be determined, or co-factors than may need to be added. Some children may regress on a supplement, an experienced practitioner will know whether this is transient or a negative reaction to the supplement.
Aggression
CONSIDER
- Dietary sensitivities (MSG, artificial sweeteners)
- Hypoglycaemia
- Pain, GI issues
- Yeast issues
- Strep throat
- Kryptopyrrole disorder
MAY HELP
Chewing on clothes, metal, etc. (Pica)
CONSIDER
- Chelation of heavy metals
- Whether onset due to beginning a new supplement
OPTIONS
Constipation
CONSIDER
- Food sensitivities, esp wheat, milk and egg
- Dehydration
- Lack of fibre
- Yeast issue
- Iron supplement
- Calcium citrate can cause constipation if prone to sluggish bowels
- Weed, Seed and Feed, gut repair protocol
- EPO
MAY HELP
- Magnesium oxide (Colozone)
- Aloe vera gel
- Psyllium
Dark Circles Under Eyes
CONSIDER
- Food allergies – a classic sign
Distended Abdomen
CONSIDER
- Food sensitivities
- Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
MAY HELP
- Digestive enzymes (Zymax)
- Bowel repair program (“Weed, Seed and Feed”)
- Recommended: Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
Hand Flapping
CONSIDER
- Anxiety issues
- Ammonia issues (esp if high protein diet)
- Tryptophan depletion
- Enzymes as a cause
- Yeast issues
Hyperactivity
CONSIDER
- Gluten, casein in diet
- Phenolic foods
- Salicylates
- May be a problem with glutamate
- Some children are more hyper before a bowel movement
- Orange juice or citrus in general
- Hypoglycaemia
MAY HELP
- Omega-3 oils (unflavoured is best as some children react to the colours and flavours) (Nordic naturals Cod Liver Oil)
- Zinc (Zymin)
- Magnesium (NuroBalance)
- Rescue remedy
- Epsom salt baths/ cream
- GABA
- Taurine
- Molybdenum
- Frequent small nutritious snacks (blood sugar issues)
Mouth Licking
CONSIDER
- Food sensitivities
- Infection (ear, Strep throat)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Combination of vitamin B6 and folic acid has reportedly caused this
Loose Stools
CONSIDER
- Viruses, parasites or bacterial overgrowth in the bowels
- Food sensitivities, esp wheat, milk and egg
- Fruit juices (especially if sorbitol is an ingredient)
- Faecal impaction
MAY HELP
- Digestive enzymes (Zymax)
- Probiotics
- Folic acid (as Folinic acid)
- Recommended: Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
Night Sweats
BENEFIT
- Food sensitivities (sulphites, phenols, high sulphur foods)
- Amine overload
- Liver issue
- Zinc if too high
MAY HELP
- Glycine
- MB12
- Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salt) cream
Noise Sensitivity
MAY HELP
- Magnesium (NuroBalance)
- Calcium
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
CONSIDER
- Possible Strep throat infection (PANDAS)
- Low serotonin
- Undermethylation problem
- Methionine in a supplement
MAY HELP
- 5-hydroxytrypohan
- Inositol (NuroBalance)
Separation Anxiety
CONSIDER
- Yeast overgrowth
- Leaky gut
MAY HELP
- Anti-yeast protocol
- Anti-Candida diet
- Homeopathy
Sideways Glance
Child tends to look at things from the corner of their eyes.
MAY HELP
- Cod liver oil (Nordic naturals Cod Liver Oil)
Problems Falling Asleep
CONSIDER
- Gluten and casein in diet
- Phenols in diet
- Calcium supplement given at night-time
- Some B group vitamins may cause poor sleep if given too late in the day
MAY HELP
- Meal reversal; protein in the morning, carbohydrate at night
- Epsom salt baths before bed
- 5-hydroxytryptophan
- Inositol (NuroBalance)
- Melatonin
Problems Waking At Night
CONSIDER
- Gluten and casein in diet
- Phenols in diet
- Parasites
- Yeast
- Reflux
- Hypoglycaemia
Waking Screaming At Night
CONSIDER
- Tomatoes or tomato products (salicylates) in diet
- Sulphite preservatives
- Reflux
Screaming
CONSIDER
- Constipation
- Pain
- Food sensitivity (soy, high oxalate foods)
- Yeast issues
- Reaction to Diflucan
- Reaction to supplements
MAY HELP
- Zinc (Zymin)
- Activated charcoal
- GABA
Speech
CONSIDER
- Gluten and casein in diet
MAY HELP
- Omega-3 oils – high dose (Nordic naturals Cod Liver Oil)
- DMG – Trial packs are available
- TMG – Trial packs are available
- Vestibular stimulation – such as swinging on a swing, or bouncing on a trampoline, while teaching speech
- Singing
Teeth Grinding
CONSIDER
MAY HELP
- Zinc (Zymin)
- Calcium citrate
- Magnesium (NuroBalance)
- Vitamin B5
Stimming
What are stimming behaviours? The following links explain stimming behaviour:
http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/understanding-behaviour.aspxstim.html
Biomedical reasons for stimming may be due to a number of issues including (but not limited to) yeast, bacteria, intolerance to some supplement, etc.
Visual Stimms
MAY HELP
- Cod liver oil (Nordic naturals Cod Liver Oil)
For advice or to book a consultation for your child with an experienced practitioner, call (03) 8802 7687 or email me.