luvmylilrainman

Hi Kim I totally agree regarding the digestive system. If you fix the gut, you fix the whole body. I learned so much about this when my son was diagnosed with autism. Autistic children have problems in their digestive tract due to several reasons. In speaking for my son I can tell you that alot of things weakened his immune system which in turn weakened his digestive tract. When he was diagnosed at 3 1/2 I put him on a gluten-casein free diet. Prior to this he was such a milk drinker, and gosh was he addicted to it. I've learned it usually works like this...whatever the child constantly craves, is exactly what he's allergic to. He was allergic to the casein in the milk. When he was drinking milk, he would become brain-fogged, sort of sleepy and cranky. Sometimes he would cry constantly and hold his head as if he had severe headaches. I looked into this and realized that the casein in the milk was giving him an opiate effect in the brain. Well I removed all dairy from his diet and saw major improvemnts right away. With the "yeast" issue, I also agree. I treat him for that as well. I watch his diet, use nutritional supplements and ebsom salt baths. As far as the L-Carnosine, I started using it 2 years ago because I researched and came across a doctor who recommended it for autistic children. Because it is a dipeptide, it may be neuroprotective or may support the frontal lobe function in the brain. I can honestly say that when I did started him on L-Carnosine, I saw immediate results. His behavior was calmer, he was much more focused and his speech improved from 3 word sentences to 8 word sentences. I had stopped using L-Carnosine to give his body rest and just a couple of days ago I started again because of the new tics. Again I see results. His tics have not gone away but I do see a decrease in them. I might just add that all of this is not possible if it were not for my faith and love in the Lord Jesus Christ whom I believe first before all things....luvmylilrainman

Robin O Hi, just wanted to share some info on the Ambrotose. I started giving my son Ambrotose because I read many goods things on how it can help autistic children. Ive seen improvement in his behavior. He's talking more and is more aware of the things around him. He has better eye contact and is interacting much better with other children. Glyconutrients provide nutrition on a cellular level....regenerating new healthy cells. I also use Ambrotose supplementation for his allergies, which if not under control can escalate into asthma. He's 9 yrs old and I give him 1/4 tsp in the morning and 1/4 tsp in the evening. Ambrotose can also give a yeast-die off reaction so it's best to start with low dose and work your way up to 1/2 tsp. I also give him enzymes and probiotics to help along the way. I watch his diet even though he's such a picky eater due to his Sensory Dysfunction and being orally-hypersensitive. I have to say I've seen results in behavior, speech, concentration and socialization. I'm sure it will be beneficial to your beautiful son..let me know how it goes. God Bless you all luvmylilrainman

kez-UK I feel what you're going through because my son was the same way. He is also 9 years of age and when he was much younger he would have severe melt-downs in school but never at home. I started looking into Sensory Integration Dysfunction and how autistic children's sensory perceptions are not wired correctly. For example my son is a hypersensitive autistc child. He is tactile-defensive(can't tolerate light touch because it feels like an extreme blow to hs body so he will become aggressive if someone touches him lightly). Not knowing this, anyone will call it a behavior issue when it really is a sensory issue. My son also needs vestibular and proprioceptive input constantly in order to navigate throughout the day. Meaning his Occupational therapist will have him swing on a swing, bounce on a therapy ball, jump on a trampoline, ride a bicycle and lots of other fun stuff. These activities all help autistic children with their sensory processing. He also has hypersensitive hearing in which he wears earphones specifically ordered to bring the noise level down and block out background noise. Sensory Integration Dysfunction or Sensory Processing Disorder is very real. When we see an autistic child having meltdowns, we all need to start looking at the SENSORY piece of the puzzle. An occupational therapist who is trained in sensory integration dysfunction should be able to evaluate the child and help the child with sensory integration therapy. Autistic children that have sensory integration dysfunction usually are very happy and comfortable at home because they fell "safe". Home is a safe place for them, it's not a painful place or an overloaded place. School on the other hand is not a safe place. It's painful with all the flourescent lights, the different smells of perfumes, cleaning solutions, art materials, cafeteria foods, etc, the many piercing noises, the fire-drill bells, all the jumble talking all at once, the clothes they are wearing, the touching and of course as previously spoken...the change of routines. No wonder they have meltdowns...I would too!!!! Please look into your son's sensory needs (likes and dislikes). I'm sure there is something going on there that only through a sensory lens will his school understand and be able to help him. I hope I have been of help as the others who responded have been also. If you need to talk or need help in anything let us know....I will be more than happy to help.... God Bless you and you're precious son...... luvmylilrainman

Hi Kim and Thanks.....I will look into DAN doctors as I am familiar with them because of my son's autism. I've never went to see one but now I've made the right decision to do so. You are absolutely right when you advised me on enzymes. They help tremendously with "autism" and why not the "tics". So far today is a much better day...praise God. His tics have decreased and he is my happy boy once again Unfortunately I had not given him his vitamin supplementation for a month and just 2 weeks ago the head jerking tics started. As soon as I started him on the essential vitamins, his tics are more mild than severe. It's just only been two weeks and I've seen improvement already. I've added L-Carnosine and a glyconutrient called Ambrotose as well. If anyone is interested there are great nutitional supplements that can help at www.kirkmangroup.com I must say that at times it's difficult because I'm treating the tics as well as the autism so there's alot of nutritional supplementaion going on and just to let you all know...my son has Vaccine-Induced Autism and that's another subject. I'll keep you all posted and thanks again for all the information.... God Bless All........

Thank you all so much for your help and reponses. I am so glad I found this place because everyone is so caring. It seems I'm gaining strength and courage as I start to research on my own and read what you all have experienced and how much information each one of you has. Due to my son's autism I can't tell you enough how much I've researched and put into practice with much success all the alternative treatments. I can honestly tell you that I can definitely give lots of info on the "Autism" subject but my gosh I was so scared and lost when I saw my son's head jerking constantly and how fearful and confused he looked. I've learned that if we are going to help our children get better WE have to take the first step in educating ourselves and listening to our hearts. I did just that.... I am so blessed to have my little boy and you are all so blessed to have your children. He is still head jerking and I'm noticing it's worse as soon as he wakes up and in the evenings. I'm also keeping a journal and writing down triggers that I believe cause his tics. Vitamin supplementation has started again full speed ahead. I pray this will all help. I'm interested in finding an Integrative medical doctor but I don't know how to find one here in the Bronx. Can anyone help? Once again "Thanks" to all who have shed light to my heart I will continue to keep everyone posted and I will also bring light to someone's heart....... God Bless All........ luvmylilrainman

Hello, I'm new here and I'm very grateful and blessed that I got here. I hope someone can give me information and help me get on the right track. I have a beautiful 9 yr old boy with autism who now has developed motor tics(head-jerking) movements. This just started 1 week ago all of a sudden. His head jerking is severe at times because it's constant and my little boy shows fear....he can't express what he's feeling and I'm sure if I explain it to him he doesn't seem to quite understand it. It's even more difficult when the child already has a neurological disorder. When I first saw the rapid head jerks I must say it scared me and I've cried all I can. I did my own research and started looking into tics and I took him to the doctor and they diagnosed it as tics. I have an appointment to see his neurologist next week to confirm and run some test. I am not a fan of medicating my son, I've always treated him holistically, naturally and with vitamin supplementation. There are also restrictions to what he can eat because certain foods trigger certain reactions because of his autism. Can anyone please share their ways on handling the head jerking tics? Are there any vitamins that work well to help decrease tics? I feel so sad in seeing how the head jerking debilitates him. Can anyone please bring light to this situation that's so new to me? I will appreciate any response and God Bless all..........