Welcome

to
Autism: Hope in Action
A-HA Conference
 Autism: Hope in Action

When hope meets action,

children get better
 Agenda
9:00-9:15 Martin Matthews
“Welcome”
9:15-9:45 Julie Matthews, CNC
“Setting the Stage”
9:45-10:45 Sonya Doherty, ND
“Biomedical Treatment of Autism and ADHD”
10:45-11:15 Break
11:15-12:15 Julie Matthews, CNC
“Taking Charge of Diet and Nutrition”
12:15-12:45 Michelle Elliott
“A Parent’s Journey”
12:45-1:45 LUNCH with Parent Panel (Alisa, Angie, Michelle)
1:45-2:45 Sonya Doherty, ND
“Getting Started”
2:45-4:00 Julie Matthews, CNC
“Cooking To Heal: Implementing Diets at Home”
4:00-4:15 Break
4:15-5:00 Q&A with Julie and Sonya
Setting the Stage

Julie Matthews
Certified Nutrition Consultant
 What is Autism and
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism is caused by a
combination of
Genetic Predisposition
and
Environmental Assaults
 Genetic Predisposition

•  Gene Sequence
•  Gene Expression
–  Influenced by toxins and poor nutrition
 Nutrition and Gene Expression

Cooney CA, Dave AA, Wolff GL. Maternal Methyl Supplements in Mice Affect Epigenetic Variation and DNA
Methylation of Offspring. The American Society of Nutritional Sciences J Nutr. 132:2393S-2400S, 2002
 Environmental Assaults

•  Heavy metals
•  Viruses and vaccines
•  Plastics
•  Environmental chemicals
•  Pesticides
Autism: Whole Body Disorder
Brain is Downstream

Yeast toxins
Undermethylated
neurotransmitters
Brain inflammation
Increased toxicity

Nutrient deficiencies

Opiates
Biochemistry
Effects of Faulty Biochemistry in Autism
 Body’s Effect on Brain
Autism, ADHD and other Childhood Disorders

IMMUNE DIGESTION
Gut Inflammation Leaky gut
Poor pathogen fighting Dysbiosis
Food sensitivities Less nutrient absorption
NEUROLOGY

Brain Inflammation
Opiates
Microbial toxins
DETOXIFICATION Neurotransmitters
Nutrient deficiencies
Decreased detoxification
Food additives
 Poor Immune Function
and Inflammation
•  Immune fights viruses, bacteria and yeast.
Weak system will cause more susceptibility to
infection. Often more need for antibiotics.
Possible difficulty in handling vaccinations?
•  Inflammation related disorders like allergies
and asthma have increased
•  Inflammation of the brain affects
autism

Decreased pathogenic fighting

Increased inflammation
 Poor Detoxification

•  Poor Detox - more reaction & damage from toxins

•  Harder time processing artificial ingredients (known to
create hyperactivity/ADHD in even NT children)
•  More likely to be damaged by pesticides and heavy
metals because of a reduced ability to detoxify them
(known neurotoxins)

Important to avoid toxins for

children with autism and ADHD
 Poor Digestion
(Inability to digest & absorb necessary nutrients)

•  Nutrients such as calcium and magnesium are

needed for enzyme processes and brain function, as
well as growth and repair
•  Improper breakdown of proteins creates peptides
(such as opiates to react to)
•  Inadequate amino acids for
creating neurotransmitters
for attention, cognition,
feelings of wellbeing
 Importance of GI Health
“All disease begins in the gut”
- Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine

Gut has constant contact with food

•  Immune:
–  Physical barrier of defense against bacteria, viruses, etc.
–  Largest part of the immune system (70%) found in the gut
•  Neurotransmitters:
–  The greatest amount (90%) of the “brain chemical”
serotonin is found in the GI tract
–  Amino acids (absorbed from protein digestion)
are precursors for neurotransmitters
•  Full body function:
–  Vitamins/minerals absorbed in the gut are cofactors for enzyme
reactions, metabolism, conversion of nutrients and fats
 Imbalances in ASDs
•  Nutritional Imbalances
•  Zinc deficiency, mineral deficiencies, folate and B12 deficiency
copper excess, and more
•  Food Sensitivities
•  Gluten & Casein Peptides, Standard Food Allergies, Phenol
Sensitivity, and others
•  Digestive Problems
•  Constipation, Diarrhea, Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
•  Chronic Infections
•  Yeast, Dysbiotic Bacteria, Viruses
•  Biochemical Imbalances
•  Methylation, transsulfuration, sulfation
•  Metabolic Processes
•  Blood sugar dysregulation, oxalate problems, hypothyroid
 Imbalances in ASDs
•  Immune imbalances
•  Immune Deficiency
•  Th1 & Th2 Imbalances
•  Autoimmune reactions
•  Heavy Metal Toxicity
•  Mercury, lead, arsenic
•  Neuroinflammation
•  Glutamate sensitivity
•  Microglial activation/hyper-reactivity
•  Neurotransmitter imbalances
•  Serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine imbalances
•  Genetics
•  Methylation (MTHFR), SLOS, PON1, Hyperoxaluria
 Sonya Doherty, ND

How biomedical intervention

supports health and healing of
children with autism