Autism

Help your child live a higher quality of life.

With targeted treatment and support, it is possible for children with autism to live a fuller, brighter life.

toddler boy playing with legos
 

Your child’s diagnosis of autism can feel earth-shattering. What will the future hold? Is there anything you can do to help? There are many different opinions on how best to help a child with autism, and the choices can feel overwhelming.  

At Holistic Healing Arts, we’re experts in the biomedical treatment of autism. 

Through a comprehensive, integrative approach, we uncover the layers of dysregulation that are halting your child’s progress. And we use targeted treatments to gently correct the imbalances and restore lost function.

What Is Autism and What Causes It?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present with problems in communication, social skills, and behavior that can vary widely from one child to another. Autism currently affects at least 1 in 54 children in the U.S. and is on the rise. 

The underlying causes of autism vary widely from one child to another. But more and more research shows that the following factors play a major role in the development of autism:

  • Oxidative stress – an imbalance between harmful free radicals and antioxidants within the body.

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction – when mitochondria don’t produce enough energy for your body’s demands.

  • Immune dysregulation – either an autoimmune process, an immune deficiency, or both.

  • Neuroinflammation – inflammation in the brain or spinal cord.

Our physicians are trained to evaluate these complex factors and explore the environmental and genetic processes that may be at the root.

mother playing with her curly-haired child
 

Laying the Foundation for Treatment

While testing and treatment is always unique to the individual, there are several components that are included as we evaluate each patient’s health.

 
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Detailed Clinical History

  • Prenatal history

  • Social history

  • Health before symptom onset

  • Timeline of symptoms

  • History of past treatments and interventions

  • Current health and symptoms

microscopes for lab evaluation

Lab Evaluation & Analysis

  • Blood testing

  • Epigenetic testing

  • Comprehensive stool analysis (CSA)

  • Urine organic and amino acid testing (OAT)

  • Heavy metal testing

  • Mold and mycotoxin testing

hologram image of a human brain

Autonomic Response Testing (ART)

  • Identifying factors causing stress to the body, including chronic infection, toxins, and allergies and sensitivities.

  • Identifying the remedies and treatments that will restore balance to the body.

  • Identifying priorities in treatment.

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How We Treat Autism

We use a biomedical approach to identify and treat autism-spectrum disorders. This means we look for biochemical imbalances in the body. This could involve problems with methylation, mitochondria, hormones, neurotransmitters, nutrients, toxins, and infections. 

Treatments may include:

  • Gut restoration treatments – antifungals, probiotics, herbs, supplements

  • Methylated vitamins – folate, B12

  • Gluten-free and casein-free diets

  • Correction of glutathione deficiency – transdermal or oral supplementation 

  • Correction of nutrient deficiencies

  • Correction of methylation cycle issues

  • Correction of metabolic imbalances 

  • Correction of immune deficiency

  • Control of neuroinflammation

  • Control of histamine and mast cell responses

  • Control of chronic infections

  • Heavy metal detoxification – if testing indicates it’s warranted

What Type of Improvements Should We Expect From This Approach?

 

Just as autism lives on a spectrum, patients’ response to treatment lives on a spectrum as well. Results we’ve seen range from mild to miraculous (complete or near-recovery). 

Our approach to care has helped children and teens with ASD improve in a variety of ways. While each individual is unique, patients and their parents often notice:

  • Reduced irritability

  • Less hyperactivity

  • Better sleep

  • Less stimming

  • Improved speech

  • Better social skills

  • Improved digestion

  • More sensory regulation

young girl blowing a dandelion

My Expertise in Autism Treatment

Dr. Amy Derksen is known as one of the country’s foremost experts on the treatment of autism and autism-spectrum disorders. 

She has more than 15 years of experience as a DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) trained physician. Using a biomedical approach, Dr. Amy has had the privilege of working closely with hundreds of families touched by autism. 

With an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, Dr. Amy quickly became fascinated by the complex interplay of biochemical factors she observed in her ASD patients. And she became equally passionate about helping to improve their lives. 

Dr. Amy is also a Fellow of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS). She is one of the few Naturopathic Doctors to be honored with this distinction, which is usually limited to M.D.s and D.O.s. 

Dr. Amy is now offering physician consults on autism cases — Dr. Amy will work with your child’s regular physician to help determine what pieces might be missing or overlooked. Please contact our office for more details on this new service.

If you’re interested in autism treatment for your child, please schedule a Discovery Call and request Dr. Derksen.

Our understanding of autism is always evolving.

But we’re committed to stay at the forefront of knowledge and treatment to improve the lives of children and families touched by ASD.

Get started today.