Autism spectrum disorder treatment protocols are widely discussed in the medical world. Treatment protocols for patients effected by this disorder run the gamut from behavioral therapies to forms of chelation, to dietary restrictions, and environmental changes. At Mensah Medical our autism spectrum disorder treatment protocol targets our patient’s body and brain chemistry. We run diagnostic laboratory tests to determine chemical imbalances that can be corrected through our targeted advanced nutrient therapy protocol. We also evaluate gut issues, dysbiosis, metal dysregulation, with a heavy focus on oxidative stress. In other words, we treat the whole child. Our philosophy is individualized. Remember, in medicine, when physicians see an autistic child, they’ve only seen ONE autistic child. Each child is his/her own individual person.
If your child has recently been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or you believe he or she has one, you may have concerns about which treatment options are best. An autism spectrum disorder diagnosis now includes other conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and inappropriately included Asperger syndrome. Here at Mensah Medical we treat each of these conditions very differently, because we typically see different patterns in chemical imbalances with each of these conditions. Each condition represents often times different challenges in brain structure, function, and weakness, in addition to dysregulated chemistry. They are now all inappropriately lumped into the autism spectrum disorder in the medical world, but at Mensah Medical we still distinguish the subsets of this umbrella term and treat each individual with a protocol that addresses the needs of their unique condition.
Mensah Medical also understands that gene expression plays an important role in autism spectrum disorder treatment. In a majority of our patients with austim spectrum disorder our diagnostic lab tests reveal abnormal methylation. We also commonly see oxidative overload. We test our patients for errors in biochemical pathways and provide targeted, therapeutic doses of nutrients demonstrated to improve the symptoms of autism.
Signs of an Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD is often diagnosed around the age of two or three, when parents and physicians notice the child is not talking, may have problems with eye contact, and does not appear to respond to their name being called. Many parents of children diagnosed with ASD noticed a problem in the first year, and almost 90 percent saw problems by age two. An early red flag is noticing that your child does not respond to his or her own name by their first birthday. Some infants develop normally until around 18 to 24 months and then they stop gaining new skills or lose skills they once had. Each subset of ASD has common diagnostic and physiologic features but differ by severity in communication, social interaction and repetitive movements or restricted interests.
Other Health Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorder
In addition to the brain being structurally impacted, most children diagnosed with ASD have gastrointestinal tract problems. If your child also has a history of constipation, food sensitivities, esophagitis (inflammation that damages the tube running from the throat to the stomach), in addition to developmental delays, it is likely they may have an ASD. We typically see incomplete digestion of proteins, yeast overgrowth, parasite overloads, and a permeable intestinal barrier in our ASD patients. You may also see chronic illness, seizures, sleep problems, chemical sensitivities, poor appetite, and urination issues. It is also common to see high anxiety, easy frustration and emotional meltdowns in these children. But there is hope. Many of our patients see resolution in most symptoms as they move from phase 1 to phase 3 of treatment at Mensah Medical.
Undermethylation: Common in Autism
What is methylation? It is is an epigenetic pathway used by cells to control gene expression. Methylation is the process by which methyl molecules are added to enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters as well as to DNA itself. This can impact physiological and psychiatric issues such as mood, memory, concentration, and sleep. When the body’s methylation pathways are out of balance 0n one level, they negatively effect neurotransmitter activity and development. When there are problems with methylation over or under production of certain neurotransmitters are often associated with dysregulated emotional states. To learn more, read our article on methylation disorders.
William Walsh, PhD, president of the Walsh Research Institute, found in his database of 250,000 chemical assays of blood and urine for children with ASD, that over 90% of patients diagnosed with autism tested for errors in methylation were undermethylated.
At Mensah Medical our autism spectrum disorder treatment uses individualized doses of nutrients that will support the methylation cycle. But we also look at various other underlying causes and comorbid conditions as well. Many of our ASD patients also often have zinc deficiency, abnormal metal metabolism, copper overload, elevated toxic metals and other significant deficiencies/overloads. Our targeted advanced nutritive therapy corrects your child’s specific biochemical imbalances. The nutrients we prescribe will reduce oxidative stress and assist your child’s methylation pathways. We do not practice harsh chelation methods at Mensah Medical.
Video Presentation at Autism One Conference in Chicago
“Bio-Nutrient Therapy: An Evidence-based Model for Autism Recovery” by Albert Mensah, MD.
Download the power point presentation slides for this talk by clicking AutismOne 2015 Presentation.
Albert Mensah, MD
As a physician in this specialized field since 2005, Dr. Mensah, board certified in integrative pediatrics by the American Association of Integrative Medicine, has treated over 3,000 patients with advanced targeted nutrient therapy. He serves on the board at Walsh Research Institute and serves as a clinical instructor for WRI’s international doctor training programs around the world. Dr. Albert Mensah received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois) and his medical degree from Finch University of Health Sciences-Chicago Medical School. Dr. Mensah’s residency was in Family Medicine at Swedish Covenant Hospital (Chicago). Following residency, he completed additional fellowship training in academic development at JHS Cook County Hospital (Chicago). From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Mensah treated patients at the former Pfeiffer Treatment Center, a not-for-profit organization and outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment of biochemical imbalances including children with autism. Prior to joining Pfeiffer, Dr. Mensah was a physician at Melrose Park Clinic in Illinois. Dr. Mensah co-founded Mensah Medical in 2008 with Dr. Judith Bowman.
