A few weeks ago I did part 1 of this blog to bring awareness to parents with special needs children and the importance of getting guidance. So, lets dive in and answer these questions so you can get started tomorrow.

Does the type of testing matter?
Each doctor has a toolbox of testing they do and all are not equal, neither is the interpretation of the results. I will touch on this more next month but in the mean time find someone that treats and sees children with special needs and make sure they have the knowledge in functional medicine (treating the core issues) to treat your child.

I have tried some biomedical recommendations I found online and saw no changes, why?
Well, no child on the spectrum is the same I think we can all agree on this fact. When you get into biomedical treatment it is truly individualized as each child is an individual and has different challenges. The biggest problem is that the proper testing has never been done so they are shooting in the dark and this keeps a child from reaching their potential. Parents will order things from online and sometimes it’s not the best product for what they need. Some of the supplements can only be ordered by a physician, this makes a difference in efficacy of the product. If you are going to spend the money on getting supplements and give them then isn’t it best to give them things that you know will make a difference?

Is it safe for me to do supplements with my child on my own?
In general it is not about safety as most people give things that are low dose and low efficacy however, it is possible to do more damage then good when you don’t know what underlying medical issues may be there. We can all agree that supplements add up financially and when you don’t know exactly what to do it gets expensive, frustrating and can give you a false sense that biomedical interventions don’t work. The largest risk is your child’s possible recovery; time passes by so fast and gets wasted. It is best to get help from a physician; this will save money and time in the long run not to mention get you on the road to healing.

Is there any age when treatment doesn’t work any longer?
No, this is often a misnomer out there. It is easier with small children when you think about mixing supplements or changing a diet, they don’t fuss too much. As kids get older there are just different obstacles to overcome.

How long does it take to get results?
The results vary by severity of symptoms, underlying medical issues and compliance of care. I cannot stress enough to parents that consistency is the key to getting your child back on track. There are parents out there that jump from person to person and spend precious time they never get back. You need to find a doctor and stick it out to get results. Most all my parents would tell you that consistency is KEY. Some parents see dramatic results in weeks and others make small leaps over months. This marathon we run together has to be done safely and effectively to get the results you as parents hope for your child.

I hear about “recovery” for autism, is this possible?
ABSOLUTELY, I can say that not only from my own experience but the medical data that backs up these interventions. I always say that recovery depends on the child and our goals for them. Each child is different and therefore recovery looks different. Take time right now to write down 5 goals you have for your child and get to work on seeing those come to fruition.

As always I wish you the best on your journey, leave today behind and get help tomorrow!

Be well,
Dr. Brooks