ROOT CAUSES OF AUTISM

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.

When it comes to autism, it is time to address the elephant in the room.

If you have not heard the first public address given in April of this year by our new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., please take a few minutes to do so. It is always best to hear information directly from the source, rather than from the media report about the address. He speaks to the topic of autism and investigating the underlying root causes for the rise in cases of autism. I pray that people see his report to our nation as a wake-up call and respond accordingly. Video recording of Secretary Kennedy’s press conference.

This article shares some of the information that I took note of during Secretary Kennedy’s talk.

In his report, Secretary Kennedy sounded the alarm regarding the significant upward-trending rates of autism. He said that he will be leading the charge to support unhindered research into environmental toxins, especially those that have entered our world since 1989, when cases of autism began to be seen. It is recognized that some genetic predisposition may play a role in making children more susceptible to developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but it’s also known that genetics are not the cause. It is when environmental toxins are introduced to the equation that children develop these conditions.

Secretary Kennedy stated, “Genes do not cause epidemics - you need an environmental toxin.” He also said, “We are doing this to our children, and we need to put an end to it.” This is a difficult truth that we must no longer deny. Several things will be investigated including mold, food additives, pesticides, ultrasound waves, air, water, diabetes, obesity, and medicines, to find the potential exposures that are involved.

Also speaking at the news conference was Walter M. Zahorodney, PhD, Director of NJ Autism Study. He made some key points: Autism prevalence has increased dramatically. Better awareness cannot be driving an increase of 300% in 20 years. Autism deserves to be treated as a real public health crisis. It must be triggered or caused by environmental and risk factors.

The time has come to take an honest look at what is happening and stop attributing the increase in cases of children with this often-debilitating issue to genetics or to our better ability to diagnose autism spectrum disorders. Our common sense tells us that we cannot blame genetics when we have many healthy developing children, who are meeting milestones, and then they suddenly regress or start experiencing developmental delays, although none of their parents or grandparents had these issues.

Secretary Kennedy referred to a large study done on the entire population of children under the age of 18 in the state of North Dakota showed that in 1987, the rate of cases of ASD was 3.3 in 10,000. He also talked about a study done in Wisconsin involving 900,000 children under the age of 12 around that same time period. They found the rate of ASD to be 0.7 out of 10,000. In other words, the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was extremely rare.

Fast-forward to now.

The most recent reports find that the rate of ASD is 1 in 31 overall, and 1 in 20 in boys nationally. Using data collected in California, 1 in 12.5 boys are now diagnosed with ASD. Depending on the study, you can find that the rates are increasing by anywhere from over 80% to over 480%. It would be nonsensicle to think that these drastic increases are due to genetics, happenstance, or better diagnosis.

Also mentioned was the fact that 25% of the children now diagnosed with ASD are non-verbal and non-toilet trained. Many also engage in stimming (repeating movements, words, or behaviors), head-banging, and toe-walking. When we consider the gravity of what this means for these children with autism, such as this, and we recognize the impact that it has on their families and on our society, how can we continue to dismiss the tremendous increase in these debilitating, life-altering issues to genetics without looking for the underlying reasons why the rates of autism spectrum disorders are sharply rising? What toxins are causing the genetic mutations to occur at this astounding rate?

On the bright side, it is encouraging that steps in the right direction are now happening and that toxins are being brought into the spotlight. I am very thankful that the truth about some toxins will likely be exposed through the upcoming research.

One toxin that I am sure will get some attention is aluminum, including aluminum compounds.

Aluminum is known to be highly neurotoxic (causing damage and dysfunction to brain cells). Higher amounts of aluminum have been found in the brains of children on the autism spectrum, than in control groups. Source. Given that most vaccines contain aluminum compounds, it seems wise to explore the connection or possible link to this toxin as well as other neurotoxic ingredients contained within these injections.

Now that a light has been shined on the upward trending cases of ASD and the fact that toxins may be the underlying cause, you might be wondering, “What can we do about it, when the damage has already been done?”

First, we can trust that our bodies are amazingly created by a God who dearly loves us. I believe that most toxins that have gotten in can be gotten out, if we offer the body the support that it needs to do so. There is no quick fix, but there is definitely hope for people who have been injured by toxins such as aluminum compounds. God, through what He has created in nature, has gifted us all the tools that we need to support the body’s detoxification system that helps us get rid of unwanted toxins. Toxins are likely the underlying cause of many neurological issues and neurological degeneration.

It is best not to delay getting help. The sooner the better.

Find practitioners who are trained in helping support the body’s natural detoxification system. Then choose the one that aligns with you, and move forward. Your child’s future may be far brighter than you think. Commit to looking into the impact of toxins on brain function and development, and help your child recover from the harm that toxins likely have done. There is so much that we can do!

In my opinion, removing toxins from the body is as important as taking in good nutrition. In some cases, it may be even more important because toxins can prevent the body from absorbing and utilizing nutrients. We see this when a person takes certain supplements and feels better, but when they stop taking the supplements, they soon feel worse again. This tells us that the nutrients in the supplements are not getting to the underlying root causes of the issue. Toxins need to be dealt with.

As an educator and certified practitioner, I am here for those who are ready to take steps to start supporting their bodies to safely remove toxic chemicals that they have unknowingly consumed or given to their children, so that they can enjoy the life that God created them to enjoy.

Together, let’s make this a great year for our children. They are counting on us.

Lovingly shining a light; and striving to be a light,

-Anita