NAC Schedule

Microbiota Transplant Therapy (MTT) for Treating Gastrointestinal Problems in Children with ASD

By Dr. James Adams, Ph.D

We conducted a Phase 1 clinical trial of an Investigational New Drug involving 2 weeks of oral vancomycin (to kill unhealthy gut bacteria), followed by a bowel cleanse and then Full Spectrum Microbiota (FSM) from healthy donors to create a healthy GI microbiome.

We treated children ages 7-17 years who had ASD and moderate or severe gastrointestinal problems. We administered MTT in two stages: an oral or rectal dose, followed by 7-8 weeks of oral administration. There was an 82% reduction in GI symptoms, and a 25% reduction in autism symptoms.  Their bacterial diversity significantly increased, from 25% below normal to normal.  At the 8-week follow-up, the improvements in GI symptoms, ASD symptoms, and microbiome diversity were stable.  At the two-year follow-up, most of the GI improvements remained, and there was a 47% reduction in ASD symptoms compared to baseline.

Puberty: Surviving Teens, Hormones & Rage

By Dr. Anju Usman

Treating Hormones, Rage, Dysautonomia and Aggression
Adolescence is a time for learning and change, however for many patients on the Autism Spectrum puberty can be a rough transition to adulthood. Hormonal changes may trigger issues in sleep, adrenal function, and blood sugar regulation which may lead to abnormal mood and behavior. Abnormal hormone regulation can also lead to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. By addressing these underlying issues symptoms of aggression and rage can be helped greatly.

Gut On Fire: The role of SIBO, Dysbiosis, and the power of leveraging the microbiome

By Dr. Julie Logan

The inflamed disrupted gut is a complex medical issue that we face in the biomedical treatment of children on the Spectrum as well as in many adults.  The resulting overgrowth of opportunistic and pathogenic organisms leads to the conditions we so commonly find –dysbiosis, SIBO, and suppressed immune function.  Dysbiosis is the imbalance of microorganisms Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is this opportunistic overgrowth in the small intestine, amplified by an abnormal motility pattern of the intestines.  The damage created by this overgrowth leads to the inability of the intestines to do the work of digestion, which leads to more bacterial overgrowth, and thus the cycle continues-with ever increasing PAIN, bloating and misery.

Patients with multiple digestive problems, including children with autism may be at risk for developing SIBO. Dr. Logan will discuss the assessment, treatment options, and steps for correcting these imbalances and outline the road to recovery and relief from these complex conditions.  Additionally she will discuss some of the novel discoveries in leveraging the microbiome to counteract the destructive effects of antibiotic use and systemic inflammation.

Keynote Address: Create Your Best Life

By Chantal Sicile-Kira

Once described by NPR as “Chief strategist and leader of the troops” when it came to raising and educating her son, Chantal Sicile-Kira shares how she successfully changed the prognosis given to her son Jeremy when he was first diagnosed at age three with autism: life in an institution. Thirty-one years later and now an award-winning artist, Jeremy is living a productive life of his own choosing, with needed supports. Chantal shares tips on how to plant the seeds for fostering important life skills at any age and any ability level; skills such as forming relationships, becoming a self-advocate, and living a self-determined life. By focusing on your child’s strengths and cultivating their interests, life-changing gifts can be uncovered; affirming that “not like the others” means being different, but not less.

Identifying Treatable Issues Within ASD

By Dr. Michael Montico

This presentation will provide participants with a detailed overview of the biomedical approach to ASD. Traditional medicine is focusing on the behaviors of ASD, instead of the cause of your child’s signs and symptoms. Biomedicine represents a paradigm shift in your child’s care, in getting our children necessary and appropriate treatment for their medical conditions.

ASD affects multiple biomedical processes in the body negatively including: methylation, detoxification, gastrointestinal processes, and the immune system. The dysfunction of these systems lead to viscous cycles in our children, which need to be corrected. The biomedical approach concentrates on breaking these vicious cycles through a comprehensive investigation into the sources of the problem, followed by treatment of the causes of the dysfunction.

Dr. Montico will provide and overview of the vicious cycles in ASD. The audience will gain a broader understanding of what is broken, in an effort to guide them towards what can fix it. A number of interventions and treatments will be reviewed. In addition, Dr. Montico wants the audience to not only understand the biomedical approach to care, but also to pursue it as the foundation in healing their children.

While understanding the vicious cycles of dysfunction, as well appropriate interventions for that dysfunction is important, it is also important that we take action. Dr. Montico will outline what parents should expect from a biomedical evaluation including: initial evaluation, laboratory workup, and comprehensive treatment.

A diagnosis of ASD can be overwhelming to parents, this presentation aims to give parents a comprehensive review of the biomedical approach… from start to finish.

Advanced Diet Strategies and Micronutrient Testing

By Vicki Kobliner. MS, RDN

What you probably know:
• Kids on the spectrum are often deficient in multiple nutrients as a result of limited intake, abnormal digestive function and increased therapeutic needs.
• Supporting normal nutrient status can improve a variety of functional and behavioral impairments common in ASD, including speech, aggression and self-injurious behavior

What you will learn:
• The importance of looking at Micronutrient patterns, not just individual nutrients
• Which nutrient interactions can enhance or interfere with others
• How to prioritize nutritional interventions for best outcomes

Identification and Treatment of Seizures and Seizure-like Activity in Autism

By Dr. Dan Rossignol

Dr. Rossignol will review the evidence for seizures and epileptiform activity in children with autism, including the link between abnormal EEG findings and autism behaviors. He will also discuss normal brain function, the mechanisms of seizures in autism, and potential treatments. This lecture will review actual cases of children with autism to emphasize that these EEG problems are treatable.

Empowering Individuals with Disabilities to Lead

By Bev Weinberg

Maya Angelou said, “You can’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.”  Learn how Integrate for Good helps remove that extra glove, empowering people with disabilities to get in the game as pitchers as well as catchers, sharing their talent as leaders on college campuses and within corporations.

Our Journey Out of Autism: A mother’s story

By Lori Knowles

Unsure if you should consider biomedical approaches in treating autism?  Are you confused about where and how to get started?  Lori’s presentation is designed for those new to the biomedical approach and for those seeking an easy to understand overview of some of the most important biomedical treatments.  She will include an overview of the most important treatments including dietary intervention, yeast treatments, nutritional supplements, detoxification, and other alternative treatments that helped contribute to her son’s recovery.  This is a practical and parent friendly presentation that will inspire and give you hope.  Share in Daniel’s progress through his mother’s account, pictures and video segments.

Mycotoxins: The Hidden Cause of Inflammatory Illness

By Dr. Julie Logan

Mycotoxin exposure is more common than previously thought, and in genetically susceptible individuals, can lead to crippling illness. Biotoxin mediated illness can look and act just like Lyme disease, and often goes along with a Lyme infection.  Unresolving inflammation and severe symptoms in many body systems is the hallmark of this disease, earning the name Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)

We are discovering more and more frequently that many of our patients with severe inflammation, allergies, compromised immune function, Mast Cell Activation Disorders, Autism, Pandas, Lyme diagnoses, etc are actually a mold exposure that has been undetected, creating the inflammatory storm that underlies many of these conditions.

In this presentation Dr. Logan will discuss the discovery, diagnosis and treatment of this illness, and discuss its possible relationship to PANS/PANDAS, as well as it’s role in Autism severity.

Improving Language in Apraxia and Additional Speech Disorders

By Dr. Anju Usman

By Dr. Julie Logan

If Only My Child Could Talk!: The role of neuroinflammation in apraxia and novel approaches to repairing cellular damage in the brain to restore communication

Speech is how we share our minds and hearts and love with other human beings. The inability to speak is probably the most agonizing loss we face as parents of children on the autism spectrum.

The barrage of toxic chemicals, metals, and other immune irritants can start even before birth, and mounts immediately thereafter. This leads to severe oxidative stress and chronic inflammation which disrupt the delicate immune balance in the brain, leading to damage to the cell membranes and myelin coverings of the central nervous system-. This neuroinflammation hinders cell to cell communication and connectivity, leading to many of the symptoms of autism– especially Apraxia. We will discuss some of the main factors that lead to neuroimflammation as well as effective therapies for restoring immune balance and rebuilding healthy cells that are able to communicate.

Advanced Insight on Treating Mitochondrial Issues

By Dr. Dan Rossignol

This interactive lecture is geared to both children who are suspected of having mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) and to children who have already been diagnosed. Tools will be provided which will allow most parents to determine the likelihood of MtD in their child as unlikely, possible, probable or definite. For children who already have a diagnosis of MtD, an in-depth analysis of the medical literature will review treatment options. If available, please bring test results for lactic acid, alanine, lactate/pyruvate ratio and Mito Swab results.  Attendees will leave with a plan of action.

Hope and Possibilities Treating Chronic Illness with Hbot

By Shannon Kenitz and Dr. Jason Sonners

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for a treating chronic illness for children for years. This lecture will cover one girls journey using Hbot while also discussing how Hbot can help with chronic illness in children and young adults with Autism , CP, Mitochondrial disorders, GI disorders and more. We will cover how decreasing inflammation through the use of Hbot can change the body’s way of healing these conditions.

A Full Life with Autism: Making it Happen

By Chantal Sicile-Kira

The transition out of school district services to adulthood can be challenging for both young adults and their parents. This presentation based on Chantal and Jeremy Sicile-Kira’s book, A Full Life with Autism, explains how parents can best prepare themselves and their young adult for this important life change. Topics discussed include: what skills your young adult needs to learn while still in the school system, and how building on a person’s strength or special interest can create community and social connections and employment opportunities. The topics of dating, sexuality and safety will be touched on briefly.

Environmental Issues within ASD

By Dr. David Dornfeld

The environment around us is constantly changing and usually not for the better. We MUST be able to recognize, try to avoid, and then remove these toxins safely so they do not negatively affect our health and metabolism. Many children and adults with ASD have alterations in their biochemistry and genetic polymorphisms, whereby they are disadvantaged in the ability to cleanse and nourish their cells ideally. We need to first identify the harmful ingredients to avoid (i.e., heavy metals, chemicals, GMOs, plastics, hormone disrupters, pesticide exposures) and then identify and treat effectively many of the complicated tick-borne diseases as well as fungal infections.

It is no longer “You are what you eat,” but should be “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, WHICH YOU CANNOT EXCRETE.” Once we can identify these harmful agents, we need to determine how to safely rid these toxins, reduce the inflammatory processes they create, and oxygenate the tissues in order for tissue repair to be optimized. Safe Hyperbaric therapies and chelation therapies will be overviewed

I hope to be able to share a great deal of information on how to safely repair ourselves, especially since many environmental insults are growing around us exponentially as WE NEED TO RESTORE OURSELVES TO A MORE HEALTHFUL STATE!