What supplements have you tried?

[JordanKX]

My goodness I'm a reader. So much that it overwhelms me.

I love The Late Talker,  Even in this book, there is a chapter recognizing omega-3s and the potential for help with speech-delay.

The most herbal-related book is He's Not Autistic, But...,   which can be a bit overwhelming with her success of herbals and naturals. I mean, I'm all for it, and it's an easy read, BUT, it's a lot. And i know how much each visit to an osteo-, naturo-, homeo-, path costs. They're not cheap.

Omega-3's seem pretty standard. I've not given to my son yet, nearing on 3yo. But I've already bought and will try out.

We already do flax-seed oil in foods and he eats a ton of good fish. We try to do a paleo-diet, more increasingly now. He doesn't have issues or intolerance or allergy (me neither), but I'm 36 and I have a bad gut. Nothing I've been able to pinpoint, but if it's anything.. carbs bloat me horribly. So we'll try a paleo for now.

In the alternative remedy-related books I'm reading, aluminum and parasites keep coming up; and herbals to treat for them. I'm not making appointments to be tested (although I hear that metal-testing is part of a basic CBC, as long as you ask).

I'm just curious.. I'm not going to jump on the band-wagon of... this cured my son... but I like reading. I like researching. And I'm curious.

Edited by JordanKX - 7/24/12 at 1:02pm

[suziinc]

Hi there, I am new to the forum, but I saw your question and I wanted to tell you what I have had success with so far.  My daughter is ASD (relatively high functioning).  We started with one, tested it for a month and then added one at a time, so that we coud judge what was and wasn't working.  I go to a specialist once every 3 months and here's what worked and what didn't:

(And just to note ahead, I work in the IT field, so I have no association with any of the vendors noted)

Worked:

Natural Vitality Kids Calm - We have been trying this for about 2 weeks and its been really great.  So far no reactions like the Super Nu Thera (see below)

B-12 shots - We have these once every 3 days.  You give them to your child after they go to sleep.  We get them through Lee Silsby pharmacy.  A doctor can prescribe it (as ours does) and many insurances cover it.  If not, a months supply is about $68.  This was the KEY to getting my very active (bordering on hyperactive), intelligent, loving child to be able to calm down  and focus in class.  Its not fixed everything, but it definitely made a huge change for us (after about 3 weeks of taking it).

ProEFA - This is an essential oil from Nordic Naturals.  I actually cut the dosage from 5ml to 2ml because it seems to work better. Warning, it tastes awful.  But I put it into a syringe (like the ones you use for giving a baby oral medicines) and have her take it that way.  Another thing that helped the focus.

Things that didn't work:

Enhansa - Made my daughter super hyper and irritable.  This happens in about 10-15% of kids with ASD who take this prescription (it has to be prescribed by I doctor, as its a compound item).  We stopped it after about 2 weeks.

Super Nu Thera - This one tastes beyond nasty (even with the raspberry flavoring) and made my daughter even more hyper than the Enhansa.  Again, the reaction occurs in about 10-15% of kids with ASD. 

Now things to note:  1) I am not a doctor; 2) this is a trial and error approach (which is what her specialist focuses on, as each child is different); and 3) you may find that what didn't work for my daughter works perfect for your child, and vice versa.  I look at ASD as a combination lock and I just have to find what combination works to fully open up my child's abilities.

Good luck!  :)

[suziinc]

Oh, and I forgot the books...:)

"The Autism Book" is great.  Its by Dr. Sears (I can't remember the full name)  And "What's eating your child?" was also a very helpful read.  (The second was recommended by my daughter's doctor).

Hope these help.

[JordanKX]

Originally Posted by suziinc 
ProEFA - This is an essential oil from Nordic Naturals.  I actually cut the dosage from 5ml to 2ml because it seems to work better. Warning, it tastes awful.  But I put it into a syringe (like the ones you use for giving a baby oral medicines) and have her take it that way.  Another thing that helped the focus.

This is what we're trying right now. We'll see :-)