1. Hope, Health and Healing
Autism Biennial Congress
March 2007
Vancouver , British Columbia
Baxter Berle’s journey through and recovery from autism

2. I am not a medical professional
Disclaimer:
I am not a medical professional
(Although I look really smart…!)
I am a mom

3. This is the guy we’re talking about!

4. Baxter Wilde Berle
Born on
May 26, 1999
C-Section
Apgars 9/9

5. A series of pictures to show Baxter’s regressive autism

6. Baxter was one month old And completely healthy

7. 3 Months
Jolly
Aware
Focused
Connected

8. Happy joyful baby!

9. As an infant Baxter met all his developmental milestones

10. Milestones Rolled over at 5 ½months Sat at 6 ½months
Crawled at 8-9 months
Walked at 13 months
More than ten words at 1 year

11. 6 months

12. 7 MONTHS - CONTINUED NORMAL (HAPPY!) GROWTH

13. But though red cheeks and ears were already appearing…
9 months
SO cute!
But though red cheeks and ears were already appearing…

14. Shortly after routine vaccinations at a year old this is who he became…

16. Incessant drooling…

17. Constant anxiety

18. Oblivion to others…. even brand new baby brother

19. Sound Sensitivity
Anxiety
Stressed out

20. Vestibular uncertainty Tactile defensiveness

21. Decline after MMR and Chicken Pox-1yr. Old
Lost ALL language
Cried/whined nearly all the time
Couldn’t be calmed
Hated any kind of transition/change
Refused all eye contact
Ate copious amounts of wheat/dairy based foods
Became increasingly intolerant of noise/textures/clothes
Drooled constantly
Incessant out-of-control (yellow-liquid-eating-his skin) diarrhea approx. 30 times a day) which lasted for more than 2 years

22. WE BEGAN A FRANTIC SEARCH FOR ANSWERS TO GASTROINTESTINAL DISTRESS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS.

23. A Genetic specialist was one of the first places we went due to my being adopted.
We suspected Fragile X but test results were negative (as well as others)

24. “….some kids just have loose stools. Sorry. I can’t help you.”
Next, we sought out the “best” pediatric G.I. Specialist in Los Angeles only to be informed that,
“….some kids just have loose stools. Sorry. I can’t help you.”

25. Thousands of hours on the internet
Countless doctors
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

26. CRAVINGS FOR PASTA, BAGELS, PANCAKES, CREAM CHEESE AND BUTTER.

27. GIVEN THE GUT TRAUMA WE FOCUSED FIRST ON DIETARY INTERVENTION.
Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet (GFCF)
Withdrawl of all wheat (gluten) products
Withdrawl of all dairy (casein) products
Soy products too?
IgG Food Sensitivity Test
Cold Turkey?
Keep a journal!!!

28. Changing your child’s diet to GF/CF is one of the safest biomedical interventions that could benefit him

29. During and after…. Constant screaming Begging for food
Eventually a noticeable improvement in temperament and expressive language
(detox approx 2 weeks)
Resource:

30. Prior to these dietary changes Speech Therapy had no effect
Prior to these dietary changes Speech Therapy had no effect. The GFCF diet facilitated more productive sessions.

31. The Diagnosis

32. This was a H U G E turning point for me
This was a H U G E turning point for me. Up to this point I had been profoundly sad. Now I became profoundly angry. How DARE anyone predict my child’s capability. This ironically worked hugely in our favor.

33. THE DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM WAS THE DARKEST DAY IN A VERY DARK TIME
THE DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM WAS THE DARKEST DAY IN A VERY DARK TIME. WE WERE TOLD:
Bax was 23 months behind in Language and 20 months behind Socially
Bax would likely never speak
Bax would likely never be toilet-trained
We should pursue an academic program where Bax would be placed exclusively with severely challenged children
His symptoms could get worse
There is no cure for Autism

34. Therapy begins…. 2 hours one-on-one Speech therapy
2 hours one-on-one Occupational therapy
25 hours of pre-school
10 hours of DTT/ABA
1 hour MyGym
2 hours Behavioral therapy
2 hours Floortime therapy

35. We found the DAN. (Defeat Autism Now
We found the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) Network of doctors and started Baxter down the path of biomedical intervention

36. Find a DAN! Doctor in your area
(or one that understands biomedical interventions for autism)

37. Initial Testing performed on Baxter
Hair Elements Toxic
Urine Toxic Metals
Urine Essential
Fecal Metals
CBC/Chem panel
ION panel
OAT profile
Stool Analysis
IgG Food Sensitivity
Thyroid

38. Supplement Protocol Prescribed by our DAN! doctors
Probiotics (min. of 150 billion organisms /day)
S-Boulardii (natural yeast fighter)
Customized Amino Acids
Epsom salts
Minerals
Vitamins A, E and C
Body Bio Balance oil
Cod Liver Oil & Evening Primrose oil
Folapro
Enzymes
Glutathione
Authia cream
Colostrum
DMG
Methyl B12
Iron
Phoscol (for elevated kidney/liver enzymes)
Antibiotics/antifungal to treat severe gut issues (only as needed)

39. More thoughts on Supplements
Go “low and slow”
Allow AT LEAST 3-5 days before adding a new one
Rotate probiotics if you have a “gut-kid”
Listen to your doctor but also trust YOUR instincts

40. Persistent gut problems (diarrhea) forced me to revisit dietary issues
Persistent gut problems (diarrhea) forced me to revisit dietary issues. I did not realize that GFCF was not facilitating healing of his gut.
At this point, we switched to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) developed by Elaine Gotscholl.

41. Specific Carbohydrate Diet
Carbohydrate Limiting
Only allows simple sugars (monosaccharides)- such as those found in fruit, honey and some veggies and other non-sugar foods such as meats, fish, eggs and nuts.
No rice (there go your GFCF waffles and bread…)
No Potatoes (bye bye french fries and chips!)
IgG food sensitivity is a must!
No food for gut bug means they starve and DIE!!!!!!!!

42. Results GUT HEALING!! Bacteria and yeast dramatically reduced
Stools normalized – trophies!!
More gains in language, focus and behavior
“Scripting” – dramatically reduced
Graduated from Occupational Therapy
Resource:

43. Lysozymes at time of Diagnosis...5X normal
Lysozymes after 6 months of SCD
Virtually normal!

44. More Thoughts on SCD
Again, find legal replacements for favorite foods (for instance Bax’s favorite GFCF pancakes are now made with a variety of nutbutters instead of flour)
Try to rotate all proteins and nuts
Give the homemade goat/nut yogurt a shot!
Watch out for increased fruit intake-YEAST.

45. Over the course of years we would come to believe ONE of the causes of Baxter’s autism could be linked to vaccinations and most specifically the preservative in them called Thimerosal which is nearly 50% mercury by weight.

46. Mercury is considered by most to be the second most toxic substance on the planet

47. The symptoms of Mercury poisoning and autism are shockingly similar
Bernard, Enyati, Redwood, RN, Binstock, PhD.
 Excerpt:
"Due to the extensive parallels between autism and mercury poisoning, the likelihood of a causal relationship is great. Given that possibility, Thimerosal should be removed from all childhood vaccines and the mechanisms of mercury toxicity in autism should be thoroughly investigated."

48. Mercury causes a host of medical problems
GI inflammation
Chronic Yeast overgrowth
Susceptibility for viruses in the gut
Diarrhea
Constipation
Immune dysfunction
Allergies and food sensitivities
Heavy metal overload
Mineral depletion
Oxidative stress
Inflammation in the brain

52. MERCURY EXPOSURE IN UTERO
Mouth full of dental amalgams
Dental filling during second trimester
Ingestion of tuna fish
RhoGAM shot at 28 weeks (62.5 micrograms of Hg)

53. Birth to 1 year Toxic Exposure
RhoGAM shot immediately after delivery Hg goes into breast milk (62.5 mcg)
First Vaccines 2 months of age (62.5 mcg)
Acute Pyleonephritis 72 hours later
Prophylatic antibiotics (which enhances the toxcitiy of Hg and destroys gut flora)
Doctor refusal to delay 4 and 6 months shots while taking antibiotics

54. Continued…
MMR and chicken pox vax on same day-quadruple live viral load
Thrush/Yeast infections
Repeated ear/bladder infections start (chronic antibiotic overuse)
GI Issues start (diarrhea)
3 months

55. We began investigating the safety and efficacy of chelation and its various forms
We chose Transdermal DMPS
(TD-DMPS)
for its ease of application and gentleness on the body.

56. Many different Forms of Chelators are now Available
(most come in a variety of forms such as oral, transdermal, IV and suppositories)
DMPS
DMSA
EDTA
ALA
TTFD
Natural chelators

57. We next tested Baxter with a provocative dose of oral DMSA
(against my better judgment) and it revealed an extremely toxic burden

58. No mercury exposure other than environmental
in 2 years

59. Baxter started chelating in October of 2004 using Transdermal DMPS following Day-on.. Day-off protocol

60. Tons of other junk came out!

61. Many Improvements! Mineral levels increased Iron levels go up
Behavior (nicer, kinder…better!)
Happy, joyous
Increased focus, reduced impulsivity
No aggression
Increased social skills/capability

62. lost the label!! 7 months after starting TD-DMPS Baxter
re-tested (Triennial) with the School district and
lost the label!!

63. This is almost 3 years to the day of receiving the label
NO MORE AUTISM!!!
This is almost 3 years to the day of receiving the label

64. Heavy Metals Test the month we lost the diagnosis

65. Pre chelation 2004
Post chelation 2005

66. All Excellents or Satisfactory
Recent Report Card
All Excellents or Satisfactory

67. Normal Socialization skills!

68. One “gift” we are given as parents of autistic children is that we appreciate the little things and take nothing for granted

69. Halloween 2006 -“Willy Wonka”
Thank you to all the doctors, therapists, friends and family that helped me get better.
Love,
Baxter
Halloween “Willy Wonka”