Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Naturopathic Approach to Treatment
Every person on the autism spectrum is unique. That’s why understanding what’s happening inside the body, rather than just managing external symptoms, is key to supporting overall health and development.
At Neighborhood Naturopathic, we use organic acid testing (OAT) as part of our naturopathic approach to care for those on the autism spectrum. This simple, non-invasive urine test provides powerful insight into how the body’s systems are functioning, including gut health, mitochondrial activity, and nutrient metabolism – areas that research shows can impact behavior, focus, mood, and energy in neurodiverse individuals.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Not An Anomaly
Autism is a whole-body condition, not just a neurological one, as we emphasized in our previous article about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Every individual presents differently.
Dr. Andrew Litchy reminds us of the oft-used phrase, “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”
From a naturopathic perspective, we focus on these key areas when considering ASD:
- Nutrition: Identifying nutrient deficiencies and understanding how the body utilizes vitamins and minerals.
- Gut Health: Assessing for dysbiosis, inflammation, and microbial overgrowth that may contribute to behavior or mood changes.
- Mitochondrial Function: Evaluating how well the body produces and manages energy at the cellular level.
- Nervous System Regulation: Understanding how stress, inflammation, and metabolism influence neurotransmitters and mood.
These systems are interconnected, and when one is under stress, it can affect many others.
What Organic Acid Testing Reveals
The organic acid test provides a functional snapshot of how the body is working, helping identify patterns that might otherwise go unseen in conventional bloodwork. It measures byproducts of metabolism, called organic acids, that reflect activity across multiple body systems.
Through this test, we can evaluate:
- Gut Health: Detecting overgrowth of Candida or Clostridium species. Certain Clostridium strains (related to C. diff or C. botulinum, the source of botox) can produce neurotoxic byproducts that alter neurotransmitters and mood regulation.
- Mitochondrial Function: Understanding how efficiently cells produce energy, which can influence focus, muscle strength, language development, and stamina. Many people diagnosed with autism have a degree of mitochondrial dysfunction, and careful testing allows early and appropriate treatment.
- Nutrient Utilization: Identifying where the body may be deficient or inefficiently using vitamins, minerals, and amino acids properly.
- Detoxification Markers: Determining if the body’s detox pathways are overburdened or sluggish.
Why Testing Matters
Without sufficient data, even well-intended interventions can make things worse rather than better. Even though a particular treatment may be frequently helpful, cookie-cutter approaches can harm an individual. For example, jumping into detoxification or gut repair without confirming the body’s ability to handle it may lead to increased inflammation or discomfort – these are some of the issues we hope to resolve!
Not every person diagnosed with ASD struggles with detoxification, but for those who do, it can be significant. Identifying markers before treatment ensures we move carefully and effectively, supporting the body’s ability to heal and regulate rather than overwhelm it.
A Personalized, Naturopathic Approach
At Neighborhood Naturopathic, we use organic acid testing to personalize care, so that we can connect what’s happening biologically to what you’re seeing behaviorally or emotionally. With this information, we can create a plan that may include:
- Nutritional and dietary adjustments
- Targeted supplementation or herbs
- Support for mitochondrial health and gut balance
- Strategies for mood, focus, and regulation
By understanding the “why” behind symptoms, we can better support the whole person as they experience neurodiversity, uniquely.
Get to the Root of Symptoms
If you’re curious about how naturopathic medicine can support someone with autism spectrum disorder, or if you’d like to learn more about organic acid testing, our team in Edina, Minnesota, is here to help.
New patients can call (612) 259-8529 or schedule a complimentary consultation online at Neighborhood Naturopathic. Let’s uncover the data that can make a difference.