William Shaw Ph.D.
with contributions by Bernard Rimland Ph.D., Bruce Semon M.D. Ph.D., Lisa Lewis Ph.D., Karyn Seroussi, and Pamela Scott
This book is a summary of current research and medical therapies in use for
the treatment of autism and PDD. The authors have written this book to serve
as a guide to therapies and as a reference source for both professionals and
nonprofessionals. All of this information is meant to be used under the care
of the patient's health care professional and the authors do not intend that
the information in this book be considered as a prescription for medical therapy
for anyone. Many of the therapies discussed in this book are relatively new
and may be associated with risks that may not be known for decades. Every
medical therapy has inherent risks. The reader and the medical professional
who treats himself or his children are responsible for weighing the risks
involved in any of the therapies reviewed in this book before instituting
such therapies. Although the authors have exhaustively researched all sources
to ensure the accuracy of the information in this book, we assume no responsibility
for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions.
I would like to thank the following individuals who have assisted me in many
different ways in this work: Steve and Sandy Passer, Sidney Baker M.D., Bernard
Rimland Ph.D. at the Autism Research Institute, Ellen Bolte and Portia Iversen
at the Cure Autism Now Foundation, William Crook M.D. of the International
Health Foundation, Kelly Dorfman and Patricia Lemer at the Developmental Delay
Registry, my teachers, especially Samuel Rogers Ph.D., D.V.M. for his outstanding
instruction in basic biochemistry, and Ellen Kassen for her outstanding work
in the laboratory. I would also like to thank the hundreds of other parents
and professionals who supported and encouraged my work and offered me additional
information that led to me to explore new therapies and theories.
William Shaw Ph.D.
Copyrightã 1998 by William Shaw Ph.D.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or by any informational storage or retrieval system except by a
reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine
or newspaper without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-9661238-0-8
Table of contents
Chapters by William Shaw Ph.D.
Chapter 1. Infections, antibiotics, and their relationship to autism and ADD. Alternative treatments. Is there an autism epidemic? The antibiotic revolution. Ear infections. Nonhuman use of antibiotics and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bacteria that cause ear infection. Ear infections and other recurrent infections and how to break the cycle or at least reduce the damage………………………………………………….…………..1
Chapter 2. The microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the intestinal tract. Yeast overgrowth of the intestinal tract. Evidence for abnormal bacterial byproducts in autism. Relationship between the immune system, early use of antibiotics and the microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract……...….…..15
Chapter 3. Organic acid testing, byproducts of yeast and their relationship to autism. Metabolic disease testing: the history of organic acid testing. Evaluation of two brothers with autism. Evaluation of a third child with autism. Properties of tartaric acid. Arabinose and Candida. Other sources of arabinose. Arabinose, pentosidine, and protein crosslinks. Arabinose and impaired vitamin function. Pentosidines, tangled nerves, Alzheimer's disease, and autism. Prevention of pentosidine formation with high doses of vitamin B-6 and other vitamins?…………………………….…….31
Chapter 4. Yeasts and fungi. How to control them. Diagnosis of yeast disorders.
Interactions of yeast and other bacteria. Antifungal therapies. Probiotics.
Nonprescription Antifungal products. Diet to control yeast overgrowth. The
yeast die-off or Herxheimer reaction. Garlic. Oregano. Caprylic acid and MCT
oil. Colloidal silver. Lactoferrin. Combination products. Biotin. Biotinidase
deficiency. Prescription antifungal products. How to administer nystatin……………………………………………………………66
Chapter 5. Immune deficiency, immunizations, and yeast suppression of the immune system. Overview of the immune system. Antibodies or immunoglobulins. Cellular immunity. Types of immune deficiency that occur in autism. Myeloperoxidase deficiency. Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID). Selective IgA deficiency. IgG subclass deficiency. Complement deficiency. Role of immunizations in causing immune deficiencies. Gliotoxins and other immunotoxins produced by yeast and fungi. Other toxic byproducts of Candida. Autoimmunity, molecular mimicry, and Candida. The wheat and yeast connection. Therapies. Gamma globulin therapy. Insurance coverage for immune therapies. Cimetidine. Transfer factor therapy. Pentoxifylline. IL-2. Allergic phenomena, food sensitivity, and altered behavior. Tests of allergies. Immunotherapy with enzyme-potentiated desensitization (EPD). Homeopathy…………………………………………….....95
Chapter 6. Abnormalities of the digestive system. Gluten and casein sensitivity. Differences between wheat sensitivity in autism and celiac disease. Restriction of gluten and casein from the diet. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Pancreatic atrophy, hypoglycemia, and antibiotics. Secretin. Tests of pancreatic function. Digestive enzyme supplements. Behavior, food dyes, and inactivation of digestive enzymes…………………………………….…..……....124
Chapter 7. Frequently Asked Questions…………….….…..…139
by Bruce Semon M.D. Ph.D.
Chapter 8. Treating yeast in children with autism: typical results of anti-yeast
therapy. Introduction. Case histories. Diet and antifungal treatment.
Origin of the treatment. The medical regimen: diet plus nystatin. Is this
treatment worth the family's aggravation for the sake of my child? Using nystatin.
Other anti-fungal medications. How long does treatment last? How does the
anti-yeast treatment compare with standard psychiatric medication for children
with autism? Are vitamins necessary? Are there any other natural substances
to treat autism? Conclusion.……..………….150
by Bernard Rimland Ph.D.
Chapter 9. The Use of Vitamin B6, Magnesium, and DMG in the Treatment of
Autistic Children and Adults. Vitamin B6 (and magnesium) in the treatment
of autism. Vitamin B6 in autism: the safety issue. Frequently Asked Questions
about vitamin B6. Dimethylglycine (DMG), a nontoxic metabolite, and autism….…………………………………………………………176
by Lisa Lewis Ph.D.
Chapter 10. Understanding and implementing a gluten and casein free diet.
Introduction. What is gluten? Why eliminate it from the diet? Further
research on gluten's effects. Sam's story. Jake's story. Testing for urinary
peptides. Testing for celiac disease. Phenol-sulfur transferase (PST) deficiency.
Where to go for help with a gluten and casein free diet. Products available
in health food stores. Mail order sources. The great bread machine debate.
Some good cookbooks. Can we ever eat out again? Where do we go from here?
Sam's story-today……………….………...…………….…196
by Pamela Scott
Chapter 11. Managed recovery from autism and ADD: One family's journey.…
………………………227
by Karyn Serousi
Chapter 12. Following a different road. A child's documented recovery
from autism. Frequently asked questions about dietary intervention………………………………………………………...265
by William Shaw Ph.D.
Chapter 13. Summing up…………………………….…………290
Index…………………………………………………………..…299