108: Preventing autism

"Preventing autism" is such an audacious goal! Is it possible? How can we prevent it if we don't know what causes it? Dara Berger is a mom whose son was diagnosed as autistic before he was three years old. She was told that there was no cure or hope beyond ABA (applied behavior analysis). This was the start of her quest to find answers and help for her child, and to avoid a similar diagnosis for children she hoped to bear, down the line. There are no simple solutions, Dara readily admits. She has done much research, interviewing a variety of doctors and autism specialists for her book "How to Prevent Autism." She has concluded that autism is in all likelihood a disorder tied to toxic overload. To regain their health and to prevent the condition in future children takes much work. In today's episode, she gives ideas about where to begin. She touches on: 

• how dietary changes are critical for the child's health
• the importance of seeing an integrative health specialist
• how autism is related to gut health
• how functional medicine is making huge strides against this disorder by recognizing the volume of factors that lead to an autism diagnosis
• the genetic mutations that make it difficult for the brain and gut to function properly

Today's episode will give you an idea of how to help a child on the autistic spectrum and even how to "clean out" your own body from its toxic load, so that you may avoid the diagnosis altogether with a subsequent baby.  For more information on Dara and her book, visit howtopreventautism.org. For highlights from today's episode, go to westonaprice.org. And check out our sponsor: realmilk.com.