There is a Link Between Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Autism Spectrum Disorder:
Before we provide the main body of this post – please be aware of our OFFER FOR THOSE WITH ASD:
WHAT DOES SUPPORT WITHOUT TESTING INVOLVE:
For those with ASD and neurological symtoms:
We seek to provide 30mins – 60mins time on a 1:1 basis with a named student for 10 consecutive days. This is the minimum time needed to see the benefits of ‘part of what we offer’. Additional time to support the family with home based initiatives is preferable. Additional time to educate the SLT, teachers and TA’s involved in supporting the children is essential. This could be done alongside the practical work with the children, or as stand alone training. Additional time with the catering manager and any specialist support staff would also be preferable.
Rather than just these 10 days, we need 6 weeks – preferably 12 weeks of focused time with each individual, or small group of up to 5 individuals, to realise a life changing transition into a better functioning person.
Multiple students could be supported as a cohort (trial group) – ideally 5 students per half/full term.
Once you realise the benefits it could be extended for the full school, trust or local authority.
We can expand from a local solution to a national solution with ease.
Widen your perspective and free yourself and others – BECOME THE SOLUTION FACILITATOR.
There exists a perspective, based on practical experiences, that the root cause of much of the neurological conditions, including ASD, ADHD, PDA, ODD, AND FEAR & TRAUMA arise from tissue mineral dysregulation and microbiome dysbiosis. Our approach does not seek to totally overcome the full spectrum of anyone’s challenges, however, it does seek to provide solutions that may change an individuals and a families life for the better; by reducing the scale of their issues. TAKE A MOMENT TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THIS – CONSIDER THAT IT IS POSSIBLY YOU THAT HOLDS THIS POWER – THE DECISION MAKER OF GIVING IT A TRIAL – YOU ARE THE GAME CHANGER. IMAGINE THE CREDIBILITY THIS WOULD BRING FOR YOU AND YOUR ORGANISATION AND YOUR COMMUNITY – REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY.
OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS:
We have to slot this in somewhere, because it provides perspective:
The same approach supports those who present as fully functional with the opportunity to journey on a pathway to self and team actualisation and optimal physical, mental, and emotional functioning – perfect for high performance individuals and teams. Perfect for professional sports teams and high end project managers and sales teams – or SLT’s within your organisation.
For details of how our support and guidance can best be integrated into your individuals and teams lifestyle please contact Marcus for a friendly FREE chat.
Now let us return to main body of this post:
Our solutions include HMDT (Hair Mineral Deficiency Testing) and are supported by:
- The Trust Technique
- PEMF Therapy
- SSP
- HRV Therapy (Breathing techniques and emotional control games)
- Hypnotherapy
- IFS
- SEND PLAY (Social, Emotional & Neuroligical Development Play)
- Use of the VFP Protocol – #1 LiCrON/Regeneration
for children and young people in the Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire area.
The service delivers short to medium term therapeutic interventions – with and without academic education, There is virtually no limit as to the range and scope of our flexible service.
We are not just another provider of intervention support!
If you want a supply teacher, therapist, or a person to occupy or distract challenging pupils – you can tick that box with a standard supply agency!
We exist to do what others are unaware of, can’t do, won’t do, don’t know how to do, or are fearful of doing – WE ALSO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE RATHER THAN RESPONDING TO SYMPTOMS.
OUR FOCUS AND PRIORITY IS FOR THE PUPIL – THIS BENEFITS EVERYONE!
We are exceptionally experienced and successful hands on therapeutic practitioners that can also provide academic support if required. More significantly, we seek to integrate the pupil(s) back into mainstream life as upstanding citizens you would be proud of.
HIGH END SPECIALIST THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES:
The high end specialist therapy modalities we provide are predominantly based on the clinical approaches of Prof. Stephen Porges, and medical research on effective strategies for neuronal regeneration (Such as the work on mitophagy). Our approach is endorsed by CAMHS and can be applied for almost any trauma, chronic stress or neurodivergence.
The pupils we support are normally those that cause major problems for parents and carers. Our unique support service involves working with family or pastoral workers, outside agencies and even the doctors. We can support with nutrition, exercise and sleep issues. We can support with lateness and absenteeism, and out of control behaviour.
The pupils we support are normally those that cause the biggest challenges for teachers, heads of year and teaching assistants. Due to our autonomy and independence, we are more flexible than a school based initiative. We can support the pupils out of school as much as in school – we can provide that transition – and manage it, rather that allowing it to break down due to lack of continuity.
Every day for half a term (or longer) – we can support pre-school, during school, and after-school. We prioritise the causes of the challenges and seek to provide supportive solutions. TRY US WITH YOUR MOST CHALLENGING PUPILS TO TEST US OUT – now that’s an interesting offer – lol.
Services can be provided to mainstream, SEND, AUTISM, and SEMH schools as well as for pupils who do not attend school or for pupils in residential care homes – or for home schooled students. We can spend much of our time out of school with the families or carers putting in place that which is lacking in the home or lifestyle.
Every challenged pupil, family and carers, has there own unique set of issues and we treat them with value and dignity. We support and guide them to find and be true to themselves, to be authentic, and to be positive for Self and Others.
Alternative Intervention Support for children and young people – FULL TIME FOR 6 WEEKS:
In order to achieve success we prefer to have pupils on a full time basis for at least 6 weeks – and ideally 12 weeks. We work with the parents and carers on significant aspects such as sleep, exercise, nutrition and stressors. We educate, support and guide the parents and carers with better life skill protocols that support what is dysregulated. We also work with the schools, the teachers, teaching assistants, catering staff and the SLT’s to ensure effective understanding of change is carried through.
WHO ELSE PROVIDES THIS LEVEL OF SUPPORT – OR EVEN VISION?
If this is not possible, then we are flexible and caring enough to listen to your challenges and provide a compassionate response – INTEGRATION IS THE KEY.
All circumstances are unique, and the only way to proceed with this is to invite us in to discuss your needs and ideally meet the pupil(s) and assess your environment.
Availability as from 4th November 2024 will be on a first come first served basis –
This post NOW provides an educational essay that explores the gut-brain axis and a range of innovative and effective integrative therapies that reduce and minimise the negative symptoms of challenging behaviour and self-isolation associated with ASD.
- Brief overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Introduction to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms commonly seen in people with ASD. Importance of understanding the connection between GI issues and ASD.
- Introduction of a nutritional and exercise protocol;
Section 1: Brief overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Prevalence of ASD in the UK Population
The NHS’s most recent data (2021) indicate around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. This equates to about 1 in 100 people.
In the United States, the prevalence is 1 in 59 for all children and 1 in 37 for boys based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – quite a frightening statistic, and one that indicates diet and lifestyle influences genetic potential.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restrictive behaviours. It affects individuals differently, hence the term “spectrum.”
Core Symptoms of ASD:
Social Communication Difficulties:
- Trouble understanding and using nonverbal cues (e.g., eye contact, facial expressions).
- Difficulty in understanding and participating in back-and-forth conversations.
- Struggles with forming and maintaining relationships or engaging in social interactions.
- Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours:
- Repetitive movements or speech patterns (e.g., hand-flapping, repeating phrases).
- Strong adherence to routines and difficulty with changes or transitions.
- Highly focused interests in specific topics or objects.
Sensory Sensitivities:
- Over or under-sensitivity to sensory inputs, such as light, sound, textures, or smells.
- ASD symptoms vary in severity, and early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes.
Cognitive Abilities:
- ASD affects individuals across a wide range of intellectual abilities.
- Some may have intellectual disabilities, while others may be highly intelligent, sometimes referred to as having “high functioning” autism or Asperger’s syndrome (though this term is no longer widely used in diagnosis).
Co-occurring Conditions:
- Individuals with ASD often experience co-occurring conditions like anxiety, ADHD, epilepsy, or gastrointestinal issues, further contributing to the variability in how autism presents.
Age of Onset and Recognition:
- Symptoms often become noticeable in early childhood (before age 3), but some individuals, particularly those with milder forms of ASD or females who mask their symptoms, may not receive a diagnosis until later in life.
- This variability means that while two people might both have a diagnosis of ASD, their day-to-day experiences, strengths, and challenges may be entirely different. This underscores the importance of personalized support and interventions.
Section 2: Introduction to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms commonly seen in people with ASD. Importance of understanding the connection between GI issues and ASD.
Several studies have demonstrated a higher incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), both globally and in the UK. These findings suggest that GI issues, such as constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, are significantly more common in children with ASD compared to neurotypical children.
Key Studies and Evidence from the UK:
University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s Study (ALSPAC Study):
- One of the most significant UK-based longitudinal studies on ASD and GI issues is the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as Children of the 90s. This large-scale birth cohort study collected data on various health outcomes, including GI symptoms.
- A study derived from the ALSPAC cohort (2010) found that children with ASD were more likely to experience GI problems, particularly constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort, compared to their neurotypical peers. This association was evident in early childhood, before ASD diagnoses were made. The study highlighted a possible link between gut-brain interaction and the development of ASD symptoms, though the exact mechanisms remain under investigation.
Research by Dr. Elisa Hill-Yardin (UK and Australia Collaborative Study):
- Research led by Dr. Elisa Hill-Yardin, from the University of Surrey in the UK, has explored the prevalence and nature of GI issues in children with ASD. The study, which involved UK and Australian participants, showed that nearly 70% of children with ASD experienced GI problems compared to less than 30% of neurotypical children. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating GI symptoms in children with ASD to improve their overall quality of life, as these symptoms are often under-reported and under-treated.
National Autistic Society and Research Collaborations:
- The National Autistic Society in the UK has also reported data from various studies showing that children with ASD are more prone to chronic gastrointestinal issues. It cites research indicating that these GI problems often worsen behavioural symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances, potentially aggravating core ASD characteristics.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses:
- A 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis that included UK data on autism and GI symptoms concluded that children with ASD are 4.42 times more likely to experience GI problems than neurotypical children. This review consolidated findings from multiple studies, showing that symptoms such as constipation and diarrhoea were consistently reported at higher rates in children with autism.
Mechanisms and Theories:
There are several hypotheses regarding the connection between ASD and GI issues, including:
- Gut-brain axis dysfunction, where altered communication between the gut and brain may contribute to both GI symptoms and ASD-related behaviours.
- Microbiome imbalances, where children with ASD may have different gut bacterial compositions that could influence both gastrointestinal health and neurological function.
- Dietary differences, as many children with ASD have restrictive eating patterns or food sensitivities, which could contribute to GI disturbances.
Implications:
The evidence supports the need for routine GI screenings in children with ASD in the UK and elsewhere. Addressing these issues may not only improve physical health but could also potentially alleviate some behavioural symptoms linked to discomfort or pain (in the head as well as the gut).
In conclusion, multiple UK-based studies and international collaborations highlight the significantly higher prevalence of GI issues in children with ASD, underscoring the importance of early identification and intervention.
#3: The VFP#1 LiCrON/ Regeneration Protocol from Be Super provides support for this.
Marcus Pearson the creator of the protocol is also able to overcome other gut-brain axis dysfunction such as insulin resistance, diabetes, mineral dysregulation, and microbiome imbalance – leading to metabolic dysfunction.
Conclusion:
In summary, there is increasing evidence that the gut and brain are intricately linked in individuals with ASD, with gut microbiome imbalances, immune dysregulation, and dysfunction in the gut-brain axis playing a role in both GI health and ASD-related behaviours. Differences in gut bacteria, such as lower microbial diversity and imbalances in specific strains, can contribute to both gastrointestinal symptoms and behaviours characteristic of ASD. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to more targeted therapies, such as VFP#1 LiCrON/ Regeneration. This protocol is especially beneficial because it is supported by someone with practical experience of working within ASD special schools.
More detail is available if you need it:
My apologies for the structure of the following information on this further link, I am currently, trying to present perhaps more than I should, – please accept it is my intention to be thorough, and you may be able to appreciate this rather than the layout or detail.
My availability as from 4th November 2024 will be on a first come first served basis.
Kind Regards,
Marcus Pearson
- Ring Marcus on 07931 326 164
- Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn
Marcus is focused on supporting others better interact with themselves and others.
