For more autism information
Autistic disorder, or autism, is a developmental disorder resulting in social, language, or sensorimotor deficits, occurs in approximately seven of 10,000 persons. Early detection and intervention significantly improve outcome, with about one third of autistic persons achieving some degree of independent living. Indications for developmental evaluation include no babbling, pointing, or use of other gestures by 12 months of age, no single words by 16 months of age, no two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months of age, and loss of previously learned language or social skills at any age. Autism is frequently associated with fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, and may be caused by lead poisoning and metabolic disorders. Autistic children often suffer form mental retardation, seizure disorder, and psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.
   Advanced maternal age and paternal age are both risk factors for having a child with an autism spectrum disorder. However, the risk of having a child with autism is very small, even for the oldest parents.

Natural options for the treatment of Autism
There is a scattering of research that indicates diet and nutrients may be of some benefit in treating autism, but  much more research is needed before we have a better understanding the role of diet and nutritional supplements in the therapy of this condition.

Children given carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture. You can buy Carnosine here.

Carnosine Helpful in Autism
From the day she was born, Betty seemed different from other infants. At an age when most infants enjoy interacting with people and exploring their environment, Betty sat motionless in her crib and didn't respond to rattles or other toys. It wasn’t too long before Betty was diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer as a cure for this condition. But supplements may be helpful. Researchers at the Autism and Epilepsy Specialty Services in Lake Bluff, Illinois, investigated 31 children with autism in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if carnosine would result in changes. Carnosine is a natural substance composed of 2 amino acids. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, muscles, and nerve tissue, including the brain. The exact role of carnosine is not well understood, but studies indicate that this nutrient has antioxidant potential and may also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system). The children received 800 mg of carnosine a day and were compared with a group of children on placebo. After 8 weeks, children given carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture.
     Comments: Carnosine, also known as L-carnosine, is sold in health food stores most commonly in capsules of 500 mg. It would be worthwhile to try 100 to 200 mg of this nutrient before breakfast and lunch for a few weeks under a pediatrician’s supervision.

Diagnosis of autism
Early detection of autism is critical for early intervention, yet autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are typically not diagnosed until after three years of age. However, differences between typically developing children and those with ASD are detectable by two years of age. Because there are currently no medical diagnostic tests for autism, identifying developmental disruptions in infants and very young children with ASD may allow for earlier detection and critical intervention. A study examined development in 87 infants at 6, 14 and 24 months of age using a standardized development test. Based on data and clinical judgment at 24 months, participants were classified as: unaffected, language delayed (LD) or ASD. Researchers compared development across groups at the three target ages and observed statistically significant differences between the autism spectrum disorders group and the unaffected group at 14 months. By 24 months, significant differences were detectable between the ASD group and both the unaffected and LD groups. Participants in the study included infants at high risk for autism (siblings of children with autism), and infants at low risk (no family history of autism). Researchers measured development using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), a standardized test which assesses five domains of development, including: gross and fine motor; visual reception; and receptive and expressive language. At 14 months, four of the five mean MSEL scores were significantly lower in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder than those in the unaffected group. By 24 months, the ASD group performed significantly worse than the unaffected group in all domains of development, and worse than the LD group in three domains. Nearly half of the ASD group showed developmental worsening between 14 and 24 months. This study and previous research studies conducted by Dr. Landa found that developmental red flags for parents and physicians to watch for include: poor eye contact; reduced responsive smiling; diminished babbling; reduced social responsivity; and difficulty with language development, play and initiating or sustaining social interaction. Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Autism autistic child questions
Q. I am just writing to ask you how much of the Carnosine, and fish oil to give my 10 year old autistic child (Boy). I know you mention in your website that a child should take less than an adult but i don't know how much less. I will be meeting with my son's neurologist this week to start monitoring him and first of all get his "OK" since my son is on anticonvulsants. My autistic child is non-verbal (with potential) and very much dependant on me for his overall needs.
   A. It is difficult to know how any child responds to medicines or supplements. As a general rule, it is a good idea to start with a quarter of the adult dose for carnosine and one or two fish oil capsules a day and then your doctor would monitor.