Developmental Delays: Prevent, Treat, Optimize

As a mother, I have spent the large part of the last 7 years worrying.  Worrying about my kids before they were born.  Worrying about labour.  Worrying about feeding.  Worrying about kids getting hurt.  Worrying when they are sick.  Worrying, worrying, and worrying.

So when should you worry about your child’s development?  This is a tricky question for parents who are having children today.  Our children are surrounded by toxins.  Lead, arsenic, aluminum and mercury.  Bisphenol A, dioxins, pesticides and fire retardants.  In a world where Gatorade contains fire retardants that have been linked to ADHD and Autism, and where your average apple has 42 pesticides on it, we should all worry if our children are meeting their developmental potential.  From a treatment perspective there are three different ways to look at development.  Prevention, Treatment, Optimizing 

PREVENTING DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS

Preventing developmental concerns is the newest area of focus as emerging research links toxins, disrupted gut health and nutrient deficiencies to increased risk of developmental disorders like speech delay, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tic disorders, OCD and learning disabilities.  Prevention starts as early as pre-pregnancy detoxification for both partners.  Remember, 80% of unexplained infertility is related to sperm health.  North American men have a staggeringly low “normal” rate for sperm health.  Your average Australian man produces 900 million per sample but many couples are told that 20 million is enough.  The presence of toxins is our new reality.  The National Institute of Health estimates that at least 25% of developmental delays are related directly to toxins.   In a landmark study, researchers found that for each 10 miles closer to a landfill a child lived, the rate of special needs went up.  There are countless studies linking toxicity to our children’s health.  There are also many documented risk factors for having a child with developmental concerns such as serotonin production, thyroid function, immune dysregulation, vitamin D deficiency, methylation impairments, elevated toxic load etc.  So as a parent who is preparing for pregnancy, pregnant or has just had a baby, here are some really important things to consider.

 

·        Detox your home!  Many substances and materials in your home impact your health  and your children’s health

 

·        Omega 3 fatty acids – North Americans are extremely deficient.  A good omega 3 should be taken before and during pregnancy, during breastfeeding and given to infants because they have trouble converting essential fatty acids to DHA which is crucial for brain development.  Invest in a good omega 3 that is cleaned properly to remove metals, pesticides and chemicals.  Ascenta, Nordic Naturals, Genestra and Nutra Sea are our favourites

·        Probiotics are very important to regulate immune response and inflammation.  Probiotics during pregnancy and from the first day of life are highly recommended to reduce risk of eczema, allergies, asthma and developmental disorders.  Children with ADHD and autism have a different ecosystem in the gut described as an impaired microbiome.  Your child’s gut is 100% responsible for supporting post-natal development

·        Folate not FOLIC!  Folic acid is synthetic.  It requires conversion to methyl folate which helps to make serotonin and dopamine that are crucial for healthy development.  Most pre-natal vitamins contain FOLIC ACID.  The problem is that 40% of the population has trouble converting folic acid to methyl folate.  It is essential to supplement with METHYL FOLATE or FOLATE before and during pregnancy as well as during lactation 

TREATMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS – 1 in 6 Canadian children experiences developmental concerns

For many years, developmental disorders were considered to be a mental health concern.  Behavioural therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and other treatments designed to optimize a child’s development are beneficial but they can only take a child as far as that child’s biochemistry will allow.  With new research identifying biochemical impairments in children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, a new way of thinking is emerging. Children with developmental concerns have MEDICAL ISSUES that can be assessed and treated resulting in new potential.  Biomedical treatment focuses on individual assessment of a child’s physiology, biochemistry and immune function.  When underlying issues are treated, children are able to progress more quickly and further because their body has attained a higher level of health not held down by a medical concern.  For example, take glutathione.  Glutathione is the RATE LIMITING STEP to your child’s development.  Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant and is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances and hormones. Improving glutathione production will help with any developmental disorder.  Treatment of developmental delays is the subject of millions of dollars of research.  You can read more about biomedical treatment in the following books:

·         Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Asthma, Allergies, ADHD and Autism – Dr. Kenneth Bock, MD

·         The Autism Revolution – Dr. Martha Herbert, PhD, MD

·         Changing the Course of Autism – Dr. Bryan Jepson, MD

Some of you may be thinking that your child doesn’t have ADHD or Autism so treatment is not an option but consider what a child with autism usually deals with:

·         Language delay

·         Social impairment

·         Cognitive delays

·         Behavioural issues

·         Sensory impairment

·         Fine and/or gross motor skill delays

One of the wonderful thing coming out of the research focus on the medical aspects of autism is that we are learning that any developmental concern can benefit from individualized assessment and treatment.  Take YEAST as an example.  A child may have yeast overgrowth in the gut that is depleting B6 which depletes DOPAMINE. Behaviours and Clinical Signs for Yeast are http://naturalcareclinic.ca/blog/2013/10/31/signs-of-yeast/ 

Dopamine is needed for:

·         Processing of information

·         Perception of change

·         Transitions

·         Attention and Focus

·         Motivation

·         Mood

·         Cognitive function 

A typically developing child may have trouble with mood regulation or transitions because of yeast overgrowth in the gut.  A child with autism may have a major issue with dopamine regulation resulting in many more concerns.  The take home message is that ANY DEVELOPMENTAL CONCERN CAN BE TREATED THROUGH BIOMEDICAL TREATMENT. 

OPTIMIZING DEVELOPMENT

The majority of children are developing typically.  If your child is meeting all their milestones and has no developmental concerns, is it worth supporting their development?  I think it is.  A study out of the UK a few months ago showed that our children will have a decreased lifespan because of unhealthy diet.  Thirty-five percent of North American homes still have lead in them.  Twenty-two percent of those homes have enough lead to impact a child’s development.  Your child is surrounded by toxins.  We have to be proactive in protecting the brain because even though some children are developing typically, it is entirely possible they are not meeting their potential because of toxins.

A few good questions to ask to discern if your child is at risk from toxins are the following:

1.       Does your child eat food?

2.       Does your child breathe?

3.       Does your child drink water?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your child is exposed to the 90, 000 chemicals that are in our land, air and water.

The incredible thing about the cells in our body is their ability to detoxify harmful substances.  You can enhance your child’s protective mechanisms by focusing on:

·         Free range, hormone free meat – Our family orders meat in bulk to keep the cost down and improve the quality

·         Increase vegetarian sources of protein, reduce red meat

·         Eat foods with lower amounts of pesticides – focus on organic or avoiding the “dirty dozen” foods that are highest in pesticides

·         Omega 3 fatty acids, probiotics and methyl B12

·         Green leafy vegetables – try hiding them in a smoothie, pancakes, muffins, soups or sauces

·         Make sure your child is getting enough sleep and exercise

·         Reduce the stress in your child’s life and expose them to natural environments

·         Canadians need vitamin D3 to stay healthy – make sure your child is getting the right amount daily

·         Eat foods that raise glutathione like green leafy vegetables, brazil nuts, mushrooms, avocado and watermelon 

 

 

Yours in good health,                    

Dr. Sonya, Natural Care Clinic