Brain Fog
Brain fog is not a medical condition but a term used to describe problems with attention, concentration, memory, and focus. Many children with autism experience mental fogginess that can make it difficult for your child to carry on conversations, complete simple tasks, or do homework.
Constipation
Constipation is consistently among the most frequently reported GI symptoms. Constipation can cause irritability and moodiness, heightened stress and anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Using diet and supplements to address and manage constipation can help treat the root cause, not just symptoms.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is among the most common gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism. Severity of gastrointestinal symptoms has been shown to correlate with autism severity. Dietary changes, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments can help manage, prevent, and treat short-term or chronic diarrhea.
Die-Off (Herxheimer) Reaction
Hexheimer (also known as die-off) reactions occur in patients infected by certain bacterial infections, but emerging research suggests that die-off may occur in patients with other conditions too, including yeast overgrowth and fungal infections.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Children with ASD are nearly 8 times more likely to have at least one GI symptom, though constipation is the most common. GI issues were directly linked to increased problem behaviors such as self-injurious behaviors, restricted stereotyped behaviors, aggressive behaviors, sleep problems and attention problems. Autism severity can be correlated to the severity of GI issues. Addressing the gut can be foundational in addressing underlying nutrition issues for autism.
Sleep Issues
Approximately two-thirds of children with ASD have chronic insomnia, which is 2-3x greater than children without ASD. Children with ASD and with sleep disturbances had lower performance in daily living skills, social cognition, social communication and intellectual development than ASD children without sleep disturbances.
Speech Delay
Speech delay is when the development of language is slower than expected, when a child has not met typical speech milestones at typical age markers.