What is Customized Autism Treatment?
Customized Autism Treatment (C.A.T.) is a unique treatment method designed to reduce autism symptoms by understanding your child’s unique metabolic map. Rooted in the field of biologically based practices, C.A.T. utilizes a comprehensive analysis of advanced laboratory tests to develop an individualized therapy protocol to restore the patient’s internal biochemical balance by supplementing nutritional deficiencies. (Vitamin, amino acid, and mineral supplements according to the metabolic disorders identified in the laboratory tests).
These include:
- Inflammatory processes (and their effect on serotonin production): Activation of the inflammatory response leads to the release of inflammatory cytokines and mobilization of immune cells, both of which have been shown to access the brain and alter behavior.
- Oxidative stress: An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that may lead to oxidative stress, causing mitochondrial failure that affects the structural functioning of cytoplasm in cells.
- Impaired methylation processes: Influence the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline.
- Impaired sulfation processes: Influence the body’s ability to remove toxins naturally.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Neurotransmitters are synthesized from essential dietary compounds like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Neurotransmitter biosynthesis pathways and catabolism
- Parasitic pathogens: excess growth of fungal yeast and harmful bacteria
Detecting impaired metabolic processes—and treating them with customized vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplements (based on laboratory test results)— significantly enhances patients’ verbal, mental, and cognitive abilities and reduces autism symptoms such as anxiety, hand flapping, repetitive behaviors, obsession/fixation, sleep issues, isolation, tantrums, picky eating, and more.
***C.A.T is accessible worldwide as it relies on laboratory test results that can be obtained at the C.A.T Center in Israel or by collecting samples independently and sending them via FedEx express delivery directly to US and UK laboratories. In this case, we will provide the necessary laboratory test kits with detailed collection and shipping instructions.
How Do Metabolic Disorders Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Children with autism often grapple with metabolic disorders. These can be diagnosed with comprehensive laboratory testing, which can identify:
- Trace elements
- Neurotransmitter metabolites
- Amino acid blood levels
- Vitamin and mineral levels
- Mitochondrial failure
- Opportunistic pathogens
- Heavy metals
- Toxins (i.e., cadmium, mercury, lead, nickel)
- Food sensitivities
Detecting and treating metabolic disorders in children with autism helps to improve their speech, cognition, and social skills significantly.
Treatment Overview
The goal of the C.A.T. method is to improve the cognitive, social, and verbal abilities of children with autism by identifying and repairing impaired metabolic processes.
C.A.T is accessible worldwide as it relies on laboratory test results that can be obtained at the C.A.T Center in Israel or by collecting samples independently and sending them via FedEx express delivery directly to US and UK laboratories. In this case, we will provide the necessary laboratory test kits with detailed collection and shipping instructions.
The treatment spans five months and consists of six phases, each with a number of defined goals.
The first step in C.A.T. involves an initial assessment to determine suitability for treatment. Parents are asked to share their child's assessment reports and complete a questionnaire regarding their child's autism symptoms. The questionnaire aims to gain a complete take on any existing difficulties, evaluate C.A.T.'s suitability and establish a course of action.
After analyzing the information and establishing a course of action, patients will undergo a preliminary stool test to measure gastrointestinal microbiota DNA and detect pathogens (i.e., bacteria, parasites, and viruses) that may be disturbing the body’s normal microbial balance, as well as indicators for digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function. To do this, C.A.T. staff will send out a laboratory test kit with precise instructions for collecting and submitting the stool sample.
Upon completing the preliminary testing and after submitting the questionnaire, the patient will be invited to the C.A.T. Center in Israel for a series of broad-spectrum laboratory tests. Alternatively, laboratory test kits can be delivered to the patient.
Lab tests may include:
- Heavy Metal Hair Testing: Hair element analysis provides information regarding recent and ongoing exposure to potentially toxic metals and the time-averaged status of specific nutrient elements. Analytes Tested include Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Palladium, Platinum, Selenium, Silver, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Uranium, Vanadium, Zinc.
- Organic Acids Test: This analysis detects organic acid accumulation in the urine and other body fluids, identifying a broad spectrum of inborn metabolism errors and providing an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. Abnormally high levels of these microorganisms can cause or worsen behavioral disorders, hyperactivity, movement disorders, fatigue, and immune function.
- Red Blood Cell (RBC) Element Testing: RBC element tests assess the status of essential elements with important intracellular functions, such as magnesium, copper, and zinc. Deficiencies or excesses of these essential elements affect numerous metabolic processes. RBC element analysis is also useful to assess ongoing or recent exposure to specific toxic metals—including arsenic, cadmium, lead, methylmercury, and thallium—that accumulate preferentially in erythrocytes.
- Food Intolerance (Immunoglobulin G (IgG)) Testing: IgG tests help to identify chronic neurological, gastrointestinal, and movement disorders. These antibodies are present in all bodily fluids as a first line of defense against infection, but do not release histamine or produce allergic hypersensitivity reactions such as itching, hives, and sneezing. They may, conversely, yield subtle immune effects such as bloating, mood changes, and fatigue.
- Candida Overgrowth Test: Candida overgrowth in the gut can lead to increased intestinal permeability, which may allow larger food molecules to pass through the gut lining and trigger an IgG-mediated immune response. Dysbiosis of the gut, including candida overgrowth, is associated with the development of a leaky gut, and in turn, the development of a leaky gut is associated clinically with the development of food sensitivities.
- Blood Testing: Blood and additional laboratory tests may be performed.
Within 14 days of receiving all laboratory test results, the treatment protocol will be prepared, and a comprehensive explanation of the lab results and treatment recommendations will be provided.
The recommendations will include:
- Guidelines for taking vitamins, amino acid, and mineral supplements according to the metabolic disorders identified in the laboratory tests.
- Guidance on the types of foods to avoid during the treatment period according to the food sensitivity profile and dietary-derived peptide lab tests.
The patient will be prescribed nutritional supplements for a five-month treatment period. These supplements may be purchased in the patient's country of origin or from www.biocare.co.uk.
For the duration of treatment, C.A.T. Center staff will be available via phone or email to answer any questions that may come up along the way.
