|
John F. Taylor, Ph.D. is the founder and president of Parentology. Specializing in clinical family psychology for over 45 years, he is widely regarded as an innovator and pioneering authority in the field of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He is the author of over 20 books, over 200 articles in journals and professional newsletters, and numerous educational resources used internationally.John F. Taylor, Ph.D. is the founder and president of Parentology. Specializing in clinical family psychology for over 45 years, he is widely regarded as an innovator and pioneering authority in the field of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He is the author of over 20 books, over 200 articles in journals and professional newsletters, and numerous educational resources used internationally.
Choosing an effective ("right") diet and dietary supplements with a whole foods philosophy is an integral & truly KEY and fundamental part to living with ASD. I believe having an experienced health coach is important for going to the next level in improving the quality of life with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, addiction, etc.
John F. Taylor, Ph.D. has been a family psychologist for over 40 years and is a father of 8 children, 3 of whom have ADHD. His practice included a focus on children and adolescents with ADD/ADHD. He authored one of the first books devoted to ADD/ADHD family relationship issues (THE HYPERACTIVE CHILD AND THE FAMILY). A prolific developer of techniques and resources for ADD/ADHD as well as a captivating speaker, he has often been featured at conferences and on nationally broadcast talk shows. He has authored numerous books and parent educational materials as well as many articles in professional journals, including the “Sharpening Your Counseling Skills” column in the journal PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR COUNSELORS. A consultant and item writer for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-3), he is listed in WHO’S WHO IN THE WEST, WHO’S WHO AMONG HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSIONALS and THE INTERNATIONAL WHO’S WHO OF PROFESSIONALS. |
Featured Literature - Kids with ADHD
By Dr. John Taylor
Dr. Taylor’s best selling book, “The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD” continues to be very popular worldwide. It has been translated into Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Spanish languages.
Dr. Taylor’s best selling book, “The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD” continues to be very popular worldwide. It has been translated into Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Spanish languages.
A Natural FOOD nutritional therapy support system (by author of Beyond Foods, Barb Swanson)
As I've been learning about The Functional Medicine therapeutic approach to mental health and what is included on this fulcrum of brain connections, (such as Asperger’s and ASD, addiction/mental health for instance), I have become educated with the philosophy that brain health = gut health and vice versa. Functional Medicine seems to be the best approach.
As I was trying to find natural help for a child with Asperger’s, and another with intense anxiety and ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), as well as addiction too!, I learned about a medical discipline called Functional Medicine. I was very impressed with the logic they presented in these books as to why brain function is so sensitive in those with Asperger’s or ASD as well as the full panel of what is mental health.
The following is from author Barbara Swanson's site for Asperger's:
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is based on the knowledge that in order for health to occur, you must have healthy digestion, and your body must be able to cleanse and detox in a healthy and effective way. Without good digestion, you will not get the nutrient building blocks that are essential for life; you will have compromised immune health; and you will lack energy and mental clarity.
Without healthy detox and cleansing channels, your body will accumulate the toxic residues of metabolism and life. These toxins clog your circulatory system, impede the function of other organ systems and will eventually cause a variety of diseases.
You support your digestion and detox channels through:
“…new information on the dynamics of the body make it clear that conditions in the digestive tract affect the entire system…degradation of the gastrointestinal environment is one of the primary points at which health is lost. What we now know is that the same toxins associated with GI dysfunction are frequently absorbed and distributed to other parts of the body including the brain….
Often, it’s a weak link in the system that will be hit by the damage – an organ that can be anywhere in the body that is most likely to be vulnerable. The vulnerability may be inherited, caused by physical injury, toxic exposure, or poor diet”. Jeffrey Anderson, M.D., How Problems with Digestion Can
Cause Illness Anywhere
Recent studies show that autism has a strong link to poor digestive health. Studies also show that people with ASD do not have normal detoxification channels. The reason for this may be a genetic weakness, an environmental toxin exposure, or a bit of both. The problems with digestion and detox combine and exacerbate already sensitive brain function. Therefore, using the Functional Medicine health model is most beneficial.
My experience is that it was only after I began to use this health model that I saw ongoing, lasting improvement in my sons' ability to tolerate the stress of social situations. He also lost weight, felt happier and was able to communicate better.
Jerry Stine, M.D., in How Digestion Works, explains that the gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ in our body. Eighty percent of all our protective immunoglobulins are produced in the digestive tract.
When this large, strategically placed immune system element isn’t working well, several stresses are set in motion.
As I was trying to find natural help for a child with Asperger’s, and another with intense anxiety and ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), as well as addiction too!, I learned about a medical discipline called Functional Medicine. I was very impressed with the logic they presented in these books as to why brain function is so sensitive in those with Asperger’s or ASD as well as the full panel of what is mental health.
The following is from author Barbara Swanson's site for Asperger's:
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is based on the knowledge that in order for health to occur, you must have healthy digestion, and your body must be able to cleanse and detox in a healthy and effective way. Without good digestion, you will not get the nutrient building blocks that are essential for life; you will have compromised immune health; and you will lack energy and mental clarity.
Without healthy detox and cleansing channels, your body will accumulate the toxic residues of metabolism and life. These toxins clog your circulatory system, impede the function of other organ systems and will eventually cause a variety of diseases.
You support your digestion and detox channels through:
- Better digestion and assimilation of foods through the use of probiotics and enzymes. This is essential for those with ASD due to their food sensitivities and poor gut health
- Supporting detox and cleansing channels with increased protection against free radical damage (oxidative stress) with antioxidants. This is particularly important because people with Asperger’s or ASD do not have normal detox and cleansing channels
- Better brain and immune function through the use of specific brain-enhancing supplements and foods. Immune health is intricately linked to brain function; support one, and you naturally support the other
“…new information on the dynamics of the body make it clear that conditions in the digestive tract affect the entire system…degradation of the gastrointestinal environment is one of the primary points at which health is lost. What we now know is that the same toxins associated with GI dysfunction are frequently absorbed and distributed to other parts of the body including the brain….
Often, it’s a weak link in the system that will be hit by the damage – an organ that can be anywhere in the body that is most likely to be vulnerable. The vulnerability may be inherited, caused by physical injury, toxic exposure, or poor diet”. Jeffrey Anderson, M.D., How Problems with Digestion Can
Cause Illness Anywhere
Recent studies show that autism has a strong link to poor digestive health. Studies also show that people with ASD do not have normal detoxification channels. The reason for this may be a genetic weakness, an environmental toxin exposure, or a bit of both. The problems with digestion and detox combine and exacerbate already sensitive brain function. Therefore, using the Functional Medicine health model is most beneficial.
My experience is that it was only after I began to use this health model that I saw ongoing, lasting improvement in my sons' ability to tolerate the stress of social situations. He also lost weight, felt happier and was able to communicate better.
Jerry Stine, M.D., in How Digestion Works, explains that the gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ in our body. Eighty percent of all our protective immunoglobulins are produced in the digestive tract.
When this large, strategically placed immune system element isn’t working well, several stresses are set in motion.
- First, there is the increased production of toxic byproducts called free radicals. The assault of free radicals, also referred to as oxidative stress, stimulates the liver, causing it to send out signals that can confuse the immune system. These signals often trigger inappropriate reactions in both the immune and neurological systems, leading to inflammation. It is my opinion that on one level, ASD can be described as a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the brain.
2. Oxidative stress from free radicals also causes problems by depleting essential nutrients. This can short-circuit immune function, and cause problems in nervous system function. This link is the reason that certain foods can offer such amazing results for anyone with ASD.
The specific health challenges that come with ASD must be taken into consideration when looking at dietary choices and selecting nutritional products for improving the quality of life with ASD.
A health coach to guide you through the process. The effectiveness and potency of the wild and organically grown whole food supplements that I recommend are very high in terms of providing the body with nutrients it needs to detoxify and normalize. Detoxification is especially important for those who have ASD (read more about this in our letter series). With ASD, it is important to first remove then help the body recover from the toxins that helped to contribute to the symptoms associated with ASD.
Therefore, many people using our whole food supplements at first will experience some level of cleansing or detoxification.
Detoxification symptoms range from non-existent to varying symptoms of discomfort. Throughout this process, you need a coach. The cleansing process can last one month to several months. Having someone to email or talk to during this time helps ease much of the anxiety. As your coach, I can also help guide you towards a better diet and with the environmental modifications that help support healthy brain function.
I would like to be your coach in this process. I don’t charge anything for consulting and working with you through your journey. You can email your questions to me, and I’ll be there to guide you all the way to success. This will include a personalized recommendations protocol/program based on your health history. It is not recommended that you start with all the supplements at once as our whole food supplements are potent, .
You need to build up, starting with mild supplements, and slowly move to stronger ones (targeted nutritional therapy) in terms of their effectiveness to cleanse your body and then support immune health and brain function.
This is why it is important for you to share with me your health background first. I need to find out if you’ve taken antibiotics or other drugs; how long you’ve been on them; what your diet is; and some specifics about your home environment.
You can fill out a health questionnaire by emailing me the request if you are interested in getting started on the ASD Natural Support program.
Once I learn about your health background, then I can recommend how to start you on our whole food supplement program.
If you’ve had or use certain drugs, and depending on the current diet and health status, I may want to start you on a very gentle intestinal strengthening program with the supplements and diet to build up your immune system and health in general. If you have not had any drugs and are in general healthy condition, then we can start an accelerated supplement program.
I need to learn about your health level first, before I recommend a specific health program customized for you.
Steps to get started on your ASD Support Program.
A health coach to guide you through the process. The effectiveness and potency of the wild and organically grown whole food supplements that I recommend are very high in terms of providing the body with nutrients it needs to detoxify and normalize. Detoxification is especially important for those who have ASD (read more about this in our letter series). With ASD, it is important to first remove then help the body recover from the toxins that helped to contribute to the symptoms associated with ASD.
Therefore, many people using our whole food supplements at first will experience some level of cleansing or detoxification.
Detoxification symptoms range from non-existent to varying symptoms of discomfort. Throughout this process, you need a coach. The cleansing process can last one month to several months. Having someone to email or talk to during this time helps ease much of the anxiety. As your coach, I can also help guide you towards a better diet and with the environmental modifications that help support healthy brain function.
I would like to be your coach in this process. I don’t charge anything for consulting and working with you through your journey. You can email your questions to me, and I’ll be there to guide you all the way to success. This will include a personalized recommendations protocol/program based on your health history. It is not recommended that you start with all the supplements at once as our whole food supplements are potent, .
You need to build up, starting with mild supplements, and slowly move to stronger ones (targeted nutritional therapy) in terms of their effectiveness to cleanse your body and then support immune health and brain function.
This is why it is important for you to share with me your health background first. I need to find out if you’ve taken antibiotics or other drugs; how long you’ve been on them; what your diet is; and some specifics about your home environment.
You can fill out a health questionnaire by emailing me the request if you are interested in getting started on the ASD Natural Support program.
Once I learn about your health background, then I can recommend how to start you on our whole food supplement program.
If you’ve had or use certain drugs, and depending on the current diet and health status, I may want to start you on a very gentle intestinal strengthening program with the supplements and diet to build up your immune system and health in general. If you have not had any drugs and are in general healthy condition, then we can start an accelerated supplement program.
I need to learn about your health level first, before I recommend a specific health program customized for you.
Steps to get started on your ASD Support Program.
IMPROVE YOUR GI TRACT ENVIRONMENT with whole and ancient/wild food nutritional supplements:
If your goal is to find a natural treatment for Aspergers or ASD, I recommend that you follow this healing model.
To learn more about the specific recommended supplements click on the following:
Learn more about Digestive Support for Asperger’s and ASD
Learn more about the Superfoods for Asperger’s and ASD
Learn why Antioxidants are essential for a healthy brain
Learn more about the Environmental Link for ASD
- Support better digestion and assimilation of foods through the use of probiotics and enzyme supplements.
- Nourish through food-based supplements (consuming nutrient rich foods such as wheat grass, bee pollen, organic micro algae…etc.)
- Protect against free radical damage (oxidative stress) through the use of whole food antioxidant supplements (wheat sprouts, red algae, wheat grass, etc.)
- Renew by feeding the health of your brain and renewal systems with targeted whole food formulas designed to maximize the health of the brain and nervous system.
To learn more about the specific recommended supplements click on the following:
Learn more about Digestive Support for Asperger’s and ASD
Learn more about the Superfoods for Asperger’s and ASD
Learn why Antioxidants are essential for a healthy brain
Learn more about the Environmental Link for ASD