Eight years ago, I established an alternative healthcare practice specializing in chronic inflammation, immunological and neurological disorders. The concept was to apply all of my knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in inflammatory cascades using natural herbs and medicines. I have had considerable success in using this strategy to halt and in most cases have reversed the effects of chronic adult inflammatory diseases including ALS, MS, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, SLE, Myasthenia gravis, heart disease, sarcoidosis and polymyalgia rheumaticia among others. At the outset, most of my practice dealt with adults. Then five years ago, while addressing a chronic inflammatory bowel issue in a child, I was able to help restore speech in that child simply by applying the same principles I had used with adults. This was my introduction to autism. I had no knowledge at the time that this was something significant, nor did I have any knowledge of the politics of autism or the preconceived ideas that operate in this field.
Perhaps because I am an outsider entering this field it has left me open to apply new principles to autism with positive results. I have found that this work requires me to draw on every ounce of my background and expertise in molecular biology, biotechnology, immunology, infectious diseases, and biochemistry. I feel that it is more complex and challenging intellectually than any area of adult chronic inflammation. It is also more challenging emotionally. My heart goes out to every parent of an autistic child who cannot go to sleep at night without wondering when their child will be well. That is why I have chosen to spend the majority of my time working in this field.
It is my goal to use my background, experience and
knowledge to help give others the pleasure that my husband
and I have in our own lives with our children. Because I see
it from this perspective, my rule of thumb is that I will not
suggest a supplement for someone else's child that I would
not use with my own children. For those of you who have not
met me let me explain how strong a statement that is; my
husband and I are blessed with three healthy, beautiful, bright
girls. Anyone who has attended a talk that I give has met
"the girls" as they always come to help us at conferences. In
fact I will only accept speaking engagements that fit into their
school schedule. So, my litmus test is: would I be willing to
give a supplement to a healthy child of my own? If the answer
is no, then I should not be suggesting it for someone else's child. As a parent, I imagine it is often tempting to tip the balance a bit in terms of the risk to benefit ratio on a particular therapy, to try something that may be a bit questionable in the hopes that it will be that magic bullet. I am not working from that temptation so that any suggestions I make are based on protocols that work but are gentle and mild.
Finally, as my focus has changed from academic research and biotechnology to alternative healthcare, so too, has the way in which I share information changed. In academia it is important for one’s reputation to publish in peer reviewed journals. In biotechnology much of the work is proprietary and any publishing may be limited to patent applications. At this point my goal is to share information as quickly, yet responsibly, as possible. To use the internet, conferences, videos, books and newsletters to communicate what I have found with those who need the information today is not only liberating but critical as autism is reaching epidemic proportions. In The Puzzle of Autism I have focused on what parents and practitioners really need; an approach that will work for the doctors and parents who need it now. We realized when we published the book that you would need supplemental information. We have urged parents to look at the additional resources section of the book. It will direct you to websites with newsletters, chat rooms, audio and video tapes and other written literature. The book includes a section of sample data to give you specific information from children who have used this protocol. This is to help you understand that this is not a theory; it is a program that we have used and are continuing to use. We are not suggesting that this protocol is a magic bullet; quite the contrary. The detailed protocol described in this book is not a cure all and it is not a quick fix but a tool that can be used in conjunction with other autism protocols to help to heal a child. I am now working to help and adapt this program for adults. It takes time and patience. No book can replace the individual consultations we have or the customized programs we design for each person. The idea is to share a proven protocol and provide a basic understanding of the pieces involved to assist others in putting together a program that will work for each individual. Helping these children requires a comprehensive approach; one that considers all of the pieces, not just a single piece of the complex puzzle of autism. Defeating autism truly is a real challenge, and so it is with love and hope for every child that I continue to read, write and research in this field.
With love and hope,
Dr. Amy
Dr. Amy’s Message
