Many of the books that walk parents through understanding biomedical intervention for the treatment of autism go into great detail about the vast amount of supplements that work to support the child's body during recovery. Discovering the right supplements in the proper amounts is a process that should be guided by a DAN! doctor. Another wonderful way to begin is to order a series of tests (urine, stool, bloodwork) through a DAN! doctor that will become a road-map to putting the child's own unique physiology back on track.
Most parents feel more strongly about moving forward with biomedical intervention after they have witnessed even a small amount of success in their child's behavior or cognition. Experimenting with some diet changes (dairy or wheat), reducing sugars, reducing processed foods and foods containing dyes will many times bring some immediate results.
Purchasing a bottle of (or capsuls) of Cod Liver Oil (high in omega 3's and Essential Fatty Acids) from your local health food store is also a great place to start, this is pure brain food - great for the entire family!
Another front-line defense, also important to every-one's health, are probiotics (from the Greek 'for life'. Antibiotics are the opposite of probiotics, and their over-use in our society is one of the main reasons many people need to be supplemented with a good probiotic.
Probiotics are a healthy, beneficial, Gram-positive lactic acid-producing bacteria that include Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. bulgaricus, L. plantarum, L. salivarius, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. longum, B. infantis, and S. thermophilus. Probiotic bacteria are used in the production of yogurt, various fermented milk products and dietary supplements.
Probiotics work to: suppress pathogens, secrete antibacterial substances which lower the pH in the colon, compete with pathogens to prevent their adhesion to the intestine, deliver anti-inflammatory molecules to the intestine - reducing allergies. 70% of the immune system is located in the gut. This explains why a dysbiosis in healthy gut flora (or bacteria) account for so much of the gastrointestinal issues, allergies, and weakened immune systems that children with autism display. A daily dose of a probiotic (purchased in the refrigerator section of a health food store, or over the Internet) can be a powerful first-step to regaining health and cognitive function.
http://www.customprobiotics.com/about_probiotics_a.htm.
Websites that carry and distribute supplements that are gluten-free / casein free and often specially formulated for the Autistic Spectrum Disorder population:
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