The study claims that autism symptoms were reversed in twin girls through personalized lifestyle and environmental interventions.
Advocacy groups and experts in this neurodiverse disease have called “deeply insulting” a pioneering study that claims that autism has been “cured” through dietary and therapeutic interventions.
In recent years, the prevalence of autism and awareness of this disease have increased considerably, which has led to more discussions about neurodiversity and the inclusion of people with autism in society.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in 100 children worldwide is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This has given rise to a increasing emphasis on acceptance and integration, since many experts recognize that Autism is a lifelong condition.
Reversal of autism symptoms?
However, a recent report from the University of Maryland (USA) has challenged these notions by offering new perspectives on the possible “reversal of autism symptoms” through a study in which twins participated.
The study used a personalized approach focused on lifestyle modifications and the environment, along with various clinical interventions, in two twin girls, called ‘Twin P’ and ‘Twin L’ in the document.
Both girls were diagnosed an ASD level 3 severity at approximately 20 months.
Two years of interventions
According to the report, the twins presented symptoms such as limited verbal and non-verbal communicationrepetitive behaviors, rigidity in transitions and gastrointestinal problems.
The twins then underwent a de two years of interventions aimedsa reduce “total allostatic load”, which refers to minimizing the cumulative impact of chronic stress and environmental factors.
Some of these interventions included changes in diet, taking supplements, different personalized therapies and environmental modifications along with the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) during the first year. The results were published in the revista ‘Journal of Personalized Medicine‘.
The girls followed a gluten-free, casein-free diet, low in sugarwithout artificial colors or ultra-processed foods.
“Emphasis was placed on consumption of organic, unprocessed foods, freshly prepared and cooked at home, from local sources, whenever possible. The family too consulted a dietician for guidance about these dietary interventions,” says the study.
“Both girls took a series of dietary supplementsincluding omega-3 fatty acids, a multivitamin, vitamin D, carnitine, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and bio-individualized homeopathic remedies. A combination of laboratory tests was used and genomic information to inform dietary supplementation,” he continued.
Both twins also received occupational therapy focused on the integration of motor reflexes neurosensory, a technique that, according to the article, helps regulate the nervous system.
Additionally, the twins’ family worked for reduce environmental toxins in the home of twins, improving indoor air quality and minimizing exposure to possible stress factors. According to the article, the twins improved significantly after several monthss of applying the interventions.
ADVERTISINGThis was observed through the reduction of their scores on the Autism Treatment Assessment Checklist (ATEC): Twin P’s scores dropped from 76 to 32a change classified as “a kind of miracle” by one of the pediatricians, and twin L’s scores they went down from 43 to 4. These improvements were also maintained over a six-month follow-up period.
“Although prospective studies are needed, this case provides further encouraging evidence of the ASD reversal through a personalized and multidisciplinary approach predominantly focused on addressing modifiable environmental and lifestyle risk factors,” the document states.
“Deeply insulting”
The published study has received reactions denials from various advocacy groups autism and online communities.
The National Autistic Societybased in the United Kingdom, called it “deeply insulting for the more than 700,000 autistic people in the United Kingdom.
ADVERTISINGIn a post on X, the organization added: “This is a case study of a single group of twins in which interventions that in themselves are questionable. “There is absolutely no conclusion that can be drawn from this and to suggest otherwise is simply irresponsible journalism.”
However, the National Autism Society points out that, although ABA is one of the autism treatments more researched, there are “significant limitations and gaps in research, particularly on long-term effects.
They also highlight that some of the current uses of ABA ““They are not person-centered enough.” and are “too intensive.” The study continues to receive criticism from online communities. An X user wrote: “This could not be worse. Scientists haven’t ‘discovered’ anything based on an ethically questionable case study.
“Being autistic It doesn’t mean having a disease.
Many have also criticized the study for promoting the idea that autism is a disease that requires treatment and cure, a view that many people advocate against. According to a report from the NHS, “being autistic It doesn’t mean having a disease.. It means your brain works differently than other people’s.”
ADVERTISINGThe signs of autism can be noticed when you are very young or when you are older.” ‘Euronews Health’ has contacted the author of the article for his opinion.
