1. Symptoms
1.1. Developmental Delays
1.1.1. Lifelong
1.1.2. Language
1.1.3. Social Interaction
1.1.4. Repetitive behavior and interests
1.2. Spectrum
1.2.1. A wide range of difficulties
1.2.1.1. Sensory sensitivity
1.2.1.2. Unusual Interests
1.3. Co-existing Problems
1.3.1. Anxiety
1.3.2. Depression
1.3.3. Gastrointestinal Disorders
2. Causes
2.1. Genetic
2.1.1. Occurs more commonly in the same families
2.1.2. Impaired Detoxification Pathways
2.1.2.1. Gene SNPs or Polymorphisms
2.1.2.1.1. MTHFR Gene
2.1.2.1.2. PON1
2.1.2.1.3. COMT
2.1.3. Pyrrole Disorder
2.1.3.1. Occasionally misdiagnosis of ASD in Pyrrole Disordered Children
2.1.4. Delayed Child Bearing
2.2. Environmental Factors
2.2.1. High exposure to environmental toxins
2.2.1.1. Mother's who live on busy streets while pregnant, take certain medications, are exposed to high levels of pesticides
2.2.2. Nutritional Deficiencies
2.2.2.1. Mother's low in folate while pregnant
2.2.2.2. Vitamin D
2.2.2.3. Magnesium
2.2.3. Vaccination
2.2.3.1. Specifically Mercury although this has now been removed and the medical stance remains that there is no link
2.2.4. Food Allergies
3. Prevalence
3.1. 1 in 100 people in Australia today
3.1.1. Increase from 1 in 2,000 in the 1980's
3.1.1.1. Are we simply more aware?
3.1.1.2. Or if it's on the increase, Why?
4. Gluten Friend or Foe
4.1. new to our diets in the scope of evolution
4.2. Increases cleanliness leads to changes in our microbes and immunity, hindering our ability to digest gluten
4.3. Wheat, barley, rye and oats can provide important nutrients
4.4. Coeliac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity on the rise
4.5. GMO wheat is common
5. Treatments
5.1. GFCF Diet
5.1.1. Damaged gut, leaky gut in ASD causes gluten and casein to have Opiate like affect in the brain
5.1.1.1. Addictive, narcotic affects likened to heroin
5.1.1.1.1. Strict removal is required