The early stage of working with any new Brainstorm Health family is an exciting time. We are always delighted when children make great progress with some simple interventions. In Jasper’s* case, dietary changes were always going to be challenging as he would only eat a very limited range of foods. So when Brainstorm Health practitioner Jo started working with Jasper’s family, she initially focused on adding some key supplements to support his sleep and relieve constipation, which quickly led to big improvements in emotional regulation and focus.
Hi Jo. Tell me a bit about your patient and the symptoms they first came to you with.
Jasper is six years old. He was diagnosed with ASD at two and a half, and he is non-verbal. He has very little interest in eating, and he has a very limited diet. He has suffered from constipation on and off for the past two years. Jasper had frequent emotional meltdowns and would hit himself when overstimulated or frustrated. Jasper had a short attention span at school and showed little interest in work. He struggled to settle to sleep, and he was taking melatonin almost every night.
How were these symptoms impacting his life?
Because of Jasper’s poor sleep patterns, he was often tired at school and struggled to regulate his behaviour. At home, Jasper's lack of interest in food or sitting down to eat made mealtimes challenging and stressful for the whole family.
What were your initial steps in helping Jasper?
I knew that we would need to work very slowly and gradually with dietary changes, so In Jasper’s Initial Health Plan, I simply recommended introducing healthier versions of his favourite foods and slowly moving away from high-sugar, processed snacks.
I recommended Oxy-powder by Global Healing to ease constipation. We also introduced magnesium and an adrenal glandular supplement to calm the nervous system and support Jasper’s stressed-out adrenal glands. Finally, we added some trace minerals and some additional zinc to start building in some of the essential nutrients that were lacking in Jasper’s diet.
What lab tests did you do? What did the tests reveal, and how did that shape your therapeutic approach?
We ordered a stool test to assess Jasper’s gut health and digestive function. From this, there was evidence of protein malabsorption, indicating insufficient digestive enzymes, so we added an enzyme supplement for Jasper to take with each meal. A urine organic acid test revealed significant oxidative stress, low levels of antioxidants, B vitamins, magnesium and zinc, and evidence of candida overgrowth as well as dysregulation in the production of serotonin. Initially, we added supplementary selenium to support antioxidant activity and a beef organ supplement to replenish key nutrients to support metabolic pathways. A food intolerance test showed an immune response to almonds and hazelnuts, so we removed those from his diet. We also tested for kryptopyrroluria (KPU), which is associated with depleted levels of several key nutrients, notably zinc and vitamin B6. This came back positive, so we added in a supplement specifically formulated to address these depletions.
How long did it take before seeing positive changes in symptoms?
By Jasper’s first follow-up appointment, his Mum reported some significant improvements in his symptoms. Jasper was having daily bowel movements with no difficulty or straining.
Jasper was now winding down and settling to sleep at night much more easily and was only using melatonin twice a week. Emotional meltdowns had decreased in frequency and intensity at home and school. Jasper was also hitting himself less. His teachers reported that he was engaging well at school; he was enjoying doing puzzles and was more attentive and interested in his work. Jasper’s Mum also noted that he was more cuddly and playful.
How long have you been working together now?
I have been working with Jasper and his Mum for three months now.
What has been the biggest ‘breakthrough’ moment on Jasper’s journey?
Relieving Jasper’s constipation and helping him sleep better are solid foundations. With these basic improvements, he has become much more able to regulate his emotions and behaviours and engage in activities.
How is Jasper doing now? What will you focus on next?
It is early days in Jasper’s protocol, and it is heartening to see the improvements that he has already made. We’ve not yet been able to expand Jasper’s diet, which is a priority going forward: we will keep trying to introduce a greater variety of healthy whole foods and hopefully reach a point where he is more curious and adventurous about eating. We will continue to support Jasper’s gut health and nervous system health. I would love to see him eventually progress with his communication. In time we will add essential fatty acids to his protocol, alongside other key nutrients like phosphatidylserine, to support cognitive function.
Always consult a qualified practitioner before introducing new supplements. You can book a free 15-minute Discovery Call with a Brainstorm Health practitioner here.
Please note that we do not diagnose or treat illnesses at Brainstorm Health, but we can help you advocate for the right medical diagnosis from qualified doctors if necessary.
*Names have been changed to protect the patient's identity
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