Discussions around autism treatments seem to be divided into two groups: traditional interventions like speech, OT, and PT and integrative interventions involving supplements.
My videos are typically focused on using supplements and other holistic approaches to improve diet, sleep, and gut health. But there is value, and we have benefited from traditional therapies as well.
I want to show you how you can boost the effectiveness of traditional therapies with the addition of supplements and diet changes. Here I’ll discuss how two supplements, when paired with feeding therapy, can speed up your child’s progress.
Speed Your Child’s Feeding Therapy Progress with These Two Supplements
In terms of traditional interventions, feeding therapy falls under the speech therapy umbrella. While we may typically associate speech and language pathologists with verbalization and social language, they’re also trained in the mechanics of the mouth, just like an occupational or physical therapist deals with small and large muscle groups in the rest of the body.
- Zinc: Your child may need feeding therapy for a variety of reasons. One underlying issue may be a zinc deficiency.
When a child is deficient in zinc their taste and smell perception is altered. Sometimes even their ability to perceive texture is affected. Adding a zinc supplement as a complement to feeding therapy may speed up their progress. - Mitochondrial Support Combinations. When your child’s mitochondrial production is low it means their muscles aren’t getting enough energy. Our tongue is a very strong and important muscle that helps us move food, chew and swallow properly.
Core weakness is another symptom of mitochondrial deficiency. These kids are uncoordinated and may be late to sit or crawl due to poor trunk control.
Adding mitochondrial combinations that include L-carnitine, B6, magnesium, and zinc can provide an energy boost to help your child’s mouth muscles work more efficiently.
Treating a zinc or mitochondrial deficiency are two simple ways to complement your child’s feeding therapy.
If you’re looking for more things you can try at home to see results right away you’ll want to check out my new course. It walks you through the essential five functional medicine interventions that will help your autistic child see progress fast.
Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing a great job.
I hope this information has been helpful to you as part of creating Your Autism Game Plan.
Do you have a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email me at joya@yourautismgameplan.com
Get the Course!You might also like: Which Supplements Are Best for Autism?
