Autism, brain malnutrition link explored

WAILUKU - A physician who sees autism spectrum disorder as a biomedical illness that results in "brain malnutrition" will give a free public talk Sept. 26 and a clinician seminar Sept. 27, both in the Cameron Center auditorium.

Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless, who is the author of the best-selling "Children with Starving Brains," is appearing at events co-sponsored by the Autism Research Institute and the local Lokelani 'Ohana.

McCandless will hold the free talk on biomedical approaches to autism, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

The clinician session "Defeat Autism Now," which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27, is geared for those who provide primary medical care to children and to adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The seminar will cover the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders that can be treated medically and strategies for development of treatment plans and review case histories.

Cost of the seminar is $295 with lunch and light refreshments provided. Checks may be made payable to Lokelani 'Ohana and mailed to 2315 Kahekili Highway, Wailuku 96793. The deadline to sign up for the seminar is Sept. 12.

McCandless believes that genetic susceptibility triggered by such things as pesticides and heavy metals in vaccines can lead to immune system impairment and the propagation of pathogens such as yeast and viruses that lead to dysfunction in the digestive system, her Web site said. This condition generates the "brain malnutrition" that leads to autism.

She believes that children who have serious attention, behavioral and learning problems should be given a biomedical evaluation, including a heavy metal toxicity work-up. Immune system health through proper nutrition and education about the elimination and avoidance of toxins is pivotal, she wrote in a paper appearing on www.Autism-RxGuideBook.com.

McCandless is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and received her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. In the early 1990s, her interest in women's issues and sexuality led to an alternative medicine practice that focused on brain nutrition, anti-aging and natural hormone therapy, according to her Web site, www.treatstarvingbrains.com.

Her interest in autism began when her grandchild was diagnosed with the illness in 1996. She began looking into the biomedical aspects of developmentally delayed children, which led to her book "Children With Starving Brains," which is now in its third edition.

Continuing medical educations (CME) credits will be offered to physicians and nurses attending the clinician seminar.

McCandless will adhere to Autism Research Institute and Institute for Medical Studies (IMS) guidelines, and the seminar is a CME activity that complies with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

The Autism Research Institute is a nonprofit organization formed in 1967 to conduct research and circulate its findings on the triggers of autism and on methods of diagnosing and treating the illness.

For more information, contact Christina Chang, 249-0254 or e-mail christina@lokelaniohana.org.