At Vitality Health and Wellness, we are one of the few medical practices that offers individualized treatment plans and integrative therapy for those with neuropsychiatric symptoms

While there are common findings among patients with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders (with or without hyperactivity), Mood Thought and Movement disorders, each patient is different and therefore our recommendations are different. After a thorough history and physical, options are discussed with the family to determine the best treatment regimen for the patient. There is no "cookie-cutter" approach to our patients as is the case with some centers.

We believe that for the majority of these neurobehavioral disorders, there are underlying biological abnormalities that (often in combination) are the root of the symptoms. After a detailed review of a patient's history, several tests may be recommended to help the physician determine which lines of therapy to begin.

Testing for intestinal dysbiosis or microbial metabolites can be crucial assays; especially if in the background of neuropsych symptoms there is a history of bowel complaints. Depending on the patient's history of antibiotic or steroid use, and the pattern consistency of stool passage, tests can be run to check fro the presence of yeast, bacteria, parasites, inflammation, digestion and absorption.. Pathological organisms both can lead to improper digestion of food, leading to fermentation of carbohydrates, abnormal or fetid stools, and flatulence. Certain bacteria and yeast release toxins that can a direct negative affect on the neurological and immune systems. Furthermore, the presence of certain pathogens can interfere with other therapies ha may be helpful for an individual. The labs that we use will expose the pathological organisms not only to prescription medicines, but natural remedies in order to determine what will eliminate the offending pathogen. Whenever possible, we use natural remedies to help with this elimination. Dr. Levinson has developed particular protocols that are age specific to safely utilize these natural products. .

Secretin is also a helpful therapy for some patients. This is a hormone that aids the pancreas in the secretion of digestive enzymes, and has also been found in certain individuals to increase speech and cognitive function.

Many of our patients show significant improvement with avoidance of certain foods. There are various tests that we can run which can indicate that a food is causing a negative reaction (such as the presence of opiate derived proteins from casein and gluten, IgE blood tests for traditional allergies, IgG tests for delayed hypersensitivity, IgA tests for celiac disease, and white blood cell reaction tests). None of these tests are perfect, and we believe that the best way to test for a food reaction is through an elimination diet, with possible reintroduction of the food a few weeks later if not certain that it causes a problem. If a food is taken away and the patient has a positive response, upon reintroducing it there is a negative reaction, which goes away once the offending food is removed again, then that is more accurate then any test.

There are many other treatments and test that may be utilized in determining imbalances that may be causing negative symptoms in an individual. Many of our patients have one or more major immune system abnormality. Some individuals have weak immune systems, allowing for repeated infections, and in particular ear and sinus infections. Other patients have immune systems that are acting too strong, causing over sensitivities to particular food or environmental exposures, while other patients are exhibiting auto-immune disease, where the body is creating antibodies that are directly attacking particular proteins in the brain. All of these immune system problems are identified by blood tests, and can be treated using various natural and pharmacological interventions.

Another area of concern is that of heavy metal toxicity. Many patients with neurobehavioral disorders have high levels of mercury, lead or other heavy metals in their body. Often these metals are tightly bound to the tissue. Blood testing for toxins in the serum is generally not a good means of determining the body's toxic burden and hair analysis is useful in showing what the body is actually capable of excreting.. There are new protocols that use oral chelating agents to bring the metal out of the tissue and into the urine. If the patient does have high metals content in the urine after a provocative challenge, then oral chelation can then be repeated to extract the metal and help eliminate it from the body. Emerging protocols that I have advocated for and used are finding benefit from using chelating agents in suppository or transdermal forms for those individuals who cannot tolerate oral forms (which is often the case for those with gastro-intestinal problems)..

Many of our patients have a deficiency in essential fatty acids, tshe omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are found in particular plants and fish. These "good" fats are the preferred fat used to make up the membrane of nerve (as well as blood vessel and heart) cells. A red blood cell membrane test can help determine if there are adequate levels of essential fatty acids. The need for this is weighed against the possibility of empiric therapy.

One of the most fascinating areas of research and treatment is in the area of methyl and sulfur detoxification. For years it has been known that many patients with neurodevelopmental disorders have a decreased ability to remove toxins and therefore accumulate them. Now, through testing the blood for zinc and copper balance and such metabolites as glutathione, cysteine, sulfate, methioniene and homocysteine, we can determine where certain breaks in the detoxification pathway are present and direct therapy towards these weakened areas. These therapies include mineral supplementation, B vitamins (including vitamin B-6, methylcobalamin (a form of vitamin B-12), folinic acid (a form of folic acid), Trimethyl glycine (TMG, Betaine), NADH and others. By using these supplements we can not only directly correct their deficiencies, but also affect positive changes in other areas of detoxification and metabolism.

Some of the most recent research is focusing on the possibility that many of the patients with chronic conditions have genetic susceptibilities that can lead to the abnormalities mentioned above. Through DNA testing, we are starting to find mutations in DNA that lead to the production of abnormal enzymes that have a decreased ability to handle toxins. We are now able to do gene testing for some of the known mutations, and can make recommendations based upon these findings; however the choice to do this testing is based upon patient need.

At Vitality Health and Wellness, it is my goal is to develop the safest and most effective treatments for each patient I see. Please feel free to contact the office if you would like to schedule for an evaluation at our center or a phone consultation if you live out of the area.