Questions and Answers

There is no medication that treats autism or Asperger’s syndrome itself. Some medications may support associated symptoms such as anxiety, depression, outbursts, and sleep issues — but it's important to understand that these drugs address symptoms, not the root cause.

Treatment for attention and concentration difficulties is purely symptomatic. The medications include Ritalin (and its variants), Concerta, Vyvanse, Focalin, etc.

Once the medication wears off, the child is often unfocused and may even experience a “rebound” effect, where symptoms worsen compared to before taking the drug (inattention, hyperactivity, irritability, outbursts, etc.).

In addition, all these medications have side effects. It's not uncommon to see a child being prescribed one drug on top of another to cope with the side effects of the first — which often leaves the child in a compromised state (to put it mildly).

My naturopathic approach aims to address the root cause. For example: balancing gut bacteria and supplementing missing nutrients. This method is gentle and process-based, tailored to the child and family.

Beyond what’s written here, I fully support providing maximal assistance to the child, and I do not rule out — and may even recommend — combining various para-medical therapies alongside the naturopathic treatment.

A well-known yet often unspoken issue among psychiatrists and neurologists is that medications for attention and concentration difficulties may impair a child's social communication. The younger the child and the more consistently and long-term the medication is used, the higher the risk.

In the book "Anatomy of an Epidemic" by Robert Whitaker (Focus Publishing, 2017), it is clearly explained how drugs like Ritalin, which inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, act very similarly to cocaine (though with a slower clearance time). This leads to an adaptive compensation mechanism in the brain: the cells "learn" to release less neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin because there's already "enough" present. This compensatory mechanism explains the worsening of symptoms when the medication is not taken.

In a 1978 double-blind study (two groups in which neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received what), researchers followed “hyperactive” children for three months. Half received Ritalin and half a placebo. These were the effects observed in the Ritalin group:

• Emotional numbness / apathy

• Lack of responsiveness

• Absence of initiative

• Decreased spontaneity

• Reduced sense of humor

• Lack of curiosity and enjoyment

Another 1978 study reported that children on Ritalin were more likely to play alone. (Remind you of anything? To me, it’s chilling.)

I won’t go on, but terms like “zombie,” “lost their spark,” “passive,” “submissive,” and “detached” frequently appear in research in this field.

True, students taking these medications are often less disruptive in class, more obedient, and perform better academically.

But is this the only way?
In my opinion — absolutely not.

In the Jensen study, which followed children treated with Ritalin, it was found that those who took the medication for 24–36 months experienced worsening of impulsivity, attention, and hyperactivity. They were also found to be shorter in height on average and more prone to disciplinary issues and delinquent behavior.

It appears that while such medications may offer short-term improvement in attention and behavior during use, the potential short- and long-term side effects can be substantial.

Absolutely. Naturopathic treatment is tailored to your unique situation and preferences, so whether you choose to continue with medication or are seeking support in reducing it — I’m here for you.

In addition, I check for any potential interactions (contraindications) between supplements and existing medications,
to ensure that the treatment supports your health — and never works against it.

Nowadays, the medical world acknowledges that the bacteria in our bodies (2–3 kg in an adult) have a profound impact on both our physical and mental health.

Fortunately, there are reliable and simple ways to understand exactly what’s going on in our digestive system (through functional testing).

Once I interpret the results, I can offer a precise treatment. In fact, natural medicine provides many effective approaches to restoring balance in the digestive tract — and no, they usually don’t involve simply giving probiotics.

By addressing the digestive system — one of the root causes — the results are noticeable and sustainable.

I often say that “we’re going on a journey together.”
For the treatment to succeed, it must be done gently and gradually, with close attention at every stage. In the beginning, we’ll be in more frequent contact, and over time, we’ll space out the in-person or virtual sessions.

Treatment for attention and focus challenges typically takes around 3 to 6 months,
while support for autism usually lasts 4 months or longer.
Of course, along the way, we’ll see progress, positive changes, and many encouraging signs!

Certainly. Reimbursement is possible and the amount depends on your insurance policy. Your health insurance should include a “complementary medicine” clause.
It’s recommended to check the terms of your policy and the exact reimbursement amount with your agent or directly with the insurance company.
The treatment is defined as: Naturopathic treatment or consultation.