1 out of 88 children are diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many of these children have also been diagnosed with Lyme Disease/borrelia related complex, but most remain undiagnosed. It is estimated that up to 90% of children with autism may be also infected with Lyme Disease/Borrelia however, since testing is difficult, current research shows that 20-30% of these children harbor this bacteria. This number would represent over 150,000 children in the United States alone. Most of these children have never even been bitten by a tick. Parents have no idea how their child would have contracted this bacteria.
However, it is important to note that borrelia is not the only infection that autistic children have. Many children also have Mycoplasma, Herpes, Chlamydia, Babesia, Bartonella and many more.
In addition, this is a family disease. We intend to educate parents on their own health and how this is not just "autism" we are looking at, we are looking at a multi-faceted disorder which affects both the young, the old and all of us in-between. Although our goal started out to look at just Lyme disease and autism...we have evolved to include other such infections, therefore looking at an infection based cause to autism.
The goal of this organization is to provide education, awareness and research into an infectious based cause of autism. Yes..Lyme/borrelia is our PRIME suspect, but we realize that this is multiple infections happening on a disabled immune system and these infections can be triggered by many factors including but not limited to vaccines, chemicals/pesticides, electromagnetic frequency and a whole host of environmental factors. When we consider all options, only then will our kids be able to begin improving.
Conference Proceeding about Lyme disease, Multiple-Infections and Autism
Please listen to Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt discuss the connection between Lyme Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder in.. "The Toxic Origins of Autism".
Evidence Mounts Implicating Lyme Disease in the Autism Epidemic
More proof that infections play a role in this childhood epidemic.
(PRWEB) November 7, 2007 -- A new article in Medical Hypotheses, "The association between tick-borne infections, Lyme Borreliosis and autism spectrum disorders" was released this week. Robert Bransfield, M.D., the main author collaborated with top doctors in both fields on this paper such as Jeff Wulfman, M.D., William T. Harvey, M.D. and Anju Usman, M.D.
The summary of the article states that "Chronic infectious diseases, including tick-borne infections such as Borrelia burgdorferi may have direct effects, promote other infections and create a weakened, sensitized and immunologically vulnerable state during fetal development and infancy leading to increased vulnerability for developing autism spectrum disorders."
Bransfield et al, examine clinical observations, case reports, laboratory testing of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder for tick-borne diseases, brain imaging results, epidemiological findings, infections and autism, tick-borne/Borreliosis infections and psychiatric illness and many other factors in this collaboration of research findings.
Numbers indicate that 20-30% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be infected with Lyme Borreliosis and pathogenic Mycoplasma may be a contributor in 58% of cases. With these staggering numbers, families and physicians need education on the proper testing and treatment methods currently available. With these 20-30% numbers representing around 140,000 cases of autism in the United States alone, the human impact of this disease is staggering. Bransfield et al states that "If just 20% of the 560,000 recognized cases of ASD in the US can be prevented or more effectively treated, this could result in a savings of $358 billion in addition to the incalculable human impact of this disease."
The authors recognized the contributions of Charles Ray Jones, M.D. for decades of expertise and dedication in helping hundreds of children with Lyme Borreliosis and autism spectrum disorder.
Parents needing more information on testing and treatment can turn to the LIA Foundation for support. They are a non-profit organization which focuses on research, awareness and education on the multiple infections, including Borrelia/Lyme Disease, and how that impacts children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
About Autism: Autism is a disorder that currently affects 1 out of 150 children. Boys are the majority of those affected. The numbers of autism cases spiked in the mid-late 90's and continues to remain high. Most children do improve with some sort of biomedical and behavioral intervention.
About Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is generally caused by a tick bite and can is more effective when antibiotics are administered soon after the infection. Borreliosis is a long-term infection that exists and can be undiagnosed Lyme disease or transmitted in some other way. Symptoms include achy joints, confusion, slurring words, word retrieval problems, brain fog, sensitivity to light and sound. Lyme disease in its late stage can be fatal, causing MS like symptoms and debilitating its victims. One of the disorders in which Lyme disease is known to mimic is autism spectrum disorder.
About the LIA Foundation: The foundation was started in September 2006 by parents of children with autism and Lyme disease. Kathy Blanco of Beaverton, OR and Tami Duncan of Corona, CA are the founders. The foundation's goals are to provide awareness, education and research on the multiple-infections such as Borrelia and its connection to autism.
New! At our recent Lyme-Autism Connection conference in June 2007, new data was released showing the link between Lyme/Borrelia, Multiple-Infections and Autism Spectrum Disorder. View the link to the right..
Reported Lyme Disease Cases from 1991-2005- provided courtesy of http://www.yeast-candida-infections-uk.co.uk/lyme-disease
The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It is given in good faith to help people understand more about this disease. It is not intended to replace or supersede patient care by a healthcare providor. If an individual suspects the presence of a tick-borne illness, that individual should consult a healthcare provider who is familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases and autism.
