Using evidence-based and integrative strategies can help children with complex medical and special needs to improve in their health. Each child is unique, with individual genetic and environmental factors that can affect their wellbeing and development. The aim of bio-medical approach is to address underlying health and environmental factors that can contribute to symptoms in patients diagnosed with the following conditions:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Asperger Syndrome
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- ADHD/ADD
- PANDAS/PANS
- Anxiety
- Developmental Delay
- Genetic Disorder
- Mitochondrial Disorder
Often a functional medical work up is necessary to determine next steps. This could involve blood work, urine testing, saliva testing or stool testing. Possible work up will be discussed at the initial visit depending on patient health history. If you have had any testing done with your child, please bring a copy of their test results. Dr. Matusik, ND fosters collaboration with other health professionals and the child’s support team.
A bio-medical approach can MEAN:
- addressing underlying nutritional deficiencies
- improving the microbiome
- addressing allergies
- addressing environmental toxicity
- supporting the immune system
- reducing neuroinflammation
FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT
Through detailed history taking (prenatal, pregnancy and post-natal) as well as functional lab testing families can determine underlying health concerns, treatment that may be beneficial for each individual patient.
RECOMMENDED Functional lab testing may include:
- nutritional status of a patient, levels of important micronutrients and minerals
- stool microbiota assessment, to look for microbiota diversity as well as presence of pathogenic bacteria and candida
- urinary peptides: to identify inadequate breakdown of gliadin and casein
- environmental health assessment for presence and metabolism of various environmental toxins
- mitochondria function assessment, looking at activity of complex I/IV and/or kerbs cycle metabolites
- anti-folate receptor antibody testing
- immune system assessment looking for underlying infections and inflammation markers
- antibodies to neuronal proteins or other tissues
- hormonal assessment: thyroid, cortisol
- SNP testing for MTFHR genetic mutations
- whole exome genetic study
Some initial blood work may be done with the child’s pediatrician or family doctor and Dr. Matusik, ND will provide a list of these tests for each family. Realizing blood draws may be traumatic for our patients, we try to minimize the number of lab trips that may need to be taken by collaborating with other health professionals. Referral to specialists may also be required for further studies such as whole exome genetic screen studies, EEG or MRI and possibly others.
TREATMENT APPROACH
NO SINGLE APPROACH IS RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD or adult. Detailed history taking as well as testing provides a roadmap as to how to best support each child and family.
Dr. Matusik, ND, attends Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) conferences and is working towards being a MAPS certified Naturopathic Doctor.
As a parent of a child with special needs, Dr. Matusik, ND also has a unique personal understanding and perspective on the issues faced by children and their families.