Dr. Darin Ingels Presents on Allergies and Immunotherapy in Autism

On July 28, 2010, Dr. Darin Ingels presented to the NAA-NY Metro Chapter on the role of allergies and immunotherapy in autism. Dr. Ingels is a Naturopathic Physician specializing in autism and chronic immune disorders. His practice, New England Family Health Associates, is located in Southport, Connecticut. Dr. Ingels has been in private practice for more than 10 years, working with adults and children in addressing underlying causes of immune system disruption.

Dr. Ingels began his presentation with a thoughtful, balanced brief history of vaccine schedules in the United States, and the increase in the number of vaccines given to children today. He discussed ingredients added to some vaccines - including MSG, formaldehyde and other ingredients of concern. Dr. Ingels next discussed evidence suggesting that vaccines may predispose some people to allergies and asthma. He then discussed the increasing number of people suffering from allergies and sensitivities and identified some common allergens and some less common that people should consider. He pointed out common allergy/hypersensitivity symptoms but also identified for the audience a host of less common symptoms that may be attributable to allergies/hypersensitivities.

He discussed different methods of allergy testing and, in particular, discussed electrodermal screening (EDS), a method used in his practice and the benefits he sees from use of non-invasive allergy assessment as part of the overall treatment plan for children with autism. He went on to discuss sublingual immunotherapy, which has been in use for approximately 30 years and the effectiveness of which is supported by hundreds of clinical trials, particularly in treating food and inhalant allergies. Dr. Ingels uses this therapy to treat a wide variety of allergies/sensitivities and finds it effective and easy to administer (drops under the tongue or on the wrist, given at home). Treatment length can vary widely depending on the number of antigens requiring treatment as well as the type of allergy/sensitivity being treated. Finally, Dr. Ingels discussed the use of homeopathy as an additional treatment modality in treating autism.

Below is Dr. Ingels's presentation.

Dr Darin Ingels -7-28-10

NAA-NY Metro Submits Comments to OPWDD's 2010-14 Proposed Plan

NAA-NY Metro recently submitted comments to the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities with respect to their Statewide Draft Plan for 2010-2014, which was released in mid-August. You can find a link to a PDF of the draft plan on OPWDD's website. Below is NAA-NY Metro's response, calling attention to the unique needs of individuals with autism. We encourage all families to review the draft plan.
082310NAANYMetroTestimonyFinal

A SUPER Soccer Sunday in Brooklyn!

The NAA-NY Metro Chapter hosted soccer clinic run by Super Soccer Stars at Prospect Park in Brooklyn on Sunday August 15,2010. The clinic was a huge success! Over twenty families signed up for the Brooklyn event. Stuart Flaum, an NAA-NY Metro board member, welcomed the children, siblings and parents.

Super Soccer Stars Special Needs Director, Meredith Faltin, outlined the agenda to the parents and children. Two groups were formed, one for 4-7 year olds, and one for 8 years of age of up. The special coaches were enthu

siastic, and the children responded with the same enthusiasm.

The clinic was a kick, and well attended. Many parents brought cameras to capture their children in action. The energy was high, with nearly 50 people participating in one way or another at the NAA-NY Metro soccer clinic in Brooklyn.

Specialthanks to Brooklyn parent, Beth Monterosso, for helping to get the word out to the community. And special thanks to Beth for preparing sandwiches, chips and fruit for the children. Beth, you are terrific!

In addition to great memories, everyone left the NAA-NY Metro soccer clinic with a something! The NAA-NY Metro Chapter presented a certficate of participation to the children and Super Soccer Stars for Special Needs brought frisbees for the children. Parents were given brochures about NAA NY Metro, its flagship programs, and NAAvigators.

"Thanks Brooklyn for welcoming the NAA NY Metro Chapter. We can do great things, together." said Stuart Flaum, from the NAA-NY Metro Chapter.

For Parents By a Parent: An autism resource guide in the making

As parents, we all know how difficult it can be to find good resources to help our children. Bob McEvoy, a parent is Westchester County, is creating a robust resource guide for parents of children with autism and others looking for resources for their families. Please take just a few minutes to complete the parent survey at the link below. Your responses are anonymous, unless you choose to input your contact information. If you have any questions or comments please contact Bob directly at rpmcevoy@aol.com

Parent Survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCTXJWY

Thank you for taking just a few minutes to help with this important endeavor. Parent input will help to create a guide that meets parents' needs.

Andrew Wakefield: July 8, 2010

NAA-NY Metro had the opportunity to welcome Andrew Wakefield to speak on July 8, 2010. We had a standing room only crowd including parents, doctors, and others. Dr. Wakefield read from his recent book, Callous Disregard: Autism and Vaccines - The Truth Behind the Tragedy, he discussed the General Medical Council proceedings against him and Drs. Walker-Smith and Murch and the events leading up to those proceedings as well as recently published and upcoming research concerning vaccines and autism. He spoke eloquently and addressed head on many myths surrounding him and his work. He took questions from the audience and answered each question thoughtfully and thoroughly. He welcomed questions that challenged his positions and tackled them without hesitation. He ended the evening by signing his book for a long line of attendees.

Katie Wright, NAA board member, wrote a wonderfully detailed account of the evening at Age of Autism, do check it out.

(pictured: Kim Mack Rosenberg, Andrew Wakefield, Peggy Becker, Mark Raisbeck)

We are opposed to Assembly bill A10372a

It changes the non-discrimination language we fought so hard for in 2006

It creates an impossibly high standard for approval of autism treatments: "Evidenced-based, clinically-proven and peer-reviewed," which applies to no other health condition under New York law, or the law of any other state. And not even the backers of this bill can tell us what therapies would be covered.

It creates a four-agency review committee that would have to approve any treatments. Treatments for no other disorder are encumbered with such a structure, so this is an inherently discriminatory idea, and this structure gives an advantage to insurance companies with their armies of lobbyists.

If S7000B/A10372A became law it would do the following:

Repeal some of the non-discrimination language we fought so hard for in 2006

Impose an unprecedented extremely high standard that autism treatments will have to meet prior to approval that apply to no other health disorder under New York law, or the law of any other state for that matter. This will probably allow insurers to deny payment for speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy among other treatments.

Force all treatments for autism to be approved by a committee of four state agencies. A bureaucratic hurdle required of treatments for no other disorder.

It will shift costs borne by some insurance companies for early intervention re-imbursement back on the tax payers.

We support A6888 and S6123, legislation that would assure coverage of needed therapy, and treat autism the same as other health disorders under New York Law.

Biomedical Therapies - A Practical Approach

Karen Paris, RPA, Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN, and Geri Brewster, RD, MPH, CDN

On April 22, 2010, Dr. Pescatore, Geri Brewster, and Karen Paris presented on biomedical therapies and intervention. Dr. Fred Pescatore who specializes in a whole health approach has a lot of experience treating chronic illness. He explained in detail the ALCAT test which is to detect allergy and food sensitivity - what it is, what it tests for and its efficacy. Karen Paris is a physician's assistant working with Dr. Pescatore. She discussed NAET therapy. It is becoming more popular as it desensitizes you to the allergy, so it can eventually be reintroduced. Our own NAA Parent Mentoring Committee member Geri Brewster spoke about some of the nutritional approaches to treating autism. Geri is a Defeat Autism Now Practitioner and Certified Nutritionist that uses biofilm to treat some of her patients with chronic leaky gut. She discussed what it is, how it works and how you might know if it's right for you.

Visit their websites at:
www.drpescatore.com
www.geribrewster.com