Considerations for Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorders by Kenneth Bock, MD

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has increased at least 1500% in the last 20 years. More so, in the last 2 years, we have seen a further increase from 1:150 children to 1:91 children. There is no known cause and no known cure. However, emerging scientific research, coupled with clinical experience has provided us with various suspected causative factors, coupled with genetic predisposition. These have helped us to formulate treatment strategies that have resulted in improvement of the majority of the children treated, as well as an increasing number of children treated recovering and losing their diagnosis.

Chemical and heavy metal toxicities appear to be significant contributing factors to the rising rates of autism in this country and around the world. These chemical exposures persist. Extensive toxicants have been noted in the umbilical cord blood of pregnant women, which should be the source of nourishment for the developing fetus. Yet neonates, infants and children continue to be exposed to these persistent environmental toxicants. Prevention becomes paramount in an overall approach to lessening the impact of this epidemic of autism spectrum disorders, and this lecture will explore possible avenues for this.

Kenneth Bock, MD received his MD with Honor from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. A pioneer and leader in the field of integrative medicine for over two decades, Dr. Bock's expertise lies in bringing a comprehensive integrative medicine approach to complex medical problems, including the 4-A disorders - autism, ADHD, asthma and allergies. His Healing Program for the 4-A disorders is detailed in his latest book, Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies, which has received international acclaim.