Biomedical and Physiological Imbalances Commonly Seen in Autism

Biomedical and Physiological Imbalances Commonly Seen in Autism

Autism is a subjective diagnostic label that covers a cluster of symptoms or stereotypical behaviors. While conventional medicine often describes autism as a predominately genetic condition that results in a set of commonly recognizable symptoms, the symptoms are actually emergent and are the body’s way of adapting over time to a set of environmental influences. These influences can include factors that are multi-generational (like epigenetic changes passed down through the genome), heritable (like maternal microbiome imbalances passed to an infant in utero, birth, and during the neonatal period), and acute (such as the exposure to flame retardants or heavy metals during the first few years of life).

It is important to recognize the connection between expressed symptoms/behaviors and the physiological and biomedical roots of those symptoms, as that is also the key to healing and symptom reversal. This article aims to familiarize the reader with the most common physiological and biomedical imbalances observed in individuals with autism. Many of these imbalances are addressable, correctable or modifiable.

Common Imbalances Observed in Individuals with Autism

Microbiome Imbalances

The diversity and ecology of the microrganisms (bacteria, yeast, viruses, parasites) in and around our bodies, but especially our gastrointestinal tract has an incredibly important role to play in our health. Those with autism are typically “missing microbes” or lacking diversity in microbial species.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Some of the most common nutritional deficiencies seen in autism include:

• Vitamin D – Low levels are frequently observed and may contribute to immune dysfunction, inflammation, and developmental concerns
• Vitamin B6 – Important for neurotransmitter function; deficiency can affect mood, behavior, and cognition
• Vitamin B12 – Low levels can impact energy, cognitive function, and nerve health
• Folate (Vitamin B9) – Essential for brain development and methylation pathways; deficiencies may contribute to neurological symptoms.
• Iron – Deficiency is common and can contribute to anemia, fatigue, and cognitive delays
• Zinc – Plays a role in immune function, digestion, and behavior regulation; anxiety, OCD, and picky eating symptoms are commonly linked to zinc deficiency
• Magnesium – Important for nerve and muscle function; deficiency can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, and sleep disturbances
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA) – Low levels are associated with increased inflammation and may affect cognitive and behavioral function
• Calcium – Needed for bone health and many cellular functions
• Choline – Essential for brain development and neurotransmitter function; deficiencies may affect memory and learning.

Dysregulated Nervous System

A nervous system is supposed to toggle evenly and smoothly between sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest). Many with autism are chronically stuck in a sympathetic state, which means that their stress hormones and stress responses are stuck in an “on” mode. This is not sustainable as the body needs to toggle back into the parasympathetic state regularly in order for the body’s cells and tissues to repair, detoxify, and restore balance.

Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation in autism is well documented and can be found in tissues and organs throughout the body, including the brain, GI tract and more. Inflammation is natural and a good process as it is the body’s way of addressing toxins, infections, and tissue injury. Chronic inflammation means that the body is having difficulty overcoming or managing one or more of these exposures and the immune system needs some extra help and support to restore balance.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

The mitochondria are the powerhouses in our cells. They produce the energy we need for every function in the body including tissue repair, muscle function, cognitive function, immune function, mood, behavior and more. Without good mitochondrial health, a child may not be able to effectively overcome developmental delays, sensory issues, fine and gross motor deficits and more. While a small percentage of children with autism have frank mitochrondrial disease (e.g. a respiratory chain transport disorder), a significant proportion have mitochondrial dysfunction that can be addressed through environmental modifications (e.g. removing exposures to environmental toxins), lifestyle improvements (e.g. movement and spending time outdoors in nature and sunlight) and through dietary interventions (such as supporting the body with the following nutrients: coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), L-carnitine, riboflavin (B2), magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and other antioxidants).

Motor Impairments

Motor skills develop during the early years of life and include fine motor skills like eye movement and tracking, finger pincer grasping, as well as gross movement skills like moving arms, legs and the trunk. Motor development for human babies occurs in a certain sequence. If that sequence of motor development in the early years is interrupted due to an overload of toxins, infections or other health stressors (a body always prioritizes survival and safety over development), there may be lasting motor effects. Many of these delayed or impaired motor issues can be addressed with targeted movement and brain-based rehabilitation techniques.

Cellular Toxicity

The average child in the western industrial world comes out of the womb already contaminated with petrochemicals, neurotoxins, heavy metals and other toxins. We are exposed daily to innumerable health toxins that can stay in our bodies unless we take specific action to remove them. Toxins stored in the body can impact brain development, lead to chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, allergies and more. Children with autism have been found to have much higher levels of cellular toxicity than neurotypical children. While eliminating toxins from a child’s environment and exposome is of critical importance, there are also many safe and gentle ways to support the body as it detoxifies, including: regular epsom salt baths, skin brushing, sweating, sun exposure, and methods like homotoxicology.

Retained or Unintegrated Primary Infant Reflexes

When babies develop over the first few years of life, they go through a sequenced program of integrating primary reflexes that are built into every human baby as a way of ensuring its survival. Some of these reflexes include things like “rooting” (so a baby can find its mother’s breast to feed), and a “startle reflex” (also called the Moro reflex) to protect and develop a growing nervous system. If a baby’s development is interrupted (again, due to toxins, inflammation, infections, etc.), the reflexes may not be properly integrated—they may in fact be retained–resulting in all sorts of health, development, and behavior issues. Because reflexes can be properly integrated at any age, it is an effective way to help individuals with autism who didn’t integrate the reflexes during infancy to “catch up” on some of the developmental processes, and overcome associated symptoms (e.g. sensory symptoms, nervous system dysregulation, motor issues, etc.).

Many parents and practitioners will use laboratory testing or clinical assessments (evaluations by therapists and professionals) to identify the imbalances in a child with autism. Once the imbalances have been identified they will employ tailored strategies to correct or overcome these imbalances.

Here are some examples of therapeutic strategies used to address imbalances commonly seen in autism.

Strategies for Achieving Balance

Probiotics, cultured foods, prebiotic and fiber-rich foods. Raw milks (like camel’s milk) and bovine immunoglobulins. No antibiotics or other gut disrupting medications. No pesticides.

Assess which nutrients are missing and supplement/select foods to add these nutrients back into the diet. For example, low essential fatty acids (Omega 3s) can be addressed through cod liver oil, or safe fatty fish.

Remove allergens and sensitivities from diet. Check for mold exposures or other chronic infections such as PANS/PANDAS. Reduce EMF exposure.

Epsom salt baths, homeopathy, spirulina, saunas, restore bowel function, skin brushing, sun exposure and movement.

Assessing My Child’s Imbalances Worksheet

Review the chart below and check the imbalances you think are relevant to your child, then use the search feature on this website to explore ways to address these imbalances.

What Symptoms Does Your Child Have That Might Fit into This Category?

About Beth Lambert

In 2009, Beth founded Documenting Hope and currently serves as Executive Director. Beth attended Oxford University, graduated from Williams College and holds a Masters Degree in American Studies from Fairfield University.

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