Defeat Autism Now's DAN Protocol

Dietary Interventions and Biomedical Treatments

Jan 20, 2008 Melissa Hincha-Ownby

The Autism Research Institute's DAN project helps those with autism spectrum disorders reach new developmental milestones.

Autism spectrum disorders are being diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 150 children in the United States, with similar statistics being reported in other areas of the world. Parents everywhere are looking for information on how to provide their children with the best in autism treatment.

One organization gaining popularity is Defeat Autism Now (DAN). The DAN Protocol includes a variety of interventions, customized on an individual basis, which have been shown to produce dramatic results in some patients. Read on to learn more about Defeat Autism Now.

What is Defeat Autism Now?

Defeat Autism Now is part of the Autism Research Institute (ARI). According to the ARI website, "Defeat Autism Now! is dedicated to educating parents and clinicians regarding biomedically-based research, appropriate testing and safe and effective interventions for autism."

The DAN Protocol

The DAN Protocol attempts to address biochemical irregularities in an individual. Through the use of dietary intervention, vitamin supplementation, digestive enzymes, probiotics and even intravenous chelation, some patients have seen dramatic developmental breakthroughs.

Dietary Interventions

Some individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have seen huge gains when placed on certain diets. The most commonly used diet for those with an ASD is the gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet. According to a study conducted by ARI, out of 2,208 individuals on the GFCF diet, 65% showed an improvement in their symptoms. Other diets showing promising results were the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), the Feingold Diet and the Candida Diet.

Biomedical Treatments

In addition to dietary intervention, many people that participated in the ARI study also tried one or more biomedical treatments to address the behaviors in the autistic individual. Some of the treatment options showing the most improvement in symptoms were chelation, the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vitamin B12 (usually administered through injection), and Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET).

DAN Practitioners

In order to receive a full work-up that will lead to the implementation of a customized DAN protocol, one would need to contact a DAN practitioner. Practitioners can be found both in the United States as well as in several countries across the world. There are two types of DAN practitioners; licensed healthcare providers and naturopaths/homeopaths. The ARI website hosts a directory of DAN doctors.

The Defeat Autism Now organization and the DAN protocol are leading the drive to assist families dealing with autism from an allopathic viewpoint. It is important to do extensive research both into the protocol as well as the practitioner you choose. As with all things relating to health, please consult your primary care physician before making any healthcare choices.

Sources:

ARI Parent Ratings of Behavioral Effects of Biomedical Interventions

Autism Research Institute

The copyright of the article Defeat Autism Now's DAN Protocol in Autism/Asperger's Syndrome is owned by Melissa Hincha-Ownby. Permission to republish Defeat Autism Now's DAN Protocol in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

DAN Doctors Assist with Autism Treatments.