Some Autism Is IMMUNE-DRIVEN

Welcome to Episode 333 of Autism Parenting Secrets.Autism isn't one thing.What may be contributing to challenges for one child can be very different from what's happening with another.And one area that deserves greater attention is the immune system.This week, Dr. Terry Harville shares how immune dysfunction may contribute to neurological challenges in some children with autism.As a physician-scientist and immunologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, he brings extensive expertise in immune regulation, inflammation, autoimmunity, and immune deficiencies.We explore how an overactive immune system can remain activated long after an initial trigger, potentially contributing to ongoing inflammation and changes in brain function.Dr. Harville also explains the connections between the immune system, gastrointestinal health, and the brain, including how infections, food reactions, and digestive dysfunction may influence neurological symptoms.We discuss post-infectious autoimmunity, mitochondrial function, and why understanding the interactions between different systems in the body matters.Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Harville identifies specific signs that may suggest immune dysregulation.Recurring infections, allergies, gastrointestinal problems, and unexplained fevers may offer important clues.Recognizing these patterns can help parents ask better questions and work with knowledgeable practitioners to investigate potential underlying contributors to their child's challenges. The secret this week is…Some Autism Is IMMUNE-DRIVEN You'll Discover:Why An Overactive Immune System May Affect Some Children With Autism (2:11)How Infections And Gut Health Can Influence Brain Function (6:11)Why Food Reactions May Be Worth Investigating (16:11)How Post-Infectious Autoimmunity May Affect Brain Signaling (34:02)Which Signs May Point To Immune Dysregulation (42:08) About Our Guest:Dr. Terry Harville, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist and Professor of Pathology and Internal Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). His expertise includes pediatric allergy, immunology, rheumatology, autoimmunity, immune deficiencies, and transplantation immunology. He also serves as Medical Director of laboratories focused on immunogenetics, histocompatibility, transplantation, and diagnostic immune evaluation. His work explores how immune dysfunction and inflammation may contribute to a range of conditions, including autism.University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: https://uams.edu Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 332 of Autism Parenting Secrets.When your child struggles with emotional regulation, sensory processing, learning, or coordination, it’s easy to focus on each challenge separately.But what if some of those challenges are connected?What if understanding your child’s neurological development could help you identify what to address first?This week, Dr. Dana Brindisi shares how she approaches complex neurological cases through the lens of functional neurology.As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, she focuses on neurological rehabilitation and helping patients improve how their brains and nervous systems function.We explore the importance of developmental foundations, including primitive reflexes, vestibular function, posture, and eye movements.Dr. Dana also explains how functional neurology differs from traditional chiropractic care, what neurological rehabilitation involves, and why the sequence of interventions matters.We discuss the role of gut health, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental stressors, along with the importance of assembling a team with complementary expertise.Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Dana offers a different way to understand challenging behaviors.What looks like defiance may reflect a child who is struggling to regulate their nervous system.And understanding that possibility can change how we respond. The secret this week is…Functional Neurology CONNECTS The Dots You'll Discover:Why Neurological Foundations Matter (1:28)How Primitive Reflexes Can Affect Regulation (7:40)What Functional Neurology Actually Does (12:22)Why There May Be Multiple Root Causes (32:15)What Parents Need To Understand About Survival Mode (38:23) About Our Guest:Dr. Dana Brindisi, DC, DACNB, CFMP, is the founder of Carolina Functional Neurology Center and clinic director of its Raleigh, North Carolina location. She is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 14 years of experience working with complex neurological cases. Her practice focuses on neurological evaluation and rehabilitation, including neurodevelopment, vestibular function, sensory processing, primitive reflexes, and other aspects of nervous system function. Through Carolina Functional Neurology Center, Dr. Dana and her team work with children and adults experiencing neurological and developmental challenges.carolinafnc.com  Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 331 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I’m joined once again by my good friend Bob Miller, founder of Functional Genomic Analysis and the NutriGenetic Research Institute.ATP is the energy our cells need to do their jobs. And Bob’s latest research raises an intriguing possibility: inadequate ATP may help explain how biological issues that can seem completely separate are actually interconnected.We explore glutamate and the astrocytes responsible for clearing it, the ATP-dependent sodium-potassium pump, mitochondrial function, iron-sulfur clusters, oxidative stress, calcium regulation, and the vicious feedback loops that can develop when cellular energy production is compromised.The key is not to reduce autism to a single cause. As Bob emphasizes, different children can arrive at similar challenges through very different biological pathways. His hypothesis is that ATP may be an important piece that helps connect many of those pathways.This is primarily an audio podcast, but Bob shares a number of visuals that can make these concepts easier to understand. You can watch the full episode video using the link in the References in this Episode section below. The secret this week is…ATP May Be The MISSING PIECE You'll Discover:Why ATP Matters To Every Cell (2:11)How ATP May Affect Glutamate Clearance (10:06)How A Vicious Cycle Can Develop (18:07)Why There May Be Many Paths To The Same Problem (28:42)Why Low ATP Doesn't Necessarily Look Like Low Energy (39:21)About Our Guest:Robert Miller, BCTN, ANWPB, is a Board-Certified Traditional Naturopath specializing in genetic-specific nutrition. He is the founder of Functional Genomic Analysis and the NutriGenetic Research Institute and has spent years researching relationships among genetic variants, environmental factors, and complex health challenges. Bob founded the NutriGenetic Research Institute in 2015 to support genetic research and has presented multiple phases of research on genetic variants and chronic Lyme disease at ILADS conferences. He is also the creator of Functional Genomic Analysis, software designed to organize and analyze genetic SNPs for functional health professionals.tolhealth.com/about-us/   References in this Episode:Watch the Full Episode Video: https://elevatehowyounavigate.com/video/bob-millerFunctional Genomic Analysis Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 330 of Autism Parenting Secrets.Dr. Sheila Kilbane is back, and this conversation focuses on something that affects many children with autism and other developmental challenges: constipation.Sheila explains that constipation isn’t limited to a child simply not going regularly. Straining, discomfort, hard stools, or a history of skipped days can all matter.And addressing it isn’t just about getting things moving.Healthy elimination plays an important role in digestion, nutrient absorption, the microbiome, detoxification, comfort, sleep, and even behavior.Sheila walks through the method she has developed over more than 20 years, beginning with the fundamentals before moving toward more complex interventions.Her approach is refreshingly methodical: strengthen the foundation, change one variable at a time, pay attention to what happens, and build from there. The secret this week is…Constipation Is An IMPORTANT Clue You'll Discover:Why Constipation Can Affect Behavior And Sleep (6:57)Why The Basics Need To Come Before More Complex Interventions (9:12)Why Magnesium Can Be Important For Healthy Bowel Movements (19:56)Why Changing One Variable At A Time Leads To Greater Clarity (32:59)Why Tracking Small Changes Can Reveal Important Clues (39:30) About Our Guest:Sheila Kilbane, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician trained in integrative medicine with Dr. Andrew Weil. She is the founder of Infinite Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the author of Healthy Kids, Happy Moms: 7 Steps to Heal and Prevent Common Childhood Illnesses. Dr. Kilbane combines conventional and integrative medicine to help identify and address underlying contributors to childhood health challenges. Her work focuses on building a strong physiological foundation through nutrition, digestion, gut health, inflammation reduction, and other foundational factors.  Her newest ebook, Constipated to Consistent, provides parents with a step-by-step approach to understanding and addressing constipation.https://sheilakilbane.com/  References in this Episode:Constipated to Consistent - Dr. Kilbane’s ebook and step-by-step guide to addressing constipationHealthy Kids, Happy Moms: 7 Steps to Heal and Prevent Common Childhood Illnesses - Sheila Kilbane, MDDr. Sheila Kilbane’s TED Talk - August 2025Autism Parenting Secrets Episode: Say NO To PEG, with Mike Koehler Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 329 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I'm joined by Greer McGuinness, a registered dietitian with nearly 20 years of experience in nutrition and pediatric health.Greer's work is deeply personal. When her son experienced developmental regression, severe constipation, feeding difficulties, and sleep problems, conventional lab results weren't providing the answers she needed.Determined to understand what was happening, she began exploring increasingly sophisticated testing. But she eventually realized that gathering more information wasn't necessarily bringing her closer to the answers she was looking for.Today, Greer is the founder of Biomedical Healing for Kids, where she specializes in autism, the microbiome, nutrition, and environmental health.We explore why identifying foundational issues is so important, how gut health and nutrition can influence other systems in the body, and why the order in which parents pursue interventions matters.Greer also shares why she has moved away from certain commonly ordered tests, what parents should understand about interpreting lab results, and how chasing supplements or jumping into aggressive protocols can sometimes backfire.Above all, this conversation is about knowing where to focus, making more informed decisions, and ensuring that every step you take has a clear purpose in supporting your child. The secret this week is…More Testing Is NOT Always Better  You'll Discover:Why More Testing Can Actually Create More Confusion (2:07)Why Foundations Need To Come Before Aggressive Protocols (9:36)Why Greer Doesn't Consider An OAT An Essential First Test (12:41)Why Interpreting The Test May Matter As Much As Choosing It (16:43)The Question To Ask Before Ordering Another Test (42:19)  About Our Guest:Greer McGuinness, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian with nearly 20 years of experience in nutrition and pediatric health and the founder of Biomedical Healing for Kids, a virtual practice specializing in autism, microbiome health, nutrition, and environmental health. She is also a Certified Detox Specialist, Certified Master Herbalist, and Certified Lyme Specialist. Greer is the lead author of published research on sulforaphane treatment for autism and has contributed to a textbook on the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders. Her professional work is informed by her personal experience navigating complex health challenges with her son.https://www.biomedicalhealingforkids.com/  References in this Episode:Biomedical Healing for KidsGreer McGuinness's research on sulforaphane treatment for autismDr. Robert MelilloDr. Kurt Woeller  Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com  If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 328 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I’m joined by Brendan Mahan, an ADHD and executive function consultant, coach, speaker, and author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful.The Wall of Awful is Brendan’s model for the emotional barrier that can build between us and the things we struggle with or have failed at.For neurodivergent kids, those barriers can become especially significant.And what looks like laziness, defiance, or a lack of motivation from the outside may have something very different underneath it.Brendan explains why getting curious about what’s making something difficult is so important and how we parents can sometimes unknowingly “add bricks” to our child’s wall.We also explore practical ways to lower the barrier to getting started, including scaffolding, breaking tasks into smaller pieces, helping a child envision the end result, and giving them greater agency.And Brendan shares an important lesson from his own parenting journey about the difference between helping because our child genuinely needs help and stepping in because it’s difficult for us to watch them struggle. The secret this week is… You CAN Get Past The Wall You'll Discover:Why Motivation May Be The Wrong Place To Start (3:05)How Parents Can Add Bricks To The Wall (5:13)The Five Ways We Respond To The Wall (13:29)How To “Start The Orange” For Your Child (21:59)Why Agency Matters So Much (32:23) About Our Guest:Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., is an ADHD and executive function consultant, coach, and speaker. A veteran educator and former teacher, principal, and mental health clinician, he specializes in helping people affected by ADHD, autism, and anxiety lessen the impact of their struggles.Brendan is the host of The ADHD Essentials Podcast and creator of the Wall of Awful model. His book, Overcoming the Wall of Awful: Why It’s Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway), explores the emotional barriers behind procrastination, avoidance, and overwhelm.https://brendanmahan.com/ References in this Episode:Overcoming the Wall of Awful by Brendan MahanThe ADHD Essentials PodcastHow to ADHD: Wall of Awful Part 1 and Part 2 Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 327 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I’m joined by Elizabeth Horn, Executive Director of 2M Foundation and a longtime advocate, innovator, and mother to her daughter Sophia, who was diagnosed with autism in 1997.For nearly three decades, Elizabeth has been asking some of the biggest questions in autism: What is actually happening with our kids? And how can we know if what we’re doing is actually helping?Now, advances in artificial intelligence may make it possible to explore those questions in entirely new ways.Elizabeth is helping develop Count.AI, a platform designed to bring together years of information about an individual child, including labs, health records, wearable data, parent observations, and more.The goal is to make information that has historically been scattered or invisible easier to see, track, and learn from over time.We discuss why every child is an N-of-1, how AI may help identify patterns that humans simply cannot see, and why parents taking greater ownership of their child’s health information could represent a major shift in how families navigate this journey.Elizabeth also shares what she believes could become possible over the next five years as AI, longitudinal data, and the collective experiences of families begin to converge. The secret this week is… There’s POWER in Your Child’s Health Data You'll Discover:Why AI Could Help Parents Connect Previously Invisible Dots (9:56)Why What Works Best Is What Works For Your Individual Child (14:39)How Count.AI Brings Years Of Health Information Together (19:32)Why Owning Your Child’s Health Is A Critical Paradigm Shift (26:36)What Could Be Possible Within Five Years (40:09) About Our Guest:Elizabeth Horn is Executive Director of 2M Foundation and a longtime health journey advocate, entrepreneur, innovator, and Silicon Valley marketer. She is Co-Founder and LP of Autism Impact Fund, Co-Founder of ChARM Health, Co-Founder of Brain Foundation, and Producer/Director of IN OUR OWN HANDS: How Patients Are Reinventing Medicine. Her daughter Sophia was diagnosed with autism in 1997, beginning a nearly three-decade journey of searching for better ways to understand each child’s individual biology, health data, and needs.https://2mfoundation.org/about-us/ References in this Episode:The COUNT.ai Project - Join the Beta2M Foundation Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 326 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I’m joined by Tyler Hudson, author of The Missing Lyrics: A Father’s Story of Autism, Grief, and a Society in Denial.Tyler’s son Lyric is 18 and has profound autism. Our sons are close in age, and while every family’s journey is unique, there are many commonalities in what we’ve experienced.Tyler has a remarkable ability to put words around complicated and emotionally charged experiences that many parents have felt but struggled to articulate.We talk about the grief that can accompany this journey, how a parent’s perspective changes over time, the enormous breadth of the autism spectrum, and the courage required to question prevailing narratives and stand up for what you believe is right.We also explore the importance of presuming competence and recognizing that a child who struggles to communicate may understand far more than we realize.And we confront a distinction that sits at the heart of Tyler’s advocacy: accepting, loving, and supporting people with autism today does not mean we stop asking difficult questions about why so many children are struggling or seeking to prevent unnecessary suffering for future generations.Those goals are not in conflict. The secret this week is… We Need Acceptance AND Prevention You'll Discover:Why Hope Changes As The Journey Unfolds (3:11)How Grief Can Lead To Acceptance (13:22)Why The Autism Spectrum Needs More Distinction (22:10)The Difference Between Being Nice And Doing What’s Right (39:56)Why Presuming Competence Matters So Much (47:33) About Our Guest:Tyler Hudson is a husband, father of three, musician and advocate for families living at the deep end of the spectrum. From Texas, now living in Tasmania, Tyler speaks openly about grief, disability, and the responsibility we owe future generations.https://tylerhudsonmusic.com/ References in this Episode:The Missing Lyrics: A Father's Story of Autism, Grief, and a Society In Denial by Tyler Hudson Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 325 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I'm joined by Nadia Elkhatib, host of the Biohacking Autism podcast.Nadia holds a master's degree in computer science and spent her career in Silicon Valley tech, bringing that same engineer's mindset to more than twenty years of helping her son Jimmy.Measure. Test. Adjust. Repeat.Nadia believes parents need to become the CEO of their child's health. That doesn't mean doing everything yourself. It means owning the strategy, understanding the data, recognizing patterns, asking better questions, and building the right team around you.Rather than continually chasing symptoms, Nadia has increasingly looked to longevity and biohacking for a more foundational answer:How can we help the body do its job better?That has led her to focus deeply on metabolic health and nervous system regulation.We also explore why caregiver health can't be overlooked. The better you function, the better equipped you are to make decisions, lead the journey, and show up for your child.And Nadia gets a firsthand look at another form of biohacking as we review her All-In Parent Assessment and identify opportunities to make an already strong parent even stronger. The secret this week is… You CAN Biohack Autism You'll Discover:Why biohacking puts parents back in the driver's seat (5:33)Why the buck ultimately stops with the parent (8:10)Why it's time to stop chasing symptoms (12:03)Why starting with what you can control matters (28:49)Why you can't bypass caregiver health (57:56) About Our Guest:Nadia Elkhatib is the host of Biohacking Autism, a podcast about real solutions for people with autism and the ones who love them. She holds a master's degree in computer science and spent her career in Silicon Valley tech, bringing that same engineer's mindset to raising her son with severe autism: measure, test, adjust, repeat. She is now building a private Biohacking Autism community where members get her ongoing research and current protocols, along with access to leading autism, longevity, and biohacking experts. Every episode of the show runs on two tracks: practical protocols for the person on the spectrum and healthspan and longevity for the moms, dads, and caregivers supporting them.biohackautism.com References in this Episode:Biohacking Autism PodcastDave AspreyDr. Neil Nathan Additional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. 

Welcome to Episode 324 of Autism Parenting Secrets.This week, I'm joined by Sarah Kernion, founder of INCHSTONES and mother of three children, including two with profound, non-speaking autism and whole body apraxia.Parents see things others simply can't.You are with your child across thousands of ordinary moments. You notice subtle changes in behavior, connection, sleep, digestion, regulation, communication, and development.Those observations aren't insignificant.They're clues.Yet it's easy to discount what you see when you're sitting across from a doctor, therapist, teacher, or other professional with years of training and expertise.Sarah makes a powerful case for a different posture.You don't need to know more than the experts. But you do need to recognize that you bring something to the table that no one else can: an extraordinarily deep understanding of your child.That means becoming more than an advocate. It means becoming an intentional observer, noticing patterns, documenting what you see, asking better questions, and trusting yourself enough to bring those observations forward.We also explore the importance of asking not only "What is this?" but "Why might this be happening?"And Sarah shares the idea at the heart of INCHSTONES: progress isn't only found in the big milestones we're conditioned to look for.It's also found in the tiny moments of connection, growth, and development that are easy to miss when we're focused only on how far our child still has to go.Those inchstones matter. The secret this week is… Your Ability To NOTICE Is A Superpower You'll Discover:Why your observations about your child are incredibly important clues (3:53)How to show up differently in conversations with practitioners (10:21)Why becoming a better observer changes your role in your child's care (21:07)Why asking "Why might this be happening?" can reveal more (31:36)Why inchstones deserve to be celebrated alongside milestones (39:02) About Our Guest:Sarah Kernion is the founder of INCHSTONES, host of the Inchstones podcast, and a national advocate for families raising children with profound autism.She is the mother of three children, including Milly and Mack, who both have profound, non-speaking autism and whole body apraxia.Through honest storytelling and conversations with leading researchers, physicians, and fellow caregivers, Sarah explores the intersection of science, advocacy, and the lived reality of raising children with the highest support needs.Her work invites parents to notice the small moments that often reveal the biggest truths because inchstones, not milestones, change lives.www.inchstones.co References in this Episode:Meadow HealthAdditional Resources:To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.