stool analysis test

[Hedda46]

I have a 2 1/2 year old son that is probably autistic.  He was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 lb 13 oz, so developmental delays have been "normal".  I am a nurse and know that he is not typical at all and this is not only prematurity.  Therefore, we just had a stool analysis done and received the results today.  His Candida albicans (yeast) is 3+  on a 1-4+ scale.  Also, he has a 4+ of Bacillus cereus.  I have found that that is the leading bacteria for food poisoning.  I am wondering if anyone knows what these results really mean.  I am assuming we will do an antifungal for the yeast, but just don't understand what that "cereus" bacteria is or it's repricussions.  Thanks.

[MJIthewriter]

My approach on bio-med is: it won't cure the autism and if it does, I'm not sure that may be entirely a good thing to be sought out for every autistic individual, but that's my personal opinion. That in mind if it is to be used, I think the amount of treatment should be dependent on how much one wants to give up of him/her self to improve x. Then there's also the possibility that the bio-med isn't doing much, but rather the child naturally maturing. I believe self will and self awareness has a lot to do with how well a person will do regardless of condition.

I've grown up without all the DAN, TACA, Autism Speaks and related bio-med pushing organizations, and yet when I compare my story to the stuff I read on the DAN site I see remarkable similarities. From a casual observer, I do not come across as autistic... In fact that's been somewhat of a bane when it comes to getting a few things I need.  People either think I'm faking or not "severe" enough to be considered. It's frustrating to explain yes I am autistic.  But at the same time I have lots of fun shattering people's preconceived notions of autism. It is a very gray area and not all of autism is as the same or as bad as such sites like Autism Speaks may make it out to be.

I'm not saying bio-med is bad, but I don't like it to be used as an attempt to "cure" or "squash out the autism." I've read stuff from sites like Autism Speaks that make me cringe... I believe the best that can be done is to work with the autism rather than against it. If there hang-ups affecting the child's quality of life, then those need to be addressed, but otherwise, I think some of those sites push it too far.  It has to be from the child's perspective and not necessarily what the parent thinks is best.

One example I've used here and on the Autism Speaks forum is an extroverted parent who has many friends and gets great joy off his/her interactions with others.  Let's say they have an introverted child who is perfectly happy being by his/her self or with a few friends. The parent may assume the child to be suffering because they lack the social network and the same values as the parent.  To make the child into an extravert and fulfill the parent's view of happiness and wellness by medications or biomed, or whatever, is not the way it should be used.

Rather it is a tool that should be used conservatively just enough to help the child overcome things affecting his/her quality of life without removing the good things that come with the condition.  I honestly believe that my autism has given me my perspective and my ability to create the things I create. If supposed bio-meds cured me of my autism, I fear I'd lose the abilities I have. Things come at a cost...  My weaknesses fuel my strengths and vise versa. Someone else in my situation may rather they lose their gift of creativity and visual mental imagining to become able to “fit in” and “function” as a so called perceived “normal” person (if they knew that was physically possible). That’s up to the individual to decide.

PS sorry you got my bio-med lecture...I store it up in my head and "wait" for the right moment to release it.

[Hedda46]

Thanks for your comments.  We are working with a hoistic MD who ordered the stool test for us.  It was done by Genova Diagnostics.  I have recently been to an Autism conference, where the top biomedical doctors spoke.  I am planning to folllow their recommendations through the book Autism: Effective Biomedical Treatments, by Jon Pangborn, PhD.  It is extremely helpful.  We are not currently looking for a diagnosis, as I don't feel it would be beneficial at this time.  If we cannot get any results on our own, then we will probably go that route after he turns 3.  I also did a search on the bacteria and found the same thing about food poisoning.  Very strange...as my son has not been sick or  had any diarrhea or constipation.  One answer leads to more questions.  Thanks for your help.

[Sally44]

I've just done a quick search on the cereus bacteria and it looks like something he should definately getting some treatment for as it sounds like quite serious food poisoning.  If you were questioning the link between this bacteria and autism, it is not one I have come across before.

[Sally44]

I don't know about the cereus bacteria is.  Can't they give you some information at the place you had the stool sample tested.  Can you also tell us who tested the stool sample, was it through your GP?
My son also had a candida albans infection.  From talking with other mums this seems to be more common amongst autistic children.  So this might indicate that the digestion is not 'optimal'.  At the time we just used a cream and removed sugar from the diet and introduced probiotics.  You mention an antifungal, which is usually a one off treatment, whereas if it is an on-going digestive weakness you may need to alter his diet to take this into account.  
You could also have a look on the Health Page, which you can access through the Health Page icon.  I have posted the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for autism and some parents have posted examples of their childrens' behaviour to give examples of behaviours that meet the criteria.
Have you asked for your son to be evaluated?  Or are you thinking that altering the diet might improve some of the 'autistic' behaviours?  If that is the case then my opinion is that however much improved your child may appear with a dietry modification, there is the still the 'autism' there.  So if he is autistic he will always have difficulties with language, social communication etc.