Autism - Vitamin B6, Magnesuim, Zinc?

[guyshahar]

Hi - I have read in "Optimum Nutritian for your Child's Mind" - and then backed up in other places - that autism symptoms show great improvement when these supplements are used together. However, it does not discuss doses, or where to find these supplements (which would need to be non-tablets as my son does not chew or swallow solids).

Does anyone have any experience of using these, and of the results? What are the correct doses and what products are recommended?

Elsewhere, I read that when DMG (Di-methyl-glycine!!!) is added to the above, the results are even better. But I don't know what this is or where to find it. Does anyone else?

Oh dear..... posted on the Tourettes thread but it came out here

Started DS2 on the supplement, and I swear we can notice an improvement already.

He is far more articulate - although he can speak very well, normally he refuses to speak much.

And his behaviour his better.

I haven't had to separate DS1 and DS2 - and this morning he gave up the computer to DS2 without a fight/meltdown.......

Both our nanny and his grandma noticed - neither who knew he was taking the supplement.....

Anyone else noticed anything?

We're on our 4th day (I think) and I definately think DD2's eye contact is better, and like you indigobell my mum has noticed. DD2 has never looked at my mum and yesterday she looked into my mums eyes and said 'granny got green eyes'.

We also had a play date and she had a peppa pig light that you blow on and off, and she blew it and then turned it to her friend and said ' blow', and did 3 taking turns and she initiated it. This sounds like nothing but for her this is HUGE!!!!!!! She's never interacted with a child before (apart from DD1).

YAY

I've just got the bottle today, not used it yet on boys.
BTW they do a capsule too for anyone who has the same problem as me with younger DS not taking liquid meds.
My younger DS is also on ritalin and colonodine anyway which really do help but I'm hoping this will enhance/improve everything. If I can persuade him to take it anyway! Fingers crossed.
It may work better with elder DS as he's only on folic acid (prescription dosage) anway, oh plus iron tablets for his anaemia so maybe it'll help there too cos I don't think they do much really for him, don't think he absorbs it that well cos he's always poo'ing!

Can you not mix it with food like yogurt or actimel? If you can't, I am in trouble, as I already ordered three bottles (not often I am going to get visitors coming and bringing things over). I still have time to order the capsule before my friends come. I can't see anything on the website to say you can't.

I think it would be fine in yoghurt.

Oh this is very encouraging. I ordered my bottle yesterday. Ds2 already takes a tange of supplements but no B vits and no DMG, so I am hoping this will give him an extra boost.
Does anyone know the difference between folinic and folic acid? Ds2 takes the former ( his old nutritionist said it was better absorbed I think) but the DMG liquid contains folic acid. Am wondering if he can take the two together, or whether I should stop the folinic when I start him on the liquid?

I started dd 4 on Thursday, and have noticed a difference, she seems calmer and easier to reason with, and I noticed this week when I picked her up from pre school she was not hysterical and screaming like she normally is. Also dd sat with me to do her phonics cards which she does not do normally, so all positive. However there have been crying incidences before bed, but due to the hot weather (dd is not good in the heat) and not much sleep (waking up at 5 and not going back to sleep) have made allowances for this as this is not usual.

Also dd has been displaying more eye contact and saying hello to people instead of ignoring them.

Sphill I don't know the diff between folic n folonic but when my eldest had to start taking iron tablets for his anaemia the paed said it would be ok to continue with the folic which is also like an irony type thing anyway. He's been fine to be honest so i imagine that your son could take both...check with the paediatrician if not sure.
Also the folic my son takes is prescription so it's much stronger than what you buy over the counter and he's still fine with both.

Got some for DS, aged 5, and he really does not like the taste. He only drinks apple juice so I would not be able to disguise it in his drink. Any suggestions as to how I can get him to take it?

Sphil they are both from the group of vitamins called folate but I believe the folic acid is a syntetic form of folate and the folinic is the form of folate found naturally in foods.

countdown its shouldnt be noticable in apple juice, I hid it last year. Will he take it from medicine dispencer? Its best hidden in pineapple and mango juice I found as there I couldnt even tell something was different.

I am please few people are already seeing positive changes...

Checked with ds psychiatrist yesterday who said he didn't recommend the vit/DMG but probably couldn't do any harm.

Gave it to ds last night and he gagged and heaved at the taste. I tried it and it's pretty foul. He said "please don't make me have it, mummy"

Anyone any ideas? Anyone want to purchase at reduced cost?

Bugger.

I'm wondering if I could hide it in a homemade ice lolly made from the stuff mixed with blackcurrant squash? With the heat at the moment he's having loads of ice lollies......

DS2 is rebelling against the taste too at the moment, and he only drinks milk and water, so can't hide it in fruit juice....., nor would he have it in yoghurt I don't think.......

Ds doesn't do iced things. Not fooled by yoghurt. He's ten and will take it but his little body shook with the yukkiness of it.

Well it's meant to be cherry flavour.....

Could you pour it over a plate of summer fruit?

Hide it in some baking?

Does he taste it less if he takes it from a syringe rather than a tablespoon?

Problem is....he's just started Risperidone and that's foul so, introducing something else is just the final straw!

I am sorry bdaonion I havent mentioned to you so far the liquid form existed, I found it when I was tired of crashing the choline and opening the DMG capsules and hide it in the food and as you say you never know how much they take it and often gets wasted.

Wendihouse I am sorry to hear your son is not taking it, most supplements taste horrible unfortunately but they give so much benefits to our children that is outweighting the fight and the tears (which was and is in my case). DS used to spit it out, now that his speech has come (and same as bdaonion I attributed the improvement to the DMG and the choline) I can bribe him with swallow it and you get a chocolate :)

oh and indigo please check with the website people if you can hide it in baking or frozen lollies, I would have thought the second to be fine.

There are capsules available.
Or how about mixing it in jam on toast?

My elder DS taking it, but he's 14 so I dunno how much benefit we'll see from one bottle and it will be expensive to keep buying it every 12 days!

Oh blimey didnt realise it tasted horrible. Ds2 only drinks water! Mind you, he has his fishoils in water and doesnt complain so maybe this wont make much differencd. Fishy cherry water......mmmmmm

Ok so now older son been on it for 3 days and I wonder if It's coincedence or is there really an improvement? I'm trying not to get my hopes up but so far today;
A) came with me willingly in car to walk pups
B) actually walked at the other end
C) listened with a little interest when i was telling him how the crickets made the noise
D) got on bus for club willingly (last time took 4 of us half hr)
E) washed up n wiped up with no shouting tantrums about 'do it yourself, I hate youuuuu'
F) has asked me a couple of questions (never done)
G) tried on his new trainers I bought him today and commented that they fit him nicely

Pleeeease let it not be a fluke!

Wow!

I have suggested it to others on a fragile X site too...will be keeping a close eye on developments.