When it comes to supporting neuro-divergent conditions like attention deficit and or autism, we need an approach that addresses the potential root causes, instead of relying solely on medication to suppress symptoms. Food intolerances(especially refined sugars), nutritional deficiencies or imbalances of magnesium, zinc, copper and trace minerals, heavy metals, and gut abnormalities are commonly present. In addition, stress hormone imbalances which may impact sleep, thyroid, or other hormone imbalances are vital to screen for.

The most common signs and symptoms of attention deficit include:

INATTENTION SYMPTOMS

Inattention:

Details: Often Fails to give close attention to details or makes mistakes
Distractability: Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
Completion: Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or workplace duties
Forgetful: Is often forgetful in daily activities
Listening: Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Loses: Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
Sustaining: Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or activities
Avoidance: Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
Organization: Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity:

Activity: Is often ‘on the go, acting as if ‘driven by a motor’
Fidgets: Often fidgets with or taps with hands and feet, or squirms in seat
Sitting: Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
Restless: Often runs and climbs in situations where it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless)
Talks: Often talks excessively
Interruptions: Often blurts out answers before a question has been completed Often has difficulty waiting their turn; Often interrupts or intrudes on others
Impulsivity: Is often impulsive in decision making

The most common signs and symptoms of autism include:

Cognitive Rigidity/Black and White Thinking/Stubbornness: Rigid thoughts
Specificity/Correcting Others: Attention to detail with specifics and accuracy
Pet Norms or Rules: Rules that one thing society or people, in general, should follow
Stress Allergy: An intense reaction to stress compared to the rest of the world that seems barely impacted by physiological stress
Mirror Neurons/Empathy: More difficulty mirroring behaviors and moods; empathizing at appropriate times and reading between the lines about how others are feeling. Note – It may appear that one with autism has little empathy, however those with autism are harder to notice because it is often towards very specific things that they may relate to.
Fixations/Passions: Strong skilled obsessions and fixations or interests.
Trouble Mentalizing: Assumptions that people know or should know information, intentions, or interpretations that those with autism believe others should do
Sensory Issues: Hypersensitivity to sensations
Low Latency: Difficulty making stimuli melt into the background and thus bothersome

Social Juice: Complex social interactions difficult

The principal risks of attention deficit include:

Genetic Link
Imbalances in Neurotransmitters – dopamine, norepinephrine
Brain Injury
Exposure to Environmental Risks (chemicals, medications, heavy metals) – during pregnancy or at a young age
Alcohol and Tobacco Use During Pregnancy
Premature Delivery
Low Birth Weight

The principal risks of autism include:

Genetic Link
Child’s Sex – boys are approximately four times more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder than girls
Premature Delivery
Parent’s Age at Conception
Imbalances in Neurotransmitters – dopamine, norepinephrine
Brain Injury
Exposure to Environmental Risks (chemicals, medications, heavy metals) – during pregnancy or at a young age – research is currently exploring
Viral Infections – research is currently exploring

Neuro-divergent testing techniques are lab tests that can help determine treatment strategies to improve the overall quality of life for those with attention deficit or autism spectrum disorder.

+How do I know which attention deficit and or autism spectrum disorder test is right for me?

Your Naturopath or Nurse Practitioner will help assess which test is right for you, including an analysis of the most cost-efficient path of testing. We recommend a New Patient Visit with one of our Naturopathic Doctors for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot before lab testing as there are many tests available.  Lab testing alone is a one-dimensional picture of your health. The expertise of a health professional is required to create a three-dimensional picture for proper selection, and interpretation of lab testing. To complete your care, we recommend booking your Post-Lab consult 2 weeks after testing to review your results and receive your tailored health plan.

Your medical doctor will focus on general health assessments that are covered by your local provincial health care plan like OHIP in Ontario. We offer different methods of testing to compliment your traditional medical team results and provide a picture of complimentary labs to support your care.

Third party insurance companies may cover all or a portion of your consultations. Insurance companies may cover this in-office test. Please check with your individual provider for details and how to submit claims.

Your Revivelife clinician will review all findings and create a tailored plan to you based on what are the root causes or links to your attention deficit or autism spectrum disorder. The use of tailored meal plans, nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals (oral or IV), herbs, probiotics, prebiotics, stress management, hormone support and or acupuncture that promote healing are often advised. A treatment approach may include a lifestyle support, tailored menu plan, nutrient support, adrenal balancing, and microbiome optimization.

We recommend a New Patient Visit for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot before lab testing and a Post-Lab consult to review your results and receive your tailored health plan. Click here to book an appointment!

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