Day One Presentations

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Why Food Matters for Children with ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Down Syndrome, and Pediatric Special Needs

Julie Matthews, NC

The host of the Forum, Julie Matthews, draws from her 20+ years of clinical practice and research to provide a fundamental understanding of how food and nutrition affect children. What children eat influences their gut and brain, and consequently their health, cognition, and behavior. Julie breaks down the core concepts that you need to know to help your child through personalized diet and nutrition choices. Become inspired and learn what to do next.

• ADHD, autism, & anxiety are whole body disorders – food matters
• That picky eating is affected by biochemistry and how you can help
• Which food, nutrient, and diet strategies you can get started with right away to improve your child’s health, learning, and behavior

An Integrative Approach to Anxiety & ADHD

Mary Wilde, MD

Dr. Wilde’s presentation focuses on the foundations of health, the power of using an integrative approach specifically about anxiety, how nutrition can support emotional wellness, choosing the best supplements, therapeutic diets to consider and the idea of building resilience. You will learn about the anxiety equation which is based on the proportion of risk vs resources, and how you can build resources and resilience to balance emotional wellness.

• Know the relationship between anxiety – resilience – and nutrition
• The five major factors that crucially impact mental health
• Pharmaceutical drugs vs nutrition and supplementation

Body Ecology, Genetics, and Pregnancy Nutrition for a Healthy Child

Donna Gates

Donna Gates has been a staple in healing diet circles for children with autism and other special needs for decades. In this interview, she discusses key aspects of the Body Ecology that help children improve their health, learning, and behavior. She also discusses the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy and how to meet these special nutrition needs. And we discuss the importance of our genome, genetic polymorphisms, and our microbial genome from our microbiome.

• How the gut microbiome affects neurological conditions.
• About the intersection of diet and genetics and how the Body Ecology Diet aligns with gene expression for optimal health.
• Preventative strategies including nutrients and environmental factors on genetic health, beginning from birth.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Kurt Woeller, DO

Ever wonder how our cells create energy? It starts with something called the mitochondria and when they are not functioning optimally, that can result in many issues, including feeling sluggish and having low energy. Dr. Woeller shares his experience of over from 2 decades working with children on the autism spectrum. He explains the link between mitochondria and ATP energy, and  how to improve energy at a cellular level and tells you the key nutrients needed and how to bioindividualize protocol based on unique biochemistry. 

• Why mitochondrial function is critical to detoxification of toxins
• How the mitochondria influence other neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s, dementia, and more.
• Why diet is key; foods that interfere with energy production and key nutrients needed for optimal mitochondrial functioning.

Optimize Your Child’s Gut-Brain Connection

Elisa Song, MD

With the number of children being diagnosed with ADHD, some as early as age 4, understanding the impacts are crucial to your child’s health. In this interview, you will learn how the gut microbiome directly impacts our mood, anxiety, via the Vagus Nerve, and how restoring neurotransmitter levels can be addressed in the gut! Looking at a combination of food, lifestyle, and our environmental impacts are key.

• What the microbiome is, why it is important for a child’s brain function, and how it gets disrupted
• How sugar and sugar-free products influence the microbiome and behavior in children
• Easy steps to a microbiome-friendly diet and lifestyle

Day Two Presentations

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Beyond Gluten-Free: Your next steps to refine a personalized BioIndividual

Julie Matthews, NC

The right therapeutic diet can make a profound impact on a child. However, knowing which diet to use can be challenging. Julie Matthews, a Certified Nutrition Consultant and published researcher shares her 20 years of knowledge and experience with you to help you navigate therapeutic diets. Since each child is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all diet for autism and ADHD. These complex and diverse conditions need a personalized approach. She shares what you want to know about therapeutic diets and how to begin to create a personalized nutrition plan for your child.

• A step-by-step approach that can help you figure out which diet is best for your child
• How and when diets beyond GFCF such as a low salicylate, low amine, SCD/GAPS, low oxalate, and ketogenic diet can be beneficial
• The science and stories of hope behind using therapeutic diets and a personalized nutrition approach to help children with pediatric special needs

SCD/GAPS diet for children with Autism and ADHD

Silvija Abele, PhD

If you love the details of a well conducted study and proof that diet works – this interview is a must. BioIndividual Nutrition Practitioner, Dr. Sylvija Abele takes us through the fascinating results of a thorough study implementing a GAPS diet on children with Autism and ADHD.

• The connection between the gut and the brain – and how GI conditions relate to autism and ADHD symptoms
• The significance of dietary intervention, especially the GAPS diet on Autism and ADHD
• How important compliance really is on the results of a diet and what you need to know to succeed

Gut-Brain-Immune Axis: Leaky Gut Revisited

Steven Wright

Research shows 80% of children with ASD report gut issues, and challenges with gut dysbiosis are involved in many mental health and neurological conditions. Steven Wright, founder of Healthy Gut, will show how we can “uplevel our game” when it comes to treating the gut.

• New research that shows at least 4 Layers of Leaky Gut (Mast Cells could be layer 5)
• Making sense of gut healing protocols based on what replaces or supports each layer.
• How to stack terrain support products to make other protocols more effective.

The Role of Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Pediatric Populations

Brendan Vermeire

Brendan Vermeire takes us through the physiological and biochemical root causes of mental health issues. He talks about Inflammation and Oxidative Stress as the root causes of most mental health illnesses and what practitioners can do to make the maximum impact on children’s mental health.

• The two primary factors that impact more neurological dysfunction in kids and adults
• What are microglial cells – and why activation of these cells can make the difference between neuro degeneration and neuro-regeneration
• The top 3 nutrition biomarkers that everyone should assess in kids with autism

Mycotoxins as a Trigger of Autism-Like Issues and How to Fix It at Home

Evan Brand

As a functional medicine (and nutrition therapy) practitioner, Evan shares his experiences helping kids (and adults) on the autism spectrum, with significant underlying health issues, where other changes (diet/supplements) have not fully resolved – and especially where mold, mycotoxins, bartonella, lyme, and toxins are involved.

• The role of mycotoxins, clostridia, yeast, and Lyme disease in autism spectrum disorders
• Which lab tests are useful for proper assessment and intervention protocols
• Real case studies of improvement in symptoms through the use of sauna, probiotics, supplements and binders

Day Three Presentations

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For Practitioners: The Science and Clinical Application of BioIndividual Nutrition for Autism and Pediatric Special Needs

Julie Matthews, NC

This presentation was specifically created for nutrition professionals. In it, Julie Matthews shares over two decades of her clinical experience and research with you. Autism and ADHD are complex, heterogeneous conditions with different symptoms, comorbid conditions, and underlying factors affecting each individual. This means, as a nutrition practitioner, your recommendations need to be personalized to the Bioindividual Nutrition needs of the individual. This presentation will help you gain knowledge on the science behind therapeutic diets and become more confident in your personalized diet and nutrition recommendations.

• The latest scientific research on personalized nutrition for autism and chronic disease
• The details of how 7 therapeutic diets can improve autism and ADHD and how symptoms will help you develop a BioIndividual Nutrition plan for your clients
• How laboratory testing will help you personalize your nutrient and therapeutic diet approach

Biochemical Individuality and Personalized Nutrition for Down Syndrome

Erica Peirson, ND

Dr. Peirson explains that having a diagnosis of Down Syndrome does not determine health and developmental destiny. She focuses on the uniqueness of each child’s gene expression, epigenetic factors impacting gene expression, and the role of the microbiome in their neurodevelopment.

• Recognizing the medical and biochemical individuality of children with Down syndrome
• Micronutrient deficiency *tendencies* – how to recognize them, and 7 key nutrient levels to monitor
• Optimizing gut health and microbiome, the impact on genetics and overall health

Personalized Nutrient Strategies for Anxiety, Depression & Mental Health

Albert Mensah, MD

In this joint presentation with Dr. Mensah and Julie Matthews, Dr. Mensah discusses zinc, copper overload, vitamins B6 and B12, folate, niacin/niacinamide, DHA, EPA, AA (essential fatty acids), antioxidants, undermethylation, pyrrole disorder, and the importance of personalized a nutrient approach.

The presentation also includes information from Julie Matthews on how therapeutic diets such as low salicylate, low histamine, and low oxalate can help address anxiety, depression, and mental health.

Personalized, Holistic Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD

Janice Carlin

Janice Carlin, PhD shares about her son and details 5 areas for helping children to reduce autism and health symptoms. It’s real and honest details, any parent will come away inspired and ready to start to make positive changes. Many studies are provided so you can see the evidence-based support for what is being explained in this discussion.

• Autism is a complex health challenge that requires a multi-therapeutic approach to healing
• Changes in lifestyle and diet can affect epigenetics when provided optimal environment and nutrition
• Inflammation is a major factor in autism

A Mother’s Journey to Healing her Son with Autism

Tracy Slepcevic

Tracy Slepcevic is a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner, Speaker, Air Force Veteran, and the bestselling author of Warrior Mom: A Mother’s Journey In Healing Her Son with Autism. She is educated in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and has dedicated over 14 years to researching various treatments and therapies for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• How she approached her son’s diagnosis of autism and discovered biomedical interventions, including diet and nutriton. And how he’s doing now as an adult.
• What worked and didn’t, and the many considerations. She gets specific (take notes) and shares years of research and results.
• How to remain committed to your child’s well being no matter the struggles.
• From autism mom, to best-selling author and autism health professional.