Dr. Pittman received his medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and attended the Pediatric Residency Program at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. He is the only local physician fully certified in chelation therapy for the treatment of heavy metal toxicity and only one of six medical practitioners in the state of North Carolina who is certified through the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology. Currently serving as President of the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society (NCIMS), Dr. Pittman was recognized by Business Leader magazine as one of their 2008 Triangle Impact Health Care Leaders, and more recently received Triangle Business Journal’s 2009 Health Care Heroes Award.
Autism is a severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life. It is a disease of multiple causes wherein environmental toxins and nutritional deficiencies may play a major role. Research now indicates that certain genes may make some individuals more vulnerable to the effects of toxins or pollutants. Dr. Pittman is among the few physicians in the state trained by the Autism Research Institute to deliver the Defeat Autism Now! protocol, which addresses the interrelated problems of brain inflammation, intestinal yeast overgrowth, nutritional deficiencies, and disorders of detoxification that give way to neurotoxic overload. Dr. Pittman explains that his clinic’s research-based approach focuses on issues that are common to virtually all autistic children, including liver dysfunction, toxic overload, nutritional deficiencies, yeast overgrowth, dysbiosis, and other forms of intestinal discord.
“Many cases of autism can be greatly improved, or even reversed if caught early enough, by looking at the liver, addressing the GI [gastrointestinal]
Dr. Pittman says that the most common dietary strategy is to eliminate certain “trigger” foods, such as casein-containing dairy products, wheat and other gluten sources, sugar, chocolate, preservatives, and food coloring. Many individuals with autism have poor nutritional status, poor digestion, and GI inflammatory conditions that limit nutrient absorption. Following a natural diet (as described above) and addressing food sensitivities or food allergies can help reduce stress to the GI tract, and, by extension, to the brain of the child with autism.
Becky Givens, founder of Autism Answers and a social worker who has worked with developmental delays and mental illness for over 20 years, agrees with addressing the issue of diet and says that people need to be more aware of what they are putting into their mouths and body.
“Through this conference, I want people to see that their diet and nutrition are critical to their lifestyle,” says Givens. “The highly refined and processed American diet is truly detrimental to our health and we have to change the way we eat in order to affect change in our life. Recovery from autism and attention deficit disorder are possible, and I encourage anyone dealing with these issues—whether they’re a parent, educator, or physician, to attend the seminar and learn how we’re changing the way autism and ADD are viewed.”
“Positive Results for Autism & Attention Deficit Disorders!” will include training in behavioral and environmental interventions to assist with learning and relationship building, medical information on the Defeat Autism Now! Protocol, and understanding the role nutrition plays in these disorders and dietary interventions. Joining Dr. Pittman and Givens as presenters will be Brenda Cobb, founder and director of the Living Foods Institute, and Steven Plog, founder of The Results Project and published author of Excalibur.
Registration before October 18th is $45 for parents, $55 for professionals, and $25 for full-time students. After October 18th, costs are $55 for parents, $65 for professionals, and $35 for full-time students. For more information or to register, visit http://myautismanswers.org or call (910) 868-6868.
About the Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine
The Carolina Center utilizes a combination of advanced complementary and alternative therapies, along with dietary and lifestyle modifications, to treat a wide variety of chronic illnesses and immune system dysfunctions. Along with individually tailored nutritional and botanical regimens, the Center utilizes a number of innovative approaches, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Colon Hydrotherapy, IV Glutathione, Cellular and Bioenergetic Testing, and various strategies for Biological Detoxification to help patients with chronic exposures to heavy metals, mold, parasites, and multiple chemicals. For more information, call (919) 571-4391 or visit www.carolinacenter.com.
About Autism Answers
Autism Answers is a non-profit corporation that provides treatment options for children that have Autism, are on the Autism Spectrum, or still undiagnosed. This is the only agency in North Carolina to provide a multi-faceted treatment model that combines medical, nutritional, and behavioral techniques to change the course of Autism. The mission of Autism Answers is to help change the course of autism by providing information and effective treatment options to individuals and families, allowing them to maximize their quality of life. For more information, visit www.myautismanswers.org.
Media Contacts:
Louise Cottrell
FireBrand Marketing, Inc.
louisec@firebrandmarketing.com
(919) 848-1025
Becky Givens
Autism Answers
becky@myautismanswers.org
(910) 868-6868
