The Wellness Centre

Autism is a syndrome characterised by impairments in social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviours and communication, abnormal movements, restrictive learning, deficits in language and sensory dysfunction.

The Wellness Centre within The Autism Trust’s Centre of Excellence will aim to help identify, support and treat (whenever possible) identifiable abnormalities associated with their health and functionality. These may range from metabolic, to physiological, to immunological, to neurological and biomedical conditions; any of which may help improve the overall health and functioning when treated specifically.

The Wellness Centre will look at helping residential and outpatient individuals suffering from autism through the use of detailed questionnaires identifying predisposition, birth and medical history, to diet and nutrient deficiency symptoms. Home and laboratory tests may also be used to help isolate issues affecting the health of an individual in order for a very specific, unique and individually tailored treatment protocol to be drawn up. This may involve the use of dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, botanical and medical interventions. The sole aim is to improve overall health and wellbeing by taking all issues whether physical, mental, emotional and spiritual into consideration and improving the overall health and functionality of the individual.

Many individuals may also have major issues with physiological and sensory issues. One of the most baffling features of autism is the incontinent reaction to stimulation. An over-reaction to normal levels of stimulation leads to a range of behaviours which include panic attacks and high levels of anxiety. This in turn leads to task avoidance, aggressive behaviour or self stimulatory behaviours. Levels of stress and anxiety can be observed in posture and muscular tension. The Wellness Centre will cater for these issues with relaxation therapies and physical activities.

Because of its complexity autism challenges the intellect and researching skills of all clinicians investigating and treating this disorder.

The Wellness Centre will therefore have a number of highly qualified, experienced and respected practitioners such as medical doctors, nutritionists, homoeopaths, functional medicine practitioners, kinesiologists, reflexologists, massage therapists and aromatherapists and such like. These will be working together to collectively address the needs and treatments of all residential and outpatients visiting the Centre.

The Wellness Centre will also run regular workshops, certified training courses, lectures, seminars and conferences to help educate and train individuals working with the autistic population.

The needs of the individual may be diverse and multiple but each must be addressed using a holistic approach tailored to suit the needs and demands of the individual. By following detailed treatment protocols, many individuals will improve to some degree and some will improve dramatically. Greater benefits have been observed when cumulative multiple treatment protocols have been instigated.

Effective protocols offering multiple treatments may involve:

• Dietary modifications such as gluten and casein free diets, The Feingold diet, specific carbohydrate diet and the anti-Candida diet.
• Nutritional supplementation.
• Immunological regulation and modulation.
• Anti-viral medication such as low dose Naltrexone and Valtrex.
• Homoeopathy.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy.
• Gastrointestinal treatments such as pro- and pre-biotics, anti parasitic, anti bacterial and anti fungal medications, butyrate and glutamine, digestive enzymes.
• Liver support and enhanced detoxification (methylation and transulfation).
• Glandular support e.g. adrenals, thyroid and pancreas.
• Heavy metal chelation therapy.
• Physical therapies including exercise, massage, reflexology, kinesiology, lymphatic drainage, yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques
• ‘Alternative’ therapies such as sauna and steam therapy and light and sound therapies such as auditory integration.
• Occupational therapy, drama, music, art, movement and dance.
• Interventions supporting anger management and other common conditions will also be available.

Additional services to be provided will need to be seen in the context of education that fits Government criteria for ‘wellbeing’ such as expressive and creative arts; physical education; personal, social and health education; and drug awareness.

Each resident will receive regular therapies with an ongoing health supporting protocol.

The Wellness Centre will operate with a number of different experts operating within separate treatment rooms and studios. This will also include hyperbaric oxygen therapy which will be the only autism-specific care facility within the UK to offer such a service.

Individuals with autism will also be given a vocational opportunity, where applicable, to be a part of the ‘team’ and may complete an NVQ in massage therapy, reflexology, aromatherapy and such like to enable them to participate in providing services to patients.

In accommodation and facility terms, the Wellness Centre will offer wet and dry changing facilities, sauna and steam room facilities, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy room, a fully fitted gymnasium to enable an emphasis on cardiovascular conditioning and a dance / exercise studio. A lecture theatre, training / teaching rooms, therapy rooms and a reception area with an adjacent play room and retail unit will complete the unit. Externally there will be a jogging track and nature trail with quiet areas for relaxation and observation.

The Wellness Centre will be co-ordinated and run by the Wellness Centre Director, responsible for setting up and operating the centre and administering the conferences, lectures, seminars and certified training schemes with an associated team of experts.

In summary, the Wellness Centre will operate as a core facility within The Autism Trist’s Centre of Excellence providing services on a day or hourly rate and retail products to the individuals using it using organic, eco friendly products such as aromatherapy essences, oils, massage balms and the like, some of which may be directly from the farm itself.