Biomedical Treatments for Autism

The Autism study organisation was founded by Dr. Bernard Rimland and his aides in 1967. Rimland became interested in autism when her son was diagnosed, and became one of the pioneers in the field. Over the next decades, the Institute developed what is now known as the DAN Protocol - an approach greatly to biomedical treatment of autism. Hundreds of professionals of all kinds have been trained in the DAN approach and practice across the country (although the entire training process lasts only a day!). A full diagnostic manual has been developed, which is essential for the DAN method. (Caronna, 518-23)

What distinguishes the approach from the mainstream DAN is a controversial approach to medical and dietary interventions such as chelation (a means of removing metals from the body), nutritional supplements and dietary changes. The vast majority of general practitioners do not recommend these interventions - and some biomedical interventions such as chelation, are considered potentially hazardous.

At this point, the NIH and the majority of general medical institutions believe that the heavy metal in the form of thimerosal (a preservative of mercury-based vaccine) is not responsible for autism. Many studies also point indicating that the MMR vaccine is not a factor in the growth of autism diagnoses. In addition, the medical community generally agrees that, at present there is no cure for autism. The Institute of autism and professionals DAN, however, say they have "recovered" hundreds of autistic children with a combination of biomedical therapies, nutritional and behavioral or developmental problems. (American Psychiatric Association, 26)

For more information on the DAN Protocol, I went straight to the Institute of Autism and raises a series of questions. I wanted to clarify my own understanding of what Dan is and where it comes from, and get answers to some of the most ...