I interviewed Marjie C. Andrejciw, MT (ASCP), MS, NC, Holistic Nutritional Counselor, Circle of Life Nutrition, www.circleoflifenutrition.net
She is a holistic nutritional counselor and a Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner. She regularly works with autistic children and sees positive results in her practice. She uses dietary, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations to help make a difference in these children's lives. Here are the questions and answers of my interview.
1. Can you explain to my readers what a Defeat Autism Now! Practioner is?
A Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner can be a nutritionist, MD, OD, Chiropractor, ND, NP or other practitioner that meets the minimum educational requirements as defined by Autism Research Institute (ARI) and has attended the Clinician ARI conferences. The conferences teach the biomedical approach as outlined by ARI. In order to be recognized by ARI as a Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner you must attend a conference at least every 2 years and pay a membership fee. If you are not on the list, you are not suppose to use the Defeat Autism Now! title.
2. What kind of training does a Defeat Autism Now! doctor receive?
Defeat Autism Now! Practitioners are a group of scientist, researchers, and clinicians that work together with ARI (the parents group) to bring the most updated information about the biomedical approach to the public. ARI is literally a hub of information for parents and practitioners to find out more about autism and how to treat it. www.autism.com
The conferences present the latest research on autism, goes over the latest biomedical approach, and discusses case studies. They also provide resources to help the practitioners. Vendors related to autism are available to answer questions, demonstrate their products, and give samples or demonstrations at the conferences. We also receive a regular newsletter and email updates on happenings related to autism.
3. What kind of qualifications should a parent be looking for in a Defeat Autism Now! doctor?
Diet is the cornerstone to treating autism. It is important that a parent look for a practitioner well versed in helping with the diet as well as lifestyle and supplement modifications. Lab testing is very helpful, but a practitioner needs to understand how to adjust a protocol for abnormal lab results. Also, look for a practitioner that will spend time getting to know your child and their individual needs. While there are lots of similarities between children on the spectrum, each child's needs are unique and requires a unique protocol. A good bedside manner is important. Patience and persistence is important, not all biomedical interventions work with every child, sometimes it takes trying different approaches before discovering the needs of the child. Parents need to be able to ask questions and for clarifications on recommendations. The biomedical approach is not easy. It takes time and determination by the parent as well as the child. But the rewards are worth the effort because it does work.
4. What is involved in getting your child under the treatment of a DAN! doctor? Do insurance companies cover the costs of visits and testing done with a Defeat Autism Now! doctor?
The first step is finding a practitioner that the parents feel comfortable working with. The ARI website lists practitioners. There are three categories: licensed professionals, unlicensed professionals, and nutritionist. Often times a practitioner will spend 15 min. on the phone (at no cost) with a parent to see if it will be a good fit. Many times a practitioner will offer phone consultations for clients that live a long distance away so that they do not need to travel a long distance.
Most insurance companies do not cover the costs of visits for autism. I have clients that have submitted my paid invoice and been reimbursed for the office visit through their health care spending acct. I use Metametrix Clinical Labs for my specialty lab tests, and they now submit a claim to the insurance company on the client's behalf. The parent still has to pay in advance. Often times a health care spending acct will reimburse for the costs.
She is a holistic nutritional counselor and a Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner. She regularly works with autistic children and sees positive results in her practice. She uses dietary, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations to help make a difference in these children's lives. Here are the questions and answers of my interview.
1. Can you explain to my readers what a Defeat Autism Now! Practioner is?
A Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner can be a nutritionist, MD, OD, Chiropractor, ND, NP or other practitioner that meets the minimum educational requirements as defined by Autism Research Institute (ARI) and has attended the Clinician ARI conferences. The conferences teach the biomedical approach as outlined by ARI. In order to be recognized by ARI as a Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner you must attend a conference at least every 2 years and pay a membership fee. If you are not on the list, you are not suppose to use the Defeat Autism Now! title.
2. What kind of training does a Defeat Autism Now! doctor receive?
Defeat Autism Now! Practitioners are a group of scientist, researchers, and clinicians that work together with ARI (the parents group) to bring the most updated information about the biomedical approach to the public. ARI is literally a hub of information for parents and practitioners to find out more about autism and how to treat it. www.autism.com
The conferences present the latest research on autism, goes over the latest biomedical approach, and discusses case studies. They also provide resources to help the practitioners. Vendors related to autism are available to answer questions, demonstrate their products, and give samples or demonstrations at the conferences. We also receive a regular newsletter and email updates on happenings related to autism.
3. What kind of qualifications should a parent be looking for in a Defeat Autism Now! doctor?
Diet is the cornerstone to treating autism. It is important that a parent look for a practitioner well versed in helping with the diet as well as lifestyle and supplement modifications. Lab testing is very helpful, but a practitioner needs to understand how to adjust a protocol for abnormal lab results. Also, look for a practitioner that will spend time getting to know your child and their individual needs. While there are lots of similarities between children on the spectrum, each child's needs are unique and requires a unique protocol. A good bedside manner is important. Patience and persistence is important, not all biomedical interventions work with every child, sometimes it takes trying different approaches before discovering the needs of the child. Parents need to be able to ask questions and for clarifications on recommendations. The biomedical approach is not easy. It takes time and determination by the parent as well as the child. But the rewards are worth the effort because it does work.
4. What is involved in getting your child under the treatment of a DAN! doctor? Do insurance companies cover the costs of visits and testing done with a Defeat Autism Now! doctor?
The first step is finding a practitioner that the parents feel comfortable working with. The ARI website lists practitioners. There are three categories: licensed professionals, unlicensed professionals, and nutritionist. Often times a practitioner will spend 15 min. on the phone (at no cost) with a parent to see if it will be a good fit. Many times a practitioner will offer phone consultations for clients that live a long distance away so that they do not need to travel a long distance.
Most insurance companies do not cover the costs of visits for autism. I have clients that have submitted my paid invoice and been reimbursed for the office visit through their health care spending acct. I use Metametrix Clinical Labs for my specialty lab tests, and they now submit a claim to the insurance company on the client's behalf. The parent still has to pay in advance. Often times a health care spending acct will reimburse for the costs.
