Getting children to sleep can be a daunting task.
Getting youngsters “on the spectrum” to sleep is that journey ON STEROIDS!
Melatonin, a natural supplement that helps induce sleep, has been in the recent news and has prompted this updated review.
What is Melatonin?
It is a chemical messenger, produced in the brain, that helps regulate our body’s sleep-wake rhythms.
UPDATE!!!
No new information about the association between Autism and Circumcision!
I wrote about this TEN years ago
New information has been forthcoming from a Danish database lately, specifically involving autism. This study represents data involving more than 1/3 million children, entered from 1994 to 2003 .
As might be expected, an eye-catching array of media headlines followed the paper entitled, “Ritual circumcision and risk of autism spectrum disorder in 0- to 9-year-old boys: national cohort study in Denmark”.
The Results:
In both the older and younger groups of circumcised boys, there was an increased relationship to ASD. Some adjustments (birthweight, APGAR score, etc.) were accounted for, while other known, possible associations were not (pain relief, living near pollution, diet, e.g.).
Additionally, circumcised boys in non-Muslim families were also more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis.
Regarding President Trump and the current advice about the dangers of Tylenol use, this could serve as a brief yet thorough response from a highly credentialed expert, having treated over 12,000 patients in this specialty over the past 18 years.
Exposure to Acetaminophen during pregnancy.
There are studies in the literature that create concern about this use. Rather than debating the inaccuracies of existing ‘pro’ and ‘con’ research, the relationship is worrisome and warrants further study. The decision to give a medication for fever or pain should be made between the physician and the expectant mother.
There is not enough evidence to support telling a woman to ‘tough it out’ (whatever that means) when there is plenty of evidence that fever and stress can lead to adverse developmental outcomes. In many instances, acetaminophen seems to provide the safest and surest relief.
Use for reducing post-vaccination fever or pain.
It is difficult to separate this issue from the “too many vaccines” situation. I have covered that recently in my response to RFK Jr.
The literature has shown that the practice of ‘preconditioning’ with acetaminophen may actually have some adverse effects, so far as the patients’ immune abilities to respond in the expected fashion. This practice should be discontinued.
The Child Development Center has been prescribing this supplement to our patients for over 10 years. The following represents all of the science that is required to get moving with assisting your child who has developmental delays that have been diagnosed as “on the spectrum”:
This is the handout the we supply for our patients who wish to get into the regimen:
According to a story in the April 2025 New York Times, in response to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control showing rising rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “…that autism was preventable…” and that he would find a cure by the fall.
That was just one of the myriad versions that the Secretary of Health and Human Services elicited:
Love on the Spectrum stars criticize RFK Jr’s approach BBC News
People with autism seek dignity where RFK seeks a cure AXIOS News
RFK, Jr., Is Completely Wrong about Autism, Say Scientists Scientific American
RFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism ‘by September’ BBC News
How RFK Jr. is shaping the conversation about autism and… PBS
Statement on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Comments … Autism Society Response
And others…
Everyone has an opinion about Mr. Secretary’s proclamation, so what follows is my take on the Autism ‘situation’.
Most of the families that come to The Child Development Center agree that, at least NOW, the government is showing interest in solving this perplexing childhood developmental problem.
We are fortunate to have such a caring and experienced professional on our team.
Ben has been a registered nurse since 2007. He has cared for adult and pediatric populations in emergent and non-emergent environments throughout his career. During his career and throughout his education, Ben has participated to educate and improve healthcare to vulnerable populations across all age groups.
In 2019, he met Dr. Udell during a pediatric rotation for his Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree and immediately became intrigued with Dr. Udell’s approach to Autism and ADHD children. Ben has a son on the spectrum, so making a difference with these children and adults has priority. Ben graduated with honors in august 2019 and has been interning with the office ever since to continue to educate himself to treat autism and ADHD.
When an educator suggests, “Your child has ADHD and needs medication,” it’s important to remember that such decisions are best left to medical professionals. While educators can certainly spot signs that interfere with learning, they communicate those observations rather than jump to conclusions about a medical diagnosis. A teacher’s role is to support, not to diagnose.
“We help our families find answers and provide assistance
in getting the right care for your child.”
