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Highland II Office Park
7229 Forest Avenue Suite 211
Richmond, Virginia 23226
Fax 804.673.9195
Email pediatricaac@att.net
http://www.megson.com

A note from Mary Megson M.D.
Dear Parents,
Over the past years I have been asking questions and trying to get answers about autism. I have always known that these children had a blocked pathway in the brain. They are also smarter than their ability to use language would suggest.
Our goal must be to return our children to health.
Each child with an autistic spectrum disorder (from ADHD and Dyslexia to Asperger's Syndrome and Autism) has different needs .Your child is a unique individual and will need a customized approach to their return to health. Please lobby your insurance company to cover these services. These children are physically ill, and the lab tests needed to diagnose their complex, multi-system medical problems should be covered.
Vaccines have saved millions of lives. No one wants the return to the epidemics of polio, pertussis, and measles. However, we need to expand our knowledge through formal scientific studies to assure that we first do no harm and minimize possible side effects of vaccines.Please lobby your public health and political officials.Ask them to review the timing, amounts, and quality control of vaccines as well as identify and adapt current schedules for those children who may be at risk for an adverse reaction.
As a board certified pediatrician, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a parent of four children, I have cared deeply about these children for 25 years. Please spread the word. Let's work together to get these children back! These are some of our best and brightest, many with normal brains and a blocked pathway. Together we can raise awareness and restore our children to health.
The most important thing I can pass on to you is a new word to add to your vocabulary about your child: HOPE>.

"The Biological Basis for Perceptual Deficits in Autism" by Dr. Mary Megson

"Is Autism a G-Alpha Protein Defect Reversible with Natural Vitamin A"? by Dr. Mary Megson

Committee on Government Reform report on Conflict of Interest in Vaccine Policy. August 21,2000

Testimony from the Congressional Hearing "Autism -Present Challenges,Future Needs-Why the Increased Rates"? April 6,2000

Clinician of the Month Interview with Dr Mary Megson from the Institute of Functional Medicine Forum September 1999


About Our Clinical Trial


The Center is seeking clinical trial patients with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder who have not been exposed to Vitamin A therapies.

Criteria for study application includes:
1. DSM 4 diagnosis of autism
2. No fish or corn allergies
3. Not currently on secretin
4. No active asthma episodes in the past 6 months requiring the use of a nebulizer
5. No previous use of cod liver oil or Urecholine
6. Willingness/ability to make 3 office visits (at 3 month intervals)
7. Willingness/ability to attain blood work and bill your insurance company for blood work.

The test design of this study does have a placebo group. We will not know nor do we have control over which children receive the cod liver oil and which are in the placebo group.

If you feel that you can comply with the study requirements, please e-mail the office with your mailing address. We will then send a study packet for you to fill out. Once that is completed and returned, you will be contacted regarding your eligibility for the study.

Brief Description of Study

This study is primarily testing the role of vitamin A supplementation in children with Autism. Many of these children may need certain forms of vitamin A due to gastrointestinal inflammation resulting from viral infection, food allergy, or undiagnosed gluten intolerance. The children are receiving Cod Liver Oil or the placebo. Low vitamin A levels in the central and peripheral nervous system could be the etiology of biological and behavioral abnormalities. If this is the case, natural vitamin A supplements could help these children function better, resulting in marked clinical improvement. All of our doses are less than or equal to 1 teaspoon of Cold Liver Oil a day or the recommended dietary allowance appropriate for each child.

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Frequently Asked Questions


Questions and Answers

Why Vitamin A? A Palmitate vs.Cod Liver Oil? Generally, vitamin A is found in natural sources such as liver, milk fat, and cold water fish. This form of vitamin A is more absorbable in the body. It is called the "cis" form of vitamin A, and is generally an oil, or in liquid form at room temperature. It is a perishable item and needs to be checked for purity and age i.e an expiration date. Many items such as skim milk, and baby formula, use vitamin A in the form of A-palmitate. We hypothesize that these children need the lipid soluable form of vitamin A found in liver, kidney, milk fat and cod liver oil. We believe that vitamin A in the natural form, helps rebuild the areas of the brain that affect vision and speech. Make sure that your brand of vitamin a cod liver oil is free from heavy metals and organic phosphates. If you are unsure, please check with the company that makes your brand of cod liver oil.

What about Thimerosal? Dr. Megson believes that the defect for congenital stationary night blindness and other g alpha protein defects affect calcium channels. Dr. Megson believes that mercury in Thimerosal negatively affects these channels. Vaccines without Thimerosal are now available. Dr. Megson strongly recommends seeking out vaccines without Thimerosal at this time until more is known of this phenomenon. As always, please discuss this with your physician.

About Sensory Integration Therapy>

Treating Chronic Viral Illness with Associated Immunosupression with Cod Liver Oil

On the Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet?

Autism and Celiac

Nutrition and Autism


Suggested Reading


Autism from the Inside Out by Donna Williams

That's the Way I See It by David Hockney

Thinking in Pictures:My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin

Emergence:Labeled Autistic by Temple Grandin

Nutrition and Behavior Problems by Bernard Rimland

The Gluten Free Gourmet by Bette Hagman

More from the Gluten Free Gourmet by Bette Hagman

The Gluten Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy by Bette Hagman

Biological Treatment for Autism and P.D.D. by William Shaw

Teaching Children with Autism by Katherine Quill

A Parent's Guide to Autism by Charles Hart

A Treasure Chest of Behavioral Strategies for Individuals with Autism by Beth Fouse, Ph.D

Visual Strategies for Improving Communication by Linda Hodgson

Autism:Handle with Care by Gail Gillingham

Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis Ph.D.


Media Releases


August 5th 1999- Richmond Pediatrician May Have Found Link to Vitamin A Deficiency and Autism WRICTV

Press Release #1

August 13,,th1999 ABC Newswire "Vitamin A Helps Autistic Kids

August 15th1999 This Week In Richmond with Lisa Shaffner WRICTV

August 15th1999 Richmond Times Dispatch "Treatment Spurs Break though for Child"

November 10th1999 Richmond Times Dispatch "Chess Champ"

WRIC-TV


Links for Parents


Autism Research Institute

This site also has links to the Center for the Study of Autism and Defeat Autism Now! (DAN)

Autilink "More Autism Links than you can shake a stick at"!

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children

Families for Early Autism Treatment

Autisminfo.com A site with links to current conferences and biological basis of autism information

The Autism Program of Virginia A site with excellent links to a variety of resources regarding Autism

Cure Autism Now

Autism Society of America

Picture Exchange System

Special Abilities

Wrightslaw A site devoted to "effective advocacy for children with disabilities".

For Upcoming Conferences in Autism click here

and

click here.


Links for Professionals


Vaccinations:The Overlooked Factors by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D

You may wish to refer to the following articles:

Changes in the Population of Persons with Autism and PDD in the California Developmental Service System

Autism AutoImmunity Project

Diet and Autism- The Autism Research Unit, University of Sunderland, United Kingdom

A Physician's Research Packet is available for $50.00 Requests for the physician's packet must be made on a physician's stationery or prescription pad. Please send the request and funds by mail to the address found on this site.


Directions to the Office


From I-95 North or South, take I-64 West/I- 195 (exit 79).

Do not take Interstate 295. Take I-64 exit 183a (this is the Glenside South exit). Remain in the right lane and continue to the second stop light. Turn right at Forest Avenue.Continue to the next stop light. Turn left on Bayberry into the Highland Office Complex. Dr. Megson's office is in Suite 211 of the Highland II Office Building.

From Richmond International Airport, take I-64 West. Be alert after Laburnum Avenue because 1-64 West joins I-95 North. After merging with I-95 North, watch for the Boulevard exit and get in the right lane. I -64 West separates from I-95 North right after the Boulevard exit. Take I-64 West toward Charlottesville (exit 79). Exit I-64 at exit 183a (Glenside Drive South) Remain in the right lane until the second light (Forest Avenue), then turn right. Turn left at the next light (Bayberry) into the Highland Complex. Highland 2 will be on your left. Take the elevator or stairs to suite 211


Due to overwhelming response and liability issues, Dr. Megson cannot give medical advice over the internet. Please do not submit requests for individual medical advice.

© 1999 Pediatric and Adolescent Ability Center and Dr. Mary Megson, P.L.L.C. All rights reserved. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new health care regimen. Use of this online service is subject to the DISCLAIMER and TERMS AND CONDITIONS found herein.

Legal Disclaimer

This site was last updated on May 6,2001

 

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.