(Click Here to Listen to the Full Episode)

In this episode of the Essential Oil Revolution, I was extremely excited and blessed to be joined by an incredible children’s health expert, and my former pediatric professor, Dr. Jared Skowron. We focused on his specialty, which is a very pressing and often misunderstood topic, autism.

Dr. Skowron is a brilliant, internationally acclaimed pediatric naturopathic doctor, presenter, author, lecturer, formulator, children’s health advocate, and educator. He specializes in using natural, non-pharmaceutical therapies to support healthy neurological development. His approach is comprehensive and complex, supporting many aspects of wellness that are impacted by autism. These include healthy language development, sensory function, sleep patterns, nutrient repletion, emotional and behavioral stability, memory, and overall physical health.

During the show, Dr. Skowron shared with us various facts, misconceptions, and beliefs about autism. He also reviewed his personalized, natural solutions to address autism. Finally, we discussed how essential oils can be a major ally for kids on the spectrum.

In this article, I provide a background on autism and the work of Dr. Skowron, which is positively changing the trajectory of its course. I also include detailed notes and additional resources from the show.

This is must-listen to interview. There are so many children that are suffering, and the numbers affected by autism keep rising.

What is Autism?

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD.

Those with ASD often display different behavioral, interactive, and communication patterns than is typical and their abilities to function in everyday life can vary significantly. ASD usually begins at 3 years of age or prior, with a noticeable inability to meet developmental milestones or to gain new skills. Symptoms can last throughout one’s lifespan, or they can improve. Current diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation and treatment is usually aimed at symptom reduction to improve quality of life.

The Alarming Rise of Autism and What Can We Do About It?

It is estimated that ASD impacts 1 in 100 people internationally. In 2023, the CDC released a pair of new reports. One focused on 8-year-olds and one on 4-year-olds. The results indicated that 1 out of every 36 children has autism. This is a significant increase from 1 in 44 in 2022, and a big jump from 1 in 110 in 2006. What is attributable to this sharp increase, whether more awareness, or even environmental, is hotly debated.

Unfortunately, many pediatricians and physicians aren’t aptly trained in autism. Furthermore, many are only managing the symptoms without treating the underlying causes or balancing the brain and body. This often leads to parents and children feeling frustrated, helpless, hopeless, and exhausted fighting the same battles.

The Light in the Darkness

Fortunately, our ability to successfully address autism is changing. Hope is being restored thanks to the dedication, passion, and expertise of our guest, Dr. Jared Skowron.

Dr. Skowron has trained, and been trained by, some of the most esteemed international experts in autism. As a national lecturer, he has headlined at many prestigious conferences. Along with running his private practice and supplement company, he currently serves on the advisory board of Autism Hope Alliance, NeuroNeeds, and Chemo & Crayons. He is also on the Editorial Board of Natural Practitioner magazine.

Dr. Skowron is the author of the Amazon best-selling book 100 Natural Remedies for Your Child as well as two textbooks. He also hosts the popular podcast, Autism Awakening.

With a goal to benefit all families and children with the same supplement support for autism and ADHD that he uses in his private practice, Dr. Skowron founded his supplement company, Spectrum Awakening in 2015. Dr. Skowron’s and Spectrum Awakening’s united goal is to harmonize the developmental and emotional health of children, believing that helping kids helps the whole family.

Dr. Skowron has earned the title of “Best Holistic Pediatrician in Connecticut” five years in a row for good reason. He is a light to the darkness and fear surrounding an autism diagnosis. He provides natural solutions that work and can even lead to losing a diagnosis.

Below is a more detailed overview of what was discussed during the show. Be sure to tune-in to the full episode here.

What You Will Learn:

• What autism is and its prevalence (1.15 min)
• Dr. Skowron’s background and bio (3 min)
• How Dr. Skowron became an expert in autism (6 min)
  • Dr. Skowron started out wanting to be a conventional pediatrician, then shifted to naturopathic medical school.
  • When he first started practicing, Dr. Skowron had a patient with autism. He was able to reverse her diagnosis and help her to regain her language within three months.
  • This was by using natural approaches that supported brain health and neurological conditions (i.e. fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins).
  • From there, Dr. Skowron sought to receive additional training and excelled.
• Autism is poorly misunderstood, and the conventional approach doesn’t have a cure (8 min)
• Specialists in autism exist around the world that can apply therapeutics and help children lose their diagnosis and live independent lives (9 min)
• The most common misconceptions about autism and why they exist (11.30 min)
  • Many people and physicians believe that there is nothing that can be done to fix autism. This is because many drugs only treat symptoms vs. the cause.
  • There is evidence that natural therapies can address the causes of autism.
  • Autism is extremely complex, and one must see a specialist if they want to see results.
• The reason that Dr. Skowron formulated specific nutrients for children on the spectrum (15.30 min)
  • Dr. Skowron had a hard time finding supplements that specifically addressed the complexity of the needs of children with autism.
  • It was important to have products that were gluten and dairy free, high quality, and tested for purity. For ASD children, they also need to be free of fillers, easy to take in powder and chewable form, and taste good.
• The common causes of autism… there is no one cause (20 min)
• The two subsets of autism based on causes (21 min)
  • Children with autism who developed normally and then regressed likely have infections in the brain and/or toxic exposures leading to ASD symptoms. (These make up 2/3rds of the kids in Dr. Skowron’s practice.)
  • About 50% of girls and 30% of boys who were always slow to develop likely have genetic causes. (These are about 1/3rd of the kids in Dr. Skowron’s practice).
• The biggest poison on the market that leads to autism and causes brain damage (24 min)
  • Acetaminophen has a strong link to autism diagnoses, according to research.
• What two things cause regression in autism (24.30 min)
• The first line of treatment for both subsets of autism (25min)
  • Addressing brain chemistry creates fast results and addresses the symptoms of both subsets.
• The difference between genetic mutations and genetic variations, such as MTHFR (27.15 min)
• What genetic tests a parent should request for a child with autism (28.30 min)
  • Fragile X test, Microarray (CMA), and a Whole Exome Sequence (WES)
• Can all genetic causes of autism be fixed or addressed? (29 min)
  • Some nutrients can replace the function of genes that are “broken.”
  • 72% of genetic causes of autism are treatable, according to Harvard research.
  • Even if there isn’t a treatment, there are interventions that can support the symptoms of the genetic causes of autism.
• The complexity of addressing toxins and infections that can impact the brain of someone with autism (32 min)
• The connection between the immune system and mitochondria and how it links to gut issues and hormonal imbalances in autism (33 min)
  • This can further lead to more imbalances in brain biochemistry and autoimmunity.
• The misconception of testosterone and its link to autism (35 min)
  • It used to be assumed that testosterone was linked to autism due to the higher prevalence in boys.
  • According to new research, estrogen deficiency is the main hormonal imbalance linked to autism.
• How endocrine disrupters are linked to autism (37 min)
  • This is based on hormonal imbalances.
• Why calming essential oils may not work for children with behavioral issues (38.30 min)
  • Kids with behavioral issues often are in pain and have underlying issues that cannot be addressed with calming.
  • One of the most common causes of pain in autism is rooted in the gut.
  • Once you get rid of the pain by addressing the cause, the child will calm down.
• What essential oils will likely work best for children with behavioral issues and why (40 min)
  • Essential oils that are antimicrobial and support the gut often work best for behavioral issues. This is because they also address pain, immune health, and brain biochemistry all at once.
• How inflammation and infections in the gut can lead to neurodevelopmental conditions (41.30 min)
• The mechanisms of action of essential oils that are supportive for gut-brain health in autism, these include: (43 min)
• • cell membrane damage of microbes
  • enhancement of the immune response
  • inhibition of enzymes of microbes
  • destroying biofilms
  • altering quorum sensing
  • modulating pain pathways
  • microbiome support
• Why Dr. Skowron first balances brain chemistry when treating autism (47 min)
  • All of the primary symptoms of autism are related to what the nervous system controls, and this is rooted in the brain.
  • By treating brain chemistry you get quick, fast improvements in sleep, sensory issues, behavior, speech, and other factors that impact daily quality of life.
• Dr. Skowron’s four-part protocol, the Skowron Solution, to balance brain chemistry (49 min)
  • Reduce adrenaline and glutamate, which are stimulants to the body and brain. (Anger Management supplement)
  • Boost serotonin to help with calming, sleep, and language.
  • Use a bioavailable form of folinic acid, a form of folic acid, to cross the blood-brain barrier for speech and language improvement.
  • Boost dopamine.
• Dr. Skowron’s course on autism that dives deep into the causes, brain chemistry imbalances, protocols, and supporting research (52 min)
• How Tylenol impacts the brain and the research that is being ignored related to its safety (53.30 min)
  • Tylenol is known to be toxic to the liver and kidneys and has an antidote in the hospital due to this toxicity.
  • New evidence exists that it damages the brain first.
  • Tylenol causes harm to the brain by depleting glutathione and crossing the blood brain barrier.
• How essential oils can support brain health in relationship to the blood brain barrier (59 min)
• How to address toxicity caused by the primary brain poison (1 hour)
• The real data on the number of kids affected by autism (1 hour 1 min)
• The two things we need to do to heal the epidemic of autism (1 hour 2 min)
• The most important thing for parents of autistic children to understand (1 hour 5 min)
• How Dr. Skowron keeps his energy and passion for his cause to help kids (1 hour 6 min)
• Dr. Skowron’s favorite DIY for natural cleaning with essential oils (1 hour 7 min)
• Why we should surround ourselves with positive people (1 hour 8 min)

Click here to listen to the full episode and please share this widely with everyone. We need to get the word out and help our kids!

If you like the show, we’d be so grateful if you could support us by subscribing and providing a rating and feedback on your favorite podcast player. This is a no-cost way to spread the word and ensures we keep providing you with the best guests, like Dr. Skowron, and essential oils information!

Links to Learn More About Dr. Skowron, ND:

• Spectrum Awakening Website
• Skowron Solution Course
• Linkedin
• Facebook: @SpectrumAwakening
• X: @AutisumAwakening
• IG: @spectrumawakening
• YouTube: @DrSkowron
• iTunes Autism Awakening Podcast
• Spotify Autism Awakening Podcast

Resources by Dr. Skowron, ND:

• Free E-Books
• The Skowron Solution
• Spectrum Awakening Products

Books by Dr. Jared Skowron, ND:

• 100 Natural Remedies for Your Child: Complete Guide to Safe, Effective Treatments for Childhood’s Most Common Ailments, from Allergies to Weight Loss
• Fundamentals Of Naturopathic Pediatrics (Fundamentals of Naturopathic Medicine) Paperback
• Textbook of Naturopathic Family Medicine & Integrative Primary Care: Standards & Guidelines 2nd Edition, co-author

Additional Resources From the Show:

• Study: Essential Oils and Terpenic Compounds as Potential Hits for Drugs against Amitochondriate Protists
• A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve
• Study: Genetics of autism spectrum disorders and future direction
• Ep. 394: Essential Oils and the Microbiome, Do They Harm or Hurt our Gut Bugs?

Links to Learn More About My Offerings and Education on Essential Oils:

• My Essential Oils Community Membership
• My Resource Page
• My CEU Course for Practitioners on the Clinical Use of Essential Oils

Bio of Dr. Jared Skowron, ND:

Dr. Jared Skowron, ND has been transforming the lives of children with autism and ADHD for two decades. He is a brilliant, internationally acclaimed pediatric naturopathic doctor, presenter, author, lecturer, formulator, children’s health advocate, and educator. He specializes in using natural, non-pharmaceutical therapies to support healthy neurological development.

Dr. Skowron has trained, and been trained by, some of the most esteemed international experts in autism. As a national lecturer, he has headlined at many prestigious conferences, including the Autism Health Summit, Autism One, Generation Rescue, and TACA. Along with running his private practice and supplement company, he currently serves on the advisory board of Autism Hope Alliance, NeuroNeeds, and Chemo & Crayons. He is also on the Editorial Board of Natural Practitioner magazine.

Dr. Skowron’s charismatic presentation style and authentic drive to serve his patients and empower their parents has earned him the title of “Best Holistic Pediatrician in Connecticut,” five years in a row. Dr. Skowron makes regular appearances on his local NBC news station in CT, where he serves as their Natural Medicine consultant. He has also been featured on other popular media sources including various podcasts, FOX, CBS, and even Animal Planet. He is also the host of the popular podcast, Autism Awakening, which is dedicated to help parents understand how to naturally and holistically heal their children with autism.

Dr. Skowron has earned his reputation as an esteemed leader in hard-to-treat pediatric conditions due to his innate ability to synthesize research into effective, evidence-based clinical applications and communicate these solutions clearly. He is the author of the Amazon best-selling book 100 Natural Remedies for Your Child as well as the textbook, The Fundamentals Of Naturopathic Pediatrics (Fundamentals of Naturopathic Medicine), and the co-author of the Textbook of Naturopathic Family Medicine & Integrative Primary Care.

With a goal to benefit all families and children with the same supplement support for autism and ADHD that he uses in his private practice, Dr. Skowron founded his supplement company, Spectrum Awakening in 2015. Spectrum Awakening offers high-quality, pediatric nutraceuticals that are research-based, physician formulated, synergistic, and specialized to help manage autism and ADHD symptoms. These personalized natural treatments are specifically designed to support healthy language development, calm behavior, normalize sensory function, regulate sleep patterns, enhance emotional stability, support physical health, optimize nutrition, and improve memory for children with autism and ADHD. His breakthrough protocol of biomedical supplements, The Skowron Solution, is based on supporting normal brain chemistry levels to enhance communication. It has been shown to improve children’s language development within 30 days.

Dr. Skowron’s and Spectrum Awakening’s united goal is to harmonize the developmental and emotional health of children, believing that helping kids helps the whole family. This dedication is based on three core values: family, love, and potential. These values have fueled the innovation and research needed to create Dr. Skowron’s revolutionary products, and they continue to drive his company and clinical work to better the lives of numerous children and their parents. Dr. Skowron is a true embodiment of “doctor as teacher.” Armed with integrity and a warrior’s spirit to ignite change, he is blotting out the fear of an autism diagnosis by offering natural solutions that work. He is restoring hope to parents and their children with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Skowron currently offers telehealth consults internationally. You can find Dr. Skowron @spectrumawakening.com.

References

• https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
• https://www.statnews.com/2023/03/23/autism-epidemic-cdc-numbers/
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders
• https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7202a1.htm?s_cid=ss7202a1_w
• https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7201a1.htm?s_cid=ss7201a1_w
• http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/17/autism.new.numbers/index.html
• https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autism-prevalence-is-now-1-in-44-signifying-the-eighth-increase-in-prevalence-rates-reported-by-the-cdc-since-2000-301436766.html