We interviewed Heather Way PhD, the director of TACGA (The Australian Centre for Genomic Analysis), about nutritional genomics for autism, ADHD and SPD. You can watch the replay below.
What Is Neurodevelopmental Genomics?
Neurodevelopmental genomics is a powerful tool for developing personalized, potential intervention strategies for improving outcomes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) as well as PANS/PANDAS, based on each child’s bioindividual genetic makeup.
Differences in a child’s genes are due not only to genes inherited from each parent but also from epigenetic changes to genes from environmental, lifestyle and nutritional influences. These external factors can affect a gene’s expression.
In This Webinar
In this webinar, Dr. Way explained how understanding how a person’s individual genes are functioning can be used to develop actionable and targeted interventions. In her work, she analyzes about 700 potential genetic mutations in DNA and combines it with analysis of a person’s unique microbiome.
Case studies were shared to support this strategy showing how these targeted interventions improved symptoms of ASD, ADHD and SPD significantly.
Dr. Way helped us understand:
- Does our genetic inheritance equal our health destiny?
- Is there anything that can be done to change the expression of genes?
- Which genes are responsible for these disorders?
- When is the best time in the healing journey to test for health-related genes?
- Are adults too old to be addressed with this approach?
- What are some success stories of children who have used this approach?
You can find a PDF of Dr. Way’s presentation here.
Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.
About Heather Way PhD
Dr. Heather Way is the director of TACGA (The Australian Centre for Genomic Analysis). Dr. Way holds a PhD in Molecular Pathology and is an expert in the field of Autism Nutrigenomics and Microbiome sequencing.
Dr. Way specializes in recovering children on the autism spectrum who have had neurological and/or immunological insults.
She has published numerous peer-reviewed medical research articles including Genomics as a Clinical Decision Support Tool: Successful Proof of Concept for Improved ASD Outcomes as well as Utilizing Genomically Targeted Molecular Data to Improve Patient-Specific Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Nutrigenomics enables genetic predispositions to be understood and managed via epigenetics and nutrition.
Dr. Way also has two teenagers who were on the spectrum and fully recovered using her protocol.
Dr. Way’s team produce personalized programs for ASD / ADHD clients all over the world. Interventions are tailored according to specialist neurodevelopmental DNA profiles and specialized ASD microbiome sequencing profiles, both of which Dr. Way helped develop, together with a fussy-eating program. The TACGA team’s high success rate is due to this integrated, personalized approach.
Disclaimer
This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.
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Sources & References
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Resources
Books
Lynch, Ben. Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health. HarperOne, 2020.
Walsh, William J. Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain. SkyHorse, 2014.
Yasko, Amy. Feel Good Nutrigenomics. Neurological Research Institute, 2014.
