Re: Pfeiffer Treatment Center

[Guest guest]

Sorry that I'm late in responding to this post (I just came across it

last night). We also took our sons to the Pfeiffer Center in August

and I had a few thoughts after reading your note.

First, I think that they are without a doubt the highest possible

caliber in the area of research and treatment of mental disorders.

They are, however, new in the area of autism. They have done some

really, really siginificant research, but I think they are still fine-

tuning translating that into a treatmtent plan. I think they will

get there eventually and are working hard with families to fine-tune

their program and understand these kids systems.

Second, as far as the cost (you mentioned that your ped. had several

families that thought they were pricey), only $125 of the entire cost

is their fee. All the rest of the fees are lab costs (outside labs)

which they DO NOT add on to (we checked this out). Pfeiffer is non-

profit and I think they really do keep the cost reasonable. We were

there for approx. 2 1/2 hours. An initial visit for Dr. Amy is more

like $300.

As for the results for our boys, we have not seen a substantial

change for our 3 year old that is autistic but they did uncover some

things and they are working with us to fine tune dosages. Based on

this, I really can't say I would recommend parents of autistic kids

to travel there. We also took our 4 year old son, however, who is

not autistic but has always been more " difficult " . Transitions were

always harder for him than his brother, more pronounced mood swings,

etc... Pfeiffer uncovered a genetic chemical imbalance in him that

is being treated with high levels of zinc and B6 and within one day

on their supplements our son was markedly improved. After two days

his preschool teacher called to report a siginificant improvement in

his attention, behavior, etc... Now, three weeks later it is like we

have an entirely different child living with us - it has completely

changed his life and ours (and comparatively it wasn't that bad to

start with!).

Sorry to be so lengthy, but for us the trip to Pfeiffer ended up

being worth every penny, but again, if the only problem you're

dealing with is autism, I'm wouldn't really recommend it. A good

DAN! doctor could probably do more. For someone with bipolar or a

related disorder it could be life changing.

Hope this helps!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your great response. I just went to a conference that

Pfeiffer sponsored on November 9th called " Choices for the Challenged

Child " . Among others, Walsh (Pfeiffer head) spoke and Doris

Rapp was the keynote speaker. They clearly work with children - and

adults - with all types of issues, not just autism. In fact, a

nutritionist who was one of the main speakers introduced herself as

a " Pfeiffer Success Story " and told how they helped her beat chronic

depression.

I thought the Pfeiffer people were very candid about being fairly new

to the field of autism. They seemed confident that they have figured

out what causes autism - and now they are working on what to do about

it. (They even said they are now doing research on permanently

CURING the leaky gut but are not ready to announce their findings

yet). They stressed that they are keeping very current on the latest

research being done by others, and will recommend any treatments they

feel are appropriate.

Like you, we have had an interesting and unexpected outcome so far

from our trip to Pfeiffer. We still have not gotten my son's test

results back yet so he hasn't started any of the " real " treatments.

However, since my son has had a lot of Gastrointestinal problems

since birth, Pfeiffer recommended that we have him take AbsorbAid

enzymes with meals to help his digestion and help improve

absorption. He has done that for the last two weeks, and they have

helped SO much already. Within half a day of starting the enzymes he

was noticeably happier - and has stayed that way. His OT and ST have

both separately commented on how much more social and verbal he has

been for the last two weeks (they don't know about the enzymes) and

how great his eye contact has been. Its actually amazing.

So, so far...it's not what I was expecting, but they have really

helped us already! Thanks again for sharing your experience....

Catie

> Sorry that I'm late in responding to this post (I just came across

it

> last night). We also took our sons to the Pfeiffer Center in

August

> and I had a few thoughts after reading your note.

>

> First, I think that they are without a doubt the highest possible

> caliber in the area of research and treatment of mental disorders.

> They are, however, new in the area of autism. They have done some

> really, really siginificant research, but I think they are still

fine-

> tuning translating that into a treatmtent plan. I think they will

> get there eventually and are working hard with families to fine-

tune

> their program and understand these kids systems.

>

> Second, as far as the cost (you mentioned that your ped. had

several

> families that thought they were pricey), only $125 of the entire

cost

> is their fee. All the rest of the fees are lab costs (outside

labs)

> which they DO NOT add on to (we checked this out). Pfeiffer is non-

> profit and I think they really do keep the cost reasonable. We

were

> there for approx. 2 1/2 hours. An initial visit for Dr. Amy is

more

> like $300.

>

> As for the results for our boys, we have not seen a substantial

> change for our 3 year old that is autistic but they did uncover

some

> things and they are working with us to fine tune dosages. Based on

> this, I really can't say I would recommend parents of autistic kids

> to travel there. We also took our 4 year old son, however, who is

> not autistic but has always been more " difficult " . Transitions

were

> always harder for him than his brother, more pronounced mood

swings,

> etc... Pfeiffer uncovered a genetic chemical imbalance in him that

> is being treated with high levels of zinc and B6 and within one day

> on their supplements our son was markedly improved. After two

days

> his preschool teacher called to report a siginificant improvement

in

> his attention, behavior, etc... Now, three weeks later it is like

we

> have an entirely different child living with us - it has completely

> changed his life and ours (and comparatively it wasn't that bad to

> start with!).

>

> Sorry to be so lengthy, but for us the trip to Pfeiffer ended up

> being worth every penny, but again, if the only problem you're

> dealing with is autism, I'm wouldn't really recommend it. A good

> DAN! doctor could probably do more. For someone with bipolar or a

> related disorder it could be life changing.

>

> Hope this helps!

>

[Guest guest]

Where do you get Absorbaid? My older son takes ZymePrime and he does

very well with these enzymes, but I always like to consider other

options. My younger son doesn't do well with the ZP, but seems to be ok

with EnzymeAid from Kirkman's. I can't seem to tolerate either one so

nevermind me. Thanks for your help.

( & Malachi's mom)

[Guest guest]

How do yu test to see if your child is missing the MT protein that the

Pfieffer Institute has just finished the study on?