Secretin Therapy for Autism

What to expect when you come to Mind/Body Institute for your initial evaluation:

When you schedule your appointment, you will be given some forms to complete, including a health history on your child, and other information. Since the use of Secretin for autism is an "off-label use", you will be asked to sign an informed consent form with a "hold harmless clause". Your child will have a medical evaluation which may include testing for food allergies (blood test) and digestive function (stool test). If these tests have already been done, please obtain copies and bring them with you. The results take about two weeks to obtain. Infusions will begin after the test results are reviewed and you have altered your child's diet for one month (if indicated by the testing).

There is enough data supporting the elimination of allergies and investigation of bowel problems that I will not administer Secretin without this testing. Look at it from your point of view: Secretin is expensive. You are paying for its administration out of your own pocket because, since this is an experimental treatment for autism, insurance companies do not reimburse.For example, if utilizing the Secretin gives your child a 50% improvement, the addition of eliminating food allergies and bowel dysfunction may give 75% improvement.Trying to take a shortcut by not doing the tests (or not following the test recommendations) is cheating your child out of the best possible result. Some insurance companies reimburse for the testing and office visit components or our services. We will assist you with potential reimbursement.

You will be given a prescription to get Secretin at the time test results are reviewed.

Because it needs to be refrigerated, and has a short shelf life, we will not obtain Secretin in our office for administration. This way, if you have a prescription plan that will reimburse you for the medication, you can arrange this with the pharmacy. We cannot bill insurance for the medication. If you do not have a source for the Secretin, use the list of pharmacies that will obtain it at reasonable cost.

Payment for office visits and Secretin administration is expected at the time of the visit. The charges for treatment are:

• Initial Office Visit.........................................$90.00
• Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis.............$235.00
• Food Allergy Profile.....................................$144.00
• Follow-Up Office Visit...................................$45.00
• Secretin Infusion Visit...................................$110.00 (includes charge for office visit)
• Secretin Solution................................approx.$200.00+ per infusion

The Autism Research Institute (ARI)is collecting data from children treated with Secretin. In order to provide them with data and help obtain meaningful results that will benefit others there will be a follow-up visit three weeks after the first two or three infusions. We will file the ARI reports for you until you get used to the protocol and then we ask that you fill out an evaluation form and mail (or fax) it to ARI three weeks after each Secretin infusion.

We also offer a host of Integrative Therapies (combined conventional, complementary and alternative medicine) for the whole family. One service in particular that has been shown to be of benefit to autistic children is an osteopathic technique called Cranio-Sacral Therapy. Other services for your family may include individual, family and relationship counseling, stress management, massage, acupuncture and biofeedback.

Since there is sometimes a two to three week wait for our services, we ask that you give us 24-48 hours notice if you need to cancel an appointment, so we can provide that time to another patient. We bill for missed appointments.