What Is a DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) Doctor?
Mainstream medical practitioners tend to believe that autism is probably caused by a combination of genetic and structural differences. As a result, they stress a combination of behavioral therapies and, when warranted, pharmaceutical treatments. There are many doctors and therapists, however, who believe strongly that autism is caused by biomedical factors (toxins, immune deficiencies, inflammation in the "gut," and/or a combination of these and other issues).
The Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) project, created by the Autism Research Institute, created an approach to autism treatment called the "DAN! protocol" based on the biomedical theory of autism. Many parents believe that DAN! doctors are the best choice to treat their children with autism, and there are many testimonials to the effectiveness of the treatments. DAN! doctors, however, do often prescribe treatments and diets that mainstream doctors question or even denounce.
This new article looks at the origins of the DAN! protocol, and provides a general introduction to what a DAN! doctor is, does, and offers. If your child has been treated by a DAN! doctor (or if you have positive or negative things to share about this treatment approach), please feel free to add your thoughts to this post!
Where can I find one of these doctor’s? I live in South Central Pa.
George-
Go to http://www.AutismResearchInstitute.com
You can get a list of the DAN doctors in your area.
Often there is a waiting list for new patients, so don’t put it off.
Our DAN doctor is amazing – he has patients fly in from other states, and countries, to see him for treatment.
I recommend (from personal experience) traditional therapies such as speech/OT, as well as the GFCF diet, AND biomedical intervention.
I believe our kids need support at many levels to achieve the best progress.
I don’t have time right now to finish all I have to say regarding DAN doctors, but if I get a chance later today or this evening I’ll jump back in and add some additional thoughts.
I’d be interested to know if you have a DAN doctor in your area – check in with ARI and let me know.
Good Luck,
DEVIN’S MOM
I hope you were successful in finding a DAN! doctor. My son Wesley’s doctor is on the cutting edge of treatment and has just written a book on the treatment protocal, that I just fininshed reading. I drive from New Jersey and I have met several of his patients who drive in from PA. His name is Dr. Kenneth Bock. His practice is The Rhinebeck Health Center in Rhinebeck, NY. His book is out,it is called “Treating the New Childhood Epidemics”
i am an occupational therapist working especially for asd. i am very much interested on biomedical intervention for asd s. kindly give info about whether i am eligible to practice this if so were can i take up this course.
I am looking for a good DAN dr in Orange County, Ca. Any help would be appreciated.
I am looking for a DAN doctor can not find anyone to help my child!
I am looking for a good doctor that treats children with autism in Texas. Can anyone give me a name of someone that is reputable and good. We need help.
I have as son that was recently diagnosed with ASD and i am looking for a DAN doctor in Canada, specifically Ontario. Please help, i’m really desperate and want want i can do for him before it is too late
I’m in Utah. Is there any DAN Doctors in Utah?
I am trying to find a Dan Doctor in Boston? Anyone know of one out here . For my son who has just been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder this april 08?
If any one has any information on a dan doctor in the new york area it will be greatly appreciated.
I would never suggest a DAN doctor. Biomedical treat is very harmful to your children. It has made my child more behavioral and emotional. My pumping your child with supplements it really harms their bodies. I have had the best luck with behavioral intervventions. Please only use a DAN doctor as a lst resort.
We have seen major improvements using a DAN doctor. We did the GFCF diet and then when we saw improvements, made an appointment with a reputable one. Then we did testing and slowly introduced a variety of supplements, one at a time. We did not “pump him” full of supplements in an irrational manner. I highly recommend anyone with a child on the spectrum to pursue biomedical. I can’t imagine trying to get any traditional therapies to work without first fixing the underlying biomedical issues in the individual child.
We are looking for a DAN Doctor in Brampton, Ontario(Canada). Please we need help for our son.
I am also looking for a DAN Doctor in Brampton, Ontario. Canada. Please let me know if u have any info.
In response to Tom, how can biomedical treatment be harmful to a child? That’s like putting a drug addict into treatment but allowing him to remain on all his drugs and expecting him to recover. There is no difference between not removing harmful drugs and not removing harmful foods you are allergic to. My 16 year old grandson (who is not ASD) reacted to sugar when he was younger. It made him bounce off the walls nonstop. Do we keep giving him sugar? Of course not. He was controlled and normal without it and could function and learn. He couldn’t function or concentrate/learn on it. No different than any other food that someone reacts to. Why do we wear gloves when cleaning with household chemicals like amonia? Because amonia burns your skin and repeated exposure to it will permanently damage the skin. So why would you force your kid to endure the effects of consuming wheat, dairy, gluten, etc., which after repeated exposure cause holes in their stomach lining. You may as well be forcing amonia down their throats. Either way you will lose your kid. Your choice. But personally, I think it’s the equivalent to a pregnant woman doing meth.
I am looking for a DAN Doctor near Northwest Florida.
The only thing that I can think of is that Tom went to someone not very good. By giving your child the wrong supplements, it can lead to worsening of the condition/symptoms. Or, sometimes, with effective treatment you will see a temporary worsening of symptoms. It is hard to say without knowing the entire story, but DAN doctors do work. Regular medical doctors don’t have any hope for our vaccine injured children.
I am looking for a DAN doctor for my son NYC metro area. Any suggestions/experience, please share it with me.
Thanks a lot
Shail
Canadian DAN doctors:
http://www.autismwebsite.com/practitioners/foreign_lc.htm
The only DAN MDs in Ontario:
Dr. Gannage in Markham
http://www.integrative-mediine.ca
Dr. Coombs in Perth
http://www.drcoombs.ca
Scientific studies prove that antioxidants greatly help children and people with learning disabilities. Anyone who would like to discuss this and for more info email me at:chersdreams@yahoo.com
Im looking for a good Dan doctor in California please help
Pick up Jenny McCarthy’s book “Mother Warriors”. In the back of the book there are a list of states and the DAN! doctors that practice in those states and cities. It also gives the address and the phone number. That is where I found mine and I am in Southwest Ohio.
Ann Richmond – you are very lucky. There is a great doctor in Texas – Dr. Bryan Jepson. I have never been to him as I am in PA but he is one of the biggies.
looking for a DAN! doctor in Philadelphia. We took our 3 year old to St. christopher’s. They diagnosed her with Autism. She has done very well with OT and speech.She also is responding well to us through Floortime play.She is in a developmentally delayed classroom and has been doing very well. We are very fortunate that she isn’t experiencing temper tantrums or any stomach problems(that we know of) She is unable to tell us…………
For everyone needing practioners list you can find it here
http://www.autismwebsite.com/practitioners/us_lc.htm
@ Jenifer Lairmore
Which did you try? I live in Cincinnati, could you let me know your thoughts of the program?
I am trying to find a good DAN doc in CA. I would prefer northern CA. I have looked at the list of DAN docs but it is so tough to pick one. Does anyone know of a good doc?
Thanks!
i live in jordan the country, in the middle east. Where can I find one of these doctor’s?
I am responding to a comment from Becky. I am a naturopathic doctor that works with many children and I would be glad to talk with you and help you find the right doctor that will be able to help.
Glen Jarosz, ND
Chico Naturopathic Medicine
(530) 332-9355
I am living in Saudi Arabia , I am looking for good DAN doctor for my sun in my area ,
i am from mumbai, india. my 9 year old son is autistic, where can i find someone in mumbai
Try NAET! Find a practitioner that will let you speak to some patients of theirs. Join the yahoo group FAAT, food allergies alternative treatments. Its a good compliment to DAN!, or even an alternative.
I am looking for a good doctor that treats children with autism in India. Can anyone give me a name of someone that is reputable and good. We need help.
There is a great DAN doctor in Southern California, Dr. Kurt Woeller. His website is myStillPoint.com or Google his other site, AutismActionPlan. He helped my son thru diet, vitamin therapy and Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
I would like to answer hazem alshudaifat regarding a DAN doctor in Jordan. I live in Beirut/Lebanon and I recently started the DAN protocol woth Dr Mohammad Almomani in Jordan at the total wellness clinic. He is a lovely and very helpful person.
I’m using successful the DAN! protocol approach. I don’t have contact with DAN! doctor. We don’t have them in our country, but I bought the book of Jaquilin MacCandless “Children with starving brain” and got the membership on her web site. I follow these treatments and read many things about effective protocols on different WEB site. Dana from US treated all her 3 autistic children by your self with same way. She was diagnosed as heavy ASD, but after 3 years DAN! Protocols she is verbal, glad and we think to take normal school. Think independently and help your child that only you can do NOW! Their destiny in your hands!
Does anyone have any good advice about how to find reliable,safe,trustworthy in-home care that specializes in autistic toddlers in north-central Florida?
We’ve been folloing the DAN protocal for 6 years now. Amazing what has happened to our son and how he has recovered, yes, recovered!!!
This saved our son!
Keep sending your kids to these doctors, because it is going to take a decent body count before you guys realize how “effective” this treatment is. You are saving researchers tons of money, not to mention approval for putting kids health in such danger is hard to receive and the morals of a legitimate doctor (who isn’t completely emotionally or financially involved) find it difficult to proceed. GO CRAZY AUTISM PARENTS! YAY!
To Laura:
It’s wonderful to hear that your son has recovered.
Can you give more details pls if you don’t mind. How old was your son when you began the DAN protocol? When did you started seeing improvement and how? …etc.
Thanks again!