Research has indicated that children’s excessive use of or exposure to screens can play a role in autism and other health issues (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). An overwhelming amount of research has also determined that exposure to various environmental toxins can also play a role. This includes exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and wireless radiation.

Autism, ADHD, and Wireless Electromagnetic Fields

Autism, ADHD, and Wireless Electromagnetic Fields and Children’s Brain Development

Dr. Martha Herbert speaks at the Press Conference from the Symposium on Children, Cell Phones and Wireless at the 2016 Pediatric Societies Annual Conference.

Wireless Radiation And The Developing Nervous System

Dozens of peer reviewed research studies indicate that wireless and electromagnetic fields alter brain function and affect the nervous system. Research links these exposures to altered sleep, damaged mitochondria, increased oxidative stress, cellular damage, genotoxicity, and blood brain barrier permeability. When our bodies have increased stress at the chemical, immune and electrical levels, our brain health is compromised. Children are more vulnerable as their brains are still developing so the neurological effects will be greater.

“I think there is enough strong scientific support to argue that EMF/RFRs are important contributors to degrading the optimal chemical-electrical function of our bodies – thereby detuning our brains and nervous systems.” –Dr. Martha Herbert

Many reports are coming in that decreasing electromagnetic radiation exposures can help increase a child’s functioning, especially children with autism, ADHD or other neurological issues. In other words, just as we support our children with healthy food and healthy play, we can also provide a healthy environment by reducing EMF’s in our child’s daily life.

A Yale study found cellphone radiation exposure caused mice exposed prenatally to have ”ADHD like” symptoms of hyperactivity and poor memory. In response to this growing body of research, obstetricians, medical doctors and public health educators have signed onto a major initiative called The Baby Safe Project to recommend pregnant women reduce wireless exposures to protect the developing brain.

EHT has compiled critical resources – from videos to recommended books to published science – on the link between EMF’s and Autism and ADHD. We will continue to update this website regularly so please check back.

IMPORTANT READING

Connections in our Environment: Sizing up Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Martha Herbert in Autism Notebook: go to pp. 24- 25

The Green Gazette: Autism: Little bodies Out of Sync:Why Electromagnetic Fields and Wireless Radiofrequency Radiation Exposures Matter for People with Autism Spectrum Conditions by Cindy Sage

Yale News: Cell phone use in pregnancy may cause behavioral disorders in offspring

Autism Rising – Part 1 by Dr. Cindy Russell Pandemic Rates of Autism Cannot Be Explained by Genetics or Diagnosis Alone PDF (Click for May/June 2014 Issue Online Downloadable)

Autism Rising – Part 2 by Dr. Cindy Russell, Metabolic, Genetic, and Environmental Mysteries (Click for Sept/Oct 2014 Issue Online)

Tech Diet – Four Tech Tools To Help “Tech Fat” Families Reduce The Use Of Technology

Preventing Autism – It might be easier than you think! By Occupational Therapist Chris Rowan

Dr. Martha Herbert Letter on Wi-Fi in Schools

Psychology Today: Autism and Screen Time: Special Brains, Special Risks:Children with autism are vulnerable to the negative effects of screen time.

TREATMENT PROTOCOLS

Calming Behavior in Children with Autism and ADHD: Dr. Toril Jelter’s Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)-Lowering Protocol (That Has No Cost Or Side Effects)

Technology Unplug Protocol by Occupational Therapist Chris Rowan

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

The Link between Autism and Electromagnetic Fields by Martha Herbert Ph.D., M.D.

Click here to see the full set of slides from Dr. Martha Herbert Ph.D., M.D. Presentation

PUBLISHED SCIENCE

Herbert, M.R. and Sage, C. “Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a Pathophysiological Link”. Part 1:Pathophysiology , 2013, Jun;20(3):191-209, Pubmed abstract for Part 1.

Herbert, M.R. and Sage, C. “Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a Pathophysiological Link”. Part II: Pathophysiology, 2013 Jun;20(3):211-34. Epub Pubmed abstract for Part II.

Wen Y, Alshikho MJ, Herbert MR (2016) Pathway Network Analyses for Autism Reveal Multisystem Involvement, Major Overlaps with Other Diseases and Convergence upon MAPK and Calcium Signaling. PLoS ONE 11(4): e0153329. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153329

Pall, M.L., Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression, Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy (2015).

Pall, Martin L. “Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects.” Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 17.8 (2013): 958-965.

Ahuja et al., Autism: An epigenomic side-effect of excessive exposure to electromagnetic fields International Journal of Medical and Medical Sciences Vol. 5(4), pp. 171-177, April (2013)

Click here for a Research Compilation on Cell phone Radiation, Behavior and Brain Development Compiled by Dr. Hugh Taylor of Yale Medicine

BOOK PICKS

The Autism Revolution: Whole Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be Dr. Martha Herbert

Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Dr. Victoria Dunckley

LISTEN IN

Collaborative on Health and Environment Expert Call: Autism Pathways Analysis: A Functional Framework and Clues for Further Investigation PPT Slides

Environmental triggers for autism. Interview by David Gellerman for NPR Living on Earth. July 8, 2011

Karen Thomas Interviews Peter Sullivan On Electromagnetic Fields… All things Autism:

The Healthy Brain, An Interview with Dr. Herbert and Experts on Brain Health, Autism, Dementia and Inflammation

Baltimore CBS News New Research Links Cell Phones To Health Issues In Children

WEBSITES

Collaborative For the Environment and Health Autism Science Listserve

The BabySafe Project Website: Reduce Wireless Exposures During Pregnancy To Support Healthy Brain Development.

Dr. Martha Herbert’s Website Dr. Herbert Talks PDFs and Links

Sources of EMF and wireless radiation include activity trackers, wireless baby monitors, Bluetooth, cell phones, cell towers, “smart” appliances, utility “Smart” Meters, Wi-Fi routers, and more. Many families and schools have already replaced Wi-Fi with hardwired internet to reduce children’s exposure. Some utility companies now allow customers to “opt-out” of 2-way wireless transmitting electric, gas, and water utility “Smart” Meters because of exposure complaints (see 1, 2, 3, 4) and/or lawsuits.