About Dr. Doherty, N.D.
Before I get into my background, I want to tell you why I am so passionate about biomedical treatment. In my first year of practice, I was asked to write an article for a medical journal on AD/HD because of my personal experience with the disorder. During my extensive research I discovered the biochemical and physiological similarities between AD/HD and autism spectrum disorder. Because of my research I began seeing children with autism. This experience changed my view of medicine and has shaped me as a professional, individual and as a mother.
The first child I saw with ASD, was a little boy who was non-verbal. He, like many children with autism, was so overwhelmed by stimuli that he did not want physical contact with his loved ones, including his loving parents.
During the first visit, we discussed the potential benefit of methyl-B12 injections. After thorough assessment , a 4 week B12 trial was one of the treatments that was indicated.
Biomedical treatment has the ability to change lives. My first patient with autism began to speak using single words after the first month of treatment. The next month, he was able to tell his mother “love mommy”. Instead of pulling away from affection, he began to seek it out from his parents and siblings. After 3 months of treatment he could speak in short sentences. He no longer experienced digestive pain and his self-stimulating behaviour had decreased by 85%.
Biomedical treatment created the potential for change for this little boy and has the potential to help the majority of children on the autism spectrum. Not all children who are non-verbal will be able to gain language with treatment; but many will. There are consistent and significant benefits for children undergoing treatment.
I believe strongly that hope is fragile and should be treated respectfully. As a mother, I would never talk about hope if the potential for dramatic improvement did not exist. I urge you to learn about, and research biomedical treatment.
Challenge your medical professionals, read books and be the advocate that your child needs to maximize their potential.
My biography
Hello, I am Sonya Doherty. I am a Naturopathic Doctor specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder and AD/HD and have been practicing as a Naturopath since 2003, after completing my pre-medical studies at the University of Western Ontario and my post graduate naturopathic training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. I am a board certified Naturopathic doctor and member of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Naturopathic medicine takes a functional approach to medicine which means each child is assessed and treated on an individual basis. For more information about Naturopathic medicine visit www.ccnm.edu or www.cand.ca.
I completed my level I Defeat Autism Now! practitioner training at the 2007 Chicago Autism One conference and my level II training at the Atlanta (2009) DAN! conference. Biomedical treatment is extremely important to me both as a mother and as a professional. I believe very strongly in the benefit of helping each child achieve their potential. I am often asked why I have chosen to focus on treating autism. Many doctors involved in the autism field have children with ASD. I have two children who are neurotypical and as I have watched them grow it has become more and more important to me that all children are given the opportunity to reach their potential. Mounting evidence is showing that autism is a biological disorder which means that many children can benefit from treatment of underlying weaknesses.
Biomedical treatment can unlock the potential within for children with developmental disorders. Below is a link to an online article that I wrote for Alive Magazine about biomedical treatment of autism and my experience as a DAN! doctor and mother.
Alive Magazine article
http://www.alivemagazine.org/article.php?catId=&objectid=9
I practice in Burlington at the Natural Care Clinic, a clinic owned and operated by my sister Carissa Doherty who specializes in fertility and women’s health (www.healthyfertility.ca). Natural Care Clinic is a multi-disciplinary clinic with naturopathic medicine, chiropractic care, registered massage therpy and far-infrared sauna treatment.
Natural Care Clinic
To become a patient or to ask Sonya Doherty a question, click on CONTACT or e-mail