Dr. Martin Wants Your Calls and E-Mails!

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

I’ve probably spent somewhere around four to five hours on the phone with Dr. Martin and have found him to be charming, highly intelligent, and passionately interested in helping children with autism. 

He wants to share his ideas and observations with as many people as possible, so let me put up his phone number and e-mail right at the beginning of this article.  His phone number is (626) 616-2868 and his e-mail address is s3support@mail.com.

Having said that Dr. Martin wants to talk I can’t tell you whether or not his theory of stealth-adapted viruses causing autism is correct.

As a science teacher and a former attorney I’m interested in proof.  As the parent of a severely autistic child with seizures, the only proof which really matters to me is whether it works on my beautiful daughter, Jacqueline.

The parent reports are a certain level of proof and I’m heartened by the fact that Dr. Martin is performing a clinical trial which has FDA approval.  From all indications, Dr. Martin wants this to be a transparent process.  I’m told there are currently 219 children signed up for the study.  My daughter is one of them.

But before I talk more about Dr. Martin I want to share some of my own thoughts about autism, theories of causation, and treatments.

I began my journey into the “vaccines are related to autism” world a few days after my son, Ben, got his 18-month vaccinations.  Because I felt the pediatrician missed something during my daughter’s 6 month doctor visit, Ben was run through an entire developmental check-list which he passed with flying colors, before getting his shots.

A few days later he was mute.

By the grace of God I read Karyn Seroussi’s book, “Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and PDD”, which suggested a gluten/casein free diet.  Ben went on the diet the next day, as did his then four-year-old sister.

The gluten/casein free diet brought my son back, but not my daughter.

The initial theory suggested by Seroussi for why the diet might work is that the gluten and casein particles were being incompletely digested and turned into opium-like particles.  Their odd behaviors were the result of being essentially "stoned".  These “opiods” could be detected in blood, and as the children got better these particles appeared to disappear from their systems.

However, it didn’t explain why many children who’d been on the diet for a long time showed no sign of these opiods, but hadn’t gotten better.  One possible explanation was damage to the brain which had not been repaired.

Later I ran across some studies which suggested that an allergic reaction to milk would prevent the body from properly excreting mercury.  That made some sense to me.

But the truth is I still don’t know why the gluten/casein free diet worked for my son and not my daughter.  Maybe the allergic reaction to gluten and casein was preventing him from fighting off a stealth virus infection.  It sounds plausible.  But again, that’s just a guess on my part.

I also don’t know why all of the therapies and bio-medical approaches I’ve tried over the years have not made a significant difference in my daughter’s development.  In one test she excreted more than 80 times the normal amount of aluminum.  I have not seen a corresponding level of improvement.  She continues to have drop seizures.  Last week we ended up in the emergency ward because during one of them she hit her head on a corner of the TV stand and put a nice little gash into her forehead.

It is with a sense of appreciation for how much I don’t know that I approach Dr. Martin’s theory.

In the science classes I teach I always tell the students to express their hypothesis for the experiment we’re doing in the clearest possible way.  Then we test it to see if it’s correct.  Similarly, I’ve told my wife for years that when we fully understand autism, we should be able to express the cause and treatment in a few, simple sentences.

Dr. Martin’s theory allows us to express autism causation and treatment options in a few, simple sentences. 

Autism is the result of a stealth-adapted viral infection in the brain which is passed from mother to child, which might then be activated by environmental factors such as bacteria, heavy metals, or other viral exposures.  The infection causes autism primarily by interfering with energy production of the mitochondria, just at the time the body needs massive amounts of energy for brain development. 

The bio-medical approaches for kids that have worked have been successful to the extent they have been able to rid the body of these stealth-adapted viral infections and allowed the mitochondria to resume its normal production of cellular energy.

Stimulation of the body’s Alternative Cellular Energy (ACE) pathway by ultra-violet light and certain pigments allows the body to effectively go after these stealth-adapted viruses.  Dr. Martin believes this to be the most effective way of going after the root cause of autism.

If in my daughter’s case, this stealth-adapted viral infection has been long-established and robbing her body of energy, it makes sense why all of the therapies I’ve tried in the past haven’t worked.  It’s a little like trying to start a fire without any oxygen.  I’ve got all the kindling and firewood I need in the form of supplements and a healthy diet, but without the oxygen I can’t get the fire going.

Let me say it again.  I have no idea whether this theory is correct.  My intention is to clearly state the theory so we can properly examine it.

Dr. Martin first published his view that autism might be a stealth virus illness in 1994 (“Stealth Virus as Neuropathogens”, National Library of Medicine PubMed Database, Volume 8, pages 67-70, 1994) and followed this with an article entitled “Stealth Virus Isolated from an Autistic Child” in the April, 1995 edition of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.  (J. Autism Dev. Disord. 25:223-4, 1995 (April)).

In discussing the topic with me, Dr. Martin expressed frustration that over the years he has gone to autism conferences and personally spoken to many experts in the field, who seemed to be unwilling to engage in a scientific dialogue on the notion of autism reflecting a potential outcome of a viral infection acquired during pregnancy. 

Recently he has posted information about the results of his initial study on several autism sites and submitted an article to the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.  He has given the same article to the senior scientific advisor of another major autism support organization and heard nothing.  (We won’t name that other organization, but I believe it rhymes with the words “Autism Reeks.”)

Dr. Martin claims he’s often heard from many experts that he’s not “on message” in his theory about stealth-adapted viruses and autism.  He’s not certain whether this results from a lack of training in microbiology or because it conflicts with their own deeply-held views.

Again, I have no idea whether Dr. Martin’s theory is correct, but viruses can do some pretty wild things.  Consider toxoplasma gondii, one of the world’s most intriguing viruses, which infects both cats and mice.

When the virus infects a mouse it seems to affect no other biological or behavioral characteristic, with one minor exception.  It makes them lose their fear of cats.  Instead of running away they will actually march forward to their impending feline doom. 

The comparison has been made that it’s akin to a human being infected with a virus, who then goes to college, gets a job, marries and has children, but upon being confronted with a polar bear, meekly approaches to let himself be eaten.

In case you didn’t get the previous memo, I have no idea whether this theory is correct.  But I intend to find out in just the same way we’ve done supplements, chelation, ABA therapy, a Son-Rise program, RNA drops, genetic testing, vitamin B-12 shots, HHV-6 anti-virals, colonics, the SCD diet or any of a countless variety of other suggested treatments.

In talking with one of my fellow autism dads a few nights ago, (who’s also going to give Dr. Martin’s ACE therapy a try) he voiced the question of whether we’re simply “hope junkies”, looking for the next “fix” which might help our children.  It was an interesting comparison and to some extent it’s probably a valid one.

However, I like to believe we’re seekers of truth.  Because there is an answer to what has happened to our children.  And with the truth we’ll be in a better position to help them.

If anybody writes a comment in which they ask me a question about this therapy I’ll consider everything I’ve written to be a complete failure.  I’ve given you everything I know.

If you have any questions, please call Dr. Martin at (626) 616-2868 or e-mail him at s3support@mail.com.  He wants your questions. 

Maybe he has some good answers.

Kent Heckenlively, Esq. is the Legal Editor of Age of Autism

Comments

[Cherie Autism ~ Mom]

I am retracting my original statement that this study is good. I am now of the opposite opinion as my child SERIOUSLY regressed from an expired product. There are several children who have had serious to mild reactions from the expired and new products being offered and endorsed through this study. These children have been ignored by Dr. W. John Martin and he made it quite clear during a recorded conference call on Nov, 23, 2008 that he was not committed to these children and would only provide one charge to their system and that is it. No other product can be obtained. I would also strongly suggest that people beware of BJ McKelvie as he has maliciously slandered me and others all over the ACE Pathways website and through emails and telephone calls which are all blatant lies.

This is not different than offering one treatment of chemotherapy, then shoving a cancer patient out the door and telling them they are on their own.

I was a study monitor and I was told in writing, on the site and from Dr. W. John Martin & BJ McKelvie that this study was approved by Health Canada and the FDA. I have NOT been able to find anything to support this and would strongly advise that anyone looking at the study use extreme caution before proceeding.

[jessica killian]

I am very interested in learning more about this study. How do you get this information and "know how" to pursue the research. I have two sons as my youngest has autism. We started to see the developmental changes and declines at age 2 and regression from there. This theory makes such great sense! I want to learn more and protect future children I may have, by early testing and education. I hope my son and all other children living with autism can find a cure.

[Laureen]

Thanks for posting these articles. This prompted me to take a look at his theories which I find very interesting especially since reading the other day that they have found HHV-6 in some cases is encoded into DNA. So, first reading that then reading Dr. Martin's theories was enough to prompt me to try this.

My son is pos for HHV-6 varient B+ and I wonder if it's from my DNA - however, I've never been tested. I am awaiting my kit as well and hope to see some good results. Keep us posted.

[Sangeeta]

Dear Kent I hv read yr article about Dr Martin and hv forwarded it to my friends...one of my net friend a homeopath hv send me this mail for u...about yr daughter pls read it and if it helps,contact her...
Dear Sangeeta,
Thank you for sending me the article about Dr. Martin's theory that autism is a stealth virus passed on from the mother to the child. This is possible. The person who wrote the article: Kent Heckenlively mentions that he has a severely autistic daughter with seizures. I took the case a year or so ago of an autistic child with seizures who was helped by another homeopath, John Melnycek, tremendously with Hydrocyanic acid in the LM form. This may be a remedy that should be considered for his daughter. Do you know his e-mail address and would you be willing to forward this little message to him. Thank you. Wishing you all the best.

In love and service,

[Lorelei Cadotte]

Good luck with your daughter, we are always going to have hope for our children to get better.
I sent an email to the Dr. in regards to my obtaining the flu shot on 11/14/97 and going into labor 11/15/97, (I was scheduled for a c section on the 20th because my son was breech), but the Doctors told me that I probably already had the flu when I got the shot. On 11/15/97 I was very ill, with vomiting and diarrhea all day,went to the ER twice and the 2nd time is when they told me I was in labor. But with the high amounts of mercury in the flu shot, I wonder if that had anything to do with my son getting ASD.

[BJ McKelvie]

I am the international study admin for the program. I am an engineer not a doctor or a scientist. I do have basic knowledge of the working of some of the theories and would like to try to answer a few questions that were asked.

Question: do you happen to know what labs can detect these stealth viruses? Would insurance cover these tests?
Response: I can’t answer the first part as I have no idea who but Dr. Martin has mentioned to me that he would be more than happy to assist/teach more labs how to culture for the virus.

Question: If we can indeed detect these stealth viruses in the blood of newborn infants would it make sense to not vaccinate these kids so that we don't trigger them and have them "cause" autism?

Response: Dr. Martin has always maintained as with myself and everyone in the study that a good idea is to wait to vaccinate. Postpone the vaccinations until they are older and their system has developed stronger. He has never claimed that we should avoid it, just wait to vaccinate. He has even mentioned to pick and choose what ones you want and don’t want as well.

Question: Should we be testing moms prior to their conception to see if they happen to carry stealth viruses?

Response: Yes! If indeed they tested positive then a treatment schedule would be set up for the mother prior to pregnancy. This would help to reduce the seeds of autism being sown.

Question: Finally, why is it that these stealth viruses have surfaced only in the last 20 years or so? If they are stealth, shouldn't these have been around for centuries?

Answer: Dr. Martin has mentioned to me many times that stealth viruses have indeed been around for thousands of years and the physical manifestations have been present in various illnesses. In the last 20 years the vaccination schedule for children has become much more intense. With new vaccinations added this has seemingly lead to the triggering of theses viruses. This answer is much more involved so better to e-mail the Doctor for more details if you require them.

Question: Are vaccines triggering the stealth viruses by exciting the body with toxin laden multiple shots given now at a higher frequency than ever before?

Answer: There has been a huge increase in the number of cases of Autism being diagnosed even over the past few years. In one of Dr. Martin’s videos he explains how it is simply not a matter of Doctors being able to diagnose better it is a fact that autism is on the increase and something is causing that. Could it be the vaccinations draining the system and triggering the virus? Yes, that would certainly be a major component with Autism.

I have seen vast improvements with my own son since treatment, so for myself there is validity to Dr. Martins theories.

[Greg]

Kent,

I have been following your last three articles on stealth viruses with great interest. Do you know if Dr. Martin has vetted his theory with any of the DAN practitioners? They may be more open to his views.

[Cherie Peattie - Cherie~Autism Mom]

Hope is the only thing I have... and I have been very blessed to see great changes in Aidan through this treatment. I hope this is what eventually what will work for all children with autism; to bring about their true personalities, rather than the overwhelming autistic traits so many of them are overcome with daily.

I just started round 3 on Aidan and despite the gluten / yeast issue I created, he has sprung back to 80% from where he was after his first set of ACE Pathways treatments.

Yes, in a moment of shear stupidity I thought maybe, just maybe I could test him one more time on gluten... FAIL! Not a good idea, but thank heavens I have been able to reverse that massive set back from the yeast and gluten. It makes me wonder if yeast antagonizes the virus in some children? Although gut related issues are not present for all autistic children; mine is one of them.

I look forward to taking this journey with you and your family and cannot wait to hear about some of the new experiences your daughter may have.

This is not a cure, and at the end of the day your child will still have autism, but hopefully she will gain many of the new skills that many of our participants have experienced and also loose some of the autistic behaviours that have affected her for years.

[Kelli Ann Davis]

The first time I ever heard about the "viral angle" was the day of the DC rally when Stan Kurtz (read the chapter "Stan the Man" in Jenny's new book) debriefed our contact in the Subcommittee. I was absolutely amazed by what I was hearing and it totally made sense what he was saying.

He made such an impact on our contact that *he* asked if Stan would come back and debrief him in more detail at a later date.

By coincidence, I just read Jenny's book today on Stan's personal story regarding the recovery of his son Ethan and he talks about this in detail.

Very powerful and eye-opening, to say the least.

[karenatlanta]

I always comfort myself with the fact that the only person the AAP auditioned and hired once repped Skittles.
You could tell the minute she opened her mouth she was scripted.

[Deb in IL]

Just wanted to add my best wishes in your journey. May this be a breakthrough in helping more our kids.

[Sonja]

Hi Kent,

Thanks again for writing this for our community. I too have a 10 year old daughter and am in the study...we await the kit with anticipation...will keep you posted. Good luck to you.

[Lynn]

I have been interested in this since I have a son who had dropped off a cliff at 15 mos and has since "recovered'. The doctor who initially treated him stimulated his ACE pathway with great success 5 years ago. He did great until he had a mold exposure in a house which made our whole family sick.

We have been seeing a doctor who is practicing "functional" medicine and has a license as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine as well as Homeopathy. He identified several viruses in all of us including CMV and Herpes simplex. He has been treating us for 6 mos or so and we are all almost recovered. After the exposure, I could not remember our new phone number and had horrible word recall along with vision problems and a persistent rash. Our son had vision problems and word recall as well as processing difficulties. This doctor told me that the mold had stressed our organs and allowed the virus to become activated.

Through homeopathy, he is strengthening the immune system to suppress the virus and it is working. This experience has opened my eyes to the viral component of ASD. I think that Dr. Martin's theory of the relationship of virus and toxic exposure makes a lot of sense.

Parents should also look into homeopathy. With the right doctor, it can be amazing stuff.

[K Fuller Yuba City]

Please keep us posted regarding this therapy through this site. Your story gives so many people hope.

[Some questions]

Kent do you happen to know what labs can detect these stealth viruses? Would insurance cover these tests?

If we can indeed detect these stealth viruses in the blood of newborn infants would it make sense to not vaccinate these kids so that we don't trigger them and have them "cause" autism? Should we be testing moms prior to their conception to see if they happen to carry stealth viruses?

Finally, why is it that these stealth viruses have surfaced only in the last 20 years or so? If they are stealth, shouldn't these have been around for centuries? Are vaccines triggering the stealth viruses by exciting the body with toxin laden multiple shots given now at a higher frequency than ever before?

I hope Dr. Martin or his client base will be able to answer these questions here since I am sure a lot of people would be interested in these answers.

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

Kent, Thanks for writing this. I think viruses are certainly one of the pieces of the puzzle for some people. There was a Dr. Goldberg (sp?) that we worked with many years ago (my son is 17 now) who had a similar theory. I don't know what happened to him; but he allegedly was helping some children. What we did with him, over the course of 18-24 months had no effect whatsoever. Of course, that was true for most everything else that we tried (and we've tried just about everything).

I think David Kirby is correct when he says we're dealing with autisms vs just autism. I don't there are any silver bullets -- other than maybe for a very few kids. I do think that these kids are so messed up that we have to figure out, not only what the pieces of the puzzle are but what order they need to be put in place. i.e., What works for one kid might not work for another... until some other issues are addressed. I think there are a number of puzzles and some of the pieces are common to a lot of them.

I hope this is the next puzzle piece for your daughter -- and many others.

[MMR, the *stealth* virus shot]

Why does Dr. Martin think the stealth virus is acquired by the mom during pregnancy? If that were the case, the kids would be born with autism. The kids would not be neurotypical until they were given the MMR shot for instance.

In fact I think chances are good that the stealth virus is in the MMR shot. Maybe we ought to look at the contents of that vial under the microscope and see what we find. I mean besides the identifiable pathogens, the ones we actually have names for, such as EBV.

[Jena Dalpez]

Kent - Thank you for this. I have been telling friends for the past year that my son seems to do best when he is on an antibiotic and that his autism symptoms must be somehow related to an illness. He's been removed from school due to an acute reaction to PANDAS which has caused full Tourette Syndrome symptoms and a major reduction in his impulse control. This is a child who was considered "recovered" by many in August. I've emailed Dr. Martin. Thank you again.

[Keith]

We know that certain drugs in the past have had outcomes resulting in autism.

Could it be that viral issues are yet another etiology in some cases of autism?

[Petra]

Kent,

Thank you so much for sharing. And I am praying that Dr. Martin's work and his suggested treatment plans turn out to be of help to Jacqueline.

(and as to being a hope junkie? Well, what's wrong with that? To me, hope is the oxygen that keeps MY fire going..)

[Cathy Jameson]

Kent,

It's always a pleasure to read your articles. I feel a kindred bond with your stories as I learn more and more about vaccines and autism. Thank you for sharing the conversations you've had about the stealth viruses. I've wondered about them for years. It would make sense that they play a role in both my boys' medical issues.

I just emailed the good doctor--I'll let you know if I hear back from him!

Cathy Jameson

[Andrea]

Thanks Kent.

My son has not been a great responder to a lot of things we have tried. Yes, some things have made improvements, and even significant improvements at times, but somehow we always seem to have a setback. I feel like I spend my life putting out fires.

This is something I think investigating for him.

[Maggie]

Good luck. I hope your daughter finds health.

After reading the book Fear of the Invisible, I'm afraid for anyone who has been vaccinated. Anyone vaccinated is probably running around with all kinds of monkey viruses. Toxins and viruses -causing autism - makes sense to me.