Empowering Parents: Strategies to Address Autoimmunity and Support Neurodiverse Children

DESCRIPTION Lara and Vicky explore the connection between autoimmunity and autism, discussing how parental autoimmune conditions may influence a child’s neural development. Vicky explains how the immune system can mistakenly attack the body’s own cells, with autoantibodies potentially crossing the placenta and affecting the developing brain. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms without blame, instead focusing on practical steps for healing. Parents will learn about the roles of inflammation, nutrition, and therapies in managing autoimmune conditions and improving outcomes for children with autism. This episode empowers families with knowledge, hope, and actionable tools for positive change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding Autoimmunity: The immune system may attack healthy cells, which can influence brain development if present during pregnancy. Link to Autism: Research suggests parental autoimmunity may increase autism risk, as autoantibodies can affect the fetal brain. Diet & Nutrition: Removing gluten, addressing deficiencies (like vitamin D), and focusing on whole foods can improve outcomes. Personalised Healing: Every child’s path is unique—families benefit from tailored care and supportive practitioners. BEST MOMENTS “If we do have an autoimmune condition… we can pull back inflammation in ourselves.” – Vicky “These autoantibodies will cross the placenta and impact the child’s brain.” – Vicky “You can’t have an autoimmune condition without huge inflammation.” – Vicky “If you have an autoimmune condition, get gluten out of your diet. It’s kryptonite for you.” – Vicky HOST BIOLara Barnes, a successful woman in tech, found herself navigating behavioural, learning, and speech challenges with her son. She discovered functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and strengthen his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents who want to understand how to help their children thrive and become their best selves. GUEST BIOVicky, founder of The Happy Healthy Unicorn, is mum to her inspiring autistic daughter, Rose. With a BSc in Human Biology, she initially planned to work as an NHS dietitian, but her daughter’s needs changed her path. Immersing herself in research on autism and neurodevelopment, she focused on root-cause healing and whole-person care. Rose’s transformation shaped Vicky’s mission: combining scientific knowledge, lived experience, and empathy to support families. Today, she provides compassionate, science-backed guidance through The Happy Healthy Unicorn. The Happy Healthy Unicorn - Autism, Nutrition SOCIAL LINKS TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/ Website: www.braindevelopment.co.uk