Resolving Autism? A Science-Based Roadmap with Dr. Theresa Lyons

Can Autism Improve? What the Latest Science Says

In this episode of The Dr. Haley Show, Dr. Michael Haley sits down with Dr. Theresa Lyons to explore a powerful and hopeful perspective on autism. Drawing from cutting-edge research and real-world experience, they discuss what autism is, what may contribute to it, and how parents can take clear, actionable steps to support meaningful change.

About This Episode

Autism can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even hopeless for many parents—but what if that perspective is incomplete?

Dr. Theresa Lyons, a PhD scientist and founder of Navigating Awetism, shares a science-based framework to better understand autism and how to take meaningful action. With both professional expertise and personal experience as a parent, she breaks down complex research into clear, practical steps.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why autism is diagnosed based on observation—not lab tests
  • What current research says about autism being lifelong vs. changeable
  • The role of environment, genetics, and overall health
  • Why some children lose their autism diagnosis over time
  • The importance of an integrative approach (medical + natural)
  • How to identify root causes instead of just managing symptoms
  • Why many children with autism are learning more than they can express

Dr. Lyons also introduces her “Autism Matrix” framework—a structured approach to help parents navigate the overwhelming amount of information and make confident decisions for their child.

Resources

Key Takeaways (Quick Answer)

  • Autism is not always lifelong—research suggests up to 37% of children may lose the diagnosis
  • There is no single cause of autism—factors include environment, genetics, and overall health
  • Autism is diagnosed through behavioral observation, not lab testing
  • Many children with autism understand more than they can express
  • An integrative approach (medical + natural + lifestyle) is often most effective
  • Identifying root causes and improving overall health can lead to meaningful changes

Timestamps

00:00 – Can autism improve or resolve?
00:43 – Introduction to Dr. Theresa Lyons
01:21 – What parents need to know about autism today
02:22 – Dr. Lyons’ background in computational chemistry
04:03 – Food, gut health, and behavior connections
06:30 – Why chemistry matters in health
09:24 – When autism is diagnosed
11:36 – Is there hope for autism?
12:40 – Medical vs natural vs integrative approaches
17:32 – How autism is actually diagnosed
19:25 – Can autism diagnosis be lost? (37% statistic)
22:48 – What causes autism?
24:04 – Environmental risk factors explained
26:06 – The vaccine question & broader context
29:26 – Is detox the solution?
31:28 – Gut health, antibodies, and inflammation
32:31 – Real transformation stories
34:46 – Expression vs intelligence in autism
36:18 – The Autism Matrix explained
38:03 – How parents implement change
40:03 – Measuring progress with ATEC
41:40 – Final message: hope and action

What This Episode Teaches

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Lyons explains how autism can be understood through a scientific and integrative lens. She breaks down how environmental exposures, genetics, and biochemical factors may contribute to autism, while emphasizing that many children are capable of significant improvement.

The discussion highlights why autism is diagnosed behaviorally rather than biologically, how underlying health issues like gut dysfunction or inflammation may play a role, and why addressing root causes can lead to meaningful changes. Parents will learn how to take structured action, track progress, and build a personalized plan to support their child.

First, A Shortened Version

For any parent that has a child with autism, the first thing to know is that change can happen.

It’s also important to know that about 37% of children can lose the autism diagnosis. That’s based on science. So autism isn’t necessarily lifelong for everyone.

This is The Dr. Haley Show podcast. I’m Dr. Michael Haley. Today we’re learning from an expert in autism to better understand how to navigate what can feel like a complex and overwhelming condition.

Dr. Theresa Lyons is the founder and CEO of Navigating Awetism, a platform dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity. She holds a PhD in computational chemistry from Yale and is also a parent of a child with autism.

(Conversation continues…)

Dr. Lyons explains how her background in chemistry helped her analyze autism research and break it down into actionable insights for parents.

She shares that autism is not diagnosed through lab tests, but through observation by specialists such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and developmental pediatricians.

A key insight from research is that autism is not always lifelong. Earlier estimates suggested about 10% of children lost the diagnosis, but more recent studies suggest that number may be as high as 37%.

They discuss how autism likely involves a combination of:

  • Environmental factors
  • Genetics
  • Overall health and biochemical balance

Examples include:

  • Air pollution increasing autism risk
  • Potential toxin exposure
  • Differences in detoxification pathways

Dr. Lyons emphasizes that autism is highly individualized—there is no single cause or universal solution.

Integrative Approach

Rather than choosing between medical or natural approaches, Dr. Lyons advocates for integrating all tools:

  • Lab testing
  • Nutritional strategies
  • Targeted therapies
  • Medical interventions when appropriate

Medication, she explains, can sometimes be helpful in the short term—but should ideally be paired with efforts to address root causes.

Gut Health & Biology

The conversation explores how:

  • Gut health may influence brain function
  • Inflammation and immune responses may play a role
  • Antibodies affecting nutrient transport (like folate) can impact development

Key Insight: Expression vs Intelligence

One of the most important takeaways:

Many children with autism are learning and understanding far more than they can express.

Challenges like:

  • Motor control (apraxia)
  • Communication barriers

can make children appear less capable than they truly are.

Real Transformation Stories

Dr. Lyons shares examples of children who:

  • Went from non-speaking to verbal
  • Showed dramatic improvements in expression

She explains that these children were learning all along—their ability to express improved as underlying health issues were addressed.

The Autism Matrix

Dr. Lyons developed the Navigating Autism Matrix, which helps parents:

  • Identify root causes
  • Use lab data to guide decisions
  • Build a healthcare team
  • Take structured, step-by-step action

Parents track progress using tools like the ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) and reassess every six months.

Final Message

The most important takeaway:

Change is possible.

Parents don’t need to accept a fixed outcome. By understanding the science, taking action, and consistently reassessing, meaningful improvements can happen.

Full Episode Transcript

For any parent that has a child with autism, the first thing to know is that change can happen.

It’s also important to know that about 37% of children can lose the autism diagnosis. That’s based on science. So autism isn’t necessarily lifelong for everyone.

This is The Dr. Haley Show podcast. I’m Dr. Michael Haley, your show host. On today’s podcast, we’re going to learn from an expert in autism and find out what can be done to better navigate the autism matrix with a roadmap that organizes the science into clear, actionable steps that can lead to transformation.

From this podcast, you’ll get a new understanding of autism. And if you have a child with autism, you’ll walk away with clear next steps you can use today—with the confidence to advocate for your child while filtering out misinformation.

Dr. Theresa Lyons is the founder and CEO of Navigating Awetism, a platform dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity.

Theresa has a PhD in computational chemistry from Yale University. She also has firsthand experience as a parent to a daughter with autism.

Welcome to the show, Dr. Lyons. I’ve watched some of your YouTube videos—you’ve built a great following with a lot of valuable content. How long have you been building that channel?

I’ve had a YouTube channel for over ten years now.

That’s great. And you’ve continued to put out fresh content consistently.

Yes, it’s been a continuous ten years. It started with my background in computational chemistry and drug design. When I needed to understand autism, I went straight to PubMed and immersed myself in the research.

What I did for the channel was take one research publication at a time—something I felt was important for parents—and teach it in a way they could understand. Over time, it just grew and grew.

I love that approach. Not only are you providing great content, but you’re becoming the expert by absorbing all of that information.

Exactly. And this was all for my daughter as well, so I was personally invested. When you’re in that situation, it becomes incredibly important to truly understand what’s going on.

There’s no better learner than someone who is in the middle of it, where it feels like everything is on the line.

I completely understand that. No one knows your children better than you do. Sometimes you try different things—like changing food—and you see how it affects them.

And it’s amazing how something as simple as food can change behavior or personality.

Absolutely. Food, sleep, and especially gut health can dramatically influence how we feel and function.

We’re learning more than ever that what’s happening in the gut affects how we think and how the body communicates overall.

When things are more balanced, everything tends to work better.

Let’s go down the chemistry route for a moment. I’m known as “Organic Mike”—not because of organic food, but organic chemistry.

Organic chemistry was one of the hardest courses I ever took. It’s the class that filters people out before they get into medical or chiropractic school.

I remember getting a C in that class, and it bothered me so much that I spent the entire summer mastering it. I outlined the book, did all the problems, and then started tutoring other students.

At first, only a few showed up. Then more came. Eventually, I had 80 people showing up to learn organic chemistry before exams.

That’s amazing.

But your background is even more advanced—computational chemistry. What exactly is that?

I actually have a master’s in organic chemistry as well. I’ve always loved chemistry because it teaches you how to think.

Biology often involves memorization, but chemistry is about problem-solving.

Computational chemistry sits at the intersection of chemistry, biology, physics, math, and computer science. It brings everything together.

What we studied was how small molecules—potential drugs—interact with proteins. How they fit spatially, how charges interact, and what happens in the body.

It requires understanding both chemistry and biology at a deep level.

That’s fascinating. And it really highlights how chemistry is foundational to health.

Exactly. So much of what happens in the body is chemistry.

When did you find out your daughter had autism?

She was diagnosed at three and a half, although concerns were first raised when she was about eight months old.

Today, diagnoses can reliably be made around 18 months, so her diagnosis was considered somewhat late.

Do you think autism is something children are born with or something that develops over time?

It’s likely a combination of both genetics and environment. Even during pregnancy, environmental factors can play a role.

And that can be a sensitive topic, because parents may wonder if they did something wrong.

I definitely went through that. I spent months asking myself what I might have done differently.

But ultimately, we live in an imperfect world. The important question isn’t how we got here—it’s what we can do now.

Is there hope?

Absolutely. There’s hope—and there’s science.

For me, understanding the science increased my hope, which led to action, which led to better outcomes. It becomes a positive cycle.

When you don’t understand what’s happening, it can spiral in the opposite direction—fear, frustration, exhaustion.

When it comes to treatment approaches, there’s medical, natural, and integrative.

With autism, which approach is best?

All of them—integrated.

For example, take vitamin D. A conventional doctor might say a level of 25 is fine, while an integrative approach might aim for 60.

Both perspectives have value. The goal is to use all available tools.

The same applies to medication. It should be used thoughtfully—asking whether it helps the child or simply makes things easier for others.

Sometimes medication can help stabilize things short-term, but long-term, we need to address root causes.

Exactly. Medication can buy time while you work on deeper solutions.

How is autism diagnosed?

There’s no lab test. It’s based on observation—speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists—all contributing reports.

Then a specialist reviews everything and makes a diagnosis.

Are there biochemical markers?

Not for diagnosis. But when you study the health of individuals with autism, patterns can emerge.

Over time, research has shown that autism is not always lifelong.

Earlier studies suggested about 10% of children lost the diagnosis. More recent research shows up to 37%.

Are there common factors among those children?

The research didn’t go deep into health interventions, but one interesting finding was that as children improved, parents often reduced therapies like ABA.

That’s surprising.

Yes, because ABA is considered the gold standard. But many parents were also making dietary and health-based changes.

So what causes autism?

There’s no single cause, but many factors increase risk.

For example, air pollution exposure during pregnancy can increase risk significantly.

Environmental factors—whether in cities or rural areas—can vary, but both can involve exposures like pollution or pesticides.

Genetics also play a role, especially in how individuals detoxify.

So is detoxification the solution?

Not always. It can help in some cases, but autism is complex.

For example, issues with folate metabolism in the brain can affect speech. That’s not purely a detox issue.

So the key is identifying what’s happening in each individual child.

Exactly. There is no universal solution.

One of the most important insights is that many children with autism are learning and understanding more than they can express.

Challenges with motor control or communication can make it seem like they don’t understand—but they do.

That’s powerful.

It really is. When those barriers are removed, children can express what they’ve been learning all along.

We’ve seen cases where children go from non-speaking to communicating in multiple languages—not because they learned suddenly, but because they could finally express themselves.

Tell us about your platform.

We developed the Navigating Autism Matrix, which outlines seven key categories parents need to focus on.

It helps parents:

  • Understand cutting-edge science
  • Order lab tests
  • Build a healthcare team
  • Take structured action

We also provide coaching and community support.

How long does it take to see results?

It depends on the parent’s pace, but we aim for meaningful change within six months.

We use tools like the ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) to measure progress.

Final message?

For any parent: change is possible.

Autism is not necessarily lifelong. Science shows that improvement can happen.

The key is understanding your child’s unique health challenges, taking action, and reassessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can autism improve over time?

Yes, research suggests some children experience significant improvements, and some may no longer meet diagnostic criteria.

What causes autism?

There is no single cause. It likely involves a combination of genetics, environmental exposures, and overall health factors.

Is autism always lifelong?

Not always. Studies suggest a portion of children may lose the diagnosis over time.

How is autism diagnosed?

Through behavioral observation by specialists—not lab testing.

What is the Autism Matrix?

A structured system that helps parents identify root causes and take targeted action.