Read the full blog below

Total Load Theory

I recently discovered the novel & practical concept of Total Load Theory on Autism by Patricia Lemur, a professional counsellor for learning disabilities and the author of the book Outsmarting Autism. In Patricia’s words, Total Load is the cumulative effect of environmental, immunological, neurological, psychological and toxicological stressors that gradually wear down the body’s systems. These hidden burdens can lead to the collapse of functions, like language and social-emotional behavioural abilities. A booklet by Greater Boston Physicians on Toxic threats to Child Development details how exposure to toxic substances has caused millions of children to develop learning, behavioural, and developmental challenges, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, language delays and autism. Understanding this concept was like finding the missing pieces of Mihir’s Autism story. As I reflect, I realised that these stressors began accumulating even before my son’s birth, and by his first birthday, they had manifested as autism.

In 2016, I relocated to Mumbai for a job opportunity that promised growth but came with a whirlwind of challenges. My husband, my pillar of support, left his job to join me on this journey. The city overwhelmed us with its chaos, but we embraced it, finding a tiny 1 BHK flat in Chunabhatti near Sion. The apartment, barely 320 square feet, had no partitions between rooms, a cramped kitchen, and persistently leaking walls. When the elevator broke down — often due to overload, we climbed eleven floors on foot. Still, we found solace in having a place to call home.

A few months later, I became pregnant with Mihir. It was a fragile pregnancy from the start, marked by long commutes, physical exhaustion, and the overwhelming demands of adjusting to a new city and life. Reflecting now, I realise that every decision we made — from living in a cramped apartment to matching the uninhibited pace of Mumbai — added layers of stress, not just to me but potentially to Mihir even before he came into this world.

Recently, I assessed my stress levels using the Everyday Epigenetics Evaluator for Adults and Children (E3A and E3C), developed by Dr. Martha Herbert, MD and Patricia Lemur, MEd. This tool evaluates stressors across categories such as diet, electromagnetic field exposure, sleep habits, social/emotional health, toxin exposure, hydration and more. My score in 2016 would have been a staggering 48 — a glaring reminder of how high my stress levels were and the urgent need to make changes in our lives. Today, thanks to the conscious changes in our lifestyle, my score has dropped to 21, which is still at the edge.

For parents navigating similar journeys, my advice is simple: assess the stressors around you and your family. Take a complete history of stress factors. Make changes where you can — every step matters. Even small changes — in diet, sleep habits, or reducing exposure to toxins — can make a significant difference in your family’s well-being. I have seen positive changes in Mihir’s behaviours and overall understanding after we gradually worked towards reducing these load factors.

Appendix

To assess the stressors or total load factors, around you, please take the test for yourself. It contains over 100 ‘yes or no’ questions. If your score is above 20, it is high time to make changes in your everyday life.

You can access the Everyday Epigenetics Evaluator for Adults and Children here https://www.scribd.com/document/716299648/GX-EVERYDAY-EPIGENETICS-EVALUATOR-FOR-ADULTS