I've not tried bentonite chelation although I looked into it. I decided against it due to its possible affects on good bacteria in the gut, constipation and the fact it contains trace amounts of aluminium. My DD already had enough gut issues and I didn't want to use a treatment that may exasperate them, plus I felt she was too young and wouldn't be overly accommodating anyway.

I did use alternative methods such as eating foods high in sulphur (onion/garlic in particular), epsom salts baths, and improving good gut bacteria through eating a lot of fermented foods and the removal of yeast from the diet. I did see quite large improvements. On an interesting point, DD's hair samples showed quite low metals, which is usual for autistic children, combined with her blood tests (which showed high levels) it showed she was not excreting them like she should. I haven't taken her back to be retested yet though - but we would initially want to see higher levels in her hair, not less.
Yeddi - I had read about the potential effect on diminishing gut flora too, but I managed to find able a brand which also contains probiotic bacteria and other herbs which support the gut lining/mucous membranes. Supposedly there are various practitioner only ranges which use purified bentonite? We order bags of it for the garden but we won't use that internally for the reasons you mentioned. Sounds like you've obviously put in heaps of time and effort with regards to yr DD. I'm sure she's come a long way and you have learnt heaps in the process! That's really interesting about your DD's hair samples..... I'm convinced that bentonite reduced my heavy metal count based on other physical factors, but it definitely sounds like yr DD has had issues excreting them in the first place. You have interested me in having my blood tested for HMs now!!

I also looked into Zeolite but it is very expensive. Because of the structure of zeolite, it traps the heavy metals in there and they cannot get out, so even if the zeolite was unpurified (the best type is), according to theory it would pass through the body without depositing metals, only attracting and locking in more. Sounds too good to be true, but last I heard they had trialed it in a study of Autistic kids in the US with some wonderful results! I wish they added Zeolite instead of Fluoride to the water supply.....

Babyluv - I will pm you.