Recovering Autism

[happy2bmom0406]

Wow what a roller coaster I have been on.  Since my son was diagnosed with Autism I have had so many people come up to me to give me advice on "how to handle the issue".  Some people swear by recovery protocols.  I have learned about special diets, treatments of yeast and gut issues, vitamins, etc etc etc.  I have heard miracle stories and gotten a lot of support to do as much as I am comfortable with.

I have also heard the opposite side.  DON'T recover it, embrace it!  I have been called a terrible mother for not "accepting my son for who he is".  These "messages" have truly passed informative and moved right on to hateful.  I want to make something clear...I ACCEPT MY SON!!  I THINK HE IS BRILLIANT, WONDERFUL, SMART, AND PERFECT!!!  AUTISM OR NOT!!!  I pray that all of my loved ones get a child like my sweet Darian!!  He is truly the PERFECT kid!!!  He has been a joy from the first day!!!

My son was recently diagnosed with MAJOR food allergies and Celiac Disease, a gluten intolerance.  The diet has changed him.  He is calmer and happier.  He sleeps better and does not "fade away" as much as he used to.  Actuallly I have gotten quite used to his LOUD LAUGHTER!!  He is a happy boy!!  I did not do this because I was trying to get him to "fit in" either!  I did the diet because he could DIE if I give him gluten or the foods he is allergic to!!  HEAR ME...HE COULD DIE!!  This was not some "radical" treatment.  No more mail explaining that I am not giving him "healthy grains" FOR MY SON...IT IS NOT HEALTHY!!! 

As for the lady who said "Oh you are one of those mothers.  Just give him the high fructose corn syrup, it won't kill him!"  YOU ARE WRONG LADY!!!  Corn could kill my boy, he is allergic!!  PLUS if I decided to avoid high fructose corn syrup for no reason...IT IS MY CHOICE!!  Stop listening to those commercials that say this is okay.  They have an agenda behind those commercials!!!  And leave us alone in the stores!!  Go home and have your high fructose corn syrup and enjoy yourself!!  You won't see me embarassing you in the store.  I respect your right to eat as you decide!!!

I know that you can recover Autism.  I know it!  I have seen it and am in touch with lots of mommies who have.  These mothers are not worried about having a "different" kid, they are worried about having a "sick kid".  We all know how amazing our Autistic kids are.  We all have taken different approaches, some very agressive and some not so much.  For me...not so much.  The only agressive thing I have done is the diet and as I explained above...I have no choice!  I am so proud of these mommies because they want healthy kids  and do not deserve the hatefullness that is thrown at them.  They are tired of the diahrhea, stomach pains, frusturated kids, and scary medical tests.  They are not trying to get their kid to be "most popular' they are trying to get thier child to be a KID!  Be happy and not be up all night with stomach pains.

On the flip side...I respect moms who choose to not recover their kids.  If thier kids are healthy aside from the Autism then it is okay.  Autistic kids teach us a lot!!  They are more perceptive than we could ever be!  People saying "Autistic individuals do not make connections" are WRONG!!!  My son can be made anxious by moving a piece of furniture a few feet to the right!  He also REQUIRES those people that make him comfortable around him.  He connects with the world in ways I could never IMAGINE!!  He also is BRILLIANT at taking things apart and putting them back together.  He would be an AMAZING mechanic or surgeon!!!  Plus even with intervention, Autism does not go away!  As soon as gluten is re-introduced or the vitamins are not given...it comes back. 

I just want my boy to be healthy.  We eat fresh organic food and use natural treatments for minor ailments.  As for him "not fitting in" I am FINE with that!!  He is happy and I think he is perfect!!  Once people give him a chance they realize how truly remarkable he is!  And the ones who don't give him a chance...I feel sorry for them it is their loss!!  I am going to tell him OFTEN that he has Autism and he can be proud.  I want him FULLY INFORMED for when he cheats on his diet and gets "scattered".  I also want him to be able to proudly say to his friends "I have Autism".  He is lucky really,  he will know the TRUE meaning of friendship!  He will not be bogged down by "popularity issues" that neuro-typical kids get into.  I LOVE when he recites the ENTIRE "Finding Nemo" movie for us!  I love when he sings "Row Row Row Your Boat" full blast in the grocery store.  Most people find it cute as well.  The ones who don't...well I feel sorry for them...they don't get the TRUE BEAUTY a special needs kid shows!!

His symptoms of Autism have DRASTICALLY reduced once these HEALTHY interventions were introduced.  It is just a fact, a healthy gut makes a healthy body!  BUT his adorable quirks are still there and I am going to teach him to love them AS MUCH AS I DO!!!

Ladies...please stop the hatred!!  BOTH SIDES!!  It doesn't matter which side of the argument you are on!  We all love our children and want to make them healthy!  No one here is an abusive or neglectful parent.  WE would not want to be part of CAFE MOM if we were!!  Hello...it is Cafe MOM not Cafe ME!!  People DESERVE to give their children the treatments they find to be correct.  Autism is caused by MANY factors!!  We ACTUALLY are all right!!  My son's Autism was Genetics and Food Issues.  Some mom's know it is from Vaccinations.  Some just have the Genetics in their family and have no other explanations.  Do some reading...you will find they are all right!  Autism is not the "one cause" condition that so many are trying to prove.  My uncle's Autism was due to major medical treatments and interventions when he contracted Polio in the 1940's.  He went into isolation "neuro typical" and came out "autistic".  Even though he was never formally diagnosed, it is obvious when you are with him.  Obvoiously we have a sensitivity in the males in my family to "Synthetic Foods and Medicines"  It is a RESULT of something and it can be MANY factors. 

It also is the CAUSE of high intelligence and super super senses and perceptions!!  They have an AMAZING ability to pay attention to details and they are very literal.  My boy memorizes all of his movies!  He also can identify almost anything.  People are amazed being with my son while he recites the names of EVERYTHING he sees!!  He is four years old and speech delayed but smarter than me!!  Also when he cleans up after himself, there are no residual crumbs or toys!  He cleans to perfection!!!  WE have future geniuses on our hands...LET US DECIDE HOW TO RAISE THEM!!!  This cause has no right or wrong unless of course your treatment plan is to lock them in a closet.  Each side doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.  Making a kids body healthy cannot be bad and accepting a kid for who they are is not either.  Let's not be like the Democrats and Republicans.  You can see how effective they are ...fighting for their own side and not getting any results!!  The "I am right, you are wrong" battle is going to cause our children to suffer!!  We need to be bigger people, research things, and see the bigger picture!!  Lets learn to respect both sides and learn from each other!!  Our beautiful children DESERVE it!!!

[miregina]

Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:04 PM

There is a great group that you can join to get support and make friends with people that are going through the same thing as you are.

http://devinsfriends.ning.com

[Mimi1Star]

Jan. 16, 2009 at 10:12 PM

I believe you and I know how you feel.  My daughter wasn't diagnosed with Autism but is speech delayed and they tend to have similar behavoirs.  It is very difficult dealing with family members and people who don't underdstand how this affects your life.  It does change you plus it opens your eyes to a whole different world.  My daughter is 4 years old and extremely gifted when it comes to computers, puzzles, cooking, her memory surpasses most children her age but she can't talk, she can barely say the basic words of a one year old.  It is very painful at times, you do feel for your child but you also know that these kids are special and so loving.  It's amazing how wonderful this really is, it forces you to embrace things about your child that you probably would have overlooked if life had just gone by as "normal".  If only the criticism would stop huh?  Well, it's not going to it probably never will.  That is the human nature.  I can tell you love your boy and think the world of him.  He's lucky to have you as his mom.  Good luck.

[djb]

Jan. 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM

It is what it is. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom.  Bless you and your son.