I recently received an e-mail from a friend wanting to help her another friends’ daughter. They are desperate but it is a story all too familiar for families with children on the autism spectrum. This little girl, who is in grade school, is impulsive, frustrating other children to the point where they are worried for her safety, and is slipping in school because she cannot sit or focus. Her parents are broken hearted and just do not know what to do. They are looking at medication, but have not really tried alternatives. Sound familiar?
When a child is diagnosed with ADD, ADHD or another Autism Spectrum Disorder, doctors really have little to offer. I know that when our daughter was diagnosed, our doctors were very sympathetic, but had two options: traditional therapies and western medication. For our daughters severe sensory issues, medication was not even an option. Thankfully, we had earlier seen physical symptoms and gone down a nutritional path. By 10 months old, she, like many of the spectrum, had severe digestive issues and was in alot of pain. She had stopped making milestones and we associated them with her digestive issues. She also began to get sick alot. We were able to deal with many of those issue with supplements. In addition, her physical therapists noticed a big difference in her ability to concentrate, at 18 months, with her chewable multi before therapy. Thus began my obsession with getting my now 8 year old healthy.
Natural Nutritional Therapy, in my opinion, is one of the safest and first interventions that can help our children. We now offer consulting services to other families looking at nutritional therapies and alternatives and compliments to medication. While we do believe there is a time and place for medication, much can be done to heal the many physical issues that our children suffer and thus heal their bodies. To learn more about or to schedule a nutritional consultation for you or your family member on the autism spectrum, contact us at asdperspectives. Our approach is gentle and we work with each family individually.
Posted in: News & Events.
B vitamins are your happy vitamins. They reduce stress, balance hormones, regulate blood sugars and aid the body in a variety of ways. I first became familiar with them when I was experiencing postpartum depression after my third child was born. I began taking natural supplements including a multi-vitamin, b-complex supplement and a soy protein replacement. Within a matter of days I truly felt better than I had ever remembered feeling.
Flash to several years later when we learned that one of our children was on the autism spectrum and another had thyroid disease, I immediately knew they needed B-supplements. A functional medicine doctor recommended a sublingual b-vitamin that would absorb quickly through the mounth, for quicker absorption. Some experts readily recommend sublingual or methyl b-vitamins because they by-pass the digestive tract and go strait into the blood stream, while others argue that this method better works in a injectable form. Personally, we found the most benefit when our children were old enough to swallow the same b-complex supplement that I took during those postpartum days and beyond.
Dr. Kurt Woeller, a biomedical autism Intervention specialist in California argues that “in terms of clinical research behind it, the methyl B-12 injections are ahead of the other forms.” This argument actually supports my own teaching that some vitamins work well, when isolated in an injectable form, but do not work so well on their own in another form. Many of the B-vitamins need each other inorder to absorb properly into the body. Therefore, taking individual b-supplements are not as effective as taking a b-complex that contains all 8 essentail b-vitamins. In addition, because b-vitamins are water soluable, they need to constantly be replenished or your body is taxed.
Especially in conditions such as autism, add, adhd, sensory disorders and endochrine diseases such as thyroid disease, supplementation is vital because stress on the body depletes our stores faster. So unless you or your child are taking injectable forms of b-vitamins, we recommend that you consider taking a natural b-complex supplement. If you are also taking a sublingual under a doctorsrecommendation, the b-complex will help keep your other b-stores working properly so that your body can best use the others that your doctor may recommend.
For a list of each of the B-vitamins, what they do in your body and symptoms of low b-vitamins, we recommend this link on Wikipedia.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
I was blown away, this past April, when the Centers for Disease control came out and said that they now believe autism statistics have reached the level of 1 in 100 children. My first reaction was that not even the autism community dared quote stats that high. But, with ever growing numbers of children being diagnosed at various points on the spectrum, we are left to wonder, how high will the numbers go before something is done to stop the growth.
In a study of ten communities, between 2002 and 2006, the center for disease control found an average of 57% increase in the prevelance of autism. These numbers are staggering. In some communities, the numbers were even higher. If we were to be blown away by that increase, 1 in 100 children should definately mobilize the troops. But, I have not heard the troops being released… have you? Sure, articles are all over the news, and parenting newspapers like IndyChild are now dedicating entire sections to helping families find resources in their area…. but I am looking for trumpets blaring, a Presidential Press Conference announcing that the government will finally finance research studies to find a cause- even if the answers lead to pollution and vaccines, and at minimum, a line item in the health care bill that says we will make sure our children will be taken care of and treated for a cure. Alas, from what I can see, autism is not even in the bill. I am told it would just be too expensive. From where I sit, it may be too expensive to not address this National Epidemic now…
Posted in: News & Events, Parenting with Autism.
Vaccinations are a somewhat controversial topic, in the autism world. Each person must do their own research and determine what is best for their child. Obviously there are three perspectives. Some choose to completely stop vaccinating their children when they learn of a possible autism link. Others continue as they previously vaccinated while many are choosing to spread out their vaccine schedules. This topic was recently posed on one of our homeschool blogs, so I thought I would post a spread out vaccine schedule. This is just one option, but a place to begin.
“Those who question the benefit of mass immunisation are not all irrational non-believers. Most support vaccination but are concerned at – and question the necessity for – the large number of vaccines and the early ages at which these are given. Many have studied the research, only to find – as I have – contradiction and uncertainty. They deserve to be treated with respect and given the opportunity for an open and honest debate.”
- Dr. Richard Halverson, letter to the British Medical Journal
Dr. Donald Miller, in his 2004 article, suggests this as one proposed vaccine schedule:
This is a vaccination schedule that I would recommend:
-
- No vaccinations until a child is two years old.
- No vaccines that contain thimerosal (mercury).
- No live virus vaccines (except for smallpox, should it recur).
- These vaccines, to be given one at a time, every six months, beginning at age 2:
- Pertussis (acellular, not whole cell)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio (the Salk vaccine, cultured in human cells)
- To read his entire article, click here.
We hope this is helpful and would love to hear what topics you want to hear more about.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
Despite my earlier observations on post- vacation adjustment…. we have ventured out on another family excursion. This one has become our annual trip to Family Land, a Catholic family camp, that our children do really love. They spend a week on swimming, pony and horse back riding, sliding on the St. John the Baptist water slide, smores, and kids camp programs. We, the adults, with our littlest ones in tow, get to enjoy all the fun with our children, while also enjoying the adult programs in the morning.
Our family, being the least likely to really rough it, stay in the air conditioned cabins in St. James field and use the luxury bath house 
. So last night, in the middle of the night, our 8 year old wakes up screaming (not uncommon when out of her surroundings). After waking up most of the cabin, we finally conclude that she has to use the restroom. In one of my not so great moments, I proceed to lecture her about her need to scream and wake everyone up. At this point, our oldest is also in tow to the restroom and gently chides me, “She can’t help it mom, she has autism.” While processing the reality of the statement, I try to mentally fight back with a “Well, she is high functioning,” thought.
As I sit here writing, I still ponder the statement…. “she can’t help it…” and wonder if that is true. That is a topic in and of itself…equally impotant to me is the question of how her siblings are processing the situation. As a mom, I know that I often teach my children to have compassion for their siblings, whether it be Catherine with her diabetes, Gabriel with his sleep disorder
or even the baby in her littleness. But, this statement, “she can’t help it,” leaves me with so many questions. Can she help it? Is her sister correct? How do we teach one child to handle another? In the end, we would probably all do alot better to have compassion, whether it be towards our own children or the children of others. And just perhaps, they will have compassion and empathy towards us in the end.
Easier said that done! How do you teach siblings about their siblings differences? We would love to hear.
Posted in: Parenting with Autism.
So as the conversation always is, when in the car with my 8 year old… this was another interesting one. “Mom, there are two new kids in our class….. (Jack) says he is only there (at the Autism Center) because his sister is there. He says his dad told him he does not have autism.” “Really, do you think he has autism?” She relies candidly, “i don’t know.” I ask, “Do you think you have autism?” She pauses, thinks about the question and says, “I really do not know.” and proceeds with the daily report.
“Mom, Miss Ann had to add ‘meditating’ to the list of free time options so (Bill) would know he could meditate during free time if he wanted,” she chuckles and explains that he woul dnot know he could do that if it was not on the list. “Really?” I question pretending to not be questioning of this interest of Bills.” “Yep- he puts his fingers together and makes a funny sound.” She is still amused and I am glad she is not taking much of an interest in meditating.
The conversation goes on for quite some time as she tells me that another child is lower functioning and another is higher functioning and I wonder- Is my child even on the spectrum? Alas the memories of her struggles to talk and walk and assimilate to the sounds and lights around her flood my mind. I am reminded that she had a melt down when her class size increased to 5 children (too loud… to hectic for her) and I remember that every child is different… As the mother of 5 beautiful child, one with aspergers, one with PDDnos, one with type 1 diabetes and one with other medical issues…. I settle into enjoying this very intelligent recounting of a day in the life of PDDnos.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
It seems like it gets harder and harder for my sensory sensitive children to regroup after a trip. In May, all 7 of us traversed to DisneyLand for a much anticipated vacation. Yes, that means that my husband and I flew accross the country with 5 children- ages 15 months to 10 years- complete with our 5 year olds diabetic needles and insulin in one hand and our stress relief complex and supplements in the other. Insanity, I know but Mickey Mouse and sunshine were waiting. Did I mention our 5 year old was gifted poison ivy by her brother before we left?
The trip itself was busy and crazy, but the memories were well worth the adventure. We defiantely recommend checking out the Disney Autism Blogs to gain much needed advise on making the trip easier. Having said that, our biggest shock was upon returning…. we returned on a Friday. By Saturday our 8 year old daughter with PDDnos was breaking. By Sunday night, she was crying for Miss Jenny- her therapist. In the 4 years since she started therapy programs, never had she cried for a therapist. We know her cry was also for stability.
So, this 4th of July weekend we traveled again… for my sisters wedding. My kids love hotels and the wedding was great. But by the time we returned home- I was close to crying for a therapist- and I am not even joking. My 3 sensory sensitive children were screaming, our 5 year old with type 1 diabetes was out of control and even our perfectly content 16 month old was screaming… Friday we leave for family camp- just enough time to regroup!
Do you have tips you can share for smooth travels? We woud love to share them with our readers….
Posted in: Uncategorized.
There are many myths of autism and I thought I would highlight a few, according to Lisa Jo Rudy of About.com. Until we dispel the myths that the media loves to perpetuate, we will not begin the real work of find causes and cures.
A diagnosis of autism is not the end of love and hope. But media stories thrive on the most overwhelming and horrifying circumstances. Here are just a few of the myths perpetuated by TV, magazines and movies — myths that, at least in my opinion, deserve to be blown away!
1. Autistic People Are All Alike
Myth: If I’ve met an autistic person (or seen the movie Rain Man), I have a good idea of what all autistic people are like.Fact: Autistic people are as different from one another as they could be. The only elements that ALL autistic people seem to have in common are unusual difficulty with social communication.
2. Autistic People Don’t Have Feelings
Myth: Autistic people cannot feel or express love or empathy.Fact: Many — in fact, most — autistic people are extremely capable of feeling and expressing love, though sometimes in idiosyncratic ways! What’s more, many autistic people are far more empathetic than the average person, though they may express their empathy in unusual ways.
3. Autistic People Don’t Build Relationships
Myth: Autistic people cannot build solid relationships with others.Fact: While it’s unlikely that an autistic child will be a cheerleader, it is very likely that they will have solid relationships with, at the very least, their closest family members. And many autistic people do build strong friendships through shared passionate interests. There are also plenty of autistic people who marry and have satisfying romantic relationships.
One of the biggest problems with these myths is that next to no people on the spectrum fit within these myths; therefore, not only will many people be mistreated and wrongly judged; but also, many will be undiagnosed and fail to receive treatment because of misconceptions. Check out the links on our blog page to learn more about autism.
Posted in: Myth or Fact.
As explained on the NBC website after the newly created show, “Parenthood” aired an episode on aspergers. It’s about time that the media started paying attention to autism- a national epidemic. We applaud networks like NBC and PBS for doing so….
Asperger’s Disorder was first described by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger in the 1940s, who observed boys who possessed normal intelligence and language development traits but were experiencing challenges with social and communication skills. Though it was classified as a separate disorder from autism in 1994, many professionals feel that Asperger syndrome is simply a milder form of autism; they use the term “high-functioning autism.” Separate or not, it is a very real condition that can have significant impact on affected families, like the fictional Bravermans of “Parenthood.”
What can I do if I think my child has Asperger syndrome?
Talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. If you or your doctor thinks there could be a problem, ask for a referral to see a specialist such as a developmental pediatrician or psychologist. Talk with your child’s teacher or school counselor, too.
Want to know more? Here are some resources that can help you better understand Asperger syndrome and its treatment:
Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS) Center
The Autism Society
A Parent’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome from the CDC
Posted in: Myth or Fact.
This is autism awareness month and the media is finally taking some serious notice. With 1 in 70 boys and 1-117 children on the autism spectrum, it is clearly an epidemic. Here is an explanation of why the childrens’ show, Arthus- depicted aspergers. Thank you to the producers of Arthur, the new show Parenthood and many others for taking notice and bringing awareness to a much needed topic. Children need to be understood.
Last year, when the PBS Kids show Arthur invited its young viewers to create a pal with disabilities for the Elwood City crew, mention was made of an upcoming character named Carl who would add autism to the list of special needs the show has discussed — along with Buster’s asthma, Binky’s nut allergies, George’s dyslexia, and Marina’s blindness. Carl makes his debut this Monday, April 5, in an episode called “When Carl Met George” (that’s Carl, left, and George in the illustration). A press release from WGBH Boston gives this plot summary:George is excited about spending time with his new friend, Carl, who loves to draw trains and knows all kinds of cool facts about them! George discovers that Carl has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, and that Carl sees the world a bit differently than George and many kids. Despite their differences, George and Carl become great pals — and learn a lot from each other. The story is followed by a live-action segment featuring kids with Asperger’s and autism. We meet Bess and Linnea at Lovelane, a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding to kids with special needs, and then we follow Linnea to her neighborhood school and meet her teacher and classmates. Terri Mauro, About.com Guide to Special Children
You can see the Arthur segments at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0TyHLWEhII
Posted in: Myth or Fact.
