Posted by Nancy

Here is a letter I sent to close friends and family to tell them about our son’s autism – perhaps it will give some of you ideas as well.

Wyatt’s Race

Last May our son Wyatt was diagnosed with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, a growing epidemic that affects as many as 1 in 166 children. Autism is a devastating biological and neurological disorder that can affect individuals in the areas of communication, social skills, behaviors and medical problems. If untreated, the condition continues to regress or get worse.  After going through the stages of grief (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance) we began forging ahead with our efforts in healing and recovering our son.

I was lucky enough to get to the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) conference last October and was awakened to the potential for recovery after hearing some of the top medical doctors and scientists from across the country that are specializing in science based effective treatments for Autistic children. Biomedical autism intervention is the knowledge that autism spectrum disorders are a biological condition that includes genetic susceptibilities, environmental toxins, immune dysfunction, and nutritional imbalances as causative factors in the autistic condition.
We are working with two doctors that are international leaders in the field, a pediatrician here in LA (I found his address on the internet and he ends up living two houses up from us) — and a brilliant neuromolecular psychiatrist and yogi named Andrew Levinson (right up my spiritual seeking alley) in Miami. Read, Wyatt and I are going to Miami for an Autism conference at his clinic in two weeks to learn more.

We are the lucky ones, in fact, because we can afford to see these doctors. Many of the children that Wyatt goes to school don’t have parents that have time to research, buy the medications, and do the special diets required for recovery. They are too busy worrying about their own survival.

We are also doing behavioral therapies that have been shown to be effective. Because they are exorbitantly expensive and require funding I am now by necessity becoming an expert in the areas of special education law and advocacy. We have begun funding them ourselves and hired an advocate/attorney to assist us obtaining some benefits from the state. The programs are demanding, requiring parent training and home involvement.

The next year is crucial because the earlier the intervention the more hopeful the outcome, due to the neuroplasticity of the brain when a child is under the age of five.

We are already seeing improvement with Wyatt in the last few months – less tantrums, more language, increased eye contact and less hyperactivity. Our specialists say that we can work toward and even anticipate having him in a mainstream educational program one day.

Read brought me home a production handbook that he had inscribed with the title “Wyatt’s Race” complete with a graphic of a racer at the starting block to keep track of important files. Dr. Levinson says the race we are running “is a marathon, not a sprint.” It’s not going to be easy and we are going to have to make a lot of sacrifices and lifestyle changes. We are going to run it with all the strength we have and know that with the support of family and friends we will reach the finish line.

Hopefully this will help explain why I may not answer emails or phone calls right away, or why we may be busier than ever in the months to come. I could write volumes more on the experience, and fortunately for me Christina Adams has already written a book entitled “A REAL BOY” that could be our story , if you are interested in finding out  more. Wyatt is still our beautiful little boy and the greatest thing that ever happened to us — no regrets.

I realize that all of you have your share of challenges as well,
and I wish you courage in dealing with whatever you may be facing in this life.

Love,

Nancy

Please take a moment to introduce yourself…

You probably already know my story. My son Jake just turned 5 on Saturday. He was officially diagnosed at 3, but looking back, he started slipping away at about 18 months or so. Lost his speech and eye contact, ear infections, antibioitics. Your basic nightmare.

We’re currently working with DAN! doctor Nancy Mullan in Burbank, CA and follow the GFCF diet, have a supplement regimen, do B-12 shots every other day and TD-DMPS every other day. We also keep the house as toxin free as possible by using green cleansers.

Jake has come a long, long, long way since we first started suspecting autism. He’s totally verbal now, lost all of his OT issues, is socializing with kids his age (this time last year, he didn’t know it was his birthday…yesterday he insisted his friends get out of the bouncy house because he wanted to do the birthday cake now). We’re not out of the woods yet, but I have all the faith in the world that we’ll keep reversing the symptoms and I’m really optimistic about where we’ll be on his 6th birthday.

And you???

I used to be kind of embarrassed about the diagnosis. I think it goes back to the refrigerator mom thing. Don’t be!! I don’t care anymore because as the symtoms start diminishing…you know it’s not hopeless and it gives you the strength you need to be brave.

Talk to your friends, talk to your teachers. I still get a little wierd when it comes to the mom’s from Jakes “regular” school…I worry that they’re going to look at him differently or say something to their kids. But really…I’m not sure they haven’t figured it out on their own anyway.

Top people to contact:

1.) Your public school district…whether or not you have diagnosis, they will assess your child and you’ll most likely get services.

2.) Your Regional Center (or whatever it is called in other states – someone help me out here)

3.) Us!! I know it’s pretty much just me here now, but I see more guest reading these posts every day. Join me and we can figure this all out together.

4.) Seek out a DAN! Doctor or a pediatrician familiar with the biomedical treatments available for autism.

Even when you already know, the day you get the diagnosis is rough. I hate labels and I had a thousand fears that Jake wasn’t going to be looked at like a boy any more, but an autistic boy. I still have that fear. As parents of spectrum kids, I think that’s one of our biggest bonds…the dreaded stigma.

I encourage you to start looking into the GFCF diet, supplements and switching to toxin free home products right away. The Reverse Autism starter kit will be available in June. In that kit, I’ll be interviewing doctors and experts in those 3 areas. Plus, it will give you the exact steps you need to get started…including a 30 day supply of Brainchild Vitamin and Mineral formulas (created by a Dad with 2 kids now testing off of the spectrum). Until then, take a look at generationrescue.com. It talks a lot about biomedically treating autism and the steps you should consider. We’re going to be rolling out a series of DVDs covering the various treatment options and how to use them…but please don’t wait. There are things you can start now.

Things you can do RIGHT NOW…

- Start adding Epsom Salts to your child’s bath. They help to pull toxins from the body.
- Pick up some Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA. They’re pretty tasty and are like brain food.
- Look into DMG and TMG. Jake did better with DMG. You can get little sugary “melt-aways” by CountryLife. Jake actually likes them and I felt his eye contact improved within days of starting it.

I’m a little sleepy. I’ll add more to this forum in the next few days. Feel free to ask any questions.

:)

If your child has just been diagnosed, or know something is wrong and don’t know what to do…here are some steps to get you rolling.

1.) Contact your local public school system. Let them know your situation and that you want to have your child evaluated.

2.) Buy the book called “Children With Starving Brains” by Jaqueline McCandless. Read it.

3.) Take a look at www.GenerationRescue.com. It will help you navigate through the biomedical treatments for autism.

4.) Buy the Reverse Autism Starter Kit (available June ‘06) it will help you get rolling – and start reversing the symptoms of autism – as you figure out your bigger game plan. (Ex: finding a DAN doc, therapies, chelation, etc).

5.) Find other parents in the same boat…it will help you to keep your chin up. Whether that be through these forums, or finding a support group in your area. There is safety in numbers.

Always remember there is hope. Autism is not a disease…there are things you can do to reverse the symptoms!!