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