Help With Autism

Aspies For Freedom (AFF) is an autism awareness and autism rights movement founded by Amy and Gareth Nelson. Gareth has Asperger syndrome and has frequently been critical of efforts to cure autism. To Gareth, being on the spectrum is not negative; there is no need for a cure, he believes.

He is supported by people such as Arthur Caplan who said, “There are many in the autism and Asperger’s community, like the newly formed Aspies For Freedom, who worry that the minute a genetic test appears, it will spell the end for a lot of future geniuses…Maybe there will be fewer Thomas Jeffersons or Lewis Carrrolls – remarkable thinkers who also fit the profile for Asperger’s.” AFF certainly adds a new dimension to autism research and bioethics.

The sooner mercury poisoning is identified and treated, the better. Decontamination for humans begins by removing all clothing that came in contact with mercury. Skin must be immediately washed with soap and water as mercury can be absorbed through pores. Saline solution should be used to flush out the eyes, if needed.

If inorganic mercury is accidentally swallowed, chelation therapy is typical. DMSA chelation therapy is the only therapy approved by the FDA for children, although it is not effective for poisoning due to mercury vapors. Chelation can be hazardous if used incorrectly, so consult a physician before starting chelation treatment, particularly if the therapy is being used on a child.

Most articles on autism focus on the young children who are diagnosed with the disease, but while the symptoms and the severity of the disease may change overtime, it rarely goes away completely. Autism typically has an impact on social behavior, and as kids grow older, a parents ability to assist in social situations is diminished. This raises the question of how and when to begin giving your child more independence.

A recent article in the Boston Globe highlights a new book by Clair Scovell LaZebnik, which tackles the question of how to address autism with older children. LaZebnik is a parent of four, and her oldest son, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, contributed to the book. He is now 18, and the book draws on their relationship and the challenges that they faced with the disease as he entered middle and high school.

Despite ongoing research, scientists and doctors have been unable to come to a consensus about how autism develops and what are the best ways to treat it. This doesn’t mean that there is a shortage articles on autism however. It seems like everyday there is a new study or paper released that sheds some more light on the anomaly that is autism.

There are many myths and rumors circulating in regard to autism, and it is important to go to reliable sources to get your information. Several autism websites provide links to peer-reviewed articles that have been published in reputable medical journals. These well-researched articles will be the most reliable sources of information on the latest developments and scientific findings related to the disease. 

13-year-old Carly Fleischman has severe autism and has spent her life unable to verbalize.  After years of extensive autism therapy, Carly had a breakthrough two years ago, beginning to spell out words on a computer keyboard.  Her speech pathologist and parents are amazed and excited by how articulate and intelligent Carly is.  She began to open up to them, describing what it is like to have autism, and there are things she wants people to understand about her disorder.  “It is hard to be autistic because no one understands me. People look at me and assume I am dumb because I can’t talk or I act differently than them. I think people get scared with things that look or seem different than them.” 

Therapists say the lesson to be learned from Carly’s story is for families to persevere and continue to be creative in their attempts to help children with autism find their voice.  Carly’s father points out that if her parents had listened to what many people told them years ago, they wouldn’t have the child they have today.  Carly’s speech pathologist asked Carly to speak to her colleagues about autism, asking what she would like to tell them.  Carly’s response?  “I would tell them never to give up on the children that they work with.”  Carly had more to say to people who don’t comprehend autism: “Autism is hard because you want to act one way, but you can’t always do that. It’s sad that sometimes people don’t know that sometimes I can’t stop myself and they get mad at me. If I could tell people one thing about autism it would be that I don’t want to be this way. But I am, so don’t be mad. Be understanding.”

Adapted from ABC World News Report story by John McKenzie, February 19, 2008

FAIR Autism Media has posted the press conference held earlier today in Atlanta with the family of Hannah Poling.

Click here to view:  http://www.autismmedia.org/media11.html

LONDON: They were certainly creative geniuses. But what was the common trait in Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton? Well, both had “autism”.A leading psychiatrist at Trinity College in Dublin has claimed that both Einstein and Newton displayed signs of autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger syndrome, which were the same as those associated with creative genius.

He came to the conclusion after comparing the characteristics of around 1,600 people he has diagnosed with ASDs and the known biographical details of famous people.

Just a quick update.  Olivia tied her own shoes, yesterday!  She got a new pair of Reeboks with the circles on the bottom of them.  She has an extreme fascination with shoes, to the point where she will stop a complete stranger and ask to see his/her shoes up close including the bottoms of the soles.  Anyway, she tied them both and is very, very proud.  We have been seeing good progress since we started using the AF-x a couple of months ago.  It is natural nutrition that is sprayed under the tongue.  Olivia actually looks forward to getting her “shot” before bedtime.

We used this Heavy Metal Detox product, PCA-Rx, and it helped Olivia right away.  We started with just 2 sprays and built up to 4.  Within a couple of days she said that she wanted to go to her own bed.  She had been on our floor for over 6 months!  Then she started to dress herself!  This is at age five (diagnosed autistic at 2 1/2).  I bought it at www.helpyourautisticchild.com.   They seem to have the cheapest price.