Another Side to the Holidays

I found this poem on mercola.com.  It was in the comments section.  It seemed like a fitting description of the holidays or birthdays of people with autism, sensory processing, or other issues. 

For those of you that face this problem, I'm sure you'll understand.  Those that don't still won't understand the full meaning. 

Autism Night Before Christmas

by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house

The creatures were stirring

Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin

And gave a hot bath

But the holiday jitters

They always distract

The children were finally

All nestled in bed

When nightmares of terror

Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift

the right color

And style

Would there be a tantrum

Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come

But they don't understand

The pleasure he gets

Just from flapping his hands.

"He needs discipline," they say

"Just a well-needed smack,

You must learn to parent..."

And on goes the attack

We smile and nod

Because we know deep inside

The argument is moot

Let them all take a side

We know what it's like

To live with the spectrum

The struggles and triumphs

Achievements, regressions...

But what they don't know

and what they don't see

Is the joy that we feel

Over simplicity

He said "hello"

He ate something green!

He told his first lie!

He did not cause a scene!

 

He peed on the potty

Who cares if he's ten,

He stopped saying the same thing

Again and again!

Others don't realize

Just how we can cope

How we bravely hang on

At the end of our rope

But what they don't see

Is the joy we can't hide

When our children with autism

Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others

Without the problems we face

With jealousy, hatred

Or even distaste,

But what they don't know

Nor sometimes do we

Is that children with autism

Bring simplicity.

We don't get excited

Over expensive things

We jump for joy

With the progress work brings

Children with autism

Try hard every day

That they make us proud

More than words can say.

They work even harder

Than you or I

To achieve something small

To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don't get it

Or can't get a clue

Take a walk in my shoes

And I'll assure you

That even 10 minutes

Into the walk

You'll look at me

With respect, even shock.

You will realize

What it is I go through



Free Webinar on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Toxicity-Induced Developmental & Behavioral Disorders

I can't speak highly enough of testing and support provided by Great Plains Laboratory.  If you or a loved one suffer from many ailments that seem to baffle medical doctors, you should check into Great Plains.  Their website has many articles and answers.

They offer free monthly webinars to anyone interested.  Just make sure you sign up before hand.  Not only can you listen to the advice of many practitioners specializing in autism and other unexplainable disorders, but they also allow a time of Q&A at the end.

The next FREE Webinar Lecture is February 25 from 7-9 pm.  The topic is Autism Spectrum Disorders:  Toxicity-Induced Developmental and Behavioral Disorders.

(Know anyone who falls into that category?)

In this free webinar presentation, Dr. Bergeron and Terry Wright will discuss how toxins contribute to autism spectrum disorders and other developmental and behavioral disorders. Through an overview of laboratory assessments, Dr. Bergeron and Terry Wright will recommend effective treatments, such as combination therapies including biomedical, nutritional, and behavioral. In addition, other topics to be discussed are: nutritional deficiencies, dietary suggestions, metabolism, heavy metals, food reactions, infections & the immune system, detoxification & recommended therapies.


Rhett Bergeron, M.D., has studied the immune system in chronic fatigue / fibromyalgia and cancer since 1996. His current practice integrates nutritional, metabolic, biological and immune therapies with conventional medicine in the treatment of chronic diseases.


Terry Wright, Nutritionist, has over 17 years experience helping people to better health. Some modalities that he employs include hair-tissue-mineral analysis, iridology, detoxification, Bio-terrain testing, saliva hormone testing, food allergy testing, oat testing, and raw food therapy.

Reserve your webinar lecture seat now at:

www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/outreach.asp

Autism and the God Connection

*Disclaimer:  Do not read this post if you are closed or even narrow minded. 
Autism and the God Connection:  Redefining the Autistic Experience Through Extraordinary Accounts of Spiritual Giftedness by William Stillman.

I must admit, I did not go to the library in search of this book.  The title seemed to jump out at me when I saw it.  Why? 

From an early age my husband and I noticed differences in our youngest child, Shayla.  We used to say she had an old soul.  She seemed so careful, so wise beyond her years.  She would stand on the sidelines and watch children of her age fall and make mistakes.  Many would say that is because of her perfectionist quality or anxieties, or whatever, but we saw something different.  Words can't describe what we saw in her, you'll just have to take my word for it.

Shayla was the earliest of my three girls to talk.  At 10 weeks old she said, "Good, good girl."  This was something we said frequently to her.  She quickly went through the Mama/Dada stage and by age two was carrying on an adult-like conversation with anyone.  Not like a typical two year old.  Her words were clear, they were said with purpose and could easily be understood by anyone who heard her.

Until one day, between the ages of 2 and 3, she declared, "I don't like people."  She has not spoken in public since.  Obviously, at age two, we didn't know the impact of this statement.  I can't recall any one event that would make her not like people. 

Around this same time, Shayla used to tell us a story about her having a brother in Florida.  Now I know many children have imaginary people in their lifetimes, but this was different.  She had so many details and the details were the same each time.  Not only that, but where on earth did she get the vocabulary that she used?

Shayla claims that she had a brother in Florida, his name is Paul Curtison.  He had a wife named Rosa.  Paul was a sailor that sailed the seven seas.  He fell overboard during a storm and drowned. 

Scary, huh? 

She also used to say that she sat with a man and watched different people and she chose us to be her parents.  Thinking this was just typical toddler talk, I played along and asked why.  She said, "Because I knew you were the right ones, you would understand me." 

Other times she told my older two girls that she was already in her mommy's body, but she let them go first because mommy wasn't ready for her yet.

Sound like a Stephen King movie?  Nope.  This really happened.

At this stage in her life, we did attend church, but were not what I would call a true Christian.  We did not live the life outside the walls of the church.  Not that we were really bad, but we did not teach our children about God and we did not read the Bible regularly.  Sometimes we read a Bible storybook to the children, but not often.  Back in those days, I was lucky to get a shower!  My time was spent homeschooling my two older children and running from one doctor to another, trying to get help for my baby.

As a baby, Shayla would come to life in the church.  During songtime she would stand straight up on my lap and make a joyful noise unto the Lord.  She didn't know the words, but she was singing nonetheless.  She truly loved this time, and would fuss if you tried to take her away from it.  Let me rephrase that, it doesn't show the significance.  She threw a terrible fit! 

At that time, the church we were attending was in turmoil, many members left, including us, in search of a more holier church.  We went to another church.  I thought it would be a perfect match since many there were homeschoolers that I knew.  Unfortunately, we didn't attend here long.  They did not embrace Shayla's form of worship.  We were told that she was being disruptive and pastor prefers that children be in the nursery so parents can worship.

Excuse me?!? I won't go there today, I'll save that for another soapbox.

Now you see why the title of the book got my attention.  There are other people like us?  Do all people with autism know God in a more personal way than any of us "normal functioning" people could ever imagine? 

In this book, Mr. Stillman refers to these people as enlightened and gives several stories throughout time of children that seem to have a personal relationship with God, our creator.

Although I was definately drawn into the book because of the name, I found it hard it to be rather dull.  It was slow moving and repetitive.   I was unable to finish the entire book, but may try reading it again at a later time. 

*Interestingly, Shayla has not told anymore of these tales since around the age of five.  This was also the time I started her on the GF/CF diet.  So could the gluten or casein peptides have contributed to this.  Many believe that the peptides cause changes in the opiate receptors, causing hallucinations in ASD children. 

*One more note to add, when Shayla attended preschool at age five, I confided these things with a Lisa, an aquaintenance, who had a boy that was similar in behavior as Shayla.  She told me that she and her husband also described their son as 'an old soul.'  Time and time again he told the same story about how he used to live in Russia. 

So, there's another glimpse from my life - unbelieveable, I know.  That's why I haven't opened up much about our personal life.  In my profile, I describe our family as quirky and dysfunctional.  See what I mean . .

Does anyone else have a similar experience?  Oh please share, and don't make me feel like I'm the only one!

Homeschool Highlights - Week of January 4, 2010

Days 79 - 83 

What a week!  After DH worked mandatory overtime during the holidays, this week he surprised us by taking some vacation time. 

Needless to say, it was not easy getting ANYTHING done.  It was slow going, but we managed.  (And we had lots of fun, too!)

Reading:  She finished Book 4 - Series 3 Thick Slush.  She also started Book 5 Bad Luck.  After finishing her reader, she played on Starfall.  She is learned about famous artist, Georges Seurat. 

Handwriting:  Shayla wrote a thank you  letter to Elaine, the assistant at our chiropractor's office.  These two seem to share a common bond.  Shayla has never spoken to Elaine, but Shayla loves Elaine, and the feeling must be mutual.  Elaine made and gave Shayla a beautiful teddy bear tie blanket for Christmas.  She even stitched her name on it.  I am planning on making a video of Shayla saying something to Elaine and giving it to her.

Exercises:  Unfortunately, we did not continue with the Brain Balancing Exercises over Christmas break.  I had planned on continuing those daily, but well, life happened. 

We started them again, although they have changed some.  Instead of jumping on the trampoline, which is covered with about a foot of snow, we are doing plenty of sledding. 

How is this schoolwork?

Well, my child NEEDS fresh air and physical exercise.  Running up a hill, dragging a sled behind (for hours at a time) has to be good exercise. 

*Note to self:  Although Shayla is not actually diagnosed with autism, I know she has many characteristics, so I try to learn as much as possible about this condition.  One thing that I have come across many times is the digestive disturbances that many autistics have.  Leaky gut, candida, low vitamin and mineral levels, abnormal heavy metal findings and low enzymes, as well as, ADD/ADHD and learning differences are just some of the things many spectrum children suffer with.

We follow a strict GF/CF diet and avoid other food allergens. She improved tremendously on the diet.  She also improved when she was put on a prescription antifungal for candida, but I still feel she hasn't reached her full potential.  So, I continue to read, learn and try many therapies to help her reach her full potential.

 I started enzyme therapy this week.  She gets sprinkles of her digestive enzyme with every meal and snack.  Since starting this she has had "The Happy Child Effect."  Who would believe the turn around!!! :)   Since starting enzyme therapy this week, we have noticed an increase in her communication skills - both verbal and non-verbal.  She almost spoke at King's Kids.  She made verbal sounds in stores.  And her give and take conversation has improved.

Shayla's whole demeanor is that of a happy child, now.  She also has been having a better relationship with her sister, not constantly fighting and screaming at her.  And the best improvement is she is wanting and giving more affection.  She is more open to being hugged and even asks for hugs, kisses and attention from everyone in the family - even her sister!

I am reading a book called Enzymes for Autism (it also covers many other auto-immune disorders).  For more information about enzyme therapy, visit Enzyme Stuff.  I hope to post more about this at a later time. 

Unit Study:  U is for Uriah.  We did a fun, Bible themed unit study.  I usually move through these fairly quickly, but this week, we were easing back into school.  I also found many resources to use.  She has a few more things to finish up before it's complete. 

So, how did everyone else do this week?  Were you ready to jump back into it, or did you start school again dragging your feet all the way?

Bentonite Clay

I know April is Autism Awareness month, but I'm busy here. Please forgive me for not posting this sooner.


Many of you know that our youngest daughter has many autistic behaviors. It has been suggested that she has autism, Asperger's, etc, but she didn't quite meet the criterias in any given diagnosis. Instead, she has been labeled as having selective mutism and sensory processing disorder.


Ok, we can work with this. It's better than having autism, right? Imagine my surprise when after reading several of these sites, I found that sometimes selective mutism IS autism. UGH!


First, I would encourage you to check out this video called Autism Yesterday (it's kind of long, but if you or someone you love is affected by autism, it is worth your time).


Generation Rescue is an organization owned by Jenny McCarthy. She contributes her son's autism to the mercury and other heavy metals in the vaccines he was given as a child. She believes that there is hope for autism, it is completely reversable.

Here's an interesting article about autism and low levels of vitamin D.


After having viewed the video and read these articles, I wondered if we had stopped to early on my daughter's road to recovery.

At the same time I was doing this, I ran across Healthy Again an article in No Greater Joy Magazine.


My daughter improved dramatically after religiously following the GF/CF diet. We also discovered that she is allergic to red dyes, corn, non-organic sugar and yeast. We avoid these, too. We've been doing this religiously for three years now.


Next, we had formal testing done through Great Plains Laboratory. (BTW, this is a great site for information on a whole bunch of maladies that medical science can not explain) She was found to have problems with candida overgrowth in her intestines and was not able to digest foods, vitamins & minerals properly. So, she was prescribed nystatin antifungal medicine and a digestive enzyme. Again, she improved more. At this point she does need to take the antifungal.


But still, she seems to have problems socializing outside of our family. She often appears rigid and unfriendly. She often shows no facial expressions at all (in public). She wants to have relationships and we have home therapy lessons as part of our homeschooling day, we also take her to almost every children's program available through our local parks and library. But in this area she has made little progress. When she does, it's extremely slow, 2 steps forward, 1 step back kind of thing.


I question myself if we should we have went one step further and had chelation done? I never felt at peace about it. I have read numerous sites that say it's safe, but just as many that talk about irreversible damage and even death occuring. So, I began looking for something more natural.


I came across bentonite clay. Since I have many of the same symptoms of my daughter (probably because of the MMR vaccine I was required to get before being discharged after having her) I thought I'd try it out on myself first.


I bought a bottle at the local health food store for under $10. I take 1 tsp a day, which is much less than the suggested 1 - 2 TBS, because I have a small build and because I have a quirky system. So far I am pleased with the results. The main thing I've noticed is that my sense of smell is much better than before taking it.

Have you learned anything new and interesting about health lately? If so, please share.