Archive
Getting Up
Night duty seems to be back.
June 29, 2012
By Jeff Stimpson
About 3 a.m. on many nights I hear my son Alex chortling and talking in his bedroom or in the living room, sometimes even singing. In my bed, I lift my heavy head and crane over Jill to see if there’s a bar of bright yellow shining under our bedroom door. Many nights, there is.
Alex got up in the night a lot when he was younger, and for a sleepless while Jill and I split what we termed “Night Duty.” Who would get up in the middle of the night for Alex and who would get up early in the morning for Alex? We switched. (You do it! … I did it last night! You just always forget – you are so SELFISH!)
Night duty seems to be back. Several times Alex (13 years old and PDD-NOS) has woken Ned up by rocking in bed, making the whole Ikea structure creak and weakening the joints held together with little more than a twist of the Allen Wrench. The rocking – back and forth, back and forth, creak creak creak!
For a long stretch of the Night Duty phase, I admit that we left Alex on his own in the living room in the middle of the night. Then last summer he started leaving the apartment, and now I can’t think of sleeping when that ribbon shines under our bedroom door.
I wake up around 3 and find Alex on the couch, munching pretzels. Pretzel breath at 3 a.m...
“Alex, go back to bed!” He does, darting into the shadows.
"Head down, Alex!" I see it go down in the dark. I head to the bathroom and then weave back to back past the shadows of the dining room table and chairs toward the bedroom. He always pulls this around 4:30. By the time I wrestle him to bed and convince him to stop rocking, and by the time I can wiggle my toes down there in my own sheets and drown my own thoughts with exhaustion, it’s 0600 and time for the alarm.
Then one morning at 4:30 a.m., for some reason, it hit me. “Alex, do you want to get up now?”
He laughed and laughed and laughed. I tugged him to the bathroom. His laughter evaporated when I clicked on the light. “Alex, we’re getting up now. You want to be up, we’re up!”
“Back to bed!” said Alex.
“No, Alex, you’re up now...”
“Back to bed!”
“Fine,” I told him. “Fine. Go back to bed or we’re getting up!”
Down went his head. I returned to bed. I listened and listened as 0600 neared. I didn’t get back to sleep.
Jeff Stimpson lives in New York with his wife Jill and two sons. He is the author of Alex: The Fathering of a Preemie and Alex the Boy: Episodes From a Family’s Life With Autism (both available on Amazon). He maintains a blog about his family at jeffslife.tripod.com/alextheboy, and is a frequent contributor to various sites and publications on special-needs parenting, such as Autism-Asperger’s Digest, Autism Spectrum News, The Autism Society news blog, and An Anthology of Disability Literature (available on Amazon). He is on LinkedIn under “Jeff Stimpson” and Twitter under “Jeffslife.”
Topics:Living with Autism
The Next Journey
June 28, 2012
By Lee Passehl
I have raced remote control cars since I was 11. My life’s goal was winning the Tamiya North American Finals, a national championship race located in Aliso Viejo, CA. I had tried since 1998, but always came up short due to the fact that the surface I would practice on was indoors on a carpet track located in Wisconsin. When I would travel to California to race at the Tamiya North American Finals every August-September, the Tamiya America raceway was an outdoor asphalt track, a surface I had little experience running on. The local racers would always have an advantage and beat me due to the fact that they raced on this track year-round. They knew how to drive the layout of the track and how to set their car up for the asphalt surface.
(Alongside my dad in Memphis Tamiya Championship Series race in 100 degree weather in 1997.)
In August of 2008, my parents retired and my family moved to southern California, not far from the race track where the Tamiya North American Finals are held. With only five days of practice and preparation, I managed to take second place – narrowly missing the championship. If my dad and I had more time to practice, we may have won the championship.
The following year Dad and I practiced vigorously, preparing our car and ourselves to win it all. The dream became a reality in August 2009 when I crossed the finish line first in the GT2 class and earned my ticket to the Tamiya World Championship in Shizuoka City, Japan.
(Me on the victory podium at the 2009 Tamiya North American Finals.)
I practiced hard for the world championships and wanted to make sure that I came out victorious. Unfortunately, during the practice and qualifying rounds, my motor was not as fast as the competition. I requested to change my motor, but was told I could not do so. I later found out [due to a translation error] that I could have. As a result I finished 14th out of 15 racers.
(Group picture of the “GT2400” class which I competed in. I am the second person to the left in the back row with the white hat.)
Even though I didn’t do as well at the world championship that I would have liked, I am happy that I experienced the event and traveled to Japan. However, there was the feeling that my dad and I worked so hard all these years to achieve my goal only to have a poor showing because of a language barrier.
In the Tamiya Championship Series, once you win the North American Finals, you can no longer compete for the trip to Japan. You only get one opportunity. My chance of going back to Japan and the world championships were over.
From December 2009 to January 2012, my dad and I raced in many different RC car classes. I started running nitro powered cars in 2011 for a year traveling all over the west coast states to race.
(Shaw Takahashi with myself and a 5th Scale gasoline powered radio control car)
On January 10, 2012, my dad got an email informing us that the Tamiya Championship Series was now allowing past champions compete for the trip to the world championships once again. It would be in the GT-1 class, which is the fastest class for the most elite drivers in the series. Because of this new rule, I now have a new goal in life. Actually…three goals.
My first goal is to once again win the Tamiya North American Finals and return to the World Championships and do much better. But more importantly, my second goal is to learn how to work and setup my own car. I realize my dad is not going to be there with me setting up my car for the rest of my life. One day I won’t be able to depend on him to make the setup adjustments to my car. I’ll have to learn how to take care of my car and my equipment on my own.
I knew when I was younger that I couldn’t race by myself and I needed my dad for help. I was afraid of independence. Now I am more self-confident in my skills and it has motivated me to do this sport on my own. I have been going to Tamiya America raceway by myself for the past six months. My dad has come along with me a couple times this year, but I find that most of the time, I am able to work on my cars without his help. This has given me the confidence to move forward on my road to independence, both on the track and in the rest of my life. I also have to work at keeping my emotions under control. This is a new source of stress for me and all my worst habits begin to emerge. Maintaining my self-control is a hidden accomplishment just for me.
(A picture of my car that I work on, The Tamiya 417X. It’s electric powered.)
When I was younger, I wanted a lot of help from the other racers and preferred the easy way out. I also wasn’t very skilled at fixing a part on the car and it would make matters worse by either putting the part on wrong and then something gets bentor falls off. My hands would shake a lot when I was inserting the wrench into the screw or trying to insert a part. If I had to work on the car all by myself and replace every single part, I would get very overwhelmed. It was like trying to perform brain surgery. It just was too hard for me to complete the task and I would get really frustrated to the point where I would just give up and wait for my father to complete the task. But now I realize that I must find a way through the frustration and set small goals for myself so I don’t get discouraged.
I am now able to go to college by myself and my study skills have improved. Previously, I had an instructional aide with me in class. I now see a tutor, but she does not go with me to class. My attention span has also improved, as well as my fine motor skills when I am grasping the wrench. This has helped me learn how to work on my car by myself. I also don’t get as frustrated as easily and I don’t turn to dad as much for help. But I still need him for certain tasks, such as filling the shocks with oil, programing and wiring the electronics, gluing tires, and working on transmission parts. These tasks require steady hands and I’m not quite there yet.
My last goal is to learn the Japanese language. I have been taking classes at a local community college. I have gained enough understanding to hold brief conversations with online friends and practice as much as I can with many Japanese-speaking acquaintances here in SoCal. I love living here!
Topics:Living with Autism
PB&J: The Secret to Being a Great Autism Dad
June 18, 2012
By Dan Olawski
Yes, it’s true…the secret to being a great Autism Dad is PB&J. (Wait, why are you opening the cupboard? Put the peanut butter back. Yes, and the jelly.)
No, no, you won’t be needing any bread for this.
The PB&J I’m talking about is much different…and less sticky. PB&J equals: Patience, Being There, & Joy. Okay, okay, I know I cheated a little with the “B” meaning Being There, but let’s just call it poetic license. Heh, heh.
Patience
I’ve mentioned before (http://www.autism-society.org/blog/patience-strong-will.html) the importance of patience for an autism parent, but I think it’s even more important for Autism Dads. Men are usually considered to be the more impatient parent (“Just wait till your father gets home!”), but whether that’s a curse of our genes or a gender stereotype, I believe we just need to work a little harder to find that much-needed virtue.
And, let me be clear, the patience I’m talking about is well beyond what outsiders would imagine. No, for those of us in the Autism Dads Club, I’m talking about the type of patience usually attributed to a saint. Saint Autism Dad needs to take a deep breath when his child throws his food on the floor for the fifth time in a row. He needs to turn the other cheek when his child’s humming stim rivals that of a thousand bees in his ear. He must speak softly and calmly when his actual urge is to scream and yell. I know your struggle, Autism Dads, but, if we try hard enough, perhaps one day we will all be canonized.
Being there
I’ve come to learn in life that being there is half of the secret to living. But I don’t just mean showing up, it’s what you do while you’re there. An Autism Dad needs to do everything a father of a typically developing child would do…and then multiply that by a hundred.
I know that my son, Mikey, loves the times we do the usual father-son things like tickle-fights or going to the park. But I believe deep down he truly appreciates the times I’ve been with him at the doctor or did a parent training session with him at his school. It was quite evident to me that Mikey expects me to “be there” for him when, due to my recent back injury, I was unable to do all those things with him and his behavior suffered because of it. As my back has healed, so too has my relationship with Mikey.
Joy
Joy might, at first, seem like a difficult concept for an Autism Dad to comprehend. But joy is simply an extreme happiness. A happiness that takes great pleasure in even the littlest of things.
As Autism Dads we have many great opportunities to be joyous. Our children face a daily battle at times just getting through the day…each time they overcome those challenges is a time to be filled with joy. Perhaps your child has just beaten a severe stim, or tried eating a new food, or successfully used the potty.Let yourself see the joy in that, Autism Dad. I know my heart overflows on those rare times that Mikey looks me straight in the eye and says, “Daddy.” You don’t need to look very far for a joyful occasion.
So, Autism Dads, you are all wonderful, strong, loving parents and your children appreciate you. But if you’re ever feeling at a loss for how to cope, just reach for the PB&J. Nope, not the sandwich, this PB&J is far more filling and satisfying.
Dan Olawski blogs about fatherhood and his son Mikey for the Autism Society. He lives with his family on Long Island, N.Y., where he works as a writer/editor. His time is spent following Mikey with a vacuum cleaner, watching his beloved New York Yankees and continuing his pursuit of the perfect chocolate chip cookie. He can be contacted at dantheeditorman@gmail.com.
Topics:Living with Autism
One Day is Not Enough
May 30, 2012
By Dan Olawski
For about two years, I was a stay-at-home dad. I cared for my son Mikey in all the traditional ways: I dressed him, fed him, took him to school and back, and played with him. But the one thing I could never do for him was to be his mother.
The term mother, and all the good that goes with that, can spark many loving images in our minds. And autism moms are even more incredible with their focused dedication and devout love and compassion. Their actions and experiences should truly be celebrated and recognized.
In honor of this month's Mother's Day holiday, I spoke to a few autism moms I know (Kristine V., Tara G., Christine M., and my wife, Lynne). I asked them about their experiences with autism and any advice they might have for new autism moms. What follows is something I could never give you on my own: autism through a mother's eyes.
A little background on these amazing moms: All of their children were either Mikey’s classmates or attended the developmental school where he spent the first three years of his ABA-based education and all of the moms were involved in some way with the school's young autism program charity. Kristine’s son was 2 years old when diagnosed with autism; Tara’s son was first diagnosed as PDD-NOS before he was 3 and then with autism at 5; Christine has two children on the spectrum, her daughter was 2 and a half when diagnosed with PDD-NOS and that was changed to autism at age five, her son was diagnosed at 2-and-a-half with PDD-NOS and remains with that diagnosis now at 4; and Mikey was diagnosed with autism at 20 months.
I asked these magnificent moms what their personal feelings and reactions were when they first learned of their children's diagnosis. They all shared similar feelings of sadness, but also determination to help their children:
KRISTINE: I was very sad when [my son] was first diagnosed. I was angry and wondered why it was happening to my son. Once my feelings were put aside, I just wanted to do everything I could to help him.
TARA: My first feeling was, “What did I do wrong as a mother?” I thought I did something wrong during my pregnancy. No matter how many times everyone told me that it had nothing to do with me, I just did not believe them.
LYNNE: I felt overwhelmed that our child was not going to be “normal” and would need a lot of extra care. I didn’t have any confidence that I would be able to handle everything that would come our way.
CHRISTINE: Sitting at my kitchen table, answering the psychologist’s questions had a very bizarre rhythm to it. I found myself saying "She used to do that, but she doesn't anymore," repeatedly...So when the psychologist put down his pen and very carefully, and delicately, informed me that his diagnosis was PDD-NOS, I was not surprised. I was pregnant with my twins [a boy and a girl] when my daughter was diagnosed and they were the subjects of intense scrutiny from the start. At 2-and-a-half, my son’s behaviors started and we requested an evaluation. I knew that he would be diagnosed. When I heard the words, I could not help but cry. It was a kick in the stomach, the sensation of, "Not again, why him? Why us? Someone was supposed to tell me I was crazy. Can I handle this?" And after my five minute pity party, I was back on my mission, plus one, to do whatever was necessary to have my children reach the best outcome possible for them.
It was very heart-wrenching to hear their comments, but when I asked what their first steps were post-diagnosis, and what they found comfort in, it made me realize how strong autism moms really are:
TARA: My first thing…was to stop working. I needed to be home a lot more and that was the only way. I started asking as many questions as possible about his diagnosis to anyone who I thought had experience. I was lucky to have a very good case worker from the county to help me through this.
KRISTINE: I started to look at schools and find out as much information about schooling and home services as I could. I found comfort in talking to other mothers who had a child with autism.
LYNNE: My husband and I met with the county child services coordinator who helped to schedule ABA home services. It was comforting to see how many people seemed genuinely concerned about getting our son the services he needed. My husband [editor’s note: I swear I didn’t bribe her to say this] has always kept a very positive attitude, knowing that our son could do whatever he set his mind to. He has helped me consistently when it wasn’t so easy for me to see it that way.
CHRISTINE: The first step was to get each child into the best program possible [in this case ABA]. We also consulted with a pediatric neurologist to ensure we were covering all bases for [my older daughter]. Since her regression was so severe and so quick, more testing was suggested for her to rule out other causes for her behavior. The prospects were frightening: seizure disorders, a brain tumor, genetic disease. Thankfully, all of those tests were negative. I have found comfort from many sources in dealing with the diagnosis of our children. The support of family and friends has been amazing. Something like this also tests the metal of a friendship. You really learn who is there for you, who you can count on and, sadly, with whom it might be best to cut ties. The camaraderie of the parents who share our experience is invaluable…there is no greater resource for parents of children with autism than each other. I have also found peace in simply loving my children for who they are, not in spite of it.
When asked if they faced any challenges in getting services for their children, the moms were not to be deterred and, for the most part, eventually had positive experiences:
LYNNE: We have been very fortunate to have had some wonderful teachers over the past five-and-a-half years at both his autism program and within the school district. We feel that the services offered to our son have been quite comprehensive and we did not experience difficulty in securing them.
KRISTINE: I have been very lucky and blessed with getting services for my son. His school district has always steered him in the right direction. I have had great teachers along the way and they have helped me to be my son's best teacher.
CHRISTINE: I have had a remarkably positive experience in getting services for my children. I cannot say that everything has gone perfectly smoothly for both of them in the classroom, however. It has sometimes been a battle to be heard by those who are teaching her. In the end, I know that they are all trying to do the right thing, but that we do not always agree on what the right thing is…all any of us can do is try our best to find the right formula.
TARA: It was, and still is, hard to get services with my district. When he was originally diagnosed with an ASD from the CARRS test (given by a psychologist) they (the district) told me I had a typical two-and-half-year-old child. They completely disregarded that report. I was lucky that my case worker was there and she suggested the developmental school to me (integrated class) to at least get his foot in the door. Then we went to an MD to get the diagnosis and back to the table at district for a third time in one year (because the classes were not helping him, he was getting more lost) and demanded more. We finally were able to get him into the young autism program. There is where I found comfort. I was able to talk to other parents who were experiencing all the same tough stuff that I was. I was not alone…and neither was my son anymore, either. I saw immediately that he felt comfortable.
I believe that the autism community is one of the most valuable resources we have for helping our children and I finished up my interviews by asking what advice or tips these moms would give to mothers of children with a new autism diagnosis:
CHRISTINE: The best advice I can give is to try to get passed the label. That is, to look at the label "autism spectrum disorder" as a means to an end. An explanation for some of the unusual behaviors that your child displays…but it should never define or limit your child. Autism is a part of who they are, but it is far from all that they are. As your child's most important advocate, they will depend on you to recognize this and communicate that fact for them. Learn all you can about how to teach your child and how to navigate the system…and always keep in mind that the goal should be to allow them to become the best possible version of themselves.
KRISTINE: You have to put aside your own feelings and try your hardest to get your child into a great school at as early an age as possible. I did not want to send my 2 year old to school fulltime, but it was the best thing for him. You have to be strong for them and follow through with whatever it is they are doing at school. You have to learn how your child is able to learn. It's going to be you who has to make sure that your child is being taught the right things (my son is not verbal and learns a specific way). I am very involved in his education. I allow myself one time a month to break down and be a mess, and for those other 29 days I am my son’s rock!
TARA: Unfortunately, I have been giving a lot of parents with new diagnoses for their children advice. The first thing I say is that they are not alone. They are not the only mother in this world that is dealing with this. I tell them it is ok to cry, to just let go. Then I tell them my story and how, even now, I still have to fight for my child because I am his best advocate. Then I say that it does get better, even when you absolutely feel like it is not going to get better.
LYNNE: As soon as you have the first inkling, have your child evaluated. Early intervention is truly important. Educate yourself, and anyone involved in your child’s life, about autism. Remember to always see them as your child, not an autistic child. Make sure to discipline them, teach them, and most importantly, love them.
I have known these autism moms, and others like them, for a number of years. It has been an honor to watch them care for and advocate for their children and I have truly learned a lot from them. I know there are many, many other autism moms out there who have probably been nodding their heads as they’ve read this article…I hope that I’ve given them a sense of community and a chance to smile at the knowledge that they are not alone.
For me, one day in one month in the middle of the year is not enough to celebrate moms like this. I know Mikey and I appreciate and love Lynne more and more everyday for all she does. To Lynne, Kristine, Tara, Christine, and all of you autism moms out there, I say thank you and in the eyes of your children, please know, everyday is Mother’s Day.
Dan Olawski blogs about fatherhood and his son Mikey for the Autism Society. He lives with his family on Long Island, N.Y., where he works as a writer/editor. His time is spent following Mikey with a vacuum cleaner, watching his beloved New York Yankees and continuing his pursuit of the perfect chocolate chip cookie. He can be contacted at dantheeditorman@gmail.com.
Topics:Living with Autism
Mother's Day Hints for Men
May 9, 2012
By Robert Naseef, Ph.D., Alternative Choices
Why is it so hard for moms to take a break? How can fathers help?
First of all, struggling with taking a break from maternal responsibilities is normal. This is hard for the mothers of typical children-who presumably have a little less to be preoccupied about than mothers of children who have autism and other special needs.
So feeling overwhelmed by the enormous responsibilities of motherhood is normal, but when it goes on indefinitely, it's not healthy for a mother or her family. And fathers tend to begin feeling left out and neglected. While I frequently write about fathers, I spend a good deal of my time as a psychologist listening to mothers. Almost invariably mothers seem to be relieved when they give voice to their struggles-particularly the guilt about not doing enough or missing something they should have done or thought about.
Opening up and connecting about upsetting situations can help. On the other hand, suggesting that a mother do more to take care of herself often makes her feel worse. Listening to mothers in at Alternative Choices, we hear that this can sound like just one more thing to do. Their lists are already too long. And another thing they just aren't getting right-even more guilt!
One mom even told me, "My life seems like one long day!"
In contrast, the average overwhelmed father seems to have less difficulty taking a break. On the other hand, he may also have trouble talking about what he cannot fix or take action about. He may shut down out of helplessness and emotional overload that he has no words for. The very same man may love his partner and children passionately; yet he may feel left out, ignored, and powerless.
This reaction offers no outlet for his partner's feelings.
Still, most fathers admire when the mother of their children reacts like a mother lion with her cub, doing everything possible to raise their child.
So for this Mothers and Day and every day really, here's a plan for men:
Tell your partner how much you appreciate her and everything she does for your children. Be specific about all the wonderful things she does and how hard she tries.
Don't do something. Don't make suggestions. Volunteer to just listen to how she feels.
Ask what you can do to make her job easier.
Gently and persistently keep asking and showing up to do stuff.
This is how to be a good man in your situation. Help her to take a breath, literally and figuratively. Let her know that she is indispensable. No one can do a better job. In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, "The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men-from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms."
Finally, remember the most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
Robert Naseef, Ph.D. of Alternative Choices, will be presenting at the Autism Society National Conference and Exhibition in San Diego this July! He will be presenting a session called "Living with Autism in the Family: Taking Care of Everyone's Needs." Visit www.autism-society.org/conference to learn more!
Topics:Living with Autism
Mother and Sons Working Together to Change Lives
May 8, 2012
By Autism Society
Beth Gross is Vice President of the Autism Society of West Virginia and has been working with Autism Society members in her state to ensure families affected by autism have the insurance coverage they need.
Beth’s family has been particularly active - so much that her son Mason has become a mini celebrity at the Statehouse! At the tender age of 6, he has learned to advocate for himself in a way none of us ever could, Beth said. Mason has developed a touching and humorous rapport with most state legislators and was fortunate enough to have a private meeting with West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in his private office this year.
“I am awestruck by the presence his young spirit carries and how he can so effortlessly chisel away at the exterior of the most hardened politicians,” Beth said of Mason.
Here are some photos of their journey:
Beth, Mason and Beth's other son, Ethan, with Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
With Senator Evan Jenkins (D - Cabell)
With Senate President Jeff Kessler (D - Marshall)
Governor Tomblin and Mason
Being interviewed by the local news!
How does your family raise awareness?
Topics:Living with Autism
How I learn
May 3, 2012
By Lee Passehl
Learning can sometimes be difficult for people on the spectrum. In this blog, I will explain to you how I learn and process information for the first time.
When I learn a new subject or lesson in college, or anywhere else, I view it as seeing a picture up close right where I press my nose up against it. At first you can only see one part of the picture or just one color. At this point I really can’t see the whole picture. However, when I get a better idea of whatever it is I’m learning, the lens slowly zooms out and I can see a better view of the subject and I understand it more and more. Sometimes the “picture” can be too unpleasant and I just prefer to zoom in so I don’t see the entire picture.
To me, everybody has their own zoom lens, but some people can focus on the big picture faster than others when learning something (that’s if they are willing to learn the topic). It is harder for me to zoom out and get the picture to focus in faster than others because my brain processes information slower than neurotypicals, or autistics that are a little more developed in one area than I am. If I have a little bit of knowledge of the subject, I can focus in on the lesson better. Everyone is different and there are people who get the entire picture faster or slower than certain people. For me, it takes me more time to learn something than my classmates so I have to work harder at it, or just do the best I can.
Radio Control car racing came to me faster because I had watched full scale car racing in real life. I had that competitive instinct already because I learned it from other car racers on television. If it is a subject that I don’t have much interest in, it is much harder for me to learn and process. I am, however, better at this practice now than I was five to seven years ago or even two years ago. I now ask more questions, both in class and in conversations, to help keep my interest up.This also helps develop the fringes of the picture. I then try to minimize my typical distractions, which are human voices, engine noises, and music. All this helps me to read and concentrate better, too. I’m still figuring it out. So far I’m getting an “A” in Japanese!
Lee blogs for the Autism Society about his life with autism. Read his story!
Topics:Living with Autism
Autism Diet and Nutrition; Poor Methylation and Sulfation Biochemistry
May 2, 2012
By Autism Society
In celebration of its partnership with Potandon Produce, the Autism Society will share an autism diet and nutrition blog post each week throughout April. It is the hope of the Autism Society and Potandon that we can work together to empower you to make the best decisions for a child with autism. Please note that these tips are meant to be informational. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult a physician. The Autism Society does not endorse any specific type of treatment (See the Options Policy).
Tips were republished from the Autism Advocate article, Autism Diets and Nutrition: Providing Health Benefits for Many Children with ASD. Read the article here.
Poor Methylation and Sulfation Biochemistry
Medical studies have shown that methylation, transsulfuration and sulfation are one set of biochemical pathways that do not function optimally for many children with autism. These pathways—involved in the processes of detoxification, heavy metal elimination, digestion, immune function, cellular/metabolic function, gut integrity and microbial balance—can be supported, as follows, by avoiding certain substances and supplying needed nutrients.
- Remove phenolic foods. When the biochemical processes of methylation, transsulfuration or sulfation are not functioning well, limiting phenols and salicylates is important. Artificial phenols occur in petroleum-derived additives, such as artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Even naturally occurring phenols, called salicylates, present in organic and non-organic foods such as grapes, raisins, apples, berries, almonds, honey and more, can create a variety of behavioral, emotional and physical symptoms.
- Improve methylation and sulfation through supplementation. Supplementing with nutrients that can support these biochemical pathways is important. Methyl-donors and methylation/transsulfuration support, such as vitamin B12, folate, B6, DMG/TMG, magnesium and zinc, are important supplements to consider. Determining which supplements are needed and adding them can be helpful to regulating the biochemistry and reducing autism symptoms.
Matthews, Julie. "Autism Diets and Nutrition: Providing Health Benefits for Many Children with ASD." Autism Advocate Second Edition 2010 (2010).
Topics:Environmental Health, Living with Autism
Autism Awareness: A Good Start, But We Can Do More
April 26, 2012
By Dan Olawski
April is my son Mikey’s birthday month…it’s also National Autism Awareness Month. Little did my wife and I know, seven years ago, that the month of April would be important to us for both reasons.
Most Americans are now aware, however slightly, that April is Autism Awareness Month. And you’d have to have been living under a rock to have missed the recent big news about the drastic increase in the number of children with autism (the rate is now at 1 in 88 children, and 1 in 54 boys, having some form of the developmental disorder). But, honestly, we have to ask ourselves how much that matters to those of us already touched by autism.
Long after April is over…long after the stories fade from the news…autism is still there. And we, as parents, family, and teachers of children with autism, are the ones truly aware of autism and the fact that diagnosis is only the first step in a life-long process.
Special awareness months and heightened attention to autism in the news are important for educating the public and motivating parents to get their children tested in case they see the potential signs of autism. But we need more than that…
Awareness months need to be followed up by “Treatment Months.” The media needs to report on autism treatments and focus on families with children who are in need of all the help they can get and not just on the heart-warming story of the high school teen with autism who plays sports and has tons of friends. Mainstream news stories rarely show the real daily challenges that a child with autism faces.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Autism Awareness. It’s why I write these blogs. It’s why I wear my autism wristbands. It’s why I volunteer whenever I can. But whenever April comes around I can’t help but be reminded by Mikey’s birthday, and the news, that much, much more needs to be done in the world of autism.
Right now it seems like Autism Awareness is mainly focused on diagnosis. Again, that’s incredibly important and very necessary. But, the post-diagnosis landscape still feels like a barren desert for many parents. In most cases, you’re told your child has autism and then not much else. I can honestly say that after Mikey’s diagnosis I felt so frustrated by that “now what” feeling of helplessness and fear. It’s important to be aware of autism; it’s more important to know what to do about it.
Taking into account that our children are each unique in their needs and how autism impacts their lives, I propose that every doctor and therapist that makes an autism diagnosis should also be required to provide some sort of comprehensive plan for parents and caregivers. This plan should be put together based on studies, input, and advice from the CDC, doctors, teachers/therapists, and parents. Parents facing a new autism diagnosis need guidance and support from sources they can trust.
A few days ago, as we celebrated Mikey’s 7th birthday, I realized how lucky we have been with his early diagnosis and the skilled teachers and therapists he’s had. But I also stopped to think about the way I felt right after his diagnosis and how every April, as the awareness campaign ramps up, I feel for the parents of children who will receive a new autism diagnosis.
With that in mind, I deeply believe that if we can take all the good that comes out Autism Awareness and convert that into factual, proven therapies and treatments we will do far more good than any brief news story on the 11:00 news will ever do. And that will truly make April a happy, happy month in more ways than one.
Dan Olawski blogs about fatherhood and his son Mikey for the Autism Society. He lives with his family on Long Island, N.Y., where he works as a writer/editor. His time is spent following Mikey with a vacuum cleaner, watching his beloved New York Yankees and continuing his pursuit of the perfect chocolate chip cookie. He can be contacted at dantheeditorman@gmail.com.
Editor’s note: If your child has just been diagnosed with autism, read the Autism Society resource After the Diagnosis for some initial guidance.
Topics:Living with Autism
Autism Diet and Nutrition: Toxicity and Poor Detoxification
April 25, 2012
By Autism Society
In celebration of its partnership with Potandon Produce, the Autism Society will share an autism diet and nutrition blog post each week throughout April. It is the hope of the Autism Society and Potandon that we can work together to empower you to make the best decisions for a child with autism. Please note that these tips are meant to be informational. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult a physician. The Autism Society does not endorse any specific type of treatment (See the Options Policy).
Tips were republished from the Autism Advocate article, Autism Diets and Nutrition: Providing Health Benefits for Many Children with ASD. Read the article here.
Toxicity and Poor Detoxification
When detoxification is not working optimally or is overburdened by pre-existing toxins, avoiding additional toxins from food is important. These chemicals can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the brain, creating hyperactivity, aggression, irritability and sometimes self-injurious behavior. Ways to remove toxins include:
• Avoid food additives. Artificial ingredients are very difficult for the body to process, so avoiding artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and MSG is crucial.
• Avoid toxins in food supply and meal preparation. Prevent the introduction of further toxins into the body by avoiding aluminum and plastic in cooking. This includes aluminum pans and aluminum foil, as well as storing and microwaving in plastic. Minimize or eliminate canned foods and drinks.
• Eat organic. Eat high-quality foods that are free of pesticides and hormones, such as organic produce, grass-fed meat, and pastured eggs and chickens. Non-organic chicken can contain arsenic. Eating organic foods avoids consumption of pesticides, other harmful chemicals, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and hormones. Organic foods also provide higher nutrient content.
• Add foods that support the liver. Antioxidants, such as beta carotene; vitamins A, C and E; B vitamins, including folic acid; and selenium support liver detoxification. Sulfur-rich foods, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale and Brussels sprouts are especially beneficial in liver detoxification processes. Spices, such as cinnamon and turmeric, support the liver. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant, and adequate levels are supported by the consumption of asparagus, watermelon, broccoli, papayas, avocados and the herb, milk thistle, as well as through nutritional supplementation.
Matthews, Julie. "Autism Diets and Nutrition: Providing Health Benefits for Many Children with ASD." Autism Advocate Second Edition 2010 (2010).
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