Do You Have Autism... Or Does Autism Have You?

There is a consensus among the medical community that since there is no "known cause" for autism then we just need to treat the symptoms. I challenge the medical community to look at it this way: perhaps if we could diagnose a child EARLY on with autism then there could be less symptoms to treat!! Imagine that.... early intervention making a difference. Makes so much sense to parents.... why not the doctors?

When I found out that my child was delayed in speech I took the "bull by the horns" and got therapy. Guess what happened? He learned to speak and communicate better. His social skills improved and there was less issues with behavior.

When I found out that my daughter had Wilson's Disease I took the "bull by the horns" and got treatment. If we would have waited for her to "get sick" then we would have had a totally different prognosis.

I want to challenge all of you out there who have a child with unique circumstances to fight for treatment and services! We have to find out why the symptoms are there and what the triggers are. Don't rely on doctors giving you all the answers. You MUST do the research and do whatever necessary to give your child a fighting chance. There is a reason why you're the parent. There is a reason why your child was sent to you.

The consensus among parents is that they often feel alone and abandoned once they reach the diagnosis stage for their child. That's such a tragedy! There are tons of books, support groups, and blogs out there. Find the ones that best fit your needs. The possibilities are endless.
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When you get the chance, read
about Temple Grandin.
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Alternative Therapies for Autism

I spoke with my mom today and she mentioned something about an alternative therapy for Autism she heard about on the news. It was the hyperbaric chamber. I found this article online: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AutismNews/story?id=7070353&page=1 (just copy and paste to view). The results sound very promising!

Another treatment option that I have recently discovered is the ENLISTEN PROGRAM. Although I am not endorsing it, I know of many parents who have used it and have seen results! Here is their official website for more information: http://www.progresscenter.us/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=15

There is not a "magic pill" or treatment that will cure autism, but there are numerous treatment options out there. You must have an open mind. Doctors will not tell you about these options because of fear that they will get sued or that they will be seen as "quacks" by their peers. However, more and more medical professionals are seeing the benefits of some of these unconventional treatments.
Take the time and do your own research. You might be surprised at what you find.
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Unfortunately, right now we
can only treat the symptoms
of autism. Perhaps one day
we will find the cause or
the cure. In the meantime
let's join forces and share
what we find. It's a matter
of necessity.
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Let Me Count My Blessings

Kudos go out to all the single moms and dads out there who do the parenting thing every day by themselves. I honestly don't know how they do it! It's enough to drive me insane having to do it for a few days or a week. I've had friends whose husbands went overseas for deployment in the military, and they had to do it alone for MONTHS! They are among the strongest individuals I know.

Its truly amazing to see how much you are capable of when tested. You have no idea what your limits are until they are tested. Patience, frugality, organizational skills, and ingenuity are among some of the things that I have personally gleaned from having to do things on my own. Sometimes I take it for granted that my husband will do certain things. We truly make a good team. However, when he's gone I am reminded of all the ways he makes things easier for me and the family. The biggest thing I miss when he's gone is the moral support. It can be mentally exhausting raising four busy kids. My oldest is finally calming down and is able to help more, but he still demands a lot of attention and still needs me for validation. He still likes for me to go to the school and never hesitates to give me a hug. I am so glad that the transition into the teenage years has gone so smoothly.

I love my husband more than words can say. He's truly my soul mate. I can't imagine my life any other way.... even with all the crazy things I have to deal with. He has a way of calming me down when I want to lose it. He has a way of helping me put things in perspective. He is truly an example to me of what a humble servant of God should be like. Last, but not least, he makes me feel like the best mom and wife in the world. That's a feat in itself because (as many of you probably can relate) I don't often feel that way.

It is humbling to know that I am among the minority in the world. All around me I see so many couples getting divorced or having difficulty. It often stems from having to deal with different issues associated with having children with special needs. They say that it either brings a couple closer together or else tears them apart. Every obstacle we've had has only brought us closer together and I feel truly blessed for that. I think all couples need time together and we make time for dates and time away from the children. We're blessed to have a built-in babysitter now who does a great job. We also try and make time to pursue our own interests either with other people or on our own. We don't have a secret formula, but we do try to keep a Christ-centered home and marriage. With all the chaos in the world, we've created a safe haven where we can get away from it all and get a head start on eternity.