Natural Autism Support (Monster Included!)
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Life is hard.
When dealing with symptoms of autism (as with all special needs), it's harder.
But we are still a family.
We still love each other.
We still have fun.
Here is a story of autism, family, love, and fun. And healing.
It was a typical day. I was busy doing things that were on “my agenda.” The boys had done some homeschooling, but they were goofing around again. You know — the way things typically go with boys and more so with one on the spectrum who has a hard time staying on task (though I must admit that sometimes it is my neuro-typical one who isn't “on task” :-)!)
Usually, I hear the goofing around and I say in a not-as-gentle-as-it-should-be tone, “Come on…have you done your _________ (fill in the blank with the task, chore or school subject that I assume hasn't been done) yet?”
But this day, something seemed different, so I decided to really listen to what was being said, or rather, er — sung.
Then I went into the other room and saw it. Them. And laughed.
Here were my two boys, snug like two bugs in a —
laundry bag :-). Stomping around and chanting —
“Here comes a four-footed monster. We are a four-footed monster….”
I saw it. And relished in it.
My sons pretending together.
I stopped what I was doing, smiled and grabbed my camera. (Here's the monster on the floor :-)!)
This playtime might seem like a small thing, but there are 2 reasons that this was really “big” for me:
1. My son's symptoms of autism (Asperger's Syndrome) are getting better.
One of the symptoms of autism or Asperger's Syndrome in children is that they do not pretend.
Everything is literal. Black and white.
But that day, he was playing with his ultra-creative younger brother, and having a great time!
I am not sure what is helping, but the progress we have seen in our son's life is real
- We've seen him gain victory over some of his phobias and fears
- We've worked on getting him to sleep earlier than midnight (:-)) by using natural sleep remedies
- He is on a gluten free, dairy free and sugar free diet
- We've eliminated toxins by filtering water and making do it yourself home and health products.
Well, whether it's his restricted diet, metal detox, growing up, or just a miracle from God, I'll take it.
2. Interruptions can be a blessing.
I was interrupted, but it was great. I could have gotten annoyed that they were goofing off, but instead, I chose to relish the moment.
The playing – the chanting – the pretending. Real progress.
Please, Lord, remind me of this moment of grace during his next panic attack. I'm still learning.
How about you?
What Natural Supports for Autism have worked for you?
I’m looking forward to looking at your and your readers’ experiences with the detoxification issues. That was another issue that came out of extensive medical tests that were performed on my son 3+ years ago…he was in the 95th percentile for heavy/toxic metals (cadmium, arsenic, mercury, lead, many others). The doctor felt that instead of attempting any (non-natural) chelaton therapies, if we implemented the FF/CF/SF diet my son’s body would become capable of naturally expelling these toxins. We’ve done the best we can in the meanwhile to avoid adding to his toxic burden (organic foods, natural household and personal cleaners)and the only chelation I’ve put C through is the occasional epsom salt soak. I would bet my pinkie that if the medical testing was performed on him today the levels would be much lower – however, the tests were very expensive and (of course) not covered by insurance…
Anyway, I’m really looking forward to digging into your blog. I agree with the comments I’ve seen above that the broadness of the topics you discuss is great.
Take care…Tracy
Hi Tracy. I just wanted to quickly touch base with you (I have to go out to an autism free day at a nearby gym :-)). I was struck by your comments about the heavy metals. I am actually working with a practitioner on the heavy metals whom I am really satisfied with. I don’t get anything from referring people to her, just so you know. I have links to her in my posts on adrenal fatigue. She is quite reasonable and uses only natural supplements and diet to “coax” the metals out of your body. I would be happy to talk with you more about it. Just let me know. I really hope to share a lot more about this, but it is so complicated that it is going to take awhile to write all of the posts :-).
And thank you for the sweet compliment. I am just trying to write about what is on my mind and heart and help others muddle through all this stuff. And hopefully have a bit of fun while doing it :-).
~Take care!
Our son was diagnosed with autism in 2007 at the age of 3. He was non-verbal, on another planet, sensory issues, mild obsessions with certain colors/animals/toys. After 4 years of a GF/CF/SF diet, mostly organic foods, ABA therapy, speech therapy, and a merciful God, he is now void of any autism symptoms. He will talk your ear off, is compassionate and funny, BRILLANT (2nd grade, reads on a 9th grade level), well-liked by his teachers and classmates, never goes anywhere where he doesn’t make at least one new friend. He is mainstreamed in a ‘regular’ classroom. We voluntarily ended his ABA therapy last year and he receives consultation-only speech and resource services through the school system now. He will have an official re-evaluation in a couple of months and everyone who teaches or has professional interaction with him agrees that he will lose the autism diagnosis…GOD IS GOOD!
Wow, Tracy. That is amazing. I have days where I think mine is going to lose his diagnosis, and then other days when I think it will never happen. I do trust we are really headed in the right direction, however, and am trying to live with and love him no matter what. There are things I would miss about autism,for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Hi There Adrienne~
(In response to your previous message):
I’ve posted my homemade eczema lotion! The post is long…I just had so much to say about my son’s journey with eczema and holistic healing. It works great for his current needs.
Be Well,
–Amber
Amber,
Thanks! Wow. Your story about eczema sounds so similar to ours. I think, thank God, that we are over all of that, but I sure will remember if I need to treat bad eczema again. We ended up going totally sugar free – even fruit – for myself and my son and his eczema went completely away. Small bits since then, but it has seemed to be tied to copper toxicity as we are working on metal detox now. Anyway, those days when he was small were really tough.
I read a bit of your story. Very encouraging. It is so interesting how many people are “touched” by these difficult illnesses. I cannon believe sometimes what we have been through and I have to remember that it is all for a reason. You take care too.
~Adrienne
Nice informative article, I don’t know much about it. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop
Just found you on A Glimpse Inside. I love this post! We have 2 children with ASD, so I can really relate. Here is a post of one of my happy moments with my kids:
https://talesfromtangerine.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-moment.html
Thanks for sharing, Robin. I read your post. It is so nice to focus on the good times, isn’t it? Hard, but important. Hang in there. ~Adrienne
This was a very special post for me. My son has been having issues for years now and I’m finally taking him to get a real diagnosis next Friday. He has shown many symptoms of autism but because he was super intelligent no one ever took my fears seriously. I soon did online research and found a form called savant autism and that proved that he may fall into this category. I love that you have shown that no mater what life and love goes on. Bless you!!!
Thank you, Valencia. Your story sounds sort of like ours. Even the first person who evaluated our son officially said that he thought if our son fell on the spectrum it was mildly. The next two evaluations said that he was clearly an easy Asperger’s diagnosis. It’s murky waters for sure. But to us it was so obvious that something was wrong. Bless you as well.
Thank you for sharing this very beautiful and meaningful post with the Gallery of Favorites. It’s so encouraging to see healing like that!
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. This was very touching!And filled with hope! Can’t wait for next week!
Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
Oh I love the “monster!” I am so thankful for how God teaches us through all things in life.
What a great post. Our daughter has Sotos syndrome and Autism. I just seem to live life day by day with her…but never did much about hre diet. Maybe it’s time to change. Maybe it would help with her behaviour (one can only hope) LOL.
Connie, I would for sure recommend the GF CF diet. And sugars. I’d be happy to help any way that I can. It’s not a cure all, but there is just too much evidence out there not to try. But try to do whole grains as much as possible. Blessings, ~Adrienne