Shattering Myths – Part 1 of 4
When it comes to autism, don’t believe all you’re told…
Your child has autism. Now what? As parents,we find ourselves in a unique, select group, the “Autism Club.” No one asks to become a member, but because of our kids, we were forced to be in the A-Club. Autism isn’t just a medical crisis; it is a family crisis that affects everyone. Only another parent understands what it is like to live with autism, day in and day out. It’s beyond exhausting. And in spite of everything, we love our children too much to ever give up on them.
When it comes to autism, you can’t believe all you are told! And never accept that an autism diagnosis means “game over”. The first step is to learn what autism really is. Many dedicated doctors and “autism experts” still mistakenly believe it is a psychiatric or developmental disorder.
We need to stop looking at this backwards. Autism is not the cause of the medical conditions with which our children suffer. In reality, it is the other way around. Our children have immune systems that don’t function properly. The good news is that means autism is treatable. If the load on the immune system can be lifted, recovery becomes a possibility. The bad news is that it is difficult to find doctors who actually know how to treat it. Don’t be surprised if your pediatrician gives you a strange look when you ask about medical treatment for autism. They didn’t learn about this in medical school. There is nothing simple about autism. It is difficult to treat, and the treatment is different for every child. Far too often, children with complex medical issues like severe sleep disorders, limited speech, nutritional deficiencies, stomach problems, severe allergies, and many other medical issues aren’t taken to a pediatrician but instead are sent to psychiatrists or psychologists. Why? When autism is a part of the picture, underlying medical conditions are sadly and inexplicably attributed to an ASD diagnosis. Is it really okay that our children do not get medical treatment for the same conditions as other kids
My son Ryan was diagnosed at age four. My husband and I walked into the psychiatrist’s office ready to find the answers to explain why Ryan was different from other children his age. But our “autism expert” didn’t have answers. The specialist we waited months to see ripped away every dream we had for our child.
The doctor said there was no recovery from autism. There was no cure. There was no hope. She finished by adding that most of these kids end up in institutions or jail. On the way home, without any discussion, we both knew we would never be going back. If your “expert” was anything like ours—do not walk—run, and find someone else.
The grief parents experience when receiving the diagnosis is paralyzing. Each of us is overwhelmed by the fear we have for our children’s future. But you can’t feel sorry for yourself or your child for too long. You don’t have time. Your kid needs you, and you have too much work to do.
Marcia Hinds wrote ‘I Know You’re In There: winning our war against autism’. This inspirational book is the story of her son’s recovery. Ryan is now an engineer at a major aerospace company. Marcia has degrees in sociology and psychology from UCLA and is a credentialed teacher. But Marcia’s most impressive credential for writing this book is that she is Ryan’s mother and their family survived the autism diagnosis.
Preview the book on Amazon or on her website.
All profits from Marcia’s book go to spread the word that AUTISM IS TREATABLE.
Marcia is available for speaking engagements, media appearances, and interviews.
Phone: 805 497-8202
Mobile: 805 796-8213
Email: marcia@autismandtreatment.com
Media Kit: http://www.autism-and-treatment.com/media-kit/
