Most Treating Autism members began the process of helping their children by listening to the stories of other parents, noticing similarities with our own children and our own experiences and proceeding from there to explore possibilities in autism treatments and therapy options, approaches that can lead to improved health and quality of life for our children and adults on the spectrum. Following some of these treatments, sometimes as simple as a change in diet and eating habits, children's autistic behaviours can be reduced, sometimes significantly, and parents observe an overall reduction in symptoms of autism.
We gain insight and direction from each other's stories, and also hope, as well as admonitions and warnings. The parents' stories here have been generously shared by people who have seen improvements in their children's overall health and behaviour through the use of various biomedical interventions. They recount their experience of the devastation brought by a diagnosis of autism, which then acted as a catalyst for renewed vigour and determination as they set off on their quest to help their children.
Although these are not a series of miraculous cures and complete recoveries from autism, all of these children have made notable, sometimes remarkable progress. These are the stories of hope.
Dougie was born a week early on the 21st November 1998 after an uneventful 8 hour labour. He was a healthy weight and all the signs were looking good until trying breastfeeding for the first time. He didn't seem to know what to do, and of all the things I was worried about beforehand breastfeeding wasn't one of them! After some hours of concern and a gloopy blocked breast was discovered he was given some formula as his blood sugar had dropped (with a type 1 diabetic father alarm bells rang). At home with a constantly crying baby and frantic breast-pumping ended with mastitis and Dougie's first dose of antibiotics ("they only affect the one breast" said the GP). Colic was diagnosed even though he didn't quite fit the picture.
Read More
I believe Josh was born healthy all be it after a very long 40-hour labor. Upon delivery his Apgar score was good although his head was elongated having spent so long traveling down the birth canal. He was unable to latch on to breast feed so I formula fed him from birth till 12 months when I swapped his baby formula to a toddler formula.
Read More
Alex was diagnosed with 'autism at the higher functioning end' when he was 3 years 9 months old. This is the story of his regression into autism and his journey back into our world. The story isn't finished yet, but we have travelled a long way and are confident that Alex will lead a full, happy and 'normal' life!
Read More
Our son recovered from early-onset autism in 2008 after two and a half years of biomedical interventions. He had health problems from six weeks of age. Despite seeing many doctors, we struggled for a long time to understand his considerable problems. At 18 months of age his diagnosis of autism was suggested and by 20 months his health had deteriorated to the point where doctors now visited him at home.
Read More