Posted on 09/27/2007 11:53:48 PM PDT by L.A.Justice
That is not true, and I have no idea where you are getting this “many parents” information. While autism unbrellas a wide range of delays, it is a very real disorder.
The diagnosis matters little outside of securing the benefits and services your child needs. Any neuropsychologist, neurologist or developmental pediatrician will address each individual delay that child has and their recommendations for treatment and therapies.
I can assure you that parents do not do a happy dance in the doctors office when they get this diagnosis. When the neuropsychologist advised me that my son had severe autism I felt I was punched in the stomach, even though I knew what his diagnosis was — I just had him evaluated to get a clear understanding of what his strength and weaknesses were and to obtain information on what exactly he needed. I cryed so hard on the way home from that visit I was hyperventilating in the car (my husband is military and was away so he could not attend this appt, I had to hear this alone).
Unless you are a parent of an autistic child, please do not speak for us.
As autism is not a “mental” issue, I have no idea what you are talking about.
OMG that is horrible!
Me, too. And she is definitely taking his special needs and addressing them head on.
Her marriage was negatively affected by the son's condition. Too bad...
It is sad and unfortunate. I don't mean to sound snippy. But better in the long run because Jenny is committed to getting the best treatment for Evan and right away, which can make all the difference in the world. I know a couple still fighting over how best to treat their autistic son, finally common sense won out and he is getting some help but he's already 9 and has lots of ground to try to make up. I know success stories, too. In particular, two 'high-functioning' autistic young men, one in junior high, one in college. There is hope.
A great step! And I forgot to add, this diet has worked literally miracles for one of the autistic boys I know. It may or may not work for all and it is quite intensive to maintain but when it works the results are nothing short of miraculous.
You feel like life is over at first. Even when you “know”, there’s something about just hearing it that changes everything.
Sorry you had to hear it alone. I was blessed to have my husband & son there.
By Golly, I did not realize that the five psychologists, four psychiatrists, four neurologists, seven IEPs, school officials and numerous other pediatricians, colleagues, lost work time and over three hundred thousand in medical costs had placed my eight year old in a trendy click, absolutely wow!
My son was diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy by two different neurologists before being diagnosed with autism.
There is a doctor living in our house and yet we are stumped as to the root cause of Autism.
We have our opinions but nothing we can prove.
All I know at this time is that I love my son and it breaks my heart that some choose to look upon him as something less than a human child.
Some of the people who posts on these threads are absolutely either trolls from the Daily KOs, Ignorant or just plain mean spirited.
Autism in my estimation is the Polio of the 1950’s.
Am I supposed to know who Jenny is; does that make a difference in her child’s problem being more newsworthy than a similarly affected child?
When we got the final diagnosis on my son I just sat for hours in denial and kept asking God why this beautiful child.
Instead of letting this get me down I treat it as an opportunity to give back to my son what God has given me over the last umpteen years.
In a way it is odd how hearing that diagnosis changes the way a person looks at life and goals.
Suddenly those things a person holds dear such as work, play and social time come second to your child's needs.
Please don’t take this wrong: I don’t know much about autism, and I’m not mocking you with my questions.
I thought autism was due to failed activities in the brain.
I’m here to learn.
I watched the interview, despite my distain of Oprah. Jenny said the difference in her son after only 1 week was dramatic. He started speaking. Sounds like he is well on his way to recovery. I applaud her for her tremendous efforts, and I hope her story and experience gives hope to other parents and children struggling with Autism.
I’ll bump for such a good report.
“That’s the problem. Many parents would rather hear that their child has Autism rather than what they actually have, so now Autism has become the Autism “spectrum.””
If you really believe this, then it’s obvious you know nothing whatsoever about autism.
“OMG that is horrible!”
Yes, it is scary. I had worked as a volunteer in a most prestigious hospital in downtown Philadelphia. I reported one day to hear the office buzzing about this poor woman and her son. It had happened that day. She had a rather important job in the office, so I doubt she was ignorant when it came to healthcare.
I know it did not happen at that hospital. It was a hospital closer to her home.
After I quickly posted my last comment, I thought about it more....
She was so concerned with her child, that she was in the emergency room TWICE that night, once around 7 pm, and then went back around midnight. He was discharged at 2 or 3 am.
There is hope and many diagnosed with autism go on to higher education.
There is a professor at Colorado State who has a PHD and is autistic.
Autism is not a dead end for most children.
As for marital problems that is correct.
Many folks start to blame the other for the child's autism diagnosis.
Parents of autistic children also let the diagnosis consume their every waking second, often at the expense of their spousal relations.
“Autism is trendy? I had no idea my son was a part of a trend.”
Isn’t it incredible how many autism “experts” come to these threads.
I caught the article earlier because of its wheat-free angle. I don’t know if the boy actually has celiac disease, but on celiac lists I’ve heard more than once of going gluten free helping children with autism (the children still have autism, but improved). In adults, celiac is sometimes misdiagnosed as MS (along with a host of other things).
“Isn’t it incredible how many autism “experts” come to these threads.”
Perhaps we want to know more about it? I’ll leave.
>>You’ve just poke
=You’ve just poked
I just worked with Jenny on “Witless Protection.” She’s a beautiful gal, very nice, and a total pro. Gave a great performance - very real and very funny.
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