Chaytor and Autism

This has been on my mind for such a long time...years. But I picked up the new Jenny McCarthy book and its got me thinking all over again. Chaytor's "issues" started years ago, but the memories I remember the most started right after he turned one. He never really hit the milestones of development in time, but that wasn't the stuff that got Robbie and I thinking. He did walk, or the truth is run, one week before he turned 1. I was like, ok, here we go, he's getting there. But then the repetitions started. He didn't want to play with the other kids when we had play dates. He would have to run around the house for quite some time (20 minutes or so) before he would want to play on his swing set. But the one that really bothered me was once he learned to go up and down the stairs, he started doing that for about 2 hours at a time. Nothing wore him out. He was, as they say on IEP check lists, "acts as if running by a motor". Then people started to say things and I was giving excuses. His daycare provider, Lisa, who taught special ed, started dropping hints to me and finally she said "You need to get him tested". I didn't want to hear it.

Then we got a flyer in the mail from the Powhatan Early Intervention Program. It was offering free evaluations. So we went. No talk of Autism. But they did agree he was behind in speech and some fine and gross motor skills. We started OT and Speech Therapy. The cool thing was they came to your home during the day. Robbie was off during the days so he was the parent at home for the therapies. I didn't really have to deal with it.

Then we got Chaytor in the preschool program in Powhatan. Time went by and his at home therapist talked to us about Children's Hospital. So then we got him evaluated there. That was an experience. We met the infamous Dr. Accardo. He had no social skills and seem very rude to me and Robbie. He did a few small tests and watched Chaytor. He asked us a few questions. Then he said "He is not autistic. Get him out of that preschool program and around normal kids. He will pick it up."

Robbie and I left there saying "Good. He's not autistic. But what the hell was that?". Found out later that Dr. Accardo has Asperger Syndrome. This is on the autism spectrum and explains a lot about his mannerisms. People with Asperger Syndrome lack social skills. (Waterboy quote "My boy, lacks what dey call Da Social Skills"). Anyhoo, we kept Chaytor in the program (which is the best thing, we love the program) and we got him started in Speech and OT at Children's Hospital, which we attend every Thursday morning for the last 2 years.

Then the Jenny McCarthy shit hit the fan. I read the book. Her son had seizures (which can accompany autism) and I cried through the first 3 chapters. But there was information I had never heard about. The big one was that you can recover from autism. She explain how and who to contact and the looks you will get from most pediatricians concerning the treatment. Which brings me to a point I forgot to mention in the beginning of this enormous post: I called the pediatrician about Chaytor's repetitions and lack of words. This pediatrician actually said "It's a new thing for him, he likes being able to go up and down the stairs. A new skill will come out and he'll stop doing the stair thing". In addition, the speech "Boys are always behind. He'll get it and never stop after that". Well, Chaytor did get the speech thing, but only after 2 years in therapy and biomedical intervention. As I read her book and all the mom's that dealt with pediatrician's like the one I spoke with, It pissed me off. WTF????? All the signs were there and no one in the medical community wanted to say the A word. It pisses me off to this day.

Now, I can't blame the medical world for everything. I didn't want to deal with it myself. It was so much to take in and have to change about my life in order to deal with this. I was blessed to have a husband like Robbie who was so laid back. He would see my stress and handle it with me. I have read so many stories of families that separated and divorced because the father didn't want to deal with it and put it all on the mom.

Then it happened. I lost Robbie. I was in shock for months. I cried, but I didn't really take in what just happened to my life. My best friend was gone and I was left to raise a developmentally delayed child by myself. Yes, I have family and friends. But the raw truth is he is my responsibility and I didn't want it. It was 7-8 months before I really grieved. Chaytor spent A LOT of time with both sets of grandparents because I couldn't take care of him.

Once I got myself back together, I looked up these DAN! Doctor's Jenny had spoke of. We have one in Richmond and I made an appointment to see her.

http://autism.about.com/od/alternativetreatmens/f/dandoc.htm

We learned about diet, supplements, detox, and the genetics of the disease. AND YES, it can be treated! I follow it as close as I can. Some days I am not as good as I need to be. But those of you who know Chaytor, especially for a long time, have scene the difference. I can't say I blame it all on vaccines. I believe it is a mixture of genes, environmental toxins in our food, overdosing of antibiotics, and food allergies. Those of you who don't understand this list of issues- look them up, read about them, and tell anyone you know about them. We have got to get the word out about these treatments- they WORK! Thousands of families have had major success. You have to tailor the program to your specific child, not all parts have an effect, but they work!!!

Chaytor is now a talking (non shutting up) full force boy. We still have a long way to go, but he is at least somewhat pulled out of that autism fog. He understands things he never did, comprehension is awesome. We don't fight because I can't understand him. He tells me things, sings to me all the time, and interacts with kids.

And even though I can't stand it, I have to thank my mom for being such a pain in my ass for bugging me about new treatments. I have had to tell her a few times to back off, but I still appreciate you help.

More to come, this is too long as it is!