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TOGETHER IN AUTISM - Newsletter

OCTOBER 2008

FROM YOUR FRIENDS @ TOGETHER IN AUTISM,

WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE LATEST NEWS, SUPPORT AND INFORMATION ON ALL THINGS AUTISM...

VISIT WWW.TOGETHERINAUTISM.ORG

JOIN OUR NEW YAHOO GROUP! AND HELP US SPREAD THE WORD. GROUP IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY FOR DISCUSSIONS ON ALL THINGS AUTISM, NOTHING'S OFF THE TABLE. WE DO HOLD WEEKLY ONLINE MEETING'S WEDNESDAY'S AT THE SAME LOCATION. LOOK FORWARD TO YOU JOINING US, PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD...

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR YAHOO GROUP NOW...

EVENTS: WEEKLY ONLINE SUPPORT MEETINGS WEDNESDAY'S @ 9PM...

NEW TO THE SITE: THERAPY LOCATIONS AND MUCH MORE...

IN THE NEWS: T.I.A RECEIVED NATIONAL EXPOSURE IN BOTH PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S JUNE 23RD ISSUE AND INTERVIEW WITH AUTISM ONE...

HISTORY: T.I.A MADE HISTORY HAVING TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA'S 1ST EVER AUTISM WALK IN APRIL 2008... GROUP WAS CREATED IN 07 AT A TIME WHEN NO RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE IN OUR REGION, WE NOW HAVE SEVERAL NATIONAL GROUPS COMING TO OUR AREA, IT'S A WONDERFUL TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY!

T.I.A HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS REACHING NOT ONLY THE MIDWEST, BUT ALSO INTERNATIONALLY-REACHING AS FAR AS INDIA. THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS GETTING MUCH BRIGHTER, RAPIDLY.

WE HAVE HAD A HUGE RESPONSE REACHING MANY IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY, IT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH, OUR GOAL IS TO REACH EVERYONE. PLEASE LET THOSE IN YOUR CIRCLE KNOW ABOUT THIS FREE RESOURCE WE PROVIDE. JUST ONE PERSON INFORMED CAN HELP SO MANY MORE.

ON A LOCAL LEVEL... AS YOU MAY KNOW FROM READING OUR WEBSITE: SINCE OUR INCEPTION WE HAVE HAD A LONG AWAITING GOAL OF SEEING MORE AUTISM RELATED TRAINING IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN INDIANA AND BEYOND (THIS IS A DESIRE FROM BOTH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS AND PARENTS AS WELL). WE ARE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A COMMUNITY PROJECT ADDRESSING THESE NEEDS. THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS GETTING MUCH BRIGHTER... T.I.A ALSO WANTS TO SEE AN AUTISM OUTREACH CENTER IN OUR COMMUNITY, THIS WOULD HOLD THE SAME PREMISES OF WHAT WE PROVIDE ONLINE. A PHYSICAL PLACE FOR ALL YOUR AUTISM RELATED NEEDS.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TOGETHERINAUTISM.ORG

WE ARE ALWAYS UPDATING...

HERE'S WHAT'S IN THE NEWS...

Denis Leary's Idiocy!

From The NY Post: October 15, 2008 -- Denis Leary should brace himself for hate mail from the parents of kids diagnosed with autism. In his new book, "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid," the joke-slinging "Rescue Me" star writes about the brain disorder: "There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can't compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks . . . to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons. I don't give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you - yer kid is NOT autistic. He's just stupid. Or lazy. Or both." The Autism Society of America responded: "For Mr. Leary to suggest that families or doctors conspire to falsely diagnose autism is ridiculous . . . [His] remarks reflect the same misconceptions of autism being caused by bad or unemotional parenting that were held over 50 years ago."

Link: http://www.nypost.com/seven/10152008/gossip/pagesix/learys_brain_vs__t he_autistics_133648.htm

Sanofi Pasteur has released the Bird Flu vaccine

It is recommended for anyone over 18! According to the manufacturer it is also not recommended for pregnant women... Link: http://www.fda.gov/Cber/label/h5n1san041707LB.pdf
This is a blessing... However, when something is safe for pregnant women, you have a better chance of something being less harmful. When you see a warning of use during pregnancy, do a little investigating first...

Sister of Sarah Palin on Autism One Radio...

SPECIAL On Autism One Radio www.autismone.org/radio Wednesday, October 22 Robert and Sandy Waters host The Candy Store 10:00 am ET Heather Bruce, sister of Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin Heather Bruce will talk about her 13-year-old son who has autism, what she thinks about her sister being the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, and what Sarah Palin will do for children with disabilities if Vice-President. If you miss this special and interesting interview it will be in the archives after it air's. @ http://www.autismone.org/radio/

http://www.autismone.org/radio/?radio=schedule&archive http://www.autismone.org/radio/default.cfm?radio=family#robertw

The vaccine forum at Hackensack University Medical Center has run out of tickets.

However, the entire proceedings will be webcast live, along with speaker slides, at www.dienviro.com, on Thursday, Oct 23 from 1:30-5:00 PM EST
Meanwhile, Deirdre Imus will be speaking about the forum live on CNN with Heidi Collins on Tuesday at 10:30 AM EST.

UK Government Fears Vaccine Backlash...
U.K. Government is in hot water - Fear Vaccine Backlash. LINK: http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk UPDATE!

Infant primates given vaccine's on U.S. children's immunization schedule develop behavioral symptoms of autism...
THIS IS A DATED ARTICLE, BUT A MUST READ... GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH PROVIDES EVEN MORE SCIENCE SUPPORTING THE THEORY THAT VACCINES CAN AND DO CAUSE AUTISM...
Nixa, MO - A primate model for autism using the U.S. children's immunization schedule was unveiled at the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR) this weekend. The research underscores the critical need for studies into vaccine safety and the immune and mitochondrial dysfunction of autistic children. The National Autism Association (NAA) questions why the government hasn't undertaken these vital studies and why researchers have had to depend on private money to perform this critical science that will surely impact the health of millions of children worldwide. While the authors and organizations associated with this study are withholding comment until publication, University of Pittsburgh's Dr. Laura Hewitson, Ph.D., described at the IMFAR meeting how vaccinated animals, when compared to unvaccinated animals, showed significant neurodevelopmental deficits and "significant associations between specific aberrant social and non-social behaviors, isotope binding, and vaccine exposure." Researchers also reported at the scientific meeting that "vaccinated animals exhibited progressively severe chronic active inflammation whereas unexposed animals did not" and found "many significant differences in the GI tissue gene expression profiles between vaccinated and unvaccinated animals." Gastrointestinal issues are a common symptom of children with regressive autism. NAA calls for the NIH to conduct large scale, non-epidemiological studies into the biomedical symptoms surrounding young children and all vaccines, including those containing the mercury-based preservative thimerosal and other additives like aluminum. This request for further research echoes that of Dr. Bernadine Healy, Former NIH Director in a CBS interview earlier this week. "I think public health officials have been too quick to dismiss the hypothesis as 'irrational,' without sufficient studies of causation... without studying the population that got sick," Healy said. "I have not seen major studies that focus on 300 kids who got autistic symptoms within a period of a few weeks of the vaccines." Recently the government's vaccine court conceded the case of Hannah Poling, admitting that vaccines triggered her regression into autism by exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction. "The recent Poling case and this new research provide further evidence that the CDC has fallen down on their job to protect children from harm. The biomedical research to date suggests that parental reports of regression following vaccination is not only plausible, but likely in certain individuals," said Scott Bono, NAA Chairman. "To date, the CDC has conducted no safety testing on the possible harmful effects of simultaneously administering multiple vaccines to infants, and has steadfastly refused to state a preference for mercury-free vaccines to be given to children and pregnant women. It's time for HHS and Congress to step in and take vaccine safety away from the CDC." On June 4th, parents of vaccine-injured children will rally for toxin-free immunizations in Washington, DC. For more information visit www.nationalautism.org.

CDC Misses Target With Flawed MMR/Autism Study
PRESS RELEASE - September 3, 2008
Nixa, MO - A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released today claims there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The National Autism Association (NAA) says this study does nothing to dispel the growing public concern over a vaccine-autism connection and raises several questions concerning design and methodology. For years, parents have claimed that MMR triggered their child's subsequent GI (gastrointestinal) disease and autism. In a 2002 paper where the majority of autistic children were found to have measles in their intestines, the children examined showed a clear temporal link between MMR exposure and regression. The CDC's attempt to replicate the 2002 study fell far short of proving the safety of the MMR vaccine. The CDC study was designed to detect persistent measles virus in autistic children with GI problems. The assumption being if there is no measles virus at the long delayed time of biopsy, there is no link between autism and MMR. But NAA says this underlying assumption is wrong. The questions should have been: Do normally developing children meeting all milestones have an MMR shot, develop GI problems and then regress into autism? Do they have evidence of measles and disease in their colons compared to non-vaccinated age and sex matched controls? In the current CDC study, only a small subgroup of children was the correct phenotype to study. From page 7,"Only 5 of 25 subjects (20%) had received MMR before the onset of GI complaints and had also had onset of GI episodes before the onset of AUT (P=0.03)."The other 20 autistic children in the study had GI problems but the pathology developed before the MMR vaccine. Additionally, the controls all received the MMR vaccine and had gastrointestinal symptoms. The controls should have been free of exposure to vaccine measles in order to make a comparison relevant for purposes of causation.Inflammatory bowel disease in the absence of MMR RNA does not mean that MMR shot didn't precipitate the GI disease and didn't precipitate autism. A similar example would be rheumatic fever where the infection is cleared quickly but damage to the heart and/or brain last a lifetime.Public confidence in the safety of vaccines is at risk until safety studies are performed that are required by law, ethics,and science. NAA calls for a vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated study comparing all health outcomes including autism.The CDC is in charge of vaccine safety, owns patents to vaccines (according to a UPI Investigative Report from 2003) and is in charge of promoting vaccines.The public should demand that vaccine safety be taken away from an agency with such conflicts and support HR#1973,the Vaccine Safety and Public Confidence Assurance Act."

THIS IS A DATED ARTICLE, BUT A MUST READ... GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH PROVIDES EVEN MORE SCIENCE SUPPORTING THE THEORY THAT VACCINES CAN AND DO CAUSE AUTISM...
Nixa, MO - A primate model for autism using the U.S. children's immunization schedule was unveiled at the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR) this weekend. The research underscores the critical need for studies into vaccine safety and the immune and mitochondrial dysfunction of autistic children. The National Autism Association (NAA) questions why the government hasn't undertaken these vital studies and why researchers have had to depend on private money to perform this critical science that will surely impact the health of millions of children worldwide. While the authors and organizations associated with this study are withholding comment until publication, University of Pittsburgh's Dr. Laura Hewitson, Ph.D., described at the IMFAR meeting how vaccinated animals, when compared to unvaccinated animals, showed significant neurodevelopmental deficits and "significant associations between specific aberrant social and non-social behaviors, isotope binding, and vaccine exposure." Researchers also reported at the scientific meeting that "vaccinated animals exhibited progressively severe chronic active inflammation whereas unexposed animals did not" and found "many significant differences in the GI tissue gene expression profiles between vaccinated and unvaccinated animals." Gastrointestinal issues are a common symptom of children with regressive autism. NAA calls for the NIH to conduct large scale, non-epidemiological studies into the biomedical symptoms surrounding young children and all vaccines, including those containing the mercury-based preservative thimerosal and other additives like aluminum. This request for further research echoes that of Dr. Bernadine Healy, Former NIH Director in a CBS interview earlier this week. "I think public health officials have been too quick to dismiss the hypothesis as 'irrational,' without sufficient studies of causation... without studying the population that got sick," Healy said. "I have not seen major studies that focus on 300 kids who got autistic symptoms within a period of a few weeks of the vaccines." Recently the government's vaccine court conceded the case of Hannah Poling, admitting that vaccines triggered her regression into autism by exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction. "The recent Poling case and this new research provide further evidence that the CDC has fallen down on their job to protect children from harm. The biomedical research to date suggests that parental reports of regression following vaccination is not only plausible, but likely in certain individuals," said Scott Bono, NAA Chairman. "To date, the CDC has conducted no safety testing on the possible harmful effects of simultaneously administering multiple vaccines to infants, and has steadfastly refused to state a preference for mercury-free vaccines to be given to children and pregnant women. It's time for HHS and Congress to step in and take vaccine safety away from the CDC." On June 4th, parents of vaccine-injured children will rally for toxin-free immunizations in Washington, DC. For more information visit www.nationalautism.org.

CDC Misses Target With Flawed MMR/Autism Study
PRESS RELEASE - September 3, 2008

Nixa, MO - A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released today claims there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The National Autism Association (NAA) says this study does nothing to dispel the growing public concern over a vaccine-autism connection and raises several questions concerning design and methodology. For years, parents have claimed that MMR triggered their child's subsequent GI (gastrointestinal) disease and autism. In a 2002 paper where the majority of autistic children were found to have measles in their intestines, the children examined showed a clear temporal link between MMR exposure and regression. The CDC's attempt to replicate the 2002 study fell far short of proving the safety of the MMR vaccine. The CDC study was designed to detect persistent measles virus in autistic children with GI problems. The assumption being if there is no measles virus at the long delayed time of biopsy, there is no link between autism and MMR. But NAA says this underlying assumption is wrong. The questions should have been: Do normally developing children meeting all milestones have an MMR shot, develop GI problems and then regress into autism? Do they have evidence of measles and disease in their colons compared to non-vaccinated age and sex matched controls? In the current CDC study, only a small subgroup of children was the correct phenotype to study. From page 7,"Only 5 of 25 subjects (20%) had received MMR before the onset of GI complaints and had also had onset of GI episodes before the onset of AUT (P=0.03)."The other 20 autistic children in the study had GI problems but the pathology developed before the MMR vaccine. Additionally, the controls all received the MMR vaccine and had gastrointestinal symptoms. The controls should have been free of exposure to vaccine measles in order to make a comparison relevant for purposes of causation.Inflammatory bowel disease in the absence of MMR RNA does not mean that MMR shot didn't precipitate the GI disease and didn't precipitate autism. A similar example would be rheumatic fever where the infection is cleared quickly but damage to the heart and/or brain last a lifetime.Public confidence in the safety of vaccines is at risk until safety studies are performed that are required by law, ethics,and science. NAA calls for a vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated study comparing all health outcomes including autism.The CDC is in charge of vaccine safety, owns patents to vaccines (according to a UPI Investigative Report from 2003) and is in charge of promoting vaccines.The public should demand that vaccine safety be taken away from an agency with such conflicts and support HR#1973,the Vaccine Safety and Public Confidence Assurance Act."

Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations
By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer
The nation's leading pediatricians group says children from newborns to teens should get double the usually recommended amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it may help prevent serious diseases. To meet the new recommendation of 400 units daily, millions of children will need to take daily vitamin D supplements, the American Academy of Pediatrics said. That includes breast-fed infants even those who get some formula, too, and many teens who drink little or no milk. Baby formula contains vitamin D, so infants on formula only generally don't need supplements. However, the academy recommends breast- feeding for at least the first year of life and breast milk is sometimes deficient. Most commercially available milk is fortified with vitamin D, but most children and teens don't drink enough of it four cups daily would be needed to meet the new requirement, said Dr. Frank Greer, the report's co-author. The new advice is based on mounting research about potential benefits from vitamin D besides keeping bones strong, including suggestions that it might reduce risks for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But the evidence isn't conclusive and there's no consensus on how much of the vitamin would be needed for disease prevention. The new advice replaces a 2003 academy recommendation for 200 units daily. That's the amount the government recommends for children and adults up to age 50; 400 units is recommended for adults aged 51 to 70 and 600 units for those aged 71 and up. Vitamin D is sold in drops for young children, capsules and tablets. The Institute of Medicine, a government advisory group that sets dietary standards, is discussing with federal agencies whether those recommendations should be changed based on emerging research, said spokeswoman Christine Stencel. The recommendations were prepared for release Monday at an academy conference in Boston. They are to be published in the November issue of the academy's journal, Pediatrics. Besides milk and some other fortified foods like cereal, vitamin D is found in oily fish including tuna, mackerel and sardines.But it's hard to get enough through diet; the best source is sunlight because the body makes vitamin D when sunshine hits the skin.While it is believed that 10 to 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen a few times weekly is sufficient for many, people with dark skin and those in northern, less sunny climates need more. Because of sunlight's link with skin cancer, "vitamin D supplements during infancy, childhood and adolescence are necessary," the academy's report says.Recent studies have shown that many children don't get enough vitamin D, and cases of rickets, a bone disorder often associated with malnourishment in the 1800s, continue to occur.Greer, a University of Wisconsin pediatrician, acknowledged that most studies suggesting vitamin D may play a much broader role in disease prevention have been observational, not the most rigorous kind of medical evidence.Nonetheless, many doctors consider the research compelling and many have begun to offer patients routine vitamin D testing.Adrian Gombart, a vitamin D researcher at Oregon State University, said the new recommendations are safe and conservative but that 400 units "is probably not enough. "Gombart's lab work in human tissue has shown that vitamin D helps increase levels of a protein that kills bacteria. He said many experts believe that between 800 and 1,000 units daily would be more effective at helping fight disease.Several members of an academy committee that helped write the guidelines have current or former ties to makers of infant formula or vitamin supplements.

Jenny McCarthy Finds Autism Cure
PopEater.com

Jenny McCarthy claims she helped her son, Evan, recover from autism. She tells Usmagazine.com that by giving her son a strict no wheat-and-dairy-free diet, she says her son has recovered and no longer shows the major signs of autism. McCarthy claimed the MMR vaccine was to blame for her son's diagnosis with autism and has since become a strong advocate for autism awareness. Her claims that autism is curable has become a controversial subject, which she focuses on in her newest book, 'Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds.' She says she wants to bring hope to families and give them more options than doctors are currently providing. Jenny McCarthy says she helped her son, Evan, recover from autism. In the new issue of Us Magazine, the actress says a strict no wheat-and-dairy-free diet has helped cure her son of his autism symptoms.Why she blames the vaccine for Evan's autism: "Before the vaccination, he was huggy, lovey, snuggly. Then it was like someone came down and stole him." On her faith in God to find a cure: "I made a deal with God. I said, 'You fix my boy, you show me the way and I'll teach the world how I did it.'" On when she knew her detoxifying diet was helping Evan: "I heard Evan laugh... I jumped on the bed and started screaming. When he finally hugged me, I prayed, 'Please God don't let this be the only time.'" On her unsuccessful outreach to John McCain to discuss autism: "We tried. McCain had come out and said he thinks there's enough evidence between vaccines and autism, so I got on a helicopter [to meet him for] an on-camera interview. By the time I got there, the campaign manager said, 'He's ahead in the polls, and this is too controversial, and he doesn't want to go one way or the next.'" On Dennis Leary's statements about autism: "It's so hard to even get up enough juice in me or energy in me to even try to fight someone that is obviously stupid. This community has been through so much and to compare and use the word 'dumb-a** lazy' with autism, it's just not fair. Mind you, I have not read his chapter. He says he has been misunderstood. My fight isn't with Denis Leary, my fight is with the government - a bigger fish to fry."
FOR FULL ARTICLE AND VIDEO INTERVIEWS, HERE'S A DIRECT LINK...
http://www.popeater.com/television/article/jenny-mccarthy-finds-autism-cure/215869?icid=200100397x121118263%3E%200x1200663812

* HERE'S A NOTE FROM T.I.A ON THIS ARTICLE *

JENNY MCCARTHY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN A CURE... IT'S A HUGE MISCONCEPTION THAT WE CAN THANK THE INADEQUATE MEDIA FOR. JENNY MCCARTHY VERY, VERY, VERY OFTEN HAS TO CORRECT THE MEDIA AS SHE ALWAYS SAYS THERE IS HOPE AND POSSIBILITY FOR RECOVERY AND THAT THERE IS NOT A CURE AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEEE OF SUCCESS WITH EVERY CHILD. I'M SURE YOU HAVE ALL HEARD THIS, "RECOVERY IS LIKE GETTING HIT BY A BUS, YOU GET BANDAGED AND TAKE THE PROPER STEPS TO HEAL, YOU IMPROVE, YOU MAY HAVE SET BACKS AND THERE ARE REMINDERS WITHIN THE BODY OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT YOU ARE NEVER CURED... EVEN IN THIS ARTICLE HER QUOTES ARE 100% "RECOVERY" AND THEIR PARTS CONTAIN "CURE." VERY FRUSTRATING AS THIS IS THEIIR WAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE ARTICLE, WHICH IS WONDERFUL, BUT IT SHOWS THE PUBLIC A GRAVE MISUNDERSTANDING AND NEGATIVITY TO OUR SUCCESSFUL METHODS... THOUSANDS ARE RECOVERING, WHICH MEANS "MAKING IMPROVEMENTS" AND IT IS A WONDERFUL TIME IN THE ATUISM COMMUNITY :)

WARM REGARDS,

TOGETHER IN AUTISM

JENNY MCCARTHY: HOW I SAVED MY SON

US WEEKLY MAGAZINE- OCTOBER 27TH ISSUE

A CONTROVERSIAL JENNY MCCARTHY OPENS UP ABOUT HER CHILD'S BATTLE BACK FROM AUTISM, AND WHY SHE WON'T STOP HER FIGHT TO BE HEARD.

JENNY MCCARTY'S SON, EVA, BEHAVES LIKE ANY OTHER REMBUNCTIOUS 6-YEAR-OLD. ONE MOMENT HE'S GIGGLING AND JUMPING ONTHER BED. THE NEXT, HE BRINGS HER A PUMPKIN DRAWING INSCRIBED "TO MOMMY LOVE EVAN." "HE MAKS ME LOVE AND HEART PICTURES, " SHE BOASTS TO US. "HE LOVES TO SNUGGLE. I CAN'T PEEL HIM OFF OF ME! THAT'S A GOOD THING. JUST THREE YEARS AGO, AN EMOTIONALLY WITHDRAWN EVAN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, A BRAIN-DEVELOPEMENT DISORDER THAT IMPAIRS A PERSON'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE. MCCARTHY'S MARRAIGE TO DIRECTOR JOHN AHSER SOON CRUMBLED FROM THE STRESS.

INSTEAD FO FEELING SORRY FOR HERSELF, THE OUTSPOKEN STAR-WHO SHOT TO FAME IN THE MID 1990'S AS A MTV HOSTESS AND A PLAYBOY CENTERFOLD- TOOK ACTION. SHE WENT PUBLIC WITH HER STRUGGLE IN 2007 BEST-SELLER LOUDER THAN WORDS: A MOTHER'S JOURNEY IN HEALING AUTISM AND DECLARED THAT EVAN'S VACCINATIONS CAUSED THE DISEASE. THE AMERICAN OF PEDIATRICS BLASTED HER ALLEGATIONS, WITH INFECTIOUS-DISEASE EXPERT DR. PAUL OFFIT BLAMING "THE POWER OF ANEDOTE" FOR CREATING A FEAR OF NECESSARY AND HARMLESS VACCINES. NOW THANKS TO A STRICT WHEAT-AND-DAIRY-FREE DIET- NOT TO MENTION THE UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF JIM CARREY, 46, HER BOYFRIEND OF NEARLY THREE YEARS- SHE SAYS EVAN HAS FULLY RECOVERED. BUT MCCARTHY, 36, ISN'T DONE ADVOCATING FOR AUTISM AWARENESS. SHE SHARES HOW OTHER PARENTS USED THE MODIFIED DIET, AMONG OTHER METHODS, TO IMPROVE THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES ON HER NEW BOOK, MOTHER WARRIORS: A NATION OF PARENTS HEALING AUTISM AGAINST ALL ODDS, AND PLANS TO OPEN AN AUTISM CHILD-CARE CENTER IN HER HOUSE IN 2009. SHE TELLS HER STORY AT HER L.A. HOME TO US'S MELANIE BROMLEY.

AT AGE 2 AND A HALF, EVAN HAD MUTIPLE SEIZURE'S.

I WANTED TO BELEIVE IT WAS EPILEPSY, AND THEN ONE DAY HE WENT INTO A SEIZURE AND INTO CARDIAC ARREST AT HOME. I WATCHED HIM GO BLUE, EYES DILATE AND TAKE THT LAST BREATH. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH GOD, "WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?" THEN I SAID, "NO, NO, NO. i'M NOT LETTING THIS HAPPEN." THEN A WAVE OF CALM. ALL THIS IS IN TWO MINUTES OF CPR. HE STARTED SEIZING AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR, LIKE, SEVEN HOURS. FROM THE AMBULANCE, I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND WATCHED CARS GO BY WITH PEOPLE IN THEM SINGING TO THE RADIO, AND I JUST WANTED TO SWITCH PLACES WITH THEM SO BADLY.

AT FIRST, HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EPILEPSY.

THE DOCTOR'S WOULDN'T LOOK ANY FURTHER. I SAID, "BUT WHY DID THESE SEIZURE'S START? WHAT'S HAPPENING?" THEY WOULDN'T EVEN DIVE INTO A CAUSE. I SAID, "I'M NOT GOING TO STAND BACK. I'M GOING TO HEAL MY KID." I DUG AND FOUND THE BEST NEUROLOGIST. WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND HE SAID, "HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE WORD AUTISM/" I THOUGHT RAIN MAN. I PICTURED EVAN NOT WANTING ANY AFFECTION FROM ME AND REPEATING THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER. THE DOCTOR GRABBVED MY KNEE AND SAID, "HE'S STILL THE SAME BOY THAT YOU WALKED IN WITH." THE THE WARRIOR IN ME CAME OUT. MY INSTINCT WAS HE'S LOCKED INSIDE HIS LABEL, AND I'M GOING TO GET HIM OUT.

IS THAT WHY YOU CHOOSE TO BE SO OPEN ABOUT YOUR DIAGNOSIS?

I MADE A DEAL WITH GOD THE DAY EVAN WAS DIAGNOSED. I SAID, " YOU FIX MY BOY, YOU SHOW ME THE WAY AND I'LL TEACH THE WORLD HOW I DID IT." SO THIS IS MY LIFE NOW. I'M GIVING MY AGENT A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE I TURN DOWN EVERY ROLE! I USED TO GET HORNY MEN SCREAMING, "I LOVE YOUR BOOBS!" NOW I'M ON AN AIR-PLANE AND THE PILOT COMES OUT TO TALK TO ME BECAUSE HIS KID IS AUTISTIC. TEN PEOPLE ARE ON ME AT GROCERY STORES. BUT I TRY TO GIVE EVERYONE AS MUCH ATTENTION AS POSSIBLE.

YOU CONNECT AUTISM WITH VACCINATIONS?

BEFORE VACCINATIONS, HE WAS HUGGY, LOVEY, SNUGGLY. HE MADE EYE CONTACT AND SMILES. AND THEN IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE CAME DOWN AND STOLE HIM. THAT WAS REALLY HARD- THE SILENT CAR RIDES WITH YOUR KID IN THE CAR SEAT; USUALLY MOMS HAVE SOME BACK-AND-FORTH.

IN YOUR VIEW, WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC LINK?

I DON'T THINK AUTISM IS GENETIC. I HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF GENETIC VULNERABILITY THAT MY KID CAN'T DETOX VACCINES. THEY SAY THE MERCURY [THIMEROSAL, USED AS A PRESERVATIVE IN SHOTS] IS GONE, BUT IT'S STILL IN THERE! IN 1983, WHEN KIDS ONLY GOT 10 SHOTS, AUTISM WAS ONE IN 10, 000. NOW, KIDS GET 36 SHOTS, AND THE ODDS ARE 1 IN 150 THEY'RE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. [THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISPUTES THIS LINK; NO DEFINITIVE STUDIES CONNECT AUTISM WITH VACCINES.] A MONTH BEFORE EVAN FOR HIS MMR SHOT- THE "AUTISM SHOT" - I READ AN ARTICLE THAT SAID AUTISM WAS ON THE RISE. I READ IT LIKE, "THOSE POOR PARENTS." BUT WHEN EVAN WENT IN, I WAS SCARED. MY HUSBAND SIGNED THE RELEASE. THEY PUT THE NEEDLE IN HIS LEG AND HE SCREAMED. I FELT A CHILL. IT WAS LIKE I WAS WATCHING DESTINY HAPPEN, LOSS OF EYE CONTACT, LOSS OF LANGUAGE.

YOU SAY EVAN IS RECOVERD, NOT CURED.

IF YOU GOT HIT BY A BUS, WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU WERE CURED FROM IT? NO, YOU RECOVERED FROM THE ACCIDENT.

HOW DID YOU "RECOVER" EVAN?

GENERATIONRESCUE.ORG WAS THE PLACE I FOUND FIRST, AND IT LITERALLY GIVES YOU THE STEPS. IN ONE SENTENCE: NO WHEAT AND NO DAIRY, BECAUSE HIS SYSTEM CANNOT BREAK THEM DOWN [DIGESTIVE DISORDERS ARE LINKE DOT AUTISM]. IT TURNS THEM INTO AN OPIATE MAKING THEM STONED OR DRUNK. ALSO: VITAMINS, DETOXING AND OCCASIONALLY AIFUNGAL MEDICINES. POSITIVE THINKING HELPED. I ALWAYS HAD A VISION OF EVAN LAUGHING ON THE BED WITH ME.

THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE METHOD YOU USED.

HOW CAN 15 YEARS OF ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE BE COMPLETELY WRONG? IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! WE'RE RECOVERING OUR KIDS FROM AUTISM! EVAN WAS NONSPEAKING, HANDS FLAPPING IN THE CORNER AND DIDN'T KNOW ANYONE WAS IN THE ROOM. LOOK WHERE HE IS NOW. I HEALED A VACCINE INJURY. THE CDC AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS WON'T ENDORSE OR EVEN LOOK AT OUR TREATMENT. IT DOESN'T WORK FO REVERYONE, NOW I HOPE PARENTS DON'T DISCOURAGE IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK ON THEIR KID.

AND NOW HE'S OFF THE ATUISM SPECTRUM?

YES, SINCE 4 YEARS OF AGE. HE STILL SUFFERS SEIZURES. SOME CONSTIPATION AND OTHER THINGS FROM THE INJURY- BUT HE'S COMPLETELY TYPICAL, CONVERSATIONAL, ENGAGING, WANTS TO PLAY, YOU KNOW? HE DOESN'T HAVE AUTISM TANTRUMS OR REGRESSION. NOW MIND YOU, IN THE WORLD OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS AND VIRUSES THAT CAN TRIGGER ATUISM, I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

WHAT WAS YOUR BREAK-THROUGH MOMENT?

[AT AGE 3, WHEN] SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS WAS ON TV. JUST A FEW MONTHS EARLIER, EVAN COULDN'T UNDERSTAND "POINT TO YOUR NOSE" ANYMORE. THEN SPONGEBOB DID SOMETHING.... YOU WOULD REALLY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE JOKE TO KNOW IT WAS FUNNY. AND I HEARD EVAN LAUGH. MY SISTER WAS WITH ME AND WE SLOWLY LOOKED OVER TO HIM, AND HE WAS STILL LOOKING AT THE TV AND LAUGHING AT THE JOKE. I JUMPED UP ON THE BED AND STARTED SCREAMING, "I'M DOING IT! I'M PULLING HIM OUT!" I RAN TO THE OTHER ROOM AND CALLED MY MOM AND WOKE HER UP- SHE THOUGHT EVAN WAS IN THE HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING, BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, "MOM, I'M DOING IT!"

HOW ABOUT THE FIRST TIME HE GAVE YOU A HUG?

WHEN HE FIRST PUT HIS ARMS AROUND ME AGAIN, IT WAS LIKE GOD OPENED UP THE GATES OF HEAVEN AND ALLOWED ME TO SEE HIM. AND I PRAYED, "DON'T LET THIS BE THE ONLY MOMENT." DO YOU REMEBER THAT ROBERT DE NIRO MOVIE AWAKENINGS? YOU KNOW HOW THEY WOKE UP? THAT'S EXACTLY HOW IT FEELS. THESE PEOPLE ARE STARING OUT THE WINDOW, THEN THEY WAKE UP.

WHAT WAS THE HUG FOR?

JUST TO DO IT. IT WAS IN THIS HOME. IT WAS A REAL ONE, THAT SQUEEZED WITH HIS HEAD ON MY SHOULDER. LITERALLY, I ENVISIONED GOD GOING, "HERE'S THE GREATEST GIFT OF LIFE." MY PERCEPTION OF WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT CHANGED. NEEDING TO HAVE THE BEST DESIGNER SHOES? WHEN YOUR KID'S SICK, IT'S LIKE, "WHO CARES?"

YOUR FIRST MARRIAGE DIDN'T SURVUVE AUTISM. HOW IS JIM DIFFERENT?

JIM WASN'T COMING IN WITH LUGGAGE, SO IT WAS MUCH EASIER FOR HIM

RIGHTOFF THE BAT. IT WAS JUST LIKE, "THIS IS A GIRL THAT I LOVE WITH HER BEAUITFUL LITTLE BOY, AND I'M GOING TO BE OPEN TO ALL POSSIBILITIES." IT'S NOT LIKE HE HAD THESE WINGS AND CAME DOWM FROM HEAVEN AND WAS ABLE TO SURPASS ANYON'ES FATHER. BUT HE DIDN'T RUN FROM THE UGLY PARTS OF AUTISM- LIKE EVAN SCREAMING ALL DAY LONG. HE HUNG IN THERE.

YOU'VE NICKNAMED JIM THE "AUTISM WHISPERER."

EVAN WAS SCARED OF WATER,. MY WAY WAS TO THROW A KID IN THE POOL AND LET HIM SCREAM UNTIL HE GETS USED TO IT. BUT IT WASN'T WORKING. SO AT THE BEACH, JIM WOULD PUT HIS FEET IN THE WATER AND LAUGH AND PRETEND HE WAS HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE. HE DID IT FOR HOURS, UNTIL EVAN TOOK THOSE TWO STEPS AND GOT HIS LITTLE FEET WET. HE DID THIS PATIENT, GRADUAL, LOVING, EASING INTO A DIFFICULT SITUATION, USING FUN TO HEAL.

WHAT'S IT LIKE SEEING THEM BOND?

OH, MY GOD! ALMOST EVERY NIGHT, HE AND EVAN DO SCENES OF STAR WARS WHERE JIM IS THE EMPEROR AND EVAN IS DARTH VADER, AND THEY GO BACK AND FORTH. I'M SO SCARED TO SAY THIS, BUT EVAN IS A REALLY GOOD ACTOR. MY HAIR COMES UP ON BOTH MY FOREARMS WHEN I WATCH TE MAN I LOVE DO A SCENE WITH MY MOST SPECIAL GIFT OF LIFE.

IN YOUR BOOK, YOU ALSO SAY JIM HELPED YOU CONFRONT YOUR GUILT OVER EVAN'S DIAGNOSIS.

I WAS HAVING PANIC ATTACKS AFTER EVAN RECOVERED. EVAN'S DOING GREAT- WHY AM I HAVING PANIC ATTACKS? I CALLED MY THERAPIST, AND SHE TOLD ME I NEVER DEALT WITH THE GUILT OG EVAN'S AUTISM. AND I WAS LIKE, "WHAT?! IT'S THE PEDIATRICIAN'S FAULT! NOT MY FAULT!" I WENT TO JIM'S HOUSE THAT NIGHT. WE WERE SITTING IN THE KITCHEN. I TOLD HIM THAT I CALLED MY THERAPIST, AND HE SAID, "WHAT'D SHE SAY?" I SAID, "SHE SAID I FEEL GUILTY FOR EVAN'S AUTISM. HOW STUPID IS THAT?" HE WAS THROWING SOMETHING IN THE THE GARBAGE AND DID ONE OF THOSE SLOW LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER. THEN HE SAID, " YOU DO FEEL GUILY FOR EVAN'S AUTISM." HE WALKED OVER TO ME, GAVE ME A HUG AND WOULDN'T LET ME GO. WHEN SOMEONE'S GOING TO HOLD YOU LIKE THAT, YOU EXPLODE. THE WALLS COME CRASHING DOWN, BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S A SAFE NEST TO DO THAT. WOMEN ALWAYS TAKE THE BLAME FOR MISCARRIAGES AND THINGS. AND WITH AUTISM, A LOT OF MOMS DO. THAT SOMEHOW, SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THEIR BODIES OR THEY DIDNT SPEAK UP ENOUGH.

DOES EVAN KNOW ABOUT HIS AUTISM?

HE KNOWS THAT HE COULDN'T TALK. HE SAID, "REMEMBER WHEN I COULDN'T GET MY WORDS OUT?" HE WAS VERY AWARE THAT HE WAS STUCK, WHICH WAS HARD FO RME TO LEARN. I REALIZED SO MANY KIDS ARE COMPLETELY AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS. WE THINK THY'RE GONE, BUT THEY JUST CAN'T GET THE WORDS OUT.

DO YOU PLAN ON HAVING MORE KIDS?

NO. I GOT MY ASS KICKED, I GOT IT KICKED... NOW ALL MY ATTENTION IS TOWARD MANITAINING EVAN'S RECOVERY, HELPING ALL THESE FAMILIES, BEING A GREAT GIRLFRIEND TO JIM AND THAT'S IT. IF I GET PREGNANT, WOULD I KEEP IT? OF COURSE. BUT I'M REALLY GOOD AT NOT GETTING PREGNANT!

YOUR'RE CONTECT TO BE EVAN'S MOM.

I WAS TELLING HIM THE STORY OF WHEN I USED TO LAY HIM ON MY LAP AND SAY, " I'M GOING TO BE THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD." HE'D LAUGH AND GIGGLE AND JUST LOVE IT, AND TELL ME TO SAY IT AGAIN. I JUST RECENTLY WENT, " YOU KNOW, I AM HIS BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!"

* HERE'S A NOTE FROM T.I.A ON THIS ARTICLE *

YOU SHOULD GO OUT AND GET THIS ISSUE TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE. THIS IS HISTORY! THIS BY FAR IS THE MOST ACCURATE MAINSTREAM ARTICLE ON JENNY MCCARTHY AND BIOMEDICAL INTERVENTIONS. THIS ARTICLE IS NOT TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT. 100% JENNY'S WORDS. THIS GIVES YOU AN INSIDE EASY VIEW INTO WHAT BIOMEDICAL IS: DIET, VITAMINS, SUPPLUMENTS AND IN SOME CASES, TREATMENTS... THERE IS NO GUARANTEE NOR A GUARANTEE OF IMMEDIATE RESULTS. EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT, AS WELL AS THE METHODS USED TO SHOW PROGRESS... IT TAKES A 100% COMMITMENT, AND AS WITH MOST THINGS THERE MAY BE SOME TRIAL AND ERROR :)

WARM REGARDS,

TOGETHER IN AUTISM

THESE ARE MUST READ'S...

How My "Typical" Husband Wound Up On Autism Meds...

This is a great article by Barbara Fischkin: LINK: http://tinyurl.com/4xz9dp

Robert Waters in The Autism File magazine:
The September 2008 edition of The Autism File:

The longest running international autism journal, is packed from cover-to-cover with practical, helpful articles, news, and perspectives, including "How I Use Music to Connect with My Daughter Who as Autism" by Robert Waters.Other articles include:"A New Theory in Teaching Language" with Dr. Harry Schneider; "Children with Autism are Treatable" by Dr. Elizabeth Mumper; and "A Brother's Point of View" by Charlie Edwards.Available at many major bookstores, if your local Borders, Barnes & Noble, or other bookseller doesn't have The Autism File on the shelf yet, please email Info@autismfile.com or visit www.autismfile.com to subscribe.

Wrights Law...
Most of you are already aware, but for those who are not. Check out LINK: http://wrightslaw.com/
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

My Son
By Natasha Campbell-McBride, M.D.
From Autism Research Institute (Susanne)
Dr. Campbell-McBride, a neurologist who also holds a Master's degree in nutrition, lives in Cambridge, UK, with her husband and her autistic son, who was born in the autumn of 1992. Her clinic treats autistic children from around the world, and she is currently working on a book on effective autism treatments. This story was written in February 2003.
My son is 10 years old. He is in a mainstream school, doing well. His academic achievements are within normal range for 10-year-olds, although math is not his strong point. He can be clumsy as far as social skills are concerned, but he has friends, and children generally like him. He can be naive and hyperactive at times, but amazingly mature at other times. His language is excellent with a wider-than-usual vocabulary, and he likes to write poetry and short stories. He is learning to play piano and is doing very well, particularly at composing his own music. No one would suspect what this child and his parents have been through. Nobody who meets him now would ever think of autism in connection with this boy. All this is now. I have been asked to look into the past and describe how we got here.
It is always painful for a mother to recall those years of desperation and hard work with an autistic child. It is particularly painful to realize all the things you were doing wrong. If only we knew then what we know now! If only we had done this and that, when he was smaller, he may have developed very differently.
However, I do not regret for a moment the mind-blowing educational journey my son took me through. When he was born, I was an M.D. trained in neurology with seven years' working experience. But as they say, doctors make the worst patients. When it comes to your own child, you are just as prone to denial and blindness as any other parent. Apart from that, as all the parents of autistic children discover, doctors know very little about autism. They are taught how to diagnose it, but when it comes to treatment, official medicine has nothing to offer. On the contrary, it is hell bent on convincing you that there is nothing you can do and that any other opinion is quackery. So, being a doctor has given me no advantage at all.
Our son was diagnosed autistic at the age of three. After the initial shock and grieving my husband and I started to learn as much as we could about autism. In those days there wasn't as much information available on the subject as there is now, but at least there was something offering our son hope. I remember that somebody gave us a phone number for Dr. Rimland in California. We had a long conversation with him and as a result our son was on an ABA program by the age of 3 1/2. At the same time he started taking DMG. This conversation with Dr. Rimland was like a ray of sunshine in our lives. Here was a person who knew so much about autism and who was prepared to share his knowledge with us and help us. Here was a parent who did not accept the official position on autism and who had devoted his life to changing that position. I am sure that there are thousands of families around the world forever grateful to this man. I want to add my family to that list.
From the very beginning the ABA program was performing absolute miracles with our boy. I will never forget our first workshop with our excellent ABA consultant, who had flown to us from the U.S. At the end of an exhausting two days of training, she said that in three months' time she expected our son to speak in small sentences. All of us, including our five therapists, thought that she was dreaming, because our boy had no speech and his understanding of language was very questionable. But to our huge surprise, she was right! We have meticulously recorded that period in our son's life on video. In three months' time we were able to have quite a sensible conversation with him.
As our son was moving through his ABA program I devoted my time to learning as much as possible about biology, biochemistry, and nutrition in autism. It was clear to me that our son's extreme fussiness with food-and as a result, very poor diet-had a lot to do with his autism. I went back to university and took a master of sciences degree in human nutrition. I devoted particular attention to studying the digestive system's pathology and how to treat it by natural means. The reason for my interest was the fact that our son's digestive system almost never functioned normally. Beginning the day we introduced solids into his diet, he went through a period of severe constipation, which eventually turned into constant diarrhea. Again, consulting with official medicine was a complete disappointment. Apart from symptomatic drugs with lots of side effects, it could offer our boy nothing to help with his digestive problems, constant fungal nappy rash or tremendous feeding difficulties. At the same time it was clear to me that his immune system was in disarray due to his poor nutrition. Like many autistic children he went through ear infections, chest infections, impetigo, and fungal thrush. And of course, all my medical colleagues offered were antibiotics and more antibiotics.
Based on my newly acquired knowledge I changed his diet dramatically. Our ABA consultant helped us work out a system of introducing foods into our son's diet. Without that system it would have been impossible to change his diet, as he was so finicky with food. Having examined diets that have been successful for children with severe digestive problems, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and chronic malnutrition, I realized that just introducing a gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet would not be enough for my son. So I have worked on a far more natural and focused approach, which also excludes gluten and casein. The result was amazing, as if somebody had lifted a toxic fog off his brain. He was much calmer, much more able to learn. His eye contact improved on its own and a lot of self-stimulation disappeared.
At the same time we introduced a strong therapeutic probiotic. There was no doubt that his gut flora was abnormal. From early on I have tried to give him various probiotics, available on the market, with no particular results, until I found a formula that worked. It was powerful enough to heal his digestive system to such an extent that we could cheat on the diet on an occasional basis without any problems. At the same time it gave his immune system such a boost that I don't remember now when he last had a cold. Now he looks a picture of health with rosy cheeks and bright eyes and he is full of energy.. Since then I have developed my own probiotic formula, which works very well for autistic children and people with digestive and immune disorders.
It is impossible to overestimate the role of the family in the struggle against autism. I have seen quite a few very sad situations, where one parent is trying to help a child without the support of the other parent. Treating an autistic child is a huge undertaking and united families usually succeed much better. I would like to say that what we have achieved with our son, my husband and I have achieved together. Without my husband's constant support, intellect, and organizational skills I would not have been able to do half of what I have done in these years. Our son is very lucky to have an excellent dad, of whom he is very fond.
A great part of the successful treatment of autism is the fact that parents of autistic children all talk to each other. This is where we get our strength and inspiration to carry on. Our success became an inspiration for many other families, who were calling me and who were willing to try what we did. That is how my clinic for autistic children started. Having seen hundreds of families from many different countries, I never cease to admire their determination and strength in trying to help their children. I have learned a lot from them and their experiences.
A few months ago at the end of a consultation, one of the parents looked at me and asked in a stern voice, "Why haven't you written a book yet?!" That was followed by a number of other parents telling me that I must write a book on autism. I am working on it now. I feel that it is my duty to share the knowledge and clinical experience that I have accumulated over the years thanks to my son and the many families of autistic children I have met. I hope, too, that my experience will help others to avoid the mistakes that we have made. We all eventually learn by our mistakes, but time is precious for our children. The earlier we start helping them in the right way, the better chance they get to recover from autism. I believe that every autistic child has a chance, given appropriate help.
And do not let anybody tell you that autism is incurable!
Update for Second Edition (November 2005):
It is hard to believe that more than two and a half years have passed since our story was published in 2003. My son just turned 13. He is tall and handsome and he is a delight.
In my previous story I mentioned that I was writing a book. Well, the book has been out for a year now and is very successful; a third print was done a month ago. It is called "Gut And Psychology Syndrome. Natural treatment for autism, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression and schizophrenia" (www.MedInform.co.uk). The book describes in detail how these conditions develop and how to treat them using a solid nutritional protocol. It has a large recipe section to help people start on the diet, as well as chapters on how to deal naturally with ear infections, constipation, toxicity, fussy feeding habits, and other issues.
My son was very proud to contribute to my book-he has written a beautiful poem, which is published at the beginning of the book. We still have not told him about what happened to him in his younger years; we decided to wait until he is older. There are no traces of autism in him now and he is leading a normal life. He is doing well at school and started playing rugby on his school team. His digestive system works like a clock now, though we still adhere to the diet, which I have described in detail in my book. The good news is that my son can have anything now on an occasional basis without it causing problems. However, the whole family is on this diet as it is very healthy and can prevent many health problems (such as weight gain, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune problems, osteoporosis, and allergies) in all members of the family. When we go on holiday we eat what is available, but when we come back home we go back to our diet because it is good for us. Both our children have a considerable knowledge of nutrition now and we often hear them lecturing their friends on what is good for them to eat and what is not.
I hope that our story can be an inspiration for parents of autistic children. Never give up on your child, and your child will reward you!

Age of Narcissism? Pop stars Nancy Minshew and Denis Leary...

By Katie Wright- article found @ AgeOfAutism

October 19, 2008

How fitting these two self-obsessed boneheads are in the news onthe same day. I encourage all autism families to please check out the "Pop Star: Nancy Minshew" article (Here.) But please, not if you are eating because you may become ill. Last January, Minshew made a number of outrageous and baseless claims, on the record, to a journalist durign an interview. Reagardinf parents who saw their children regress or become ill after receiving multiple vaccine's Minshew opines: "you want to blame something... some people are not logical..." Minshew implores readers to agree with a judge verdict ( I guess not the Poling's judge) finding for Wyeth and dismissing the claims parents who saw their autistic genetic abnormalities occur before birth."

I guess the first two years of my son's normal development were a hallucinations? Then Minshew eloquently states that all autism/vaccine discussions are "crappola." Nice. This would be a lot more funny and a lot less sad if Minshew, so eloquently and open-minded, has not received $32 MILLION in federal grant money for her autism "research."

Let's review Minshew's ground brealking research findings: "the brain is pre-wired and waits for experience to teach us things... With autism the brain is short-circuited... autisstic people have strained social skills " And my favorite: early intervention is good! We will probably get some eye gazing studies thrown in there as well! Yes, that is correct, $32 MILLION over the next 5 years, for redundand genetic research. This is not what I had in mind when I supported the Combating Autism Act. Autism Speaks assured us that this money would be well spent. I guess the joke is on me, or more accurately on Christian. I would also lik eto know more details about Minshews involvement with Autism Speaks' scientific advisories bodies on which she serves.

Back tour "Pop Star" piece. The reader can almost envision Minshew smiling as she politely demurs being labeled a "star" and a "legend." In the piece we learn that Minshew is a "slim and stylish women from L.A." who loves cats and parrots. She discribes her cat as "regal and intelligent." Minshew raves about her travels to Italy! Se also loves to read! I swear it is all there, read it for yourself. "Dr. Minshew has been hard at work, groundbreaking work, for 20 years, putting Pittsburgh on the map and making quite a name for herself. "Oh my God, who wrote this? A co-worker, a freind, Paul Offit??? Ok, enough fun. My point here in that NOWHERE in all of Minshew's "groundbreaking work" discussion on being a legend, traveling to Italy, do our kids even come up for discussion. It is all about Minshew and her amazing accomplishments. It is as if all this money was given to her by God almighty. Nowhere in this piece does Minshew acknowledge the indredible hard work of all the advocates and family who worked tirelessly, campaigining for the autism research dollars that made her a "star." My parents probably made 20 trips to DC, exhaustively lobbying members of congress and the senate to fund autism research. I went with them on a few occasions. It was hard, hard work and guess who I never saw there: Nancy Minshew. Maybe she was in Italy, who knows, families like ours never take vacations.

We learn more in this article about her love of her parrot Andy, named for Hans Christian Anderson, than the sufferiung of autistic children. Nowhere does Minshew speak about the tremendous urgency to help our children in pain, families without resources, school without services. Nowhere does Minshew mention that autistic children and their families are in crisis, that 1 in 94 American boys are on the spectrum ant tha this figure is only rising. This brings me to Minshew's soul-mate Denis Leary. It is all about them, more about them and how are kids serve their purposees and make them stars. For Leary it is about using our kids to sell his dumb, unfunny book. Tim Dwyer, retired NYC forefighter and proud father to Colin said it best in the letter to Leary when stating that our kids are neither lazy nor stupid and that Leary could not serve one day as a real firefighter or as a parent to an autistic child. Tim Dwyer went on to say that his son's school is struggling to stay open. There is no appropriate placement for Colin in Mew York City and Tim and Maria must sue the city year after year so Colin may attend a school for ASD kids.

Money is very tight with the Board of Ed., families are losing their cases with greater and greater regularity and the Dwyers are pessimistic that they will get a fair re-imbursement. Tim says his son's school is struggling to stay alive and other options are few. In New York City parents must literally win a lottery to gaim acceptance into the only public school for autistic kids Just imagine the schools and services we could have for our kids with $32 million dollars. Katie Wright has two young boys. Her oldest son Christian, is severly affected by autism. He developed normally; smiling, talking, walking; only to lose every skill and every word by the age of 2 and a half. Upon the advice of medical professionals Katie and her husband were advised to pursue only high quality behavioral therapy, speech and OT for Christian. It had no meaningful impact on Christian until his parents sought help from DAN! doctors who treated the underlying causes of Christian's decent into autism. Christian has impoved but still has far to go. He has Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the measeles virus in his gut and an immune system akin to a late stage AIDS patient. Christian does not have a psychiatric disorder. Before autism, Katie Wright was the Clinical Director of Sexual Assult Crisis Center in Stamford Connecticut. Katie si proud to serve on the Bords of NAA and SafeMinds.

* HERE'S A NOTE FROM T.I.A ON THIS ARTICLE *

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH KATIE WRIGHT, YOU'LL BE SUPRISED TO KNOW, YOU DO KNOW HER. PLEASE READ MOTHER WARRIORS BY JENNY MCCARTHY, CHAPTER 19 PAGES 129-139 "KATIE WRIGHT: MOTHER WARRIOR OF CHRISTIAN... " KATIE WRIGHTS SON UPON DIAGNOSIS RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF AUTISM SPEAKS. THIS WAS CREATED BY HER PARENTS OUT OF LOVE. AS KATIE STATES IN THE BOOK, UNFORTUNATELY SHE DOES NOT SHARE THE IDENTICAL VIEWS OF THE GROUP, AS MOST MONEY GOES TO GENETIC RESEARCH RATHER THAN BIOMEDICAL. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KATIE WRIGHT AND A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH? READ HER BOOK TITLED

"CHANGING THE COURSE OF AUTISM"

WARM REGARDS,

TOGETHER IN AUTISM

Vaccines Cause Micro-Vascular Strokes: Dr. Andrew Moulden, Canadian Doctor

By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze
Published: September 27,2008
How long does it take a medical breakthrough to be acted upon? A Canadian doctor, Dr. Andrew Moulden says he conclusively proved seven years ago that vaccines cause micro-vascular strokes. Dr Moulden has a 21 year record of award-winning medical study and practice starting at Nipissing University, but he has been unable to get the attention of the College of Physicians or politicians to investigate his findings, which have been corroborated by other doctors.
How vaccines cause micro-vascular strokes
Dr. Moulden says the shots cause our body's own immune systems to hyper-react as large white blood cells naturally rush to attack the foreign particles injected into our bloodstream. The white blood cells are too big to enter, so they surround tiny capillaries where the foreign particles land, clog and collapse the capillaries. This cuts off pathways for the smaller red blood cells to carry oxygen to the organs near those capillaries that contain the foreign particles. When the particles float near the brain, this lack of blood supply can lead to autism, SIDS and many other diagnosed illnesses in both children and adults.
Our immune systems will continue fighting the particles leading to long-term or chronic illness. Different organs are affected depending on where the particles are, which leads to different symptoms and 'disease' names, but the basic causes are the same and before this discovery were unknown.
The main cause of the problem is the additives in the vaccines. The purpose of the additives is to generate a faster response from white blood cells. This works perfectly - white blood cells rush to the site of the introduced foreign matter - and that is the source of the problem. The white blood cells block the capillaries and also collapse them, trying to destroy the foreign matter.
Dr. Moulden has been appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board for the First Annual World Congress on Vaccinology in Guangzhou, China, December 1- 5, 2008, where, he is to present to a group of 10,000 experts from around the world.
A History of Ignoring a Medical Breakthrough
In 2001, he took his work to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. They refused to review his work. He took it to Canadian Members of Parliament including Gurbax Singh Mali (Liberal, Bramalea-Gore) and Michael Ignatieff (Liberal, Etobicoke). They refused to respond. He wrote to U.S. Senator Charles Grassley. Grassley refused to respond. He took it to many established medical bodies. They also did not respond. Confirmation of Results
Dr. Moulden has confirmed his research with hundreds of independent doctors and other medical experts around the world. Many of them introduced him to clinically proven natural health solutions they provide. Putting People Before Corporations
When The College of Physicians refuses to acknowledge that there is even a problem and politicians refuse to investigate, what could be done next? Dr. Moulden decided to run for election as Member of Parliament in the Nipissing - Timiskaming riding where he grew up. By this action, he plans to bring attention to the issue and to finally end the political problems that are blocking this medical breakthrough. Dr. Moulden says big pharmaceutical companies are exercising control over Canada's taxpayer-funded universal healthcare system. One of the ways the pharmaceutical companies are exercising control is in Bills C-51 and C-52 currently in Parliament which would essentially criminalize vitamins and supplements and give big pharmaceutical companies a virtual monopoly on medical treatments.
For more information, please see the Canadian government's Bill C-51 and C-52 web-pages, an independent analysis site and a mainstream news article:
1. Bill C-51
2. Bill C-52
3. Stop Bill C-51/C-52
Strong medicine for Canada's natural health industry Powers of seizure are too sweeping
John Biggs, The Edmonton Journal Published: Saturday, June 07 On October 6th, 2008, Dr. Moulden will release his detailed methodology proving that vaccines cause micro-vascular strokes currently being used as evidence in U.S. federal circuit court to the people of the Nipissing - Timiskaming riding. They can judge it for themselves. A jury of nearly 80,000 has a chance to render a verdict on vaccines that will send shockwaves around the world.
For more information, see the campaign website at JustGetUsIn.com or call (705) 498-6284 and ask for Dr. Andrew Moulden

IF YOU RESIDE IN INDIANA...

AN INVITATION FROM THE NEW MAUI SAND RESORT...

ARRIVAL: SUNDAY - DECEMBER 7, 2008

DEPARTURE: MONDAY - DECEMBER 8, 2008

TUESDAY - DECEMBER 9, 2008

I am writing to you today in your capacity as a local representative for one of the Autism/Asperger Support Groups in Indiana. Our newest Indoor Waterpark and Resort, Maui Sands, would like to offer you and the family members of your support group an invitation for a special event that will take place in honor of Children with Autism. This event features a luau with native Hawaiian performers; where adults and children will be able to participate in dancing and singing, as well as eat a

delicious Polynesian Buffet, a Hawaiian crafts program, parents' group events and use of the Indoor Waterpark on both days. This event is offered at a discounted rate of only $169 + tax on Satuday, and $139 plus tax on Sunday and Monday, with a choice of three different rooms:

1) "Sunset Room"
2 Queen Beds (including a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee
maker)Maximum capacity: 4 people, includes 4 wristbands for the Waterpark

2) "Hana Room"
1 King Bed with 2 sets of twin-size bunk beds in a separate tiki area a (including a microwave, refrigerator, and a coffee maker)
Maximum capacity: 6 people, included 6 wristbands for the Waterpark

3) "Orchid Blossom Room"
1 Queen Bed with 2 sets of twin-size bunk beds in a separate tiki area a (including a microwave, refrigerator, and a coffee maker)
Maximum capacity: 6 people, included 6 wristbands for the
Waterpark Included in this email are two attachments with the finalization information about all the activities and times of things that will happen during these 4 days. Please feel free to email me if you have ANY questions! If you are interested in booking, please call 1-888-STAY-MSR to speak to reservations.

Sincerely yours,
Lindsey Shackleford
Event Manager

Maui Sands Resort Company

SAYINGS AND QUOTES

"Every mighty oak was once a nut that stood its ground."

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

"Pressure makes diamonds."

"All truth passes through 3 stages: 1st it is ridiculed; 2nd it is violently opposed ; 3rd It is accepted as SELF EVIDENT ." - Arthur Schopenhauer

"I know God will not give me anything that I can not handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." - Mother Teresa

Have a story to tell or helpful advice for our viewers? Submit an article to T.I.A @ togetherinautism@aol.com and make the subject "Have A Story", and you just might see your article in our next months mailing list. We want to thank you for your interest in our newsletter. We cover all topics and they may vary month to month. Bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Together In Autism

NATIONAL EVENT FROM THE NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION...

Hope is. . . affordable!
NAA is very pleased to announce that Care Clinics has joined us as the headline sponsor for the National Autism Conference. With their generous support, we are preparing an exceptional educational opportunity for families affected by autism. We had an overwhelming number of applications for conference scholarships this year. With the help of Care Clinics, NAA has been able to award almost $10,000 worth of scholarships for families.
We are striving to provide the most affordable conference possible, providing as many money-saving extras as we can. This includes free coffee and breakfast items each day, as well as free beverages throughout the conference including bottled water, soft drinks and Hansen Natural Beveragesin our exhibit hall. On Friday and Saturday, we will offer affordably priced salads, sandwiches and other items for those not wishing to dine at one of the hotel restaurants.
On Thursday evening, we invite you to our Meet and Greet event. Mingle with old friends and make new ones while enjoying a lovely buffet of appetizers and a special wine tasting, all at no charge.
On Friday evening, Care Clinics will be hosting a workshop for parents and has generously offered to provide a great buffet dinner to everyone in attendance.
If you're planning to fly to the conference, Southwest, Airtran and JetBlue Airlines have excellent fares available to Fort Lauderdale. JetBlue has generously offered a discount to our conference attendees. Visit www.jetblue.com/promo and enter the discount code: NATIONALAUTISM to check fares. NAA will continue to honor pre-registration discounts until the start of the conference in an effort to make attendance affordable for parents during these difficult economic times. For information or to register online, visit www.nationalautismconference.org.
In addition to our special guest keynote speaker, Congressman Dave Weldon, our conference lineup includes the country's leading experts on Autism - Andy Wakefield, Doreen Granpeesheh, Jeff Bradstreet, Dan Rossignol, James Partington and Anju Usman, just to name a few. They will cover biomedical therapies, dietary intervention, behavioral therapies, maintaining a healthy marriage, child safety, a special workshop designed "Just For Dads", a full-day IEP workshop that no parent should miss, and much more!
Learn from the best, be inspired, become empowered and head home with a whole lot of Hopeism!
We look forward to seeing you at the beautiful Hyatt Bonaventure Resort in Ft. Lauderdale! Register today!

OCTOBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

EVENTS: WEEKLY ONLINE SUPPORT MEETINGS WEDNESDAY'S @ 9PM...

NEW TO THE SITE: THERAPY LOCATIONS AND MUCH MORE...

IN THE NEWS: T.I.A RECENTLY RECEIVED NATIONAL EXPOSURE IN BOTH PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S JUNE 23RD ISSUE AND INTERVIEW WITH AUTISM ONE...

DONATIONS: CAN BE MADE ONLINE (ON REGISTER FOR WALK-PAGE) OR CONTACT US BY EMAIL... (not tax-exempt)

UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS: CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR FOR SATURDAY - APRIL 18, 2009 @12PM. TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA'S 2ND ANNUAL APRIL AUTISM AWARENESS WALK (AAA WALK) "WALK FOR AUTISM" 100% LOCAL GROUP WITH 100% OF PROCEEDS GOING TO OUR COMMUNITY, SIGN UP NOW - AT OUR WEBSITE... AND HELP US SPREAD THE WORD...

T.I.A HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS REACHING NOT ONLY THE MIDWEST, BUT ALSO INTERNATIONALLY-REACHING AS FAR AS INDIA. THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS GETTING MUCH BRIGHTER, RAPIDLY.

CURRENT HAPPENING'S: ON A NATIONAL LEVEL... WE HAVE MANY PROJECTS IN THE WORKS... DUE TO OUR RECENT EXPANSION IN OUTREACH WE WILL BE ADDING A NEW PAGE TO OUR SITE FOR LOCAL ADVOCATES IN EACH STATE TO BECOME SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS, CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA E-MAIL OR PHONE WHICH EVER THEY CHOOSE. THIS SHOULD BE AN ACTIVE PAGE IN OCTOBER, AS WELL AS EXPANDING OUR DATA BASE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. T.I.A ALSO LENDS SUPPORT TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM US ON AUTISM RELATED INFORMATION, TO BE APPLIED TO THEIR DATA BASE, AND OTHER VARIOUS PROJECTS. ANOTHER RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECT WAS PROVIDING ISSUE'S AND TALKING POINT'S FOR JENNY MCCARTHY TO ADDRESS ON HER MEDIA TOUR, (REGARDLESS OF WHERE ONE STANDS ON VACCINE'S - SHE IS THE LOUDEST VOICE IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY-ON ALL ISSUES) PRE-INTERVIEW'S STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO, ACTUAL MEDIA TOUR STARTS SEPTEMBER 23RD. YET ANOTHER PROJECT, SUPPLIED QUESTIONS FOR OUR NATIONAL NEWS MEDIA TO BRING FORTH TO OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES. THIS IS SUCH AN EXCITING TIME!!! ON A LOCAL LEVEL... AS YOU MAY KNOW FROM READING OUR WEBSITE: SINCE OUR INCEPTION WE HAVE HAD A LONG AWAITING GOAL OF SEEING MORE AUTISM RELATED TRAINING IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN INDIANA AND BEYOND (THIS IS A DESIRE FROM BOTH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS AND PARENTS AS WELL). WE ARE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A COMMUNITY PROJECT ADDRESSING THESE NEEDS. THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS GETTING MUCH BRIGHTER... T.I.A ALSO WANTS TO SEE AN AUTISM OUTREACH CENTER IN OUR COMMUNITY, THIS WOULD HOLD THE SAME PREMISES OF WHAT WE PROVIDE ONLINE. A PHYSICAL PLACE FOR ALL YOUR AUTISM RELATED NEEDS.
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE- ALWAYS UPDATING...