tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post6161724228135448421..comments2024-03-18T19:34:36.812-07:00Comments on Morning Coffee: Did You Watch Nightline Last Evening?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-51475764069890947352009-09-04T16:23:45.646-07:002009-09-04T16:23:45.646-07:00I absolutely agree with you, Alana, in that there ...I absolutely agree with you, Alana, in that there HAS to be a gut-brain barrier. Increase in toxins (i.e., huge increase in quantity of vaccines, greater reliance on plastics, more preservatives, etc.) is clearly causing greater damage, as evidenced by the dramatic increase in the number of spectrum cases DIAGNOSED. And you and I both know that for every case that is diagnosed, there are easily probably AT LEAST two to three cases that are undiagnosed.<br /><br />I do know that the difference between baby J and ds Z, the next youngest, and the one autism diagnosis in our family, is great. He had all of his vaccines up until (and not including) his 18-months, which would have included his MMR. J has gotten no vaccines. She is SO much healthier, generally speaking, than any of the olders. Never more than a sniffly nose, and here she is ten months. We did notice a casein intolerance when she was bitty and had her put on Neocate, and she has thrived on the GFCF formula, organic and whole foods, and the craziness that is our house. LOL K, dd11, our dxed Aspie, and E, dd5 (tested via ADOS this year, normal range, but we are having some strange issues with her that may indicate CAPD), both received full vaccines. With E, however, I was unable to have many gluten and dairy products because of 24/7 morning sickness and intolerance. Those were the first things the doctor told me to avoid...and it helped. All of that to say, yes, I absolutely do believe there is a huge gut and immune system involvement in all of this.<br /><br />Thanks for your post. Very thought-provoking.The White Househttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01622990815024518867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-4154787634636287492009-09-01T13:40:36.709-07:002009-09-01T13:40:36.709-07:00Great post. I didn't watch the show though. I ...Great post. I didn't watch the show though. I am the mother of a son on the spectrum and possibly on it myself. None of my children have received any vaccinations. I shudder to think what my son might be like if we had vaccinated him and on schedule. <br /><br />He was different from the beginning. But I didn't know what I was looking at. He had digestive issues from very early on. Runny mooshy stools, constant rashes that would cause his little skin to bleed. But it always seemed so random. I couldn't pin it on any one thing. We discussed possible celiacs with his ped but I didn't want to do any invasive testing. <br /><br />I tried GF/CF and it did nothing. I can't even remember how I ended up with the Breaking The Vicious Cycle book now. This was in 2004. We find it right after his diagnosis at 2.5. A diagnosis that shocked me because while I knew he was different autism was not on my radar. <br /><br />But within 5 days of being on the SCD I had a new child. For the longest time I was afraid this little boy would slip away. I never knew how distant he was from us before then. After the SCD the bowel issues disappeared. We got to talk to him for the first time in his real voice. Before that it was only the high pitched squeaky one and the growly one. But he interacted. He pointed. He asked for things and he quickly potty trained!<br /><br />This was all when he was 2..just shy of 3. He's a great guy. 8 now. We are back on the SCD now after only being GF for 3 years. I just took him to a naturopathic Dr who did not know of his dietary past. The major thing that showed up was his body reacted horribly to all grains and starches. I guess this is a for life thing. I am so glad I knew what to do. I know for me there is a strong relation to my own gut health and diet and my mental well being. <br /><br />I wish more people would be willing to change their diet rather than just search for drugs. I think there is a very strong gut connection for my many people and their mental health. But so many are not willing to even try.Saponariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031420094002885893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-49233988969745162072009-09-01T03:56:07.317-07:002009-09-01T03:56:07.317-07:00well...of course it allows you to get services whe...well...of course it allows you to get services when needed. And kids can't smear poop on the wall. But, in my experience that kind of behavior isn't necessarily related directly to autism. There is usually something else going on.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09396867640732913489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-87487481807461160572009-08-31T17:44:12.138-07:002009-08-31T17:44:12.138-07:00I think a diagnosis can be very helpful in helping...I think a diagnosis can be very helpful in helping parents know what they are dealing with, and how to parent their special kids. <br /><br />A diagnosis can be helpful in getting a child the medical attention or services he/she might need. <br /><br />Beyond that, it's just a word, and I'm certainly not an advocate of "fixing" or "curing" the lighter side of autism. <br /><br />However, if I had a child who did not communicate at all, or who smeared poop all over the wall, or something like that, I would be all about doing everything I could to "make things better". God have mercy and grant the parents of the severely autistic strength and grace.Alanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169732072381476940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-26190449845718741722009-08-31T15:50:29.215-07:002009-08-31T15:50:29.215-07:00I think, that just like autism is a "spectrum...I think, that just like autism is a "spectrum" of disorders (symptoms, really) that the causes are probably much more complex than vaccines or intestinal differences. Perhaps someone who has a particular genotype might be more likely to develop autistic like symptoms if they are prescribed certain medications or have their vaccines according to the traditional schedule which could somehow trigger a response which leads to autism. Maybe their symptoms would be less severe without the vaccines...who knows really. It's also possible to run into kids who haven't had any traditional vaccines and who still carry the diagnosis of autism.<br /><br />What I wish people would focus on is the people behind the diagnosis. They are often very special wonderful individuals who go unnoticed because they are seen as a diagnosis. Yes they are different. Yes they have a hard time fitting in in the neuro-typical world, but we are doing ourselves no favors by disregarding what these individuals add to the world and our experience of it. Those of us who do not exhibit the spectrum of symptoms that comprise an autism diagnosis need to stop pigeonholing these individuals. We need to let go of our all too American ideal of sameness and acceptable behavior. There is more to life than being neurotypical...as hard as it is, and we don't always do these folks a favor by forcing them to fit into "our" world. Just my opinion, of course. I am not a parent...but do care for many children with autism.<br /><br />My prayer, and I speak as one who works with preschoolers diagnosed with autism, is that we can begin to appreciate and love these individuals and stop seeing them as "autistic."<br /><br />God bless!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09396867640732913489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-28436317964868995982009-08-31T12:56:29.164-07:002009-08-31T12:56:29.164-07:00My father-in-law was autistic. But he was never di...My father-in-law was autistic. But he was never diagnosed ~ back in the day they just doped you up or stuffed you in a mental hospital. So when I came into the family I was like, "This guy is such a jerk!!" He drove me NUTS! But as the time went by I started to get to know him and I said to my husband, "Your dad isn't a jerk. He's autistic."<br /><br />All we could think was how much this old man had suffered since childhood and at the hands of the medical establishment. My FIL would prattle on, telling stories of how his mother didn't like him and this or that... it was sad to hear. (You didn't have conversations with him. He just talked.)<br /><br />I'll admit, I'm worried about if any of our kids will have autism. I think your ideas make sense ~ the various factors working together, including vaccinations messing with gut flora. <br /><br />I know that our baby Elspeth being vaccinated did her no favours! She ended up with a chest infection at 11 weeks right after getting her shots! 11 weeks! And the poor thing, already suffering horribly from colic, was on antibiotics. We were not impressed.Michelle Theresehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185810008704682978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-36491395311910119812009-08-31T11:03:24.254-07:002009-08-31T11:03:24.254-07:00sounds like you are learning a lot. not easy, but ...sounds like you are learning a lot. not easy, but I am glad you are learning it. Lord have mercy.elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00962587884124992942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-34805283096868335592009-08-31T09:02:51.459-07:002009-08-31T09:02:51.459-07:00I did not watch the nightline segment, I do have a...I did not watch the nightline segment, I do have a child who HAS to be on the spectrum. We did see a drastic change after his MMR. But also he was odd and different even at birth. It was crazy to figure out because he is the first to come to us by adoption so genectics are unknown on his b dads side. I think you are right in that the pieces are so intricate and so interwoven. And it seems the media likes to focus on one thing then people just lump it all to vaccines and don't look for further answers. the gut seems to be an amazing connection I hadn't thought about. I homeschool too. I know if this kid were in school he would get a diagnosis and yes, be labeled forever. . . anyway, I would like to follow your blog and get to know you? my email, hezra_at_home@yahoo.comHezrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09345835447459948572noreply@blogger.com