Discovering Derek

New Video from TACA

2007-04-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

from Lisa Ackerman: Be prepared to be moved. http://www.tacanow.org/video/hope-video.htm The goal of the video is to REPLACE the current “slide show video” on TACA. Almost 1 million folks have watched it since its release in November 2004. It is to educate on autism, get a glimpse of what Autism is, how it affects the family and PROVIDE HOPE. We have not blasted this to the world yet. Mr Michael

Preschooler Abandoned In School Bus

2006-11-28T23:18:00.000-08:00

Preschooler Abandoned In School BusOfficials: Special Needs Student Spent Hours AloneHARTFORD, Conn. -- Authorities are investigating how a young special needs preschooler was abandoned on his school bus for hours. A 3-year-old boy, who school officials said has an autism-related disorder, was supposed to be in classes at Burr Elementary School in Hartford's South End.Instead,

New Blogger

2006-11-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

hi,i just started a new blog tonight as the first step in what promises to be a major (read: long term!) project.http://cureautism.blogspot.com/i am going to be writing articles to submit to magazines and newspaper, possible a radio feature for a few NPR stations (if we find the dirt i think we will), and a film documentary. once the information starts to come together we are going to start

2006-10-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

Joe Barton Autism Parent Meeting - TURNED AWAY BY POLICE!Thank You Mike!

DAN! Conference Seattle WA, Oct 6-8th 2006

2006-09-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Recovery from autism is no longer just a dream. Thanks to our dedicated physicians and scientists in the DAN™ project, remarkable improvement and frequently even recovery have become commonplace.More progress has been made in developing effective treatments for autism in the past 3 years than in the past 3 decades! Thanks to the parents, dedicated physicians and research scientists who make up

"CAN List"

2006-08-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Last month Derek had an allergy test ran, this was his first we had been able to have done. We knew from trial and error that gluten and casein proteins are not good for his system, and I suspected that the little amounts of soy he does get probably wasn't either.I certainly wasn't expecting the list of allergens we got back though:All dairyGarlicCucumberWhite OnionPumpkinRadishZucchini

Do You Ever Relax?

2006-07-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

Interesting question huh?I'll explain why I'm asking. Yesterday we decided to head up to the mountain to a beautiful lake that we've camped at in the past. Part of our extended family was up there camping and even took my middle son up with them. We thought we'd stay for a few hours, let Derek play in the lake and just "relax".I think relax was the furthest thing from my mind, and as we drove

Mystery Rash Part II

2006-07-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

Rash is still here.Aaaahhhh!! Can you hear the frustration?Thankfully, not as bad, and not all the time, it seems to be going away. Slowly. I've learned more about hives in the past weeks than I care to know.Right now it seems to show up when he's active or stressed, but in researching that, those type of hives don't usually occur in young children.Of course I suppose it could still be some sort

Mystery Rash

2006-06-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday Derek started getting this rash all over, arms, legs, trunk, ears, neck...it would just come and go.First we thought it was from something outside, because it first showed up not long after he was outside playing, but also just after he had ate some pancakes that I made him, which I made a little differently this time. I added in some applesauce that has cinnamon in it and I used

The Preschool Ordeal

2006-06-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

So I did it. I finally filled out the forms and wrote out the check to put Derek into a typical preschool next fall.The whole thing has been such an ordeal, first the school district agreed with us at an IEP meeting that he needed to be with more typical kids, he was moving through their program at a quick pace. Then they arranged for me to meet with a district rep to "look" at preschools in the

Little Bit of Fun

2006-06-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

From Mom-NOS Blog5 things in my refrigerator:- gf/cf chicken nuggets I made but my son won't eat- lots of fruit to make a fruit salad tomorrow- leftover chicken- mostly gone bottle of merlot- vanilla rice milk5 things in my closet:- a Hanna Andersson bag with girls socks that I'll never use- a diaper bag/back pack that I need to sell- shoes- a cute hat from Hanna for Derek that he wore last

Autism Enlightened

2006-06-12T00:09:00.000-07:00

Yet another excellent video, detailing children with autism being treated biomedically and parents seeing positive results.Autism Enlighted

Newest ATEC Score

2006-06-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

ATEC website through ARIA full two years since the first score was given, in those two years:- 2 years of gf/cf diet (recently limiting soy)- 9 months of chelation (9 months of td-dmps, 3 months of td-ala)- 10 months of ABASummary Scores (this is the total, not broken down), the scores are 0-180, with 0 being the most typical child, the lower the score, the better.June 2004 (before any diet/

Heavy Metals may be Implicated in Autism

2006-06-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Heavy metals may be implicated in autism30 May 2006URINE samples from hundreds of French children have yielded evidence for a link between autism and exposure to heavy metals. If validated, the findings might mean some cases of autism could be treated with drugs that purge the body of heavy metals.Samples from children with autism contained abnormally high levels of a family of proteins called

2006-06-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Study Finds MMR Is Linked With Autism By Lucy Johnston for the Sunday Express http://www.express.co.uk Scientists have confirmed the controversial link between MMR andautism. The findings corroborate research by Dr Andrew Wakefield, discredited by the Department of Health for suggesting the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab may have contributed to rises in the disorder

More on Evidence of Harm movie

2006-06-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Participant Productions Evidence of HarmOVERVIEWGenre: DramaStatus: In DevelopmentCAST & CREWProducer: Ross BellSYNOPSISWhen their children descend into the frightening world of autism, a group of parents discover a disturbing link between thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative found in vaccines, and the steady rise in autism and developmental-based disorders. One tenacious mother, Lyn

From Generation Rescue - Autism Recovery Stories on Dateline

2006-06-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

ALERT- AUTISM RECOVERY STORY ON NATIONAL TVThis Sunday evening, June 4th 2006 (7PM- 9PM est), Dateline NBC has a 12 minute segment featuring Baxter Berle and Joshua Shoemaker, two children on the road to recovery from autism. The segment also includes information about the treatment research of Dr. James Adams. Dr. Adams told people at the Autism One conference he saw the piece and thinks it

`Til Death Do Us Part

2006-03-02T22:35:00.000-08:00

`Til Death Do Us PartBy JB Handleywww.generationrescue.orgMarch 2, 2006I wept when I read RFK Jr's piece yesterday on the Huffington Post.CDC could have had DTP vaccines in the market as early as 1999 or2000, cutting mercury levels immediately in vaccines by 40% foryoung children. CDC chose not to. I wept for my autistic son, bornin 2002. And, I wept with rage for the unimaginable

Portland Trail Blazers Autism Awareness Night

2006-03-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

The Blazers have teamed up with ARRO, ASO and FEAT-OR for an autism awareness night.2nd ANNUAL AUTISM AWARENESS NIGHT Autism is on the rise in Oregon. This disease affects 1/164 children in our state. One of these children is a part of the Trail Blazers family, son of Vice-President of Corporate Sales, Sarah Mensah. In an effort to promote early detection and intervention for other children, the

A-CHAMP Forms Insurance Coalition

2006-02-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to read this. This bill is only for NY right now, but as parents we can take this to our states and make a difference. To see something getting national attention, and to see a wide range of groups standing behind A-CHAMP on this is great to see. ----------------------- A-CHAMP FORMS COALITION TO REFORM INSURANCE LAWS FOR COVERAGE OF "AUTISM"To Take Action on NY's Insurance Bill

Statement from Congressman Dan Burton (R - IN)

2006-02-23T10:47:00.000-08:00

Recent statement on the floor of the House of Representatives by Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN)KEEPING MERCURY OUT OF VACCINATIONS (House of Representatives - February 16, 2006) I think that it is good that they are telling the American people that. But at the same time that that is going on, our health agencies are allowing mercury to be put into almost every vaccine an adult gets and many of the

Oregonian: Autism in students up sharply

2006-02-16T14:11:00.000-08:00

Fewer students are being reported with specific learning disabilities Thursday, February 16, 2006STEVEN CARTER The Oregonian Students in special education, led by a surge in children with autism, have risen to about 13 percent of public school enrollment in Oregon, new state figures showed Wednesday. The count of children with disabilities, done each December for the federal government,

10 Things The Student with Autism Wishes You Knew

2006-02-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

this is such excellent informationif you want to pass this information on, please make sure you include the author's info---------------------10 Things The Student with Autism Wishes You Knew By Ellen NotbohmAuthor's note: When my article Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew was first published in November 2004, I could scarcely have imagined the response. Reader after

Frustrations

2006-02-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

There's a bit of a political bent to this, so I'll warn you now.I simply cannot wrap my head around the availability for services that are out there for children with cancer, leukemia, diabetes and countless other health problems. Not that these children shouldn't get help, but why isn't there also an autism network that is equal to this? Is it because there are so many kids with autism? Is it

Mental Health Parity Meeting

2006-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

First meeting:The first meeting of the SB 1 Advisory Committee will be Thursday, January 26, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The location is Conference room 260 in the Labor and Industry Building at 350 Winter Street NE in Salem.There is on street parking available with parking meters in front of the building as well as parking meters in the parking garage under the Capitol Mall. The

Oregon Parents- Call To Action!

2006-01-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Oregon Parents of Autistic Children,Please forgive me if you receive this email more than once, this is very important time sensitive information that I need to get out.Senate Bill 1 is in regards the the Mental Health Parity Act. This bill was passed last session, and now committees and meetings are being formed to decided how this bill will read to provide services for those covered under

ATEC Score, Then and Now

2005-12-30T14:02:00.000-08:00

It wasn't until I was reading over an autism grop today that I remembered the ATEC Scoring website and recalled that I had used it once before. The first time I did the test was June 2004, just days after his doctor suggested autism, and before we did anything. Before diet, chelation, ABA and EI classes.His overall score was 90 on a scale from 0-180I just did his ATEC score again today, the first

Derek Update

2005-12-22T00:12:00.000-08:00

Over a year has passed since his diagnosis. Its funny to me, because the diagnosis isn't really an anniversary of denial or sadness, for me its one of victory. Finally, someone could tell me what was wrong with my son, and with a proper diagnosis I could quit chasing the "developmental delay" and all the crazy paths it was taking us.A few things I don't regret:- a gluten and casein free diet, wow

Autism Speaks Update

2005-12-22T00:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, proverbial foot in mouth?Did some more crusing of the Autism Speaks website tonight and came across some more stuff that makes me pleased. In their listing of books and magazines they specifically have Evidence of Harm and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Your Children's Vaccines.Very good reading if you haven't read either. For the skeptic I think author David Kirby really lays it

More on PA and Indiana

2005-12-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

Moi ;)had asked about the Indiana insurance and mentioned about what PA offers.Here's more on the Indiana mandateHere's what I know about PA, I'm paraphrasing from an email that I received from a mom who moved from Oregon to PA for services:- each qualifying ASD child (and other children with disabilities) get a Medicaid card no matter the parents income- this card gets services at no cost to the

Autism Speaks

2005-12-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'll admit I'm slightly impressed. I was cynical at first when I heard they merged with NAAR, but I was browsing their site today and they have specific pages set up on autism and vaccines.Vaccines & AutismHowever, on the treatment information page, and even the alternative treatment page, there is no listings for diet, chelation or anything relating to biomedical treatment. Come on Autism

Why Do I Let It Get To Me?

2005-12-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Its funny how simple typed words can just make you wish you could reach through the computer and grab someone by the shoulders and shake them. Hard.The infamous and sometimes annoying pro-ABA group in my state is on my nerves again. It seems I find more bad than good from this group on a daily basis. The senior members hate the school districts, hate biomedical treatments and even in some cases

Toxic Kids

2005-11-19T23:10:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what a toxic kid looks like or what all the hub-bub about these hair tests are?Here's a couple for youTest #1 was done October 2004 before any chelation, look at the insanely high levels of aluminum, arsenic and antimony. Don't those sound like great things to be so high in your body?Test #2 sample was taken March/April 2005 after a few rounds of chelation. Look how the aluminum has

If You Can't Say Anything Nice....

2005-08-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Remember that saying mom told us over and over again?"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."I think far too many people have forgotten that old saying. I read an editorial today that just made me shake my head. I really feel Cindy's pain. At best, support among parents is lacking most times. If you take a side, you'll have tons of support. But stand in the middle and make

Commentary on Current Media

2005-08-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

You may have heard or read about the 5 year old boy in PA that died during a chelation treatment. Concerns from family and friends have sparked my commentary on this.First, I do not fault the parents for their choice of chelation, I do not fault any parent for their choices with dealing with autism. Studies are limited on all accounts, from treatments to therapy and sadly us parents are forging

One of Those Three Month Updates

2005-08-11T22:53:00.000-07:00

I'm getting good at these ;-)I would say in a way we've taken the summer off. EI has continued with some time off here and there as per the public school schedule but we've missed chelation schedules since late June. Some due to my sheer tiredness, and some due to traveling.Speaking of traveling myself, Derek and my oldest took a trip across country to visit a friend in New Jersey for a little

Lots of Media

2005-06-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Over the recent weeks there has been a mass amount of media covering the issues of autism and mercury poisoning and if there is any link to the thimersol that was in most vaccines up until recently, although it is still found in some, like the flu shot. I will start talking about this as time allows but I think two very important points need to be made, two points that I think some in the media,

And now for the update....

2005-04-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Got a few new things going on. Two weeks ago we added in the ALA cream for the first time. I didn't see any reactions, didn't see anything that was great either. Being that there was no reaction we will continue to use it. Its a bit of a crazy schedule now that the ALA has been added in. For two days we do the 8 hour DMPS, then for three days we do the two mixed every 3 hours, including through

Switching Gears

2005-04-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

Going to be switching gears here from now on. Not only will there be updates on Derek, but I think its time for me to start speaking my voice. I've wanted to for a while now, but didn't want my opinion to get in the way of documenting a recovered child, but in a way, even the way I choose to recover Derek is in itself, an opinion.With April being National Autism Awareness month, and after the

I'm the worst with updates

2005-03-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

50 lashes for me! But no one has bugged me for updates so maybe its not that important ;) ?3 months have past and it feels like just a few weeks, time is flying around here. Derek is making leaps and bounds, its so incredible. The TD-DMPS has gone perfectly. Each round shows us new words, actions and progress. I just spoke with his practitioner today and we are now going to add in the ALA.We've

So We Begin.....

2004-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

Derek's td-dmps arrived today and he got his first dose tonight. I'm scared, nervous and hopeful all at once. We are doing a bit of a different protocol than most use the td-dmps for. Instead of every other day doses we are doing every 8 hours, but the dose is broken up smaller, this is to keep the dose more constant in his system. I've found we are in good company though, maybe only a few, but

Where We Are At

2004-12-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

Seems very little has happened recently. I feel like we are in a hurry-up-and-wait mode. We've heard back from some of Derek's tests. Good news he was negative for Fragile X. His hair test first came back and was put to us as "deranged metabolism" and it was to be re-ran under a different test. We still haven't heard back yet on the second test. His TD-DMPS was to be ordered but I haven't seen it

Update

2004-11-23T02:44:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of a letter that I emailed tonight, just in case you didn't get it I'm also posting it here. ---------------------------- Dear Family and Friends, Many of you have emailed asking regarding how Derek is doing, and my apologies for not getting back to you, and apologies for such an informal letter. I just have not had the time to respond to each one, so I hopefully can

Diagnosis: Autistic Disorder

2004-10-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

After months of knowing the inevitable, we have our official diagnosis. 5 hours of meeting with OTs, speech therapists, developmental pediatricians and we've been given the low average probability that Derek is autistic. Now armed with an official diagnosis we move forward, or at least so I thought. They say there is no cure for autism, but just spend a few hours in a book store, or on the web

conversations

2004-08-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Derek: Mama? Me: Yes, I'm mama (pointing to myself) Derek: OK! Me: OK! Derek: Why? He also had a conversation with daddy about a "ellow" (yellow) and orange block. He even picked out the right colors. I'm seeing leaps and bounds all the sudden with speech, seems like there is something new everyday, and his patience level with wanting or needing something is so much better. I can't

2004-08-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

Things are still going well. Derek had an off day earlier this week but we were able to bounce back to a more normal schedule in just a day, which was very nice. We visited a friend in Seattle this week and went to the Wild Waves amusement park. Derek didn't do so well, it seems just as he might be enjoying himself something would happen and it would ruin it. I realized though, that with

2004-08-24T10:41:00.000-07:00

Things are about the same since the last update. Derek was a little off on sleeping patterns over the weekend, so that made for some long nights before he would go down. But it hasn't been hard to push that back some, which is a huge difference from a few months ago, something like this would take days or weeks to get him back on a more "normal" clock. I've been using the mag sulfate cream every

yesterday

2004-08-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Derek had a blast at the beach yesterday, he loves playing in the sand and taking long jaunts (with mom in tow) down the beach. I need to find some new sunscreen for him, the stuff I have makes him break out when I put it on him. I went with a friend who has a 6 year old son and 1.5 year old daughter. Yet again I had someone say to me something regarding Derek's personality. This time my friend

adding in minerals and vitamin

2004-08-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

Things are going good. After this past weekend I was concerned when I found out that a visiting relative gave him 3 bites of mac and cheese, but it had little to no effect on him that I could see. Yesterday we started vitamins and minerals, we're using Kirkman Labs Super Nu P5P in a liquid, and I also picked up some magnesium

Its been a long time

2004-08-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

But I'm back! Things have been going well, it really has been amazing seeing how well the GFCF diet is working out. Derek adds 1-2 new words a week, though still doesn't always use all of his learned words often. Last night he sat on my lap and had a good 5 minute conversation with me, all in babble! Its great to see him