C - Causes & Cures

This post is going to be a fairly short one. It is the discussion of many debates, and I think it is vital that it be brought up. If nothing else, so you know my views.

I personally do not believe there is anything outside of gene mutation that causes autism. I do not believe that if a mother eats or drinks specific food that it causes it. I do not believe that vaccines cause it. Now ... I DO believe that there are negative reactions to high levels of metals. I DO believe the links from autism and Fragile X. There are many things I do agree with .. but I do not believe if you do x, y, or z, you are going to end up with a child that has autism.


Another thing that I do not agree with, and why I will NOT be supporting Autism Speaks, is a cure. I do not believe autism needs a "cure" nor do I think that they will find one. First, to find a "cure," you must believe that something has gone wrong. Just because a child processes things differently and often have an EXTREMELY high IQ, it does not mean they are broken and need to be fixed.

Therefore ...

Causes - unknown
Cures - none
Treatments - MANY!

You can work with autistic kids to help them learn how to adapt better. They can learn how to use their words, when everything inside them is telling them to shut down. Make them feel safe and listen to their needs. These are the ways to reach your child. The road is not going to be easy and there will be many nights when crying seems the only answer. However, I have seen many children succeed and I have high hopes for my son. We will keep working with social and life skills, and let the therapists work with him to feel comfortable with his feelings.