Myths: Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, and ADD (long) - Page 2

[veiledexpressions]

MrCoffee, do you have Aspergers? I was diagnosed last year, and many of your experiences sound similar to mine.

[MrCoffee]

Originally Posted by veiledexpressions

MrCoffee, do you have Aspergers? I was diagnosed last year, and many of your experiences sound similar to mine.

Yes, it's Aspergers, veiledexpressions. Only this one's the real McCoy! There are folks who claim they have Asperger's, and say they're on the spectrum, and that their Asperger's gives them enlightenment and immortality. Needless to say, I tend to believe otherwise. Mine wasn't self-diagnosed, and I never claimed I have the condition. However, a couple relatives figured that I fit the criteria. Then, some folks in my church decided the same thing. I ended up in a neuro-psychiatrist's office, undergoing an evaluation. Some folks who are long-time contacts, one of them a 4th grade instructor, agreed. So, whether I wanted it or not I ended up with the diagnosis. I also ended up with a social worker from adult protective services and a case worker when I lived in Minnesota. I don't care what anybody thinks, having the actual diagnosis is no picnic.

MrCoffee

[bluesky74]

I just want to clarify that I got this list of 25 Mercury Myths from a page on generationrescue, I did not personally compile it, nor am I hoping to receive credit where credit is not due! :0)

I have to agree with those of you that feel ASD has a genetic predisposition --it seems, according to research, that this might be the case. HOWEVER... my biologist hubby pointed out that it could also be that certain people are exposed to more pollutants than others. Maybe during pregnancy a mom w/ amalgam fillings delivers more babies w/ mercury poisoning, ASD, etc and it appears that it is indeed "genetic"... or maybe that mom lives in a house full of aespestos and each of her children are born w/ anomolies. Again, appears genetic. Or maybe she craves McD's fries during pregnancy, again, every baby is "affected"... KWIM?

I still agree though that it makes sense that there is a genetic predisposition, that can be exacerbated by environmental assults. Epigenetics speask to this, it's amazing stuff.

Mr Coffee!!! Thanks for chiming in! So interesting to hear life from your angle...

Meg

[MrCoffee]

Originally Posted by bluesky74

I just want to clarify that I got this list of 25 Mercury Myths from a page on generationrescue, I did not personally compile it, nor am I hoping to receive credit where credit is not due! :0)

I have to agree with those of you that feel ASD has a genetic predisposition --it seems, according to research, that this might be the case. HOWEVER... my biologist hubby pointed out that it could also be that certain people are exposed to more pollutants than others. Maybe during pregnancy a mom w/ amalgam fillings delivers more babies w/ mercury poisoning, ASD, etc and it appears that it is indeed "genetic"... or maybe that mom lives in a house full of aespestos and each of her children are born w/ anomolies. Again, appears genetic. Or maybe she craves McD's fries during pregnancy, again, every baby is "affected"... KWIM?

I still agree though that it makes sense that there is a genetic predisposition, that can be exacerbated by environmental assults. Epigenetics speask to this, it's amazing stuff.

Mr Coffee!!! Thanks for chiming in! So interesting to hear life from your angle...

Meg

You're welcome, bluesky74. That GenerationRescue seems like a rather interesting outfit. Chelation has its risks, and there has been at least one death related to that particular treatment. I'm not a doctor, yet I still highly recommend against chelation unless actual poisoning from metals took place. For example: When someone accidently swallowed or got injected by something containing a certain concentration of toxic metal. Then, it's done at a poison control center under controlled conditions and heavy monitoring.

I will say the same thing here that I tell people on my web site. Never, NEVER send a child to a treatment or therapy that has not been tried, tested, and proven by the mainstream medical community. An actual MD stands a great deal of risk when making the decision to try an experimental drug or treatment on a patient. That's generally reserved for terminal cases, where all other resources have been exhausted. Autism is not a terminal illness, it's simply a developmental disability and a neurological condition. There are treatment methods, and therapies that actually work for autism. And, more is learned about it every day. I do the best I can to let others know about my condition, and how I function so they can devise methods and treatments that may actually work for their circumstances.

I want to thank you for clearing up on that article, bluesky74. I also appreciate the time you took to read my response. Perhaps others may glean some valid info, and maybe find something here that works for them. This is a good thread.

MrCoffee

[krissi]

Actually, I remember reading that the deaths associated with chelation are due to physicians giving the incorrect drug. disodium EDTA vs. Calcium disodium EDTA. One is toxic the other is not.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06062/664032.stm

And I respectfully must disagree about trying treatments not tested by the mainstream medical community. The mainstream medical community has failed me in every area of life (too much to get into here) and merely would want to put my daughter on antipsychotic drugs, which in study after study have failed to show any benefit for her condition yet would be prescribed anyway.

I took DD to a DAN doctor. She has classic autism and not Aspergers. She was unable to function in settings normal for children her age, could not communicate beyond single words and often appeared to be in pain that she could not communicate. Our ped pooh-poohed the whole leaky gut connection. Through lab tests we have verified that she does indeed have leaky gut syndrome, manifesting itself through multiple food allergies. We have removed the problem foods and are working on changing her diet and she is already doing better. She's combining words. She's enjoying people's company. Her receptive language has made massive improvements. If I had trusted the mainstream doctor, she'd still be hiding in the corner and refusing to acknowledge other people's existence and the food allergies would still be ravaging her gut. Her lab results, which the mainstream doctors did not even feel were needed to test, have showed evidence of multiple coexisting GI conditions that we can now treat.

And she has also tested positive for some elevated metals. I doubt they have anything to do with the few vaxes she received -- I'm sure it's the result of some kind of genetic predisposition to have problems with metals encountered through environmental pollution. She had seriously elevated uranium, of all things, in her hair test. After reading up I am sure she got it from me in utero, because the effects read like a laundry list of my own health problems. I don't know where I would have gotten it. But I am most certainly concerned and I am willing to at least consider chelation of my children and myself to get rid of it if it is impairing our health and quality of life. I hope improving our gut health through the SCD will be enough, but if actual drug therapy is needed we will do it under supervision of a highly experienced MD and only after reviewing considerable evidence that our chosen protocol is safe.

Anyway, I am not saying that everyone who has autism needs these "alternative therapies," but just asking for a caution before judging someone who would go outside the mainstream. Everyone's circumstances are different. For some maybe autism is a neurological condition or developmental disability, but for others it may actually be a medical problem that needs treatment.

[bluesky74]

Chelation (certain drugs) is actually "approved" by the FDA (not that that means anything to me anymore!! )

Cigna, (health insurance) covers chelation. And it IS safe when done under the watch of an experienced MD. Our DAN Dr. has been chelating his patients, both children & adults for over 30 yrs. Dring this process metals pour out of ASD kids' bodies in their urine & feces, much more metal than their neuro-typical counterparts.

We are getting our twins ready for chelation with supplements and MB-12 shots. We will begin chelation w/ a liquid that is rubbed into their forearms every 3 hours for 3 days, then take about a week's break, and repeat this cycle for as long as it takes for the mercury to be shed from their brains and other tissues. Kids under the age of 8 usually only need 3 rounds, but there is no set amount of time - every child is different, and responds to different drugs. We will be using DMPS, then eventually adding ALA (gets the mercury out and back across the blood brain barrier).

We are doing all of this under a well-renowned doctor who specializes in toxic kids - thank goodness we found him, so close by and still taking patients - rare!!

Btw, there is a Yahoo group called Mercury-Autism that we joined, it has over 6000 members who are either chelating or have undergone chelation, or are about to. This place is a wealth of info and experience for anyone who's interested...

meg

[bluesky74]

on the genetic connection...

From http://www.mmaonline.net/publication...ure-clancy.htm

"Inheritance clearly plays a key role in the development of autism. Research on identical twins, for example, has found a concordance rate as high as 91%. Among siblings, the recurrence rate is estimated to be 4%. Autism spectrum disorders are four times more common in boys than girls. Yet the fact that all identical twins do not develop autism in tandem suggests that the origins of the disorder are not entirely genetic. “Genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of autism,” says S. Hossein Fatemi, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota."

Travis Thompson concurs: “Autism is almost never a purely genetic disorder. You have the genetic predisposition, and then something happens to trigger it.” Thompson explains that the evidence suggests there is no single “autism gene” but that some types of autism may result from a combination of an autism-susceptibility gene and another genetic disorder such as obsessive compulsive disorder, exposure to a neurotoxin during pregnancy, or a genetically determined response to an immune trigger. "

[veiledexpressions]

Originally Posted by MrCoffee

Yes, it's Aspergers, veiledexpressions. Only this one's the real McCoy! There are folks who claim they have Asperger's, and say they're on the spectrum, and that their Asperger's gives them enlightenment and immortality. Needless to say, I tend to believe otherwise. Mine wasn't self-diagnosed, and I never claimed I have the condition. However, a couple relatives figured that I fit the criteria. Then, some folks in my church decided the same thing. I ended up in a neuro-psychiatrist's office, undergoing an evaluation. Some folks who are long-time contacts, one of them a 4th grade instructor, agreed. So, whether I wanted it or not I ended up with the diagnosis. I also ended up with a social worker from adult protective services and a case worker when I lived in Minnesota. I don't care what anybody thinks, having the actual diagnosis is no picnic.

MrCoffee

I was diagnosed by a neurologist. After struggling for years, it was finally suggested that I be evaluated. I agree, it is no picnic. I have noticed a certain "trend" with people self diagnosising, and acting as if every quirk is indicative of Aspergers. They don't seem to understand what it encompasses. It's not just being socially inept. That's such a common misconception.

I just have one question, how do you deal with focuses. I'm so consumed with one right now that I'm having trouble even functioning with my family. Normally, I can work around it a bit, but this one is more consuming. I usually find ways to bring my focus up in conversations, because it's all I'm interested in,b ut this one is worse. It's all I read, play, watch, or think about.

Ok, I lied, I have two questions Do you drive? I'm 23 and have no license. I tend to monofocus, and can't seem to concentrate to drive. There is too much going on at once. I know all of the written rules, but nothing goes as planned. I'm also easily distracted. If someone talks to me, turns on the radio, or , if I roll down a window, I start going off the road. If you do drive, how do you do it, and how do you get past the focus issues. Thanks

[SueZVudu]

Originally Posted by veiledexpressions

I just have one question, how do you deal with focuses. I'm so consumed with one right now that I'm having trouble even functioning with my family. Normally, I can work around it a bit, but this one is more consuming. I usually find ways to bring my focus up in conversations, because it's all I'm interested in,b ut this one is worse. It's all I read, play, watch, or think about.

I deal with the same problem (only around here, we call it my "serial fixations.") One way I've dealt with it is to condition my mind to certain triggers, like scent or sound, so that I can switch focus quickly.

Let's say I need to put aside my fixation for a couple of hours and do some serious housecleaning. (It isn't so much an issue when housecleaning itself is my fixation. ) I put on my "housecleaning music" and light my "housecleaning incense." My mind immediately goes into housecleaning mode, and I can easily forget about the fixation long enough to actually accomplish something. Mind you, I've been using this technique for a few years now; it wasn't so easy at first.

For spending time with my family, I have to make it routine. I've found that I benefit from routine just as much as my toddlers do. When a fixation gets really bad, I've been known to set a timer so that I'll spend 30 minutes or an hour in "family mode." It helps, because I know that at a certain time, I can return to whatever it is that I'm obsessed with. (Of course, I'll never tell my kids that I'm doing this. It sounds like a horrible thing to do, but it's the only way I can function sometimes.)

[sparklemama]

I don't understand...where did it say in the article that mercury from vaccines is the cause of all autism? I read every word of it and my understanding is that they're saying thimerosal is the cause of the recent "autism epidemic" and that mercury iteself (not just thimerosal) is the cause of autism. I wouldn't be surprised if autism is mercury poisoning, in fact I wholeheartedly believe that it's a matter of toxicity. There are many things in our environment that expose us to mercury and I'm sure there's tons more that we don't even know about. I think genetics plays a part in causing a predisposition to the inability to effectively release these toxins from the body, but I don't think autism itself is genetic. Autisic twins, families with 2 or more autisic children - well, to me that seems to say that they were most likely all exposed to the same environmental toxins.

Thanks for posting the article, it was an interesting read.

[DaNeece]

I have a 3 year old autistic son,

I dont agree that mercury or thermiosal are causes of autism.


first of all neither mercury or thermosal are used in vaccines in canada [where my son and I live]

and secondly I strongly beleive that there is a genetic predisposition and that my son had autism from birth, as he was delayed from day 1

I also have an uncle who is autistic.

I think that article is more myth then truth personally

I wanted to add as well, all the doctors we spoke with while my son was being diagnosed all agreed that the true cause of autism is still unknown, and that they suspect its something genetic but that in reality we all jsut dont know yet.

Hopefully with time we will know.

but I also strongly disagree that autism can be cured, It can be treated with therapy, dietary changes and coping techniques. But you cant change the way a child or persons mind works.

And why would you, sure my son has alot of difficulties, but some of his most amazing gifts have been due to his autism, he has a very unique view of the world and I would never take that away from him, if given the choice.

[veiledexpressions]

Originally Posted by DaNeece

but I also strongly disagree that autism can be cured, It can be treated with therapy, dietary changes and coping techniques. But you cant change the way a child or persons mind works.

And why would you, sure my son has alot of difficulties, but some of his most amazing gifts have been due to his autism, he has a very unique view of the world and I would never take that away from him, if given the choice.

Well said It doesn't ever go away. We're just taught how to cope. The way of thinking, and understanding stays the same. I learned not to take everything literally, and have adapted to find a way to make it at least appear that I make eye contact some of the time, but I still feel the same.

You don't grow out of Autism, it just doesn't happen. It's a physiological difference in the brain, not a chemical imbalance.

[sparklemama]

If it were caused by mercury, it wouldn't be a chemical imbalance either, it would also be a physiological difference in the brain.

I have a question for those who do not believe that mercury is a factor in autism - would you or have you pursued treatments like chelation?

I, too, believe my son was "born with autism" as he showed signs pretty early on. Then right after the MMR he had a regression that he only in the last year surpassed where he was before that. I'm also pretty confident that his previous vaccinations didn't have thimerosal. I still believe it's environmental and most likely something I was exposed to while pregnant or when he was very young. Or maybe his first shot DID have thimerosal. I'll never know.

But I love him to pieces and don't want to change WHO HE IS. I think he needs to learn coping skills, yes, but I want him to have the BEST chance possible to have a fulfilling life and the things in life that bring happiness. I don't think he can be "cured" as his brain is already changed but removing the triggers from his environment can increase his chance of functioning typically.

I think the article is simplifying it a bit in saying it's ONLY mercury. But the only thing I would add is that it's not just mercury, but probably many other toxins in our environment coupled with that predisposition.

[DaNeece]

Originally Posted by zacksmom

I have a question for those who do not believe that mercury is a factor in autism - would you or have you pursued treatments like chelation?

No I absolutly would not.

I dont beleive mercury played any part in my son's autism.

[krissi]

but I also strongly disagree that autism can be cured, It can be treated with therapy, dietary changes and coping techniques. But you cant change the way a child or persons mind works.

And why would you, sure my son has alot of difficulties, but some of his most amazing gifts have been due to his autism, he has a very unique view of the world and I would never take that away from him, if given the choice.

Again, as a person who is pursuing biomed treatments for my child, understand that I am absolutely not trying to change the way her mind works. In fact it regularly annoys me when the preschool teachers and other educational personnel say they want to expose her to "typically developing children" as behavioral models. My daughter is far better behaved than many of the "typical" children I have seen, and I do not want her to ever feel like she has to be someone other than she is. In her good moments (when she's feeling well) she seems to be genuinely happy and takes joy out of things that others ignore. She's wonderful and amazes me everyday. I am fully prepared to homeschool her in order to shield her from the pressure to be something she's not. In pursuing biomed treatments I am purely trying to improve her health and remove any medical barriers that are preventing her from getting all out of life that she can and being who she was meant to be. Regarding chelation as a part of that treatment, if her hair test turns out to be accurate, no one is going to convince me that it's a good thing for her to be metal poisoned.

You don't grow out of Autism, it just doesn't happen. It's a physiological difference in the brain, not a chemical imbalance.

For anyone who doubts the brain/gut connection, have you ever been drunk from ingesting alcohol? That is sort of what happens for some kids like my daughter when they eat certain types of food. When she has yeast overgrowth, the yeast produce an alcoholic metabolite that causes her to act drunk. This has been verified in her lab work. I'd be hard pressed to believe that wouldn't be affecting her symptoms. And this is common for a lot of autistic children; she isn't unique.

Anyway, I guess I am really just trying to explain so that people will understand better that many of us who are trying to "treat" our autistic children really aren't trying to change them as a person. We're trying to treat medical problems. And I don't think all autism is the same or so simple that there can be one cause. I do believe there's a genetic component to autism and some physiological difference in the brain. I have both a brother and a brother-in-law with diagnosed Asperger's. This is clear evidence that DD has genetic susceptibility on both sides for ASD. There are also metabolic problems and autoimmune issues at least in my family history. I suspect that maybe she (and probably other children with classic autism) is hit by a double whammy of genetically different brain functioning along with genetic predispositions toward problems clearing metals from the body and toward GI issues.

[veiledexpressions]

I'm not disputing that diet doesn't HELP, I'm just saying it can't make it go away completely. I , myself , and working on changing my eating habits and giving this diet a try.I believe it does help, I just dont' believe you can actually completely outgrow autism.

[bluesky74]

DaNeece...

Canada continues to give vaccines containing Thimerisol:

"Currently, the only thimerosal-containing vaccine in routine use in the infant immunization schedules of some Canadian jurisdictions is the hepatitis B vaccine." http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs...q28-q34_e.html

The Flu vaccine in Canada also contains Thimerisol.

Did you receive any shots during your pregnancy that could have contained Thimerisol? Do you have amalgam fillings (metal and silver/shiny)? If yes to either of these questions, your son could have easily received toxic levels of mercury even before he was born

Living down wind of coal-burning factories is a risk of mercury toxicity as well, among other ways of getting it in to your body (eating tuna, shellfish, swordfish for example).

Meg

[bluesky74]

"...many of us who are trying to "treat" our autistic children really aren't trying to change them as a person. We're trying to treat medical problems."

Well said. Of course I love my twins for who they are!!!! But if I know that they have mercury poisoning, which they do (we found out thru blood, urine and hair tests), then WHY **WOULDN'T** I TRY TO GET THE MERCURY OUT OF THEIR BRAINS!?

meg

[DaNeece]

Originally Posted by bluesky74

Canada continues to give vaccines containing Thimerisol:

"Currently, the only thimerosal-containing vaccine in routine use in the infant immunization schedules of some Canadian jurisdictions is the hepatitis B vaccine." http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs...q28-q34_e.html

The Flu vaccine in Canada also contains Thimerisol.

Did you receive any shots during your pregnancy that could have contained Thimerisol? Do you have amalgam fillings (metal and silver/shiny)? If yes to either of these questions, your son could have easily received toxic levels of mercury even before he was born

Living down wind of coal-burning factories is a risk of mercury toxicity as well, among other ways of getting it in to your body (eating tuna, shellfish, swordfish for example).

Meg

my children have neither had the flu vaccine or the hep b vaccine.

I dont personally beleive that my child has mercury poisining.

and I also beleive that if a child does have mercury poisining and they are "cured" of their autism once they receive the appropriate treatment for mercury poisining then perhaps they werent autistic to begin with and it was just mercury poisening.

now thats just my thoughts it may or may not be true.

the real heart of the matter is no one is really sure what causes Autism, sure there are plenty of theories and Ideas, but there is no one single accepted cause of autisim, its all a little of this a bit of that.

I hope one day there is a known cause, because im sure the cases of autism would drop dramatically if they found a cause, or at least it would be a reassurance to parents.


untill then I will continue on with my sons treatment, wich consist of IBI therapy, speach therapy, and occupational therapy. And hope that life treats him well.

IBI therapy has brought about a dramatic change in my little guy. But that as well is not a cure, just a coping technique.

[littlest birds]

I believe in autism being a form of brain damage.

First, I know first hand it is partially genetic to some degree. Some people may have genes that create an actual weak area that is just like brain damage, but I mainly think it is a genetic vulnerability to damaging elements. So many autistic cases would occur in easily brain-damaged people--individuals whose defenses (including capacity for natural elimination of both natural and not-so-natural toxins) are not adequate. Our lives are saturated with potential hazards for these individuals, and mercury and other heavy metals are at the top of the list. You do not have to be able to remember a source of exposure to a toxin for some type of exposure to have happened that would be a severe risk for an especially vulnerable child.

Damage caused sometimes may be partly reversed, depending on source, extent and duration and how well treatment coordinates with the body's own defenses. But it is all brain damage. Mercury poisoning, other metals, physical traumas, or atypical allergies/sensitivities or all in combination make the brain damage. All the vulnerabilities would be directly hereditary or part of new genetic variation, but genes I think nearly always are part of the picture.

Acute mercury poisoning can also occur without genetic vulnerability, though, and I can believe that a small number of autism cases are a result of straightforward mercury poisoning. Still brain damage. Still sometimes reversible in part.