Brandon's Window-- A Grandmother's Documentary of Reversing Autism Naturally
Brandon's Window-- A Grandmother's Documentary of Reversing Autism Naturally
Through a natural diet, natural supplements, and detoxing through lifestyle changes, we are reversing my grandson's autism using natural methods.
Seeing is believing! For more information go to www.brandonswindow.com and get direct links to over 140 videos of my grandson Brandon's amazing progression ( 4months, April 08--15months, July 09) after reversing from autism naturally. http://www.youtube.com/user/lynneanthonybrandon. More videos are to be posted in the future of this ongoing documentary.
God Bless,
Lynne M. George
|
Autistic Man Arrested/Denied Medical Help
On Saturday, April 3rd, my 28 yr old son Stephen Puckett was having seizures and became aggressive. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, OU Medical Center, but was not allowed admittance to the hospital because he has autism. The hospital said they were just not equipped to deal with his autism. After arriving home the seizures continued and 2 more trips were made to the hospital by ambulance on Sun and Mon. On the last trip April 5th, the doctor who saw him in the ER said he was going to do everything he could to get Stephen admitted and stabilized. While waiting for the doctor to come back, Stephen hit and kicked 2 police officers and he was then handcuffed in the bed. Finally at the end of the day the doctor came back to say he had gone to the top administrators in the hospital and called around the state of Oklahoma, but no one wanted to take Stephen because he has autism. The officers had observed that Stephen needed medical help and they said if they charged him with assault and took him to the county jail, he could at least get medical treatment there. That was the only option we were left with. It was heartbreaking to watch Stephen stagger out of the hospital in handcuffs, drooling, having seizures, and saying to the officer, "But I'm a good boy officer." One week later a Judge wrote an order that he be taken by ambulance to a hospital in Ada, OK for treatment. You can view the news coverage on Youtube by typing in, 'Autistic Man Arrested'. This discrimination must end. Stephen needed medical help, not jail. Please tell others about his story so we can end this kind of abuse. Sincerely, Mary Ann Puckett
|
The Red Flags of Autism
Parents, grandparents and daycare or preschool providers who see a child often are most able to notice the developmental red flags indicating problems.
Your family doctor can check height, weight, skeletal structure and during the brief time he spends with your young child, except to note obvious physical problems, he/she may not be adequately trained to notice early signs of Autism.
If you are worried, trust your intuition. Have an evaluation team of professionals including a psychologist, speech therapist and occupational therapist see your child. Time is of the essence, because the earlier autism is diagnosed, the more likely it is that treatment will be effective.
While still a baby or toddler, parents should be looking for signs of ASD. If your baby shows three or more of these signs seek immediate evaluation by professionals.
Social problems:
~does not have a big smile or happy expression by 6 months or thereafter
~ has no back-and-forth sharing of smiles, sounds, or facial expressions by 9 months.
~ does not respond when child’s name is called by 10 months
~ has little eye contact
~ pulls back when you lift them up
~ prefers to play alone or with objects versus play with other children
Communication problems:
~has no babbling, pointing, or other communicative gestures by 12 months
~has not spoken a single word by 16 months
~has s speech cadence that is not normal-pitch, voice quality
~ repeats sounds over and over
~loss of language or social skills at any age
Repetative behaviors:
~appears to become overwhelmed by certain sounds and noises
~ obsesses with certain objects
~ repeats same motion with hands, fingers, feet or whole body
~ repeats motion while handling objects
If your child worries you, trust your parental instincts and do not delay in having your child evaluated. The window of opportunity to make the most impact for a better outcome for an autistic child is never too soon but it can be too late!
Can you add other first signs of Autism?
Which signs did you notice first?
Nancy Wiseman’s web site First Signs and her new book, Could It Be Autism?, are excellent resources for parents who have a baby with questionable behaviors.
|
From Considered Weird to Considered Wonderful –Temple Grandin, PhD
In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized.
Sunday evening, March 28, The Coffee Klatch had a special evening session with the prominent author and speaker, Dr. Temple Grandin. This remarkable woman is among the few accomplished and well-known adults with Autism having made a mark around the world. What an honor to have her accept TCK's invitation!
She speaks around the world on both Autism and cattle handling. She used her talents to design livestock-handling equipment which is being used by half of the cattle handling facilities in the United States. Dr. Grandin has worked as a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.
Temple Grandin, PhD, is a very popular lecturer on Autism and Asperger’s. I have listed at the end some of her 2010 speaking engagements at the Autism Conferences. Parents, teachers and individuals dealing with Autism and Asperger’s love her books and rush to hear her conferences.
Her latest book is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's published in 2008 with a forward by Ruth Sullivan, the first elected president of the Autism Society of American. Also included is an exclusive interview between world-renowned psychologist Dr. Tony Attwood and Temple Grandin! This last book is a collection of short articles she’s written over the years for various publications.
Dr. Grandin cannot emphasize enough that a child with symptoms of ASD must receive Early Intervention Care. She even says, if parents cannot afford professionals for the many hours of intervention required each week, to enlist the help of grandparents. The child MUST receive this early help!
"I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that 'once autistic, always autistic.' This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can" (from Emergence: Labeled Autistic).
Dr. Grandin is also the author of Thinking in Pictures, Animals in Translation, and Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships. Furthermore, HBO produced a full-length film Temple Grandin, which premiered on Saturday, February 6th on HBO.
Dr. Grandin has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio), major television programs, such as the BBC special "The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow", ABC's Primetime Live, The Today Show, Larry King Live, 48 Hours and 20/20. She has been written about in many national publications, such as Time magazine, People magazine, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and New York Times.
You may hear Dr. Grandin at the following Autism conferences. Register quickly because some of Dr. Grandin’s speaking engagements are already sold out.
May 6-7, 2010
Future Horizons Autism / Asperger's Conference -
New York 2010 (With Carol Kranowitz)
Nassau, New York
To register please contact 1-800-489-0727 or
Nashville, TN - SOLD OUT
June 18 - Portland, OR
July 15-16 - Denver, CO
July 8-9 - Seattle, WA
July 22-23 - Dixon, IL
Have Dr. Temple Grandin's teachings had an impact on your life?
|
Holiday Tips for Families of Autists
If you have an autist in the family, it's easy for feelings to get hurt during the Holidays. Like many Gandmas and Aunts, you may have spent weeks hunting for the perfect gift and expertly wrapping it. When the big day arrives, you proudly present your gift and for some reason the 'ewws and ahhs' amid shimmery, adoring eyes never materialize as planned. And instead, faster than a change in the weather, your grandchild bursts into tears at the very sight of the package and your own feelings spiral down like so many snowflakes.
Well, here's some tips that we've learned over the years. Every child is different, so take what you can use and toss the rest. Also many of these can be tweeked to fit your situation and please do list your secrets in the comment box below to help us all out!
Autists often have weak hands and fingers so wrap items very loosely or put them in a sack. Not being able to unwrap a gift can be very discouraging, so set them up for success!
If you are the guest at the autist's house, remember that they typically do not like to have new things or people in their home. Don't feel bad, it has nothing to do with you and they aren't running away from you, they are just so excited cannot handle all that joy. It may come out as tears or screaming and they may disappear into their room for awhile, but they will come out when they can manage their excitement. Let that be okay. You can get those welcome hugs and kisses afterward. No doubt, Mom has, for weeks now, been bringing the child up to speed about who is coming over and what will happen, so your warm welcome will come.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kCoZovqA3v8/TPKlUyjfyqI/AAAAAAAAAEM/QzuOu1Apv1I/s1600/snowman13.gif" imageanchor="1">  http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kCoZovqA3v8/TPKlUyjfyqI/AAAAAAAAAEM/QzuOu1Apv1I/s1600/snowman13.gif" ox="true"> http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kCoZovqA3v8/TPKmm4nPHCI/AAAAAAAAAEU/WcFe-uPldNI/s1600/christmas+gift+white.jpg" imageanchor="1">Autists generally turn most events into routines, so if you bring tons of packages, the child will expect it everytime you visit throughout the year and he will be most dissappointed if you break the routine. The ensuing meltdown will have you thinking the child only wants your packages and not you. This, of course, is not true at all. What they want is for their world to be predictable, no surprises. Autism is very duplicitous like this. They don't want anything new, but yet if they have become accustomed to you toting lots of gifts, the first time you don't do that, well, you have meltdown. So, to reiterate, start of right and ask Mom what the child would like and stick to the list.
If you have prepared a wonderful meal for your guests, don't be surprised when the little autist of the family doesn't want anything you've made and doesn't want to sit at the table. Keep the peace, let the child go off without it being an ordeal. Just like you can't figure out why she won't sit and enjoy delicious food and family, she can't figure out why you'd want to. Many autists simply cannot handle the hub-bub surrounding the dining table. It can be noisy with too many people, lighting can be bothersome, and all those food choices may smell strange. Let Mom make a plate for her and let her eat when she's ready. Again, don't let it become an ordeal. Don't make the child feel guilty or out of place for not being able to handle all that chaos.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kCoZovqA3v8/TPKlKR6q1GI/AAAAAAAAAEI/fPmCpAL5bUw/s1600/white+tree+simple.gif" imageanchor="1"> http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kCoZovqA3v8/TPKlKR6q1GI/AAAAAAAAAEI/fPmCpAL5bUw/s200/white+tree+simple.gif" width=129 height=200 ox="true">Have a place where the child can go to be alone. Most likely, the child will pick out that place all by herself. Make sure the room is safe. She will come out and visit when she is ready. She may return to her 'safe spot' many times over during the visit. It is here that she will decompress and then she will emerge again. Don't worry, she will gradually spend more time with the family, especially when she knows she has a safe place to go whenever she needs to be alone. You will discover this to be her routine over the years when she visits. If you are the visitor and wonder why your little friend isn't around, she's probably in her room being alone, playing and enjoying toys that her senses can handle. Don't worry, she'll invite you in when she's ready. If you are having an autist as a guest, make sure that your home is safe. Keep windows locked and doors too. Usually there are enough eyes to make sure all children are safe, but autists especially love exploring inside and venturing outside, even when they are not supposed to. Many autists have no sense of danger, have no fear, and they don't ask for permission first. Their sense of curiousity and exploration overrides any safety rules. If they are in a new environment just multiply all that by 100 - do be prepared, safety wise.
Your Holiday traditions and festivities may not matter to the autist. It can be painful when all you want to do is share those special things with him as a loving gesture. Try sharing using unstructured activities so that if he decides to participate, he won't 'do it wrong' according to his cousins or siblings. This will bring a high level of comfort and confidence to the autist as well as demonstrate your acceptance to his kin.
What you can do that would be really special to an autist is this: instead of trying to push your traditional Christmas onto him, meet him where he is mentally and have Christmas the way he'd like it. Maybe it is quieter and simpler, maybe there are less gifts, and maybe your goodies don't get the appreciation they deserve; but you might just be invited to enter the world of an autist at peace. It's a very special place full of imagination and brilliance. I've been there. I know Jesus would like it and it is all about Him after all.
|
|
|
Posted: January 26, 2011 | Posted by Natalia | No Comments “Children need us to be present.” I’ve read it in a hundred books and articles. I’ve probably written it myself. When my children urgently, intensely need me, I can be present. When they are
“Children need us to be present.” I’ve read it in a hundred books and articles. I’ve probably written it myself.
When my children urgently, intensely need me, I can be present. When
they are hurt physically or emotionally, I am 100% there. When they
hug me, I’m there. During choir concerts and karate tests, I watch and
feel my heart swell with joy.
But when it comes to helping with homework or playing a game,
watching karate practice or swimming lessons, my attention wanes. No
matter how actively I try to give the activity my full attention, half
of my brain disengages. http://catalystsforhealth.com/better-half-elsewhere-finding-my-own-way-to-presence">read the rest
|
Hey, Mothers of Unique Children! Let Them Hear You Roar
There is an old Zen story about a young lioness that was lost on a
mountainside. She is found by a ewe who nurses her and cares for her.
As the lioness grows, all of the sheep can see that she is very
different. Her fur is the color of a autumn leaves rather than the
white of clouds. Her face is broad and her teeth sharp.
Still, she eats the same grass and drinks the same water as all of the other sheep and is tolerated in the group.
One day, an old lion approaches the herd. The sheep run, but the
golden one gazes upon him. He leads her to a pond were she sees that
her reflection matches his. Still, she wants to stay with those she
knows, in the place where she is safe and comfortable.
The old lion roars, “Don’t run away from who you are.
You may have grown up with a herd of sheep, but you have grown into a
beautiful lioness. Lions are strong, independent and brave. There are
many more things that you can do and places you can go.”
The ewe approaches her golden child with a blessing and, with an expression of gratitude, the lioness turns and leaves the herd.
Breaking Out of What You’ve Been Conditioned to Believe About Yourself
What do you see when you look in the pond? Many of us have spend a
lifetime learning how to be sheep. We may be convinced that we are
sheep because we eat the same grass and drink the same water.
But what would happen if we let go of our conditioning and stepped on a path of adventure? What if we went forth assured of only one thing: growth.
What could we see if we looked with new eyes?
Led by Our Children
 If you are reading this, you probably have children that are quite confidently not sheep. They may be challenging to parent and difficult to live with. Could this be because they know who they are? Could they be showing us that we too are not sheep — for lionesses birth lion cubs, not lambs.
My children have certainly led me away from the herd. The road is
sometimes lonely, sometimes scary, and sometimes painful. At other
times it is exciting and fun and wondrous beyond anything I could have
imagined. Always, it teaches me something new.
Join the Lioness Pride
If you are interested in experiencing your life in a new way, the http://catalystsforhealth.com/transformed-mothers-circle/loving-life">Transformed Mothers Circle
may be right for you. For seven weeks, mothers from across the
continent gather (by phone). During each call, I teach you the best of
what I’ve learned from and by parenting my Uniquely Magnificent
children. Read more at http://catalystsforhealth.com/transformed-mothers-circle/loving-life">Loving Life with Atypical Children: 7 Weeks to Empowerment and Transformation.
|
Autism as Meditation
They gaze into the distance or lose themselves in focusing on some
object. Their concentration is intense without being strained.
Sometimes, they make strange movements with their hands as they chant
the same mantra over and over.
We may not understand what we see when we watch monks in deep meditation. Yet we are awed.
When our autistic children engage in similar behaviors, we despair.
- Why won’t she look at me?
- Why is he doing that thing with his hands?
- Can’t she be still for a minute?
- Why does he have to repeat the same phrase over and over?
- It’s like she’s not even here!
In http://www.williamstillman.com/books.html" target="_blank">The Autism Prophecies, http://www.williamstillman.com/" target="_blank">William Stillman
writes “…if we always presume the competence of the person within, the
non-verbal individual with autism exists in a perpetual state of
meditation – always pondering, reflecting, considering, processing, and
very carefully observing.” http://catalystsforhealth.com/autism-as-meditation">click here to read the rest
|
|
|
Empowering Parents - A call to parents with vaccine damaged children
http://www.kodawe.com/?page_id=655"><SPAN style="COLOR: #cc0033">A call to parents with vaccine damaged children
I know it is a touchy subject but I am looking for parents that believe their child was damaged by vaccinations. I have created a page on my blog dedicated to the stories about what transpired after these children received the vaccination. I have posted my own story there as well. My goal is to compile as many stories from us parents that witness this change in our perfectly normal child. If anyone is interested, I invite you to drop by and give a short letter on what you witnessed with your child. I would like to think if we get enough of these stories, we will draw attention and show the world we are not making this up. If I get enough of these stories, I will present them to the Canary Party in order for them to take these stories to congress. Please take a few minutes and help change this world we live in.
http://www.kodawe.com/?page_id=655">http://www.kodawe.com/?page_id=655</A></P>
|
|
|
School for Uniquely Magnificent Children
Two years ago, after a lifetime in Michigan and one
(homeschooling) year near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, our family moved to
Madison, Wisconsin. We fell in love with the suburb in which we chose a
home. There was a park with a playground across the street, the local
athletic club had a waterpark and swimming lessons specifically for
autistic children, downtown was just the right size for us.
http://www.homeschool-curriculum.org/images/homeschoolchildrenwithglobe.jpg" alt="" height="227" width="299">At
that time, I had been homeschooling all of my children for two years,
my eldest for five. Moving to a new town, I planned to enroll our
youngest and oldest in public school while keeping Daniel at home. I
was certain the schools would not be able to meet his needs.
A Brief History of Our School Adventures
Daniel had been in public school for four years before we started moving around. His preschool autism program at the http://www.misd.net/SEHome/" target="_blank">Macomb Intermdiate School District (MISD)
had been wonderful. His teachers, therapists, and aides were
brilliant. But after three years, the autism program no longer suited
him. He was placed in regular kindergarten (with no aide or support)
for half the day and in a program for cognitively impaired children the
other half.
His teachers were still great, but since Daniel is not cognitively
impaired, we knew this was a short-term solution. Instead of http://catalystsforhealth.com/doing-it-my-way-im-no-mother-warrior">fighting the system to get the services he needed, I decided to teach Daniel at home. http://catalystsforhealth.com/doing-it-my-way-im-no-mother-warrior">I’m no mother warrior. Two years of homeschooling all of the children ensued.
A School that Wants Autistic Kids
By the time we moved to Wisconsin, I’d had children at home almost constantly for 11 years. http://catalystsforhealth.com/school-for-uniquely-magnificent-children">read the rest
|
Wouldn't It be Nice?
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could step through a gateway to an easier, more joyful life with our children?
Wouldn’t it be nice if today were the day to take this step?
(pssst: Can you help me by telling me what you need and want as a parent of an autistic child? I have a http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8LH5W97">6-question survey here.)
Today can be the day. Read on for some ideas for stepping into easier, happier living.
Reaching for “A Bit Better”
How do you see your chhttp://creationdiva.blogspot.com/2009/11/emotional-guidance.htm" target="_blank"> http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zizm8DIaNJY/SwtBqphvKTI/AAAAAAAAAEA/DPRcH7yE1m8/s1600/emotional%2520vibe%2520scale%2520big.gif" alt="" align="left" border="0" height="283" width="217"> ildren today? Are you content with life? How do you feel?
In looking at the chart, we yearn to be in the top, purple spot.
Even the blue and green areas look good. We want to feel hopeful and
happy and to appreciate our children and our lives. However, if we are
currently in the gray or burgundy zones of guilt or grief or despair,
the leap to joy in inconceivable.
Instead of aiming for giant leaps, it is easiest and most productive to move through one gateway at a time.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HKgrKvGR3lo/Sc3i9InMaCI/AAAAAAAABas/9hjRes9KDnI/s400/g_vigoenfotos_3052q.jpg" alt="" align="right" height="148" width="222">Sometimes, we can just step through. Sometimes we must knock and a door will open. Sometimes we need a battering ram. http://mystic.nazirene.org/GatewayTn.jpg" alt="" align="left" height="165" width="185">Wouldn’t It Be Nice?
- In the midst of a tantrum, consider finding something good. (My
child is safe. I am staying calm and looking for a good way to handle
this moment.)
- When you child struggles to communicate, consider, “We have
wonderful speech therapists. Look how she tries to tell me what she
wants!”
- As your child insists on the thousandth meal of the same food, think, “It is so easy to feed him. I know what he wants.”
Every step is one that brings you closer to the Joy Zone. Anger and
rage may not, by conventional standards, seem like a good thing. But
anger and rage let you know that your do not feel powerless. You are
moving closer to hopefulness and joy.
Tools for the Journey
Please browse the blog archives for tips for really easy ways to support you as you step through each level.
Consider exploring:
And next time you see 11:11 on the clock, take a deep breath and think of one thing that feels good about that moment. Every good feeling that you focus on will bring you closer to more experiences that feel good.
|
|
