So many of us say that autism is not our problem. We
don’t have a child with autism, don’t understand what
autism is, and clearly don’t see it on a daily basis. Sure,
there may be somebody’s child we know about—
maybe a cousin or co-worker who once mentioned
it—but really, other than seeing those puzzle-piece
bumper stickers on family vans on the road, who can
say they know much more than that about autism?
For the parents of children with autism, this is a
reality they must accept that explains other people’s
callousness to their plight. Others don’t stay up all
night hearing the incessant screams of their 2, 3 or
4+ year old, unable to be comforted by anything and
needing to be kept locked shut (for their safety) for the night.
As horrible as this may sound to those of us unfamiliar with the dark side of the realities of
autism, this is a nightmare many parents of children on the autism spectrum suffer, for years.
While your compassion for these parents may come with well wishes and thoughts, what is
needed here is action—concrete action.
The cost of Autism
Autism affects us all. Yes, ALL. From the parent dealing with horrendous, uncontrollable
behaviors to the bachelor-professional making a living, building a future. How so? One
word—TAXES. Yes, autism is a seriously expensive disorder. Everyone pays to “keep” a child on
the spectrum “maintained” with approved therapies for these disabled children through state
and school services district by district.
What most taxpayers don’t realize is that these approved therapies, as they stand alone, are
NOT working. About $65,000-
150,000 annually are spent on
the maintenance of children on
the spectrum, mainly through
school programs and medical
services available state by state.
This includes special education
aides, special equipment (laptops),
and behavior therapies that are
allowed for a short period of
time—time enough to say, “Ok, we
tried something with this kid.”
Sadly, these therapies are not
working. Because the groundwork
of healing the underlying physical
ailments of autism is not being done in conjunction with these therapies, lasting, true
progress is not being seen. Funds are being lost on approaches that are failing this population
of children, which we do need to help.
This PROACTIVE project is going on NOW
It is the Reese Family Project. See the results. Medications have been stopped and deemed unnecessary due to resolution of health problems. Taxpayers have been footing large sums yearly for costly medications; and, if not for this new approach, would have been chronically costing taxpayers increasing sums with increasing time. Outstanding behavioral progress has been gained in record time—the kind of progress many
In five years, tax payers will spend almost $350,000 per child and see little or no change in this child. If alternative biomedical treatments are administered instead, less than $50,000 per child will be spent, and the child will see major improvements
children with autism are unable to reach due to the underlying biomedical
issues that are never addressed with the old mode of ‘maintaining’ autistic children.
Milestones are being met. Now, the family is seeing ‘typical’ behaviors that all parents wait
for, but which sadly, for most with autism are out of the realm of possibility. Notably, those
now resolved ‘outward symptoms’ would have continued to cost money for special caregiver
services to deal with the disruptive behaviors.
The improvements have touched every aspect of this family’s life. At the outset of the project,
this family was at risk for a marital breakup—the couple’s relationship was strained due to the
quality of life problems brought on by their affected child. Mom was depressed and needing
medication. Dad was feeling helpless to find a solution for his son. Today, this family is united
as they continue to see daily progress in their child. Mom is optimistic and amazed with the
transformation in her son. Dad is feeling like what he is contributing in hard work and time
with his son is working for his family. AMAZING.
Autism is treatable
It is not a static, hopeless condition, as parents, teachers, citizens and yes, even physicians, are
led to believe. The healthcare system would have us believe that nothing else can be done,
and then rules are set in stone on what is “covered” and not covered by insurance due to
ignorance of the facts. There is a real lack of information and passing over of hard-hitting data
that can be readily available to us all.
Before Biomedical Intervention
Nine Treatment Months Later
The evidence documented here with the Reese Family and their son Julius (“Juju”) hits home.
The ‘before’ and ‘after’ films highlight where this child has been—one year ago: crying and
screaming as his primary form of communication; to now: speaking, requesting, responding to
spoken language with language. It’s amazing what healing a child from the inside first can do
to the way the child is then able to learn appropriate behaviors.
Can you imagine yourself with a massive stomach ache or headache or any seemingly
unending pain trying to read, speak or even walk? This is the life of children with autism.
Yet, by the traditional way of treating children with autism, we send them off to behavioral
therapists to try to train their outward “manifestations of bad behavior” to something more
socially suitable. Sounds backwards.
One year ago, a tearful Mom and Dad wrote down the ten greatest desires they had for their son, Julius. Their anguish was reflected in the simplicity of what they wrote. These dreams, wholly unattainable, were sealed in an envelope.
Today, tearful parents unsealed that envelope and where shocked to see… (more)
Do you really know about Autism?
These children suffer from the world’s worst headache and stomachache, with chronic explosive bowel problems. An adult with these symptoms would see their doctor immediately begging for relief. But because many of these children have communication problems, we send them to psychologists and therapists first. But if you were in pain, why wouldn’t you... (more)
Follow Celeste as she shares her struggles, accomplishments, and reactions to various physical and biomedical therapies. Sometimes horrific, sometime soaring, frequently funny, Celeste’s blog is a helpful insight into a life driven towards recovery. (See her blog).
Aid for Autism is part of The Hope Fund, a 501c nonprofit organization.
