Autism: Is there a miracle cure?

In the past decade or so, autism became a household name all around the world. People tried to ignore it, deny it, but it creeped up on us, and unfortunately stayed with us with all its mystery. It certainly became a public focus, which triggered some  degree of governmental actions, ( I personally think it is still not enough) caused to pop up some advocacy groups as well as charitable organizations.

As a result almost every day we can read about a new theory what might have caused this neuro developmental disorder. Some do make sense, others just don’t add up, and some theories are just really theories as far as I am concerned. Along with these arguments, new treatment options, or even miracle drugs/supplements hits the market promising immediate or very quick cure, and complete recovery. Often we get false hope by reading these “speculations”, and get really excited about things and methods to try to treat our children, and then later we realize, it is another money-making scam.

The number of “scam treatments” not just hurting the parents bank accounts, but it  can potentially be very harmful to the autistic child  physically. Also, it is not unheard of certain therapy can cause the death of a child.

It really saddens me how these people can live with themselves claiming to do or provide something that has no benefit, or it can even be harmful. The parents of an autistic children had been broken  from so many different directions. A lot of families I know of, parents had been divorced, and they struggling financially and emotionally. To deceive such vulnerable people, it is just sickening.

Almost all families  have the same issues, paying for therapies that are very expensive, paying for good schools that also takes a big chunk of money from their account. These kids  are on a special diet as well, that doesn’t come cheap either. Some of these kids  have medical conditions, that  requires medicine to be taken every day.

I remember when I got the news that Amin has autism, I hit Google search, and thousands of treatment options came up for me. I was shocked and in disbelief. I admit, in the beginning I did fall for some “miracle” supplements . Thankfully I realized there is no miracle cure here, just hard consistent work.

The reason I wrote this short article because I met this mom whose son was diagnosed a few months ago with autism.  She had no idea where to being with his treatment, school, and other necessary  adjustments in her house. Everyone was so quick to give her suggestion, that she was simply overwhelmed. She came to a realization that she will never be a good mom to her son, because she can not afford all the treatments, supplements, and other therapeutic interventions.

I think sometimes, us the veteran autism moms and dads have to slow down when it comes to a new parent with autistic child. It is good to give them advice, but we need to make sure we do not overload anyone with all the great information that we have to offer. Giving these information gradually will result in much more positive outcome.

Also, we need to make them aware of all the scams that we know of,  and create a relationship that make them feel comfortable to talk to us about their fears and hopes. We need to let them know that there are good medicines, supplements , and treatment options are out there, but some will work for  some children, and others will not. All children are unique, and they will respond in a different way.

Autism, has cycles in which symptoms get worse and then get better. Parents usually search for treatments when symptoms are getting worse, and when their children gets better,  parents credit the new therapy. It might be the therapy, or it maybe the child is in the “getting better” cycle. Either way, in time a parent will notice what will work for their children, and that is what need to be continued. This doesn’t mean that one can not be open-minded and try new approach, as long as that method is well researched and scientifically backed. We are talking about a human being’s life here, your children’s life, and that deserves  lots of consideration.