What is Recovery? was: McCarthy

[Guest guest]

I agree with ...as a community we should have a better way of

communicating the improvements that our children are achieving.

My husband and i do not want to declare ryan as " recovered " until he

is functioning in a neurotypical manner WITHOUT being on a special

diet, reliant on supplements. That's just our opinion. and I think

it's because i feel like if we declare him recovered, he might lose

support, either through medicaid or special education. and who is to

say what might happen in the future? you never know what setbacks

might arise...a virus, sneaking gluten foods as he gets older? who

knows? I don't want to start believing that we're there only to have

to take it back in the future. I don't want to have to accept this

all over again.

I don't know that I'll ever feel sure enough to declare my son

recovered from this mess, but I will say with confidence that he is so

greatly improved. Maybe that's the message that should be sent loud

and clear to the masses? What do you all think?

It's such a tough concept, though, because all these kids have

different starting points. Any thoughts?

Kari

> >

> > I'm sorry but I disagree with your post. I have friends

who have

> children who have been undiagnosed and you wouldn't know

they have

> autism without being told. We are learning so much

compared to the

> fridge parent concept from long ago. Some kids can get

better with

> diet, supplements etc. Whereas some kids don't respond. We

don't know

> the lone " cause " so how can say there is no cure ? I also

think

> McCarthy has brought a huge level of awareness to

Autism with

> her books and because she feels she has cured her son

based on where

> he was and what is viewed as typical is projecting

hopefulllness to

> other parents and the autism community not hurtfullness.

> > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

> >

> > Re: McCarthy

> >

> >

> >

> > I have to say one thing that is frustrating is 's

claims of

> curing her son's autism. Plain and simple, autism is not

curable.

> Symptoms can be treated but autism is not curable. Saying

autism is

> curable, I believe, is irresponsible and gives the

impression to the

> general public that every child with autism is the same

and curable.

> Austims is a spectrum disorder with varying levels of

function,

> symptoms and response to therapy. I believe this message

hurts all

> the organizations that due great work in autism awareness and

> research.

> >

> > This is my thought and frustration.

> >

> > Matt

> >

> >

>