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Autism survivors speak in L.B.

http://www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_3162380

By , Staff writer  

LONG BEACH — Hundreds of people attending an autism conference on

Friday heard from parents who say that various treatments greatly

reduced, or eliminated, their autistic children's symptoms. 

The three-day " Defeat Autism Now! " conference, organized by a San Diego

think tank, The Autism Research Institute, featured parents saying

their autistic children dramatically improved, thanks to dietary

regimens, behavioral therapy and various medications. 

Not all researchers believe that all the touted remedies have been

scientifically demonstrated. 

About 10 children whose parents say have recovered from the condition

were interviewed on-stage in front of a large audience at The Westin

Long Beach. 

Stan Kurtz said he and his wife were devastated when they learned their

young son Ethan had autism. 

" It's life-changing, " he said. " You lose your child. … and you have to

rebuild. You have to see what's really going on. "  

Ethan, now 4 years old, didn't speak and often just stared out the

window, Kurtz said. 

Now his son's symptoms have largely gone away, thanks to a combination

of drugs and dietary changes, said Kurtz, a Tarzana resident. 

Kurtz on Friday asked his son to describe his favorite book,

" Charlotte's Web. "  Speaking of the main character, a pig called Wilbur,

Ethan Kurtz smiled and said, " He was a baby, and then he grew up. "  

Cindy Goldenberg said until her son started a drug treatment when he

was 3 years old, he wouldn't speak, make eye contact or play

appropriately. 

At around age 3, her son Garrett now 16 years old started receiving

infusions of a protein used to treat immune deficiencies, she said. She

said his symptoms were gone by the time he was 5 years old. 

" I feel like I not only got a miracle, but I got a second chance, " said

Goldenberg, a Laguna Niguel resident. 

Goldenberg, like some other parents at the conference, subscribes to

the controversial theory that her child's condition was linked to a

vaccine used to ward off measles, mumps and rubella. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, has

stated that " the weight of the evidence indicates that vaccines are not

associated with autism. "

Carol F.

Toronto, celiac, SCD 5 years