By: Sheri Miller
*Note from the author: This is a summary of what I spoke about during my Diet & Autism presentation. It’s written more in a conversational tone, as I was using it as a reference for myself while I spoke.  Hopefully it may be helpful to someone!
** this article is reprinted with permission by the author

We know that diet can certainly impact many health conditions such as diabetes, Celiac disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.   And it CAN affect autism and related disorders as well.

You may ask: How? Why?
Can what we eat and drink really affect the neurological system – the brain and its functioning?  Yes.  For example, individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders can have certain foods that may trigger seizures.  What about alcohol? It certainly affects the brain which in turn affects motor control, speech, cognition, social interaction, etc. (more…)

UPDATE II:  It’s Sunday, the last day of my Cinco de Linco Loans Weekend Fundraiser for Lend4Health.org.  I set a lofty goal of $1000 in $5 loans.  So far, I’m up to $730!   If 10 of you would make a $5 loan to each of the 5 kids, I’d reach my goal.  Can you spare $25?  Remember, it’s a loan… you’ll get your money back!

UPDATE: I AM ONLY $270 AWAY FROM MY GOAL OF $1000 IN MICRO-LOANS FOR THE KIDS ON LEND4HEALTH!!!  PLEASE BE KIND AND OFFER UP A $5 CINCO DE LINCO LOAN (MAKE SURE YOU DESIGNATE IT AS SUCH)!  REMEMBER, THESE ARE LOANS, NOT DONATIONS.  YOU’LL GET YOUR MONEY BACK!

CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO LEND4HEALTH TO SEE THE KIDS AND LOAN $5!!

There are currently SIX FIVE loans open on L4H: Aydan, Alec, Jordan, Tatum, Jaden, and Jonathan #2

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Remember Charlie’s progress report a few weeks ago?  Well, the official report card came home today:

All A’s.  You heard me.  ALL A’s!

Along with the report card, the school sent home a bumper sticker, “My Child is an Honor Student at — Elementary,” (which Charlie immediately tried to stick on his Grandfather’s car), as well as a “Principal’s Honor Roll” ribbon.

After years of struggling to just BE in a classroom, to just be able to get through the entire day sitting in the class, this is a HUGE accomplishment.

“Huge” doesn’t even do it justice.

Way to go Charlie! 

Insert frantically screaming people here… Now, brace yourselves… We’re going sugar-free as of November 1st. Yeast are back. Time to get serious. Just discovered a new product (thank you Dr. D!!): Lakanto

More to come.

My mother posted this comment on one of my blog entries and I thought it deserved to be published where everyone could see it.  In the comment she speaks to Angie (mother of Ethan & Alex, and Megan), Petra, and to all of you.  Enjoy:

TO ANGIE…We must all DARE TO BELIEVE! We must stand as one and Fight the Fight…for the children. You can BELIEVE IT when I say, we will all have you and your boys in our thoughts and prayers, as you embark on this new leg of your family’s JOURNEY OUT of AUTISM. You can BELIEVE IT when I say, we care about you and stand tall with you. You can BELIEVE IT when I say, you are not alone. You are a WARRIOR MOM. BELIEVE. HOPE. NEVER GIVE UP. FIGHT ‘TIL THE DEATH. THERE IS NO FORCE STRONGER THAN A MOTHER’S LOVE!

TO PETRA: (more…)

I was invited by Kim Stagliano to write a piece for Age of Autism regarding the comments Charlie has made about what autism is like for him.  Initially I was thrilled… I mean, who wouldn’t want to be published on Age of Autism!?!?  It’s like finding the freaking golden ticket!

But, as I began working on the piece, I found I continually came up with other tasks to complete.  I was confused.  This was (is!) a big deal for me.  Age of Autism is… well… I’ll just tell you what I told Kim:  Age of Autism has been my companion through some very dark times.  It has been a beacon of light in an otherwise very dark tunnel.  I have met some very cool people on AoA, I’ve learned some lessons, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve yelled in anger.  So how could it be that I was given the honor of being published on my favorite site; but, trimming my toenails seemed to be more important?  Sickness.  That is what it was. (more…)

“Mom?”

“Yes Charlie.”

“Am I in autism?”

“Are you… what did you say?”

“Am I in autism Mom?  I am ain’t I?”

“Sweetie, don’t say ain’t, say aren’t…. and… well, yes, you do have autism… that’s what they are calling it right now anyway. <<under my breath: I like to call it vaccinosis>>”

“But why Mom?  Why am I in autism?”

“Ummm…”

“Was I born in autism?”

“No, you weren’t.  You were born healthy, happy and most definitely NOT in autism.”

“But why did I get put in autism?”

“Well, that is complicated… let’s see… first you were given some shots that made you sick… things we didn’t even know about back then… you got really sick in your belly and then started having all kinds of allergies… but we didn’t know it … so we kept giving you the foods you were allergic to… that made you get more and more sick… but then we found a way to help you… your special diet… your medications… and now you are doing much better… you aren’t anywhere near as sick as you were before… and now Dr. Krigsman is fixing your belly… and Dr. Davis is fixing everything else… soon you will not be in autism anymore… you may not be now… just still a little sick… that’s it… but I’m doing everything I can to get you better sweetie.”

“Thank you Mom.  I do feel a lot better.  No more slime in my brain and monsters in my tummy.”

“That’s right!  And you’re doing such a good job… being such a big boy… Mommy is very proud of you for all of your hard work to help us get you better.”

“Thank you Mom.  Thank you.”

Yesterday the school sent home a copy of the reading test they gave Charlie (and all of the other students) to determine his skill level.  Charlie is an excellent reader.  When he was a year old, he would read little board books (Oh My! Oh My! Oh Dinosaurs! being his favorite.  He also read parts of Go Dog Go!) – of course then he stopped speaking and didn’t read anything (aloud) for years. (more…)