Autism from a Teacher's Perspective
Haven De Lay
Sat Jul 16, 2005
The first year I taught was in a school for handicapped children and adults. That was in 1980. In the WHOLE school, there was only one older man with autism.
I went on to teach for fifteen years in public school, mostly inner-city. Special ed children were main-streamed. Those who needed them had aides who came to class. I do not recall any autistic children. We had several, in my opinion who had ADD and ADHD. These were the years from 1982-1997. I taught high school. What I recall is wondering why so many kids couldn't seem to pay attention like we did when we went to school. They had trouble sitting still, and each year there were more kids with behavioral issues. In 1984 I had maybe five kids out of 165 who could not behave or were constantly defiant, but by 1997, I had 40 out of 165 who had serious behavior problems.
Now, in my son's school, which is out in the country, there are many children who are autistic, and sad to say, none of the other parents in my son's class are doing anything to help their children. I think they see me as "way out there."
It's interesting to note, that when my son was first tested there, he was severely "autistic." He had no speech, socialization, etc... He was way below these other kids his age who were diagnosed "autistic." Now, he has far surpassed them. Teachers who were skeptical of what I was doing say, "It's a miracle." And they tell me they wish the other parents would try doing what I have done.
We still have a way to go, but Ethan will be half day in life skills in the fall and a half day in regular kindergarten! He is sitting next to me now, spelling colors. Wow! And the mainstream doctors told me he would NEVER talk!
6 comments:
Hi. I'm new to your blog and I must say your most recent post was a jaw dropper. I'm in the process of reading the whole thing b/c I'm very very interested in how you got to where you are. I'm a father of a 5 year old autistic boy. He does not have speech and we have been working with PECS for communication. I haven't read much on chelation as I didn't put much stock in it. I cast a skeptical eye on the mercury = autism argument because it seemed too simplistic and the data was inconclusive. Now I'm not so sure.
Duffy
Hi Duffy,
I accidently deleted your comment when I thought I was deleting someone elses spam. I reposted it but it is not linked to your blog now. Sorry.
My stance is that since "no one knows what autism is", each child disgnosed with it should be evaluated to see if they have anything that is off. Because so often these kids have mercury, that should be something that is screened for.
I think that any kid that presents with a speech delay or disorder should be screened for mercury poisoning, because loss of speech is a symptom of it according to the CDC and everyone else who has anything to say about mercury poisoning. Match that with all the Hg that kids are exposed to from mom's fillings to vaccines and all environmental sources. Seems like a prudent (and simple) thing to do.
I think that it is a poor approach to treat "autism". I think it is a wonderful approach to evaluate and treat AN autistic child. Each one of these kids has their own set of things going on. They have lots of things in common, but no two are the same.
When I ask a question of my pediatrician, he answers according to what is going on with most boys. When I ask it of my DAN doctor he tells me what is going on with most boys and then checks my son to see what is going on with him.
Bottom line, until I get all the metals out of my son and balance out all the matabolic problems he has, how am I going to know what is the toxins and what the real is Chandler like when he is healthy?
I cast a skeptical eye on the mercury = autism argument because it seemed too simplistic
And as far as the theory being to simplistic, I think it only seems so because most media treat it that way. "Parents think Autim is caused by mercury, more at 11".
I am putting together what I can find on the history of thimerosal and the comparison between the symptoms of mercury poisoning and the symptoms of autism.
Stay tuned.
Interesting. I heartily agree that autism as a diagnosis in DSM-IV is so wide as to be nearly meanginless. It's a great big black hole that sucks in all kinds of kids who may not belong there. I do think there could be a causal link between mercury and autism but my fear is that predatory lawyers will seek trillion dollar damages that would literally destroy the drug companies. Such behavior will make them hide everything and admit nothing. The truth will then be buried for ages and progress to defeat autism becomes stagnant.
Would you mind posting some links to reputable chelation sites? I'd like to learn more but don't know where to start.
I will put together a list and post it.
In the mean time, go get "Children With Starving Brains". It is a heavy read, and the best one source stop for all the information you can attempt to digest on biomed treatment for autism, including chelation.
It is listed under the 'Recommended Reading' list on the right.
my fear is that predatory lawyers will seek trillion dollar damages that would literally destroy the drug companies. Such behavior will make them hide everything and admit nothing. The truth will then be buried for ages and progress to defeat autism becomes stagnant.
That is certianly possible, but I am choosing not to let my self get pessimestic. The parents asking the questions are only getting louder and getting more attention.
As far as the lawsuit stuff goes, I don't think that we should hold back in asking questions because of what *might* happen to the drug companies. The truth needs to come out.
I feel that the chance of them being "destroyed" is slim. I mean look at how far the government has gone to keep the airlines in business.
Certianly when this all finally comes into the open there will be HUGE changes, but that needs to happen. A system that allows this kind of thing to happen is broken.
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