I'm Spreading the Word :)

WoW!!  What an amazing week I had at The Autism Treatment Center of America!!  Maximum Impact was all that I dreamed of and so much more.  I did some hard core soul searching and have a defined purpose now.  I am working hard on being nonjudgmental and a honest person.  So don't ask my opinion if you really don't want it ;)  I also learned some great tools to implement in Hayden's Son-Rise Program and made life long friends!!

Some pretty amazing things have been happening to me since I left The Option Institute.  The first being that my flight was delayed.  I didn't discover this until about 20 minutes until boarding time.  The problem with this was I only had a 40 minute lay over and was fearful that I was going to miss my flight.  I walked  to the intake area of the airport (not sure what it is really called) to find out what to do about my connection.  I had tears in my eyes and was shaking a bit.  I really wanted to be home when my kids woke up in the morning.  As I was waiting in line I took a deep breath and close my eyes to help calm myself down.  I said to myself in that moment that I was going to choose to be happy no matter what happens and that I will get home.  It was my turn and I told the attendant what happened and she looked at the computer to see about my connecting flight and if there would be other options for me.  As luck would have my connecting flight was delayed as well.  It was going to be tight to catch my connecting flight but was still possible.

I board the plane and we were headed to the take off area (don't know the name of that either) and the plane stopped.  The captain came on the intercom and said that we would not be taking off due to weather conditions at the landing airport.  Okay, deep breath!!  I decided that if I miss my connection than okay.  I pull out my Gut and Phycology Syndrome Book and begin reading.  GAPS is the diet we are switching to May 1st to help heal Hayden's little body.  The diet is grain free, refined sugar free, and lactose free.

The lady sitting next to me asked if I was a psychology student.  I said no, explained the diet and why we were doing it.  Amazing as is was the lady told me that she has a 29 year old son with Aspergers.  She asked me what kind of life I thought Hayden would have and the effect on my family autism would have.  She also told me to be prepared for a lot of heartache and stress.

Well if anyone knows me, you know this women got a ear full in a totally amazing way.  I told her what Hayden use to be like and what he is like now.  I let her know that there is not a doubt in my mind or anyone that knows Hayden knows that he is going to make a FULL recovery from autism.  I explained The Son-Rise Program and all the biomedical treatments we have been doing.  The lady then gave me some words of wisdom.....be really careful with how I address my daughter.  She felt that should put to much pressure on her daughter because her son had many flaws and that her daughter feels that she has to be perfect.

I kindly listened to her but I addressed her concern.  I told her that I am not worried about that at all.  I let her know that Hayden is not viewed in a negative way ever.  That he is just fine the way he is and so is my daughter.  I told her that I feel Ruby having a brother with autism is going to make her a better person.  She is going to love and accept people just the way the are.  That she is going to have a better understanding of people with special challenges.  I also told her that she gets more attention than the average two year old.

I chatted back and forth with this women for around 1.5 hours.  The conversation ended on a positive note and the lady said she was very happy to have met me.  I gave her a card from The Autism Treatment Center of America.  She said she would wish me luck, but I obviously didn't need it :)

The plane was preparing to land and the flight attendant came over the loud speaker to announce connecting flight information.  As amazing as it was my connecting flight was taking out of the same gate as my landing flight which means.......drum roll please..........I MADE MY CONNECTING FLIGHT!!!  Woot...Woot...and I was going to be home when my babies woke up :)  The lady sitting next to me smiled and said....you sure have a spark to you!

I got of the plane had time for a quick bathroom break and loaded on to the same plane again for my flight home.  This time I set beside a man that use to live where I flew out of.  He asked me what I was doing in Hartford and I told him about the training and he asked me questions about Hayden and the program and was taking in all I had to say.  He asked me what I thought cause autism and if you can all imagine I gave him an ear full )

I told him that we live in a toxic world and the food we eat is horrible!  He asked a lot of questions about food and I told him to watch Food Inc.  He then asked where he could get organic meat and produce from.  He told me we was sold on eating healthier.  We talked the entire hour flight about nutrition.

My journey home was a good reminder of why I am doing what I am doing and that people truly care :)  I do have the power to motivate people to make positive changes in their lives.  I am going to keep spreading the word!!!

XOXO,
Brandi

The "New" Statistics

The CDC released the new (2 years old) statistics of the odds of someone being diagnosed with autism.  The odds of a boy being diagnosed with autism is 1 in 54.  The odds of a girl being diagnosed with autism is 1 in 88.  That is a 78% increase since 2007.  Here is the link to the article: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/CountingAutism/

These statistics make me sick to my stomach.  I know a lot of people are going with "they are better at diagnosing autism now a day theory."  Let's think about that for a minute.  When I was in school I don't remember there being a single autistic person. I don't recall my parents friends or anyone I knew having an autistic child.  I don't recall seeing kids flapping their arms, making no eye contact, and not wanting to play with others.  No....I don't think they are better at diagnosing autism!!

These statistics are also skewed due to people like myself not seeking formal diagnosis.  Here is an article about that: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/05/09/autism-rate-1-in-38/13061/  So why not seek a formal diagnosis.....for me I knew what the diagnosis was and I didn't want what modern medicine had to "treat" my son's autism aka...covering up symptoms by sedating my child.  It was and is a waste of time and money for us.

People often ask my why I feel the autism rates are rising like they are or why I feel Hayden is autistic.  Honestly it is genetics and what you are exposed to in the environment.  When I say environment I am including diet, medications, and stress.

The movie Food Inc. is an amazing move that I think everyone should watch it.  It is absolutely disgusting what is in our food and what has been done to our food.  It is now wonder we are so sick, the rates of autism and cancer are through the roof.  I cried while watching this movie.

We are killing ourselves with the food we consume.  I am heartbroken just thinking about these statistics and what is in store for the future.  I think 1 in 54 boys being diagnosed with autism is an epidemic and action needs to be taken.

I don't trust the government one bit....they have poor regulations on the foods we eat, they allow dental fillings that are composed of 50% mercury, and they allow vaccinations to contain poison.

So it is up to US to change these numbers!!!  It is up to us to take control of our health and it is up to us to change the future.

I am great full that God gave me Hayden and opened my eyes and changed my ways.  I hope to be a huge influence in the autism community and change peoples lives one by one.  I am not sure how I am going to do this but it is on the radar.  Right now though, Hayden is my focus.

He is well on his way to 100% recovery from autism!!

Reflecting back and new happenings

I continue to be impressed and amazed with the progress that Hayden is making :)  I watched a video of what Hayden was like a year ago to what he is like today and it is pretty mind blowing.  The biggest change is how happy he is :)  He laughs and smiles non stop these days.  These are not the drunk / high I am in my own world laughs that he use to have.  I say drunk / high because that is what food does to him.  He gets an optiant release from foods that he is sensitive to. The laughs now are appropriate and genuine.

I love seeing Hayden so happy.  In the playroom the majority of the time is spent playing with him.  Instead of just joining him in what he wants to do / stim we are playing games, and signing songs TOGETHER :)

I think he finally has a grasp on emotions.  He can tell when someone is hurt, sad, mad, and happy.  Today at the playground a little boy fell and got hurt.  Hayden was very concerned looking the boy over.  He said, "ouch, it's okay," and then made a sad face!!!!  This is HUGE!!!  He is relating to people and trying to comfort them :) I had to truly fight back the tears of joy on this one.

There are some big events coming to Hayden's Son-Rise Program.  The first being that Gerd Winkler, a professional teacher for Son-Rise is coming to work with Hayden and his team April 9th and 10th. (to Hayden's team members I will get with you more in detail about this once I know the exact schedule)  Then on April 15th-20th I will be traveling back to The Autism Treatment Center of America for more training.

Hayden's current goals are:

1) To inspire Hayden to look at us while listening for appropriate amount of time based of the activity.
2) Motivate Hayden to speak using nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, articles, and conjunctions or more.
3) Invite Hayden to interact for 9 minutes or greater during an activity.

There have been a lot of ups and downs with Hayden for the past several months and I think it is largely to the yeast treatment protocol he is on and his diet.  We are in the final phase of the yeast treatment protocol and I am hopeful that by the start of May we will be 100% committed to Hayden's (ours) new diet.

We are going to the GAPS diet.  GAPS stands for The Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet. What I know is that we will be eating a lot of broths and fermented vegetables.  Who wants to come for dinner?? This diet has me intimidated but I know it is what needs done.  I am going to be 100% committed to this diet along with Hayden. Brandon and Ruby will cheat outside of the home away from Hayden.  I will be giving up chocolate, coffee, and pop.  I will for warn everyone so you can stay away from for a few weeks while I detox.  The great thing about this diet is that it is done in phases and generally takes 2-3 years.  When we are done with the diet Hayden should be able to eat normal foods again with out issues.

The Lorax

I had the pleasure of taking the kids to see The Lorax last night.  I couldn't have asked for better behavior from Ruby and Hayden.  I actually watched the whole movie :) Hayden laughed at appropriate parts and it seemed as he was truly understanding the movie and the emotions from the characters.

While watching The Lorax I couldn't help to think about how it relates to my life.  The plot is about what happens when we choose not to protect our environment and a 12 year old boy is determined to save the environment and win over the love of his crush.

So how does this relate to my life?  I look at my sweet child and see all the harm that has been caused to him from the toxic environment that we live in.  I failed to protect him as an infant and did not make good choices for him.  I exposed him to so many environmental toxins that I could have prevented and limited his exposure to.  Now this may sound like I am beating myself up, but honest to goodness I am not.  I have accepted that I made poor decisions not because I wanted to harm my child, but because I was ignorant and trusting.  You may read this and think "I did the same kinds of things with my child and he is healthy."  Unfortunately Hayden has some pretty crapy genetics that put him at a much higher risk.

I fear for the future!  I fear that the diets we consume are killing us and our children.  I fear that we are poisoning our children one by one with the crap that is loaded in vaccinations.  Take the time to read what  is in the food you are putting in your mouth.  Take the time to read what exactly is in the vaccination you are going to give your child.  Take the time to treat the true medical problem instead of covering up the symptoms with a pill.

I feel like I am the 12 year old boy in the movie.  I am determined to not only help heal my son but help others heal their children as well.  I also try to spread awareness on how you can prevent your child from developing autism.  I know I sound crazy to most.  I look at my sweet 4.5 year old son and all that he has been through in such a short amount of time and pray that no one else has to experience or suffer the way he has.

I have a feeling that once Hayden is recovered from autism there is going to be a career change in my future.  I don't know what yet but I am going to continue my journey with autism.