Autism, ADD, Developmental Delay, hyperactivity, etc...

This page is going to be a work in progress for sure. I have so much information to share, it's going to take some time to get it all out of my head and into print.

Let me start with sharing a couple of resources with you. Click here. This will take you to "Awe-tistic" on my Products page. I put together a 17 page or so booklet on what I did with my son when he was 2 years old to reverse his autism. I also have there another handout given to me on essential oils with a program tailored to meet the needs of autistic children.

Don't have an autistic child and wonder why you are still reading?
All the other conditions I stated above like ADD/ADHD, Developmental Delays, hyperactivity, etc. all have, in large part, to do with the condition of our brain. My booklet is a Brain Development Guide. I happened to be working with autism but it will help you work with many other conditions as well.

Here's the short story on my son from the booklet:

Zander was an Angle baby. He measured in at 7 lbs 12oz and 21 inches long and never lost an ounce. By Zander’s 9 month checkup he was average size for an eighteen month old. It took him a little longer than his peers to balance and move yet he was walking and talking by his first birthday. Shortly after his 1st birthday his speech just stopped. The pediatrician advised us to give him more time. In the meantime, we discovered many nasty ear infections. At 16 months we placed tubes in his ears. When at 18 months he still was not talking, our pediatrician advised us to contact Kids on the Move (KOTM), an early intervention program.

I started my search on the internet for information to help my son. Some of the roads were leading to Autism. I found help through a mother’s support group I used to visit. I was led to the works of Glenn Doman and put together a physical/sensory and reading program for Zander. KOTM suggested trying sign language and we did with great results from the Signing Time series.

At 21 months old, KOTM visited with us to tell us they believe Zander is autistic and to give us information on autism. This was not a diagnosis; we would have to see a medical practitioner for one (we chose not to). My husband and I will forever remember the words of our provider with KOTM: “It’s ok to grieve. It’s like a death.” I held back the tears, trying not to let what she was saying determine how I was going to perceive my son or how I was going to help my son. When she left, I needed time alone to let the tears out then that night I vowed to do everything in my power to set things right.

I turned my sights toward alternative medicine and started sessions with NAET and Cranio Osteopathy. Our family then started a nutritional program which included a whole foods diet, supplements and homeopathic remedies with an Iridologist named Paul Leatham. The Doman programs were in full force during this time. Zander’s progress was phenomenal. At his 6 month evaluation, he was just 2-4 months behind developmentally, instead of 10-12. By his 1 year evaluation, he was 1-3 months behind in some categories with the majority of them at or above normal. We were advised that he had improved so much that he may not quality for services.

Today at 31 months (01/2004.), Zander is Awe-tistic not autistic. Each day we delight in his added skills and accomplishments. He is a fun loving, outgoing, inquisitive, and active 2 year old with many special gifts and talents. His greatest talents are that of a peacemaker-He will rush in to help another who is sad or feeling out of place. He loves babies and will put aside whatever he is doing to greet a young newcomer. Through the Glenn Doman reading program, Zander has developed a love of learning and is reading by sight, he counts to 20, and knows dozens of colors, presidents, famous people, ect. All the while, his articulation is completely understandable and he can match the pictures to their written names.

We have done a lot for Zander and our family. Pages have been turned and doors opened by so many wonderful people. We truly give our greatest thanks to our Heavenly Father. It was His answers to our prayers and those of others that have blessed Zander, our family, and all those whose lives we touched along the way. May the Lord bless you and answer your prayers too.

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I usually leave it at that but so many want to know how he's doing today-today.

It's January 2009 and Zander is 7 1/2 years old. He attends the same local charter school as his older brother - has been since kindergarten. Today, he is a joy and an exceptionally talented student. He fits in beautifully, socially with his 2nd grade classmates. To meet him, you will see the average, vibrant 7 year old.

His body still can not tolerate sugar and he can get a pretty hyper and unfocused with it. His zest for learning and the reading program I used with him has had a wonderful affect on his learning ability. Zander has an amazing memory and can recite just about anything back to you whether you asked for the information or not. He learns a new concept the first time it is introduced and is ready to move on to the next challenge. Teach him a math concept and he's got it. That's why he is a few levels ahead in math. Reading and spelling are a sinch. But, he doesn't like to be given extra work (as he sees it) because he can do it or perform beyond his comfort level. So, there's the challenge for public school. Give him what he needs and meet his higher needs without him feeling like it's a burden to be smart.

Zander can be brutally honest so I have been working with him to understand when and how to "help" others or just keep things to himself. Visiting his classroom though, I've come to realize much of this younger generation is like this. Curious?

Our home is like any home filled with the hustle and bustle of two active boys. We continue to eat healthy and supplement with the basics. Zander is no longer autistic, hasn't been for quite sometime (since he was 3 years old) so, we have moved on.

I have learned so much over the years and continue to learn new things each day. I feel like I need to share all of it with others thus the booklet, my services and now this website. Thank you for this opportunity to serve.

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Don't miss my "Veggie Bite" labeled "Iodine - Candida, Chelation, more"

Iodine in the form of Kelp Liquid was one of the supplements on my son's supplement program. Note: It doesn't take much to see results and usually it's in the simplest things we find the most good.

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I just finished watching a short video on living a Gluten Free Diet and had a thought...

I know diet is a key factor in many of the ailments we and our children are living with today. The rise of autism, ADD/ADHD and other dis-orders are greatly influenced by diet. I may say more in the future but as you can see, this website has tons on diet already. All subjects noted on my website are near and dear to my heart and have assisted my son and family in one way or another on our journey to better health.

The True Foods Diet is the one I chose for my son and our family.
My thought is... You may find a gluten free diet works for your family. Listen to the video. The young woman in the video talks about how she was placed on three different medications, one for ADD, and how the gluten free diet helped her off the medications. Can you imagine all those children out there on medications and how a diet switch may be what they really need?

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Top 10 Terrific Traits of Autistic People
by Susan Rodriguez

1. Autistic People Rarely Lie
We all claim to value the truth, but almost all of us tell little white lies. All, that is, except people on the autism spectrum. To them, truth is truth -- and a good word from a person on the spectrum is the real deal.

2. People on the Autism Spectrum Live in the Moment
How often do typical people fail to notice what's in front of their eyes because they're distracted by social cues or random chitchat? People on the autism spectrum truly attend to the sensory input that surrounds them. Many have achieved the ideal of mindfulness.

3. People with Autism Rarely Judge Others
Who's fatter? Richer? Smarter? For people on the autism spectrum, these distinctions hold much less importance than for typical folks. In fact, people on the spectrum often see through such surface appearances to discover the real person.

4. Autistic People are Passionate
Of course, not all autistic people are alike. But many are truly passionate about the things, ideas and people in their lives. How many "typical" people can say the same?

5. People with Autism Are Not Tied to Social Expectations
If you've ever bought a car, played a game or joined a club to fit in, you know how hard it is to be true to yourself. But for people with autism, social expectations can be honestly irrelevant. What matters is true liking, interest and passion -- not keeping up with the Joneses.

6. People with Autism Have Terrific Memories
How often do typical people forget directions, or fail to take note of colors, names, and other details? People on the autism spectrum are often much more tuned in to details. They may have a much better memory than their typical peers for all kind of critical details.

7. Autistic People Are Less Materialistic
Of course, this is not universally true -- but in general, people with autism are far less concerned with outward appearance than their typical peers. As a result, they worry less about brand names, hairstyles and other expensive but unimportant externals than most people do.

8. Autistic People Play Fewer Head Games
Who was that woman, and why were you looking at her? I know I TOLD you I didn't mind if you went out, but why did you believe me? Most autistic people don't play games like these -- and they assume that you won't either. It's a refreshing and wonderful change from the Peyton Place emotional roller coaster that mars too many typical relationships!

9. Autistic People Have Fewer Hidden Agendas
Most of the time, if a person on the autism spectrum tells you what he wants -- he is telling you what he wants. No need to beat around the bush, second guess, and hope you're reading between the lines!

10. People with Autism Open New Doors for Neurotypicals
For some of us neurotypicals, having an autistic person in our lives has had a profound positive impact on our perceptions, beliefs and expectations. For me, at least, being the mom of a son on the autism spectrum has released me from a lifetime of "should" -- and offered me a new world of "is."