As I sit down to write our story, it is really overwhelming . The details are hard to remember. Our first child was born in April 2000, a healthy baby boy, Ben. He developed normally, though he was delayed a little with his language and he loved to jump. We didn’t think anything about those things. The doctor said he was just a late talker and had a lot of energy. When he was 20 months, we had our second daughter, Claire. With the exception of being jaundice, she was healthy. She met her milestones, but like her brother she didn’t talk, she even had less talking than Ben. She also loved to “knead” her feet in the rug, sand, dirt any surface. She was happy and so we had no worries. We just figured she was delayed in language just like her brother.
When she was around 17 months we video taped her and noticed I would call her name and she wouldn’t turn. We knew she wasn’t deaf, because once Elmo came on T.V. she could hear it from the backyard. Three months or so later she started playing strange, lining up toys, fixating on hangers and sticks. Looking at them and giggling, at night time she would giggle for hours after going to bed. At first we thought… how cute, but then I told my husband that it wasn’t right, that something was wrong. At 19 months, her baby sister Ellie was born. Ellie was born with Trisomony 21 (Downs Syndrome). That was tough, but we pulled through it. Ellie’s therapist started when she was one month old. She came to the house to do the therapy and met Ben and Claire. She said I should get Claire evaluated for Autism. I am so thankful for her bravery. It is tough to tell a parent something like that. I was pouring my concerns out to my girlfriend. Thank the Lord for girlfriends!! She mentioned a friend of hers with a child on the spectrum. I called her friend, Dawn, and found out about the Casein Free Gluten free diet. We started it immediately. About 2 weeks later, we had Claire evaluated and yes she was Autistic, moderately. Although they didn’t give us much hope of a recovery, we knew there was hope. Even so, we were depressed after that evaluation. Somehow when the medical professional tells you their diagnosis, you think they must know all there is about everything. I now know that to be false. We went to a DAN doctor not long after Claire's evaluation. Ben and Claire had an ION test done by the Naturopath. It is a test to see what metals are heavy and vitamins are deficient as well as bacteria and yeast levels. It was expensive, but we would do it again! From there we started a vitamin therapy.
Claire and Ben have improved greatly on their diet and supplement plans. Supplements include B12 injections 3 times a week from Wellness Pharmacy. Child essence multivitamins, liquid zinc, magnesium and calcium. Ambrotose for immune boost. One kids takes TMG and one takes DMG from kirkman. They all take kirkmans melatonin at night and they all take probiotics. Claire has the worst yeast problem so she is on nystatin from Creative Compounds.
Along the road we have tried different things, some have been great and others just ok. All the kids are in early intervention school. Ben was high functioning enough to attend a little private kindergarten this last year. The teacher was willing to take on his different abilities and hyperactivity. Claire is going to start her final year in the 3 – 5 program. Ellie begins the 3-5 program this September 06.
My plan is to home school them all beginning with First grade. That will take some prayer.
Last but not least, I want to say, I thank God for His work in our lives and our kids lives. He is the ultimate healer. When I get frustrated with their progress I am reminded that I can do what I know… but He is the healer! Jehovah-rapha (Ex. 15) “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” (James 5:13a ) “ My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness”. I Corinthians 12:9
I know God is in control of our situation and loves my kids more than I do. Life gets tough around our household and sometimes I wonder why He has put so much on my plate. I may never know the whys, but I am certainly learning more about leaning on God during the rough times and rejoicing during the times of growth! Thanks for reading our story, if you have any questions about therapies we have used or vitamins we use just post a reply.