Autism and the C Word

As many parents of children with Autism have done before me and many will continue to do after me they have read a number of articles, blogs and websites promising the one thing most families are looking for..  Brace yourself people I’m about to say the “C” word….  Promising a “CURE”..  yep I said it…. CURE!!!

The thing is, I’m not just a mother of a child with Autism, I’m also a practitioner who works with families who have children with Autism…  I work in an industry where we’re touted as “charlatans” with unproven methods and treatments that don’t work, promise a “cure” (yes I said it again) and leave families heartbroken.

So here’s my perspective on the whole thing as both a parent and a practitioner.

My son has Autism, he was diagnosed at 2 1/2 years old. We have experienced terrible days, bad days, okay days, good days and awesome days…  like a box of chocolates, we never knew what we’re gonna get and like Melbourne weather it would change throughout the day.

Over the years I’ve done a variety of therapies, everything from ABA, Floortime, speech pathology, psychology kinesiology, chiropractic, naturopathy, homeopathy and of course The GAPS Diet.

For the patients I see I tell them it’s hard work, every child is different and each child with Autism will reach their own potential, whatever that is, with the right blend of support, nutrition and therapies. What I don’t promise them is a “cure”…  why you might ask… because I don’t really think there is one.

My point here is, I don’t like the word “cure”…  firstly it suggests he has a disease..  he doesn’t, and secondly, is my son cured after everything I’ve done thus far and everything I continue do to…  no he isn’t… is he much better, in fact a more amazing version of the little boy that was diagnosed all those years ago… YES!!!

It’s not about cure… don’t keep chasing the “C” word, just focus on giving your child the opportunity to be the best version of themselves they can possibly be. I think we all know that’s going to be vastly different from child to child.

Would our lives and his life be much easier if he didn’t have Autism… Absolutely.

Would he be the kid he is without Autism… Absolutely not.

Moreover would my daughter be the kind, mature, thoughtful, patient big sister she is if her brother didn’t have Autism… I don’t think so.

Even though the years have been hard and I do think they’ll continue to be difficult for quite awhile I’m not looking for a cure, that takes way too much energy.

May it’s time to forget the cure and focus on the end goal, the achievements, the improvements and each day being better than the last.

From the team at Mumma’s Own.

xx

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