Promises, Promises....

I will admit to the fact that I am slow at catching up with technology. We were probably the last people in our neighborhood to get a computer. We just could not afford one in the beginning.
That is the excuse I use for taking so long to get into the blog thing. I have kept a journal for many years. Keeping track of my children's births and eventual diagnosis with autism. I would love to write a book, eventually.
I started my blog after reading other blogs written by parent's of autistic children. I have chosen a few favorites and visit them often.
Most of the blogs I visit share my views on autism. Some do not, some believe GFCF diets, chelation and biomedical interventions will save their autistic children.
When I comment, I am told basically that if I have "not been there, or done that", that I should keep my opinions to myself. Now here is my voice in that opinion:
We have been there and done that. Remember, we have been with autistic children for 15 years. We were told, by several doctors and clinics, that they were going to help or "save" our children.
Some promised cures and some miracles.
Some promised this would be of "no cost to our family".
Some promised my children would become "normal".

When it came time for these "doctors" to produce the promises, they could not deliver. When I have asked several times, of one famous doctor and his staff, to show me proof of "cures" and "recoveries" with his prescriptions of cocktails, he never returned my phone calls. If I had little faith in him, he could not help us. Oh, Please.......
One well-known "doctor" and his cohort walked into my home. His words were, "I know I can help your family". We will supply the food, medical interventions, etc. They even told us they had to remove all the old appliances from our kitchen and get new ones...we could not have remnants of wheat anywhere.
Needless to say, when it came time to start all of these things, the story changed. There was a "misunderstanding". They did give me 3 cases of bread, bagels and cookies. All which tasted like glue.
The lady in charge told me her son was fully-recovered and attended regular classes at a regular school. Her son in actuality, attends a private school for autistic children and is still labeled autistic. He attends CARD programs and ABA therapy sessions. She is a person who has a hard time telling the truth.

I would never tell anyone how to raise their children. I would never give false hope to any family. But, I would welcome anyone into my house to see how acceptance works in helping an autistic child.
We have 2 children who will always be autistic. But, I can PROMISE they will always be accepted for who they are and what they become as they reach adulthood.
We have 2 children who have become so much better, without any interventions. These children are in regular classes at a regular school and are indistinguishable from the peers. I can PROMISE them that they can become whatever they want in life, and we will stand behind them.
I have a child with Asperger's Syndrome. This came to us later in her life as a diagnosis. This one crept up on us. We shook our heads and said, "Why the hell not?". She is the one who loves Greek and Egyptian books. She taught herself the violin and loves to sing in the choir. She has come so far in 12 years. I can PROMISE she will impress everyone some day.
I have a NT child. She is as precocious as any other 8 year old girl. Sometimes that is more challenging than any autistic child. She has alot on her little plate and we give her the opportunity to soar. I can PROMISE her that she will never be anyone but her own person. She will be a very patient and caring person, and that is also a PROMISE.

As a parent, you will do anything to help your children. We did try, but eventually the light bulb went off in our heads. Our children are okay as they are. They all have come a long way, and will go a long way more. They will teach us and other's how to treat them and other's with autism. They deserve as much respect as anyone else. They let themselves heard and they let you hear it loud. And if the point does not get across, they have their parent's to back them up.
Now, my friends, that is a PROMISE........