Autism
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”
– Dr. Stephen Shore
I still remember the day I was told that Nolan (our son) was most likely autistic. I was still in the middle of my chemo and my heart felt like it was ripping apart. Then…my life coach told me that Nolan was here to teach me something very important that I wouldn’t learn without his teaching: How to live!
Two questions I get asked often are:
What is autism?
Autism is a neurological difference in how the brain is wired that presents itself in marked differences (and often difficulties) in language and social interaction and often the presence of atypical behaviors such as sensitivity to sounds/smells/lights, repetitive-stereotypic behaviors, and insistence on sameness and routines.
Should children with autism be vaccinated?
To vaccinate or not? Unfortunately, this topic tends to be a very touchy one. It seems that many people are either for it…or against it. I encourage you to educate yourself before you vaccinate your children so you are making an informed choice.
Had I known what I know now, I would have done things differently.
Check out this YouTube video “The Greater Good” trailer. I highly recommend it.
I hope that you find something here that is helpful for you. I am not a physician, but I have had a great deal of experience in parenting a child with autism.
Naturopathic Care for Autism
If you need help finding a naturopathic practitioner to help, here are some that are particularly good at assisting with autism.
SCIMEDICA Health Group
Dr. Cai is an amazing Naturopathic Doctor. Nolan and I both see her as she has so many different tools to help, and really knows her stuff. She has been so helpful to my whole family.
New Leaf Wellness & Massage
Dr. Nicole Cerf is a DAN Doctor (Defeat Autism Now) that works in Abbotsford, BC. I would recommend her to anyone.
Sexual Health Education
Selema Noon – is a great resource for ALL parents. Visit her website to learn more.
Looking for more help with autism? Let's chat!
Counseling
Coleen Drobot: An amazing lady and counselor. She has been so helpful to my husband and I. She is part of the Neufeld Institute, a former teacher, and a mom of two children. Visit Drobot Counseling online for more information.
Food is Medicine
The Healthy Family & Home has many very healthy and very easy recipes that are oriented toward family. For each recipe, she gives a run-down on the ingredients and why they are good for you and often compares them to the ‘store-bought’ version.
Other Healthy Recipe Resources
Neurological Integration System (NIS)
NIS is based on the fundamental principle that the brain controls all bodily functions through its neurological circuitry.
When we exceed our individual tolerance to stress (IE: hormonal, emotional, structural, physical, pathological and/or neurological) the signaling between the brain and the body becomes “disconnected” which can lead to a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe.
NIS is a unique modality that works on a cellular level by finding and treating the root cause of your symptoms. During a NIS treatment, the NIS Practitioner guides the brain to re-establish cell connections or “reconnect” the brain to the cells in question.
I highly recommend Claudette Varley, RN, BScN – Neurological Integration System Practitioner. She has been so helpful to our family.
Holistic Allergist
Ingrid Ericson (Harmony Healing Centre) is amazing. She does biofeedback analysis: a natural health screening method used to obtain information from the body to determine the energetic level of intolerance to the given substance. No needles!
I wish I had known about her sooner, she can also help with anaphylaxis allergies like peanuts, etc.
“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.”
– Coach Elaine Hall
Medical Intuitive
Thomas Moore is an effective and clear Multidimensional Healer and Medical Intuitive.
His skills and abilities to hear and see into the human body for root causes of symptoms continue to expand. He provides clarity to clients who are puzzled by symptoms that no one else is able to identify.
To learn more or contact Thomas visit Cinnabar Health’s website.
Music Therapy
We started working with Erin (who lives in White Rock) and I can tell you that Nolan is in love with her. We are so excited to have her as part of our team.
Erin Parr is an experienced Music Therapist who works with children with disabilities. With over ten years of experience working with autistic children, children with disabilities, and babies/toddlers, she has applied music therapy to a wide range with exciting results.
Visit her Facebook page to contact her.
Groups & Networks
Check out these groups that I have personally interacted with and recommend to anyone looking for more information or help managing autism.
Reach Child & Youth Development Society
Reach is a non-profit charitable society that has been providing services to children and their families since 1959. At Reach, they believe in the potential of every child. They work together with families to recognize each child’s strengths and develop their abilities. Reach currently provides programs and services to families in Delta, Surrey, and Langley B.C.
Canucks Autism Network
The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides high-quality recreational, sports, social, and vocational development programs for individuals and families living with autism. They aim to build capacity through community networks across British Columbia.
Go to CAN’s website for more information.
Autism Community Training - FIT Network
A Social Educational Network that was created to get Families in Touch. Monthly FIT meets, seasonal family fun events, and casual coffee nights provide opportunities for families who have children with special needs to “Get FIT”.
Zajac Ranch for Children
They provide camp experiences that empower children of all abilities to participate, foster the development of life-long skills and independence and, create lasting opportunities for friendship and fulfillment.
For more information go to zajacranch.com.
Other Groups & Networks
Educational Materials & Sensory Toys
Interested in learning more or need some help?
Videos
- Autistic Teen Finds Her Voice – is based on a true story about an eleven-year-old girl with autism that learns to use her voice.
- The Horse Boy
- Temple Grandin (watch trailer)
- Adam (watch trailer) – a movie about a young man with Asperger’s and his story of life and love.
Books
- Turning Lead into Gold – Nancy Gallaway and Zigurts Strauts
- The Way I See It – Temple Grandin
- Nourishing Hope – Julie Mathews
- Healing the New Childhood Epidemics – Kenneth Bock
- Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism – Jenny McCarthy
- Exiting Nirvana: A Daughter’s Life with Autism – Clara Claiborne Park
- Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant – Daniel Tammet
- Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism – Temple Grandin
- The Reason I Jump – Naoki Higashida
- The Horse Boy – Ruper Isaacson
- Rules – Cynthia Lord
- Peace Begins with Me – Ted Kuntz (not specific to autism, but still amazing)