Nicholas's Story
Here is a "brief" synopsis of our son's autism journey, thus far.
Nicholas was born December 26,1995, after 9 years of infertility. Conceived naturally (by the grace of God!), and after a textbook pregnancy, he entered the world via an uncomplicated vaginal birth. During the first year of his life, he met all the usual developmental milestones. He received all the required childhood vaccinations at their scheduled times. His reactions to the DTP vaccinations in particular, were disturbing to us. We noted in his baby book that he was extremely lethargic, with a fever, and slept for nearly a full day. This occurred after each DTP. He was also very sensitive to sounds, to the point that he would easily awaken at the slightest noise in the house. He did not care to be held either. He was a rather fussy baby.
Between the ages 12 months to 24 months, there was some concern from his pediatrician of a language delay. He had some words, but again, nothing that stood out as a red flag. He was otherwise a playful and seemingly happy toddler. Between 24-36 months, he began to show some skills that were beyond his developmental age. Besides knowing the full alphabet, upper and lower case, and all numbers to 100, he could correctly identify many geometric shapes such as trapezoids, parallelograms, etc. He could put together 25 piece jigsaw puzzles, with no help. He began drawing intricate shapes and designs. He memorized and could recite flawlessly over 25 different nursery rhymes. In our ignorance, we were beginning to think he was gifted. We thought he was so smart, and yet, he could not answer any open-ended questions. His speech was mostly echolalic. But at the time, we simply didn't know there was a problem.
About 2 weeks after his 3rd birthday, the tantrums suddenly began. He would hurl himself to the floor screaming, for what seemed to us, to be no reason at all. Sometimes these rages lasted 45 minutes, and they occurred several times a day, everyday. "Where had our lovely and bright child gone?" we thought. We reasoned that perhaps he was going through the "terrible 2's" a little late, since he never showed any contentious behavior when he was 2. Several more months of this passed, and then he began attacking his younger brother, who was only a toddler at the time. Whenever I needed to go to the bathroom, I had to take my little son with me and lock the door, lest Nicholas harm him while I wasn't watching. He also now couldn't stand the sensation of clothing on his skin, and would often run around the house naked. He would not feed himself, because touching food made him squeal in distress. He also frequently gagged on his food, as if his swallow reflex was impaired. And most especially, ordinary sounds like a dog barking, or a chair being pushed under the table, made him so crazed, that he would run out the room in terror, covering his ears tightly. He often needed to have the mute button on while watching his favorite cartoon videos. We as a family were also trapped in our own home, because there was not a place that we could go with him, where he didn't react so violently. Other little children his age were of particular distress to him. Whenever some of my family would visit, Nicholas would run and hide even from his very own cousins. And eventually, the self-injury began, as he would smack himself on the side of the head mercilessly. We now knew something was horribly wrong with our first son, but didn't know what it was.
A good friend of mine who had been visiting our house at the time, suggested to us that perhaps Nicholas has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. We had never heard of it, and the thought of him having autism was simply revolting to us! But I read the materials she left with me. I began reading about autism on my own. We were beginning to believe that this indeed was what he may have. We scheduled an appointment with a child psychologist at the Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. It was a 6 month wait. In January 2000, just a month after his 4th birthday, he received the diagnosis of autism.
Nicholas had already been enrolled in our public school system's preschool special education program in the Fall of 1999. He had many delays in social/pragmatic language, as well as delays in fine and some gross motor skills. He qualified for and received speech and occupational therapy there. I also had begun my feverish research of autism causes and treatments. I was particularly struck by some articles that were suggesting a link between mercury and autistic symptoms. During the previous few years, I was ill, and had several tests performed. One of them showed a high level of mercury in my blood. I was informed by my doctor that this mercury can come from eating fish and from dental amalgams. I had eaten fish frequently throughout my life, and including during my pregnancy with Nicholas. I also had a mouthful of dental amalgams. I then spent the better part of that year (1999) undergoing the removal/replacement of my amalgams, and eventually underwent chelation therapy. I gave up eating fish for good. I was finally beginning to feel well. And I was starting to put the pieces together that perhaps mercury was to blame for my son's condition.
In the late Fall of 1999, Nicholas was tested for heavy metals via hair analysis. His results for mercury were off the charts! He immediately underwent chelation therapy, using DMSA, as I had received earlier that year. He managed this treatment well, with no negative side-effects. And his annual follow-up hair analyses continue to now show nearly imperceptible levels of mercury. His speech was beginning to improve, but he still had severe hearing sensitivities. I learned about an auditory therapy called AIT. It was designed to help children like Nicholas who have "painful" hearing. In the Spring of 2000, he had the 10 day treatment. It was a smashing success! After the 7th day of treatment, he began spontaneously conversing with his therapist, even making eye contact! He was calmer, less aggressive, and soon, he could watch videos without the mute button! It was truly like a miracle!
The remainder of 2000, Nicholas continued to make steady progress. He entered his second year of special-ed pre-school. It was around this time that I came across reports stating that many childhood vaccines contained a mercury preservative called Thimerosal. I was stunned. Not only had Nicholas been exposed to mercury in utero, but he also received an added assault from his vaccines! We made the decision to not have Nicholas receive any further vaccinations. We had come too far in his "recovery", to go back and "poison" him again.
Although Nicholas was doing fairly well during this time, he still had many remaining behavior and speech and sensory problems. A homeschooling neighbor introduced me to the concept of neurodevelopmental therapy. She gave me Cyndi Ringoen's name as a contact. She and I talked, and I did more research, and eventually realized that this approach was what Nicholas needed now. We began ND therapy in February 2001. Nicholas has made very significant progress with this intervention. Through the ND approach, Nicholas has learned self-control, how to organize his thoughts for verbal expression, and to manage his frustrations appropriately. He also now has less tactile sensitivities and now has appropriate fine motors skills for his age. He and his younger brother are now the best of friends and play so well together, that it often gets other people's attention. A far cry from the days when I had often feared he might fatally injure his brother. And on top of all that, he reads and can do math at several years above his grade level. Best of all, he is a happy child now. The once tortured, angry, aggressive little boy, is now a pleasant, inquisitive, and well-mannered young man. It is truly an amazing transformation!
I don't want to leave out that Nicholas has also been given many supplements over the years, in an effort to balance his metabolism and to address his yeast and other bacterial overgrowths in his intestinal system. The key supplements that have truly benefited him are as follows, in order of importance:
1. Houston Enzymes, namely Peptizyde and HN-ZYME Prime. These enzymes have brought about enormous positive changes in Nicholas' behavior and thinking. I could write an entire full story about this supplement alone!
2. Culturelle, a specially designed probiotic.
3. DMAE, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect, and improves mental functioning.
4. Essential fatty acids/Omega 3: DHA and EPA.
5. Extra calcium and magnesium, in addition to his regular multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.
There are several more supplements he's currently taking, but they play a relatively minor role in his overall functioning.
Nicholas is currently a 1st grader and is homeschooled, and continues ND therapy as his only other intervention besides supplements. He still has some hurdles to overcome, but he continues to do very well. Many professionals have privately told me that they don't believe he qualifies for an autism diagnosis any longer. We are very proud of all that Nicholas has overcome in his short life. He is an inspiration to us all.
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Nicholas was born December 26,1995, after 9 years of infertility. Conceived naturally (by the grace of God!), and after a textbook pregnancy, he entered the world via an uncomplicated vaginal birth. During the first year of his life, he met all the usual developmental milestones. He received all the required childhood vaccinations at their scheduled times. His reactions to the DTP vaccinations in particular, were disturbing to us. We noted in his baby book that he was extremely lethargic, with a fever, and slept for nearly a full day. This occurred after each DTP. He was also very sensitive to sounds, to the point that he would easily awaken at the slightest noise in the house. He did not care to be held either. He was a rather fussy baby.
Between the ages 12 months to 24 months, there was some concern from his pediatrician of a language delay. He had some words, but again, nothing that stood out as a red flag. He was otherwise a playful and seemingly happy toddler. Between 24-36 months, he began to show some skills that were beyond his developmental age. Besides knowing the full alphabet, upper and lower case, and all numbers to 100, he could correctly identify many geometric shapes such as trapezoids, parallelograms, etc. He could put together 25 piece jigsaw puzzles, with no help. He began drawing intricate shapes and designs. He memorized and could recite flawlessly over 25 different nursery rhymes. In our ignorance, we were beginning to think he was gifted. We thought he was so smart, and yet, he could not answer any open-ended questions. His speech was mostly echolalic. But at the time, we simply didn't know there was a problem.
About 2 weeks after his 3rd birthday, the tantrums suddenly began. He would hurl himself to the floor screaming, for what seemed to us, to be no reason at all. Sometimes these rages lasted 45 minutes, and they occurred several times a day, everyday. "Where had our lovely and bright child gone?" we thought. We reasoned that perhaps he was going through the "terrible 2's" a little late, since he never showed any contentious behavior when he was 2. Several more months of this passed, and then he began attacking his younger brother, who was only a toddler at the time. Whenever I needed to go to the bathroom, I had to take my little son with me and lock the door, lest Nicholas harm him while I wasn't watching. He also now couldn't stand the sensation of clothing on his skin, and would often run around the house naked. He would not feed himself, because touching food made him squeal in distress. He also frequently gagged on his food, as if his swallow reflex was impaired. And most especially, ordinary sounds like a dog barking, or a chair being pushed under the table, made him so crazed, that he would run out the room in terror, covering his ears tightly. He often needed to have the mute button on while watching his favorite cartoon videos. We as a family were also trapped in our own home, because there was not a place that we could go with him, where he didn't react so violently. Other little children his age were of particular distress to him. Whenever some of my family would visit, Nicholas would run and hide even from his very own cousins. And eventually, the self-injury began, as he would smack himself on the side of the head mercilessly. We now knew something was horribly wrong with our first son, but didn't know what it was.
A good friend of mine who had been visiting our house at the time, suggested to us that perhaps Nicholas has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. We had never heard of it, and the thought of him having autism was simply revolting to us! But I read the materials she left with me. I began reading about autism on my own. We were beginning to believe that this indeed was what he may have. We scheduled an appointment with a child psychologist at the Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. It was a 6 month wait. In January 2000, just a month after his 4th birthday, he received the diagnosis of autism.
Nicholas had already been enrolled in our public school system's preschool special education program in the Fall of 1999. He had many delays in social/pragmatic language, as well as delays in fine and some gross motor skills. He qualified for and received speech and occupational therapy there. I also had begun my feverish research of autism causes and treatments. I was particularly struck by some articles that were suggesting a link between mercury and autistic symptoms. During the previous few years, I was ill, and had several tests performed. One of them showed a high level of mercury in my blood. I was informed by my doctor that this mercury can come from eating fish and from dental amalgams. I had eaten fish frequently throughout my life, and including during my pregnancy with Nicholas. I also had a mouthful of dental amalgams. I then spent the better part of that year (1999) undergoing the removal/replacement of my amalgams, and eventually underwent chelation therapy. I gave up eating fish for good. I was finally beginning to feel well. And I was starting to put the pieces together that perhaps mercury was to blame for my son's condition.
In the late Fall of 1999, Nicholas was tested for heavy metals via hair analysis. His results for mercury were off the charts! He immediately underwent chelation therapy, using DMSA, as I had received earlier that year. He managed this treatment well, with no negative side-effects. And his annual follow-up hair analyses continue to now show nearly imperceptible levels of mercury. His speech was beginning to improve, but he still had severe hearing sensitivities. I learned about an auditory therapy called AIT. It was designed to help children like Nicholas who have "painful" hearing. In the Spring of 2000, he had the 10 day treatment. It was a smashing success! After the 7th day of treatment, he began spontaneously conversing with his therapist, even making eye contact! He was calmer, less aggressive, and soon, he could watch videos without the mute button! It was truly like a miracle!
The remainder of 2000, Nicholas continued to make steady progress. He entered his second year of special-ed pre-school. It was around this time that I came across reports stating that many childhood vaccines contained a mercury preservative called Thimerosal. I was stunned. Not only had Nicholas been exposed to mercury in utero, but he also received an added assault from his vaccines! We made the decision to not have Nicholas receive any further vaccinations. We had come too far in his "recovery", to go back and "poison" him again.
Although Nicholas was doing fairly well during this time, he still had many remaining behavior and speech and sensory problems. A homeschooling neighbor introduced me to the concept of neurodevelopmental therapy. She gave me Cyndi Ringoen's name as a contact. She and I talked, and I did more research, and eventually realized that this approach was what Nicholas needed now. We began ND therapy in February 2001. Nicholas has made very significant progress with this intervention. Through the ND approach, Nicholas has learned self-control, how to organize his thoughts for verbal expression, and to manage his frustrations appropriately. He also now has less tactile sensitivities and now has appropriate fine motors skills for his age. He and his younger brother are now the best of friends and play so well together, that it often gets other people's attention. A far cry from the days when I had often feared he might fatally injure his brother. And on top of all that, he reads and can do math at several years above his grade level. Best of all, he is a happy child now. The once tortured, angry, aggressive little boy, is now a pleasant, inquisitive, and well-mannered young man. It is truly an amazing transformation!
I don't want to leave out that Nicholas has also been given many supplements over the years, in an effort to balance his metabolism and to address his yeast and other bacterial overgrowths in his intestinal system. The key supplements that have truly benefited him are as follows, in order of importance:
1. Houston Enzymes, namely Peptizyde and HN-ZYME Prime. These enzymes have brought about enormous positive changes in Nicholas' behavior and thinking. I could write an entire full story about this supplement alone!
2. Culturelle, a specially designed probiotic.
3. DMAE, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect, and improves mental functioning.
4. Essential fatty acids/Omega 3: DHA and EPA.
5. Extra calcium and magnesium, in addition to his regular multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.
There are several more supplements he's currently taking, but they play a relatively minor role in his overall functioning.
Nicholas is currently a 1st grader and is homeschooled, and continues ND therapy as his only other intervention besides supplements. He still has some hurdles to overcome, but he continues to do very well. Many professionals have privately told me that they don't believe he qualifies for an autism diagnosis any longer. We are very proud of all that Nicholas has overcome in his short life. He is an inspiration to us all.
Back to Testimonies
