AOL Health Talks to Kim Stagliano About Raising Three Girls with Autism and Treatment
Those are my "crapisode" gloves from the Autism One dinner and auction last Spring. Pretty fancy, huh? Ms. van der Leun did a terrific job with this interview and I thank her. I particularly appreciated her questions about the criticism I (we) face for using biomed treatments and and seeking a cure.
The Mother of Three Autistic Children Shares Her Story: From AOL Health HERE.
By Justine van der Leun Mar 4th 2010 5:00PM
Connecticut-based stay-at-home mom and autism advocate Kim Stagliano chronicles her trying and illuminating daily experiences raising her three daughters with autism on her eponymous blog. In her other venues -- she's the managing editor of the Web site Age of Autism and blogs at The Huffington Post -- Stagliano argues alternately for research for a cure, government funding for children with autism and their families, alternative therapies and biomedical interventions. She is also the author of a forthcoming memoir. AOL Health asked Stagliano for her take on the joys and challenges of being a parent to children with autism and what she says to her critics.
AOL Health: You have three daughters, all of whom fall on the autism spectrum. What do you believe caused or contributed to their autism?
KS: The million-dollar question. I think we have a genetic predisposition to environmental insults, which could include vaccines, toxins, my husband and my heavy metal load, the quality of my breast milk and unknowns.
AOL Health: Over the past 15 years, what treatments have you tried with your girls, and how have they responded to them?
KS: The GFCF [Gluten Free Casein Free] diet has been our best treatment. The diet has helped with stomach problems, which, in turn, has greatly cut down behavior issues. It also helps the girls sleep through the night. Imagine taking a test on a day when you have terrible cramps or a headache. How well would you do? We've also used a number of biomedical treatments -- supplements, vitamins, other natural products -- that have helped the girls function and feel better.
AOL Health: On your blog, you contend that autism is curable and that your role as the mother to children with autism is to "get rid of it." Can you explain your perspective?
KS: Every mom wants to make her child's path easier to travel -- whether it's tutoring to get better grades for college admission or weight-loss camp to address health issues or trying to ameliorate the undesirable behaviors and pain associated with autism. Autism affects every aspect of my children's lives. I'd be remiss if I didn't try to help them.
AOL Health: How do you respond to parents and adults with autism who believe that individuals should be celebrated for their different "way of being" and not cured?
KS: I respect every parent's desire for his or her own child. But I don't confuse my children's wonderful personalities -- loving, kind, funny -- with the very real deficits they face from their autism. Not being able to speak and make your needs known is not the same as having a quirky personality. And traits that are endearing in a 6-year-old may not be so at 21. I try to look at what my girls will need as adults and after their Dad and I are gone. They need to be able to function as well as possible for their health, safety and well-being.
AOL Health: Studies show that 10 percent of kids can recover with intensive behavioral therapy, while no studies have shown that biomedical treatments like chelation have any effect on kids with autism. Knowing that, do you support putting a child through potentially dangerous and sometimes painful treatments -- and if so, why?
KS: I find the assumption that biomedical treatments are potentially dangerous and painful misleading. Risperdal, the approved drug for autism, has atrocious side effects, but no one seems to mention that. Some behavioral centers use aversive therapy, including shock treatment, on children and young adults with autism. I find that abhorrent. The majority of the biomedical treatments are based on healthy, pure food; vitamins and supplements. Where there are prescriptions involved, that's under the care of a doctor. No one questions parents who allow their children to undergo chemotherapy with known side effects, and yet in autism, we are expected to let our children languish and remain in pain. It makes no sense to me.
AOL Health: As someone outspoken and opinionated, you've received criticism in autism circles. What do you say to your critics?
KS: Come live in my household for a week.
AOL Health: Raising three children with autism is clearly challenging. Do you get any help? How do you cope?
KS: There is very little help available. My husband is fantastic with the kids, and that's a big plus. I cope because I adore my girls and I love being their mom. And I am actively involved in improving their lives and the lives of others with autism. When you take control of a situation, it empowers you to feel confident and hopeful. Plus, to know that I am helping other families gives me a huge boost. Some days are easier than others; I'll admit that.
I usually wouldn't do this but I have a looming deadline. SEPTA, a parent group, is hosting a resorce fair at a local highschool and are targetting doing breakout sessions this yyear instead of the regular walking by displays thing. We are looking for someone is Southwest MO, a parent who knows alot about the gfcf diet to do a breakout session on it.
Basicly and introduction, the benefits, How to convert over to the diet. Does anyone know of someone? I hate to do this, I know it is not on topic, but I feel it is important to get this topic as a breakout session because there are so many benefits. If anyone knows someone, please contact me at [email protected]
Please don't delete the comment. I don't know where else to ask. And this is such a good topic! It is wonderful to have an open minded school system willing to listen and talk to other parents and spread the word.
Posted by: Darian (nickname) | March 10, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Speak it, Mommy warrior! Seriously, if we pan our children off entirely to the medical community, they might call THEM Mommy. Are there any real PARENTS left in this world?? Kim, you are definitely one of them. God bless you during this time, and as we both keep our babies happy and healthy through Biomedical means, may today be a good day.
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20
Posted by: December Courtwright | March 09, 2010 at 07:54 AM
Amen! Very well said! I only have one daughter with autism and I am exhausted. You have my upmost respect and awe.
Posted by: Elise | March 08, 2010 at 11:42 AM
You are awesome, Kim. Beautiful inside and out.
Posted by: Amber | March 08, 2010 at 09:17 AM
Nice job! Awaiting your memoir with a worm on my tongue...(aka bated breath)
Posted by: Cathy | March 08, 2010 at 08:58 AM
Kim
I respect and admire you truly I do. You are a very nice and gracious mom and woman and wife and person to interview for these people when discussing your plight and that of your children and family.
However it is ok to say that vaccines caused your childrens autism and not give them the "environmental" out. The word is iatrogenic, which means it was caused by the doctor.
You can simply say my childrens autism is iatrogenic. Beleive me everybody that knows medical terminology will understand. Truly it is time for accountability, especially in light of the latest revelations about Thorenson and his ilk
Posted by: WILLIE | March 08, 2010 at 03:44 AM
Kim, wonderful interview...you are the perfect representative of an autism parent using biomedical...levelheaded, rational, thoughtful and careful decisions following doctor's orders...who could fault that?
It seems all too often "we" are branded as radical and using dangerous, so-called "unscientific" methods on our children because we are so desperate. I hope and pray this article reaches far and wide, and please do many more in the future!!!
Posted by: Janet Sheehan | March 07, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Congratulations Kim for making it out there in the "mainstream" which is so important because you speak for all of us who are successfully using biomedical and alternative therapies. You handled the questions perfectly with your responses, and you deserve a big gold star:)
(Can I get your autograph before you become too famous?) SMILE
YOU GO GIRL!!! WE NEED YOU!!!
Posted by: Autism Grandma | March 07, 2010 at 09:43 PM
Great Job, Kim!
Posted by: chantal Sicile-Kira | March 07, 2010 at 09:07 PM
Great job, Kim!
Posted by: Sue Cranmer | March 07, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Kim, you look terrific - even with your poo gloves on!
Posted by: Beth | March 07, 2010 at 06:56 PM
Great job! Excellent interview. I hope this gets picked up by other news outlets.
Posted by: BJ | March 07, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Well done, warrior mama!!
Posted by: Lin | March 07, 2010 at 02:39 PM
Kim, you look hot, gloves and all. Can't wait to read your book.
Posted by: jen | March 07, 2010 at 01:31 PM
You go girl! Great article! I hope this convinces others to at least try bio medical or homeopathy before judging it! I am constantly recommending this to any parent with a child who is showing any signs of autism, aspergers, and behavioral issues similar to ADD and ADHD
My son did ABA with great success, but I know that it would not have been successful if we hadn't combined it with bio med!
Posted by: Judith | March 07, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Right on, Kim!!
Posted by: Twyla | March 07, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Wow fantastic job Kim!!
Posted by: debbie voss | March 07, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Awesome interview! Kim is an inspiration.
Posted by: Moonstonemama | March 07, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Rock on, Kim.
I find the assumption that biomedical treatments are potentially dangerous and painful misleading. Risperdal, the approved drug for autism, has atrocious side effects, but no one seems to mention that. Some behavioral centers use aversive therapy, including shock treatment, on children and young adults with autism. I find that abhorrent. The majority of the biomedical treatments are based on healthy, pure food; vitamins and supplements. Where there are prescriptions involved, that's under the care of a doctor. No one questions parents who allow their children to undergo chemotherapy with known side effects, and yet in autism, we are expected to let our children languish and remain in pain. It makes no sense to me.
Posted by: Adriana | March 07, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Kim,
Whoa! What an interview! No surprise there, though. You are always a star! Thanks for being the funny, inspirational, force we all need.
Posted by: Julie Obradovic | March 07, 2010 at 08:15 AM