Ok, YEARS AND YEARS of growth in 2 weeks....

[milivica]

Where the heck is that thread we had once on Vit D?

I'm not saying it would work for everyone, but I was told about a boy who went from autistic to BANG years and years of growth from some Vit. D. megadose treatment of some kind. The mother gave it to him not every day but some days over a week. The specialist said she'd never seen anything like it, and I believe her, known her for years and never heard her so blown away about anything. She was like, "He had autism, and now bang, he's not autistic. He has catching up to do yeah, but he's not autistic."

So I had to put this info out here...even if it didn't have anything to do with 'those three letters'.

Personally I wouldn't try it for Vince, cause he's been an outdoor guy since he was a tot, I can't imagine him having a Vit. D. shortage...but if the Vit D. shortage was caused by something other than lack of sun. Then yeah I'd have to weigh benefit/risk and decide.

Thoughts anyone? And for the sake of arguement lets assume the story is 100% true. I really want to explore this Vit D idea. I sure wouldn't mind a few years a growth in 2 weeks!

Lisa

[Nikabee]

Ok, at the risk of sounding like the idiot I am.... what '3 letters' are you talking about? lol

I wonder if the vitamin deficiency is linked in any way to that 'leaky gut' theory? I don't really understand all the science involved with this stuff, but I do know that it's an 'odd' coincidence that most of the families I talk to have nutrition issues they have to deal with also. We've just started looking at this angle because Kaelen doesn't sleep well and his dr. found that he is WAY low in magnesium. I guess that can cause sleep issues? I'm not sure that nutrition is necessarily a treatment for asd, but I figure if he's sleeping well and feeling well - that's gotta help him somehow, right? I know I don't function well if I feel crappy.

And in response to the vitamin D, specifically, my son doesn't go outside nearly enough so it might be worth looking into. Now that I think of it, we see an increase of 'negative behaviors' (fighting, screaming, etc) during the winter months... I always just thought it was due to the chaos that happens around the holidays. Maybe not?

[Keggy]

We did mega vitamin therapy years ago which had devastating results. I spoke to Bernard Rimland about it (he was quite reachable) and he told me to keep going with it, but there was just no way we would.

But you know Ted Hutchinson comes here all the time talking about it and he got me to go on it for myself. I don't get much sun due to being at high risk for skin cancer, but don't know if its doing me any good.

As for my child.. well I think our kids generally do not process anything properly; food, chemicals, toxins... etc.. so I am very leery of sticking anything in their bodies that doesn't have to be there.

[Keggy]

We've just started looking at this angle because Kaelen doesn't sleep well and his dr. found that he is WAY low in magnesium. I guess that can cause sleep issues? I'm not sure that nutrition is necessarily a treatment for asd, but I figure if he's sleeping well and feeling well - that's gotta help him somehow, right?


Funny you said that. My sleep has improved drastically over the past two weeks after I started taking magnesium. Its good for the electrical system of the heart (which is a problem for me) and dem bones.

[tgrimes]

Hmmm... okay, assuming this is true, it must be due to the sunlight increasing networking/the ability of the brain to communicate with itself or something? Did i get it right?

[roadracer]

I have perfect vit D levels, I have had so many blood tests that I know this for a fact. All my vit levels are good except my iron level, I have always, since I was born had way to low iron levels. Currently I take a drink everyday after my workout, as a recover drink, that has a bunch of stuff in it including a bunch of extra iron. It is the nastiest tasting stuff EVER, it takes everything I got to drink the whole glass, it taste like liver and onions, but the texture of a milkshake.

Also I used to work with a women who did a mega vitamin therapy thing for her problem and she overdosed from the vitamins and died, so I gotta say that anyone who thinks vitamins are just safe to use, so would be safe to give high amounts should rethink it.

[milivica]

Hmmm... okay, assuming this is true, it must be due to the sunlight increasing networking/the ability of the brain to communicate with itself or something? Did i get it right?

When you said sunlight, did you mean megadoses of Vit D?

If so, it sounds to me like all the switches that RDI would turn on gradually, were instead turned on all at once by the Vit D, his neurology was not holding his 'masterswitch' on off, he low Vit D was. I do not believe this would work for every child, but do believe this worked for this child and could work for others with a major Vit D deficiency.

What I wonder, can you have two factors at work with autism...one that is strictly you have to turn on the switches to networking, like a electrical box in your home. For this boy, the 'masterswitch' was turned on by the Vit D. The next factor, practice the networking, there is no quick fix to that and there never will be, one must practice. This boy will still need to practice and increase the networking in his brain, practice is the only thing that can increase networking...no one can make discoveries for you, no one can build competence or resilience and 'give' it to you.

When I imagine this boy's brain, I imagine the Vit D throwing on a 'masterswitch' so he is now booted up and ready for neural connectivity, networking, interconnectivity.

So I want to say those dreaded three letters, RDI, and say that still I believe heart and soul that for neural connectivity, RDI works for all people with autism, always. Of course this kid with all the 'masterswitch' on is going to fly through RDI. RDI also works to turn the switches on, however, it will not work to turn on the switch if low Vit D or heavy metals (etc) is also holding it down. That is when the consultant will tell a parent which direction to look in biomedically, instead of lumping autism into one giant pile.

[Nikabee]

By 'master switch' do you mean:

We have everything plugged into the outlets, but there's no electricity flowing into the house, so the outlets don't work? Once we have electricity connected (resolving whatever wasn't working mechanically), we can go through the house turning on the lights one by one?

I like this idea and I makes a lot of sense to me. It might not the same issue for each person, just as there are many reasons you wouldn't have power coming into the house. I've always felt that since no one could tell us what 'causes' autism, that there are probably millions of variables. But from talking to people, it seems like it usually has to do with how the body is (or isn't) processing various substances.

[tgrimes]

When you said sunlight, did you mean megadoses of Vit D?

No, I thought you were going to make a great analogy, so i misinterpreted, and so that post will then make no sense. Happens to me a lot, but thanks for replying anyway! :)



What I wonder, can you have two factors at work with autism...one that is strictly you have to turn on the switches to networking, like a electrical box in your home. For this boy, the 'masterswitch' was turned on by the Vit D. The next factor, practice the networking, there is no quick fix to that and there never will be, one must practice. This boy will still need to practice and increase the networking in his brain, practice is the only thing that can increase networking...no one can make discoveries for you, no one can build competence or resilience and 'give' it to you.

When I imagine this boy's brain, I imagine the Vit D throwing on a 'masterswitch' so he is now booted up and ready for neural connectivity, networking, interconnectivity.

I know your friend is convinced, but what if this kid just happened to be what some call the 'magic age' where in some kids symptoms start to improve with great speed (around 8 1/2), then the original therapy worked because the neurochemistry was starting to line up properly because of that?


So I want to say those dreaded three letters, RDI,
Oh, fer cryin out loud, I wish now I had never participated in joking about this, you taking it personally still? or are you just messing with me? You even started the teasing. I just continued in the mercifullessness(sp?) of it.
Say it... spray it even, no one is offended.


and say that still I believe heart and soul that for neural connectivity, RDI works for all people with autism, always. Of course this kid with all the 'masterswitch' on is going to fly through RDI. RDI also works to turn the switches on, however, it will not work to turn on the switch if low Vit D or heavy metals (etc) is also holding it down. That is when the consultant will tell a parent which direction to look in biomedically, instead of lumping autism into one giant pile.

Well, say this is the case, why would it only apply to over-the-counter, i am under the impression that pharmacological products are mostly plant based too, just better tested? So, what if it was an antidepressant that 'flipped the switch'?

[peglem]

So, what if it was an antidepressant that 'flipped the switch'?


I'd give it a try! I would have tried vitamin D as well...actually there's probably some in in vit already...but her vitaminD tested high-normal range.

[milivica]

Grimes, the child was 3...just like some remember the switch going 'off' after (for instance) the MMR, not only this mom but her RDI consultant and family and colleges and neighbors are all stunned. This is an nt kid now, in a matter of 2 weeks. In the same way as many parents report a typically developing baby and bam it's like someone shuts off a switch, the Vit D bam turned on a switch. I know it's not 'nice', but I'd never ever believe it had it not come from more than just the mom.

Also, I didn't hesitate to say RDI cause of you specifically, I'm just all the time saying it so assume there are times some want to cyber-ring my neck. I dunno what you don't think I'm over, don't you know I'm too forgetful to not be over something? I love your suggestion of saying it and spraying it though. Can do!

Nikabee,
For the best understanding of all things about autism, get The RDI Book. For the best guidance and direction for what to do so your child can overcome autism go here www.rdiconnect.com and find a consultant in your area. Though mine is out of state, I wouldn't trade her for even the founder of the program, she's wonderful.

[callyflower]

Mili,

My dd is very much an outdoor kid, since her days of being a neonate. We don't use sunscreen. She swims competitively, so does a LOT of pool/sun time.

A couple of years ago, as part of some labs we had drawn on her, a vitamin D test was done as well. Guess what? WAY below normal, even with the Super Nu Thera and cod liver oil she's taken since she was 3.5.

Mine was also low...very low.

I also did some genetic testing with my dd, and one of them tests to see if there is a mutation on the vitamin D receptor. My dd has a full mutation. She could be in the sun 24/7 and it would do little good as the receptor is damaged. The doctor said we can assume mine is, too (didn't want to shell out the $500 to find out for me.) For a little info on that pesky gene: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=601769

My dd takes a load of vit d daily now. I take even more. Mine is finally in the low normal range, so I'm not stopping any time soon.

It's important to understand that what you "think" or "assume" is true with your kid can sometimes simply not be known without testing. Testing is simple--any doc can do it. You might be surprised.

Can I say my dd has made loads of progress with Vit D therapy? No, not really. However, vit D is essential for calcium synthesis for bone health and adequate levels also protect against pancreatic, breast and colon cancer. It's nice to know that this is something she needs to be mindful of for her whole life, to maximize her health.

Hope this helps.

C

[tgrimes]

Grimes, the child was 3...l.

THREE!? Oh come on, now I don't believe it... how do you Dx a toddler?
So, years and years of growth, I guess she'l be ready for Kindergarten in the fall then...

[tgrimes]

. I dunno what you don't think I'm over, don't you know I'm too forgetful to not be over something? I love your suggestion of saying it and spraying it though. Can do!

.

Oh, good. Then I can start the whole process all over again? Yay!
(Joking!!):D

[milivica]

THREE!? Oh come on, now I don't believe it... how do you Dx a toddler?
So, years and years of growth, I guess she'l be ready for Kindergarten in the fall then...

No no, not static growth. The kind of growth that makes your toddler think YOU are the most interesting thing in the world, and they want to imitate you and 'be' you and ya have to be careful cause they watch your every move. They see you smile and they must also smile, they are drawn to you constantly, and cling to you for assurance. Unlike Vincent, who at three, watched a drip or his hand flapping all day and ran away when he needed assurance.

You could have a person who is 50 years old with asd, and they can be devoid of areas of development a baby would have. You know how babies think your face is real neat to look at, peek a boo and this little piggie is fun even after the 200th time in a row especially due to variations you add.

The kind of growth that lets a kid do this invisible 'give and take' with others, so others want to be around them and they want to be around others, above and beyond the specific activity. People matter more than anything, the 'who' is more important than the 'what'.

That kind of growth, not static.

[milivica]

Oh, good. Then I can start the whole process all over again? Yay!
(Joking!!):D

You go on girl, start any process you like. One of these days you're going to post in all caps and bold here talking about 'omg Mili now I get it, I get what you were saying all this time, no wonder you never shut up about it, it's a miracle' and I'll be like Helen fricken Keller's teacher, "She knoooooooows! Grimey knooooooooows!"

Get The RDI Book already for pete sakes.

[roadracer]

Mili, I think you should go on Oprah with this, the media would love a story like this. It would be the newest 'thing' there would be parents lined down the street trying to get into the vitamin store. It would be like the next Jenny McCarthy type story.

Okay, so maybe I am joking, but I am sure more people are going to question that story then actually truly believe it no matter how true it is. BTW I believe it 100% :)

[Nikabee]

Ok, I thought this was interesting... Kaelen had a doctor's appt today and I told him about the sleep issues continuing and described how he does really well during the summer, but after the first month or so of school - he sort of 'tanks.' Guess what lab test he ordered? :D Yep, the 25 OH vitamin D test.

To be fair, he did say that he didn't *think* that was the issue, but he was going to order it anyway cuz he'd feeling pretty stupid if the answer was really that easy and he didn't follow up on it.

So, we'll see what the results are in a few days.;)

[milivica]

RR, you should have seen my face when I read the first part of your post, I was like WHAT...AFTER ALL I SAID ABOUT RDI WHY WOULD I GO ON OPRAH ABOUT VIT D. You totally punk'd me, I laughed like crazy when I realized you were kidding. I'm glad you believe me, I haven't seen the kid myself, but I trust the consultants and moms in RDI. Other moms and their consultants have made really nice jumps with biomedical/dietary intervention, but nothing like this boy...from asd to nt in two weeks. I'd love to say RDI is always the answer regardless of co-occuring conditions, it was hard for me to admit the Vit D thing believe it or not! But hey, I have to post anything that could be an answer for another parent, I couldn't stand it if I didn't. Know what I mean?

Cally, when you start saying stuff like 'receptor' and 'mutation' and 'gene' my brain just shuts off! You sure are and amazing wealth of knowledge. I'll have to check out the link you gave. I still need to find Vincent's old Pfeiffer tests. Guess what I found hidden away, but Willis giant Mastering Autism book and some kind of Guide to Nutritional Health (I forgot what it's called) I bought way back when online and printed. It is way way too advanced for me, I swear, I tried, I really tried...but getting the concept of probiotics is about as complicated as my brain was able to get with the whole biomedical thing. I know you liked him, I'll mail it to you if you'd like it. Let me know. I hate to see it down there being of no use to anyone, I hate wasting stuff.

Nickabee, funny coincidence! I hope you'll post the results.

[tgrimes]

No no, not static growth. The kind of growth that makes your toddler think YOU are the most interesting thing in the world, and they want to imitate you and 'be' you and ya have to be careful cause they watch your every move. They see you smile and they must also smile, they are drawn to you constantly, and cling to you for assurance. .

I am sorry, but for a kid that age it could have been something as simple as growing out ot terrible two's all of a sudden.
What age did she start RDI... maybe it was the mom and dad videotaping how to throw a kid a ball. (those are the creepy RDI you tube videos)

[tgrimes]

...'omg Mili now I get it, I get what you were saying all this time, no wonder you never shut up about it, it's a miracle' and I'll be like Helen fricken Keller's teacher, "She knoooooooows! Grimey knooooooooows!"


Yeah, just like Helen Keller... my hands against your vocal chords as you keep repeating. :D