The Good News:
Researchers from a prestigious university "have embarked on one of the first double-blind, clinical studies to determine whether gluten and dairy products play a role in autistic behavior as parents have anecdotally claimed."

The Bad News:
It is August 8, 2008

What exactly does it take for us (as a global autism community) to get organizations, institutions, and special interest groups to focus on ALL of the core issues that parents have been pressing to the forefront for many years. Diet and allergies are nothing new to our community. As a matter of fact, many people who are not on the autism spectrum have food allergies and benefit from diets that eliminate certain foods and products. Enzymes are not taken only by those on the autism spectrum. Gut issues don't plague just the autism community. These are all issues that people around the world are faced with. No shock and awe here is there? But, diet doesn't negatively impact every person with autism either.

The moment someone in the autism community asks someone else in the autism community, "Do certain foods or certain products have an impact on behavior, sleep, energy, digestion, etc. with your child like they do with mine?" they are considered pseudo-want-to-be-but-not-educated-scientists. Simply put...you're considered nuts (translate that however you wish). I completely applaud the researchers and those who have funded the work going on at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. It takes an incredible amount of determination to take on what has become such a highly debated topic in the media and among the autism community.

So what is the real problem? There are people who promote programs, methodologies, and protocols that have yet to go through the entire scientific process. Data collection, blind tests, minimum number of participants and so on and so forth are what the scientific community requires to justify and be able to whole heartily support something as being "scientifically proven" or "supported by science." Is this so wrong? Should we relax a system that has taken many, many years to develop (and is still constantly evolving) and has proven itself by saving lives and improving health? These are questions that you have to answer for yourself. There is still something bigger at play though.

Everyone deserves the right to access information that is available and could potentially improve the quality of life for someone they love. The problem we are faced with today is centered around CONTROL issues. Some critical information isn't disseminated, other information that gets spread word-of-mouth is highly inaccurate. Believe it or not, not every practitioner has our best interest in mind. At the same time, there are people and organizations who profess to have our best interest in mind and they do not. Agendas. Politics. Money. Control. It exists on both sides of the fence and isn't going away any time soon.

AutismSpot is geared towards breaking this tired and out dated model. Have access to all the information, hear directly from the providers/practitioners/parents, assess what your needs are and make informed decisions.

First, you have to be safe and look at the potential harm something can do regardless of whether science supports it or not. Second, you have to talk with those who have first hand experience. I have attended a lot of conferences, meetings, and presentations. I've seen more statistics than is healthy for one person. At the end of the day, it's those in the trenches who have first hand experience that come through loud and clear. Keep your head clear and pay attention. There are a lot of people who have had success and will beat you over the head with what worked for them. They are trying to help because what they did worked and they want you to know. It doesn't mean that it will work for your situation. No two children are exactly the same and that's what makes the hard science and the harsh realities so difficult to deal with.

What I have learned over the years can be broken down simply:
> If it works for my child then it is 100% accurate for MY child. I don't need a scientific study or approval to make me believe.
> If science says "no" but I have witnessed 10 or 100 or 1,000 children benefit why not consider the option if it could help us?
> If science says something is safe for 4 out of 5 people... what does that mean for the 1 person it isn't safe for?

Scientific research tells us that 1 in 94 boys is affected by Autism in the United States.

In my house, autism has affected 1 out of 2 boys.