If you take some time to scroll back through my blog posts over time, or if you’ve been a follower of my blog from the beginning, you’ll note that I am highly concerned about the dangerous toxins and chemicals that have become an increasingly common part of our environment. I’m passionate about finding ways to limit our exposures where we can, especially when it comes to young children, infants and pregnant women. Our most susceptible population deserves a healthy, less-toxic future.
Around this time every year the flu shot is one concern that flares on my radar because all of the pharmacies are pushing it…right alongside many doctors, pediatricians, grocery store chains and even friends and family members. Just this weekend a well-meaning extended family member asked me (after I told her that I was battling a cold) if we had gotten our flu shots. We’ve had this discussion before. In fact, we’ve had this discussion several years in a row (every fall); she just doesn’t seem to remember.

Did you know that the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is negotiating a “legally binding instrument to reduce mercury exposure” worldwide? The third meeting for the Global Mercury Partnership is scheduled next month in Nairobi. Historically speaking, this is monumental. This group containing government, non-government, public and private entities from 140 countries has chosen to come together to address mercury – one of the most dangerous toxins on earth.
Since Ethan was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and I started to question anything in his environment that could impact his health and wellbeing, I’ve found myself very interested in learning more about mercury and mercury exposure. Many people suffer from the ill effects of mercury exposure, which is (in my opinion) all-too-common these days. People like Ethan may have compounded ill-effects due to impaired detoxification systems. For Ethan’s benefit I try to follow the most recent science and news regarding mercury and I feel compelled to share this news with our AutismSpot readers!

Like most parents of young children I know, I’ve been scrambling to buy school supplies and revert back to strict bedtime routines to prepare Ethan to start school in just over a week. Additionally, since Ethan lives with an Autism Spectrum Disorder – Asperger’s Syndrome – I’ve also been busy working to prepare information to be shared with his new classroom teacher next week at “Meet the Teacher” night.
Every year I tend to do the same thing(s) and I’ve had rave reviews from teachers, administrators and support staff, so I wanted to share some ideas.

Ethan and I have spent some time with the masses this week at a very busy theme park. And, like all the others, this theme park sells not just bottled water, but also a variety of other drinks (think: sodas, frozen lemonades and electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde). Now, it is no secret that at one time I was totally addicted to Dr Pepper. Trust me, I know it tastes good and sometimes feels like it is the most thirst-quenching thing ever created. I love the sweet, fizzy feel and taste of it and had to literally detox myself down from the stuff a few years ago. I knew the empty calories weren’t doing my figure any good, but when I learned that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS – which is used to sweeten most sodas) has mercury, I gave the Dr. “the boot.”
But I digress…Ethan has always been primarily a water drinker. I do allow some juice and an occasional glass or two of chocolate almond- or hemp-milk. I have never felt that Gatorade and PowerAde (with stiff artificial colorings) are a good thing for developing bodies and brains, so Ethan was never introduced to the stuff. Here’s the thing though – Ethan appears to be in the minority. As looked around at the many families we encountered livin’ it up in the heat, I realized that most children [understandably] prefer sweet sodas (often of the caffeinated variety) or colorful electrolyte drinks; but what astounded me was that these kids’ parents supply said drinks seemingly without a moment’s thought or hesitation.

In my last post, I shared suggestions from Chapter 1 of Elizabeth Strickland’s book Eating for Autism about how to transition to a more healthy diet; with an acute focus on what must go. With this post, I want to share a little more from the book because it is overflowing with information that could be useful to anyone raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Elizabeth goes into great detail about how to make sure our kids get enough basic nutrients (think protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and water). She describes how to assess each of these nutrients and make sure that you’re feeding your child the right foods and combinations of foods.

Mason has a fear of water.
We've been partially thankful for this for a long time. It does make summertime water activities a bit more of a challenge. We never have had to worry about Mason wandering off and heading for a body of water. It simply wasn't in him. It took an act of Congress just to get him into the baby pool. With his anxiety around it, getting him in the water is much like getting my wife on turbulent flight.
Since he's 6 now, we decided it was high time we enrolled him in some sort of lessons and help him overcome, or manage, his fear of water.

Ike is visiting Texas right now. We have family throughout Houston and it is pretty bad from the reports they have been sharing with us. Most of the family has been without power for a day now and there doesn't seem to be hope that it will be back on for days. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you who are directly in the path of Ike and for everyone who has family they are concerned about.

We are moving in 23 days. After a year of searching, we found a home that will work for my family. Every home considered for the past 12 months has had to pass a rigorous test to be considered, and the one we are buying comes the closest to meeting every requirement.