Our Autism Story Part III

Here is the third part of our autism story. If you haven't read the first two parts click below.
Our Autism Story Part I
Our Autism Story Part II

The therapists are not doctors and First Steps does not want them giving a “ diagnosis”, but they were kind and knew I needed some answers. They told me that they thought Josiah had PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). I had no clue what that was, so as soon as they left I started searching the web. It wasn’t long before I figured out that PDD was a nice word for AUTISM. My first thought was that couldn’t be right, my child cannot have autism, but I knew deep in my heart that is maybe true. Josiah just wasn’t like other kids and still was not talking. Of course, this was very hard, but I did know that if in fact it was autism, he was mild. I clung to that and asked for prayer. I also went to the library and got out many books about autism and started reading and researching about it.

The next time that the therapists were here they spent the whole hour just talking to me and answering all my questions. There were a lot of them! Monte and I both knew we didn't want Josiah on drugs and would do anything to avoid it. We also knew that we couldn’t afford for him to have intense therapy 40 hours a week. They recommended a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Dr. in Indianapolis. Dan Dr.'s treats autism with diet and supplements. I knew immediately that this is what I wanted for Josiah. If you wanted to become Dr. Hulseman’s patient (the DAN Dr.) you had to go to one of her seminars (about the diet) and start the diet before your first office visit. I was pumped and we got on the waiting list for the seminar. On October 26, 2006 Monte and I went to the meeting and our lives were forever changed. Her information was so in depth and I walked away very overwhelmed, but knew this was worth a shot. DAN believes that a lot of times children with autism can be helped with a gluten and casein free diet (no wheat or dairy). They are not allergic to these products, but their digestive and immune systems can’t handle the breakdown process of them and their bodies react in unpleasant ways.

Dr. Hulseman recommended we start the diet slowly. It was good that we did it this way because the diet is very expensive. A half loaf of bread is almost $6 and a package of animal crackers (small size) is $4. In the beginning you waste a lot of food because some things really don’t taste good, even to a 2 year old. I did not make anything from scratch because my life was filled to the max mentally, so I am sure we spent more on the diet then was needed, but knew my sanity was worth it! Monte was very good at making Josiah his own things like pancakes, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. He is a very good cook and enjoyed doing this.

We noticed a difference in Josiah in two weeks. He started talking more and showing more expression. It was pretty subtle at first, but each week that went by he gained a bigger vocabulary. The therapists were now able to get him to accomplish more during sessions. It was amazing to see the change in him in such a short time. I was so encouraged by this and so thankful to God for putting these women in our lives. In September I felt like therapy was not going anywhere and by November Josiah was talking. I heard my little boy’s voice. It brought me to tears so many times. I felt like I was starting to get my little boy back.