I have read with interest Wednesday's Associated Press article on autism and the controversy of metal-based therapy. While my heart is definitely tugged by this debate, I am an outside observer of this issue because my son is no longer plagued with the confines of autism. Just nine years ago I was a parent listening to the thundering words, "Your son is autistic." Read the full article

Krista Vance is grateful for doctors in Colorado, California, South Carolina and Massachusetts.

When Vance's son Jamie was diagnosed at age 2 with autism, the developmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction, she left Nevada, trekking across the country to find doctors who could help. Read the full article

In the first year of their life, Jack and Jamie were beautiful and growing perfect. Jamie was walking, had wonderful words, and was very agile and coordinated. However, after a traumatic illness, Jamie slipped away from us, falling into a place called Autism. This is the story of how we got him back.

1997
Six failed pregnancies and many other complications later we were led to the alternative of in-vitro fertilization. The reward of that tedious process was a beautiful, perfect set of twins. Born seven weeks early, Jamie and Jack graced our world on December 15, 1997. Read the full article

Nicky’s daycare teacher Elise brought it to Kara’s attention first. “Your son’s not really interacting with the other kids,” she told her. Every day when he comes in two-and-a-half-year-old Nicky must walk a particular path in the exact same way before he can acknowledge anyone in the room, Elise said. He carefully lines up all his toys, always in the same manner, but he never plays with them. He doesn’t look at anyone else, but even the slightest noise or a gentle touch can immediately cause him to scream in terror. Doctors soon confirmed what Elise and Kara expected: Nicky was autistic. Their recommendations: speech and occupational therapy, but beyond that, they cautioned, there wasn’t much anyone could do. Read the full article

Jamie, my grandson, had a serious problem. I noticed in him some classical signs of autism-abnormal behavior, no eye contact, no language. After forty years of active practice in alternative medicine, I was hoping and praying for a miracle… Read the full article