A Lack of Established Treatment

"We share parents' frustration over the undefined causes of autism and the lack of an established treatment, but we urge parents to be cautious when choosing treatment options for autism. We recommend scientifically validated treatment. There is no valid scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism, but because of unfounded fears about vaccines, the U.S. is suffering its biggest measles outbreak in a decade." (Oprah.com) As I listened to Oprah read this statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, while interviewing Jenny McCarthy, I laughed out loud.
Earlier that same day, our pediatrician called to discuss our evaluation from Thoughtful House in Austin. The moment I heard her voice, every muscle in my body stiffened and my palms started to sweat. I could feel the frustration and anger beginning to course through my veins as her skepticism oozed through the phone. She instantly asked how they got "all these levels" from Bubba. I explained that we sent a urine and stool sample, at which point she said "Well, that is more accurate than some other ways." Then, it all started to come. She began to speak hesitantly, yet authoritatively, as she explained that some of the doctor's methods "are out there".
"I do not believe there is any reason for him to take additional supplements when he is receiving a multivitamin. I also do not see any reason to treat him for the flora in his stomach, but, since you have started, he will be fine."
"Will it hurt him?" I asked.
"Extra Vitamin A,D,E, and K could hurt him if it reaches toxic levels," she explained. (None of these is Bubba taking)
"OK...but will it hurt him? Will the B12 injections, the glutathione, the zinc, the fish oil, the magnesium, or the folic acid hurt him? If he has more than he should, will it HURT him?" I asked assertively.
"Well, no. It will not hurt him, but there is no reason for him to have it" she said.
"Well...I see no reason why we shouldn't try it. If the worst that can happen is no change, why not TRY?" I said angrily.
"I understand your frustration, and I know that you are responsible parents, but I must urge you to be cautious when choosing treatment options. Many of these treatments have no scientific basis," explained Dr. By-The-Book.
Now you know why I laughed later that night. It seemed that, if our pediatrician did not write the AAP statement, she read it to me, and this is where my frustration begins. I am not (contrary to the AAP's belief) frustrated over the undefined causes of autism. I am, indeed, frustrated with the fact that the AAP chooses to call "a lack of established treatment" the very treatment that is working for Bubba. I won't even get into the vaccine department (even thought the AAP is aware that the rubella virus has been proven to cause autism, and live viruses are in the MMR vaccine, etc). (I am not anti-vaccine, but something must be done to protect these children).
There are thousands of children out there who are recovering from autism with the help of DAN! doctors (like ours at Thoughtful House) and gluten-free casein-free diets, supplements, hyperbaric chambers, therapies, chelation, and anti-fungal treatments. How can the AAP call this a lack of established treatment when it is working and children are getting better?
This is why our family will continue on our path to a "lack of established treatment". After beginning the GFCF diet, Bubba began to speak in sentences, sing, and count. After the antibiotics and anti-fungal, Bubba can use the potty with ease and even wore big boy underwear to school for the first time on Friday. After beginning the glutathione cream, only last night, he seems more social with Baby (but it seemed to wear off toward the end of the day so we are trying more tonight). After the cream, we will begin the B12 injections and see what happens. We have a total of 15 supplements to try. We will begin each supplement and hope for positive results. If we see positive results, we continue the supplement; if we see nothing we stop.
I just wish the AAP could see the positive results we have already seen. While this treatment may not be established to the generic medical community, it is established in the autism community and the results are powerful.