How, When Child Develops Autism May Determine Outcomes

My son had signs from day one. I was vaccinated during pregnancy, and was anemic taking iron supplements. both of these things probably contributed to his severe autism. When he was 2 months old a thermometor broke in our apartment under his infant seat he was sitting in at the time, we cleaned it up and didn't think too much of it, ignorant, I know. When he was 8 months old we were forced moved into a new apartment because our building was sold, I was already worried about what was happening to my son. He regressed at 2 1/2 within weeks of his vaccines, lost the 4 words he had been saying. We stayed in the apartment for 4 years while my son ripped off panneling, wallpaper, and dug into the walls eating the horsehair plaster, we didn't have much money and couldn't save the security deposit for a new apartment. His "autism" got worse and worse until he screamed all day and night, only slept 4 hrs a night if we were lucky, had extreme anxiety and bowel problems, started biting himself and hitting himself in the head, his skin turned bright red and raised, and he had no understanding of language at all, not even come here or sit down, eat, drink, nothing! Now one year later my son seems to be recovering, in june of '09 my son was diagnosed with severe mental retardation, functioning at a 0-8 month level in all areas of development. We started chelation therapy in late October and now 6 months have gone by. My son is functioning at a 34 month level and gaining understanding of language daily. He has outrageous levels of lead in his body, the norm is under 5 his is 74 and with each test it goes up, we started out at 69. There is no new source of lead, the chelation is pulling it from his tissues and his body is excreting it. I wonder how many other children are being diagnosed with autism when in reality it's heavy metal poisoning.

jay of ME 9:41AM May 03, 2010

We have a 20 month old boy who has extreme developmental delay. He has not said his first word at 20 months and is not walking on his own. He seems ready to walk but wants to be on his toes all the time. He is a constant hopper on his knees and laughs out loud for no reason. At times, he doesn't seem to recognize his caregiver (great grandmother) and will not respond or turn towards us when we speak to him. We have to speak loudly to get his attention. He does do some flapping but not as much as previously. He likes to lick everything and now he is doing extreme drolling. He does not eat "people" food on his own. He does like to play but didn't start doing it until lately. We dont' know where to get the advice or help to begin working with him. The pediatrician sent him for nerological testing. He has not been officially dianosed with Autism, but as his great grandmother, I have noticed the symptoms.He still needs to have his MRI done. But his CT was normal. We live in West Palm Beach Florida and his single mother has medical aide for low income. There is a center in South Florida, the Dan Morino Center (they will not accept her medical).

Where do we start? Are there organizations that help? Can you put us in the right direction?

Barbara Grabiec of FL 10:39PM April 25, 2010