Waging War On The Autistic Child

As the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders grows each year, new discoveries and controversies arise. Andrew Wakefield explores many of these in his thorough investigation of the recent trial case of the “Arizona 5,” which destroyed an Arizona family. Two parents, with five children on the spectrum, were accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy—a rare form of child abuse—and were ganged up on by physicians, child protective services, and the courts, who alleged that the parents fabricated medical symptoms in all five children. However, Wakefield now presents ample evidence that was disregarded and that would have proven the parents’ innocence. Families affected by autism suffer great hardship and prejudice, particularly as they navigate the uncertain waters of diagnosis, treatment, and education. The shocking story of the Arizona 5 family delves into the tremendous challenges some parents have to face, especially if their views on how to treat the syndrome don’t align with the medical world’s standards. Wakefield also includes numerous studies and research trials that support the controversial yet significant roles that vaccines and diet play in autism, factors many medical professionals wrongfully dismiss.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The past fifteen years have seen a steady increase in the prevalence of GI symptoms and inflammatory GI pathology in children with autism. While the psychiatric legacy surrounding autism tends to ignore these symptoms, pediatricians and other doctors often conflate the two, and parents are often subject to accusations of child abuse for seeking medical attention for their children’s symptoms. #2 The views of the medical community on the origin and epidemiology of ASD have changed over time. While the word autistic has remained, the disorder itself has changed both in its clinical presentation and epidemiology. #3 GI problems in individuals with ASD provide an important insight into the changing landscape of this disorder. A 2010 report titled Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of GI disorders in individuals with ASDs: A Consensus Report16 stated that the preponderance of data supported the likelihood of a high prevalence of GI symptoms in ASD. #4 The GI symptoms of ASD include diarrhea, constipation, alternating constipation and diarrhea, abdominal bloating, anorexia, failure to thrive, and vomiting. In addition, clinicians have reported the often idiosyncratic and previously misinterpreted behavioral symptoms in nonverbal children that are indicative of underlying GI disorders.

Abie 's diagnosis of autism devastates his mother, Arlene. She hears, "If you work intensively with a kid with autism for forty hours a week, you can cure him." This almost sounds like an antidote to a spell in a fairy tale, but nonetheless, she sets out to cure him. Unfortunately, she discovers it's not so easy to secure the intervention her son needs. Then she finds out her son's autism is resistant to the miracles of intervention. As her journey progresses, she discovers the systems designed to help him actually hurt him and the rest of the family. Her dream transforms into a wish to get him out of a bad situation.Abie just wants to live his life, but the grownups are continually trying to get him to understand things he doesn't care about. He struggles to understand the world and his place in it as he battles discrimination, hatred, and a system that fails to protect him.Abie and Arlene's Autism War, biographical fiction inspired by a true story, describes a realistic, heartwarming, humorous, and crushing picture of an autism family's experiences. First, we hear the voice of Arlene, the desperate mother looking for a way to help her child. Then alternately, we hear the voice of Abie, an autistic child struggling to make sense of what is happening to him.

Callous Disregard is the account of how a doctor confronted first a disease and then the medical system that sought and still seeks to deny that disease, leaving millions of children to suffer and a world at risk. In 1995, Dr. Andrew Wakefield came to a fork in the road. As an academic gastroenterologist at the Royal Free School of Medicine and the University of London, he was confronted by a professional challenge and a moral choice. Previously healthy children were, according to their parents, regressing into autism and developing intestinal problems. Many parents blamed the MMR vaccine. Trusting his medical training, the parental narrative, and, above all, the instinct of mothers for their children?s well-being, he chose what would become a very difficult road. Dr. Wakefield provides the facts and an explanation of the problem that confronted him and his colleagues fifteen years ago. He does this in a detailed forensic analysis of the lies, obfuscation, cover-up, and dystopian science and medicine that panders to commercial interests at the expense of your children.

Central to this book is the passionate belief that disabled people have a right to full, rich lives, celebrating their humanity, beauty and gifts. The story, spanning three continents, is a portrait of a troubled, severely autistic boy, his family members, concerned friends and community and mental health professionals. It offers an insight into a mother's search for social and government services, and a recognition of the gaps that existed for her family and those of other children with high support needs. It is a story of how the congregation of a local Anglican parish in Melbourne, together with the local community, responded to the family's need and were instrumental in setting up a network of practical support for vulnerable families. Political lobbying resulted in changes in government policy, which in turn led to the setting up of 400 small family type homes in Victoria. An unexpected aftermath was the establishment of a project to support a centre for disabled children in Delhi, India. This deeply moving life story sends messages in all directions. How timely the National Disability Insurance Scheme has now been legislated by the Commonwealth Government for this is an important first step in recognising the needs of disabled people, their families and carers. In a small way Heather Bloom's 'war against apathy' is one of countless stories where families and their local communities have taken action to improve the situation of children and their families struggling to cope..." Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE Former Governor General of Australia"

For parents of children with autism and doctors treating autism, this groundbreaking guide will give you the tools to help your child. There was something wrong with Ryan. His parents knew it before the psychiatrist predicted he would end up in an institution. Ryan was diagnosed with autism at age four. That day changed everything. There was no recovery from autism . . . there was no cure . . . there was no hope. Or was there? I Know You’re in There tells the true story of how, through diet, applied behavior analysis, consistent and rigorous medical treatment, and more, Ryan’s family was able to overcome autism. It took a lot of trial and error, but today Ryan is an aerospace engineer, has friends, and lives a happy “typical” life. His recovery wasn’t miraculous, but instead the result of getting proper medical care, and his parents never taking “no” for an answer. Marcia provides real world examples and actionable steps to take to get your child the treatment and care that could help them beat autism. If your child has been diagnosed with autism, or the warning signs are there, which are also covered here, I Know You’re in There is an indispensable resource in your fight against autism spectrum disorder.

Henry Huggins makes a deal with his father--if Henry can keep his dog Ribsy out of trouble for a month, he can go fishing with his father. Ribsy does his best to make Henry lose the deal.

Frances Tustin (1913-1994) was one of the first professionally trained child psychotherapists in Britain. Although internationally recognised for her pioneering therapeutic work with autistic children, her approach is considered by some to be controversial, as her psychogenic view of childhood autism challenged the belief that it is biological and genetic. Autistic States in Children is widely regarded as a vitally important work for understanding the causes of autism in young children. Vividly describing her clinical encounters with autistic children, Tustin argued that autistic states were above all self-protective ones. In her observational studies, she noted how autistic children's interaction with physical objects, such as keys, toy cars, or other play items, had a rigid and ritualistic quality, far removed from the typical kind of fantasy play seen in other children. Such objects are not used by autistic children for their intended purpose, Tustin argued, but rather in sensation-dominated ways that interfere with mental development. She also drew a fundamental distinction between two autistic groups: an ‘encapsulated’ group, which is withdrawn and non-verbal, and an ‘entangled’ group, who are hyperactive and chaotic but have some language. Autistic States in Children influenced not only those in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis but countless others who have contact with autistic children, especially families, and remains essential reading for anyone seeking a creative and compelling understanding of autism. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by Maria Rhode.