Since 1992, Autism rates have gone from one child in 150 being diagnosed to one child in 88 being diagnosed and the number is growing and growing. While there are many rumored causes for Autism, very few scientific studies have found conclusive evidence of what causes ASDs (Autism Spectrum Disorders). That said, parents and researchers everywhere are looking for answers now more than ever as to how they can not only protect their kids, but how they can help the kids who have been diagnosed with an ASD. News reporters and media everywhere is crying out for help, everyone is looking for a cure for Autism to no avail.
Recently however, there have been case studies showing that with dietary and lifestyle changes, Autism can be improved and children who are diagnosed as Autistic may be able to regain some semblance of a “normal” life. Lately, case studies and success stories have been popping up regarding going raw and organic, even Gluten free to help improve instances of Autism – One boy’s story is particularly striking.
Success Story: Meet Ethan Fox
The tough, heartbreaking, and wretched journey for Tracy Fox to find help
Tracy Fox (Ethan’s Mother) reported knowing there was something wrong when Ethan was only 18 months old, “When my youngest son Ethan turned 18 months old, I told my husband Charlie, we’re going to have a problem. I had just called the pediatrician to make Ethan’s 18 month checkup appointment, and in my gut, I knew that something was wrong.”*
As behavioral changes occurred in Ethan, Tracy maintained strength on the receiving end of everything from sleep issues, violence, and needless to say spent a lot of money on furniture and toys. The years went by and Tracy searched and searched for some way to help her little boy. Battling depression, Tracy reached out to doctors desperate for help.
She reports, “Still, no one could address the internal issues plaguing Ethan. Traditional doctors did not recognize that his refusal to sleep, constant diarrhea and zoned-out look might be related to diet issues.”
The light at the end of the tunnel for Ethan Fox
It’s not uncommon for traditional medicine to let parents down. Thankfully, citizens and activists are fighting back and looking for alternatives. Finally, after years of sweat, tears, and injuries Tracy discovered something monumental to her son’s recovery.
“With luck and God’s grace, Charlie came across on the internet a website called Defeat Autism Now. These DAN doctors thought outside the box, looked at the symptoms each child had and discovered a profound connection between autism and diet. They found that by eliminating certain foods and including significant vitamins, many autistic children saw dramatic improvement in their social, cognitive and functional skills, and some even recovered completely.”
It was then that Tracy switched Ethan to a gluten-free, casein-free diet and within days saw her son start improving. Finally, a glimmer of hope was there for her; and they haven’t looked back. Over the years, they’ve started implementing more vitamins, organic veggies, and protein rich foods and watched their son develop into the little boy they’ve always known he had inside.
Ethan’s happy ending – Autism Reversal
I think Tracy says it best herself in her post on KrisCarr.com;
“What I saw was my beautiful boy sleeping peacefully, a sight I had never, never seen, and my heart was ready to burst.
Three years later, we have continued with the gluten-free, casein-free diet, incorporating vitamin therapy and chelation, to restore Ethan’s gastrointestinal system. He thrives on his diet of healthy proteins, organic vegetables and fruit, and rice and potatoes. I am thrilled to say that he is one of the happiest, smartest, most well-behaved boys in his pre-school class and will be attending general education kindergarten in September.
He has lost his autistic diagnosis, meaning that he longer exhibits any of the indicia of autism. Most of all, he is a loving, happy, fun little boy who enjoys life and his family and friends. People who meet Ethan have no idea that he is autistic, and often don’t believe how severe his condition had been. To this day, Ethan only eats foods on his diet, and will often ask if a new food will ‘hurt his belly’ or ‘make him sick.’ Thanks to the ever expanding availability of gluten-free, casein-free foods, I can make Ethan the equivalent of any foods his friends have at school and parties, and he truly does not recognize any difference.”
* Tracy Fox Posts on KrisCarr.com
* CollectiveEvolution Article on Ethan and Autism
* Additional Case Study on ASD and Diet
