What caused Hunters Autism?
That is the million dollar question... Many have asked me what I think causes it. There is SO much debate on its cause. Reading this article, then that article, comparing the data, researching the person who claims to have the answers is enough to make your head spin. Vaccinations, diets, parenting styles etc are a few of the things I’ve heard debated as the cause. I will gladly read any article I come across that shares the latest research but I do my best no to get caught up in trying to get to the bottom of it. Although I have some suspicions I may never know why so I feel at this point my focus is better spent on helping him to be successful and advocating for his future.
I loved talking to Hunter therapy team, to pick their brains for help and advice. They all had huge hearts and were always so generous and knowledgeable. They felt like family to me and I always knew I could lean on them for honest support. One day a few weeks after his diagnosis his PT and I were chatting and I began to talk about my age, referencing the fact that I was pregnant at 40. She looked me dead in the face and said “Don’t even go there!” She read my mind even before I finished my question. I silently made a vow that day, never again would I ponder the thought that perhaps I caused it by having him when I was 40 and considered to “old” by some pregnancy standards.
There are many things that can cause it sadly, maybe even some we haven't thought of yet, my prayers are that one day we will know. Until then I will no longer beat myself up in trying to figure out why it happened to my son.
I read about you feeding your child with formula. So I assume you didn't breastfeed. Have you thought that maybe it was the formula? There are many chemicals that formula has and artificial hormones and formula does NOT have the nutrients breast milk does and many formula milks lack the most important nutrients babies need which are the nutrients for brain development. Forgive me if I am wrong and you did breastfeed. I just wanted to share this with you. God bless you and your family, your boy is such a cutie! xoxox
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ReplyDeleteThank you for your post and sweet words about Hunter :) To answer your question, for medical reasons I did not breastfeed and I do not feel that formula feeding Hunter caused his autism. If formula was directly linked to autism the number of children with autism would be off the charts since many parents formula feed their babies. I do however agree in that indirectly he could have been effected neurologically on some level by exposure to various things in our foods and even perhaps his formula which is why I did switch to organic forumla. I am a firm believer that the toxins in non-organic foods, pesticides on our fruits and vegetables (research the dirty dozen and their effects on the neurological system, espcially apples which are a staple food for babies), hormones added to our milk and environmental exposures increase the risk of neurological issues. It has been documented over and over that children with ADHD who are placed on a solid organic diet free also of food dyes show significant improvements. I also know 3 people personally who have loved ones with autism and there causes differ. One was caused by an unknown egg allergy and eggs were in his flu vaccine, one was without oxygen after delivery and it lead to the autism diagnosis. And studies done by Dr. Fraser Henderson has found the result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle of the brain stem has for some been linked to autism. There are so many reasons for autism, many of which will never be known. I do feel Hunter could have been effected on some level by the foods he drank but I dont feel his formula directly caused his autism. What I DO feel in my specific case is that he was born with it. And that on some level it may have been caused by the anatomy of and surrounding his brain stem. Thank you so much again!
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