Autism affects 1 out of every 150 children in the United States. I am the mother of two of those children. Extreme mood swings - laughing to crying to playing, unwarranted aggression, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and sleeplessness are all a part of my day. They are unable to speak, still wearing diapers, and still feeding from a bottle. All of the these symptoms started 3 years ago after receiving a series of vaccinations. Before that they were very responsive to directives, saying two word sentences, identifying family members by name, eating all types of foods, playing with other children and toys. Now they only play with each other, very sensitive to sound and light, obsessive compulsive behavior - everything must be in its place; yes, they are very neat and orderly, they are very clingy with immediate family members and very selective about interacting with strangers. They fear many things; teeth and face cleaning, haircuts, vacuum cleaner, loud toys, running water, toilets, crowds. They respond very negatively to changes of all types; all things must remain the same.

Their inability to speak doesn’t keep them from communicating their needs. When they need food, drink, diaper change, a ride in the car, change the dvd or channel on the television; they will come to me and take me by the hand and pull me to whatever they need or bring it to me.

Their diet consists of Pediasure mixed with Gerber’s Oatmeal and Banana Cereal and Ocean Spray’s Cranberry/Pomegranate Juice (no sugar added). I mix it with water to cut down on their sugar intake to prevent tooth decay. This preference is related only to my children. Most autistic children have a taste for foods with smooth textures and are interested in all natural foods. They will also obsess with a particular flavor.

They can be very self-sufficient by entertaining each other throughout the day while watching educational programs and listening to music. One loves to dance while the other spins and balances plastic bottle tops on his finger tips. Playing underneath blankets together is another favorite. We wrestle sometimes and do group hugs and kisses. They enjoy playing with their shadows and their mirror reflections. Recently, they started showing an interest in my laptop; so I am looking into an educational one for toddlers.

We are awaiting a series of evaluations: hearing, speech, ophthalmology, neurology, psychology that will take place at Children’s Hospital. The school board is placing them in occupational therapy for the fall where they will be potty trained, learn to dress and bathe themselves, eat regular food with utensils, speech therapy. I will be there to learn and assist the teachers.

We have not received pharmaceutical prescriptions as their evaluations are not complete. However, I don’t’ like pharmaceuticals because there are very serious side affects such as addiction - can lead to having to increase dosage, excessive weight gain - can lead to heart trouble; diabetes; high blood pressure; seizures - can lead to neurological disorders, delayed reaction. As an alternative I went online searching for an all natural remedy and found Native Remedies LLC.com which sells many products for children with Autism. I purchase Mindsoothe Jr. and PureCalm for mood swings, childhood depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, unwarranted aggression; Serenity Jr. is used at night for sleeplessness.

I also use aromatherapy; lavender, chamomile, rose incense which helps to soothe the mind and soul and relieve children of emotional stress brought on by the symptoms of Autism. Long drives in the evening before bedtime helps lessen the severity of symptoms and so does instrumental music such as atmospheric sounds, lullabies, and new age.