The "Magical Cure"

-

 Over the years, a handful of people have suggested some kind of body cleanse drink or “miracle” remedy that’s supposed to cure my son’s autism. I honestly believe most of the time it’s said with good intentions, like they really think they’re sharing something that could help. But here’s the thing: unless you’re an autism parent yourself, please understand - this is not something you should bring up to a family living with autism.

Autism is not something that can be “cured” with a funky drink, a supplement, or a fad diet. My child’s autism isn’t a bug in the system that needs to be flushed out. It’s part of who he is.

We went through genetic testing. His autism comes from a de novo genetic mutation. That means “from the beginning.” It’s not something I caused, it’s not something he caught, and it’s not something that will ever be erased with a cleanse.

When people suggest these “cures,” it can feel like they’re saying my child isn’t good enough the way he is... or that I’m somehow not doing enough as his mom. That’s not the message they intend to send, but it is the one that’s received.

What families like mine need isn’t a suggestion for the next miracle cure. What we need is support, understanding, and acceptance. We need people to see our kids for who they are, not as problems to be fixed.

So, please - before you share an article, a recipe, or a new “treatment,” stop and think. What we want most for our kids is the same thing you want for yours: love, respect, and the freedom to be exactly who they are.


Kerri

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Argonaute Syndromes Conference

-
 This weekend marks an important event... the Argonaute Syndromes Conference in Prague, Czech Republic. Families, doctors, and researchers from around the world are coming together to share knowledge, progress, and hope. Financially, we couldn’t make the trip across the ocean, so we had to settle for watching through Zoom. Of course, it’s not the same as being there in person, but I’m grateful for the chance to still feel connected. You may have noticed that I sometimes use different words when talking about Wyatt’s condition, and it might sound a little confusing. So let me break it down: Argonaute Syndromes is an umbrella term for a group of genetic mutations that affect a family of genes called Argonaute proteins. These proteins are essential for gene regulation... basically, they help keep countless processes in the body running the way they should. There are four main Argonaute genes: AGO1, AGO2, AGO3, and AGO4. Wyatt’s mutation is in the AGO2 gene. This particular gene change...
Read more

How We Got Here: Life Without Words

-
From the very first moment I met Wyatt, I knew there was something special about him. He came into this world with his eyes wide open.. so alert, soaking everything in, as if he didn’t want to miss a single thing. While most newborns sleep endlessly, Wyatt seemed fascinated by the world around him. He looked at everything and everyone, and I remember thinking, this little boy is different - in the best way. When Wyatt was a baby, he was actually a great sleeper. He slept through the night with no problem at all, which I now know was a blessing many parents don’t get to experience. But as time went on, we started noticing some delays. Around 12 to 18 months, it became clear that he was behind in walking and talking. He also became an incredibly picky eater—bananas, in particular, were his nemesis. I’ve tried sneaking bananas into so many foods, but he always catches me. Now at four and a half, he’ll open them just to smash them. Maybe one day he’ll eat one, but for now, smashing seems...
Read more

Siblings: Life Without Words

-
Sibling relationships are special, but in our home, they look a little different. Wyatt's little sister, Sophia, is only 1½. Watching them together has been one of the most beautiful - and at times, emotional, parts of our journey. When Sophia was born, Wyatt barely paid attention to her. To him, she was just… there. She cried, she slept, she existed in his world, but not as someone he interacted with. That all changed when Sophia hit a milestone that shocked us all - she started walking at just 7 months old! (Seriously, a baby that tiny walking?!) Suddenly, she was no longer just the baby in the background. She was moving, exploring, and Wyatt started to notice. Now, he doesn’t actively play with her, but there are small moments.. times when they’ll parallel play side by side. Sophia adores her big brother. She wants to be around him, to follow him everywhere. Wyatt, on the other hand, values his personal space. He loves spending time alone in his bedroom, listening to music a...
Read more