Autism and Common Misconceptions

Autism and Common Misconceptions.

Posted by: Emma Dalmayne

 

Where to start? There are so many I hear regularly.

1. You can’t be autistic you are to social.

Yes I can be, I am able to enjoy others company as many autistics can. We can enjoy social occasions like parties and cinema trips.

I love concerts and the theatre.

That does not mean however that I do not risk sensory overload in those places which happens frequently.

It does not mean that I do not need to rest for up to eight hours after intense social reaction, I do.

Autistics can be social.

When I was little I can remember wanting friends, I would try to see  what they liked and find a common bond. I always wanted a best friend.

I would lose friends by blurting and having no social boundaries at all, it took me a long time to learn not to tell people everything someone had told me in confidence.

That’s an art to be learned.

Being discreet.

There are different ways to be social it must be stressed.

Some autistics prefer to interact with others online or on the phone, that is still socialising just in a different way.

1. There’s no way you’re child is autistic, he makes eye contact.

Yes some of us can also make eye contact if we have trained ourselves to.

I myself can, I use it to,show the other person I am listening to them as neurotypicals seem to need that reassurance of eye contact.

I do this by focusing on the persons nose.

My elder son describes making eye contact as a feeling of having knives thrown at him.

I feel it as a pressure on my eyes, as if they are being pressed on. After an extended conversation it’s not uncommon for me to feel nauseated.

My younger son makes what is called ‘ inappropriate eye contact’ Ie he will stare intently into your eyes, he will drag you by you’re chin to make sure you are listening to him.

Making eye contact should not be forced as to some of us it can be psychically painful.

As was said to me by a wise person, you do not have to look at a radio to listen to it.

Eye contact is for the other persons comfort, not your own.

1. Meltdowns are ‘ bad or intentionally wilful behaviours’.

  Simply untrue.

A meltdown is a feeling of complete loss of control.

It swamps you in its entirety and activates the flight or fight mode.

Many autistics bolt in a meltdown, some will strike out at any thing they perceive to be a threat.

We may also unintentionally take out our frustration on those nearest to us as we subconsciously feel safe with them.

That’s why you’re child may have more meltdowns in your presence then in front of others.

They feel safe with you.

It also adequately explains why many autistic children melt down at home and not at school.

Like a pressure cooker we hold in all frustrations, injustices and slights real or imagined then let rip when we get home to a safe environment.

We cannot control a meltdown, though many adult autistics were heavily disciplined with physical force when they were children so as not to display them.

This has an extremely detrimental effect, we are shown that to express anger or frustration is a bad thing. To be upset or distraught is bad.

Why? Because it makes others feel uncomfortable.

Not unlike the line in the popular Disney film Frozen:

“ Conceal it, don’t feel it, don’t let it show”, as told to the character Elsa by her father.

I believe this is why so many children autistic or neurotypical  and indeed adults relate and enjoy the song ‘ Let it go’ so much.

The character Elsa is finally able to be herself.

Also worth mentioning is a meltdown does not have to be violent or angry, it can be implosive and completely soul destroying.

A total devastation of confidence complete with tears and abject desolation with the strong belief that we are worthless and nothing will ever be right again.

This can be triggered by something as seemingly minor as being unable to find my purse!

1. But you seem so ‘ switched on’ are you certain you are autistic?

Yes I am and that quite frankly is extremely insulting to myself and others.

We are always switched on and fully aware of EVERTYHING around us, whether we are verbal or not and whether we make eye contact or not.

Be aware that when you are in a paediatricians office or sitting in front of family in a restaurant with an adult autistic we are aware of all that is said.

We also have excellent memories.

Respect us as you would anyone, do not patronise us.

If there seems to be a lack of understanding it may be:

1. We choose not to listen to you as we are finding you’re requests hard to follow or physically/ mentally cannot follow as we are distracted by internal/ external sensory issues.
2. We don’t agree with you and we do not wish to participate or acknowledge you.
3. There are accompanying learning difficulties or processing problems holding us back.

 

So what’s you’re special talent?

 

I’ll make this one short and sweet, I don’t have one.

Not all autistics have savant skills.

Our special talent is excelling in a world that is in short, alien to us.

It’s loud, it can be unfriendly and overly bright.

People can be rude and schools/ work places can be hostile and understanding social cues and body language can be challenging.

Our special talent?

Being ourselves.

What’s yours?

I Didn’t Feel Grief Over My Children’s Autism Diagnoses, but I Did Feel This

I Didn’t Feel Grief Over My Children’s Autism Diagnoses, but I Did Feel This

Posted by: Emma Dalmayne

I never experienced grief when my children were diagnosed on the spectrum. I experienced relief, and I experienced anger that I wasn’t listened to sooner. I experienced sadness for the difficulties my son would face, and I experienced panic over how my children would cope when I’m no longer here.

I also felt intense resentment for anyone who asked questions and made statements born of sheer ignorance.

I’m sure you’ve heard a few of these, too:

“So they can grow out of that, right?”

“What’s his special talent? I heard ‘they’ all have one!”

“He’s fine, they are over-diagnosing these days!”

“Was it the vaccines? Many parents say it is, you know?” (This was from a nurse who was about to vaccinate him with his preschool booster.)

“What’s wrong with his legs?” (When my son was out in his major buggy.)

“Don’t let him hit you! I wouldn’t have that sh*t.”

“Take his iPad away, he’ll learn.”

“Discipline! That’s all he needs.”

“Diet, it’s all about diet. The gluten-free/carb-free diet worked on Jenny McCarthy’s son.”

“Sip water from the empty shell of a giant African land snail.”

“He just needs to interact with other kids, he’ll learn.”

“Make him go to birthday parties! He has to.”

“He’ll eat it if he’s hungry.”

“Get his metals tested.”

“Leave him to cry. He will fall asleep.”

“So, you won’t be having any more kids, right? I don’t think you should…”

“It’s a sickness, illness, disease…”

“You’re not brave enough to try and heal him. He can be recovered!”

Those are the ones I can remember. There are more, I’m sure. Some were intentionally hurtful, some were well-meaning and all raised a resentment in me that would make me want to smash someone’s face in.

As parents, we put up with that. We also cope with seeing our child have meltdowns; we get hit and spat at. Sometimes we cry, we run out of the room and cry through sheer frustration because we can’t work out what our baby wants.

But let’s look at that again.

Our children try to cope with meltdowns and get so frustrated, they hit out and spit at the one person they know will never leave them. Sometimes our children can’t express what they need; they can’t make us see. They watch us run out with tears in our eyes, and they feel what we feel.

You see, you’re in this together with your child. No one knows better than your child what you’re feeling. They know because they feel it tenfold.

I’ve learned that signing is instant. If my children can’t express what they desperately need to communicate, we sign. If they’re melting down, I stand back because I know a touch can feel like an electric shock. Unless they’re self-injurious or in danger of running into the road, I don’t touch them. I’ve learned to take a deep breath and count to 10, even if I have to jam my fingers in my ears to do this.

That doesn’t mean I don’t experience frustration. Try witnessing your child’s meltdown while feeling a meltdown yourself. Try coping with your child screaming in excitement when you have sensory overload.

I don’t pretend to know everything, but I do my best, and so far I’ve done pretty well.

 

Autistic Children And Special Interests.

Autistic Children And Special Interests.

Posted by: Emma Dalmayne

Autistic Children And Special Interests.

Does your child have a special interest?

Maybe they collect model cars, stamps or buttons?

I have noticed articles on the ‘ harm’ of autistics in general be they children or adults having special interests. They claim that they should be discouraged as they are ‘ obsessive’ and a ‘ fixation’.

I’m not denying that we can become rather embroiled and passionate about our hobbies and Collections but it would be better to work with us and indeed encourage our divertissements then attempt to remove them from us.

I have had many different collections including:

• Bird Watching books
• Enid Blyton books
• Comics
• Marilyn Monroe memorabilia
• Coloured glasses and glass ornaments
• Eminem memorabilia
• Martina Cole books
• Handbags
• Earrings
• And most recently bottle tops.

Why? Why not?

We have these interests to make sense of the world and our environment. They are there to make us feel safe, they are predictable solid accumulations that we gather steadily. We assemble them proudly and reserve them to look at feel and cherish. An amassment of a favourite genre of collectives is nothing to worry about.

It is of concern if it infringes on family outing for example, your child may fixate on whether they can get an item for their collection while out to the exclusion of all other enjoyment.

The explanation for that is that one thing is the safe. It’s the predictable and they know no matter what if they can focus on that one thing, and they get it then it’s all going to be alright.

It will all make sense.

Because they have it.

Work with the interest not against it.

If your child’s interest is Minecraft realise that it’s good for strategising, hand eye co ordination and pre emption.

If it’s football they are learning number recognition, turn taking, rules and different countries kits and flags.

It may be Thomas the tank engine or Hot wheel cars which are brilliant for fine manipulation and Colour recognition plus recollection of names so aids memory skills.

If your child, like mine keeps all packaging and everything in its box look on the bright side. It may one day be worth a fortune!

My son hoards plastic eggs, kinder eggs, soccer starz footballers and magazines.

All has to stay unopened, until such time when a big change has taken place.

Last one was he started seeing a new tutor, such was his relief that she was nice he came home and opened all of his 61 Disney Cars in one go!

My sons explanation for this is in his words:

“ Once it’s open its not the same, you can’t put it back.”

My son hoards plastic eggs, kinder eggs, soccer starz footballers and magazines.

What does your child amass?

Poem By Emma

Posted by: Emma Dalmayne

A child with a difference may wake every day,

Scripting and rehearsing what they believe they must say,

Maybe rocking,

Then lining up,

Controlling what they can,

As nothing is guaranteed To always go to plan,

They have a list you see,

Of what they expect,

A deviation, Routine change,

Then that list is wrecked,

A child may scatter,

It doesn’t matter,

Again it’s taking control,

That pile in the room,

The shoes,

The book,

The broom,

Are there for a reason,

Unique,

They mean everything,

Will be alright,

They are solid,

And so they can sleep.

A Child With A Difference May spin to balance,

The vestibular sense,

May be in dalliance,

With sound sensitivity,

And so they may shriek,

Holding their ears,

As silence they seek,

They may sing,

To stimm,

To balance within,

Sink to the floor,

As its solid to him,

The world seems to spin,

In all the wrong places,

Anxiety hits,

And so his heart races,

Yet this child with a difference,

Needs only acceptance,

Help with frustration,

And ear defenders,

This child with a difference,

Has a name,

He’s different neurologically,

But so precious,

The same,

As any other,

A sister,

A brother,

Please show them patience,

They need understanding,

I was once that child,

Now I’m here,

Standing,

To tell you,

Take time,

Don’t panic,

Don’t cry,

Your child is different,

One day they’ll fly,

We are significant,

As we gleam,

We shine,

We light up your world,

So cherish,

Be proud,

Of your rainbow boy or girl.

The Kerri Rivera Interview.

The Kerri Rivera Interview.

Posted by: Emma Dalmayne

The Kerri Rivera Interview.

 

Can you tell me how many children have ‘recovered’ on this protocol?

“ 191 as of today … but there are other people doing the protocol and they don’t share the recoveries”.

I decided to contact Kerri Rivera, I said that I am enquiring from a mothers group who’s children have been diagnosed autistic and are interested  in the CD protocol.

I am not writing a lot on this one.

I prefer to let the horror speak for itself.

A woman unqualified medically who’s advising vulnerable parents of defenceless autistic children on an unregulated, scientifically unproven ‘treatment’…….

A woman who’s uncontactable by phone and refuses to give her address, yet she has people trusting her word?……..

No qualifications……..

So please read on and draw your own conclusions.

This is directly copy and pasted the upper case is how the answers were given.

The Interview.

Hi Kerri

Thank you for the prompt response, I’m writing for a parents group newsletter who are very interested in the CD protocol they have children who have been diagnosed autistic. We have been reading your book and due to popular demand I have been asked to contact you.

VERY NICE TO HEAR…CD PROTOCOL HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARENT DRIVEN BECAUSE PARENTS WANT RESULTS. AND THAT IS WHAT THEY GET. 

My questions are as follows:

1. Can you please explain the attitude of some autistics who seem so against the CD protocol? We have seen much opposition to it.

IT IS ALMOST CRAZY TO SAY A PERSON WITH AUTISM IS OPPOSED TO THE PROTOCOL. I WORK WITH FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN CAPABLE OF BOYCOTTING NOR STARTING A RIOT. SO, THESE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH. THERE ARE PHARMA PAID TROLLS / INDUSTRY HENCHMEN WHO ARE ON THE INTERNET AND CAUSING A COMMOTION. THEY TELL HALF TRUTHS AND BALD FACE LIES. THEY PLAY ON IGNORANCE. THE GOOD THING IS THAT WHEN PARENTS DO THE HOMEWORK, THE LIES DON’T PAN OUT. IF CHLORINE DIOXIDE (CD) WERE CLOROX BLEACH (SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE), THERE WOULD BE 191 DEAD CHILDREN AND NOT 191 RECOVERED CHILDREN. THERE IS SOME DEGREE OF LOGIC HERE.

2. We are hearing much about GcMAF, can you recommend a good distributor?

YES, I CAN. AND YES WE ARE. 5 YEARS AGO WE USED THE LESS POTENT AND MORE INVASIVE INJECTABLE GCMAF. BUT NOW WE ARE USING THE SUBLINGUAL SPRAY FROM WWW.1STPROENGINEERING.COM PRODUCT 2 AND HAVING RESULTS LIKE I NEVER SAW WITH THE INJECTABLE. THIS GCMAF COMES FROM COLOSTRUM AND NOT HUMAN BLOOD PRODUCT. IT IS SAFE AND EASY TO USE. ABOVE ALL, THE RESULTS ARE EXCELLENT.

3. Would you mind if not to personal disclosing the progress your son has made on the protocol?

MY SON WENT FROM A PERFECTLY NORMAL BABY TO A NON VERBAL 2 YEAR OLD ALMOST OVER NIGHT. BY 3.5 YEARS OF AGE HE WAS A CYCLON THAT NEVER SLEPT AND HAD CHRONIC DIARRHOEA. NOW, HE IS A TEEN WHO CAN DO EVERYTHING FOR HIMSELF AND HAS PERFECT UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS TOLD TO HIM. HE HAS SPEECH YET IS NOT ABLE TO COMMUNICATE VERBAL AT AGE LEVEL. THIS IS WHY FACILITATED COMMUNICATION IS NEEDED FOR THE CHILDREN WHO ARE STUCK WITH LANGUAGE. THEY CAN DO SCHOOL WORK ETC VIA FACILITATORS LIKE IPADS AND THE LIKE.

4. Also I understand he still carries an ATEC score has it dropped?

HE HAS AN ATEC BETWEEN 17 AND 20. HE HAD A 147 IN 2004 WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED AT 3.5 YEARS OF AGE. THE GLASS IS HALF FULL. ALL OF OUR CHILDREN CAN IMPROVE AND HEAL. NOT ALL OF US WILL HAVE A FULL RECOVERY. BUT SINCE THERE ARE RECOVERIES OF 15 YEAR OLDS AND EVEN A 32 YEAR OLD MAN…THERE IS NO LIMIT, ONLY THE ONES WE PUT ON OURSELVES.

5. Lastly five, what are your hopes for the CD protocol? We are aware of big Pharma, do you think it will ever be legalised? If not why?

I HOPE THAT THE POWERS THAT BE CANNOT REPRESS THE PROTOCOL AND THAT IT IS ALWAYS AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HEAL THEIR CHILDREN FROM AUTISM. IT IS THE CHEAPEST, EASIEST AND MOST DIRECT METHOD OF HEALING AUTISM IN THE WORLD TODAY. IT IS A DO-IT-YOURSELF PROTOCOL THAT IS NOT FOR LAZY PEOPLE. THERE IS A LABOR OF LOVE BEYOND THE LIMITS. BUT, THE PRIZE FOR ALL THE WORK THE PARENTS DO IS THE CHANGES THAT WE SEE ALMOST DAILY FOR THE GOOD. TO SEE THE CHILD CONNECT, SMILE, TALK, LOVE, LAUGH, SLEEP…NORMAL, EVERYDAY THINGS FOR MOST FAMILIES YET UNCOMMON FOR A CHILD WITH AUTISM.

CD IS NOT ILLEGAL. IT IS SOLD EVERYWHERE AND AVAILABLE IN EVERY COUNTRY. I THINK CANADA HAS A LAW THAT YOU CANNOT INGEST IT. BUT THE PRODUCT ITSELF IS NOT ILLEGAL. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT CANADIAN LAWS.

Thank you so much for your time I know your very busy.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS THEY CAN EMAIL ME AT KERRIRIVERA@YAHOO.COM I ALSO SO SKYPE CONSULTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY CREATING A 4 MONTH, PERSONALISED PROTOCOL FOR THE FAMILY/CHILD IF THAT IS SOMETHING THEY WOULD LIKE.

Following are other questions I asked and the corresponding answers.

I’m sure your minds still pre occupied with the 32 year old man being abused on this protocol and the fact Kerri stated that children can ‘ Connect, smile, talk, love, laugh, sleep’……..sleep?! They are being woken during the night for bleaching enemas I’m 90% positive they are not sleeping soundly.

I asked if I might have contact details for an upcoming documentary on curing autism?

“ I do not share where I live and my phone number with the public. But, email, Skype and Facebook are common places to communicate with me. I am sure you understand why. Too many people murdered for doing curing diseases created by man.

All the best “.

I asked again if it were a face to face interview I would need some idea of location and enquirer as to whether she’s US based?

“ No I am not…not for 22 years. I am an ex-pat. :)”.

Tried one last time.

“ No. I only do Skype for obvious reasons. All of my interviews are via Skype these days. Curing autism comes with a bounty on the head. My people who follow me understand this. This year the bounty got higher as 13 MDs healing disease in the USA were found dead. We say murdered. I do not wish to die that way. But, if Skype is an option, I would be happy to do an interview “.

I enquired as to the Pharma shills and whether there was anything we could do to help?

“ Of course. But, I will not give “it” more limelight than the BBC etc already did. They are all dirty, bald face liars. Seems that sells big Pharma on the commercials ”.

“ Ignoring the trolls is best. If you give them platform, fewer kids will get help with the protocol”.

I decide to go in for the kill.

Thanks Kerri it’s been great talking to you.

I have one last question?

Fiona Oleary did a talk in Ireland yesterday and showed screenshots from CD Autism with you in some of them. I would like to ask you how you sleep at night knowing the damage you are doing to thousands of autistic children knowing that they have seizures, nosebleeds, abdominal pain, internal bleeding, kidney failure, headaches, dehydration, loss of bowel lining and mucous with blood attached, breathing problems, blue lips, hair loss and blackened teeth?

“ I think there is a lot of false and misleading things Fiona posts. There can be Herxing with detoxing in any protocol. We go low and slow. But 191 recovered kids and zero dead. I sleep like a rock. I have helped people to heal and have full lives.

Best to you and all you do “.

One final boot.

Unsurprisingly she did not answer this question.

Thank you, could you tell me how these children came to be full of these parasites and what this is please? It was sent to me looks very concerning.

See screenshot, Kerri cannot answer questions on where these parasite infestations come from.

She’s correct the children abused with this protocol are not ‘ in a position to boycott or start a riot ‘.

They are in to much pain to crawl off the settee, doubled over with cramps and wheezing from breathing in CD.

I used means that were maybe false to obtain this interview.

I apologise for that, Kerri would never have given this interview if I had gone in guns blazing, I’m amazed she did not  recognise my name.

I do not however apologise for being on a quest to enlighten parents who are already using the protocol or whom are contemplating it.

“ We do hot baths if the fever rises….”.

Febrile convulsion anyone?

The legal agreement Kerri has signed with the Illinois State Attorney General Department:

Rivera+Fully+Executed+AVC

Please see links attached for more information on Kerri Rivera .

https://autisticate.com/autism/the-lies-and-lows-of-kerri-rivera/

http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/Chicago-Woman-Offers-Controversial-Miracle-Treatment-for-Autism-304056871.html

http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/illinois-attorney-general-lisa-madigan-miracle-mineral-solution-autism-309703521.html