[Todd Dea]

Ah . . . yah I'm still shaking actually.

The thing that is awesome (beside the obvious vaccine<->autism link) is the information about the Mitochondria disease. This could explain part of the "wave" or "epidemic" and validate the bio-medical approach for some kids (see article where it talks about common treatment for MT disease).

Oh and guess what . . . for those effected MT is A MEDICAL CONDITION.

[Todd Dea]

Ah . . . This isn't Lovaas ABA related but it certainly is pretty huge news;

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/government-concedes-vacci_b_88323.html

The title of the article is, "U.S. Government Concedes Vaccine-Autism Case in Federal Court – Now What?

Basically the government conceded that in this case, vaccines given to this little girl, caused her Autism.

[Todd Dea]

Ah . . . This isn't Lovaas ABA related but it certainly is pretty huge news;

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/government-concedes-vacci_b_88323.html

The title of the article is, "U.S. Government Concedes Vaccine-Autism Case in Federal Court – Now What?

Basically the government conceded that in this case, vaccines given to this little girl, caused her Autism.

[Todd Dea]

Stella,

You are going to get me banned here . . .

You asked the question . . . so I truly hope the powers that be here let my answer stay posted.

I assumed the reader would read into "a couple of books" to mean a "couple of books on bio-medical". I thought I further drove home the point in the next sentence when I called you the pre-eminant library.

"What would you choose as the core therapy to help your child learn when he is young ? "

If you want me to answer honestly I don't think it is any contest. I personally don't feel you can do one without the other but if I could only do one at a time I would most certainly do the bio-medical approach to start followed up by ABA.

Remember I'm just a rookie here, but for all that I've seen so far, I feel that for many (most in my opinion) the "fog" needs to be lifted before ABA can do it's magic. How can a child properly learn if they are in pain ? How can they learn when their body is under stress and tension ?

We are doing a balanced approach of both bio-medical and ABA and for us I couldn't possibly see any other way to do it. The progress my son has made in 3 1 /2 short months is absolutely amazing.

"Choosing whatever treatment approach for your child is a personal choice. "

Apparently we completely agree on this point.

The problem is that parents in British Columbia are not being given all the information that is out there, and as such how do we (or they for that matter) truly know what their true "personal choice" would be if they had all the information at their disposal ?

[Todd Dea]

Stella,

I appreciate your response, I really do,, but do you really think that having a couple of books in the library constitutes "support" ?

You are likely the pre-eminant Autism Library in British Columbia. How many books would you think you have that pertain to, or are mostly based on, bio-medical approaches to intervention ?

I'm a parent. One who as been at this for just less than 6 months. I have over 20 on bio-med and probably 10 or so on ABA. I'm guessing I have you beat by a fair amount in one of those areas.

Also, can you honestly say that the ASBC is friendly towards any aspect of the bio-medical approach to intervention ? Or at least as far as any parent (not involved in the organization) could tell ?

You were a wonderful resource for a newly diagnosed parent looking for information, but when I saw you as recently as October of last year when I asked you about bio-med information you have to tell you that you did a whole lot of "humming and hawing" before sending me on my way with a copy of the Lovaas study, a DTT video tape, and the Lynn Hamilton book (amazing resource by the way) that I had to ask for.

Again, my intention here wasn't to discuss bio-med specifically (and thereby breaking the rules) but in that you opened the door (or kept it open), I think it is an incredibly poiniant or relevant fact that information about this potentially very valuable resource is being withheld (through lack of support) from parents here in B.C. by the two organizations mentioned.

When we were diagnosed in late September, I was conversing with around 10 other families in the same boat as us (fairly newly diagnosed) and not one of them had heard of, or were considering looking into any medical interventions for their child. This was for the sole reason that no one had yet given them any information about it.

How is it fair in any way that some of these kids might not be given the same chance or opportunity, to reach their absolute potential, that my child will, purely because the information never reached their parents ?

[Todd Dea]

Jenn,

In summarizing the "purpose" of the site or organization you really kind of clarify my point or my question to the powers that be, as to whether it is time to change or alter it's "purpose".

You and every parent that has been at this for longer than 6 months or so, knows that there likely will never be another science based control study on any other behavioral approach. What parent (given what we know now) would permit their child to be part of a control group when early intervention is so important and time is of the essence.

I wasn't around at the time but I kind of disagree with you about the early Lovaas parents. How much of a "risk" were they really taking, given the other options (none) that were available to them at that time.

So again, the category of "evidence and science based" behavioral interventions is likely to be occupied by "Lovaas ABA only" for infinitum.

As far as the bio-medical approach is concerned I certainly hope and believe that you are right but I also wouldn't be surprised if it takes awhile to provide science based "proof" to the nay sayers given that is pretty much exclusively doctors and parents groups who are leading or conducting the studies.

Given the above, the question remains, do you stick to the original purpose and risk becoming irrelevant and outdated as a resource or do you look at changing or altering your course to stay current and informative to your audience.

[Todd Dea]

Well David,

That's all well and good but what do you think the success rate is of getting any of these already motivated people, MORE , "motivated into political action" as you put it ?

I'm pretty sure any family, friends and just regular folks familiar with what our families are going through (especially ones willing to give up an afternoon to come out), are already on board, and likely don't need much further encouragement when it comes to where to put their vote come election time.

What Norm was talking about was getting the message out to the other 95% of the population which if successful would certainly help us achieve our goals a whole lot quicker.

Another question for you david (seeing as how you may be in the know); is anyone evaluating the success of the "Lovaas ABA is the only way" slogan or platform ??

My observation as a newly diagnosed parent is that fewer and fewer people are following this approach. The old guard certainly is, but the growth seen in the number of alternate (ABA like) offerings here in the lower mainland certainly tells us that somebody is buying their services. Curiously, I've heard more than a few different times that, "Even Lovaas doesn't do Lovaas "style" ABA anymore".

And while I'm on a roll here with questions, why on god's green earth is there no support from FEAT or ASBC for the Bio-Medical approach as a possible compliment to behavioral (ABA)therapy in a child's intervention program. Go to FEAT sites in other cities (both Canada and the United States)and they include bio-med information and links for parents to look into and make up their own mind's about what approach or balance between approaches is right for them.

My take on all of this is that we would likely get a hell of a lot more buy in and support from friends, family and the public in general if it was a more "comprehensive" or "inclusive" message that was being presented.

Thoughts ?

[Todd Dea]

Lukes mama,

You may want to include your e-mail address so those interested in doing so can contact you off board given that we are only supposed to chat about ABA (Lovaas exclusively) therapy here. Unfortunately diet and bio-med intervention discussions are a no-no on this forum.

We are doing what you are enquiring about (the combined approach) and would be more than happy to share our experience so for with you.

Todd
onedea@shaw.ca

[Todd Dea]

Lukes mama,

You may want to include your e-mail address so those interested in doing so can contact you off board given that we are only supposed to chat about ABA (Lovaas exclusively) therapy here. Unfortunately diet and bio-med intervention discussions are a no-no on this forum.

We are doing what you are enquiring about (the combined approach) and would be more than happy to share our experience so for with you.

Todd
onedea@shaw.ca

[Todd Dea]

Brent,

I would suggest calling him. He isn't likely to charge you anything to talk with you over the phone.

If I recall correctly he said that an Autism diagnosis is likely a slam dunk (although he seemed to know very little about Autism in general) and as such he would charge a LOT less.

The $1500 was for "learning disability" cases which he said required quite a bit more work on his part.

Call him.

Todd

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