16 Nov 2007 - Treating Autism official reply to the Independent and NAS 16 Nov article
Dear Sir
We are delighted that The Independent is the first broadsheet to devote space to this very important issue. We should like to make clear that Treating Autism is not a "rival" organisation to the NAS - we do not seek to undermine the needs and wishes of the neuro-diverse community or attempt to eradicate anybody's personality. That would be abhorrent.
We are seeking treatment for a condition that in many cases has underlying medical issues which are treatable. These issues affect the gut, immune system and the child's ability to detoxify. That is the basic human right of any person with any condition or disability.
Many children who are treating these issues are now speaking, have regained eye-contact, have better co-ordination, are sleeping better and are developing their social skills.
We are profoundly disappointed when the NAS makes statements such as "life long and incurable" as that destroys hope and in many cases, in our experience and that of thousands of our peers in the US in particular, is simply not the case. Of course people with autism and their families need and deserve understanding. They also need and deserve every chance to lead fulfilled lives and addressing basic biomedical issues has dramatically helped too many people now for the NAS to exclude it. We actually seek to work with the NAS to help to spread the word that children and adults with autism can be helped, not just understood but actually treated.
Joanne Burke
Stephanie Scott-McNerney
Sally George
Caroline Traa
Karen Charman
Lara Hawkings
Stephanie Sirr
On behalf of Treating Autism
www.treatingautism.com
We are delighted that The Independent is the first broadsheet to devote space to this very important issue. We should like to make clear that Treating Autism is not a "rival" organisation to the NAS - we do not seek to undermine the needs and wishes of the neuro-diverse community or attempt to eradicate anybody's personality. That would be abhorrent.
We are seeking treatment for a condition that in many cases has underlying medical issues which are treatable. These issues affect the gut, immune system and the child's ability to detoxify. That is the basic human right of any person with any condition or disability.
Many children who are treating these issues are now speaking, have regained eye-contact, have better co-ordination, are sleeping better and are developing their social skills.
We are profoundly disappointed when the NAS makes statements such as "life long and incurable" as that destroys hope and in many cases, in our experience and that of thousands of our peers in the US in particular, is simply not the case. Of course people with autism and their families need and deserve understanding. They also need and deserve every chance to lead fulfilled lives and addressing basic biomedical issues has dramatically helped too many people now for the NAS to exclude it. We actually seek to work with the NAS to help to spread the word that children and adults with autism can be helped, not just understood but actually treated.
Joanne Burke
Stephanie Scott-McNerney
Sally George
Caroline Traa
Karen Charman
Lara Hawkings
Stephanie Sirr
On behalf of Treating Autism
www.treatingautism.com