Autism is still frequently classified as a mental health disorder. So sad, when the children's bodies are sick. Bowel and immune problems are dismissed by pediatricians, with a warning for parents to avoid any "alternative treatments". Mothers have been in emergency rooms with their children having horrid stomach attacks and when they have mentioned to the attending physician that they have heard and feel that the gut and bowel problems may be related to the neurological labels their child or children have received... they have been given "the look" and were strongly advised to seek only conventional treatments. Parents have become their children's advocate and have gone looking for answers and help on their own. Desperate parents all over the world are helping their children recover and heal from conventional labels that no child should ever have to hear. Conservatively, 1 in 150 American children have an autism diagnosis and 1 in 6 have other neurological disorders or developmental delays such as speech delays, auditory and sensory processing disorders, ADD/ADHD, ODD, OCD/compulsive behaviors, tourettes, anxiety disorders and many other labels that are being driven, most often times than not, by environmental agents often or always overlooked by the treating physician/team. These numbers do not account for the dramatic increase in Type 1 Diabetes, allergies, asthma, other autoimmune diseases, eczema and skin disorders, kidney diseases and the list goes on and on.

While autism was previously thought to be purely genetic, we certainly know that genetics alone do not cause epidemics. While we recognize the genetic factors involved and are excited to have a team of researchers in this field guiding our way through the genetic implications, we know that in most cases there are environmental factors involved that are triggering events/responses. Our goal is focus attention on these environmental factors, help lighten the load of environmental toxins on our affected children's bodies and bring awareness, so that there is a greater hope of escape for our next generation of little ones.

The role of genetics in autism appear to extend beyond the neurological system. Genetic abnormalities affecting the immune system have been documented in the families of children with autism. Comi et al reported that 46% of families with autistic children have two or more members in the immediate, extended family with other autoimmune diseases. Before shuttling our infants in for an extremely harsh vaccination schedule, why aren't the parents being asked about any history of autoimmune diseases in the family? Why aren't pediatricians across this country and others looking at physiological...biological manifestations in children such as pale skin, allergic shiners, eczema, bloating, bowel issues, withholding bowel movements and saying, "You know what, I feel like there are a few things going on here that we may want to monitor before continuing to ask so much of this little guys/girls body and immune system."? I know that our family would be a lot different today if I would have been asked those questions. Why were my concerns over a possible metabolic issue ignored? Why was I told that eczema had nothing to do with diet? Why was I told that it was normal for a toddler to withhold their bowel movements for up to 9 days? Why was I told that it was completely normal for toddlers to have a self limited diet even though my child would only eat wheat and dairy products? I think every parent who is in this situation would have a response of, "If only I would have known then what I know now."