As moms, we all have these gut feelings of when something is wrong with our children. We usually get this magical ability the minute our kids are born, not sure how it all develops – but we just call them “mom gut” feeling.
It is usually our first instinct of acquiring more information and setting some kind of a road map to find out what is wrong and how to fix it. That is all we as moms really want – fix our children’s whatever pain and problem.
Unfortunately, too often mainstream doctors have dismissed our mom “gut” feeling and told us too many times – autism is a behavior and not medical condition. So we try to then turn to alternative methods of medicine because what mom can tolerate her child in pain. And, when your child is either pointing, touching or saying owwii – you have to do something.
Up until recently, research has stated autism is only behavior and whatever symptoms our kids displayed or had were due to a behavior problem. And, mainstream doctors like Dr. Offit have been telling autism parents they are delusional and it is all mind over matter. And, we as parents should NOT believe in magic in recovering our kids from this devastating medical disorder.
Dr. Offit whose books I find very arrogant and overrated plus full of so many conflicts of interest is why so many autism parents are having a difficult time believing even credible research information about autism and its cause.
As a mom and I am sure all mothers – we all BELIEVE magic for our children. Isn’t that why we take them to fantasy-land in Disney World? Isn’t it magic when you put your child’s baby tooth under their pillow and the tooth fairy visits. Isn’t it magical when we tell our children Santa Clause left them all of those magical gifts they wanted. Don’t we tell our children to believe in a magical and perfect world where everyone likes them.
I would say YES. I believe in magic because I want my child to have a magical childhood. I believe in alternative medicine because the mainstream medicine would not listen to my child’s pain. I believe in listening to the patient to find out what is wrong. What a simple “magical” idea.
For us Muslims – it is the month of Ramadan and we believe that the last 10 days of the month are MAGICAL and God can bring magic powers. I pray for a magical world where my son and the millions like him are cured from the symptoms of autism. Isn’t it magical that after all of these years, what autism parents have been saying is now becoming true via recent research. Autism is a medical condition that affects a child medically not just behaviorally. Imagine that patients know what is wrong.
I have hope despite the Dr. Offits of the world who try to crush autism parent’s dreams – Autism will be cured for my son and all children. I believe in trying everything and in everywhere to help my child including alternative and magical medicine.
Happy Eid (Eid Mubarak to all Muslims around the world) May God bless all of our children with autism with good health.
Thanks!
Idil – Somali Autism Mom and Minority Advocate