Hi Dad:
Some good news: Leelo has
been much more "himself" in the past week. Keep your fingers crossed that
ups and downs are just a natural part of the process.
Regarding all the links:
Thanks for forwarding the
info. We too have been reviewing these same sites lately. Squid and I are both
discussing and researching the chelation issue, and won't make any decisions
until we are clear on all sides. We all want to do the best thing for Leelo.
In the same way that I am suspicious
of the claims of many chelation and supplement advocates, I am troubled by
contradictory claims by the CDC, as well as their current push in Congress to
publish a consensus paper when several large, independent studies have not yet completed.
Both DAN and CDC are
stakeholders in the outcome of any studies on the issue of mercury toxicity.
The challenge is finding a path through the middle - with independent research
of both a qualitative and quantitative nature - when so little is actually known
about this (group of) disorder(s). We are left with making decisions based on
whatever good science is out there, plus our own parenting communities' consensus
as to what seems to be working and what is not.
Few currently dispute that
ASD is a likely a genetic predisposition acting in concert with one or more external
factors - we all know there is no such thing as a genetically-based epidemic.
Whatever those external factors turn out to be will (or do) have suporters who
will protect their specific interests. Historical examples: petroleum companies
insisting lead was safe in gasoline, car companies lobbying against seat belts,
and the tobacco industry maintaining cigarettes don't cause cancer. In all of these
cases, the govt. did not initially support the small band of researchers who
raised the red flag - but eventually (except for smoking of course) they came
around. Are we in that same spot with Autism? Time will tell.
Anyway, let's keep the
dialogue going and the research coming.
Love Seymour