Autism and Scientology again
Awhile ago, I wrote a post the detailed the disturbing links between the DAN! movement and scientology. It transpired that scientology – being a movement that is big on non psychiatric modes of treatments is a good fit for DAN! adherents. Both value detoxification for a range of things and it seems Scientologists have not been slow to ingratiate themselves into the DAN! movement. So far, I’ve identified three Scientologists who are also DAN! Doctors. One of them was involved in the death of a parent of a schizophrenic man in 2002.
One of the darlings of the autism/vaccine movement is Julia Berle who’s son, Baxter, was used in a Generation Rescue advert. Ms Berle is a frequent poster to various autism/vaccine groups. Her signature reads;
Julia, mom to Baxter, recovered in 2005, Founding Parent of Generation Rescue
As mum to a recovered child, Ms Berle’s opinion is sought in many places and she never stints from dispensing the advice she got far and wide.
Baxter Berle was diagnosed (at least partly it seems) by Scientologists. If I may quote myself:
Baxter Berle attended a school called ‘The Learning Castle’ which is an alleged elementary ‘feeder’ school for the Renaissance Academy with which it shares a campus (there seem to be about seven separate units on campus all feeding the Renaissance Academy). Here’s a little bit of information about the Director of the Renaissance Academy, Ann Hazen;
Renaissance Academy is truly bringing education back to life through the use of a full academic program, athletics, the Arts, a warm and caring staff coupled with the brilliant study and educational philosophies of humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.Yup, they’re Scientologists too.
So Scientologists had a big say in the diagnosis of Baxter Berle. What about his recovery? I was recently forwarded this email by a member of a autism/vaccine group Ms Berle is also a member of:
—- begins—-
Re: Opinion of Dr. Nancy Mullan ?
Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:25 pm—- In autisminterventionsocal@yahoogroups.com,
“djberle”
Hey there,
We used Dr. Mullan to recover Baxter. I like that she stays cutting edge on top of all new topics as it relates to autism. She attends numerous conferences to stay current. I also highly respect her availability to parents and compassion to “work with you” on
all aspects (to include financial to some degree). She cares deeply for our children and wants to help them….Our experience with her was very positive. I refer her often to other local. parents. I also refer Dr. Hirani as she helped us as well.
—- ends—-
So Dr Mullan recovered Baxter. Dr Mullan is also a Scientologist. She is the Medical Director of the Scientology owned Safe Harbor organisation. She also used Dr Hinari who studied under Julian Whittaker – another doctor with Scientology connections.
Here we have a situation where Scientologists have (maybe) diagnosed, treated and recovered a boy. This boy was subsequently turned into one of the poster children for successful recovery by Generation Rescue (of whom Ms Berle describes herself as a founding member).
Maybe I’m just a cynic but this reeks of ‘set up’ to me.
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97 Responses to “Autism and Scientology again”
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kristina
March 9th, 2007
16:20:09
I think if one looks more closely at Generation Rescue rhetoric some more links might appear.
anonimouse
March 9th, 2007
16:42:36
Kev,
You mean the fact he links his posts to the main Scientology website didn’t give you a clue? ;-) It’s only a guess, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Scientology (which has a LOT of wealthy converts) is playing a much bigger role in the autism-mercury debate than we might have originally thought.
Friend in California
March 9th, 2007
17:58:59
Anonimouse – How does that work? I’d like to check that out. Is there something on GR that is clickable and will lead to a scientology site?
notmercury
March 9th, 2007
19:07:33
When JB comments here, usually as Mercury Dad, his name includes a link to Scientology.com
He’s joking of course.
anonimouse
March 9th, 2007
19:08:36
Yeah, sure he’s joking.
And I’m the King Of Chelation.
Kev
March 9th, 2007
19:09:12
I always assumed he was joking. I think this is going to need a bit more digging.
livsparents
March 9th, 2007
21:10:04
Yea I thought that was a thumb-nose too…
If you think about it though, scientology has a special aversion to anything psychological. That’s why John Travolta has never come out publicly about their autistic son..they deny the existence of any issues.
It also goes to explain the vehemence that some go to when they’re defending their ‘poisoned’ rather than autistic child…
Bill
b sharp
March 9th, 2007
23:35:00
You have no idea how much this scares me. CAN! has already merged with Autism Speaks, I don’t want to even think of the impact if they absorb this group too.
OlderWiser
March 10th, 2007
15:38:27
I’ve always thought (and have often said) that the Toxic Parents were a cult. Seems my perceptions may have been more strongly founded than I had initially believed.
Tom
March 10th, 2007
16:08:42
I noticed that Guidestar, the non-profit reporting Web Site, lists Generation Rescue as a 501©(3) charity. By law, such charities must file a form 990 or a 990ez to document their revenue and expenses. However, GR has not submitted either document.
There are a few possibilities for this:
1. The organization is faith-based.
2. The organization is a subsidiary.
3. The organization is non-compliant.
4. The organization had an extension and there is a delay in posting the information.
I look forward to reading their 990 if it becomes available. If it does not, then they could well be thetans. I wonder if E-meters work on the neurodiverse?
Greg
March 10th, 2007
17:00:14
I admitedly know nothing about Autism, but I’ve been a Scientologist for over 22 years. I have two happy children and a lovely wife, I own my own company and lead a blessed life.
I really don’t understand you people. If Scientologists are contributing to the successful recovery of autistic children, you actually have a problem with that?
Many Scientologists do what they can in their area of specialization to help people and improve things in society. There’s the environmentalist guy who founded Earth Organization (www.earthorg.org), there’s the Concerned Businessmen of America, there’s many many social improvement programs fueled by or financed by Scientologists.
The idea is to help.
I personally was a volunteer during 9/11, was a volunteer in Indonesia after the ‘05 tsunami and in Louisiana after Katrina. We handed out food and water, penicilin and medicine, and tended to the sick and the destitute. Do you people have a problem with that too?
Scientology is not the boogaboo some Internet discontents have made it out to be. It is a worthwhile philosophy that helps people lead better lives and take responsibility for making things better.
Get better informed.
See http://www.volunteerministers.org
See http://www.scientologymyths.info
See http://www.liveandgrow.org
best,
Greg
Scientologist and proud of it
http://www.liveandgrow.org
Kev
March 10th, 2007
17:25:08
“Scientology is not the boogaboo some Internet discontents have made it out to be. It is a worthwhile philosophy that helps people lead better lives and take responsibility for making things better.”
I disagree. I think it is exactly the kind of ‘boogaboo’ it is made out to be. I also think it is an appalling, self-centred philosophy that appreciates quackery and disregards science.
To that end, I definitely have a problem with your ilk being anywhere near autistic people.
Brian Deer
March 10th, 2007
17:32:36
I got stopped by Scientologists the other day. These kids had one of their “machines” where you hold a metal can thing in each hand. The guy said it measured stress, and asked me to think of something that stressed me. I thought of elephants. The needle went up (while he was twisting a dial to one side). When he asked, and I told him, what I was thinking about, he said: “Do elephants make you feel stressed?” I said: “No.”
So we did the same thing while I thought about sex. Same thing.
Eventually, he said the machine didn’t work too well in the street.
Interverbal
March 10th, 2007
17:41:14
hello Greg,
“I admitedly know nothing about Autism, but I’ve been a Scientologist for over 22 years.”
That’s fair, I know little of Scientology, but a fair bit about DAN!.
“I really don’t understand you people. If Scientologists are contributing to the successful recovery of autistic children, you actually have a problem with that?”
DAN! which evidently some scientologists have taken to heart, tends to use methods which are not proven and are even considerably dangerous. That’s a problem.
It is really not enough to have good intentions.
Bartholomew Cubbins
March 10th, 2007
17:51:39
Greg, this guy and those who have “recovered” and post their stories on his site disagree too.
They make a pretty convincing argument.
As for me, I’m pretty open minded: I think JK Rowling might be a god too.
Kev
March 10th, 2007
18:15:08
I’d like to remind anyone commenting that Scientologists are extremely litigious people who are pretty stop-at-nothing. Be careful to express opinions and present nothing as fact unless you are absolutely 100% sure.
Lucas McCarty
March 10th, 2007
18:49:22
Greg, seeing as you have admitted your knowledge of Autism is lacking perhaps it would have been better to make more careful comments.
Do Scientologists want to ‘recover’ homosexual people too Greg? There are people who have sold cures for homosexuality and there are people who say they were cured of homosexuality. Homosexuality once occupied it’s own space in the Diagnostic Staticians Manual as a pathology, just as Autism currently does.
There are many appropriate comparisons that can be drawn between homosexuality and Autism, often ridiculed based on a dodgy assumption that homosexuality isn’t a pathology because it’s a ‘lifestyle choice’, which itself is based on an assumption that homosexualy it synonymous with promiscuity. Homosexuals, like Autistics, are routinely ignored when they describe their experiences except when their views are agreeable to those wishing to ‘cure’ them.
So please explain to me Greg, why would I as an Autistic person advocate my own demonisation, ostracism and exclusion from the rest of the human race unless I was to be made no longer Autistic; an event which all evidence says would require me to no longer exist and be replaced by someone else in this body?
David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction)
March 10th, 2007
19:05:20
That’s the way they make their money, Kevin.
David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction)
March 10th, 2007
19:08:48
“Eventually, he said the machine didn’t work too well in the street.”
Nice one, Brian….
So they use faulty equipment too.
Clay
March 11th, 2007
01:39:11
I attended a couple of Scientology meetings back in the 70’s. I don’t recall whatever is was I did that was against their rules, but I got banned for it. ;-)
AF
March 11th, 2007
03:06:23
“I really don’t understand you people. If Scientologists are contributing to the successful recovery of autistic children, you actually have a problem with that?”
Nope, Greg, apparently you don’t understand. Must have misunderstood a word somewhere. No one is objecting to Scientologists contributing to the successful recovery of autistic children. What they are objecting to is the possibility that Scientologists are falsely claiming to contribute to the successful recovery of autistic children.
This isn’t far-fetched, either, if you are familiar with the history Scientology organizations have of distorting the truth to claim accomplishments they just don’t have. Take for instance the misrepresentation of the “Swedish study”—a study that purportedly “examined the long-term effects of the Narconon program for 61 drug abusers who graduated from Narconon Huddinge, a facility outside Stockholm. [The researcher] followed the graduates for four years after they completed the program.” Purportedly, “four years later 78.6 percent were drug free.”
However, this account contains both severe misrepresentations and outright falsehoods. Namely:
– The study did not follow 61 drug abusers who “graduated” from the program. The study followed 61 drug abusers who entered the program, but only 14 “graduated”; the rest dropped out before finishing.
– The researcher did not follow the subjects—61 or 14—for four years. The researcher asked Narconon staff to interview those who graduated from the program. This throws real doubt on the claim that Gerdman was an “independent” researcher, since he didn’t do his research independently but had it done by the people who would have benefitted most from tampering with or fudging the data.
– Purportedly “four years later 78.6 percent were drug free”. This is of course not 78.6 of the 61 who entered the program, only of the 14 who finished it (technically, only of 13 out of those 14, as the last could not be located for the follow-up interview.) But does that mean that if you are one of the 23% who get through the Narconon program, that you have a 78.6% chance of staying drug-free? No, not at all—half of those who graduated from the Narconon program went back to drugs within a year. They were only counted as “drug-free” because they claimed that they hadn’t used drugs within the month previous to the interview.
So yes, it is indeed nice that Scientologists want to find effective solutions to the problems facing our world, and kudos to them for that. But just because they want to find effective solutions, just because they say they have found effective solutions, doesn’t mean they actually have. I don’t see why that’s so hard to understand.
Lucas McCarty
March 11th, 2007
15:28:18
Actually AF, I did mention my objection to ‘recovery’ above. But I still follow your point and would like to elaborate that false claims of cures are synonymous with inaccurate and plain wrong information about Autism and Autistic people; which in turn harms all Autistic people.
Left Brain/Right Brain » Yet more Scientology and Autism
March 11th, 2007
19:48:18
[...] After my post on Friday detailing how one of the ‘recovered’ poster children of Generation Rescue was in fact diagnosed, treated and recovered by Scientologists (people who do not, by definition, believe in psychiatric conditions), I was forwarded another piece of information that really did make me sit back in my chair and wonder where this was all leading. [...]
AF
March 12th, 2007
01:45:07
Lucas, thank you for correcting me. I’m sorry that I missed your post on my first reading.
Brian
March 12th, 2007
06:09:05
I came across this post… looking for something else… how about a simple exercise for all the Scientology naysayers… do a search and replace, and put the word “communist” in for every instance of Scientology/ist. Look at yourselves. You’re no better then the right wing, biggots of the 1950’s. You’ve got a new cause. It’s no longer the once dreaded “communism” it’s now something else. Who cares? The kid recovered. What if a faith healer touched the kid and recovered? People recover in and outside the scope of medicine. The more i see posts like this against Scientology (esp. from those with little knowledge on it), the more Scientology appeals to me.
Kev
March 12th, 2007
06:36:50
Then feel free to go join Brian. If being bigoted equates to not wanting scientologists and their dangerous quackery anywhere near vulnerable children, then feel free to call me a bigot.
Ms. Clark
March 12th, 2007
07:19:24
I’d be worried if a faith healer claimed that he diagnosed a person with cancer, and then cured him of cancer. Or if there were two associated faith healers and one diagnosed the cancer (through prayer or whatever) and the other cured it (by touching the “cancer” victim). I’d be very suspicious of that, never mind that just hearing someone say that they had cancer (or that their child had autism) and that now they don’t doesn’t mean either that the person actually had cancer before or that he’s actually free of it now.
I had a friend who was deep into alternative med who convinced herself she had cancer when she didn’t. Then she treated herself with a very dangerous “cancer cure” that eats holes through people’s skin and underlying tissue… it’s very painful. She was convinced that the dissolving tissue that was appearing stuck to the bandages was cancer being pulled from her body. My friend is otherwise pretty smart and practical, but she was sure this was the thing to do. Neither did she have cancer, nor was she curing it. (No scientologists were involved to my knowledge.)
There have been people who were “cured” by faith healers who didn’t turn out to be cured at all, they stop their regular treatments and some have died for that reason. And then there are those shills who are placed in the audience who aren’t crippled but who walk to the front of the revival tent with crutches and when healed throw the crutches down and praise the lord, etc.
anonimouse
March 12th, 2007
13:30:27
Here’s an idea.
If Scientology has the answer to curing kids with autism, they should use their substantial financial resources (no claims of povery there) to perform the necessary clinical research of their protocol to prove that it does indeed do what it claims. I can’t imagine any of the kind human beings involved with Scientology would want these secrets hidden from the mainstream public if they truly were successful.
anonimouse
March 12th, 2007
13:31:52
I’d like to remind anyone commenting that Scientologists are extremely litigious people who are pretty stop-at-nothing.
That description fits a LOT of people in the autism-mercury crowd, really.
Greg
March 12th, 2007
15:55:08
I can´t respond to all the people that came after me for simply expressing my opinion.
But I do want to respond to Lucas McCarthy, in regards to homosexuality.
I have several friends who are gay. Some of them are actually also practicing Scientologists. I don’t know whatever gives anyone the idea that Scientology is out to “cure” homosexuality. I assure you this is not the case.
There is a document you should look at:
http://www.liveandgrow.org/sci.....munity.pdf
best,
Greg
Scientologist and proud of it
[can we dispense with all the extra links please Greg?]
Nobody
March 12th, 2007
17:19:08
There is a court case that disagrees with you, Greg. And Greg, you already know about Michael Pattinson from the comments of another Scientology critical blog you popped in on, so you can drop the act.
This fellow by the name of Michael Pattinson was told that the church would cure his homosexuality and used John Travolta as an example of curing it.
Here is the excerpt from the issue of “The Star” that had something about the story.
*******” TRAVOLTA DRAGGED INTO BIZARRE GAY LAWSUIT - by Martin Gould
John Travolta has been dragged into court battle between a gay artist and the powerful Church of Scientology. Michael Pattison says he turned to the sect to “cure” his homosexuality after it used 44-year old “Face Off” star Travolta to illustrate how the church could turn gay people straight. Now Pattison is suing the church and 22 of its members for fraud, claiming he spent 25 years and a half a million dollars trying to deal with his own homosexuality – but is still gay.
His lawyer, Graham Berry, tells STAR: “Michael was in a Scientology center in Clearwater, Florida with Travolta and they used him as an example of someone who could be cured of what they referred to as is “ruin”. However, after 25 years and $500,000, Michael is still gay”.
Extract from an article in The Star, August 18 1998 issue, page 5” **********
http://www.lermanet2.com/michaelpattinson/ – Here is Michael Pattinson’s personal story in Scientology and the lies he was told about “curing” him
Nobody
March 12th, 2007
17:25:54
Here are some snippits of Scientology’s stance on homosexuality that they will not tell to the public right outfront.
“Homosexuals don’t practice love; 1.1s can’t. Their relationships consist of: 1) brief, sordid and impersonal meetings or 2) longer arrangements punctuated by dramatic tirades, discords, jealousies and frequent infidelity. It could hardly be otherwise since the tone is made up of suspicion and hate, producing a darling sweetness interspersed with petty peevishness. Their “love” turns to deep contempt eventually.” – Scientologist Ruth Minshull
***
Hubbard’s 1951 book Handbook for Preclears likewise classified homosexuality as “about 1.1 on the tone scale”, along with “general promiscuity”. He set out what he saw as the cause of homosexuality: a mental “aberration”, with the result that “an individual aberrated enough about sex will do strange things to be a cause or an effect. He will substitute punishment for sex. He will pervert others. Homosexuality comes from this manifestation and from the manifestation of life continuation for others.” The “aberration” was caused by a child trying to “continue the life” of a dominant parent of the opposite sex.
I don’t think Hubbard was too friendly with the concept of homosexuality…
MercuryDad
March 13th, 2007
03:04:39
Kev:
You are a complete prick for bringing other kids into this while trying to protect your own daughter from scrutiny. And, I’m not a Scientologist.
Prick.
MercuryDad
J
March 13th, 2007
03:16:55
http://www.kevinleitch.co.uk/wp/?p=500
MercuryDad, I am puzzled then. Why do you have your homepage set to http://www.scientology.org in that thread? What do you find interesting about Scientology to make it as your set homepage for all your comments there if you are not a Scientologist? I am just curious.
All Your Base Are Belong to Imus
March 13th, 2007
04:25:01
Be nicer to the Mercury Dad
Autism Speaks hurts his feelings real bad
That recovery could have been staged
As easily as BJ is enraged
Would all of this make Imus sad?
julia berle
March 13th, 2007
05:31:56
For clarity:
“Julia Berle sends her kids to a Scientology run school, and gets her kids seen by scientologist doctors, and has her disabled son declared normal by a scientologist doctor. She also continued to treat him with stuff like low-dose naltrexone AFTER she declared him cured, interstingly.
Julia Berle might be a scientologist herself.”
I know nothing of scientology. i do not disparage it nor know anything about it. It would really be interesting if you guys actually had FACTS to support anything you wrote.
What is a Scientologist exactly and what do they believe?
Actually don’t care. I just find it comical that I am in the midst of this and it had N O T H I N G to do with my kid and his complete recovery from autism.
HN
March 13th, 2007
05:42:39
What about Quentin Hubbard?
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/.....index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Hubbard
J
March 13th, 2007
05:55:40
Did Baxter attend Renaissance Academy?
Mother May I
March 13th, 2007
07:36:43
A first person account of being abused in $ci, it mentions Quentin Hubbard
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Lib.....i/#contact
video of Baxter shows him at the Learning Castle a Renaissance Academy feeder school on the same property. It seems odd that Julia Berle would know nothing about $ci. There’s plenty about it on the web.
J
March 13th, 2007
08:38:02
Maybe she doesn’t know that the Renaissance Academy is Scientology run? (unless they lied to her)
Ms. Clark
March 13th, 2007
09:10:55
J,
Julia Berle never heard of scientology before, or somehing like that. So it doesn’t seem likely that she asked about who runs Renaissance academy, cuz she never heard of ‘em. (??) The Renaissance Academy website sells L Ron Hubbar books and quotes him on a couple of pages by name, and that school has the same street address as her sons’ school (at least they were there when Stan Kurtz video’d them). You’d think the kids would get some exposure to his teachings at that school, but maybe not.
julia posted to a DAN! list in November 2005 that Baxter was still getting lots of supplements and she was talking about trying a prescription drug days before he was to appear on the full page ad as being cured. I guess it was just his health that was still pretty unstable but he was cured of autism.
anonimouse
March 13th, 2007
13:28:33
Julia,
You are telling me that you weren’t smart enough to know with all of the research you’ve done that the school you sent your child to and the doctor who “recovered” your child were both involved with Scientology?
Sorry, that doesn’t pass the smell test at all.
julia berle
March 13th, 2007
14:18:16
Kevin, I noticed that my post is no where to be found. Let’s try again shall we? Why would you take it off unless some of the truths in there offended you? Let’s try again…..
Kevin,
How brilliant that you referred to me as a “darling.” That’s pretty
much all you got right in your blog about myself and my son. First
off the two doctors you referred to in your post treated Baxter AFTER
he was diagnosed from 5 other sources (3 developmental pediatricians,
1 regional Center and 1 school district….I know nada of their
religious affiliations. For any of them). The doctors you mentioned
were not involved at all in his diagnosis at all. I merely went to
them for treatment. When my son’s diarrhea was bright yellow and
running down his leg 35x/day and he was screaming 21 hrs/day and
rolling car wheels the other 3 hrs I did not ask, nor care (still
don’t) about their religious ties. They wanted to help my son’s
health and they both facilitated in his healing.
With regards to his school I can only assume you googled the name and
came up with this other feeder school. ??? ??? Because you are
completely incorrect. The Renaissance Academy or something? I have
never heard of it and we are in no way associated with it. It
astounds me that you get on this world wide platform and expound
“truths” of which you have no knowledge.
I am confused by your statement this is a “set up.” Set up for what?
I can only guess you are further functioning under your afore
mentioned misinformation. I respect that others don’t believe their
ASD children to be toxic nor need chelation or any other biomedical
intervention. I do understand that autism has many different
definitions in our community and how one reacts to it is obviously
individual. Healthcare is also a very private choice and in my case
was made with a great deal of indepth-analysis, information and
thought with my spouse. You may not agree with what we came up
with….but it worked and really…honestly Scientology had nothing to
do with it (Its very hard not to chuckle as I write that sentence!!) .
I felt very sad and very alone at the time that Baxter was diagnosed
and was very sick. I so wanted someone to reach out and offer a
shoulder to cry on. because Ii WAS crying. I was sad. I was alone.
And I was not crying because my kid was autistic…my kid was not
different or quirky or unique. He was desperately desperately ill.
That is why I was crying. If I had sat back and done nothing given
his state it would have been within reason to call CPS on me.
So, I offer support and Baxter’s story in case anyone could glean some
hope or possibly something to help their child as well. Come meet him.
He’s a cool kid. He has no
supports/therapy of any kind, is working waaaay above grade level (2
yrs), has tons of friends and just won the game ball (baseball) this
past weekend. His first game. I wish you the best in your future
with autism…with your daughter…wherever you want to put you
energy. I respect it. I dont even ask that you respect mine. But it
would be nice.
—Julia
Baxter’s mom
Recovered in 2005
http://www.childrenscornerscho.....o/bax3.wmv
julia berle
March 13th, 2007
14:22:54
Bax has not attended nor will attend The Renaissance academy. The school he attends is not affiliated with it
rookie
March 13th, 2007
15:47:24
Did someone claim that Baxter did attend The Renaissance Academy?
Did someone claim whatever school he attends now is affiliated with The Renaissance Academy?
Just curious.
anonimouse
March 13th, 2007
15:55:42
So you’re saying he never attended “The Learning Castle”? Or if he did, that said school is NOT affiliated with Renaissance? I am confused because The Learning Castle shares a campus with Renaissance Academy, but is not listed as a Scientology school per se…
But are you also suggesting that you have never used a doctor for the treatment of your son who works for and/or is significantly involved with Scientology?
julia berle
March 13th, 2007
17:35:13
Third times a charm?
Kevin…why are you repeatedly deleting my post? I’ll try again. The third time. Did I mention this is the third time I’m trying to post and you keep deleting it?
I asked about the school. The Renaissnace Academy. It is on the same street/block as Baxter’s school. It is not a feeder school. They are on the same block that is it. His school does not “feed” into it. Why would I investigate a school that my child does not and has no intention of attending.?
Umm here we go again…here’s the post you keep deleting. why kevin….?
********
Kevin,
How brilliant that you referred to me as a “darling.” That’s pretty
much all you got right in your blog about myself and my son. First
off the two doctors you referred to in your post treated Baxter AFTER
he was diagnosed from 5 other sources (3 developmental pediatricians,
1 regional Center and 1 school district….I know nada of their
religious affiliations. For any of them). The doctors you mentioned
were not involved at all in his diagnosis at all. I merely went to
them for treatment. When my son’s diarrhea was bright yellow and
running down his leg 35x/day and he was screaming 21 hrs/day and
rolling car wheels the other 3 hrs I did not ask, nor care (still
don’t) about their religious ties. They wanted to help my son’s
health and they both facilitated in his healing.
With regards to his school I can only assume you googled the name and
came up with this other feeder school. ??? ??? Because you are
completely incorrect. The Renaissance Academy or something? I have
never heard of it and we are in no way associated with it. It
astounds me that you get on this world wide platform and expound
“truths” of which you have no knowledge.
I am confused by your statement this is a “set up.” Set up for what?
I can only guess you are further functioning under your afore
mentioned misinformation. I respect that others don’t believe their
ASD children to be toxic nor need chelation or any other biomedical
intervention. I do understand that autism has many different
definitions in our community and how one reacts to it is obviously
individual. Healthcare is also a very private choice and in my case
was made with a great deal of indepth-analysis, information and
thought with my spouse. You may not agree with what we came up
with….but it worked and really…honestly Scientology had nothing to
do with it (Its very hard not to chuckle as I write that sentence!!) .
I felt very sad and very alone at the time that Baxter was diagnosed
and was very sick. I so wanted someone to reach out and offer a
shoulder to cry on. because Ii WAS crying. I was sad. I was alone.
And I was not crying because my kid was autistic…my kid was not
different or quirky or unique. He was desperately desperately ill.
That is why I was crying. If I had sat back and done nothing given
his state it would have been within reason to call CPS on me.
So, I offer support and Baxter’s story in case anyone could glean some
hope or possibly something to help their child as well. Come meet him.
He’s a cool kid. He has no
supports/therapy of any kind, is working waaaay above grade level (2
yrs), has tons of friends and just won the game ball (baseball) this
past weekend. His first game. I wish you the best in your future
with autism…with your daughter…wherever you want to put you
energy. I respect it. I dont even ask that you respect mine. But it
would be nice.
—Julia
Baxter’s mom
Recovered in 2005
http://www.childrenscornerscho.....o/bax3.wmv
julia berle
March 13th, 2007
18:07:11
INTERESTING. Its back there now. Twice even.
Change of heart?
I captured the screen each time with the time stamp…soooo interesting.
anonimouse
March 13th, 2007
18:54:21
I found that YouTube video a tad disturbing, really. A bunch of kids who are most likely still autistic (and certainly wouldn’t pass for “normal” in typical age-appropriate settings) being paraded around by the parents who breathlessly sing the praises of DAN and Rimland with (dare I say it again) almost cult-like overtones.
And as mentioned above, it’s quite fascinating that parents have no problem touting their child as a “recovery” story, but when questions about the validity of said recovery are raised parents then want their child’s life to be private. It’s like the movie star who seeks publicity at every turn but demands privacy whenever something the least bit untowards happens to them.
temp relief admin
March 14th, 2007
00:39:04
Julia, I checked for posts caught in this blog’s spam filter. I found two of yours there and one from someone else that I released. There were also two spam ads there. The spam filter is somewhat unpredictable. It’s nothing personal against your comments.
jackparsonsghost
March 14th, 2007
06:41:28
I’m having a bit of a hard time understanding how Ms Berle fails to see Renaissance Academy when she turns off Foothill onto Cornishon. I’ll be sure not to be driving near there when school lets out. Don’t want the Bentley to get banged you know.
Kev
March 14th, 2007
07:42:12
Goodness me.
First, many thanks to my relief admin. I went off last night to hear Sir Tim Berners-Lee give an excellent lecture and hence missed all this. Sorry that xe had such a hard initiation ;o)
re: comments not appearing. All false modesty aside this is a popular site and as such attracts a lot of comment spam, therefore I have to put spam catchers at a much higher level of alertness than I normally would, or would like to (for example 2 or more links in a comment will trigger the script, as will repeat posting of the same comment).
Best thing is to post your comment. If it doesn’t appear, don’t try and keep posting it as that is typical spam behaviour and will trigger the script. Just mail me instead and I’ll try and find and free the comment manually.
Its either this way or have to look at some fairly hardcore porn spam (amongst other things) of which I get about 200 plus a day. Bear with me.
As to your points. I’m sorry I find it impossible to believe that you don’t know about the Renaissance Academy as it shares the exact same address as the Learning Castle and is, as I’ve ascertained from other parents in the area, a feeder school for the RA. The RA is a Scientology operated affair. A simple glance through their website is enough to ascertain this easily.
None of this is to suggest that you knew it was a sci school, or that you are a Sci yourself. However it does place your son in a position wherein his scholastic environment (which the news report you bandy around say ‘diagnosed’ – or at least contributed to the diagnosis of – Baxter) at least contributed to that diagnosis. Its also a fact that your son was (in your words) treated by and recovered by scientologists.
Again, no reason to suppose you knew of their background – you may well have been duped. I understand they’re very good at that. I’m also not claiming your son wasn’t autistic. I’m simply pointing out the level of involvement scientologists have had in your sons life as it pertains to autism.
edit: seems my GMail acct is playing up….sigh….
jackparsonsghost
March 14th, 2007
07:50:05
“Welcome to L. Ron Hubbard High School”
http://x17online.com/celebriti.....seshaw.php
julia berle
March 14th, 2007
13:05:53
Ugh. Sigh.
The stuff you all perseverate on.
There are many schools on that block. The Learning Castle is one of them. So is (apparently…I never really paid attention) The Renaissance Academy, Frog’s Leap Hollow (or Frog’s Hollow leap? I assume but don’t know ….that’s its some kind of preschool). Also some ballet school. Also La Canada Preperatory. THIS IS THE SCHOOL that TLC feeds into. TLC is NOT (I repeat NOT ) associated with either the Renaissance Academy, not the Frog’s leap one nor the ballet school….or any other school that may be there that I have not known nor cared about. Learning Castle and La Canada Prep are under one executive umbrella. My kids are on the playground with other TLC kids. The other schools do not interact. Check out TLC website and show me where it says they are affiliated with TRA. Theyre not.
Kev-Its your blog you can do with it as you chose. Spam yes. That totally explains why I posted three times and only two reappeared and why it was up for hours THEN apparently caught by your spam machine.
Ok. Sure.
So the bottom line is I don’t care what religious affliations people have. i am not involved in Scientology but don’t care if others are. In every meeting with the doctors that treated Baxter…religion was not once mentioned. Never. I don’t care if youre black or Hispanic or whatever. I don’t need to judge others. Anger and hatred are kind of a drag if you ask me. I reiterate my child was seriously ill. He was not happily blissfully passing away the hours in some wonderful autistic world. He was sick. The offer still stands to come meet him. He’s an awesome little guy.
So today when I turn down Cornishon in my beat up mini van (sorry..no Bently, BMW, nope..no Mercedes…) I will cast my eyes upon ALL the signs. I will pay attention and count the number of schools. All in honor of all of you. Before I was concerned about my kids, their lunchboxes and homework and kisses goodbye. Now…I will read all the signs of the schools that have nothing to do with my kids. And I still won’t care if some school next door if Scientolgist based or christian based or Muslim or whatever. They have nothing to do with me and they live in a country where they are free to believe what they wish.
Again,
I wish you all the best for yourselves and your children. Whatever it is you desire. Truly.
Julia
Baxter’s mom
recovered in 2005
Kev
March 14th, 2007
14:02:06
“Also La Canada Preperatory. THIS IS THE SCHOOL that TLC feeds into. TLC is NOT (I repeat NOT ) associated with either the Renaissance Academy”
Once more Julia, no one is saying its a direct feed. The information I’ve been sent by other parents in the area – parents who aren’t antivaccinistas nor scientologists – is that all the schools on that campus share a loose affiliation with RA as the place most of the kids will eventually end up. Whilst there may not be any official affiliation all the parents in that area I’ve had dealings with – other than you strangely – know all about the links between the schools and that RA is scientology owned and ran.
TLC address:
4490 Cornishon Avenue
La Cañada, CA 91011
RA address:
4490 Cornishon Avenue
La Cañada, CA 91011
“That totally explains why I posted three times and only two reappeared and why it was up for hours THEN apparently caught by your spam machine.”
The first one appeared immediately as it was never caught. The nest two were trapped as you posted text likely to identify it as spam and then posted the same thing in quick succession. These are spam like behaviours. I was out late last night and asked a friend to watch the comments which is why they reappeared. Someone was trying to do you a favour. Sorry, but I’m really not afraid of or unsettled by anything you have to say.
“So the bottom line is I don’t care what religious affliations people have. i am not involved in Scientology but don’t care if others are.”
Uh-huh. If we were talking about a religion then I’d agree. Scientology is not a religion. Its been involved in some very murky activities. I think if you’re going to recommend doctors to strangers over the internet then you at least should be responsible enough to tell them that they’re members of a cult many people all over the world believe to be dangerous and has been associated with instances of brainwashing and unexplained deaths. Why would you want to withhold this sort of information?
That their ‘medical’ opinions and beliefs so closely match yours is, I guess, just another coincidence.
julia berle
March 14th, 2007
14:30:57
LOL!!
anonimouse
March 14th, 2007
15:02:21
Julia,
The reason it’s relevant is that the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome as relayed by physicians associated with Scientology would raise red flags with the mainstream scientific and medical community. If you are going to promote your child as “recovered from autism” you need to accept the premise the the story will come under additional scrutiny. You don’t get to have it both ways.
As to your other assertion, I do concede that there is no conclusive proof that TLC is associated with Scientology despite the fact its founder is a Scientologist and it is located at the same physical address as two other schools associated with Scientology.
julia berle
March 14th, 2007
16:00:17
Ok. Let’s end this once and for all.
You are all right. I am wrong.
Kevin…you’re like Santa Claus with a big fat snow globe that sees into my life. Better than myself apparently. You know whether I’ve been bad or good (I had like 4 diet cokes (chemicals…gasp
) yesterday but excercised for an hour and half…did you see that too?) Call up TLC and ask if they associated with TRA. They are not. I have no idea why they have the same address…I’m not into Southern CA zoning practices. It only takes a phone call.
You all apparently know more about my son, his health, his medical records, his school his evaluations, his therapies his history….all from thousands of miles AWAY NEVER HAVING MET HIM
WOW! I want that globe. That omniscient power…. amazing.
I get that his story can come under scrutiny. I am merely pointing out that you have no basis at all for your criticisms. COME HERE. Come meet him. Come see how the school is set up. Come see my cracked up mini van. Its supposed to be 93 F today…Disneyland is only a few miles away….you can make a vacation out of it. He can elucidate how it felt for him before and how he feels now. Come hang out. I’m a fun gal. Then…let’s talk.
Ok. So you can be right and I’ll be wrong. I hope that makes you all feel better. phew.
Now we can all go to sleep.
Kev
March 14th, 2007
16:28:50
And if thats what we were debating Julia you’d have an excellent point. However, despite your best efforts to build that particular series of strawmen, we’re not.
anonimouse
March 14th, 2007
19:33:28
Julia,
The basis for the scrutiny is far less about whether Baxter goes to school and far more about the doctors he’s been involved with and their professional credibility. Considering you’ve mentioned doctors by name and are making the rather extraordinary claim that Baxter was autistic and is now cured of autism, you shouldn’t be surprised that people want to objectively check out your story.
And no, meeting Baxter in person or being given the guided tour of his life won’t necessarily cut it. Although that seems to be an astonishingly common refrain for folks who believe in this theory…
julia berle
March 14th, 2007
23:10:01
What will cut it? What will it take? Is there anything? Or is your stance that there is no cure for autism.
?
Again for those of you enjoying the school discussion.
Hogs Hollow
The Renaissance Academy
LA center for the performing Arts
Ballet somethign or other
The learning Castle
La Canada Preperatory
AND
La Canada Unified School District
are all at that address. So under the theory you propose ALL of these schools are Scientologist based AND the entire school district of a city.
As to my child’s supposed dysmorphy. Wow. Talk about hitting a gal when she’s down. Sorry you don’t think he’s cute. I do.
Ok. you’re a fun bunch to hang out with (she said facetiously). But I’m gonna go celebrate my birthday with friends and try to shrug off all this negativity.
As always,
wishing you the best
Julia
baxter’s mom
J
March 14th, 2007
23:36:30
Julie, if there is a cure, why is it not mainstream yet? It would be EVERYWHERE if it was true. (or do you believe there is a conspiracy to suppress it, I am genuinely curious and no one else has answered this yet)
Kev
March 15th, 2007
00:03:41
“So under the theory you propose ALL of these schools are Scientologist based AND the entire school district of a city.”
Er, no. Where did you get that from?
Ms. Clark
March 15th, 2007
05:22:40
My child has significant facial dysmorphology, different from your son’s but pretty obvious. One of the things is that the eyes are tipped up at the outside edge which is actually a dysmorphology that is recognized as such, but also makes the person have really pretty eyes, kind of like a Disney cartoon princess’s eyes. But dysmorphology is written as plain as day on your son’s face, sorry, it’s a fact. It’s the kind that indicates something different occuring very early in development (like when he was a few weeks into development). It doesn’t mean he’s not cute, it just indicates that there’s something there from very early on. I’m not the only one that can see it, it’s just most people are afraid to sound offensive. I’m into dysmorphology and I don’t think it’s offensive to mention it.
Do'C
March 15th, 2007
06:45:10
“It doesn’t mean he’s not cute, it just indicates that there’s something there from very early on.”
I just watched a ‘recovery’ video of Baxter for the first time. He’s a great looking little boy.
Kev
March 15th, 2007
06:55:04
I find it fascinating that any suggestion of anything other than 100% normality in every respect (neurology, body shape, facial characteristics) is seen as an attack. Baxter is a great looking kid. So is Jamie H. So is Megan L.
However, what they look like doesn’t change a thing about how they were ‘treated’ or who they were treated by.
century
March 15th, 2007
08:07:11
“Whilst there may not be any official affiliation ***all the parents in that area I’ve had dealings with*** – other than you strangely – know all about the links between the schools and that RA is scientology owned and ran.”
Who are you trying to kid?
You’re a techie in Staffordshire – albeit with an agenda – so to try and make out that you have a large group of parents in discussion with yourself from this area in CA is laughable
join groups 'n take over
March 15th, 2007
08:28:28
Much like win friends and influence people.
http://studytech.org/asi.php
If a person thinks that Julia is playing the part of the wonder housewife and infiltrating GR, is that being paranoid? Does that person need to be cleared of thetans? How much will this cost?
Kev
March 15th, 2007
08:42:50
“You’re a techie in Staffordshire – albeit with an agenda – so to try and make out that you have a large group of parents in discussion with yourself from this area in CA is laughable”
Yeah, how could anyone in one place talk with people all over the world…? Oh if only someone would invent something that would allow – I dunno – the electronic communication of messages….or maybe some kind of interface to have text-based discussions – or hey, here’s an idea, some form of transferring voice data over a network connection!
But nah, you’re right – how could these things ever happen?
century
March 15th, 2007
08:50:38
**“You’re a techie in Staffordshire – albeit with an agenda – so to try and make out that you have a large group of parents in discussion with yourself from this area in CA is laughableâ€
Yeah, how could anyone in one place talk with people all over the world…? Oh if only someone would invent something that would allow – I dunno – the electronic communication of messages….or maybe some kind of interface to have text-based discussions – or hey, here’s an idea, some form of transferring voice data over a network connection!**
Typical obfuscation
J
March 15th, 2007
08:59:15
Still no Scientologists/DAN members want to answer my question to the reason why the cure is not wide spread yet?
Kev
March 15th, 2007
09:12:01
“Typical obfuscation”
Typical meaningless nothing….if you have a point, make it. Are you suggesting its technically not possible for people all over the world to get in touch with each other? If so then please see the answer above.
Are you suggesting parents from that area haven’t contacted me? How do you think I got that email? Its from a closed access Yahoo group and contrary to popular rumour I don’t haunt these places unendingly and nor do I have access to a lot of them.
Bottom line son: a lot of people don’t like the fact that scientology is mixed up with autism treatments. Some of them also don’t like the antivaccinistas such as Julia and Brad. I get lots of mail from these people.
As an interesting aside, I also get email from people who don’t like the fact that I’m not pro the more rabid biomed as they are, but they hate the fact scientologists are mixed up in their movement even more and know I don’t take sides in things like this. I wouldn’t care if neurodiversity or (as in this case) dan! adherents were using scientologists and promoting their use to unsuspecting others. Its wrong and it would be wrong whomever was doing it.
Look past your dislike of me and look at what these people are actually doing. If a few mercury mums in CA can do it, how come you can’t?
century
March 15th, 2007
10:58:55
“Are you suggesting parents from that area haven’t contacted me?”
Yes
“How do you think I got that email? Its from a closed access Yahoo group and contrary to popular rumour I don’t haunt these places unendingly and nor do I have access to a lot of them.”
You don’t haunt then as Kevin Leitch, that’s for sure
“Look past your dislike of me”
It depends who “me” is – you (KL) or your ghost writer(s) as there’s definitely more than one writer
David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction)
March 15th, 2007
11:54:00
What?!
Century, whatever it is you put in your coffee… you need to stop. Now.
It’s making shite out of what should be between your ears.
Get a life.
anonimouse
March 15th, 2007
13:51:05
Julia,
I like how you’re perservating on the school question and ignoring the doctor question.
I already conceded that where your son went to school is less relevant than the medical professionals that diagnosed, treated and proclaimed him “recovered”. (as well as what treatments were used)
Kev
March 15th, 2007
14:08:47
“It depends who “me†is – you (KL) or your ghost writer(s) as there’s definitely more than one writer”
Are you joking?
Surely you can’t be serious? And you’re accusing me of a whacked out conspiracy theory?
“You don’t haunt then as Kevin Leitch, that’s for sure”
I have never posted on any autism related forum of any kind under anything other than my own name. Kev, KevLeitch, Kev_L, kevin – whatever.
century
March 15th, 2007
14:22:23
“Are you suggesting parents from that area haven’t contacted me?â€
Yes
century
March 15th, 2007
14:29:43
“It depends who “me†is – you (KL) or your ghost writer(s) as there’s definitely more than one writerâ€
Are you joking? – no
Surely you can’t be serious? – yes
“I have never posted on any autism related forum of any kind under anything other than my own name.” – you visit them under an alias
Kev
March 15th, 2007
14:30:18
Century – you are one weird guy. Why are you repeating yourself?
Now, should I answer? Or maybe me? Hey – how about me? Tough choice. I’ll do it.
They did my friend. There’s simply no other way I could’ve gotten that email without speaking with at least one person from Julia’s yahoo group. There’s also no way I could’ve gotten the name of the Renaissance Academy without speaking to someone from that area. Think about it. Apply some of those neurons.
Kev
March 15th, 2007
14:34:30
“Are you joking? – no”
“Surely you can’t be serious? – yes”
Then I’m going to go ahead and add you to the list of crackpots. All posts on this site are conceived and written by me, Kevin Leitch. I feel silly even writing that down for you.
“you visit them under an alias”
I see. Which ‘me’ is that? The one who writes here or the one who ghost writes here? Or both? Neither?
Sorry, mate, you’re a kook. Back to the land of fairies for you.
Kev
March 15th, 2007
14:42:50
Oh wait:
“you visit them”
As oppose to post? I see.
You are one odd guy. If that’s supposed to be a secret then I don’t know what isn’t. I have access to approx four Yahoo groups – EoH, ABMD, Autism-Merc and chelating2kids. And when I say ‘access’ don’t assume that means an alias. The only antivax Yahoo group I have an acct with is EoH on which group I used to post.
Now, I’m fascinated – who do you think is the shadowy ‘other’ who co-authors on here with me?
J
March 15th, 2007
15:04:33
Next they are going to accuse you of being in league with Psychiatrists or “big pharma” right? hehe….
century
March 16th, 2007
22:21:27
I’ve taken 24 hours to cogitate.
To paraphrase earlier comments, “I’m an odd guy”, “a crackpot”, “a weirdo”, “a kook”, “I’m from the land of fairies”, “I take NiQuil (??)”, “I’m weird”, “I’m Kevin’s friend (?)”, “I’m a shite for brains who needs a life”
All might or might not be true…
but..
at least I write my own words.
anonimouse
March 16th, 2007
23:11:36
century,
Explain to me the benefit of Kevin Leitch using multiple writers, please? And even if it was true (which I doubt) why it would be even the least big meaningful?
Kev
March 17th, 2007
01:06:00
“at least I write my own words.”
LOL! I invite you once more to speculate about which shadowy forces inhabit my blog…?
I really don’t get why you think this. I mean its not the first time I’ve been accused of this (or variations such as being a paid shill, being a guy in London with some remote Pharma connection and the same name) but I never get why people think these things?
I’m not a shill for anyone. I don’t even (and never will) accept any form of advertising on this site. I’m a web developer from the Midlands – thats it. Everything you see written on this site in the form of pages and posts is written by me and only me – why would I want someone else to write my blog for me? It makes no sense to me at all. What bothers you so much about the idea of one guy writing a blog that – because you don’t agree with the content – you have to invent silliness like this?
clone3g
March 17th, 2007
02:08:43
Maybe Century is thinking of Dr. Nick?
Kev
March 17th, 2007
07:13:56
“Maybe Century is thinking of Dr. Nick?”
Aha! Of course ;o)
J
March 17th, 2007
07:14:43
Nuh uh, you have to be a mouthpiece the the “Evil Psychiatrists”(tm) or an agent of “Big Pharma”(tm)
I’m suprised noone has accused you of being a “reptile” or part of the “illuminati” yet
Lucas McCarty
March 24th, 2007
18:55:36
Back from a long trip and read Greg’s reply, not only did he actually miss the point, but someone came along and demolished his counter-point to that point I wasn’t making. My brain hurts.
My intention was to point out the ethics of ‘curing’ Autism, drawing comparisons with homosexuality, of which there are many appropriate comparisons to make with Autism. Greg missed this, thinking that I was accusing Scientology of being anti-gay(even bringing up the cliche “some of my friends are gay” which in no way changes anything because there are plenty of tolerant Christians that have gay friends even if they can’t accept the homosexual act), which I wasn’t. But then it turned out there was such an instance where the Church of Scientology demonstrated very anti-homosexual tendencies.
That is beside the point, which is that there are ethics being ignored and Scientologists are complicit in this.
julia berle
March 24th, 2007
20:09:54
Hey guys,
Animouse…if I appeared to be perseverating on the school question its because everyone kept asking. Mostly you. (see above). but as to the doctors…already answered those questions. Dr’s Mullan and Hirani while did treat Baxter…neither diagnosed him. The regional center (Don’t know whether they are Scientologists…don’t care) the School District..an entire team (Don’t know whether they are Scientologists…don’t care), and three Developmental Pediatricians (Don’t know whether they are Scientologists…don’t care), and even one Speech Path that didnt give me a formal diagnosis but was the first one to use the label of autism to me (Don’t know whether she is Scientologists…don’t care).
If my kid fell out of a tree and broke her skull and was raced to the hospital…would you expect me to ask the Scientology association of the ambulance driver, the nursing and doctor staff that would treat her? Baxter’s situation was of emergency status…and if someone wanted to help him. I was all for it.
I get that you think Hirani and Mullan are tied to Scientology. I don’t know…. again….nor do I care. They also did not remove his label. 3 of the above mentioned sources did. So they were involved in his biomed treatment. That is all. They did not diagnose him nor remove his label. They treated him. I get that you guys care and care alot. I don’t.
Do you guys know that Mullan’s MD is in Pyschiatry? Isn’t that a bit incongrous to your theory?
I was told that my child would most likely never talk, be potty trained and may even have some mental retardation. He rolled car wheels and watched water pour for hours on end all the while crying incessantly. He had yellow diarrhea running down his legs at all times, he never slept, he had fungus eating away at his skin. He is now a happy joyous fun little boy with tons of friends and activities. I am fascinated you find the concept of his recovery so ridiculous.
So…I’m certain I’m wrong again. That crystal ball of yours knowing my life better than I know myself. Time to stop this and go play with my kids.
My usual…
wishing you the best for yourselves and your families,
Julia
Lucas McCarty
March 25th, 2007
03:27:13
“I was told that my child would most likely never talk, be potty trained and may even have some mental retardation.”
You were told a lot of bunkum about Autism proven wrong decades ago but still linger in some places where they are still using the same textbooks and the practitioners don’t bother actually bothering to learn anything before forming a professional opinion on it. You should have been referred to an Autism specialist affiliated with a university(they do a lot of diagnoses for Autism so are reliable).
I don’t know more about your child than you, but I do know more about Autism than you and I can say that to quite a lot of people(including generally well-qualified psychiatrists and psychologists). Do those who frequently(and you are not the first) make claims of recovery actually realise what is factually known about Autism? It is extreme malpractice and absence of ethics to remove a diagnosis, but as you say you don’t care, you’re fine with it, regardless of the long-term consequences it might have for your son.
By the way, psychiatrists generally do not know squat about Autism. There is no particular area of psychiatry that deals with it and little information about Autism which can be considered psychiatric in nature. It is however field in which psycholoy has abundant information; psychologists are scientists, a quite many steps up from doctors in terms of informative research, scrutiny and understanding of Autism that psychiatry alone simply doesn’t cover.
z. autist
March 25th, 2007
03:58:24
But. Julia, he was talking in that video of him in your kitchen. Wasn’t that supposed to be before his diagnosis? They told that he’d never talk? After he was already talking? I see you used Doctor’s Data Inc. lab for your son’s heavy metal testing. You know that the results are meaningless, don’t you? If I had a child that looked like your son I’d want to know if he had a genetic disorder.
The scientologist MDs would be uninteresting if it weren’t that you so strongly denied knowing what a scientologist was and that you’d never heard of a school whose sign is shown in the background of a video you are in and which school operates out of the very same address as your son’s school. You strain credulity. The school property is owned by the public school system and leased to the scientologists that run the schools on that property so it would seem. Neither would any of this be interesting if scientology was a legitimate religion. It is a dangrous cult. Most people seem to be able to see that. You defend them and try to change the subject in a way that makes you seem like you are one yourself. You are welcome to be one, but you ought to tell people if you are one, otherwise there’s more reason to doubt what you say.
Best wishes to you and your family, too. Good luck getting out of scientology if they have their hooks into you.
z.a.
julia berle
March 26th, 2007
18:42:44
Sigh.
the very first thing we did was have him genetic tested due to my being adopted. The Specialist ran countless tests for numerous genetic disorders. I remember doing way more than the average “panel” because I have so little medical background. the tests revealed nothing. Nothing. His head is large. So are both his parents. His eyes slant down so did his great grandfathers. I have since found my biological family on both sides and there is no history of any genetic disorder nor autism. Sorry. But there is no genetic problem. Period.
He DID see an autism specialist MD affiliated with a large University who proclaimed him moderately autistic…with not much optimism for his future.
You call that talking? For a three year old? “aaaah? bababa d-d-d-d-” and “pruh” for plow? Puhleeze. Thats not talking. Thats vocalizing. My 18 month old could talk in two and three word sentences.
My asking about the school across the street would be like going into McDonald’s and asking to meet the manager at the Taco Bell next door. I didn’t know about that school because Its not my kids school. i defy you to prove that they are in anyway related. I only found out they all have the same address from you all. So the School District for the city is there too. Are they all Scientologists? They apparently have the same address too.
Sigh.
anonimouse
March 26th, 2007
19:22:42
His head is large. So are both his parents. His eyes slant down so did his great grandfathers. I have since found my biological family on both sides and there is no history of any genetic disorder nor autism. Sorry. But there is no genetic problem. Period.
Some of the new research that is coming out illustrates the fact that you don’t need a history of autism in the family for their to a spontaneous “blip” in one’s DNA that could manifest itself as autism. So even if it is true that there is no history of autism in your family that doesn’t mean that genes didn’t play a role.
avoiding the emeter guys
March 26th, 2007
20:21:44
The “school district for the city” is NOT there Julia. The city rents the space out to the schools that now occupy the space that was formerly occupied by public schools, so I understand.
The school district is paid rent by the Scientology run schools on that site. Perhaps a phone call to the school district would explain if there is only one organization paying for the rent for all the schools on that site, your son’s school and the other scientology teaching schools.
Do you have plans to put your kids into Renaissance Academy eventually? If you do, then maybe it’s because The Learning Castle is a feeder school for RA?
I know you feel picked on, Julia, but really, your stories are so out-there. And it doesn’t help that you put the lab results from DDI in your presentation slides. It’s really quite sad that you think your child is mercury poisoned from misleading results from DDI.
Lucas McCarty
March 27th, 2007
09:24:23
Erm, there is no single gene implicated in Autism. You can’t detect Autism with genetic testing and it is impossible to say it didn’t exist in any family tree because the criteria used changed fifteen years ago precisely because it was inaccurate.
Now here is where I have a problem ‘Autism Specialist MD’ is an oxymoron. In precise medical terms, Autism has no medical definition(there seems to be a bizzarre widespread assumption that symptoms+diagnostic criteria = medical condition), ergo it can not possibly be something an MD can specialise in, which is why there are no psychiatric experts in Autism. This is further compounded by the fact that the MD you saw talked utter trash about Autism.
Autistics often do talk and have it completely dismissed with nonsense like “It’s not speech, it’s insert something else here” or some other form of communication that is also dismissed. Despite there being plenty of evidence for this, it is still assumed that the Autistic is at fault when mutual communication attempts fail.
Kassiane
March 28th, 2007
00:06:07
I’d want a genetic profile too…and not just “oh we’ll draw some blood”, a REAL good geneticist who knows WHAT he or she is looking for from measurements and looking at the face (Baxter is cute, he just has dysmorphic features. So what? I’ve got the facial dysmorphism that Ms Clark talked about 2 weeks ago, and arachnodactility and whacked-out proportions in my limbs and microcephaly shrug. At least they knew where to start looking). Some things they CAN”T find a gene for even if it’s a defined syndrome.
And not even necessarily to see if it was the source of the autism, or the yellow diarreah (though I’d get that checked out if it started up again, because…um…that sucks). More because genetic stuff that starts WAY back in utero can come with other organ problems, many of which are silent till they go way bad. Or which are written off as a mild thing and are a moderate to severe thing. Or just can’t be described because if you have it every day it feels normal.
Most docs won’t do a full genome scan anyway, it’s too expensive, insurance won’t cover it, and the chance of finding something positive instead of just “unknown anomaly” is so low.
This all has nothing to do with scientology, biomed, etc…more to do with concern for Baxter, especially as genetics has BOUNDED along since his diagnosis.