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Stones of remembrance

Stones of Rememberance

As I was combing through old files on our computer, I came across several old entries from before we started findingjackson.com, and I thought they were worth mulling over as a benchmark and reminder of where we started on our journey with jackson’s autism. This entry was written almost 2 years ago as we were getting ready to move into Oregon and find help for Jackson.

“Stones of Remembrance
“We were preparing to move and the girls were selecting the best of the best from their rock collection remarking over each red speckle, green stripe, and sparkely lump that made the paring down process virtually impossible. Continue reading “Stones of remembrance”

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Regressions and Metabolic Disorders


When we finally figured out that Jackson apparently did not have seizures (at least for now, the neurologist maintained), it was back to the drawing board. Our developmental pediatrician was not satisfied that his regressions were of the typical, cyclical sort that many children with autism experience. He had run a thorough panel of metabolic and genetic tests to rule out the big scary metabolic or genetic disorders. He was out of ideas, so he referred us to a metabolic specialist.

Again, I wasn’t hoping for an ailment, but a potential answer and treatment approach (aren’t we all)? This appointment lasted all of 20 minutes (after 20 minutes of Jackson playing in the sink and completely soaking his shirt while waiting). After a careful physical examination, the doctor all but apologized for the lack of research on autism, and any clear answer for Jackson’s regressions. He felt confident, though, that we had ruled out any scientifically testable metabolic disorder. “We just don’t know.”

I left the doctor’s office feeling deflated, but realizing traditional medicine and research I desired was possibly five to ten years too late to help me…I was ready to look for other solutions.

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The big, bad “R” word: Regressions


A year ago, we started looking at seizures as a possible cause for Jackson’s severe regressions. Every child seems to regress generally when routines are disrupted (say during summer months when not in school) or structured times and schedules are not in place. Jackson is no exception to this rule, but he doesn’t flip out when not following a routine…he just meanders. He becomes a wandering, withdrawn little guy who would rather amuse himself by flipping socks in front of his face for hours. He needs directed play to remember that: oh yeah, people and toys CAN be fun. Continue reading “The big, bad “R” word: Regressions”

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Head-Banging Isn’t Fun


About a month ago, Jackson started hitting his head again. He hasn’t done that since his “catatonic stage” when he first showed signs of withdrawing and regression, pre-GFCF diet. The bumper of the van, the corner of the dresser, every doorpost in the house planted their mark in the middle of his forehead, and before long, the school was sending notes home asking about the giant purple bruise on his head. We, of course, were disturbed by this self-injurious behavior and interrupted the head-banging as soon as possible, but after one or two hits, Jackson looked like the loser in a boxing match. Continue reading “Head-Banging Isn’t Fun”