A big tent
by Jim
Since we launched this blog a few days ago, I’ve had many phone calls and emails from Easter Seals board members, staff and affiliates asking me about Easter Seals’ position on topics like chelation therapy and other things mentioned in various comments.
Fundamentally, Easter Seals doesn’t take a position on these kinds of issues. Our goal is to provide an online community where people with all kinds of views, theories, and concerns can express themselves, can share information, and can interact with one another. It’s a big tent that has room for everyone. Ideas and opinions that are controversial are likely to be expressed, and that’s fine. Our position is that we want people to communicate and share.
Easter Seals’ focus is on providing personalized services –- today — for children and adults with autism and their families to help them accomplish their goals in communities across the country. That has always been our focus and will continue to be. And that’s the focus of this blog.
When new treatment modalities and therapies are validated, they will be incorporated into what we do at centers around the country. When new science is verified, that will be incorporated also. We will adapt and change, as our organization has been doing since 1919.
In the meantime, I want to personally invite everyone to join Easter Seals in our big tent community. I am thrilled by the richness of the dialogue so far, and encourage you to tell others about this community.
I’ve found the past few days to be educational, sometimes confrontational, and very often inspirational.
Let’s keep talking.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
I AM THE PROUD GRANDMOTHER OF 9. TWO OF MY GRANDSONS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOISED. THEY ARE BROTHERS AND ARE AGES 6 YEARS AND 18 MONTHS.THEY HAVE 2 SISTERS AND ONE OTHER BROTHER. MYFAMILY HAS BEEN DEVESTATED WITH THIS SECOND LITTLE ONE BEING DX. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR NEW SUPPORTS IN THE RURUAL AREA OF MICHIGAN WHERE THEY LIVE. I WILL APPRECIATE ANY PEARLS OF WISDOM ANYONE HAS FOR A FAMILY WITH MORE THAN ONE CHILD BEING AFFECTED.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Also, as a comment to the treatment mentioned by John Best in an earlier post (Chelation therapy); my son is 17 , diagnosed in 1992 with autism. I have been through the gamet of treatment philosophies with him–some dietary, some chemical, most behavioral. No one knows exactly what causes autism which is why funding is critical. Until we know the cause, I do not believe we will find the cure. Perhaps John Best found that Chelation therapy worked for his child. That absolutely does not mean it will work with ALL children and adults with autism. Beware of any treatment that claims they can cure anyone with the disorder. My son is not cured. He has, however, been helped. Mostly through behavior therapies and through loving and caring people. As I stated earlier, thank you Easter Seals, for giving us one more support and option. All children with autism will one day be adults with autism. That is where our family is now. Easter Seals and other organizations have stepped up to help that entering into adulthood less traumatic. Applaud, Applaud.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
As the parent of a 17 yr old son with autism, I applaud Easter Seals for teaming up with the autism network. We need as many supports as we can get! I live in a very rural part of Nevada and am grateful that there is an entity that accomdating towards individuals with autism. My son has worked summers at different programs and it is nice to know that Easter seals is yet one more option. Thank you again. I will keep returning here to this site for updates!!