Autism. What is it really? A developmental disorder? A neurological disorder? An immune system dysfunction? A Behavioral disorder? The answer: Yes. It's all of that and more! What is your child's diagnosis? Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, PDDNOS, on the Spectrum… One of the leading Autism doctors of in the world once said to me, "I don't care what your son's diagnosis is, I care about what is broken and fixing it - then you won't have a diagnosis to worry about". Those words truly impacted me.

The story of my son's regression into autism mimics many. Of course now with Autism Awareness huge in our society, diagnosis is often much earlier than what I and many others experienced years ago. However, diagnosis often simply brings discouragement. It was that way for me. A detrimental discouragement. Autism was a life sentence without hope. What I want to share with you is the hope and encouragement that any diagnosis does not mean done and over. It only means there's an obstacle to overcome! My prayer is that our story will enable you to overcome the obstacles in your own life.

Born healthy and strong, Richie was my third child - a son! At one year of age he regressed, lost his language and communication abilities. Richie became more and more aggressive and unpredictable. Being that he was my first 'boy' I initially thought it must be that boys were different than girls. Yet he didn't seem to respond to me at all, no with love, affection, correction - nothing. As he grew his behaviors did also. For the next four years I would encounter one experience after another of tidal waves wrapped with unpredictability. I sought out help from every resource I could. What I mainly received was every child training book published. I applied everything I learned, everything others were willing to share with me to no avail. Nothing seemed to help. He continued down this path of destruction. Yet in my heart I knew he really didn't want to be this way. Why couldn't I help him? That question taunted at my very soul. I prayed earnestly morning, noon and night. Had friends and even the church as a whole praying for him - for me.

During this time I had five more pregnancies. Two were lost through miscarriage, one was a molar pregnancy (which required surgery with the prospect for the following three months of potential cancer dev eloping) and two more sons were born healthy. So now in the midst of developing Autism, there were five young children with needs. Finally, at five years of age, Richie was diagnosed with eight different titles. Autism became the main focus as did the fact that I was advised to institutionalize him. Yes - it was that bad by that point. And as I mentioned about a year later his eventual physician told to me to drop the diagnosis focus instead turning to testing and treatment.

I traveled myself attending medical seminars, therapy seminars and self-studying. Consulting with scientists, doctors and therapists to learn everything I could about the potential of treating my son's Autism and keeping him out of an institution. I began working with my local pediatrician and treating him based on all of my research. Finally at a point of no return, enough progress to give me hope yet miles away from where he needed to be - I was accepted with a world renown physician. The amazing way that happened and who he was is in my book! You can order it now for those details.

Testing in a biomedical way was the approach that we took. Biomedical is basically the biology of medicine. Since I studied Sports Medicine in College and biochemistry was my favorite subject I was intrigued with all I learned. We tested for a host of functions within Richie's body. From immune function, food (IgG & IgE) allergies, heavy metals, liver functions, Candida (intestinal yeast), intestinal bacteria and many more. From those results we were able to determine what was not functioning properly and why. Now it was about repairing. That is where the work on the part of the parent comes in.

There's an old saying, Nothing Good is Ever Easy. So the focus must be on the results. Is it easy to train for and win a race? No. A gold medal in the Olympics? No. But if the results are doing your best, striving to achieve all you can, then the end result will be one of accomplishment. That is what it's like treating Autism, Lupus or any other disease. Giving it your all, staying focused on finishing the race, getting up each time you fall.

In the end, you will know you've done all you could and feel good, being blessed by your final results. It's often one step forward and a few steps back. But eventually you arrive where you're supposed to be. And once you discover the pit falls to avoid, especially learning through other people's mistakes, your steps forward will far exceed the ones backward until you arrive at your destination.

This is why I became a Professional Certified Health Coach and I share not only my pit falls to avoid but also the valuable tracking system I used for both my son and my own treatment bringing both of us to recovery. Tracking is vital to know which steps are bringing you forward and which backward. I share much of this information in my book, Autism: Recovery Against All Odds.

In addition to a biomedical approach to treatment and recovery you must understand that there were many pieces to Richie's recovery puzzle. It was one of the essential and principal pieces. But, therapy was another colossal contribution. Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, ABA therapy, Behavioral therapy, Light therapy, Audio integration therapy - quite a list. I tried to incorporate everything possible I could. These experiences have contributed to my experience assisting others to avoid certain pit falls during their own road to treatment and recovery. Please click on my coaching link for more information.

Lastly, homeschooling was an immense ingredient in Richie's recovery from Autism. There are too many reasons to list here, however, I dedicate an entire chapter of my book Autism: Recovery Against All Odds to Homeschooling. Some of the key reasons involve the flexibility with schedules to accommodate the various therapy trips, doctor trips, etc. Homeschooling facilitated the involvement of all his siblings which contributed to a 'team approach' to his treatment and thus a strong bond with fulfillment to his recovery. All of his siblings always knew they were greatly needed and greatly appreciated. It allowed the personal one on one time with each of the children which is so often missing in families with special needs children. I could obviously go on and on since I'm a huge advocate. Richie did spend some time in a public charter school but during that time he regressed to a degree that all of his therapist highly recommended that I go back to homeschooling him.

Is homeschooling a commitment and challenge with a special needs child? Absolutely! Yet the rewards for both parent and child far outweigh any challenge. Character focus while integrating every therapy throughout each day into his life culminated in his complete recovery. In my book, Autism: Recovery Against All Odds, I explain the various ways to help homeschooling work for families with special needs children. The ways to acquire additional help from others. If you do have a special needs child and you've not considered this option of education, even simply during a period of intense treatment, I highly recommend it.

As a coach, I also assist families who desire help with homeschooling their children. From curriculum choices to scheduling and everything in between I've helped families get from point A to point Z with success! Does this mean I'm totally against traditional schooling? I wouldn't have developed the Bee Friendly School Program® if I didn't realize that homeschooling is not a choice everyone can make. (Please click here for more information in this program) I went through traditional school and I've been active in various school programs over the years. I believe in choice and I'm grateful we have that opportunity in our Great Country to decide what is best for each of our families. I became a consultant for homeschooling families of special needs children for a Michigan based support group. Many times families homeschool for a period to get their children to a point of mainstreaming. Then a program like the Bee Friendly School Program helps parents, teachers and students integrate well with special needs and typical children. Of course I feel that homeschooling is an awesome opportunity to draw families together, allow children to excel in their strengths and work through their weaknesses with encouragement along the way. The Lord has enriched our lives as a family through this wonderful opportunity.

Ultimately, life is full of various opportunities to overcome obstacles. As I sat writing this section I received a lovely card in the mail from a dear friend. In it she quoted Helen Keller

"We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world."

The world is full of many adversities. It's what we do with those adversities that make us who we become. It is my hope that my book, Autism: Recovery Against All Odds will be a source of encouragement and hope for all who read it. Most importantly that the last chapter would leave equipped to run the race in life before you!