Regarding Jenny McCarthy and Oprah show . . .?

Question

There seems to be an overwhelming disapproval of certain statements made by Jenny during the interview. I do not agree with everything she said but am quite frankly offended at the perverse reactions to alternative treatments. It seems to me (from reading responses on this site) that there is an extreme bias towards wealthy mothers who have children with autism. I would kindly like to remind all of you that the same treatment your child receives today through public services was considered alternative therapy twenty years ago. Had it not been for parents of comparative wealth who chose to invest in research and alternative therapy, your child would not be receiving the treatment he or she receives today. You are right that not all autism is the same . . . and you are also right to point out that economic factors greatly influence (if not determine) the type of treatment the autistic child is elligible to receive.

Answer 1

I am one of the answerers you are referring to in your question/ statement. I don't personally have something against rich people but I don't think it's right to compare them with regular parents of autism. Since they can get just about anything they need for their child it does not give a realistic outlook with how regular parents have to deal with autism. I think it's great how we have come along in diagnosing autism and the differnt types of treatments being offered. However I think it's just as ignorant to say the people with money are why we have these treatments as it is to blame autism on MMR's. Yes it may be a contributing factor just like an MMR shot, but it is not the sole reason. It's sounds like you are proud that you have money but to say that rich people are the only reason why the treatments being offered today is because of them is just tasteless and ignorant.

Answer 2

I don't know what responses you read here but I didn't read   anything that would make me say anyone thinks any parents choice of treatment is not done with the best interest of their child in mind.Obviously,everyone here loves their children and does what they feel  is the best way to go for their child to succeed. I think ,rather then criticizing treatments,we should share what has worked for us,so that others can decide if it's worth a try in their child's situation.What alternative treatment are you so protective of that you think others are putting down?

add on:

I do not attribute treatments available today to rich parents.My child was diagnosed over twenty years ago,when the school of thought was autism was caused by "refrigerator mothers" .Dr.Bernard Rimland was a pioneer and the first to overturn the theory that autism was caused by bad parenting.I attribute his dedications (along with many others) in discovering alternative theories that have led to the treatments available today.

Answer 3

I didn't see the show but I feel with healthcare everyone should be treated fairly when it comes to children and the diseases thaey may have been born with.  I guessI don't understand why money has to be in issue when it can only help to further the research and find cures for all children.

Answer 4

I have serious doubts Jenny McCarthy's son was diagnosed properly, for starters. Secondly, if he was anywhere on the autism spectrum, he wouldn't be functioning as well as he does. Thirdly, if this so-called wheat/gluten/dairy-free diet did anything for autism spectrum disorders, ALL kids on the spectrum would be "cured", and that hasn't been proven in controlled studies, nor has it been proven empirically.

It really irks me when people put false hope out there; shame on Oprah for not doing her homework on this one!

Answer 5

I will take offense at the statement that all of the therapies and advances in treating autism came from wealthy families.  Many did, but just as many have come from doctors, educators and parents with no other options trying everything and anything to help their child.  Read the book "The Mind Tree"..a mother in India developed a way to communicate with her severely autistic son because there was nothing else she could do.  This young man has opened the door to deeper understanding of autism by showing that just because a child is non-verbal does not mean he does not want or need to communicate or that his delays are severe across the board.

I support every family's right to choose to try every possible option at thier disposal.  I admit I have been fortunate...we have been in areas with good services, have always been in top notch programs and I had a fair understanding of autism even before my child was diagnosed (I have a degree in early education and worked in developmental psych).  My anger comes from using words like "remission", "out of autism" and "having a normal child".  Autism does not ever go away...there is no cure.

Many of the alternative therapies have yet to be proven in larger studies or results have been unable to be repeated in follow up studies.  Parents trying these therapies need to know that for most of the kids on the spectrum, these treatments do little.  It is the same as suggesting the parent of a child with diabetes try an experimental treatment...they should try it if they feel it could benefit the child, but they must be provided with all the information, including side effects and success rates.  Many of the alternative therapies, even though they are most often implemented by parents in the home,  are still costly.  Insurance companies generally will not reimburse the costs.  Again, parents with limited resources need to know all the information surrounding these treatments to decide not only if it is possible to use with thier children, but if they can financially support them.

We are an enlisted military family.  My son attends a private program, paid for by the public schools.  Students there range for some of the wealthiest in the Capitol area to some of the poorest.  Many are private pay students.  Thier families are fortunate enough to be able to pay for additional therapies, home support and alternative therapies. Some see positive change, some see none.  But it is perfectly clear that while money can help give them access to these things, and it can make a difference, in the end thier children still have autism.  My son has made huge strides.  His symptomatic behaviors are greatly reduced and he is working at grade level.  However, we recently discovered he had ruptured ear drums.  My son had not shown any signs of illness...no fever, no pain response,nothing.  We have no idea where or when the injuries occured.  Suregery is scheduled for Oct.  Then a few weeks later we notice his ears draining.  Both ears are severly infected..there is no fever, no pain response, no change in his behaviors at all...nothing to let us know until we saw the fluid that anything was wrong.  The doctors were confused...an infection that bad would be painful and should have had a fever.  At that moment I realized that no matter how far my son's speech had come, how minimal his behaviors or how successful he had become socially, there were some aspects of autism that we can not educate, therapize or teach away.  They will always be there...autism may become less visable, but it never leaves.

Answer 6

I feel as if the parents are wealthy they have more resources to provide for the child. My child recieves what is available that medicaid may provide. I cannot afford to have someone come to my home and work with my child or to try differant methods or supplies to try and help them progress faster.

Answer 7

If her son is so advanced, then he probably has a milder form of Autism or a severe form of Asperger's.  

The therapy that seems to work the best is ABA.

You can change the child's diet all you want but Autism is a different way of wiring the brain.

In any case, the fact that she is speaking in public for Autism is a good thing, and any publicity can only help people become more aware of treatments to help children with Autism.  I say help, because there currently is no cure.