Brooke Still Moving Forward

On Monday night Linda and I went over to see Brooke and help Cora with the new supplement, DMG. The suggested dose is 125 mg., but start with half for the 1st few days. It is not real easy splitting a capsule with powder inside. Linda, being a nurse, helped Cora with this. Brooke was extremely happy and bright. And, for the first time ever, she had almost constant eye contact with me. We played for awhile, then Brooke pulled me back into the kitchen to get Linda. She pulled us back into her room and pushed us both onto her bed. She then layed between us and pretended to be sleeping and snoring. Not as much eye contact with Linda, but some. We then went back into the kitchen to try and get some supper down Brooke. Not very much luck, so we went outside. Brooke went into the garage, so I went back inside to get my hat. When I came outside, Brooke was saying "Dad ?, Dad ?" When she saw me she said "Dad", and pulled me into her fenced in yard. When it got close to time to go home, I started warning Brooke I was going Bye Bye. She then said "Bye" to her Mom and climbed in my lap. I told her that I was going Bye Bye and she was staying with Mom. Going home is still the major problem, with Brooke crying and trying to come after us as we left. On a bright note, I called Cora when I got home, and she said it only lasted a few minutes, then Brooke was back to normal. It may be normal for any toddler to get upset when someone they care for leaves. I don't know for sure. All I know for sure is that Grandpa is a cream puff and it tears at my heart when I see her so upset when I leave.
Today was her 1st day with DMG. I have not been able to get ahold of Cora to see how it went. The Autism Research Institute claims that DMG works fast with Autistic children. They will either make great strides with speaking and less autistic behavior quickly, or they will have no results at all. Either way, Brooke is doing great and I can't wait to see her again to check on progress.

Finding Food For Brookes Special Diet

Today Grandma and I headed for Clay Center to see what kind of food we could find for Brookes soon to be special diet. The 1st recommendation for children with autism is put them on the GFCF diet. GF stands for gluten free (wheat products) and CF stands for casein free (diary products). Wheat and Dairy are not easily digested by autistic kids, causing all types of problems. Casein not properly digested causes an opium like effect in their brains, and gluten causes a morphine like effect in their brains. Brookes Mom has decided to start the casein diet first. The quickest effect is seen taking away dairy products. Wheat products take a few months to leave the system. It takes a doctors order for day care and the school system to follow the diet, and thankfully Cora's family doctor has agreed to go along with the program.
Back to Clay Center. We went to Ray's Market, where there is a great selection of food. We hit pay dirt with a lot of GFCF foods. Linda picked up bread mix, chocolate chip cookie mix, pancake mix, almond(non dairy)milk, noodles, spaghetti, cake mix with icing, gluten free flour, gluten free crackers, and a brownie mix. After getting our groceries, we decided to show Cora our big finds. When I walked in her house, Brooke was laying on the couch with her. I called out Brookes name, and she actually responded. Usually, unless she sees me, she pretty much ignores me. She got a big smile on her face and came running over to me. Once again, a big hugger was mine. She pulled me to the closet where her dvd's are stored to get one. She can't quite reach them, so she took my hand and pushed it towards the dvd's. She knows what the dvd's are. I'm not quite sure how, but she knows. I started pulling one out of the pile, she made an agitated sound and pushed my arm back in. I went down the row and pulled out another. She took it from me a studied the front and back covers. It was Clifford the dog. She opened the case and tried to take it out. It was stubborn, so I helped her with it and put it in the player for her. She made sure I sat on the end of her bed so we could watch it together. I would get up and sneak into the living room. Brooke would say "Heah" and come walking over and drag me back to the bed. She even tries to pull me over so I will lay next to her and hold her. She loves being held. After 20 minutes of Clifford, I told Brooke I was going outside. She hopped in my lap and hung on tight, as if to say, ok, but I'm going with you. We stayed outside about 15 minutes, then decided to go home. I had not warned Brooke of this tonite, big mistake. I got in the car to leave and she saw us. She had to get passed Aunt Racheal and Mommy to get to our car. She broke right passed her aunt and Mom stopped her. She was crying and fighting for all she was worth. I got out of the car to give her a good-bye hug. She wrapped around me like a boa constictor and told her Mom bye. Mommy had to peel her off me, while Brooke was struggling and crying. I got back in the car, and Linda asked me if I had warned Brooke we were leaving soon. I said that I hadn't. I received a very good lecture on the importance of that missed step, and I totally agreed.
We were home about half an hour and my phone rang. It was Cora. She told me that Brooke had said "I'm Fine". Something had happened, and Brooke often says "U OK". Aunt Racheal had told Brooke she was alright and asked Brooke how she was. Brookes answer "I'm fine".
I asked Cora how long Brooke was upset after we left. She said she was sad a few minutes, then got over it and continued on her way.
Tomorrow, I call Kirkman Labs in Oregon to ask a few more questions about starting Brookes next supplement, DMG with folic acid and Methyl B-12.

Yesterday I watched Brooke for 1 hour while her Mom went to a college class. It was day 2 on her new supplements. She was still very happy and bright. She wanted to watch cartoons on You Tube. She communicates very good without actually speaking. I speak fluent Brooke, usually knowing what she wants by the way she pulls me around.
I was concerned how she would do on her new supplements. Some autistic kids get extremely hyper on the supplement containing high levels of B-vitamins. For other kids, it calms them down. That is what so tough about treatments for autism. Everyone is different, nothing carved in stone.
In the past with Brooke, while she was watching a video, I could go outside for a smoke and she wouldn't notice. Not the case yesterday. I started Tom & Jerry, got on my coat and turned to go to the door. I didn't get one step. Here comes Brooke, grabs my finger and pulls me back to sit on the chair next to her to watch the video. For some reason, yesterday was counting day for Brooke. She sat watching videos, saying on occasion " one - two ". She can count to seven, but usually only if she wants to.
When it was time to go, I took Brooke outside for a quick ride around the yard in the dump truck. She is big beans sitting in the cab. She climbed in the cab, starts counting "one - two - free - four ". So I say, "1,2,3,4". She says " five - sicks - seff - eight". The truck starts moving and I pull up close to her Mom. Brooke says "go - go - go". I said to her, no no no, time to go home. (I had told her that when Mom arrived, and again when we went outside.)She wasn't very happy about going home (as usual). I carried her to the car and put her in her car seat. She climbed out and got on the floor. I put her in the seat again and she started crying. She stopped fighting as soon as the seat belt was put on her. Just that fast she stopped crying and just sat there.
Next week, if all continues well with her current supplements, she will start on one more. Each new supplement is started at one quarter the recommended dose, and used for awhile until the next one is started.

Talk About A Happy Little Girl

Brookes new supplements arrived today and Grandma and I delivered them to Brookes Mom. I have not seen Brooke so happy and active for a long time. I played non stop with Brooke for 1 hour. In the past, 5 minutes tops, and then back to watching videos. Brooke didn't even have any videos on tonite. She ran, she climbed on my back for rides, she made me get on a 4's so she could crawl under me like a bridge. She was just a happy little girl that wanted to play. Verbal skills are still minimal, but she was rattling off loads of words I couldn't understand. Ten minutes before it was time to go, I kept telling her I had to go bye-bye. After about 10 minutes of telling her that, she grabbed my fingers, lead me out of her room to where Grandma was sitting. She pulled Grandma out of her chair and then pulled us both over to the video player. Her Mom got up to put a DVD in the machine for her. As we walked out of the house, Brooke was sitting there watching us and started to cry. Very sad to see, but an improvement from the past when her Mom had to restrain her until we were gone.

Brooke at Birthday Party - March 22, 2010

On Monday night we went to a family birthday party. When we arrived, Brooke was playing with some balloons. She still does not respond well when somebody calls her name or points for her to look at something. As soon as she saw me looking in the front door window, here she comes. She wants picked up, and a big hugger is mine. She then turns to the other people in room, starts waving and says "bye". I tell Brooke we're not going bye-bye, but we can go on front porch. She goes outside with me, hops in her stroller, and says "bye" again to people on porch. This is Brookes way of saying Grandpa and I are leaving in the stroller. I tell her we are not going to go bye-bye. She gets out of the stroller, takes me by the finger, and starts pulling me towards the road where our car is parked. I stop her and tell her, "let's go back in the house". Once in the house, she goes to the coat hook, grabs her coat and tries to put it on. It's upside down, but I get the meaning. Coats on grandpa, time to leave. I pick her up, carry her in the room, and tell her "let's watch a video". Off comes her coat, she unzips my jacket and peels it off me, and climbs in my lap to watch the video. What is truly amazing to me, is thru this entire process, not one time did she throw a tantrum. In the the past, that would not be the case.
After supper we go out on the front porch. It's about 60 degress outside. I put my jacket around Brooke, and Grandma, puts her arms in the right spots and zippers it up. Brooke leaves it on, she's comfortable. We go down off the front porch, Brooke has no shoes on, but she wants to go for a walk. Her cousin Mandy walks out front, with Brooke holding 2 of my fingers, walking about 10 feet behind. All was going well until we came to some broken up sidewalk. Brooke starting walking real gingerly and started saying "ouch, ouch, ouch". At the end of the block, she wanted picked up, I carried her back to the house.
The interesting thing about this is that autistic children have a very high tolerance for pain. It is believed that the neuro transmitters in their bodies don't work properly. They don't feel when it's cold outside, don't feel when they have to potty, don't feel when something hurts, like broken sidewalk on their feet. Brooke is starting to feel cold, or she would have peeled my jacket off, and Brooke is starting to feel pain on the bottoms of her feet. Very important signs we are going in the right direction with her.
We went back into the house for birthday cake. I came to find out her Mom was rewarded with Brooke having severe diarrhea in bed a few hours later. Most autistic kids can't tolerate some foods, especially dairy and wheat products.
Then after cake, it was time, according to Brooke, for some fun playing with the balloons. Throw them up in the air, try to catch them. She started saying to me "u catch, u catch". I personally feel that Brooke is getting real close to breaking out and started to speak more and more.
One other positive note, Brookes Aunt Monica told me that Brooke climbed in her lap and wanted a hug. In the past, she said Brooke would climb in her lap and try to bite her.

Brooke March 21, 2010 - Progress Continues

Brooke continues heading in the right direction. Her Mom sent a text message that said " Brooke said 'Catch'. Her new supplements will be here soon. 1st is Cod Liver Oil, which is supposed to help brain function and eye contact. The 2nd is her new vitamin-mineral supplement without vit. A&D. The 3rd one contains vitamin methyl B-12, folic acid, and DMG.

DMG (N,N-Dimethylglycine) is a metabolic enhancer that can provide increased benefits when supplemented even if there isn’t a deficiency.
DMG makes the process of metabolism (breaking down or building up of compounds in the body) quicker and more efficient.
DMG is a completely safe hypoallergenic nutrient.

Also on the way are 3 new books from Amazon. 1 is about dairy-free living, with lots of recipes and helpful advice. The 2nd book is an all around book about autistic diets and supplements, recommended by a lady working with Brooke. The last book is written by a Doctor who works with autistic children, telling of his success stories and treatments he uses.

Brooke, February 2010, A New Beginning

The amazing thing I had found on the internet was 2 different websites. TACA (Talk About Curing Autism)

and DAN (Defeat Autism Now). These websites told about the difference in autistic children with diet change and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. I even watched videos of transformation of these kids before and after. Simply amazing. That was enough for me. Research, research, research. What I found was the difference in many autistic children is the way they digest food and absorb needed nutrients. Many of them have underlying stomach issues, bad bacteria and yeast. They also have bad reactions to milk and wheat containing foods.That may explain the diaper rash and boils on Brooke. I found out that the place to start with Brooke was to heal the stomach first. After more research, I decided to start her on probiotics (good stomach bacteria).

Before I go on, let me tell you that all treatments are all natural and totally safe, even for toddlers like Brooke. The company I buy the supplements from is Kirkman Labs in Oregon. They have been in business since the 1960's, specializing in the needs of autistic children. They are able to answer any question I may have.

Brooke started on probiotics in the middle of February. For 10 days, very soft and stinky pooh. Then something happened. Brooke started to change. Her attitude was improving. She was starting to say a few new words. Her mom called one night and said Brooke said "Pizza". Her day care worker has noticed a big change in Brooke. She is starting to flirt with the little boys in day care. The tantrums are not as severe. I go over and see her at least once a week. She is so loving now, wants to be held alot more. She is brighter, I cannot sneak out on her when I leave. She even lets me leave now without throwing tantrums. I do warn her 15 minutes before I go. She may cry alittle and say 'no no no' but she lets me go.

Last Saturday, March 13, Brooke started on a vitamin - mineral supplement. No big changes in vocabulary, but her attitude continues to improve. Her and I went for a ride in the truck on Sat. the 13th. We sang the La, La, La song. Brooke even uses the jazz hands, and claps and says 'yeah' after the song is over. Brooke spent the night Saturday the 13th, and It was actually a fun time. We go to the potty now without much fighting. Don't always use it yet, but at least try. She also has to wipe, close the toilet lid, and flush when she is done.

Ring around the Rosey has become popular with her again after an absence of

1 1/2 years. On Sunday the 14th, when Brooke got up, she received her supplement cocktail. When handed to her, she said ' Oh What's This'. On Sunday the 14th, she also said 'Papa', when she was looking for me. She is also starting to make eye contact again. Another big change with Brooke, she now includes Grandma in some activities. At one time it was only Grandpa and nobody else allowed.

Next week we are changing Brookes Vitamin - Mineral supplement. This is being done to allow the use of cod liver oil, which contains vitamins A&D. She will no longer need A&D in her vitamin - mineral supplement. We are also going to put her on a dairy free diet soon, which her medical doctor has agreed to go along with.

Brooke, Jan 2010

By January 2010, Brooke was not doing very well. She was still in diapers, and had severe diaper rash. She was also breaking out with large boils on her body. The little girl that I once couldn't get enough of, was becoming the little girl I didn't look forward to seeing. She still loved grandpa, but was getting almost impossible to handle. Her tantrums were out of hand. She would take her clothes off. She wasn't sleeping well, and her appetite was limited to Chicken Nuggets and junk food. But, by a fate of God, a change was coming.
It was at a Birthday party for my one step daughter at the end of January. Brooke came in the house and was in a decent mood. She hadn't eaten anything all day. Then it came time for ice cream and birthday cake. After 2 pieces of cake and 2 bowls of ice cream Brooke got back down and went to go watch her videos. Something changed in Brooke. Her good mood was no longer there. Off came her clothes. Mom said it was time to leave, then the worst tantrum I have ever seen. The child was like a wild animal. Grandpa loves her, but I can't handle this. After Brooke left and the dust settled, a light bulb came on in my head. The change in Brooke after eating. I went to the internet to do some research. What I found was the most amazing thing I could ever dream of. Hope of getting my little Brooke back.

Brooke, 2009

It was in the spring of 2009, we were sure something wasn't right with Brooke. Severe tantrums, no speaking, and no eye contact. It was by chance down at my sisters, that her and one of her friends got to see Brooke. My sister and her friend both agreed, Brooke was showing sure signs of autism. To me, it was awful. Everything I ever heard about autistic children wasn't good. I had also heard that to help autistic children, the sooner they got help the better the chance for them. We decided to have a family meeting, and discuss the issue with Brookes Mom. It was a very tough thing for her mother, but it was agreed Brooke needed help.
We started first with OCCK, an organization for special needs people. They started seeing Brooke twice a week, and also got us information about getting a formal diagnosis for Brooke. In October 2009, we took Brooke to Kansas University Medical Center to meet with autistic specialist. The diagnosis, ASD or Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Brooke, Christmas 2008

By Christmas 2008, a change could be seen in Brooke.

She was no longer the life of the party. The girl who once loved getting her picture taken, wanted nothing to do with it. At this time she could speak 3 words, (Bye,No, and Puppy). That would change soon after in 2009. She mostly just said 'No', and nothing else. She was also withdrawing into her own little world. She still loved grandpa, and would throw severe tantrums when it came time to leave.

Brooke, Christmas 2007

At her 2nd Christmas in 2007, Brooke 14 months old, was the life of the party. She was happy and very busy flirting with her uncle Shannon. She was having so much fun. She also loved sitting on my lap watching Christmas videos. Still a normal little girl and a joy to be around.

About Brooke

Brooke was born October 2, 2006. She was by most rights, a normal baby. She started walking right on time, and was very bright for her age. She was the apple of grandpas eye. Brooke and I had, and still do, have an extremely strong bond. Her mom was only 18, but very loving and mature for her age.