The Autism Cocktail(s)...

What do you think of when someone says: cocktail?

A drink in the evening before or after dinner? Dictionary.com defines it as "any of various short mixed drinks, consisting typically of gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, or brandy, with different admixtures, as vermouth, fruit juices, or flavorings, usually chilled and frequently sweetened".

For some that deals with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) the word "cocktail" takes on a completely different meaning. It's a routine that is used to help their child or loved one function throughout the day. Usually involving foods, medications, vitamins, exercise, etc. (Paraphrased) I've been talking to different people over the last few months, [parents, caregivers, a doctor (M.D.), a gastroenterologist and even OT's (occupational therapists) about this subject] and am overwhelmed by the information. I'm sure it will take a long time for me to begin to process.

When we first started looking into medication for the boys, I researched the ones they were prescribed, and frankly they scared me. Some were anti-psychotics, depressants, stimulants, etc. Then I found out that they were called an autism cocktail. Well, that was a new term for me at the time, but it helped me understand that even though some of these drugs are "labelled" one thing, many kiddos used them with great benefits. For example: a medication labelled "anti-psychotic" means... that is what the original FDA (food and drug administration) submission was for, when the drug was sent for approval. So now, I've learned to look for the benefits and problems with a drug before making any decisions about them. I no longer rely on what the drug is labelled to be used for.

As the term "autism cocktail" is being used more and more, I'm learning that it's a term used for more than just certain medications used together in concert for autistic people. it's so much more - it's used for any regimen that a person needs in order to help throughout the day. Some "cocktails" don't even use any medications.

Some OT's call them "diets", others call them "regimens", still others call them "routines". Generally the autism cocktail will include many things to help someone regulate or deal with the different issues they face. An example of different autism cocktails:

• Medications used in concert for autistic behaviors
• Holistic, organic or gluten free diets
• Vitamin regimens, supplements, probiotics
• Occupational Therapy routines

I think this is a great article on "cocktail treatments":    

http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/01/cocktail-treatm.html

One of the things I'm glad we did was to wait until they were a little older before pursuing the prescription medicines. I feel so bad for the kiddos and their parents...  I've heard some real horror stories about side-effects on children as young as 18-months using medicines that didn't work and ultimately the parents gave up on the meds completely. I hear the same story over and over with other parents of kiddos on the spectrum that they've given up. The side effects were worse than the need for the medication in the first place. Some of the side effects I heard parents talk about included: falling asleep, being overly excited, "bouncing off the walls", jitters, hearing things, talking to someone who wasn't there, etc.

As parents we have to be caregivers, nutritionists, teachers, students, dental hygienists, researchers, doctors and yes - pharmacists when necessary. The professionals can only tell us things from their perspective and expertise. It is our job to find out what works best for our babes. Sometimes one thing won't work and another won't work, but by using them together - in concert - they will. Especially for those of us who have mostly non-verbal kiddos, autism can be extremely cruel. We have no idea how our kiddos are feeling through words, we have to watch closely, monitoring their every behavior.

What if we could open some magical door that would allow our child to communicate fully? Wouldn't you be the first one in line to open it? I know I would. But since we don't, that leaves it up to us to find the next best thing. Treating our loved one's issues one at a time, and who knows, maybe we'll find something that helps our little ones communicate with us a little more today than yesterday. Maybe we can find some way to open the door to help them learn what they need to in order to teach us a new way to communicate.

Autism is an equal opportunity disorder - it doesn't care how much money you have, how "religious" you are, where you live. Autism is a type jail cell for those who have it, and a journey the family goes through, hopefully together. A journey to find the key to unlock the cell door. We just have to keep searching, never give up.

From a mother's heart - one thing all parents have in common - their kids. Having kids means beginning on a journey. One you never know where it will lead you.
God Bless!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.    - Lao-tzu (Chinese Philosopher)