As a direct support professional in behavioral health, I am sickened and overwhelmed at the thought of parents of autistic children giving them bleach to try and “cure” their autism. Having children of my own with no disabilities in their way, I can’t imagine walking in the shoes of the parents who have children with physical and mental disabilities. However, I get to be involved with autistic residents who truly warm my heart and make me smile with a love that is warm and humbling.
Instead of trying to cure the autism, maybe parents should try to learn their children and embrace them. Every autistic child and adult is a gift from God. They are special and unique in their own ways.
I have learned how to work with individuals who are non verbal or who have behaviors which can sometimes be violent. It takes dedication and love to be a support for them, but the feeling you get when you learn something new about one of these amazing individuals is one that can’t be explained and it brings pure joy. If I get that joy as a staff, why can’t some parents try and get the same joy as they are their own?
No, you didn’t ask this for your child, but God gave you this child because He believed in you to be their parent.
I can tell you without a doubt that bleach will not cure autism nor will anything else take it away. There are medications and therapies to lessen the symptoms and behaviors of course. These parents who are trying this practice are beyond desperate and the doctors who are telling them it’s okay should be stripped of their license as this is not okay for anyone to ingest bleach.
There is help available for parents who are overwhelmed with having an autistic child or loved one. In Tennessee, you can reach out to the DIDD and so fourth and try and get some assistance. There are several programs to offer support such as day programs and respite programs to give the parents a well needed break.
Please rethink bleach if you are considering it to try and cure autism. Think of the cons that far outweigh the pros to this as there are none. It’s a false hope that could only damage your child for life.
Be proud of that special little person you are blessed to raise. Learning their likes/dislikes, triggers and behaviors are key in the stability they need on a day to day basis. Stop searching for cures and instead look to your own child to learn their needs. There is help, actual resources to help, but bleach by far is not the solution.
Nicole Morris
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Unless this is an urban legend...
If Nicole Morris, or anyone else, has information about parents administering bleach to their children, it seems to me that she has a legal (and moral) obligation to immediately report such abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
Since I suspect that many law enforcement people read this forum, it also seems to me that they would immediately open appropriate investigations even without formal reports to them.
We're talking about defenseless children here.
William Caldwell