Do vitamins make a difference?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Do vitamins make a difference?
3
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 8:40pm

I've been reading about fish oil and vitamins and how they affect autism. Has anyone had luck with taking vitamin supplements? I recently started taking a whole foods extract myself and it's made an incredible difference in my energy levels and clarity. The brand I take doesn't make a children's version... anyone know of a good one?


Thanks!


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 07-27-2005 - 12:55am

Well, I know I have said it before maybe 1000 times and am boring everyone to tears, but yeah. We have noticed a difference. It is definitely what has worked for my family.

Just to give you an idea of how much it has affected, I will tell you a little about my son. My 2nd child and oldest son, Mike, is my most affected child behaviorally (all 4 of mine have something). We started meds for him at nearly 5 when warned he may not make it in regular classrooms without. We went through 4 years of trying different meds. Some working briefly then making things worse, some just making things worse, some not working at all. He eventually did end up in a special education classroom last yaer.

By October of last year Mike was doing horribly in school and home. I was regularly getting phone calls to pick him up. His teacher (who is a dream) was having to restrain him regularly because he would get so out of control he was a danger to himself and others. Tantrums lasting 30 minutes to hours. One of the worst was when the teachers had to restrain him in my car while I drove him home and the principal of the school drove my other children to my house behind us. He tantrumed for 2 more hours after that. I took him to a psychiatrist who wanted to try another med. He cried for hours on the new med adn I finally had enough. I took him off meds and put him on supplements, mainly fish oil. He has not been restrained at school since. He has had maybe 2-3 big meltdowns at home but none lasting longer than 30 mintues. He still has aggressions but they are much more rare.

3 things happened at the same time. 1) I added Supplements, 2) took him off meds and 3) took him out of all mainstreaming which were causing added stress in school.

Though I can't say supplements are COMPLETELY the cause of his turn around and I know the other 2 definitely were neccessary and helped to. But I know the supps are a huge part of how he is doing now because when I forget his supplements for a couple days, oh boy oh boy can you tell. All 4 of my kids and both my husband and I take supplements. It really helps all of us.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2003
Wed, 07-27-2005 - 4:00pm

Renee after reading your story I'm very interested in what other supplements besides fish oil you give your children. Jakes melt downs last only a few minutes but I would love it if they were fewer and further between. Also is it actually fish oil? I don't think for a second I could get Jake to swallow fish oil? He is a very picky eater, and a self made vegetarin.

Annmarie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 07-27-2005 - 5:35pm

for your fish oil dilemma, try coromega. it is an orange flavor with a pudding consistency. what you are trying to accomplish with fish oil is omega 3 supplementation. you also want to be certain of your source, as cheap fish oil supplements have the possibility of having mercury in them.

valerie

ps--i like brainchild.com vitamins. they are pricey compared to some. but they are very complete--but formulated for children on the autism spectrum.

~Valerie