Do vitamins make a difference?
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Do vitamins make a difference?
| 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!

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
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
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.