Parents of children with autism have been told that autism can be a reversible condition if treated early and properly. This message was given at a conference in Dublin organised to train parents in new methods of treatment available abroad for children with autism.
More than 400 parents who attended the conference have demanded that the Government provide specialist blood testing here or face a €12m bill for treatment elsewhere in the European Union.
One of the conference speakers - Stephen Shore - is proof that autism can be reversed with intensive early treatment. He is now a lecturer completing a PhD, despite being diagnosed as autistic at the age of 18 months.
"I developed normally until then - and then I lost communication with the environment, the ability to speak, had tantrums, was spinning myself around, spinning objects - all those classic autistic traits that we see," said Mr Shore.
Parents were told that the key to recovery includes behavioural therapy and diet. Dr Jeff Bradstreet said: "Removing gluten and casein - bread and milk proteins - can make a dramatic difference in many of the children. That's simple, the parent can do it: it's just like a coeliac diet with modifications".
The experts told of specialist but costly blood testing offered in the US and Holland which is not available in Ireland. By a show of hands, the parents decided to support a call on the Government to either provide the testing in the State or pay for the treatment in Holland under European Union rules. These rules stipulate that if treatment deemed necessary is unavailable in the patient's home country, they are entitled to obtain it in another EU country.
Ann O'Donnell, conference organiser said: "With about 6,000 children affected, that's a bill of €12m, and that's just a start. The ultimatum the parents are giving is that the Government must respond within 28 days"
Supplemented by training information on a website, parents were advised that their autistic children can recover if they are given appropriate treatment which is currently unavailable here.
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