It was hot summer of May 2015 . We had been to my in law's place. Seeing my son (then 22 months old)  flapping his hands they would joke saying he will to fly like a bird.  We took it lightly least realizing that this was the tip of iceberg.

After coming back home. One evening I took my son to park for playing. Another kid just one month older than my son was also playing nearby. I observed her activities. She was much more responsive. I told her to jump-she jumped, touch the ground – she touched, pointed at the birds-she looked at them and many other similar activities. I realized that these type of activities were missing in my son. This was the trigger point. Difference between my son and the other kid was around 80%.

I started thinking and believing in my wife’s words in which she used to say since my son was 12 months that his learning, speaking and response is not upto the mark. Earlier I used to think as a mother my wife is over worried. And also a word in society that boy learns slower than girl.

Now, what to do? Where to go?...  Luckily one evening my wife told me about a neighbouring child who was not fluently speaking was taken to nearby hospital for Specially able children. We thought of going there.

After a few visits, full of Questions and Answers we were told that he was a child “with high risk of Autism”. Greatest shock of our life. Had a few nights without sleep. Started thinking what to do and what not to do. What he would do / not do in future ? A big Question in all directions?

Internet the first source of knowledge came to our rescue. Read about Autism and found out that my son had following symptoms :-

1)      Flapping hands.

2)      Circling around an object, standing near rotating objects (eg washing machine, spinning top etc)

3)      Very less eye contact.

4)      Low almost nil speech. (in fact he, had regression) Spoke few words at the age of 1 year and then stopped.

5)      Milk (other than mother’s ) did not suit him.

6)      Too much hyper.

7)      Playing with part of an object. Not the full object as a whole.

8)      Playing in isolation especially with small objects

9)      Used to cry seeing any outsider approaching us. 

10)   Most of the time he was Irritated (not joyful). Doctors co-relate this to hyperactivity.

11)   Not being able to blow nor suck from pipe.

12)    Used to cry at the mid of nigh for half hour with a total blank look.

13)   Sensitive to hair cut.

14)   Sensitive to brushing teeth. Did not wish to eat anything (Never picking up an item to eat).

15)   Urinating in small containers.

After a few more visits to various such hospitals, in and out station, we confirmed ourselves that he was “with high risk of Autism”.

Acceptance the ‘The first step’

Luckily NIMH (National Institute of Mentally Handicapped) was nearby. We gathered courage to go there. After registration we were sent to early intervention department. After a long Q and A we were advised for diet control ie GFCF (no wheat and wheat products, no milk and milk products) and also sugar free food.  Digesting this itself was hard for us. Because 90% of food intake by my son was made from milk/wheat/sugar. The doctor from NIMH could understand my wife’s dilemma and she patiently encouraged her how to switch to this food.  It took around 2 months to switch to GFCF and sugar free food. But in the mean time we could realize a bit of improvement in my son’s eye contact. One evening my wife informed me that my son came and hugged her. This made us believe in GFCF and sugar free food.

The Second Step

We have the habit of interacting with other specially able child’s parents. It was in such interaction we heard about Dr Ketan Patel who visits our town once in 3 months. We went to see the doctor. After Observing my son for few minutes the Doctor was confident and assured me that he would become alright. He gave us the medicines. We were surprised that the medicines were already ready in his bag. Generally a homeopathic Doc asks a series of Q and then prepares the medicines. But Dr Ketan Patel was different. His confidence took us. We did not have much choice either.  By this time we knew there is no medicine in Allopathy. Ayurvedic medicines are very difficult to consume specially by a 2 year old child. Doc told that it will take minimum of 60 days to show some result.

The Take off …

Every day we gave the medicines as directed with great expectations. After around 45 days some positive effect started coming up. Every positive step son took was cherished by the whole family. I remember the day he started blowing at thermocol balls fallen on the floor. Day by day improvement was shown in all aspects. We never missed his dose of medicine (except a very very few).

We realized that improvement in some aspects was cyclic. His head banging reduced, and then  increased, then again reduced. After a few such cycles it diminished to Nil.

Now, he is 4+ yrs. Dr Ketan Patel’s medicines had worked. We had given it for almost 2 yrs. He has passed Nursery and currently studying in LKG (normal school). He is writing A-Z, a-z, 1 to 20, hindi alphabets, recognizes fruits, vegetables, animals, colors etc. Most importantly he is playing with other kids, socializing, communicating (asking questions) etc. Some oral sensory issue still persists like does not want to brush, difficulty in chewing (chews from left side of mouth only). Hoping these will also perish soon.

Points to ponder (from experience):-

• regular medicine - first dose empty stomach, eat nothing 15 min before and after the medicine
  
  
• massage daily head to toe with mild soothing music
  
  
• Strict Diet control (as far as possible)
  
  
• Try to visit public places ie maximize socialization.
  
  
• Run / play (outdoor activity)  with kid.
  
  
• Be aware of therapy centers – specially ones which are non-transparent. Try to know feedback of Doctor/ therapy centers from social media too.
  
  
• Be patient (most important of all).

I thank God for all his special blessings and also his representative (for us) Dr Ketan Patel for his bulls eye treatment.