This Is My Autism: The Cost of Recovery

Heather Turano is on a mission to heal and recover her daughter Sabrina, affectionately known as Pepito, from autism. Here she shares the story of the moment Sabrina medically recovered from autism, originally posted on her blog Recovering Sabrina. It is a happy story, for sure, and I in no way want to diminish the amazing joy and relief associated with making a huge step in healing. But often when kids reach a certain level of recovery, we hear people say that they were never autistic in the first place. Or they view autism as easily “fixed.” Both these viewpoints negate the tremendous efforts that healing requires. I want to highlight how difficult the road to recovery is – all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into it. And all the money! If fact, Heather notes in a different post that she lost her home because of the expense of autism treatment. And, as this post expresses, recovery still comes with a host of difficulties ahead – catching up, maintaining health, and continuing to work with existing issues. As autism parents, we are so grateful for any win for our children. But our sugar comes with a lot shit. I’m grateful to Heather for contributing to the This Is My Autism series. 

“Her readings now are basically showing more like a typical kid with allergies.”

That was the moment I lost it. We have been fighting now for almost five years – sacrificing everything (literally) in order to help my daughter recover and heal. The past 3 years we have been utilizing homotoxicology as part of her protocol of non-invasive detoxification in conjunction with biomedical/dietary treatments. My daughter’s health has done a 360!

I started crying happy tears. Thinking about how far she had come, about a recent conversation I had with my husband about what comes next and IF there was anything else we could do or if this was it, then becoming so sad because of the reality that we simply might not have any more options left. Going from feeling helpless to “OMG WTF?!” Biologically she is just about HEALED! So many thoughts ran through my head and I was just overjoyed to hear that at least her body and her health just might make a full comeback.

Managed Recovery, Ongoing Issues

She will always have autoimmune/mitochondrial disorders and food/ environmental allergies, but is in the best health that she can reach for her personal conditions. She was SO SICK for SO LONG because NO treatments were ever even attempted due to the failure of our pediatricians and so-called specialists. For almost 9 years she suffered, but I KNEW something was wrong and had to push forward despite what they said (that Autism was a social/brain disorder). I found a whole new world of doctors and practitioners who could help me heal my child because they understand that Autism is MEDICAL! These people who help do exist. MAPS doctors , Holistic and homeopathic practitioners, chiropractors and wellness centers are who you see and where you go to find the people who can help. GET TO THEM! They can help guide you!

Although Sabrina’s health has recovered tremendously, she will always have to follow a certain diet, take her supplements and do other daily treatments in order to KEEP her health. It is going to remain a challenge. But it is so good to hear that all that we sacrificed and all that we have done has had a positive impact. Knowing that she will now be okay and medically stable IS Recovery in my eyes. It’s HER Recovery.

Sabrina still has very prevalent brain damage. She has prevalent learning disabilities. Although she understands conversation and everything going on around her and is very “present” now, she is still vulnerable and could easily be taken advantage of. She has shown remarkable improvement in awareness of her surroundings, she still lacks common sense and can be easily manipulated.

Homeschooling has helped academically because Sabrina can work on her time at her pace in the style that best fits her learning abilities, which is hands-on. She is quick to understand basic concepts, but more complicated thinking can be frustrating to her. The WH questions (who, what, where, when, why) especially ‘why’ have always been challenging. But she has even shown great improvement with them – she recently started to ask WH questions, including 3 ‘why’ questions! The most “complicated thinking” of all of them! That just didn’t happen before we began her healing journey.

I still see her difficulties and right now, although so many tremendous improvements throughout her recovery journey, the reality is her brain damage is prevalent where I sadly do not see the possibility for a full (loss of autism diagnosis) recovery for her. Although extremely independent, she will always need some type of support and protection. Even so, I am beyond thankful for the leaps and bounds she has improved!

Constant Hope For The Future

I do keep hope that things will continue to improve as she is not fully detoxed just yet. That is going to be a slow ongoing process which will take a lot of time. I am keeping the faith and I do have hope left for more improvement overall -cognitively, in expressive and receptive language, and in auditory processing.

With her health back on track, I am currently focused on helping to build her brain connections and getting her more involved in the community. I am putting her social skills to work, building her self-esteem and self-confidence so when she is presented in a social setting with typical peers she feels good and comfortable, so that instead of “bugging out” she will interact and be her funny, silly self. And, she has made a friend who she calls “my best friend Casadee” and she continues to develop this relationship with her typical 10-year-old peer. Sabrina is also super excited to return to ballet class with typical peers. She has evolved so much and it has been amazing to watch her grow.

She is a happier, healthier kid. Because of that we are finally able to see who Sabrina is inside! She has finally broken though that barrier. Autism cannot have my child anymore! She is a fighter and we are winning!

I am definitely optimistic about her future, but I’m also a realist. We are taking everything day by day. I keep reminding myself that we haven’t crossed the “finish line” just yet. We still have our last mountain to get over (detox) but we are half way there and will make it through – fighting, kicking, and screaming if need be! I am just so grateful to God for guidance and thankful to our angels here on earth that have helped to make some of these therapies possible for her to participate in. My girl definitely has a troop of Guardian Angels watching over her! Don’t let anyone fool you – AUTISM RECOVERY IS REAL!

Heather Turano, also known as the Autism Warrior of Long Island, New York is an Autism Parent advocate and Medical Freedom activist. She shares her journey and fight to heal and recover her daughter Sabrina from autism on her blog Recovering Sabrina.