Autism

Opinion

November 17, 2009

New recovery, resource center offers hope, help for area families

Anonymous The Register-Herald Tue Nov 17, 2009, 11:16 PM EST

All too often, when parents are told their child has autism, there are few resources readily available.

The Internet offers a wide range of information, but parents with a new diagnosis don’t know what questions to ask first or where to start looking for help.

Dr. Janet Lintala learned that first-hand. Years of research, trial and error and gaining her certification as a Defeat Autism Now! doctor led her to open the Autism Recovery Resource Center in Beckley.

The first of its kind, the center offers a place where families can learn about autism and biomedical interventions that can be used to help children with autism.

There are no gimmicks, false promises or guaranteed cures. Instead, families can find a place to learn more about autism, share information and network with other families coping with a puzzling condition that manifests itself in different degrees among children.

Many modalities for treating autism are controversial, and parents can become aware of the possible risks and benefits of various biomedical approaches.

Recovery in this case does not mean a child will totally overcome limitations caused by autism, but will have the opportunity to explore different ways to reach his or her potential in the development of language and other skills.

Until now, parents who wanted to try biomedical options for their children had to travel out of state.

The Beckley center provides the convenience and an opportunity to talk one-on-one with mothers such as Lintala who have experienced successes and failures with different kinds of interventions for a child with autism.

Autism is a complex condition, and to date, experts offer no concrete answers. However, this center brings area families some options they’ve never had this close to home.

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