Treatment forum? Does this site have one?

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Hey everyone.

I've just started to use this site really and think it's great. Although I can't seem to find any section to discuss treatments that are effective in treating autism or it's symptoms, or what others have found helpful in treating it.

All the forums I've viewed are all regarding how awesome Autism is and how it's better than being normal. I think it's great people pride themselves in having it.
However there are many others (like myself) who believe autism is terrible and life ruining on a daily basis and want nothing else other than to be normal.

Is there a section on this forum for the latter group? Where we can discuss theories, what treatments and diets that have helped relieve symptoms of the disorder we hate and is ruining our quality of life 24/7?

Thanks.

You'll come to see that many of us don't believe that it is better, or believe that some aspects are but others aren't. They tend to be somewhat quieter than the other members.

Generally, each forum is used to discuss problems relating to the topic, but I don't think there is a specific treatment forum.

It doesn't seem that there is a treatment for autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Not really. Lots of theories and shots in the dark, though. I don't think those sorts of band aid type approaches are respected on WP, since we are mostly those with the Syndrome, not those that wish to 'become normal.'

Merle

I agree with the above but I think there are things that can improve our day to day lives, not least coming to terms with ourselves and the social problems we encounter and that certain things can be learned, for example proper use of eye contact, words to avoid using - I learned yesterday from someone on this site not to use the word "obviously" because it apparently insults peoples intelligence - that is a word I've used a lot!

There are useful practical tips and little gems that appear occasionally in the main autism discussion forum and occasionally elsewhere. I'm not referring to any dubious medical or dietary related things, just practical things that help. Take for example weighted blankets. I'd never heard of them until I read of them on this site. I've since noticed that a bit extra weight on the bed (without getting too warm) helps me to sleep. Little things like that are useful to know.

The biggest thing this site has given me is undoubtedly helping me to understand why I'm different and to come to terms with it. Hell - I'm almost proud of being Aspie now!

There are things out there you can do to relieve the symptoms of autism.

For one I have been on a Gluten/Dairy free diet for 2 months now and the differences are incredible. Improvements are: brain fog, attention, eye contact, anxiety/depression, light/touch senses. The weirdest thing was when I ate gluten or dairy after being off it for so long my eyes would completely screw up for 2 days. They wouldn't open completely and looked like I was squinting. Depth perception reduced drastically every time also. The differences are more than noticeable. This doesn't apply to everyone though there more than 1 type of autism. Also many may have a yeast infection and also see huge improvements, like fatigue, eye contact and body language.

If more people on this forum knew then they could try it out and it would be interesting to see how many on here it benefits.
There are a lot of other things that can also benefit autism.

I don't see a problem with treating symptoms you have. I think the problem people have is when someone starts talking about a cure.

I do worry that such a forum would get ugly fast. We already see that, at times, on parenting, although by staying on top of it (in the way of moderation) we can keep it down. The main issue I have with the concept of treatment is that since very little has proven to be effective, the whole concept can be encouraging people to throw a lot of money at a pipe dream. Yes, some things can be helped, IF there is what is probably a co-morbid, something that makes the AS experience worse than it needs to be. But helping people understand those distinctions is tricky, and I've seen people claim that a lot of bizarre things have helped "cure" them, or significantly improve their lives, and truth is that is probably mostly placebo effect. With a population that is often struggling to make ends meet, encouraging dollars to go out in chase of mostly placebo effects is of concern. Because of all that, it is an area where people have extremely strong opinions.

So .... if we had such a forum, it would need a solid moderator with a balanced view to keep on top of it, and help the participants stay on the middle road, knowing when they are shooting at windmills v. following reasonably close science, and making choices based on complete information. I, for one, would NOT be up to taking that on as a moderator at this time. Just my opinion, since it's being discussed.

Instead of a treatment forum, I'd rather see a self-help forum.

A forum that's about what we can do to make lives better for ourselves. Which could include "treatment", if the treatment is truly focused on making life better, rather than just making someone "normal". But would include other things too.. dealing with fears, depression, etc.

My life has improved a lot. I am much less autistic than I used to be. But it's not through anything I'd call "treatment". Rather, personal growth. Learning about myself. Learning new skills. Learning to see myself as good. Learning that I am loved. Facing fears.

I think discussing treatments for those who want help would be a good idea, I don't like the idea of beliefs or "pro autism" to be forced on people, as its a personal choice.

I personally am pro-aspergers but I am also high functioning - I think a "medical" forum will cover all the criteria needed for people who want help.

I'm guessing the reason there isn't one is because people will get into HUGE fights about threads made.

I think there's much in the realm of "help" that's outside the world of medicine.

"medical" doesn't mean pharmacuiticals. It means medical issues, like symptoms that make life hard for aspies.

Anything that doesn't involve wanting some sort of treatment for their problems can very easily fit into the other categories already on this board.

Yes, medical does not just mean medicine. I know that. Still, there's much in the realm of help that's outside of medicine.

There's more to making life better for ourselves that what falls under "medicine" or "treatment".

Yeah, the kind of stuff I'm talking about could be discussed in other forums. But so can medical treatments. But, none of the forums now are focused on any sort of getting better.

I'm saying, instead of a forum focused only on "treatment" (the original suggestion in this thread), we should instead have one focused more generally on ways we can improve our lives. Which would include "treatment", but also include other things. A place where all the discussion has a focus of personal change for the better, and not restricted to medical means for that change.

That can fit into everywhere else. Thats what WP as a whole was designed to do.

This person wants a place to talk about treatments only. (medicine im guessing, if they wanted to talk about just help in life they would have posted anywhere else here)

It doesn't really fit into any of the other forums and due to this, basically nobody on this site is even aware of these treatments that can help some of them.

If you search general Autism discussion basically all the treatment threads are rejected by small minded trolls who haven't even given it a shot themselves and due to their naive information everyone takes their advice and therefore it's completely ignored. A separate forum would completely solve this issue and that's why one is needed.

A designated help forum would be extremely beneficial and the helpful treatments would be on the first page or become a sticky for everyone to see.

There is nowhere designated section on here for people to find information regarding getting better.

In fact the opposite is motivated, that is to accept who you are and that you can't change it. So this forum provides help with symptoms and how to overcome them by being aware of them. This is good but makes life completely fake and depressing in reality, it's not natural.

If there's to have a medical section and see results, this would be it, as we have a huge database of autistics and we can see what works on a large scale.

I can't see any reason not to do it. You mention that trolls will argue, well ban them why should we have to suffer because of them? It's not justified to prevent treatment discussion due to some idiot getting into an argument about it, if he doesn't like it don't post, it's simple.
This is ruining peoples lives for some and you want to deny them knowledge of treatments that have been proven to help some autistics all due to some potential immature troll?

I mean really.

immature trolling, how interesting you mention it. I see you have a grand total of 21 posts and you have decided you know what is best for WP.

So you are saying that small minded trolls (thank you for your learned opinion of someone that does not share your own convictions) will be educated and poof, immediately they will be transformed from small minded ignorantly naive to the gloriously educated simply by reading the separate forum? But by your own admission, those whom you feel need it the most would ignore the forum completely.



so you are saying being yourself 'is not natural?' Being yourself is 'completely fake and depressing' and the only way to 'overcome yourself' is by engineering someway to 'overcome your natural self?'



so, stifle any dissenters in the thread, just bann them outright. . . why should they feel comfortable in their own Asperger's Forum, anyway? The nerve of some people! You seem to feel justified anyone that does not agree with you are only worthy to be vilified and insulted by calling them trolls, immature, fake and depressing, unnatural, naive and have ruined lives. Do you actually think that shaming people into your way of thinking is attracting people to your cause?

Your cause. Is exactly what it is. At 21 posts you have us all figured out, do you?

Really? I mean Really? I would come to a conclusion about your suggestions, but I think the membership of WP knows exactly how you need to be dealt with.

Merle

If this is a reply to me... (If not, just ignore)

First, I disagree that what I'm talking about is what WP as a whole was designed to do. If it is, then this site is a complete failure, because that's just not happening around here.

As for what Jametto wants, I suggest you let Jametto speak for him or her self.

Along with that, though, there's nothing wrong with me suggesting a variation on what Jametto suggested.