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Given the many challenges involved in raising an autistic child, parents are willing to try a variety of potential remedies, many of which are controversial and unproven.
A mother discusses how marijuana saved her autistic son's life.
But one potential treatment that has gained attention recently is one that was controversial well before its first mention in connection with autism.
"At first I did some research, and I found a doctor who actually had a protocol for medical marijuana in children diagnosed with autism," Mieko Hester-Perez of Fountain Valley, Calif., told "Good Morning America."
Hester-Perez made her decision to try giving her 10-year-old son, Joey Perez, medical marijuana after his weight had become dangerously low due to his unwillingness to eat. She said that at the time she began the approach, he weighed only 46 pounds.
"You could see the bones in his chest. He was going to die," she said.
"The marijuana balanced my son," said Hester-Perez, noting that she has never used marijuana herself. "My son had self-injurious behaviors. He was extremely aggressive, he would run out of our house... he was a danger to himself and others."
But just hours after she gave him one of the pot-infused brownies, she said she could see a change -- both in his appetite and demeanor.
She added that her son used to take a cocktail of medications, three times every day, for his condition. He now takes only three, and he has a marijuana brownie once every two or three days. He still cannot communicate verbally.
"I saved my son's life, and marijuana saved my son's life... When a mother hears that her son is knocking on death's door, you will do anything to save his life," said Hester-Perez.
Allen St. Pierre, executive director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said that marijuana for children is something that draws concern even from parents within his advocacy organization.
I don't see anything wrong with it so long as its not abused and it helps. Things are only "bad" when abused...
There is no avenue that I wouldn't explore if my son was in her son's position. I don't see a problem with her baking brownies that have marijuana in them and giving them to her son every few days. Marijuana can have the same "healing" effects as some of the drugs we take, but with fewer side effects. It is refreshing to see a parent that is actually trying to find a solution that works for her family.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how I feel about this having been on both sides of this fence. This is a mind altering drug, and higher 'doses' will be needed, over time, to manage the behaviors. As well, there may come a time when the boy chooses to self select out -- will he be able to?
ReplyDeleteI understand the path the mother has chosen and her reasons. I very much understand the effects of other 'cocktails' children are placed on to control behaviors and struggle with most. There are those children for whom there is no alternate path because of severity of condition. I've worked with youth who were introduced to drugs by parents / family members, under different conditions, but the impact on their lives was horrendous. Developmentally, youth re-enter 'life' at the same age they walked away when drug use / treatment is over. No child should have to endure the challenges faced from choices adults make for which long term effects are not clear. I also understand the alternatives for children like the one described in the story above. I just think there is a great deal of thought and research that needs to go in to any drug use, this included. We're talking lives here...
For me, I see nothing wrong with it at all and feel that her alternate approach has no great risks that 500mg of some synthesized pill. Why is it that synthesized and regulated drugs are not held o the same altitude of risk that a herbal drug is?
ReplyDeleteTo me ANY drug, wether regulated or not is bad if abused and not monitored. Little do people know that cocaine, heroine, and meth variants are used in drugs at hospitals.
Its also a proven fact that adolescents have been counted to have more addictions to over the counter and regulated drugs than "illegal" drugs.
So I guess my question is: what is everyone scared of? Why all of the hesitation, scrutiny and "precaution"? Why all of the drilling on this more natural alternative than synthesized doses?
A conclusion jumper.....
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting because a friend of mine informed me that a student at her school was given marijuana to calm him down--she works at a behavioral school.
ReplyDeleteAlthough marijuana is a natural substance, I still am not sure if I condone parents giving their children marijuana. Marijuana can be addicting and under some circumstances, life altering and sometimes in the wrong direction. But I also agree with you Dimitri, the prescription drugs can also be addicting and they are synthetic.
If a parent were to give marijuana to their child as a form of medicine or to “calm them down,” the preference would be that they would not be given marijuana in the form of a joint and to give small amounts.
Note: "calming" children down is meant for children who have conditions that make it almost impossible for them to be able to function, especially in a school environment. The comment/suggestion was not meant for children who are not dignosed with chemical imbalances.
ReplyDeletelol @ Christen! Thank you for the formal disclaimer and note.
ReplyDelete