A Child’s Journey to Autism Recovery: The Parent Perspective
July 25, 2023
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Autism recovery is a controversial and complex topic, “recovery” looks different for every child as we know each child’s developmental path is unique and requires an individualized approach.
While there is no known “cure” for autism, many parents, practitioners, or clinicians are turning to holistic and integrative therapies to help children improve their health and in turn reduce or eliminate symptoms of autism.
“There is no way I’m going to accept that answer.” Terri Hirning, integrative wellness coach and mom from Arizona, said that after she was told they should be prepared to look for a residential program for her son when he was diagnosed with autism because they felt he would never live independently.
In this episode, we will explore the topic of autism recovery and provide tips for parents, like Terri, who believe this journey is possible.
We will share the inspiring autism recovery story of Terri’s son, Matthew, who recovered from autism, once non-verbal, he is now 19 and a high school graduate; loves to talk and use his great vocabulary, and is an aspiring writer!
It is all because Terri decided, “This isn’t going to be how my son’s story ends.” and so her child’s journey to autism recovery began.
Chances of Autism Recovery
Although many people and practitioners say that chances of recovery from autism are not within reach, Terri as a parent, did not let people tell her what is possible for her child because she firmly believes that they can achieve anything.
That is why Terri openly shares the chances of recovery from autism and what factors can affect recovery and how recovery means different things to different people. Every child’s health and outcomes are unique.
Noticing Autism Recovery Signs: Can You See The Change?
Autism recovery signs may be subtle but they’re certainly there. In this podcast episode, Terri and I share important insights on tracking your child’s progress, signs that your child is on the journey to recovery, and potential triggers that might hinder their progress towards an independent thriving life.
How Nutrition Plays A Huge Role In Autism Recovery Stories
The role of nutrition in autism recovery stories, such as Matthew’s, cannot be understated. Personal narratives of overcoming autism often highlight the transformative effects of dietary changes and nutritional therapy.
Every journey through autism is unique, presenting individual challenges and outcomes. Therefore, it’s essential to understand that no universal dietary solution guarantees recovery.
However, countless anecdotes and research indicate the significant impact of proper nutrition on improving symptoms and promoting overall well-being in autistic individuals.
Autism recovery stories, like Matthew’s, provide much-needed hope and connection for parents and caregivers and underscore the critical importance of nutrition in autism recovery.
These autism recovery stories remove the stigma surrounding autism and foster a broader understanding and acceptance of the condition.
Watch the full episode now:
[su_box title=”Things You Will Learn” box_color=”#84C141″ class=”nutshell_box”]
- The concept of an autistic child “recovering” and the factors that can affect this.
- The range of holistic and integrative therapies available for autism recovery.
- Expert tips for parents guiding their child through autism recovery.
- Factors shaping an autistic child’s ability to create a life where they are healthy, happy and thriving.
- And much more…[/su_box]
Show Notes for this Podcast
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- Is it Possible to Recover from Autism? (10:00)
- The “sleep & language” injection that Terri swears by and wishes she had known sooner. (28:23)
- How a “back patch” transformed Matthew’s social interactiveness and proactive speaking with other children. (29:47)
Resources and Links
Website: www.terrihirning.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/our_impossible_journey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terri.hirning
More about Terri Hirning:
Terri Hirning serves the autism and chronic illness communities as a mentor, educator, integrative wellness coach, co-author, summit host, and motivational speaker. It is the personal story of her son’s autism recovery journey that was the inspiration and motivation to move into the integrative wellness community to support others.
Terri has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then went on to complete a doctorate program in traditional naturopathy. She had an integrative wellness and detox coaching practice until 2020. She currently serves as Director of Marketing for New Beginnings Nutritionals and Business Consultant for Nourishing Hope/BioIndividual Nutrition Institute.
She is co-author of The Thinking Moms’ Revolution book, Evolution Of A Revolution: From Hope To Healing. Recently, she and her son launched a podcast called Our I’MPossible Journey to share their story of improving the symptoms of autism and making the impossible possible. She lives with her husband Eric and two of their children in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona.