Autism & I: Link to Lyme Disease?

On my Facebook page this morning, Autism Canada Foundation posted a video about a little boy who’s diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease has greatly improved his symptoms of Autism. Apparently, he hit all his developmental milestones in the first 15 months or so of his life and then suddenly lost his ability to speak, withdrew from social situations and hated loud noises and bright lights. He was diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum but made little improvement until he was treated with antibiotics for Lyme Disease.

Now, he can talk, count and is even learning to spell. Not cured, we’re told, but improving in leaps and bounds.

What is Lyme Disease?

Public Health Agency of Canada
Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be spread through the bite of certain types of ticks. Lyme disease in humans can have serious symptoms but can be effectively treated. Lyme disease has been reported in parts of Europe, Asia, and throughout much of North America.

When a person is first bitten by an infected tick, the symptoms include fatigue, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain and swollen lymph nodes. You know, the types of symptoms that one might misdiagnose as the flu. If left untreated, it can lead to nervous system disorders, arthritis, skin rashes, heart palpitations and extreme fatigue. If further untreated, the 3rd stage of Lyme Disease causes neurological problems.

Which, I suppose, is where the diagnosis of Autism comes in.

My quetion to you though is: could a parent or a doctor miss all those Stage 1 and Stage 2 symptoms and unwittingly let Lyme Disease advance as far as Autism?

The video made me cry. At first, it is the sad story of a little boy who is gradually slipping away from those who love him. And then it changes to a story of hope and happiness. I am, of course, thrilled that this family has found the thorn in their side and has duely kicked it to the curb. Envious? Oh yes. I so wish that we could see a giant leap forward for our Jake.

But Jake never had words. He never suddenly started retreating from the world. In fact, Jake has always been a big part of our world – not just because we love him, but because he makes it so. But I’ve often thought that if there’s no sudden loss, there’s also no sudden gain. What I mean by that is that Jake was born this way. Brain damage? Lack of oxygen at birth? We may never know. Whereas, these children who started off seeming like everyone else and then suddenly lost it… well, there must be a reason. Vaccinations? Lyme Disease? Celiac Disease? And that gives parents a hope for treatment or sometimes, a cure.

But I don’t think that’s us.

September 9, 2011 Posted in: Illness, In the news, Main, Video