If you heard “The Simple Truths for Healthy Living Show with Dr. Joe” on Monday, April 16, my autistic son Joey and I were on, along with other guests. Joey did a fabulous job and behaved well. At the end of the show, he even sang a song.

But—as is typical with autism—we had Joey back at Rochester Chiropractic Clinic on Thursday night, but due to his negative behavior, we chose not to put him on the show. We tried again Friday. It was a struggle. He was going into an aggravated tantrum just minutes before the show was to begin. Dr. Joe was winded in the beginning of the show from trying to settle Joey down. Joey, after all, doesn’t understand “Quiet–we’re going on the air!”
Well—welcome to the world of autism!

I’m Cathy Katz, Dr. Joe Canu’s sister. I’ve worked at his chiropractic office part time for 14 years, and also for M.D.s, a total of 34 years full then part time (including 26 years in OB/GYN). I believe, therefore, that I have a great understanding of traditional medicine as well as alternative medicine.

Interestingly, neurologists, neurosurgeons and epileptologists with whom we’ve consulted all have said the same: “Joey was born with lesions in his brain (layman’s term); it happened in the first trimester.”

I had a few miscarriages between having my three children. So in Joey’s first trimester, I had numerous ultrasounds.

If I knew then what I know now, or even if someone had said there may be a 1% chance that a lot of ultrasounds in the first trimester could cause autism or an injury to the brain, I would certainly have said, “Then don’t do them!”

My brother Joe is always right. He said, “Why do so many ultrasounds if you’re a risk for a miscarriage in the first trimester? Is it going to prevent it?” Is it going to change the doctors treatment? NO

Obviously, we didn’t know then what we know now. We thought ultrasounds were safe because even third generations were having ultrasounds with no side effects—or so we thought.

Autism is an unpredictable struggle for everyone involved. I have not met one parent who says, “We’ve found the miracle drug for our autistic child!”

It’s a constant trial and error. In fact, that’s just what set Joey off: reintroducing a medication with the same negative side effect. Joey also has seizures, and we rotate medications at times or change doses. This is often accompanied by an adverse effect on his behavior.

We must find the causes of autism, and soon. Even if we are not sure, if there’s a chance something is causing it, why don’t we be more cautious and see if the numbers drop?

Meanwhile, what is needed most are patience and understanding from each of us.