In our hearts Orlando has always been the sunshine of our lives!
He has opened our hearts to loving beyond what we know is even possible. He has shed new light on our entire family bringing us closer than ever since he autism diagnosis! Orly is our first born baby boy and he is now three and half years old. We also have a two year old sweet little girl! As far as I can remember Orly was always an vibrant sweet calm baby. He hit all of his milestones on time as he began to develop perfectly! But unfortunately at the age of 8 months old Orly contracted Salmonella through something he ate! He became very sick and took many antiobiodics to recover. In my opinion, the combination of Orly’s weak immune system after he got the salmonella, plus regularly schedule vaccines triggered his Autism! Orly soon began to regress in the areas of communication and socialization dramatically. He stopped having eye contact with us. He began to stack toys. He began to spin in circles ad flap his hands. He started to become obsessive about certain things like toothbrushes. Eventually he regressed so much into his autism that he would not speak to us or connect with us.
Last year the American Academy Pediatrics Report stated that one in every 91 children in the United States has autism. (Note: This number and the following statistics below do NOT include: PDD, Asperger’s and other spectrum disorders.) It is often difficult to understand autism, but autism affects the way a child perceives the world and makes communication and social interaction difficult. The child may also have repetitive behaviors or intense interests. Symptoms, and their severity, are different for each of the affected areas – Communication, Social Interaction, and Repetitive Behaviors.
Autism has no cure at the moment! But there is hope!!!! Many children are recovering from autism every day and my son is one of them!!! There are numerous ways to help children with autism. We are using an amazing program called the Son-Rise Program from the Autism Treatment Center of America. The Son-Rise program is an amazing unique program that was created by the authors/teachers Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman when their son, Raun, was diagnosed as severely and incurably autistic.
The Kaufman’s developed an innovative home-based, child-centered program in attempt to reach their son! Raun completely recovered from autism and is now the CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America and an amazing motivational speaker. Currently we have a special playroom in our home where we work 1-1 with Orly to help him gain communication and socialization skills! We have a team of 8 volunteers from the RGV who come to work with Orly to assist his mother!
We also began to do a “special diet” where we eliminated wheat, milk and soy products from his diet! This special diet is also known as the Gluten Free, Casein Free, Soy Free Diet! (GFCFSF) The diet and supplements have helped Orlando as much as the Son-Rise program!
We would like to continue helping Orly to recover from autism so that in the future we can help other children from the Rio Grande Valley as well. But the truth is Autism is very costly and all the special programs, materials for his playroom. and special diets can take its toll on a family. In addition, running a fully effective Son-Rise Program will cost a significant amount of money! We are interested in having an Outreach for Orly real soon.. After getting a hang of the basics as we have been doing, Orly’s mom would like to attend one more advanced course training as well as send more volunteers to train as well in order to maximize the effectiveness of our program. Our hope is to get organizations and people to help sponsor Orly and our volunteers in order to continue with his recover from autism!!! To learn more about Orlando please visit: www.teamorlymysunshine.com
Sincerely,
The Cano Family