Errata on autism
This is in reference to the article Parents struggle to help child with autism published in the Sunday edition of The Jakarta Post on June 6, 1999, written by Agni Amorita.
With due respect to the people involved, I would like to submit several corrections on the following paragraph as the information was misleading:
"Medication continued in various ways. Dwi once tried a high dose vitamin E treatment on the advice of Dr. Diah Puspita, treasurer of the Indonesian Autism Foundation. The treatment had been effective for Diah's son, Irsan, who also suffered from autism. Irsan, then six years old, finally managed to drink water by himself."
1. I am a psychologist, graduated from the University of Indonesia, but not and never will be a medical doctor.
2. Due to my professional background, I would have never advised anyone to take any kind of medication, especially high doses of vitamin E. There is a big misunderstanding here. Yes, I gave my son a megadose vitamin treatment, based on the research done by Prof. Dr. Bernard Rimland of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego, U.S.A. The treatment consists of a very high dose mixture of vitamins and minerals, mainly vitamin B and magnesium, not vitamin E.
Yes, my son has had a lot of improvement during the treatment of the megadose, but he was then under the strict supervision of a pediatrician here in Jakarta to get the most effective dosage. The mixture itself had to be imported straight from the U.S. as there was none available in Jakarta.
3. My son's name is Ikhsan, not Irsan. He is autistic, but hopefully he is not suffering. He has been able to help himself since he was only three years old, not when he was already six years old, and certainly not because of the megadose vitamin treatment. He was able to accomplish so many things due to the therapies he received, particularly the one-on-one structured individual therapy using Applied Behavioral Analysis.
4. I am presently the head of Academic/Training Affairs in the Indonesian Autism Foundation, but not and never will be the treasurer.
If I am not mistaken, the only conversations I had with Pak Dwi were by phone and through e-mail over two years ago (Ikhsan is 8.5 years old now). I'm disappointed that he or the writer did not put any effort into cross-checking the information with me or any other person, as the paragraph contained mistakes and misleading information.
Should there be any inquiries about autism or what people should do to treat autistic individuals, we in the Indonesian Autism Foundation would be very glad to furnish detailed, scientific and up-to-date information for families and professionals. Do not hesitate to contact us at 797-1945. We are mostly parents and or professionals who are concerned with the welfare of autistic individuals.
DYAH PUSPITA
South Jakarta