EducationNews.org

Barbara Coppo was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was raised in Vallejo, California. She has owned a jewelry store, sold real estate and worked as an esthetician. Her hobby was painting, and she sold several pictures to Sears years ago.

For the last 28 years, she has spent most of her time caring for, and researching treatment plans and programs for her son Kenny, who suffered brain damage at 19 months old after his d.p.t. vaccine. Kenny lives with his mother and father in the California Bay Area. Barbara also has a daughter, Rhonda, and two Grandsons, Jake and Mike.

With the proceeds of this book, she hopes to open a center for young adults suffering with autism. Please visit www.theboyinthewindow.com.

1. What are you currently researching/writing?

While I am always on the look out for improved anti-convulsant medications for Kenny's seizure disorder, I also keep busy trying to find new ideas to stimulate his interest and brain. Not an easy feat for someone that resists, more than he complies.I am writing a new book called 'Starboy'.

Though it will be considered fiction, it is about Kenny. It will be the story of an autistic young man coping in a world without language as we know it, through his thoughts. The games he has made up in his mind to compensate for his inabilities to communicate rationally, will bring him new friends. His isolation from a 'normal' life will begin to fade away as children are drawn to him and eventually he becomes their hero.

2. What might be some of the factors causing such a staggering increase in cases of autism?

It seems like every year new vaccines for different reasons are added to an already abundant variety required. This is adding so much more toxic chemicals for a tiny body to absorb. Chemicals are needed to insure a longer shelf life in these vaccines. There is still mercury in many of the innoculations given to children, a very dangerous additive.

Look up the data from the University of California Davis Medical Center on a study done there. There are many children who, for different medical histories, should not be vaccinated. Also, many medical centers are increasing the dosages of vaccines instead of waiting months between return visits, thereby saving money.

Some vaccines if not stored properly, become even more toxic.

3. What are some of the educational challenges you have faced as a parent of a child with autism?

It was such a struggle year after year. Kenny suffered acquired autism, brain damage and seizures from his d.p.t. vaccine at 19 months old. There were so many behaviors going on with him, little was known on how to deal with them. There was never a classroom that met all of his needs. They were always over crowded, understaffed, and overworked, while trying to cope with a variety of challenged children.

As he got older, I had to look for programs out of our city that were more appropriate for him. We had to have fair hearings, [battles], with our school district to insure these placements I found. Kenny needed a one/one aide throughout his school years.

His last special education school consisted of extreme and sometimes violent students that created fear and chaos in others. There were also very dedicated aides working with Kenny, and that is the strength of any special education program. The down side is, there is such a turnover of aides, and it severely affects behaviors in autistic people.

4. Autism is a spectrum disorder and so, the symptoms and challenges that children with autism vary.Tell us about some of the challenges you have faced raising a child with autism and what you found worked best in terms of coping.

The very hardest thing for me to deal with, are Kenny's seizures. While not all autistic people suffer from them, for me, it is just devastating to helplessly watch him go through them. It is a safety issue, along with him having to put up with the headaches, fear, and side effects of his medication.

It also increases the behaviors that can hurt him or us, if we try to intercept. Kenny's obsessions with people have been difficult because of tantrums he throws if they don't show up when they are supposed, or if a neighbor suddenly leaves his house while Kenny is viewing him from his window.

There are routines that must be followed to avoid tantrums on a daily basis. Kenny has a clock in his head. Certain things happen at certain times, and if they don't happen, all hell breaks loose.

For me, I think having my little part time business in skin care saved my sanity, my clients becoming friends, and having adult conversations. My worry over Kenny never diminishes. There was a time I tried to do it all and couldn't let go. Though the feeling of needing to be there for him every minute is always there, I realize it doesn't help me or him.

Coping is a combination of the love you have for your child, doing all that you can for him or her and taking care of yourself. I am a firm believer in exercise and very fit at age 65. We are fortunate to have a respite person in our life who has opened doors for Kenny, expanding his life and ours.

5. If you could give advice to parents regarding recognizing autism, what would it be?

Sudden lack of interest in toys. Unable to make eye contact. Unusual fascinations with people or objects. Interest in meaningless things, such as 'lights'. Inability to rationalize within age levels. Not wanting to be hugged, kissed, or touched. Easily irritated.

6. What are some resources parents can access to find out more information about treatment and educational options for their children who have autism?

I think it depends on where you live, but most areas have access to a district regional center that offers aide in behavior assistance and respite. If there is a school that has programs specifically for autism, that would be best, however, those are few and far between. Almost any information can be found on-line these days it seems.

7. What can educators and schools do to help parents of students with autism?

Develop a plan that suits the child's needs the best. Then everyone involved should address each task in the same manner, including the parents.

8. Based on your experiences, how does the education system need to improve/change in order to best meet the needs of students with autism?

We need more special education classes in general, not just for autistic people. It is hard to help any challenged child with overcrowded classrooms. One to one aides are needed for autism to ensure consistency in successful training.

9. What can bring about these changes?

An expanded budget for our schools and teachers.

10. Have you heard anything about secretin and it's use in working with children with autism?

Yes, if I am correct it originally came from the pancreas of a pig. It was transformed into a synthetic for autistic children. What I researched showed the results were better if the child was treated very young.

Kenny was already older and I was afraid to try it. He is on seizure medication and I am very skeptical about adding any other drugs. As with everything, I have read controversial issues and I don't know if it works or not.

11. There are many "fads and diets" that parents try with their kids with autism. What have you found out?

For Kenny, special diets have not worked. The best diet for any child would be good old fruits, veggies, whole grains, less sugar.

12. What question have we neglected to ask?
13. Why has President Bush vetoed a bill that would ban Mercury in vaccines knowing there is documentation proving it can damage babies and children?

I can't answer that question!!

Published August 21, 2007