Something Extra

Jeff is talking about supplements, of which Alex gets several. Potassium, B12 vitamins, plain old ground cinnamon (he buys these in expensive capsules that he breaks open and dissolves), selenium. I really don’t know where he gets his information. Oh, that’s right, that big old database called the world wide intertubes, which is so known for the reliability of its content. (Confession: I take turmeric capsules because I read somewhere that it was a good anti-inflammatory that could offer protection against heart disease and other conditions.)

“If it dissolves in water and I can get it at the Vitamin Shoppe,” Jeff says, “I’ll give it to him!”

I know why he does it. Alex’s diet (Hebrew National franks and Utz Extra Dark Specials and Pepperidge Farm Goldfish) is so terrible we worry if he gets even a half of what he needs. While lots of kids with autism are on dairy-free diets, we are thrilled that Alex now drinks milk and eats yogurt (but only Dannon La Creme strawberry or vanilla). At least he’s getting calcium.

Then there’s the murky evidence that some of these things will actually help him neurologically. We’ve checked with Alex’s pediatrician, and at the doses he’s getting, they’re not doing any harm and might be doing some good.

But I think the real reason he does it is that a parent with a child who has problems wants to feel he is doing everything possible to help. Can’t argue with that.