Jenny McCarthy 'Fixed' Son's Autism

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 26th 2010 07:03AM

Jenny McCarthy is arguably most famous for her role as autism advocate who staunchly condemns vaccines for their possible link to the disorder in children, though she began her career as a Playboy model turned actress and comedian. She prayed for the strength to "fix" her own son Evan, who has suffered the symptoms of autism for years, and she tells Time that her prayers have come true.

"Evan couldn't talk -- now he talks. Evan couldn't make eye contact -- now he makes eye contact. Evan was antisocial -- now he makes friends. It was amazing to watch, over the course of doing this, how certain therapies work for certain kids and they completely don't work for others ... When something didn't work for Evan, I didn't stop. I stopped that treatment, but I didn't stop."

The Time article calls into question whether Evan ever had autism at all. "Evan's symptoms -- heavy seizures, followed by marked improvement once the seizures were brought under control -- are similar to those of Landau-Kleffner syndrome, a rare childhood neurological disorder that can also result in speech impairment and possible long-term neurological damage," the piece reads, even going so far as to suggest that Evan's social difficulties could be explained by simple shyness.

"Perhaps the miracle I have beheld is the quotidian miracle of childhood development: a delayed 2-year-old catching up by the time he is 7, a commonplace, routine occurrence, nothing more surprising than a short boy growing tall."

McCarthy would, of course, disagree. However, the mother now supports more research into vaccinations rather than eliminating them entirely - though, she says, Evan will never receive another. She still believes there is an undeniable connection between vaccines and her son's condition.

"Come and see our kids. Why won't the CDC come and talk to the mothers, talk to the families? Then tell us there isn't a link."

As she deals with Evan's difficulties and travels the country speaking to mothers in similar situations, she credits one thing with getting through the hardest times: hope. "Try everything," she suggests. "Hope is the only thing that will get us up in the morning."

Comments

(29)

Friday 26 February

By webbigail1

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This woman is an idiot. While I think all the things she's done for her son are fantastic, and I admire how passionate she is about her son, she did not "fix" his autism. If he is "fixed" then he never had autism to start with. By claiming that autism is caused by vaccines and is curable, she's detracting from those who are truly trying to find the cause and cure for this disorder.

By Mark

Not only is she detracting from those trying to deal with autism, but she's putting other children at risk - every adult foolish enough to listen to her and avoid having his/her children vaccinated against various diseases creates additional risk for those children. Hopefully most people are smart enough to realize that Jenny McCarthy...isn't.

By valeskas

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If she thinks her son is healed, let her believe it. As a mother she needs something to hold on too. That does'nt mean she is right, but sometimes believe can move mountains. I on the other hand believe, let the doctors do what they do best. None of us know what goes on with a autistic child, unless we are related to one, as long as we are not doctors we should just leave it alone.

By Mitzi Watkins

AMEN Sister!!!

By Amy Sue

Another thing that should be talked about is Cost. While Ms McCarthy has the means to try anything and everything to "fix" her son, ALOT, Many, people do not. Its very sad. It can be very expensive.

By mark t

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my son has autism and we found many things Jenny talks very effective. We took gluten out of his diet and that has made a noticeable difference. Also understanding the disease better has helped us to find solutions at school and at home. We live in a small town in Ontario and the education system here has been remarkable. It is never the costly things taht make a difference but the time and understanding. I wish you all the best because you will make the difference in your child's life. Our doctor's advice was RIDILAN, doctor's do not know what a parent knows about their child and this disease. Please read as much as you can about this diseaes and start with the small things, Good luck.

By Janet

Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize you were both there to help Ms. McCarthy help her son, who the hell are you to call her an idiot, if you have not gone through these things with her you shouldn't judge so harshly.

By A mom and teacher

The problem with "curing autism" is that it makes the parents who's children are not cured feel like they failed their children again. Autism is a developmental disorder, it is not a disease. Because we are so quick to label everybody, a quirky kid can be labeled autistic or on the spectrum, and then be "cured" once he matures and is taught coping skills. Lets stop labeling kids, just let them grow up and get to were they are going without putting them in a box.

By arfito

I could not agree with you more as I too am a mother and a teacher. Let's stop putting everyone in a box, instead how about researching, reading, getting involved in the daily things that can help children get to where they can be instead of where we want them to be.

Tuesday 06 April

By Byrdie

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I have a serious question. Isnt autism still pretty much a mystery? If the cause of autism is unknown, how do we know it is only a developmental disorder, and not something more? I only ask because a family friend has THREE children with moderate to severe autism, which makes one wonder if it is hereditary or may be caused by something environmental, whether by vaccine or some other substance.

By Brianne

My neighbor's kid couldn't talk and didn't make eye contact either. Well he does now. Not because he's "cured" but because he went through social therapy programs. I still don't believe vaccines cause autism. I think it is truly genetic.

I agree with you 100%. Calling someone an idiot. That person should look in the mirror and say how can I help my child instead of insulting someone else. They should spend more time educating themselves from all aspects. If they think doctors will find the cure then they are the true idiots. Putting children on Ridilan is not a cure, shame on you webgail1.

By shykiss3

Maybe her son didn't have Autism at all. Sometimes doctors do get it wrong. They label you with one thing and find out its another. It happens all the time. But she wouldn't believe it anyway even if they had proof it was this syndrome because she has invested too much time focusing on Autism and speaking out on it, if she was wrong it would make her look like a fool. Also you can't cure Autism if it is that. Autism is a developmental disorder its not like curing Cancer. The sad part about this is that if her son didn't have Autism we would of never heard from her. It's like with some people they don't support a cause until they or someone they know is affected by it. It shouldn't take for you to be hit personally with something to support it.

By Jimmy

Jenny McCarthy is an absolute IDIOT. Before she began dating Jim Carrey, she was an terrifying BORE in interviews, and also thought she was extremely funny, when she was extremely annoying. Believe me, the only assets this woman has are on the outside. She is a dolt.....

By Becca

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First of all, I have to say that Jenny McCarthy has never used the word "cured". You cannot cure autism anymore than you can cure being hit by a bus. You can, however, heal from it. There are several different theories on what the cause of autism is, but most of us who are parents of children with autism aren't too concerned with the cause. Our concern is to help our children.
I agree with Jenny that our vaccines need to be studied further. My son with autism cannot receive any vaccinations because he has a depressed immune system. I have a typical daughter who has had allergic reactions to 2 different vaccines. I am not a scientist or a doctor, so I cannot say that vaccines caused my childrens' autism. I also can't say it was genetics. People that have no experience with autism seem to be the ones who have the biggest problems with us trying to heal our children. I can't understand why that is. Walk a mile in our shoes. I guarantee that your feet won't be the only things that hurt.

By salp1962

Landau-Kleffner is within the Autism spectrum... Autism is the general diagnosis. The MMR vaccine is generally given all at once, but can be given seperate if requested. Retraining the brain through theropy and dedication is certainly a successful route to curing the symtoms of Autism... God bless Jenny and her son. She is an inspiration to us all! (my nephew is "cured" also, my sister is his hero, never giving up and being his advocate throughout the last 11 years!)

Kudos to your entire family for helping this child. It made me glad to read about a family doing good.

By Susan

Jenny McCarthy is to be admired. She is sharing her experiences with her son and offering hope to parents. I am a grandparent and remember when my children had 10 vaccines in total - now my grandchild will have 36 vaccinations including a Hepatitis B shot on his first day in this world after his delivery in the hospital. Overvaccination (not eliminating vaccines) should definitely be considered in trying to solve this autism epidemic.

By sgreen4

It could be true or it could be fake BUT this is not the only case in the world of a kid being 'cured' of autism.

By AutismMom

She did NOT cure her son, he has reduced symptoms if he ever really had autism at all. I'd like to see his MRI of his brain before speech and Applied Behavior therapy and after to see if it resembles an autistic brain anyway. Why won't see ever show us that her son actually received the thimersol shot. It's in his vaccine record, I'll tell you why because Thimersol was removed from MMR vaccines in 1999.

She cured him and will sell a new diet, new book, or new treatment plan for profit.

I'm sure if my boyfriend gave me 55 million dollars to buy 24 hour care and therapy, my son would improve too.

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