in your family's history with AtlantiCare Primary Care Plus.

the idea that autism is a biomedical disorder” according to About.com.
While there have been criticisms of DAN! Doctors by the mainstream
medical community because of their unconventional treatment
methods, according to AustismKey.com, there are many, many instances
of children and adults with autism improving from the use of DAN
biomedical treatments.)
Nicholas underwent blood tests—to confirm first that there was nothing
genetically wrong with him, and then for food allergies and intolerances,
and to see what supplements he was lacking in his body. He was also,
during his diagnosis, tested through hair, stool, and urine as part of
biomedical testing. As a result, Nicholas began the Gluten Free/Casein
Free diet (GFCF diet), one of “several alternative treatments for children
with autism” according to WebMD, “based on the theory that children
with autism have an allergy or high sensitivity to foods containing
gluten or casein.” Though considered ‘alternative,’ it’s fair to note that it
is increasingly common and recommended by those on the frontlines of
autism—parents—who anecdotally report behavior improvements.
Laurita was one of those parents. Once Nicholas began the GFCF diet,
the Lauritas did notice improvements. By the time of their appointment
with the developmental pediatrician, Laurita admits that “a part of me
was hoping the doctor would tell me it wasn’t autism, even though I
knew in my heart that it was.” Unfortunately, Laurita’s instincts were
right—Nicholas has autism.
“I remember feeling sad, choked up, fearful of the future, lost, not
knowing where to go, what to do or who to talk to first. I felt scared for
my son’s future. I cried a lot,” Laurita shared. “I went home and cried
with my husband until I couldn’t cry anymore. The next day, I started my
yearlong obsession with researching everything I could find
on autism and seeking out the right team of people to help
my son. It’s become my mission.”
And so began Laurita’s quest to help not just her own son,
but the autism community. Besides using her large social
media platform—Laurita is a contributing editor for Parenting
magazine and has an online blog on their website as well as
her own at www.jaquelinelaurita.com—to raise awareness and
educate people with as much information as possible, Laurita
is continuing to share her family’s journey, with the inclusion
of autism, on the Real Housewives of New Jersey. “Being
on RHONJ brings many viewers into my world and (offers)
a chance for me to show people what it’s like as a parent to
cope with a diagnosis,” Laurita said. “My family is sharing our
journey with others. I hope I don’t disappoint. I’m only human.
I’m learning and growing as I go. We all are.”
That’s not all. Laurita has been busy, both connecting
with other mothers involved in autism advocacy, including
Areva Martin, Dawn Neufield, Holly Robinson Peete, Jenny
McCarthy, Jody Gomes and Maura West, hoping to help raise
awareness, as well as implementing and participating in local
initiatives during April’s Autism Awareness Month. From the
simple act of wearing a blue hair extension for the month
of April (Cafface, a beauty bar in Franklin Lakes owned by
Laurita’s niece, Lauren Manzo, is having an April promotion—
blue hair extensions—with proceeds going to Autism Unites
Us of Bergen County), to attending events and sitting on
panels (the Lauritas will be part of a conference panel at the
Generation Rescue/Autism One conference in May), Laurita is
doing everything she can think of to help spread the word.
It’s a family affair. Chris Laurita is the president and CEO
of BLK Beverages, and is launching an initiative in which
a portion of the proceeds from every bottle of BLK sold
Autism Advocates / mother Warriors Jenny
mccarthy and Jacqueline Laurita
Jacqueline and husband chris on the red carpet
credit: Mike McGregor / Getty images North America
The Boardwalk Journal | April 2013 | 37