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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
from April 1 until December 31, 2013, goes to Generation Rescue. The Lauritas have come a long way from where they were last summer. Laurita admits, “I am much more educated now on autism than I used to be. I wasn’t as emotionally attached before it became so close to me. It’s hard to understand it fully unless you are connected to it.” And Laurita is nothing if not connected to her son and autism. Nicholas is involved in an array of therapies, from occupational therapy, applied behavioral analysis, speech and language, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and life skills during his six hours a day in a specialized preschool classroom with an IEP (individualized education plan). After school, depending on the day, Nicholas gets added ABA therapy, speech and language, music therapy, and gymnastics. In addition, Nicholas—at both home and school—uses a PECS system, a picture exchange communication system that helps him communicate his needs and encourages language. The Laurita’s continue to provide Nicholas with a GFCF diet as well as providing him with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and supplements. “All the therapies work together and offer him something different to help him,” Laurita explained. “I think my son enjoys and responds very well to music though.” If it seems that Laurita is throwing everything she can at autism in an effort to help her son, you’re right. But cure it? “I don’t say cure, I say recover,” Laurita explained. “I fight to bring him back to the progress he was making in his developmental milestones before he started regressing. I don’t think my child is sick, I think he is brilliant. I just think he learns differently than typical kids do. I don’t want to change who he is, I want to enhance who he is. I want to find his gifts and nurture them and help them to grow. I want to bring out the best child that my child can be and if I can give my child the proper tools now to help make his life easier for him in the future than that is what I am going to do.” Part of that comes with educating people. “I have a list of famous, very successful people that have autism that most people would be really surprised to hear,” Laurita said. “I want people to be more educated on that and have a deeper understanding of what autism is so they can have more empathy towards 38 | The Boardwalk Journal | April 2013 the Real housewife the mother Bravo TV People Magazine
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