Over the past year, with the help of nutritionist Kelly Barnhill I have changed Daniel to the gluten free, casein free diet, which I might add has really made a huge difference in his behavior. Also, with the help of Kate and Meagan of McGovern's Organics Gluten/Casein Free Cooking Classes, I have learned some real quick and easy delicious meals that Daniel loves.  In addition to my continually soliciting the prayers of my minister Pastor Willis, I am working closely with his GI doctor, Dr. Krigsman, and biomedical doctor Dr. Jepson  all of   Thoughtful House Center For Children, Daniel has overcome many medical hurdles. I am so thankful to God first, and then to being blessed to find Thoughtful House and the staff that has been there for me and Daniel through all this. There was no way we could have afforded a place like Thoughtful House, but through the generosity of others, Thoughtful House was able to offer us a scholarship that paid for many of their services and products.

As a result of the generous donations of others, we were blessed this summer with the privilege to attend a 5 day training session at the Autism Treatment Center of America in Massachusetts (Son Rise Program Start Up Session). The program provided me with the support,  best practices and useful information to start our own Son Rise Program here at home. We are truly grateful for all the support we received from so many people to make that journey possible. I have read and heard that the level of success in bringing children through their state of autism is very high (for more information visit their website: (www.autismtreatment.com). The Autism Treatment Center is not a direct miracle, but it seems like the door I've been praying God would open to provide me the help I need to help Daniel even more. 

I can't began to tell just how much progress Daniel has had over the last 2 years or even the past several months since I have begun implementing some of the Son Rise Program suggestions, and I know that as we move right along and I tweak my program with some other strategies and of course with lots of prayers, we will see more and more progress in Daniel. He is making so much more eye contact now than he has ever done in his 14 years, I can only see great things happening with him now. I truly believe Autism does not have to be a life sentence.

We still need continued donations for the following:

**Equipment and supplies for the Play/Therapy Room

**Bringing in facilitators from Son Rise to work with myself, Daniel
 and our Play Room volunteers here at home.  

**Aluminum Can Donations

Thanks for reading Daniel's story and visiting his website. Please sign his guest book.

With Sincere Thanks,
 
Sandra and Daniel