We continue our austism awareness series for April. Today, we are highlighting the uplifting story of Shira (a mom from Israel) and her amazing son Benaya.
What is your personal story with choosing cannabis for your child on the spectrum?
I'm Shira, Benaya's Mother. Benaya is two and a half years old. He was diagnosed with severe autism a year ago. He is highly unregulated, very agitated, and nonverbal.
Before we started medicating him with cannabis oil, Benaya didn't have any physical gestures. In the two months since we started treatment with cannabis, we have literally witnessed miracles happen for him and for us.
He started communicating with us! We took off the helmet he was wearing to protect his head from banging on walls and floor. He even started to produce some syllables with meaning, like "Ba" for dad (in Hebrew aba is dad). Choosing cannabis for Benaya at this young age has already benefited him so much.
Do you think cannabis education for medical professionals and healthcare providers is lacking?
I think that if we had enough scientific knowledge about
cannabis for autism it would be much easier for us parents to have
access to this treatment for our kids as a primary choice.
I'm aware we still have a long way to go scientifically, but even as it is now, educating doctors and professionals could help us so much, even in the aspect of legal access for our kids.
What kind of research (cannabis related) is needed that hasn't been covered yet for persons on the autism spectrum?
We've been told a lot of things about the effects of THC. I
believe further research regarding its safety and efficacy for our kids
could promote far more of this treatment for adolescents.
What is the best advice you can give a parent looking for guidance online?
Research and find professionals that advocate for this
treatment. Dive into the knowledge- there's so much of it on the "net" or pay someone to guide you through this treatment responsibly. It's our
kids' well being and health.
