Riding Out Of Autism's Darkness

(CBS)  Rowan Isaacson may look like any other 7 year old today, but two years ago, life for both the boy and his parents was miserable - a constant series of tantrums, and little meaningful connection.

Doctors had diagnosed Rowan with autism, and like many parents in their situation, Rupert Isaacson and his wife Kristin were heartbroken, reports CBS News correspondent Don Teague.

"You're saying goodbye to a bunch of dreams that I think every parent has of a certain type of childhood, and a certain type of relationship with your child," said Rupert.

His parents tried traditional treatments - everything from anti-yeast diets to behavioral therapy - but Rowan showed no improvement. None, that is, until the first time he sat on a horse.

"He would be in the midst of a terrible tantrum and Rupert would put him on Betsy, and it was like that - it's instant," Kristin said. "He would calm, he would stop."

"His language just started to pour out of him," Rupert said. "And the door into his mind sort of opened a crack."

The transformation was so extreme, his parents decided on another extreme: a quest to Mongolia, where the connection between humans and horses - and healing - seemed strongest. Weeks of riding lead to a bizarre, and for the parents, painful healing ritual at the hands of shamans, the medicine men of Mongolia.

The result?

"It really was remarkable to see how quickly he changed," Kristin said. "Pretty mind blowing actually."

Within days, Rowan was interacting with others, and his tantrums ended. More than two years later, the progress continues.

Is Rowan cured of autism? His parents are quick to say "no." But at the same time, he's doing remarkably better, and they believe his connection with horses is a big reason why.

So do others. Therapeutic riding programs have grown in popularity among parents of autistic children.

Instructor Amy Causey says science hasn't explained it, but she sees once unreachable children respond.

"For some reason they have that other sense that they can connect and understand how that horse is feeling and that helps them understand how they are feeling," Amy said.

As for Rowan Isaacson, he still rides horses, and with traditional therapy, continues to improve.

Rupert wrote a book, "Horse Boy," about the journey.

And has opened a center where other autistic children can find their own connection with horses for free.

"Every family goes to Mongolia in their own way," Rupert said. "Every family goes to the ends of the earth."

Rupert and Kristen really did go to the ends of the earth, and found someone they hadn't known...their son.

[doyathink]

CHINA AND ITS LEAD LACED GOODS COULD VERY WELL BE THE AUTISM CULPRIT

[doyathink]

china

[angelamanda]

mrkjessup1 you are the so stupid I just fond out my son has autism and I never drank our did drugs when I conceived some day I hope and pray god will open up your eyes.

My son may have autism but I consider my self so bless to have him I love him so much and would do anything for him. And I do believe in this about the horse. He loves cats and when ever he see a cat he will try hard to talk. We got him a cat and I just love to see him with his cat.

[raechelparrett]

IT IS DEFINITELY NOT BECAUSE PARENTS DRANK ALCOHOL OR DID DRUGS WHILE PREGNANT that causes Autism!!! The Audacity and ignorance of this person to even post such a shrewd comment!! Autism does not magically appear. These children have problems coping from the time they are born(just as my son did ). They are simply dysfunctional and the more they try to make it seem normal the more it becomes not normal! I do not know the cause of Autism but from personal experience with it it's definitely more complex than the average person can comprehend. These children are so intelligent beyond the norm and maybe that's the cause of their dysfunction. My son can repeat sounds and phrases just as he heard them...kind of like someone recorded it and is playing it over for us to hear.....he has the ability to mimic and echo what he hears and then repeat it verbatim....TO ME IT'S AMAZING...PURE INTELLIGENCE BEYOND THE NORM!!!!

[raechelparrett]

I appreciate your news story on Autism. My two year old has recently been diagnosed with Autism. This disorder is so complex and it takes lots of patience and tons of love to conquer day to day task with Autistic children. My son luckily is high functioning but he still struggles with normal daily task that we all take for granted. He has made progress and I am thrilled to see him do well . ONE DAY AT A TIME!

[johnb8888]

"GM foods, Aspartame, MSG and Corn Syrup based sweeteners are without doubt culpable in many serious ailments across this nation and indeed worldwide. Big Pharma and Big Chem, ably abetted by our servants and regulators are playing Russian Roulette with the lives of future generations and it must stop."--Posted by antiestablishment at 1:29 AM : Apr 24, 2009




it is just incredible to link natural corn syrup with the other dubious food additives! How could a completely natural product corn-starch based product be harmful? It's no different from honey, and probably better for you than cane sugar.l

One reason legitimate concerns about things like food additives get dismissed by reasonable people is all the nutcases with their conspiracy theories.

Kindly do a bit of research and thinking before spouting off, sir of madam! You are doing your own cause serious harm, as people will dismiss the valid with the ridiculous.

The state of Oregon, hardly a hotbed of "Big Pharm", soundly rejected even a labeling requirement for GM foods a few years ago.

[SteelersWinAgain]

There needs to be a national database, where parents of autistic children can enter information and remain anonymous. There is some REASON for the spike in neurological disorders in children like this. People could enter information like, where they live, what kind of work they do, what kind of diet they had during pregnancy, what shots were given and when, at what age the child first presented symptoms, whether the birth was natural or medicated, etc.

I was VERY strict with my diet when I was expecting. In fact, I only gained 6 lbs during my pregnancy because I focused on limiting any intake of preserved foods, salts, sugars and sweeteners, etc. I also elected and was fortunate enough to have a natural birth so my son wasn't exposed to any medications whatsoever during the process. And, no, it wasn't painful. I will do it again.

Unsure of when symptoms of autism first appear, but so far our son is very interactive and displays no non-social symptoms at this time. Oh, and by the way. I always make his Dr. Appts a little late, just to give him a bit more age and weight on him before those dreaded but necessary shots come.

[Christiansstand]

Dear CBS,
While I love the overall news about the boy with autism and believe fully in the theraputic qualities of animals, I have a couple of comments about the witch doctors.
I am a bible believing, Jesus Christ following, "out the the closet" christian. If I would have been asked by the parents to lay hands on and pray to the ONE TRUE God for this child, I would have been labled a freak who trusted in hocus pokus and an archaic idea of a god. My values and veiws would have been downplayed, if focused on at all, and displayed as a weak minded person with a distorted veiw of "religion".
I find it very sad and horribly misguided that the media only highlights the "alternative religions" and tries to continually silence Christians by their bombardment of "bad publicity". I am here to tell you that my views are just as merited as anyone elses. I am not trying to silence your views, I feel mine should be given just as much respect and air time! Afterall, if my God is so false and narrowminded, then why should you be so scared of Him as to always try to "shut us crazy chriatians up".
In the end, I hope and PRAY that this child will be completely healed and his family blessed abundantly for their caring for others who need their help.

[angfreda]

Those of us involved with horses understand the incredible emotional and physical benefit that these animals offer those who ride and work with them.

The only thing I would suggest is that this family affiliate themselves with the national hippo-therapy organization, and invest in helmets for the riders they are trying to help. Helmets save lives and even those with sidewalkers can fall off.

[Nikit77]

My 13 yr old has Autism. We are very blessed she is doing soo well. She is active in sports and dance. When we first took her to ride horses, she opened up even more like this little boy. Its amazing to see a large animal have such a kind heart to towards these children. I understand people have the right to free speech but come on people can you think before you post something, especially when it comes to talking about a child. Finding out your child has autism makes you feel hopeless already we don't need people telling us its our fault. Because guess what ITS NOT!!!!!!!!!!