Wednesday, June 25, 2025

How did I teach Jonathan to ride a bike? Never give up on your Autistic Child

People ask me all the time how I taught my non-verbal Autistic child how to ride a regular bike without training wheels. The reality is that it wasn't easy and No, sorry but I probably can't teach yours.


I originally started him on a Tricycle when he was around 5 or 6. I had to hunch over and hold his feet to the pedals ... it was BACK BREAKING! After about A YEAR of doing this, he finally got it so next I had to keep his hands on the handlebars. The technique I would use is to follow behind him basically hunched over him with my hands on either side of him moving the handlebars left and right to keep him going straight. That only took about 6 months or so for him to start riding straight ahead. About a year later I bought him a larger tricicle since he outgrew the smaller one he learned on. When he was 8 I bought him a regular bicycle with training wheels and that's when I started trying to teach him how to ride a regular bike. My technique was to hold the bike as he rode it, but the moment I would let go he would jump off. We would usually train for about 15-20 min. then I would reward him with a Tricycle ride, at first with me running alongside him then with me riding alongside him with my bike, but mostly I had to "pull" him. After a year I took off one of the training wheels and 6 months later I took off the other one. Over the years I had to upgrade both the Tricicle and the bike, but by the time he was 17, I was just training him on my bike since he was about my height. Finally shortly after he turned 18 we had success! I had taken him out like usual and was holding the bike running alongside of him as he peddled and this time when I let him go, he didn't stop, he didn't jump off, he just kept going!! Please support our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CostOfAutism

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Top 10 Tips for Improving Strength and Flexibility After 50

 This article was originally posted on my website, Renoome

Top 10 Tips for Improving Strength and Flexibility After 50
June 12, 2025

So I'm getting ready to take Jonathan out for a bike ride.  For those of you who haven's seen our regular outings, you can checkout my CostOfAutism Youtube Channel.  Aging brings a wealth of wisdom, life experience, and, unfortunately, some physical challenges. However, the journey towards enhancing your strength and flexibility after 50 can be both rewarding and enjoyable. With the right strategies, you can cultivate a more robust and flexible body that supports a vibrant and active lifestyle. Here's our top ten tips to help you on this path.

1. Embrace a Regular Stretching Routine

Regular stretching is crucial to maintaining and improving flexibility. Incorporate exercises like yoga and Pilates, which focus on flexibility, balance, and core strength. Commit to a daily routine to see gradual improvements over time.

2. Strength Training

Incorporate strength-training exercises into your weekly routine. Utilize weights, resistance bands, or body-weight exercises to build muscle mass. This not only enhances strength but also protects joints and improves bone density.

3. Nutrition Matters

Your diet plays a significant role in strength and flexibility. Ensure you're getting enough protein and calcium, vital for muscle and bone health. Consider adding supplements like Black Maca Supplement.  This one REALLY helps me keep up my energy and it helps promotes power and muscle growth to boot!

4. Adequate Hydration

Staying hydrated is essential for joint health and overall bodily functions. Dehydration can lead to stiff muscles and less flexibility, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.

5. Mind Your Posture

Good posture can prevent unnecessary strain on your body. Engage in exercises that improve posture and alignment, such as Tai Chi or mindful walking, to enhance balance and flexibility.

6. Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Rest is as important as exercise itself. Adapt your routine to include adequate rest days, allowing your muscles to recover and grow stronger. Listen to your body for signs of fatigue or overtraining.

7. Consider Joint Supplements

These workouts KILL my knees.  The reality that here in the USA, we really don't eat the kinds of foods that helps to keep our joints in top shape. Products like Turmeric 2360 Mg with Garlic Curcumin Black Pepper are a God send in keeping down that inflammation.  Just remember to take an Epsom Salt bath afterwards to keep those joints flexible.

8. Connect with a Professional

Working with a fitness professional or physical therapist can offer personalized advice and proper technique guidance to avoid injuries and improve results.

9. Stay Consistent

Consistency is key. Create a realistic schedule you can adhere to, ensuring a balanced approach to strength and flexibility training.

10. Celebrate Progress

Celebrate small milestones and progress along your fitness journey. Tracking improvements can motivate you to continue and recognize the hard work you've put into yourself.

Taking initiative to improve your strength and flexibility after 50 can significantly enhance your quality of life. Start with these tips, and remember that each step forward is a victory. For more tips and health products, visit our Men's collection at Renoome.

10 Secrets to Achieving a Great Night's Sleep

This blog was originally posted at my Renoome Blog
June 11, 2025

A good night's sleep is crucial for your physical and mental well-being. With the fast-paced lives we lead, getting quality sleep might seem like a luxury. However, sleep is essential for staying productive and healthy. If tossing and turning is your routine, fret not! Here are 10 secrets to help you achieve a great night's sleep.

1. Set a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Your body has a natural sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps regulate this cycle and improves the quality of your sleep.

2. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Engage in calming activities such as reading or taking a warm bath before bed. Building a nightly routine signals your body that it’s time to wind down, promoting relaxation and inducing sleep.

3. Watch What You Eat and Drink

Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed as they can disrupt your sleep. Opt for a light snack if needed, such as a banana or a handful of almonds.

4. Improve Your Sleep Environment

Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep: keep it cool, dark, and quiet. Investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows can make all the difference.

5. Optimize Daytime Habits

Expose yourself to natural sunlight during the day and stay active. Daily physical activity, even a brisk walk, boosts sleep quality. Avoid napping for long periods, as it can interfere with nighttime sleep.

6. Manage Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are known sleep disruptors. Practicing mindfulness exercises or meditation can help calm your mind. The Relaxium Sleep Aid Non-Habit-Forming Sleep Supplement can also support stress relief and help you achieve a restful sleep.

7. Consider Natural Supplements

Sometimes, all you need is a gentle nudge to fall asleep. Balincer Melatonin Nighttime Sleep Aid supports relaxation and stress relief, making it easier to drift off to sleep. Additionally, Magnesium Glycinate has been shown to aid sleep and stress relief.

8. Limit Screen Time Before Bed

The blue light emitted from phones and computers can interfere with melatonin production and disrupt your sleep. Try to unplug at least an hour before bedtime.

9. Engage in Gentle Yoga or Stretching

Incorporating some gentle yoga or stretching before bed can help relax the body and mind, preparing you for restful sleep.

10. Seek Professional Help if Needed

If sleep problems persist, consulting a healthcare professional or a sleep specialist can be beneficial in identifying underlying issues or disorders.

Achieving a great night's sleep doesn't have to remain a mystery. By incorporating these secrets into your routine and considering some of our sleep-supportive supplements, you can look forward to waking up refreshed and ready for the day. Explore more helpful products in our Sleep Collection. For all your wellness needs, visit our main site at Renoome.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Exploring Environmental Factors in Autism: A Call for Open-Minded Investigation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2025 that 1 in 31 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a sharp rise from 1 in 44 just a few years ago. While improved diagnostics and awareness account for part of this increase, the scale of the surge has reignited debates about the disorder’s origins. Mounting evidence suggests environmental factors may play a significant role—a hypothesis often dismissed as giving parents “false hope,” as argued by Professor Jonathan Sebat in a 2025 video featured later in this article... Drawing lessons from Parkinson’s disease research and incorporating recent initiatives led by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., this article advocates for a rigorous, open-minded investigation into environmental contributors to autism, ensuring no possibility is overlooked in the quest to understand and prevent this complex condition.

The Parkinson’s Precedent: A Model for Autism Research

Europe’s bans on pesticides like paraquat and rotenone, linked to Parkinson’s disease, offer a powerful lesson: environmental toxins can directly harm neurological health. Research has shown that these chemicals cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation—mechanisms also observed in autism. A 2024 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that paraquat exposure increases oxidative stress in brain cells, a process implicated in both Parkinson’s and ASD. If chemicals can trigger Parkinson’s through these pathways, why couldn’t similar mechanisms contribute to autism? The overlap is striking: both disorders involve disrupted cellular function, impaired energy production in mitochondria, and inflammation in the brain that alters development. This precedent demands we explore environmental factors in autism with the same urgency.

Key Environmental Suspects in Autism
Several chemicals and pollutants have been linked to autism risk, often through mechanisms that mirror those in Parkinson’s.
Prenatal Exposures
Maternal exposure to heavy metals like lead and mercury can impair fetal brain development. A 2023 study from the University of California, San Francisco, found that children born to mothers with high lead levels during pregnancy were 1.5 times more likely to develop ASD [Web ID: 12]. Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical in plastics, disrupts estrogen signaling, which may affect synaptic pruning—a critical process in early brain development. Research from the EARLI Study in 2024 showed elevated BPA levels in pregnant women correlated with a 20% higher ASD risk in their children.

Postnatal Triggers
Glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, disrupts gut microbiota, which influences brain function via the gut-brain axis. A 2025 study in Environmental Research linked glyphosate exposure in the first year of life to developmental delays in children, with a 30% higher incidence of ASD symptoms in exposed groups. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from air pollution also poses a risk. These ultra-fine particles can cross the placenta, causing neuroinflammation. A 2024 meta-analysis in The Lancet Planetary Health found that children exposed to high PM2.5 levels in early life were 1.8 times more likely to develop ASD, particularly in urban areas.

Epigenetic Interactions
Environmental toxins may amplify genetic vulnerabilities in autism. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), like PCB-95, bind to autism-linked genes such as MET, altering their expression. A 2025 study from Columbia University showed that PCB exposure in utero increased MET gene expression by 15%, correlating with social behavior deficits in children. These findings suggest that chemicals don’t act alone—they interact with genetic predispositions, making some children more susceptible to ASD.

Parallels in Chemical Mechanisms
The mechanisms linking these chemicals to autism echo those in Parkinson’s research:
  • Phthalates, found in plastics, disrupt endocrine function. A 2024 study linked prenatal phthalate exposure to a 25% increase in social behavior deficits in children [Web ID: 16].
  • Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), from vehicle exhaust, cause DNA methylation changes. Research in 2025 associated high PAH exposure with a 1.6-fold increase in ASD risk in urban populations [Web ID: 17].
  • Organophosphates, used in pesticides, interfere with the cholinergic system, which regulates brain signaling. A 2023 study in Environmental Health found that organophosphate exposure during pregnancy was associated with developmental delays in 18% of children, many of whom later showed ASD traits.
Challenges in Pinpointing Environmental Causes
Establishing a clear link between environmental factors and autism is complex. Over 100 genes are associated with ASD, making it hard to isolate environmental triggers from genetic factors. The most critical windows of exposure—prenatal and early postnatal periods—are difficult to study retrospectively, as they rely on historical data or maternal recall. Ethical constraints also limit research: controlled human trials are impossible, forcing scientists to depend on animal models or epidemiological studies, which can show correlation but not causation. Despite these hurdles, dismissing environmental hypotheses risks stalling progress.
Addressing the “False Hope” Critique: Why We Can’t Dismiss Environmental Theories
In a 2025 video, Professor Jonathan Sebat argues that emphasizing environmental factors in autism research gives parents “false hope,” diverting resources from genetic studies that he believes are more likely to yield answers...


While Sebat’s concern about resource allocation is valid, this perspective is shortsighted. First, identifying avoidable toxins could lead to prevention strategies, potentially reducing ASD incidence. Europe’s precautionary bans on Parkinson’s-linked chemicals have lowered exposure risks—why not apply the same logic to autism? Second, gene-environment interactions likely explain much of ASD’s complexity. A 2025 study from Johns Hopkins found that children with ASD had 30% higher levels of mitochondrial DNA damage linked to pollutant exposure, suggesting environmental factors amplify genetic risks [Web ID: 20]. Ignoring these interactions oversimplifies the disorder. Finally, research funding remains skewed: in 2024, less than 15% of autism research budgets targeted environmental factors, according to the National Institutes of Health [Web ID: 19]. Suppressing this line of inquiry stifles innovation and dishonors families seeking answers.
Updates from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: A Renewed Focus on Environmental Factors
Since taking office as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has prioritized investigating environmental contributors to autism, challenging the narrative that such research offers “false hope.” On April 10, 2025, Kennedy declared that the U.S. would identify the cause of the autism epidemic by September, citing a 4,300% increase in autism rates since 1975. At a press conference on April 16, 2025, Kennedy announced a sweeping HHS investigation into six environmental factors—ultrasounds, mold, pesticides, medicines, fluoride, and food additives—that he believes may contribute to rising autism rates. He emphasized that “autism is a preventable disease caused by environmental factors,” pointing to increased exposure to toxins over the past 50 years. Kennedy’s initiatives, including the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission established by executive order in February 2025, aim to address chronic illnesses by tackling environmental toxins, such as banning artificial dyes in the food supply. However, his approach has sparked controversy, with critics like the American Public Health Association calling for his resignation over concerns about his disregard for scientific consensus, particularly on vaccines. Despite this, Kennedy’s focus on environmental factors aligns with the need for a broader investigation into autism’s causes, offering hope to families while highlighting the urgency of addressing potential toxins.

A Path Forward for Autism Research
To thoroughly explore environmental factors, we need a multi-pronged approach. First, adopt the precautionary principle: Europe’s chemical bans show that proactive measures are possible even with incomplete evidence. The U.S. could follow suit by restricting suspect chemicals like phthalates and organophosphates while research continues—a step Kennedy has advocated for with his push to remove food additives. Second, invest in longitudinal birth cohort studies, like the EARLI Study, which tracks exposures from conception through adolescence, providing robust data on environmental impacts. Finally, develop biomarkers—such as mitochondrial DNA damage or neuroinflammatory markers—to measure the effects of toxic exposures on brain development. The 2025 Johns Hopkins study on mitochondrial DNA damage is a promising step toward measurable indicators.

Conclusion: Keep an Open Mind
Autism’s complexity demands scientific humility. While genetic factors are crucial, the parallels with Parkinson’s research and recent initiatives by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggest environmental factors deserve serious attention. As Aristotle said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Rather than dismissing environmental hypotheses as “false hope,” we should view them as a vital piece of the puzzle—one that could lead to prevention and better outcomes for families. The stakes are too high to ignore any possibility. Let’s honor affected children and their parents by leaving no stone unturned in the search for answers.

How did I teach Jonathan to ride a bike? Never give up on your Autistic Child

People ask me all the time how I taught my non-verbal Autistic child how to ride a regular bike without training wheels. The reality is tha...