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Jett Travolta: Victim of Autism, Kawasaki, or Scientology?
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by Terri Potratz | January 2, 2009 at 04:02 pm
147014 views | 101 Recommendations | 326 comments
Read the latest updates - Jett Travolta Autopsy Report: Seizure Diagnosis 'Premature'
The tragic death of Jett Travolta has brought up some sensitive issues surrounding his health condition and the possible (and perhaps preventable) reasons that may have attributed to his untimely passing.
Both Kelly Preston and John Travolta maintained that Jett, who was 16 when he died, suffered from Kawasaki Disease, which typically affects young children (under 5). There is some suspicion that there is an immunological cause to Kawasaki disease, though this theory has not been proven. Left untreated, the disease can lead to serious heart complications due to an inflammation of blood vessels - and often death due to heart attack.
Kawasaki disease is a treatable disease, and the most effective course is intravenous immunoglobulin, a blood transfusion that is rich in antibodies. If treatment is sought, death due to complications is extremely unlikely:
With early treatment, rapid recovery from the acute symptoms can be expected and the risk of coronary artery aneurysms greatly reduced. Untreated, the acute symptoms of Kawasaki disease are self-limited (i.e. the patient will recover eventually), but the risk of coronary artery involvement is much greater. Overall, about 2% of patients die from complications of coronary vasculitis. Patients who have had Kawasaki disease should have an echocardiogram initially every few weeks, and then every 1–2 years to screen for progression of cardiac involvement.It is also not uncommon that a relapse of symptoms may occur soon after initial treatment with IVIG. This usually requires re-hospitalization and retreatment. Treatment with IVIG can cause allergic and non-allergic acute reactions, aseptic meningitis, fluid overload and, rarely, other serious reactions. Aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding from other causes and may be associated with Reye's syndrome. Overall, life-threatening complications resulting from therapy for Kawasaki disease are exceedingly rare, especially compared with the risk of non-treatment.
So what happened to Jett? Reports indicate he hit his head on a bathtub, but it is unclear whether he was having a seizure at the time, or if he slipped, or if something else preceded his fall. Was this a complication of his bout with Kawasaki disease? Or autism?
Many people suspected that Jett was autistic (videos which were once available online that 'clearly' demonstrate Jett's developmental disability can no longer be found), but Travolta and Preston are prominent Scientologists and autism is not recognized by the cult religion:
In the past there have been reports that Jett was autistic, but Travolta always denied it, saying instead that his son suffered from Kawasaki Syndrome, a disease characterized by high fever, skin rash and swelling of the lymph nodes. Travolta follows Scientology, which does not recognize autism.
One of the tenets of Scientology is that mental illness is psychosomatic, and can only be treated through spiritual healing. You may remember Tom Cruise earning significant flak for statements to Matt Lauer concerning mental illness, namely his remark that psychiatry is a pseudo-science. Because of this fundamental belief on behalf of Scientologists, Jett certainly wasn't treated for autism, and was likely not appropriately treated for Kawasaki disease either (especially if his condition was misdiagnosed, as many people suspect it was).
Last year, one website wrote an eerily prophetic post concerning this event:
Four years ago, Kelly got out her hounds-tooth coat and pipe and giant magnifying glass and used her sleuthiness to determine that the cause was environmental toxins. Specifically, carpet cleaning chemicals. Then Kelly used a Scientology endorsed program created by L. Ron Hubbard to cure him. And it worked! No, wait, did I say, "it worked"? I meant to say, "it failed completely!"The real problem of course isn’t carpet based treachery, it's that Jett has autism, and no amount of meadow-scented deception is behind it. He's never been officially diagnosed of course, since the "church" won't allow it, but outsiders who know the affliction well say the signs are clearly evident.I say we give the Scientology method a few more years to kick in. Soon, Jett will be dead. Ta-da!
Critics of Scientology have been crying 'child abuse' for years in respect to the Travolta's disregard for autism and their unwillingness to address Jett's needs.
Folks picketed the Travolta/Preston family, saying that their refusal to seek treatment for the boy bordered on—or, you know, flat out was—child abuse. Travolta's brother Joey even produced a movie about the condition, but the family continued to shut down any reports that autism was involved.
Neighbours of the Travolta's, who also happen to be parents of an autistic child, had nothing short of shocking stories to tell with regard to Jett and how he was treated within the family:
The Kennys also claim that Kelly and John "let Jett sit in front of video games all day eating junk food, while they eat the best organic food money can buy. They exclude Jett from all social events because they are embarrassed.""Once," reports Kenny, "when Kelly took him to the movies, Jett started to have a meltdown and Kelly pointed at the nanny and ordered, 'Take care of it.'"
"Jett does not speak at all," confirms Kenny. "He has not even been taught how to communicate. We struggle every week to pay for our daughter's therapy. How dare he [Travolta] ruin his own son's chances of recovering! We want to get the word out on this."
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (326)
at 16:59 on January 2nd, 2009
If many of these things are true, then this is really awful. I don't want to believe it at all. I know that religion is a sensitive subject, but if it involves the health of your child or family member, don't you just do everything you can to make sure they are safe and healthy?
at 17:18 on January 2nd, 2009
Scientology believes that it alone understands psychology. Mental disease is due to engrams. "In Dianetics and Scientology, an engram is defined as "a mental image picture which is a recording of an experience containing pain, unconsciousness and a real or fancied threat to survival." (source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engram_(Dianetics)
These Engrams cause psychological responses to events. Additionally they are the catalyst to mental disease. Once a person is clear the engrams no longer have an effect on the subject and psychological issues are removed. Scientology does not agree with modern psychology, Psychiatry, or the use of psychotropic medications.
Further reading
at 07:27 on January 3rd, 2009
As a social worker working with children with disabilities I know how prominently denial figures into parental decisions - people believe what they believe and willingness to be open to education or even accepted ideas in mental health/healthcare is sometimes shockingly missing. I have long argued to child protective colleagues that standard of care for disabled children is a differing standard than for non-disabled peers. In this case I'm incredulous that a child (albeit a teen) could go to the bathroom one evening and not be discovered until late the next morning, especially if a history of seizure activity were present.
at 20:12 on January 3rd, 2009
Social workers always want to find child abuse even when none exists. Social workers have normally been victims of child abuse themselves and see child abuse where ever they look. Creating an atmosphere in the United States and elsewhere of child abuse hysteria.
Modern medicine is not perfect. Psychiatry even less so. It is the right and the responsibility of every parent to seek out the best and most appropriate treatment for their child. Parents know children best and are best able to make those decisions not social workers and certainly not the government. The Travolta's just lost their son. Some respect is Mandatory Second guessing by a half witted social worker obtaining information secondhand is not beneficial. Go to parentalrights.org to protect your parental rights from second guessing nut case social workers like the one above.
at 10:06 on January 4th, 2009
For those interested in being accurately informed about the Social Work profession and it's ethics and values, please visit:
http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp
at 13:03 on January 4th, 2009
Super parent's attitude sounds like sour grapes to me. It's ridiculous to suggest that social workers were abused children, want to see child abuse everywhere, and/or are trying to create child abuse hysteria. Such a big chip on this person's shoulder makes me wonder if he/she has been accused of being abusive him/herself. Not such a "super" parent...
at 15:04 on January 4th, 2009
Super Parent, you are NOT. Idiot, you are. To assume that Social Workers are themselves victims, just goes to show how ignorant you are. While modern medicine & Psychiatry are NOT perfect, they DO help a lot of people overcome many problems and to ASSUME that it does not it just plain stupid. Seeing how you are part of "group" of what I assume are "over" protective parents goes to show that you live in a bubble where every child is "perfect" and lives with the "perfect" caring parents surrounded by the "perfect" environment of a warm cozy loving home with loving family and friends. Somebody please pop this idiots bubble so she can see how many children truly are neglected and abused and YES should be removed from the home of the abusers. Therapy HELPS A LOT OF THESE CHILDREN and if you would bother to step out of your bubble for a minute and volunteer some time working in a group home or with social workers or hey adopt a drug baby or a child who has been severely abused maybe even raped, you would see how therapy DOES HELP MANY. Send me your address so I can write you check for a therapy session because your convoluted view could use the help of a Psychiatrist you naive uneducated idiot.
at 17:23 on January 5th, 2009
Hate to break it to many of you but I am a Forensic Psychologist (coroner to the layperson) and I come from a long line of therapists and social workers. I have also taken many psychology (child, abnormal, developmental, adolescent) courses with social workers. I can attest that many social workers, police, and other law officials Do in fact come from abusive homes and want to make others' lives better. However, this Does Not mean that they do not or do care more about their clientel than those who weren't abused. Don't assume to be certain on facts of which you know nothing about. The clear issue here is not abuse but was Jett provided the proper medical attention for his condition, no matter what it was? And did the Travoltas violate his inalienable rights by not seeking the proper care? As is well known, Christian Scientists do not vaccinate their children or go to any doctors either, just as the Children of God sect and many other organized religions, it's not the church who is ultimately responsible for this boy, it is his parents. If they denied him care, they will be prosecuted under the law.
at 18:32 on January 5th, 2009
I totally agree, the question, even when he was two and diagnosed with KD, was he treated properly, if not, it put him at risk for many serious health conditions including and mainly the heart. I am anxious for someone to ask the right questions, even if it may be an inappropriate time.
at 20:21 on January 5th, 2009
does Therapy really help and how? what do Psychiatrist do? and how can I go about getting help? our insurance really sucks I think getting help is very inportant but alot of insurance company's only pay very little for us it pay 40.00 for the first 2 sessions then it will pay 20.00 there after we really really need help any ideas? any kind of grants or special program we can look into we make to much money for such help Im sure of that but yet we really cant afford it at all we had to take our kids out of it we still owe over $2,000 and he really didnt do anything Im frustrated and scared so so long Thanks
at 06:49 on January 7th, 2009
Hello....
I'm mom to four 'kids'altogether, the two youngest sons both have dxs..Our older son of these two, Michael, who just turned 20 a couple months ago, is autistic to the medium to severe range. Expressive language (English) is impaired, can vocalize one, two,three words at a time, generally wants and needs, and his speech is often not super clear, especially when it comes to 'soft'consonants(i.e. "L","F"). Receptive language(understanding) is really pretty good. Michael, this son, had his first seizure the morning of July 3, 2000, and it's ebbed/flowed, the seizure disorder, that is. Meds have been adjusted, added, dropped over the years, we've even had periods of time (months) where seizures were altogether absent. This past year has been especially heinous, with Michael in ICUs of large medical centers in Ft.Lauderdale to Miami FL approx.7 times since July 12'08 when nearly the EXACT 'Travolta scenario' happened to Michael n the rest of us when he had a SEVERE and rapid violent 'drop' seizure, in the bathroom as well..He's about 6',210# and there is NO warning for these, drops faster than a SWAT person could..His head/face smashed a bathroom wall,towel rack, and the covered lid of catbox absorb some o the fall before his head/face hit the tile....I've seen a LOT in 20 yrs w/autism, and this was a horror show....2 wks ICU,damn near died after first repair surgery, had 3 hrs +of Tachycardia,had to stop/restart(pray)heart, then another surgery 2 repair few days later....been internally freaking over Jett's situation for days, having been there in that exact place....unreal.That's the short version...our youngest is above avg.intelligence, VERY verbal, but nearly crippled by tics,OCDS, lack of 'filter' between thoughts and what flows from his mouth. Would have 2 know more info on kid(s), area/state/province, etc, where yall are from to help suggest services, help, info, schools, various drs.n specialists, rules n regulations, etc....if you care to,email back any ?s if I can help w/info or anything...Have a great day...Suzanne Reilman,south Florida...add. is sreilman@bellsouth.net
at 20:40 on January 9th, 2009
do you:
at 19:24 on January 4th, 2009
If you work in the human services field it is your obligation to report any form of possible abuse. The first time you ignore or downplay a deep bruise or burn your career is on the line. Besides, if you have a social worker involved in your situation then you must not be doing something right to begin with. Normal functioning families do not have social workers.
at 07:43 on January 8th, 2009
Amy Mitro, you are wrong. You said that "Normal functioning families do not have social workers." That is very wrong.
One call from a disgruntled family/ friend/ co-worker and you have social workers involved. It happens all too often. I have had it happen to myself also. I did nothing wrong, but they were called because we lived in the Bible Belt in TN and one lady was furious that I didn't take my children to church and teach them the "love of Jesus Christ". To her, this was child abuse/ child neglect and she was vehemently convinced that my children should be taken away to save them from the trauma of living in my home. To her, that was grounds for removal of my children.
It took only a week to confirm that I wasn't "abusing" my children and had Doctors, friends and *gasp* even my preacher tell them this. I still have my children and we happily left the area nearly 5 years later. But one "anonymous" call can throw social workers into a family that isn't doing anything wrong. It's sad, becauseit takes away from the cases where the children really do need the help.
at 00:19 on January 5th, 2009
<<<Social workers have normally been victims of child abuse themselves and see child abuse where ever they look.>>>
This is the most ignorant statement I have read in some time. I am sending it to the Stupid Hall of Fame located right outside Moron Ohio!
at 05:24 on January 5th, 2009
You're obvisiously a Scientologist.
at 15:36 on January 5th, 2009
Yes, It's true they recently lost their son and should be given time to mourn for their loss. For that my condolences go out. No parent should bury their child.
What bothers me as a therapist is, how the family didn't seek help for their son, if indeed he did have autism. I understand religious or cultural differences among people.When are people going to realize that ignorance does hurt. In this case by not accepting their sons disability and getting the appropriate help and resources.
I'm not going to get into the "child abuse" subject. We are mandated reporters if child abuse is suspected it has to be reported. What would you rather have a report that is found to be false or a dead child because no one said anything.
at 19:00 on July 7th, 2009
I was shoxked when I encountered this news about the son of the actor John Travolta whom I have also watch a couple of his film. am also happen to have a son with autism. He is already 9 years old. Our experience with him includes his tantrums and mannerisms. No signs or xperience of seizure yet. with this news am bothered because we cant afford the prescribed intervention he needs. as a therapist may i ask if there is any chance that my son could actually get seizres too?
at 16:55 on January 5th, 2009
"Social workers have normally been victims of child abuse themselves" Where did you find that factoid? From the Church of Scientology? Social workers don't run around looking for child abuse but it is their responsibility and the responsibility of many other professionals - nurses, teachers, doctors - to report suspicion of child abuse and/ or neglect. Look, I love John Travolta but if his beliefs prevented his son from receiving the best possible treatment then I wish some where along the line he would have come into contact with a social worker who might have brought the issue to light! A child should not suffer for his parents' beliefs.
at 12:22 on January 6th, 2009
I hope to god you're not a parent. It's amazing that people really think this way. You make it sound like their should be no protection for children from their, very real, obusive parents or caregivers.
Just recently, my parents long time neighbors had their home condemned. This was a reaction to social workers that had been called because another neighbor kept seeing the home owners grandchildren, who lived with them and their daughter, running around in the yard completely nude. The two girls were around 8 and 10. When the social workers went to the home, they were shocked to find dog feces all over the house. I grew up playing with the mother of these two children, and they were filthy people then and apparently it got worse with time. Those children were taken into custody, temporarily I'm certain, and with good cause. They needed protecting from neglectful care givers.
You're theory on parents knowing best may apply ninty five percent of the time. However, someone needs to help the children that are living in the other five percent, or hell, whichever you would prefer.
I'm truely sorry for Mr. Travolta and his family. My son is autistic, and I can tell you, you look at a mentally handycapped child differently than your cappable children. I love them both very much. But there is always a dread that something is going to happen to my son, and to see that come to fruition would be horrible. I also find it very hard to believe that he was neglected by his parents as reported. They were obviosly treating him for sizures. Doesn't sound neglectful to me.
at 04:37 on January 7th, 2009
I take it that you have had bad experiences with social workers. The fact is that sometimes parents know whats best for their kids and sometimes they don't. How can you explain a father who molest his daughter or a mother who ignores her kids because of her chronic alchoholism? Are these things ultimately "good for kids"? I understand that there are all shades of grey and that parents have a right to raise there kids the way that they want but in our culture this is within reason. No one does everything 100% correct and while kids grow up in families they also grow up in communities where they hopefully will become productive members of society. If this doesn't happen then "we" have to take care of them. This is why social workers do what they do. They not only try to stop child abuse but they also protect the community from being overloaded with kids who can't function. This is why we, as a nation have policies put into place for certain family issues. If you think of this as interference then I would strongly suggest that you take a long hard look at your own values and beliefs that might interfere with your parenting skills. As far as the Travoltas go, if they chose to prevent their son from bettering his predicament I guess that is their choice. They certainly have enough money to support that decision though I don't believe that this decision was beneficial for Jett.I also think that he did have autism. The Travolta families denial of this makes me highly suspect of their abilities to be able to properly take care of their special needs child.
at 17:05 on January 31st, 2009
Where can I find the information that states the facts on social workers normally being victims of child abuse and seeing the abuse where ever they look? My guess is that you or somebody close to you has been suspected or charged of abuse.
at 13:17 on February 1st, 2009
Child abuse hysteria?? Are you serious?? Millions of children are living in abusive homes and no one is helping them. Don't you think it's better to err on the side of caution when it comes to children's welfare? I agree that it's silly to obsess over this issue after nothing can be done about it, but to deny that child abuse is a serious problem is criminal. Shame on you.
at 07:33 on January 3rd, 2009
As a social worker working with children with disabilities I know how prominently denial figures into parental decisions - people believe what they believe and willingness to be open to education or even accepted ideas in mental health/healthcare is sometimes shockingly missing. I have long argued to child protective colleagues that standard of care for disabled children is a differing standard than for non-disabled peers. In this case I'm incredulous that a child (albeit a teen) could go to the bathroom one evening and not be discovered until late the next morning, especially if a history of seizure activity were present.
at 17:26 on January 3rd, 2009
My son was one of the youngest, if not the youngest, person on record to have had Kawasaki Disease (KD). David was only one month old in 1985 when diagnosed. At the time they called it a disease, but later changed it to a Kawasaki Syndrome (KS). When released from the hospital, after many weeks, he was treated with 1/2 of a baby aspirin per day which was the accepted course of treatment at the time. He received a number of echocardiograms over a course of about nine months. David is now 23 years old and had a difficult childhood because he struggled with severe Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With the proper treatment, he is now leading a normal life. He has learned to manage his ADHD. I notified the physicians that treated David for KS about his ADHD, but they maintained that KS does not cause ADHD or any other known neurological impairments.
at 01:29 on January 4th, 2009
My son, too, had Kawasaki Syndrome when he was two years old. Fortunately, his treatment in the hospital with Gammaglobulin lasted only 24 hours and he was then prescribed a course of aspirin. He also had a series of echocardiagrams. He is now fifteen and is perfectly healthy. As a young child he also suffered from ADHD which I believe had nothing to do with the disease but more the fact that his father probably had ADD as a child too.
After hearing about this tragic story, I can only hope that this child was properly treated for the Kawsaki, as complications from the disease may end up being the cause of his death - i.e. heart attack or aneurism. On the other hand, his possibly suffering autism and not being allowed as much treatment, help as possible is very sad and negligent of the parents, IMO.
I will pray for this family.
at 16:39 on January 4th, 2009
You dont know the half....I have personally met and spoken with several men who have had homosexual affairs with John Travolta...go to Universal studios in LA and speak to any one of the many gay men who work there...they will tell you all about Johnnie as they call him...just another hedonist like L Ron Hubbard...never really interested in finding truth at all...whether about life or his son...only interested in self preservation and satisfaction.
at 11:02 on January 8th, 2009
at 17:16 on January 2nd, 2009
Thanks for this story
at 18:21 on January 2nd, 2009
The last thing a grieving family needs is wild speculation and uninformed. ignorant statements on a grievous matter such miscreants could not possibly know anything about.
My condolensces to the Travolta Family at time of great personal loss.