Texas Court Case: Father Used Cannabis to Treat Self-Injuring Autistic Child

[Hunter]

Texas judge weighs whether father who treated autistic daughter with...

At age 4, Kara started suffering fits of self-abuse, often smashing her hand into her face. She has broken bones. Her school has recorded her hitting herself 3,000 times in one day; it was considered a good day if she hit under 1,000 times.

About seven years ago, a neighbor suggested the parents try marijuana. They scoffed at the idea, but accepted a pot brownie from him. When they gave it to Kara before a road trip, she was calm for five hours and interested in looking out the window — when usually she’d be yelling and punching herself.

Since then, the Zartlers have found marijuana to be the only drug that works for Kara every time. It also has allowed her personality and sense of humor to emerge. Her doctors have told the family it’s good they found something that works, but they can’t recommend breaking the law.

I hope the court case goes well. It could prove to be useful to other parents struggling to maintain guardianship over the children with disabilities.

[Hunter]

Follow up:

PHOTOS: Texas father will maintain guardianship of his autistic daughter