AutismOne Creates Fundraiser to Continue His Legacy
LOS ANGELES (December 9, 2021) – Representatives from AutismOne, the United States’ largest parent-run autism conference, announced today with great regret the passing of its Founder and President, Edmund Arranga. Mr. Arranga passed peacefully on Monday, December 6, 2021, in Gilbert, Ariz., surrounded by his friends and family, including his two sons.
As the father of an autistic son, Arranga retired from his position as a senior software engineer at Boeing in 2002 to dedicate his life to finding a cure and treatment for autism and autism spectrum disorders. After leading experts told him that the disorder was genetic and no cure would ever be possible, he met with Bernard S. Rimland, PhD. Like Arranga, Rimland had been told similar theories regarding his own son. However, Rimland reported improvement in his son and other children after implementing a number of treatment strategies from a burgeoning field known as functional medicine.
Intrigued and encouraged by a potential positive outcome, Arranga tried the same methods with his son and became convinced that there were better options available to help children with autism than what were currently in use by mainstream professionals. He founded AutismOne in 2002 with the goal of bringing together experts from the medical community, along with the foremost authorities in autism and behavioral research to provide the latest information and inspire hope among families living with autism and autism spectrum disorders.
“Ed Arranga was a visionary and a revered leader in the autism community,” said James B. Adams, PhD and Autism Researcher, Professor and Chair of the Autism/Asperger’s Research Program at Arizona State University. “His work at AutismOne helped and inspired thousands if not hundreds of thousands of families to live better lives. He is really one of the first to say, ‘these children can get better, live normal lives, and be valuable members of society.’ He will be greatly missed.”
Arranga continued to explore drug therapies, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, chiropractic, the use of medical marijuana, and any other therapy he found to be safe and beneficial, not just for the children but for the families, as well. When he heard of mothers who had committed suicide under the duress of providing care for an autistic child, Arranga brought in psychologists, counselors, essential oil experts and chefs to help parents find ways to cope. He also developed avenues for parents to network and develop support systems outside the conference.
But his work was not without controversy. He was highly criticized by CNN and other mainstream media for his promotion of medical marijuana in the treatment of autism. However, after scientific studies began reporting positive effects from cannabinoid treatment, many outlets including CNN retracted their statements and actually endorsed the treatment.
In 2012, Arranga met with Dr. Luc Montagnier, Nobel Prize Laureate and co-discoverer of the HIV/AIDS virus at the AutismOne conference, and his eyes were opened to the fact that many symptoms of autism were related to the environment and environmental damage. He recruited Dr. Stephanie Seneff, MIT professor and the leading expert on glyphosate contamination in food to explore this theory further. At Seneff’s urging, he recommended eliminating gluten and other foods containing gluten for children living with autism. At the time, this recommendation was highly controversial, but has since gained traction following the Monsanto Company’s $87 million lawsuit involving glyphosate toxicity.
No matter the controversy or challenge, through the AutismOne conference, Arranga strove to constantly improve the quality of life for the children and families living with autism. From delivering the latest information on science and treatments, to the education, safety, well-being and legal rights of the children and families, he provided hope and a means to recovery from an autism diagnosis. He worked tirelessly to keep the cost of attendance at the conference extremely low for families. Most recently, participants paid just $49 to attend the entire week’s sessions. Arranga and the AutismOne team worked tirelessly to supplement the cost of the conference through solicitation of donations and sponsorships from generous supporters and vendors.
As the preeminent source of information, hope and healing for families struggling with autism, the AutismOne conference is committed to continuing Ed Arranga’s legacy and life’s work and is already planning its 2022 conference. Any supporters wishing to contribute a tax-deductible donation to help fund the event may do so via PayPal at www.HelpAutismOne.com.
###About AutismOne
AutismOne is a parent-founded, parent-driven 501(c)3 nonprofit charity organization that exists to help children and their families achieve improvement and recovery from an autism diagnosis; restoring health and skills and enhancing safety and happiness.
12/13/21
A Tribute to Ed Arranga
Ed Arranga, the architect of AutismOne and one of the most effective, influential and beloved leaders of the medical freedom movement, died Dec. 6 after a long battle with cancer.
By Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.The Defender Staff
Ed spent his abundant life’s energies advancing the mission. Because he cared nothing for personal credit, he was particularly adept at unifying the various autism advocacy groups.
He preached that our strength lay in numbers and solidarity.
Ed labored, also, to bring churches into the movement. Reminding ministers and pastors that their predecessors had played key roles in the civil rights movement and in the American Revolution, Ed mobilized clergy across the nation to lead the way in alleviating the devastating toll autism imposes on families and society.
In recent years, Ed and his wife Teri made the financial sacrifice of opening up the AutismOne conference presentations online at no cost so as to broadcast vital information to as many parents as possible.Ed and Teri, whose two sons are diagnosed with autism, knew firsthand that autism does not just debilitate the affected individual. The diagnosis saps personal, emotional, spiritual and financial energies of everyone within its penumbra, imposing ruinous financial costs, derailing careers, straining marriages and marginalizing families in ways that hobble entire communities and weaken nations.The inevitable discussions at AutismOne about regulatory corruption and the scientifically proven links between autism and vaccines inspired fierce opposition toward the annual conference by the medical cartel and its allied Hostility from the Medico/Pharma establishment amplified the litany of insurmountable obstacles that bedeviled nearly every AutismOne annual conference.
Ed steadfastly overcame each of these challenges with his firm determination, resourcefulness and reassuring calm. Ferocious in standing up to the bullies, endlessly generous and kind, Ed made the most browbeaten, persecuted and bereaved feel welcome and safe — not just at conference time, but always.
Ed’s natal compassion and his ferocious advocacy for individuals with autism, no matter their level of ability or need, was an inspiring example to all of us who were blessed to call him a friend.
Ed impacted thousands of families: lifting their burdens, providing critical information, confidence, encouragement and love.
His influence reached far beyond the annual conclave. The advances, knowledge and networking that flowed from that conference helped thousands of families who never knew Ed nor ever attended AutismOne.His most potent legacies are the armies of advocates he trained and empowered who continue to fight for children at doctors’ offices, school boards, state legislatures and on Capitol Hill — and the inspiration he gave us that we can lead worthy lives and advance human dignity by reaching out to care for one child and to comfort one family at a time.
To ensure Ed’s legacy lives on through AutismOne, I invite you to make a contribution in his memory to HelpAutismOne.com
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions.