Couple eager to share their conviction that mercury poisoning was the culprit

A Lafayette couple, certain that chelation therapy has helped their autistic son, stepped squarely into the controversy surrounding the causes of autism and its treatment Tuesday as they joined 150 other parents in launching an international support group that will aggressively promote the treatment.

Jamie Handley was a happy, healthy baby who reached all his developmental milestones until he turned 18 months, his parents said. Then, he started spinning in circles and standing on his toes and no longer responded to his name. They were eventually told he was autistic -- one of an increasing number of children over the last decade to be diagnosed with 7the disorder, which severely impairs a child's ability to interact with others.

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