'What I think caused Jett's autism': Kelly Preston opens up about son's tragic death for the first time

PUBLISHED: 20:00 EST, 19 November 2012 | UPDATED: 04:13 EST, 20 November 2012

Kelly Preston has spoken out about her 16-year-old son's tragic death for the first time, revealing her controversial theories as what caused his autism.

Jett Travolta died in 2009 after suffering a seizure - epilepsy is common in children with autism - and hitting his head in a bathtub at the family's vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island.

Preston opened up for the first time on The Doctors - via People - about the dangers in our environment she believes caused the neural development disorder.

Gone too soon: Kelly Preston with her late son, Jett, and her daughter Ella; she's spoken out about the factors that led to his autism

Happy family: The Travoltas pose for a Christmas snap

Unit: Kelly and John have weathered a lot together, even this year's string of gay allegations against the actor

The actress holds several things responsible for Jett's autism (which has no known singular official cause), specifically Kawasaki Syndrome - which usually affects children from ages 2 to 5 and can cause inflammation of the arteries - her 'fast and hard' labour and the use of antibiotics while breastfeeding, which gave Jett thrush, an infection of Candida yeast which some studies have linked to the symptoms of autism.

The episode also includes a behind-the-scenes look at Alternative Laboratories to show viewers how organic products are made.

Speaking out: Kelly believes the chemicals we encounter in daily life are contributing factors to autism

John Travolta's wife is hoping to provide information about an organic lifestyle to help other parents.

Preston and husband John Travolta - who are also parents to Ella, 12 - have since become parents to another child, Benjamin, who is now two-years-old.

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.

Scientology, the religion that John is a major proponent of... does not acknowledge autism or any other psychiatric disorder but Travolta, 58, defied the faith to acknowledge his son was a sufferer in the police report made at the time of his death.

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I have to agree with her in part. I for one believe that there is a genetic factor involved as well though, its just that things such as Candida/Dysbosis from overuse of antibiotics, food intolerance, medications (including mmr jab) can basically exacerbate the symptoms. So whilst I believe a child is born autistic, because autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it can be very mild, almost undetectable to very severe and debilitating, a specific event can then exacerbate the symptoms meaning that autism in a child that previously went unnoticed because it was so mild, will all of a sudden become "symptomatic" and leave parents to believe that that specific even was the cause when if fact the problem was already there but just wasnt noticeable. From my own experience, probiotics and diets such as GAPs, do in fact relieve the symptoms as its all about home cooked, natural foods, which I think we could all benefit from.

- Lady T , Turkey, 20/11/2012 15:25

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There are many causes to Autism. And yes there is a genetic component to some forms of Autism, but for all of those who are condemning Kelly Preston - most specialists also recognise that there is an environmental factor at play. They simply don't know how the different factors work to cause Autism. And yes I speak from experience - my nephew has Autism. And I work with many that do. And as for the comment that said proper medication would have saved Jett - more than 2000 people die each year from seizures. And most of them according to the research will have been medicated. And there was never any proof that he wasn't medicated. So don't be so disrespectful.

- Utopian Blue , London, 20/11/2012 15:25

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My neighbour has 5 children, all are autistic. Autism is not like the flu, an illness you can catch and cure ! One day i spoke to a researcher specialised in autism. She told me that we all start out as autistic in our mothers belly but after a certain moment the brain corrects itself. Sometimes it does not. It is a fact that most autistic children are born in Korea. Not trying to offend any-one ! But it is necessary for us to find the cause and gain more understanding for autism, it is such a wide spread out spectrum, it is hard to deal with. As i have seen with my neighbour.

- Dutchy , Windy city, 20/11/2012 15:18

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As a sibling to a severally autistic sister I find the comment relating to autism being genetic extremely offensive. It¿s hard enough to bring up a child with autism, it does not need these ignorant comments which ostracise and bring guilt on the family. There is no evidence suggesting that autism is genetic, it¿s just easier to judge and make assumptions to why people have autism rather than taking the time to empathise and understand that this is a condition which can¿t be explained. Nobody chooses to have a mental illness.

- E2012 , Birmingham, United Kingdom, 20/11/2012 15:18

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Sarah, England, United Kingdom, The theory of a connection with the MMR injections has been widely disproved. Autism tends to show itself in children around age 2, yet the MMR injection is given at 2, 4 and 6 MONTHS. So why are people still trying to connect it with the MMR?

- annabananabread61 , Toronto, 20/11/2012 15:17

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- E2012 , Birmingham, United Kingdom, 20/11/2012 15:17

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So she wants to help other people who also have kids with autism, despite the fact that her own son died more or less because they refused to acknowledge and treat his condition? Yeah, that makes sense. If I had a kid with autism, I would totally listen to what the Travoltas, who don't believe in psychiatry, had to say about it. No doubt the best source.

- Annie , Here There, United Kingdom, 20/11/2012 15:12

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Gut and Psychology Syndrome plays the main role----far more than genetics. Look it up, as this woman cab cure autism or boldly halt the symptoms and progression.

- ktbbtb , rockymtns, United States, 20/11/2012 15:12

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As a sibling to a severally autistic sister I find the comment relating to autism being genetic extremely offensive. It¿s hard enough to bring up a child with autism, it does not need these ignorant comments which ostracise and bring guilt on the family. There is no evidence suggesting that autism is genetic, it¿s just easier to judge and make assumptions to why people have autism rather than taking the time to empathise and understand that this is a condition that can¿t be explained. Nobody chooses to have a mental illness.

- E2012 , Birmingham, United Kingdom, 20/11/2012 15:11

Click to rate Rating 106

Autism is a genetic disorder. You cannot develop Autism after a bump to the head. I think she must be finding it difficult to accept this fact and perhaps she is trying to ignore that it is hereditary as she is worried that her other son will develop it. It usually manifests itself around 2 years of age and her son is not 2 yet. There are many people out there with more than one child in their immediate family and extended family with Autism and can testify to the genetic link.

- James , London, 20/11/2012 15:09

Click to rate Rating 108

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