Autism - what do you think?

[Liberty Belle]

A couple other things I've learned about Autism (I didn't see the Oprah show, so I don't know if they were mentioned), the older the father, the more likely a child is going to have Autism. Also, there is a high rate of both or either parents of an Autistic child being engineers or mathmeticians and a lot of times the parents are a bit "different," (but undiagnosed) as well.

 

[gina2000]

We never would catagorize slow learners as autistic when I was a child. They were just slow learners. Only the most severely handicapped would be labelled.

We now diagnose a broader autism spectrum and as a result, have more reported cases.

Immunizations save lives. Polio, TB, diptheria, whooping cough were rampant 70 years ago. They are no longer due to immunizations. Try living with the fear of deadly diseases (my grandfather died of TB, my uncle was hospitalized with it for years and my mother is a carrier) and you'll run to be immunized.

 

[auntpolly]

Also, there has been a lot of research into a possible genetic link to autism. Here's a good article from MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17232075/

You would have made a better argument for the "non consiracy" side than the doctor on Oprah. She talked about genetics - which I buy - but she said the increase in numbers indicate an additional envirmonmental trigger - we just don't know what it is.

 

[monkeyboy]

Scientists speculate that there are from 5-20 genes responsible for Autism
Runs in families
Early Intervention causes neural connections to be formed
High numbers of autistic children have elevated mercury, lead, cadmium
Autism is a genetic/medical disorder
Not ALL children respond to biomedical treatment/early intervention
Autism is a National Emergency
NIH spent $100 million on Autism Research in 1 year out of a budget of $25 billion-most of it on genetic testing
650,000 Adults with Autism in this country, not including the rest of the world
Autism is the FASTEST growing Developmental Disability
1.7 Million Americans living with some form of Autism
There has been a 172% increase in Autism in the U.S. in the last decade
If one child has Autism there is a 1 in 5 chance that a second child will also have it
70% of adults with Autism are unemployed
It costs America $90 Million a year to take care of Autistic Individuals needs
Autism has more diagnosis than the top 3 children's illnesses combined
Autism has been on the map since 1943
1 in 166 children have a diagnosis of some sort of Autism
4 times as many boys as girls are affected by Autism
Autism knows no social, racial or economic boundaries
81% of Autism cases have been diagnosed since 1980
There is a 17% increase in Autism Annually
In California there has been a 273% increase in Autism Diagnosis in last decade
10% of Autistics are savants
In 60% of twins both children will develop a form of Autism
75% of parents try alternative treatments such as supplements and biomedical approaches
30% try dietary changes
70% of children with Full Autism have some form of mental retardation
Type A blood predominately in boys with Autism
The divorce rate for families with an Autistic child is 80%

 

[JerseyJanice]

I didn't see the Oprah show, but I can tell you that it's a fact autism is rising at an alarming rate.

It has been disproved that vaccines have anything to do with autism. When the rates of incidence began to rise, the preservative used in the vaccines (Thimersol, a mercury derivative) was blamed. However, since 1994, the usage of that preservative in children's vaccines was stopped. Since then, rates have continued to climb.

We desperately need to research what's causing so much autism. The implications for us as a species are enormous if it continues at this rate.

It's a full-blown epidemic. In the 1950's, polio was called an epidemic when the incidence was 1 in 5,000. Autism is happening at the rate of 1 in 150. Here are some other stats that should amaze you:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/facts.php

Fortunately, no one in my family has gotten it. (Thank God and knock wood!) However, a close friend of mine's son was just diagnosed. I can't tell you how devastated my friend and her husband are; my heart is broken for them.

For many years, if I contributed to a charity outside of my church, I would donate to St. Jude's on account of my niece dying from leukemia. From now on, anything I have to give will go to Autism Speaks.

We can not allow this epidemic to continue. At the rate it's going, it's almost just a matter of time before it affects everyone.

 

[froglady]

I believe there is clearly an increase in the ability of the medical community as well as parents to recognize this disorder. In the past, people only heard about children with severe autism, nobody ever talked about high-functioning autism. One reason, I think, for the increase in number is the recognition that autism is a spectrum disorder. So while a larger number of children are included in these numbers, it is important to keep in mind that the numbers include a huge range of abilities.

As for the "link" to vaccines, I don't buy the conspiracy theory. There may well be environmental factors, but I can't believe it is limited to vaccines. I wonder if there has been a scientific study to see if children whose parents don't vaccinate have a lower incidence of autism? I haven't read about one, but it would be interesting.

Also, there has been a lot of research into a possible genetic link to autism. Here's a good article from MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17232075/

You posted the same thing I was going to post. I also wonder if any studies have been done of children who do NOT get the vaccines and development of Autism? If it is 100% cause and effect, there should be no cases. If it is just a contributing factor, there MIGHT be some. Then , a study would have to be done to figure out how MUCH the vaccines contribute, if at all.

Then, a final study would have to be done to determine the risks vs benefits ratios, ESPECIALLY as the numbers of parents (due to media exposure ala Oprah) opt not to vaccinate their children for fear of Autism.

This could finally put an end to the debate, but a lot of children will probably die or be severely affected by communicable diseases before it's all over.

As for me, I last opted for the vaccinations 13 - 10 years ago, and if DD ever presents me with a grandchild, I will strongly advise she do the same.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I too think it is better diagnosis then an actual increase in cases of autism. I look back at some kids I went to school with that would probably be classified as mildly autistic now but were just considered 'slow' when we were in school. Same thing with the 'rise' in cases of ADD, I think more kids are just being diagnosed with it vs there actually being more kids with it. These kids were just 'active' before and now they are ADD/ADHD.

ITA

Now there is a study that TV watching at a young age and autism are linked. I think it is as plausable as the immunization threory.

 

[auntpolly]

ITA

Now there is a study that TV watching at a young age and autism are linked. I think it is as plausable as the immunization threory.

Just let me say I am not advocating a parent calling off all immunizations!

But I am advocating looking at them a little closer - we just took our kids and said, "Do it". I'd be asking alot more questions today.

 

[MAKmom]

I'd like to think I'm a semi-intelligent person - and something just doesn't seem right when they say they've ruled out immunizations as a cause. Those drug companies are pretty powerful....

Yes they are & they fund most of the research in the world. The practice of grouping so many drugs into 1 shot for a baby I think is too much.

I believe there is a mercury connection.

I am starting to realize how corrupt big business is. They are making us sick with the products they sell us then provide a pill for us to take.

I often wonder what other companies the drug companies have. If you can trace it all back I wonder if there is really only a few owners of everything.

Remember the Beatrice campaign over 10 years ago. Everyone got upset when they found out they owned KRAFT & so many other companies & they stop it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Also, there has been a lot of research into a possible genetic link to autism.

Autism runs rampant in Silicon Valley. Some researchers now believe that autism and engineering/science have a link. We are an odd bunch to begin with.

 

[froglady]

We never would catagorize slow learners as autistic when I was a child. They were just slow learners. Only the most severely handicapped would be labelled.

We now diagnose a broader autism spectrum and as a result, have more reported cases.

Immunizations save lives. Polio, TB, diptheria, whooping cough were rampant 70 years ago. They are no longer due to immunizations. Try living with the fear of deadly diseases (my grandfather died of TB, my uncle was hospitalized with it for years and my mother is a carrier) and you'll run to be immunized.

Oh geez, I forgot about all the TB. My uncle met my aunt while he was in a sanatorium recovering from TB. (she was a nurse there) She ended up dying in 1974 from complications; it wasn't pretty. My uncle only had 2/3 of one lung by the time he died in 1990. Both of my parents tested TB positive for the rest of their lives, but neither developed symptoms.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Don't fool yourself into thinking that autism is just being diagnosed more frequently now. I thought that too, until I saw some indepth statistics.

For example, in my county, school districts report autism in older students (from 16 to 21) at a rate of about 2 per year of age. The numbers increase to about 7 for students aged 10 to 15. The numbers climb dramatically when you see the reports on younger students. It's up to about 26 per year of age at the preschool level, and that's just in a single district in one county.

There is no way to explain increases that high by saying that the older students have been removed from the public education system or by attributing it to being diagnosed more.

Well, it is diagnosed more, but it's because it's happening more. It's truly frightening.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Autism runs rampant in Silicon Valley. Some researchers now believe that autism and engineering/science have a link. We are an odd bunch to begin with.

My FIL is a chemical engineer, and I would say that he would have been labeled as aspergers had he been a part of this generation. I hope that the labels help the children now, rather than hinder them.

 

[freckles and boo]

My younger daughter is almost five and she is a child with autism. She is funny and smart and couldn't say a meaningful word until she was three. She has communication challenges and probably will all her life. She has major sensory issues (she is hypo-sensitive) but she is a kind, loving girl who is very connected to the world. She is very, very bright.

Here is what I think....

I believe that there is a genetic predisposition combined with a trigger of some sort. Is it vaccines? I don't know but my daughter is fully vaccinated. So is her sister - same gene pool, same vaccines, different results?

I believe that early and intensive intervention is critical to the child's development and potential. Involved and educated parents make or break a child's ability to reach their maximum potential. That is true for all kids but especially for kids with autism.

I was a little annoyed by the Oprah Winfrey Show (and I let them know it) because they featured mostly children who are very disabled. It was mostly a negative portrayal and while the parents deeply loved their kids, it seeed to me to reinforce all the negative stereotypes about children with autism - that they are all detached and have bizarre mannerisms. They didn't show any children or adults who have found ways to adapt and succeed with autism. It was an eye-opener for a lot of people but it isn't the whole story by far.

If people take anything away from that show, I hope it is tolerance for people who are dealing with autism. A little sympathy for the parent whose child is overwhelmed and overstimulated and frustrated and melting down (instead of scorn or "can't you control that kid?" looks) would be greatly appreciated. On the DISablilties thread a cast member asked parents of autistic kids what she could do to help in a situation like that. We were very grateful for her compassion and the overwhelming answer was "Ask the parents if they could use a little help". That would be a great answer for anyone.

 

[debster812]

Don't fool yourself into thinking that autism is just being diagnosed more frequently now. I thought that too, until I saw some indepth statistics.

For example, in my county, school districts report autism in older students (from 16 to 21) at a rate of about 2 per year of age. The numbers increase to about 7 for students aged 10 to 15. The numbers climb dramatically when you see the reports on younger students. It's up to about 26 per year of age at the preschool level, and that's just in a single district in one county.

There is no way to explain increases that high by saying that the older students have been removed from the public education system or by attributing it to being diagnosed more.

Well, it is diagnosed more, but it's because it's happening more. It's truly frightening.

Do you have a source for these indepth stats? I'd be interested to see them, because everything I have read and researched (nephew is on the spectrum) indicates that diagnoses are MUCH MUCH better today, than they were even 25 years ago. Years ago, there were folks who today would be placed on the spectrum, that we just thought were 'odd' or 'different'.

Genetics certainly play a part as well.

Edited to add--Freckles and Boo--very well said.

 

[froglady]

A couple other things I've learned about Autism (I didn't see the Oprah show, so I don't know if they were mentioned), the older the father, the more likely a child is going to have Autism. Also, there is a high rate of both or either parents of an Autistic child being engineers or mathmeticians and a lot of times the parents are a bit "different," (but undiagnosed) as well.

Don't know about the second, but I know that there were few if any blended familes when I was growing up. Today, it's fairly common for men to divorce, remarry, and start a second family with a younger wife. DB's eldest is 41, and his youngest is 13! No Autism, but that's the difference between contributing factor vs cause. Heck, DH was 47 when DS was conceived.

 

[mickeyfan2]

My FIL is a chemical engineer, and I would say that he would have been labeled as aspergers had he been a part of this generation. I hope that the labels help the children now, rather than hinder them.

I am an Electrical Engineer, as is DH, and we both have our quirks. I am outgoing most of the time but every once in a while I am "afraid" to ask a stranger a simple question in a store. Is that anti social behavior? I make DH ask if he is around. I have to make myself ask, so maybe I found a way to compensate for myself. Who knows.

 

[barkley]

i think the 'increase' of diagnosis is because practitioners have become more adept at reccognizing and making diagnosis. my fear however is that some children who may not truly have any form of autism are being misdiagnosed in the same manner many children have been misdiagnosed with adhd.

reason i say this is-ds truly has adhd, and it intialy showed itself by much more than just behavioural issues. it took a long time to get the diagnosis because we and our doctors wanted to rule out any other possible issues (hearing, vision, allergies...)-then the diagnosis was done by 2 individual specialists in order to ensure it was correct. i'm therefore skeptical and frightened when i know of/read about kids that realy have shown only signs of minor behavioural problems getting a snap diagnosis of adhd from a teacher or a pediatrician whose not completly trained in the field. it seems like allot of parents embrace adhd as a means to excuse poor behaviour in their kids or poor parenting skills on their own part (as in the 'nanny 911' manner). i therefore wonder if some parents are rushing to accept a diagnosis of some of the milder forms of autism before everything else has been ruled out-and if all the doctors making these diagnosis are truly skilled to do so (i mean i would hope the diagnosis comes from a highly skilled doctor-it's just not something i would feel comfortable in accepting from my pediatrician or a gp or a fp).

here's an example-the other day ds was at the neurologists to get migrane meds. when we're sitting in the waiting room he begins to interact with another boy his age (10), little boy interacts with ds and us totaly on par with a 10 year old level-good eye contact, moves with ease from subject to subject (though of course the major topic was pokemon ), he and ds watch the movie on the tv....the mother of the boy then (unsolicited) starts telling dh and i how the best thing that ever happened for HER was when her doctor diagnosed her son as high functioning autistic. that he's now able to get the schooling (iep) that she WANTS for him, people are much more accepting of him...it was an odd conversation. she continues to tell us that we should pursue getting a diagnosis for our son because of the 'advantages'. i could'nt help myself and asked her what symptoms led her to believe her son was autistic. she said that 1-he refused to hug or kiss family members that he had'nt seen in months or had never met ('i mean his grandparents came to see him when he was 5 and it had only been 3 years since their last visit-what 'normal' child would'nt want to run up and just hug grandma and grandpa to death?'), 2-when he was being stubborn or disciplined he avoided eye contact with her and just did'nt WANT to listen, 3-he would get 'stuck' with an interest that just seemed to be all consuming ('when he was a preschooler he was totaly into blues clues, then it was bob the builder, then it was power rangers, now it's pokemon-but he's doing so much better cause now he also likes yugioh')

i'm thinking-man every child i've ever taught, ever known is mildly autistic on this basis. i could'nt help but feel such concern for a child whose mom was so thrilled that she had a diagnosis to explain away what is pretty much the norm for kids at different ages-and then find it advantagous because it opened a door for her to get specialized ed. services-it was like a badge of honor for her

i guess what i'm saying is-i'm thrilled that med practitioners are more skilled at diagnosis, and that there is more recognition of the needed treatment for truly autistic kids-but i hope and pray that those practitioners don't make rash and inappropriate diagnosis. too many non adhd kids were given meds that did'nt need them-and not given the parenting they did. i would hate to see that become an issue with autisim.

 

[froglady]

My FIL is a chemical engineer, and I would say that he would have been labeled as aspergers had he been a part of this generation. I hope that the labels help the children now, rather than hinder them.

Same with my BIL (mechanical engineer) I had to stop staying at his house (although I like him a lot) because he is so odd and my children were uncomfortable there because of his idiosyncracies. He's much more relaxed (but still odd) when he's visiting us.

 

[mickeyfan2]

There was a study out of England that kids born to men over the age of 45, regardless (so wanted to add the ir ) of the mother's age have a shorter life expectancy. They are not sure if it is old sperm or the fact that these kids are fatherless at a younger age and get into destructive behavior at a higher rate. More need to be studied on this.

BTW men 55+ are really getting into making babies in out country. I work with a man who is 62. He has two 35+ year olds and two younger kids (8 and 10). He has now divorced for the second time. He said he would like to remarry and start another family.