Autism - what do you think?

[JerseyJanice]

When these stats are publically available, I'll try to get you a link. (I work for the county and compiled the stats myself. I submitted a report to the state only yesterday, so there's no way it's on-line yet.)

In the early 1990's, there was a true jump in the diagnosing of autism. That's when the outcry about the vaccines happened. Kids get their MMR vaccine at 18 months and that's often when autism is diagnosed. People made the connection to the vaccine, and that's how that theory got started.

Beyond that initial "jump," rates of diagnosis shouldn't have continued to climb dramatically, but they are.

The latest research suggests that genetic flucuations combined with environmental factors (many think mercury contamination) is to blame for the epidemic. It's not the same as other genetic disorders in which a specific gene can be isolated so a couple would not benefit by genetic counseling before conceiving children.

There's no way of preventing it. No way of predicting who will get it. It's largely a mystery, and it's clearly time to devote more research to its causes and maybe a cure. It may not be a fatal illness, but it's a devastating one all the same.

 

[freckles and boo]

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')

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I recognize your concern and I agree that the potential for misdiagnosis is there, but actually getting an autism diagnosis requires meeting specific criteria. Please don't take offense, but spending twenty minutes in a waiting room with someone who seems "normal" doesn't mean a thing. I am sure you didn't get the full story from his mother and, besides, she knows him. A good neurologist isn't going to throw out a diagnosis just to please a parent. This is what I meant about the Oprah Winfrey Show reinforcing stereotypes about children. Clearly he wasn't flapping his arms or spinning in circles, so he must be normal. If you were to observe my child for twenty minutes she would "appear" normal, too. Until she reached her limit and needed some sensory input and threw herself on the floor so she could "feel". Or until she repeated herself for the tenth time in two minutes or answered a question with an unrelated fact. Or until she reached out to touch your face and pet you. It is truly a "spectrum" of abilities/disabilities and the more kids who have their needs met the better we will function as a society.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I have a wonderful DD with HFA, as other have eloquetly said, the cause was most likely multi-factorial.Conspiracy theories only diverts time and money away from better focused research, and i hate to see this particular theory getting "air-time" again on the DIS.

 

[isyne4u]

I'm the mom of a newly diagnosed High functioning autsitic child and I have to say that i was disappointed in Oprah too for only showing the most severe children.

As for diagnosis...it took me over two years to finally get someone to pay attention to his symptoms. I had a developmental pediatrician tell me that I just need to parent him better. Finally someone listened to my concerns and referred him to a psychologist who tested him.

I don't know about vaccines. both of my boys had their vaccines and only one is on the spectrum (at this point anyway!!). currently I blame his father's side of the family!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

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.

I think that one thing we should remember when someone like Oprah brings in an "expert" is that her show is as much, if not more, about ratings than news.

Would we even be talking about that show as much as we are if the doctor had taken a more moderate stand on the vaccination question? I admit I did not even watch, yet I'm here discussing it.

I have no doubt that this doctor's views were well known prior to the taping, as were the viewpoints of the parents who were guests. These shows are, while not necessarily completely "staged," certainly "arranged" to produce the most impact on ratings.

All that being said, though, there is a lot of value in the discussions that the show is prompting around water coolers, and the discussion boards, today.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Please don't take offense, but spending twenty minutes in a waiting room with someone who seems "normal" doesn't mean a thing. I am sure you didn't get the full story from his mother and, besides, she knows him.

And it may be that the child has been receiving therapies for some time that have helped him to the extent that he seems "normal."

 

[auntpolly]

I have a wonderful DD with HFA, as other have eloquetly said, the cause was most likely multi-factorial.Conspiracy theories only diverts time and money away from better focused research, and i hate to see this particular theory getting "air-time" again on the DIS.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but I just don't feel we can rule anything out as long as we don't know anything. And we really don't.

I'm not saying - "this is the cause". Obviously none of us do.

But if I had a young child now, I'd be way more involved in what was happening to him, asking alot more questions, requiring alot more accountability from everyone.

To suggest that something shouldn't be discussed or considered, while I really do acknowledge your pain, is wrong.

Will it be proven that immunizations have 0% to do with it - maybe - but those drug companies could use alot more scrutinization regardless.

 

[Nette]

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.

My DH was telling me about an article he read (sorry I don't have a link) that said that the rate of autism is higher in cities where there is a big tech industry (like on the west coast). If you look at the typical engineer (software or otherwise), you notice that their social skills are somewhat lacking. In places more densely populated with said engineers, they are more likely to breed and create autistic offspring. (Boy does that sound cold and calculating)

I really don't buy the immunization theory. As it has been said, people died from those diseases, and I think it's somewhat irresponsible to not immunize your children. That being said, I will never get my DD a flu immunization because of the auto immune disorder that the flu vaccine caused in me (but that's a whole 'nother story.)

 

[auntpolly]

and I think it's somewhat irresponsible to not immunize your children. That being said,)

I don't think anyone is saying that (here, anyway). I'm just saying that we should stop being passive participants in ours and our children's health care and ask way more questions.

I say, until we know what it is, we really don't know what it isn't. And we need to be keeping the question marks open!

 

[isyne4u]

One of the 12 books I have on autism right now mentions several people who if diagnosed today would be considered High functioning autistic. The only name I can remember is Albert Einstein. So not just the high tech sector!

 

[Geoff_M]

Will it be proven that immunizations have 0% to do with it - maybe - but those drug companies could use alot more scrutinization regardless.

The largest studies that have been used to disprove the vaccine/autism link have not been funded by the "drug companies". They've been conducted by organizations like the UN (WHO), NIH, and similar governmental bodies around the world.

If you want to look at recent areas of scientific study that have actually shown promise at pointing to the likely causes, then you need to read the latest findings about the genetic causes of autism and the likely effect our society's delay in childrearing (the age of the father in particular seems to be a likely factor) may be playing. However, these promising findings aren't getting a lot of play on the Internet because people prefer to focus on external causes that can be laid at the feet of others.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't think anyone is saying that (here, anyway). I'm just saying that we should stop being passive participants in ours and our children's health care and ask way more questions.

I say, until we know what it is, we really don't know what it isn't. And we need to be keeping the question marks open!

I agree. Never did any of us say this was the cause.

You cannot close a door unless you know the cause. I think that is fair to say.

As far as getting good medical care, it is a crap shoot. Try arguing with SCHEDULING receptionists that your dd's cardiologist decided he thought that DR. X was who he would trust to have your dd's gallbladder out.

When you have been around the medical block you know the drill. Some doc's are a gift from heaven and some just should change specialities.

 

[kimmikayb]

I'm the mom of a newly diagnosed High functioning autsitic child and I have to say that i was disappointed in Oprah too for only showing the most severe children.

As for diagnosis...it took me over two years to finally get someone to pay attention to his symptoms. I had a developmental pediatrician tell me that I just need to parent him better. Finally someone listened to my concerns and referred him to a psychologist who tested him.

I don't know about vaccines. both of my boys had their vaccines and only one is on the spectrum (at this point anyway!!). currently I blame his father's side of the family!

Funny, Tara!

I just wanted everyone to know that April is Autism Awareness Month (thanks Tara!) and although Autism does not directly affect my family, it does affect people I care about and I think we can all be more aware and do something to help.

 

[ilovejack02]

I agree with golfgal about better diagnosing. I have a ds (8) with Aspergers. I am not aware of any child who died from autism. Millions die from diseases that immunizations prevent. IF there was (is) a link between autism and immunizations,I would rather have a live child who is autistic than a dead one.

I have a close friend with a child that has Autism. She says that she noticed her child was off as a baby and that she really doesn't believe it is the vaccinations.

 

[freckles and boo]

One of the 12 books I have on autism right now mentions several people who if diagnosed today would be considered High functioning autistic. The only name I can remember is Albert Einstein. So not just the high tech sector!

Yep. The story goes that he didn't speak until he was three (like my kid) and that everyone thought he was an idiot. It seems to me that if you read about Temple Grandin, one of the best known people with autism who has written about her experiences, you will find that she thinks in videos/pictures. It would make sense when you consider Einstein's theories of the universe that he would have thought that way as well.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yep. The story goes that he didn't speak until he was three (like my kid) and that everyone thought he was an idiot. It seems to me that if you read about Temple Grandin, one of the best known people with autism who has written about her experiences, you will find that she thinks in videos/pictures. It would make sense when you consider Einstien's theories of the universe that he would have thought that way as well.

Not only that but Albert was failing 6th grade math when his mother pulled him to teach him at home.

 

[mariolatry]

One of the 12 books I have on autism right now mentions several people who if diagnosed today would be considered High functioning autistic. The only name I can remember is Albert Einstein. So not just the high tech sector!

Actually, this is a big contributor to the increase in the "numbers" of kids with autism. The criteria for diagnosis was made slightly broader, plus as parents become more educated, more of them push for diagnosis and treatment. Back in the days where people would've just been considered "a little off", there is now diagnosis and treatment.

As an occupational therapist, I've seen many parents pushing for a diagnosis of Asperger's because any diagnosis is better than having an odd, unexplainable kid. But that's a long story for another day.....

 

[froglady]

The largest studies that have been used to disprove the vaccine/autism link have not been funded by the "drug companies". They've been conducted by organizations like the UN (WHO), NIH, and similar governmental bodies around the world.

If you want to look at recent areas of scientific study that have actually shown promise at pointing to the likely causes, then you need to read the latest findings about the genetic causes of autism and the delay in childrearing (the age of the father in particular seems to be a likely factor). However, these promising findings aren't getting a lot of play on the Internet because people prefer to focus on external causes that can be laid at the feet of others.

Also, blaming it on only one possible contributing factor will make parents feel "immune" and in control. As long as I don't do ------ my baby will not be at risk. This is especially true if the thing to be avoided is something you don't really want to do in the first place. No one other than a sadist WANTS her children to get a shot.

If the answer is genetic, then you may be advised not to do something you really WANT to do, ie, have a child when and with whomever you please.

If it ends up being something in your MICRO environment, it may mean a change in lifestyle. What if they find that disposable diapers (which didn't exist when I was a baby, and were not the standard until the late 70s, early 80s) are the culprit? Or baby wipes? Or sanitizing sprays? These are all things that babies were not routinely exposed to 40 years ago! The list goes on and on.

In the meantime, we had all better become a little more compassionate towards these children, because it's more than likely we may be walking in their parents' shoes, even if we're only grandparents, aunts, sibs, or even children, someday.

 

[JESW]

I am a Mom of a ds12 who was diagnosed with Asperger's back when he was 9...after many years of knowing he was "different".

We have gone through three loooooong years of school issues - behavioral plans, IEP's, pull-out for classes, one-on-one aides, medication, therapy, bio-feedback, etc. We had him tested in 3rd grade and then again last December where it was revealed he also had several learning disabilities - which explained A LOT of the problems he had been having in school. Two weeks ago he was moved to a different school where there are only 8 kids in his class - all with Asperger's and learning disabilities - and a much lower teacher-student ratio. What a MAJOR difference this has made in ALL our lives!!! I could go on and on about it but I won't.

Barkley, I mean no disrespect, but it IS a big deal for these kids to get a diagnose, an IEP and anything else they can get to help them in the real world. My son was a MESS in public school and would put his head down on his desk and cry when things got too overwhelming. When younger he would bang his head on his desk and stab himself with his pencil. Us Mom's don't see it as a badge of honor. That could have been MY son in the office with yours - you wouldn't know that he had Asperger's unless you were clued into the symptoms or I told you. Our kids CAN look normal. We went through the two major testings and also lots of tests through the school. It does take a lot to get an official diagnose. There are also many ADHD kids who cannot get through the day without some provisions provided by the school - dh's nephew being one of them. And many kids who are diagnosed with ADHD when younger go on to be diagnosed with Asperger's when older.

Autism is a wide spectrum and not all kids are the same. I was very saddened watching the show yesterday. We have been to hell and back with our son, but MANY parents have it much worse. I can't imagine having a child who couldn't call me Mom..

My ds has a lot of his Dad's characterists (he's an Engineer)..who has a lot of HIS Dad's characteristics (a former Harvard professor). For us it was genetics.

Jill

 

[va32h]

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....

If immunizations cause autism, then why don't virtually all children who have received an immunization have autism?

After a few minutes of googling, I came up with a World Health Organization statistic that 90% of children in the Americas (North and South) have been immunized. Do 90% of children have autism?

I could say that my three children have all been immunized, and none of them like to brush their teeth. Does that mean that vaccinations cause some aversion to tooth brushing?

Correlation does not equal causation.