Autism on the rise?
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Autism vs Attrition
Is the rise in numbers per birth legitimate or is a percentage due to attrition?
Autism has gained an enormous amount of press over the past few years, thanks to advocates such as Jenny McCarthy, Doug Flute, and several other celebrities with children living with this neurological disorder.
Within the last thirty or so years the numbers seem to have risen dramatically, from documented statistics of 1 in 10,000 births to the more recent figures of 1 in 150 births and now the disorder seems to have been relegated to a “spectrum” disorder, perhaps making it more palatable for individuals to tolerate the large jump in numbers per birth.
Autism is defined as a condition disturbing perceptions and relationships.
a disturbance in psychological development in which use of language, reaction to stimuli, interpretation of the world, and the formation of relationships are not fully established and follow unusual patterns(Encarta Dictionary: English/ North America).
While it is safe to say that there are many opinions as to the cause of this disorder, there is little proof of the origin. The battle cry of the week is that the mercury preservatives in the vaccines causes a neurological trigger, or that too many vaccines are being given at one time, too young to infants and toddlers, and let’s not forget genetics.
But let’s consider for a moment the rise in the numbers of persons on the “spectrum”.
What else has been around and developed in leaps and bounds over the past thirty years?
Technological advances, specifically computer technology.
Everything from personal home computers to computer games to online services, such as banking, shopping, even working from home.
One does not have to speak to or engage on any level with another living soul, if they so desire. If we do not use our inherent human skills of communication, cultural and physical bonding rituals, as with other skill sets throughout evolution, we run the risk to Attrition off the use of that skill. In this case, perhaps the use of the part of the brain that assists us to use certain skills, such as verbal and human interaction.
Think about it. We do not even have to speak to anyone at the local grocery store or home improvement warehouse, or the bank. We simply swipe a card through a device and there you have it…No communication necessary!
Imagine never having to speak a single syllable to another human being.
Children are learning as young as 2 years of age how to use this technology and no one seems to have connected the dots?
It appears elementary to me that if one doesn’t use a skill one loses the skill.
I feel comfortable making these comparisons because I am the parent of a person living within the “spectrum”. And for the record my child reached all the normal milestones of infant development, up and until she was vaccinated at the age of 6 months.
A case for the vaccine? Not quite, there are many like individuals in my family tree with similar behaviors. A case for genetics? Again, not quite, there are many family members that have these behaviors that do not have children on the “spectrum”.
The one common denominator is the use of a singular technology over the past thirty years, since autism was first introduced in my ancestral history.
So I ask you. Is the increase in numbers really a true reflection of a disorder on the rise? Or are we as a society attritioning off a part of our brain and being thrown into the proverbial pot of a wide and varied so called spectrum disorder?
What's your opinion?
Should vaccines be held for children with definitive spectrum diagnosis?
See results without votingComments
Tony,
I have many theories on the causes/development of Autism.
I happen to agree that vaccines play a role in the development of autism, in some individuals. I believe that some individuals are allergic to the mercury perservatives in these vaccines and specifically those with a genetic predisposition to autism should not be vaccinated or if they must(depending upon what area of the world they have been born to) that scientists should be developing a differnt set of vaccines for these individuals. One w/o mercury.
I would love for a study to be done on this.
I am the mother of an adult child living with Autism. When she was diagnosed, the internet was in its infancy and so I had to learn about Autism the hard way and the info out there was all geared to blaming it on poor mothering.
My article was purely a postion on why the sudden rise in numbers and why it has suddenly become a "spectrum" disorder.
True autism is a neurological disorder triggered by something...God knows what. Jury is still out on this, but I do believe that invasive entries, ie vaccines, is one of many.
My daughter started out with all the normal milestones that babies acheive and after her vaccines began she changed. I have a half-sister that is also autistic. I have an uncle who displays s/sx of autism(never formally diagnosed...got thrown into a "special"class and floundered until he dropped out of school at the age of 16), however his daughter shows no signs of autism.
My fear is that if the numbers are hyper-exagerated the truly autistic will get lost in there and also that the general public will become desensitized to autism as they did with other issues such as ADHD and think that it is a behavioral disorder that can be treated by throwing a pill at it.
The idea was to try and introduce another perspective about the people that display "autistic-like" characteristics and how that may have developed over the past 30 or so years into the rise in numbers through us naturally attritioning off the social part of our brain.
I did not mean for it to come off in anyway as a disrespect to the truly autistic and the families that deal with this disorder.
I plan to write a separate article on "true" autism, as I have learned about it from raising my own child.
Be well...Adrianna
Great topic- Tonymac~ I too have withheld the measles, etc shot for my 19 months old because they receive so many shots and she gets sick after every one of them. I will eventually get it for her but when she is older and if I go back to work outside the home.
When I was in school for psych we studied the hot topic of that time- ADD and ADHD. That was getting a lot of recognition swiftly and researchers were baffled just as they are about autism. The talk of cause of autism when I was in school was tv (excessive tech stimulation) and/or vaccines. I am more inclined to believe the tech stimulation can cause or effect autism more than the vaccine (MMR). The kids I've met with autism ( I live next to a lady who has an autistic boy too) seem overstimulated and of course lack that personal connection. I also have a cousin whose 10 year old grew up with a hande held video game attached to him and now he is lacking personal skills severely, although not autistic.
There must be a predisposition to autism too, as some suggest. I've also read (great book- The Vaccine Book by Dr Sears) that if the child is predispositioned for it, they will eventually get it even without the vaccine- getting a bad cold can even trigger it.
also... it's difficult to test for this genetic precursor for autism- even before a child has the MMR vaccine because the test is done with a spinal tap- too expensive for distributing to just any child and too invasive.
I taught in in an autistic unit, and I had one mother who was adamant that it was the measles vaccine that triggered off both her boys. The boys were completely normal toddlers, a year apart in age, both were bright and spoke English and Portuguese. They had the measles vaccine, both then had a chronic fever for a couple of days afterwards and both have autism. The older one is higher functioning and can cope in a regular class with a teacher aide in support. The younger one, the one who was in my class, stopped walking and never spoke again. His autism is quite severe
that's so scary to hear, especially with my toddler "past due" on her measles shot. Eventually they have to get it before they go into school or most daycares. My daughter gets a fever just from the regular shots and then catches a cold or whateve is going around so I know it effects her immune system.
There was recent news that the vaccine is confirmed to not be related, but that may change next moth or next year- who knows. As a mother I almost feel like it's gambling taking my child in for her shot and hoping she recovers ok. I know the chances are slim, but hey I'm a mother- this is my baby!
Izetti: I am the mother of a 27 y/o autisic person and the half-sister of a 32 y/o autistic person.
Both were diagnosed w/Early Infantile Autism (EIA). My Daughter was 11months when diagnosed and my sister was later, @ 4years of age. There is 4.5 years between them, in age.
Back then it was 1/10,000 births. Today...1/150-60 births.
I know there are many undiagnosed people in my family tree, so I can't say for sure that , in my case, it's the vaccine triggering autism. i do however believe that kids are getting too many vaccines, too close together. i also think that there is a link between vaccines and SIDS.
My colleague lost her 4 month old, a year ago, one day after receiving 6 shots, developed a fever of 106 and died. No history of this in her Family, either. Very sad. She will never vaccinate any more of her children, and has lost faith in the medical community.
I plan to write another position paper on Autism. I am also in the middle of writing a book about my sister and my daughter.
They have fantastic success stories. Will always be Autistic, but are both independent!
Take care
Adrianna
the fever is very scary- one week after receiving her one year shots, my daughter had a 104 fever and had a fever induced seizure. I have spaced her shots out at least a few months after the doctors suggest because it IS too many too close together.
I am happy you get the word out so people understand the life of the autistic and also what's important is support and knowledge for those who live with someone who has it- as you did.
What is your take on the dietary aspect of diminishing autistic symptoms? I believe that is how Jenny McCarthy said her son was "cured" of autism. Is there really a cure for it?
I don't believe in a cure as much as I agree with her (Jenny's) belief that people can "recover" from "Autistic-like" charachteristics of the neurological side effects, for lack of a better term.
I think that anyone can benefit from better nutritional practices, for sure. More organic, less processed. I have had my daughter on organics for years.
My biggest concern is that all the literature and teaching is geared to the school age autistic person. There is virtually nothing out there for adults.
It really cracks me up, ya know...as soon as these kids graduate from HS, they're all "cured" i guess...
I don't know what is available in your neck of the woods, but here in New England, The Vocational education programs are available throughout the lifespan, but even those programs are limited and many adult autistic individuals are lumped in with other types of disorders and eventually fall through the cracks.
My daughter has had many problems with regards to employers not understanding her particular issues. She displays more of a developmental delay "flavor" with regards to her autism. She's very young looking and is all over the place, developmentally...14, 16. 21, and also age appropriate @ 27, at times. Very deceiving.
I finally had to draft a primer for her current employer (to help the HR dept) to place her within their organization appropriately.
It's called "eight things about me"...I will post it on hub pages. perhaps it may help other families with like circumstances.
If there is anything I can do to assist anyone, in a health-related way...I'm happy to do it.
You were very lucky with you vax situation. thank God.
So far, so good. She's been doing great at this job and her employer understands what they're looking at.
Your'e a good mom and yes you should post that list on hub pages.
Thanks...the job is never done. ;-)
I have a son with autism so the subject interests me.
I am a little less on the vaccination cause. (Although I believe infants receive too many shots too soon.) I believe genetics play a role. We found an autism specialist and he and I talked about it. It is his professional opinion as well there is a genetic link. He told me that 50% of all children on the spectrum have family members with bipolar or depression in their families. This would be my husband's family's case. That stat is too large to ignore.
Great article and I look forward to reading more.
Thanks for your input and taking the time to read and respond.
Adrianna
Autism on the rise? in the News
- Autism cases rise dramaticallyNews 4 Reno6 hours ago
The Centers for Disease Control have released new statistics that show 1 in 110 American children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
- New data sparks a call for increased funding for autism researchWGN TV Chicago22 hours ago
With autism on the rise, Illinois parents, lawmakers and social service providers are calling for increased federal funding to help find the causes and improve treatments for the disorder. The Centers for Disease Control unveiled its most recent data last Friday and estimated that one in 110 children in the United States have autism. That's about 1% of all U.S. children. About 12,000 children in ...
- Video: Rise in Autism DiagnosesCBS News3 days ago
A new study says that one of every hundred 8-year-olds was diagnosed with autism or a related disorder in 2006. That's a 57 percent jump from four years earlier. Dr. Jennifer Ashton reports.
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tonymac04 says:
8 months ago
My daughter Sarah has not had her daughter Sophie vaccinated specifically for fear of autism. I personally question the link between vaccination and autism as I am not aware of clinical studies that have positively shown any causal link that would outweigh the risk of diseases when vaccination is withheld. Do you have any opinion or specific indications on this issue?
I have personally heard of one child who had a permanent disability caused by a measles vaccination, and I have come across many, many children in my 65 years!
But as I am not a researcher or clinician maybe that doesn't count.
I salute my daughter's care for her child but am somewhat concerned that the child is now exposed to other risks.
Anyway the child is almost a year and shows every sign of being normal and healthy! So maybe my worries are unfounded.
Love and peace
Tony