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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"The increase was especially sharp among kindergartners, where autism cases grew by 17% last year."
July 18, 2016 11:36 AM
Autism rates in California public schools jumped 7 percent in 2016
By Phillip Reese
More than 97,000 California public school students have been diagnosed as autistic, a number that has risen seven-fold since 2001, according to the latest special education data from the California Department of Education.
The figure represent a jump of about 6,500, or 7 percent, from 2014-15 to 2015-16.
The increase was especially sharp among kindergartners, where autism cases grew by 17 percent last year. More than one of every 65 kindergartners in California public schools is classified as autistic.
Since 2006, the number of autistic students statewide has risen by between 5,000 and 7,000 every year, state figures show.
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cosmicone
(11,014 posts)and it is a diagnosis thrown out by overworked and busy doctors.
In my experience, less than 10% of the kids diagnosed with autism actually have it.
Raissa
(217 posts)quite frankly, insurance. I have a son with sensory integration issues and the therapies are not covered under his diagnosis, but would be under the autism umbrella.
With the dynamics of autism it is difficult enough for a proper diagnosis, but I also know of cases where the diagnosis is to qualify children with other diagnoses for the therapy regiment they need.
There are so many dynamics at work that make a factual analysis difficult.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, ranging, for example, from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back-and-forth conversation; to reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect; to failure to initiate or respond to social interactions.
Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understand relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to absence of interest in peers.
Specify current severity:
Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g., strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).
Specify current severity:
Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.
Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).
Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.
These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay. Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur; to make comorbid diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, social communication should be below that expected for general developmental level.
Note: Individuals with a well-established DSM-IV diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified should be given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Individuals who have marked deficits in social communication, but whose symptoms do not otherwise meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder, should be evaluated for social (pragmatic) communication disorder.
Specify if:
With or without accompanying intellectual impairment
With or without accompanying language impairment
Associated with a known medical or genetic condition or environmental factor
(Coding note: Use additional code to identify the associated medical or genetic condition.)
Associated with another neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder
(Coding note: Use additional code[s] to identify the associated neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder[s].
With catatonia (refer to the criteria for catatonia associated with another mental disorder)
(Coding note: Use additional code 293.89 catatonia associated with autism spectrum disorder to indicate the presence of the comorbid catatonia.)
Certainly, some children are misdiagnosed, but there are clear criteria for the diagnosis. Denying that autism is the public health emergency that it clearly is prolongs the suffering of those who are struggling with it.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Is neurology really a science?
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)were from DSM which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)cosmicone
(11,014 posts)sorry
Logical
(22,457 posts)cosmicone
(11,014 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)Response to Logical (Reply #18)
Post removed
Avalux
(35,015 posts)I don't understand your reluctance to share what you believe causes autism.
Scruffy1
(3,256 posts)Trying to discuss complex scientific information on a political blog is hopeless.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)and novices alike, and this might be only the second time I've ever agreed with him that some topics shouldn't be 'debated' on DU, and particularly since, IMHO, DU is NOT a discussion board, it's simply a message board to shout down everyone who disagrees with you.
mythology
(9,527 posts)The symptoms of autism and aspergers are so varied that it's hard to effectively define much less develop a set of protocols for treatments.
Separation
(1,975 posts)He is diognosis with schizophrenia, autism, sensory, ADHD. Since he was diagnosed with the schizophrenia he does not qualify for many of the autism benifits, or so we have been told.
Add to the fact that we are in one of the countries poorest counties, we are further shut out of luck.
Scruffy1
(3,256 posts)This is especially true in rural areas.
KT2000
(20,583 posts)do they require special education. That is where reality is - has there been an increase in the number of children needing special education classes. That can be quantified in dollars and cents. It is also the only thing that will drive a solution such as better research.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)The disability categories and enrollment breakdown in California for individuals (newborn through twenty-two years of age) who received special education services in 2014–15 are as follows:
Intellectual disabilities: 43,750
Speech or language impairment: 160,071
Visual impairment: 3,864
Emotional disturbance: 24,214
Orthopedic impairment: 12,293
Other health impairment: 76,122
Specific learning disability: 284,196
Deafness: 3,531
Hard of hearing: 10,325
Deaf-blindness: 116
Multiple disabilities: 6,435
Autism: 90,794
Traumatic brain injury: 1,744
In total over 717,000 California kids were in special education programs in public schools. There were over 6,235,000 kids in public schools, translating to 1 in 9 who were in special ed programs.
Link from post by: Greg | July 20, 2016 at 11:50 AM
KT2000
(20,583 posts)This is the kind of information that politicians need. They respond to dollars spent, not the crimes against children.
The acquiescence to corporations is creating a growing population of impaired children who will grow up and in many cases be impaired adults.
mopinko
(70,121 posts)and as stated above, so that they can get therapies that they actually need, but arent covered unless they have that dx.
imho, a lot of this may be the "check box" approach to psychiatry/psychology. we really need some biometrics for this stuff.
my kid got a big scary dx based on checking the box, turns out she had epilepsy for a long time, and we had no idea. wasnt till she started having classic seizures that it was discovered that the hallucinations and people appearing in her peripheral vision were actually seizures. no, she didnt have ptsd. no she wasnt paranoid.
she was, quite understandably, depressed, tho.
KT2000
(20,583 posts)into several categories as you can see in proverbialwisdom's post above. States are required to submit this data to the feds.
Could be a "check the box" issue but diagnoses for any and all of us is not exact and likely more difficult in children and their brains. At any rate, neurological disabilities and cancer are increasing in children.
Cal33
(7,018 posts)animals, and various chemicals as well as gene manipulation to make vegetables grow faster)
could cause an increase in problems in our children.
Yes, leave it to the big corporations -- as long as they can make more profits. I think federal
and state governments ought to have not only stricter rules, but also carry them out.
We just can't trust those big business corporations!
KT2000
(20,583 posts)to brain development. You might be interested in the research on hormone disrupting chemicals that are found in many products. For one source you can go to Environmental Health Perspectives which is a publication of the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, part of National Institutes of Health. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/
If you do a search for hormone disrupting chemicals you will see some research on the damage they do to the developing fetus and the corporate fight to stop requirements for testing for them.
Actually a google for "hormone disrupting chemicals" will lead you to lots of information. Great effort is made to sequester environmental health research from mainstream medicine - for the benefit of corporations I am sure.
Cal33
(7,018 posts)
newthinking
(3,982 posts)While early diagnosis can be less exact it is much less costly both in terms of the resources required (for many just more individual and careful attention) and in terms of the longer term costs. Early intervention does tend to slow the progression.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Another worrisome statistic posted at the Seattle Children's Hospital website:
http://www.seattlechildrens.org/medical-conditions/brain-nervous-system-mental-conditions/epilepsy/
Epilepsy in Children
Epilepsy happens more in children than it does in adults. It affects about 1% of the general population - one out of every 100 people. About 5% of children younger than 5 years old have epilepsy. That is about one in every 20 children under 5.
This number does not include children who have seizures caused by a high fever. These kinds of seizures are different from epilepsy. They are called febrile seizures. They either happen only once or only when your child has a fever.
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Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)He has all the classic characteristics, being barely verbal but only after repeated efforts. Our days of the cause are long gone. I am glad my son has insurance that covers the "EXTRA" three hours a day of school. He was held back one year and will spend all summer learning how to stay seated during classroom lectures.
I think some of the "little geniuses stretch it a bit.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)We don't know "why" but we have ways to help children along the spectrum.
Almost anyone who is active as a parent or amongst parents KNOWS there is absolutely something going on and that the children diagnosed definitely do have something more serious than "normal" attention issues.
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)The only way you will ever get a frontal picture of my Autistic grandson is QUICK.
Calculating
(2,955 posts)Basically it's a catchall diagnosis for kids who have social/behavioral issues and just don't 'fit in'.
There are absolutely REAL cases of autism, but I feel like >75% of diagnosed cases now are probably bogus. Is little Timmy a little shy? Must be autism. Behavioral issues? Must be autism. No friends, or anti-social? Autism. We can't just start putting everybody who's not completely 'normal' in the Autistic category.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Most pediatricians will not diagnose autism; they refer children to a developmental specialist. It is usually a team diagnosis, and requires a great deal of testing.
People that doubt the diagnosis usually don't have first hand experience with these kids and young adults. It is much more than "Timmy's a little shy," or "Johnny doesn't have many friends."
Autism is catastrophic for those who suffer from it, and for their families. Early intervention often yields significant improvement, but access to those interventions is still limited. Programs for young adults- who very often did not get early intervention- are extremely limited. One of the problems is the reluctance to recognize that there is an increased prevalence. Disbelief in the diagnosis makes the funding for programs disappear, but not the people who need the programs.
EllieBC
(3,016 posts)It's not easy by any means to get a diagnosis. There are many assessments and evaluations.
And yes, it is hard. Even for those of us who have children that fall on the spectrum that would be formerly diagnosed as Aspergers. Extreme shyness, sensory processing issues, and social emotional delays are very challenging even if your child doesn't have cognitive delays.
phylny
(8,380 posts)I'm a speech-language pathologist, and most physicians are very cautious and follow consistent guidelines to avoid misdiagnosis and over-diagnosis.
I've completed several courses regarding how to spot children at risk for autism, and there is great research now, including looking at early motor patterns (how do they roll over? how do they crawl? is it atypical) to play behaviors (do they have repetitive/restrictive play interests?)
Believe me, no one WANTS their child to have this diagnosis.
Greybnk48
(10,168 posts)Over the course of four years they went through testing at Milwaukee Children's, Rogers' Memorial Hospital, they went to a two day testing with someone famous in this area in Minneapolis and a few more that I can no longer remember. He did not do well in school after K4. He did ok that year because his teacher was amazing (her son was very much like him). After k4 things began to unravel. We tried private school and Montessori, as well as different public schools with quieter atmospheres. He's been homeschooled for the past 1/2 year after he had been hurt by angry teachers twice, one time involving stitches! It's been awful.
Medically, no one could properly diagnose him. He's extremely bright (not genius), he was reading before he was 3, and seemed to have ADHD or OCD. He could, and did, memorize massive amounts of information. At age four he could tell you what make and model car you drove and often what year just by looking at your car keys. He has a car key collection of several hundred keys (a 1000 maybe) that he memorized in a very short time. People were so impressed with this they would send him keys, including local dealers! Lately it's been everything about computers and phone systems, just amazing info for someone who just turned 8 a few weeks ago. Last year someone talked to him that worked at google in Madison, Wi. They were so impressed they treated him to a private tour and lunch with the staff.
He did have sensory issues with loud noises and too much stimulation, and he obsesses about things. In order to get him help, and insurance money, they labeled him autistic which caused other problems (like not being admitted into a private school that did not want the hassle). Most of the docs just wanted to drug him enough to have him be able to attend school without bothering other people. He's taken all kinds of dangerous drugs. It's been a nightmare.
Today, he still has some symptoms but he is worlds better than he was a year ago. Working with his pediatrician, we took him off all meds except hemp oil which works amazingly well. My daughter is working with a nutritionist to regulate his gut bacteria among other things. We have blood work done routinely. His pediatrician is involved as well and is extremely happy about his results. They also moved to a better school district this summer that has more resources for him to utilize. Hopefully he can go back to school this Fall.
Marr
(20,317 posts)missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)and proud mother of four adult children, three of whom have autism.
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)This has worried me about my grandson and how I can contribute now for his future.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)One of the reasons this is a "problem" is also the state of our schools. Children with borderline autism may simply need a smaller classroom where they can get a little extra attention. But in a large classroom they will definitely not thrive and the disease is likely to progress.
Ex Lurker
(3,814 posts)He was obsessed with numbers and shapes, went through a period where he would only wear red shirts and blue pants, and would have meltdowns if his shoelaces weren't exactly even. His pediatrician pushed an autism screening, but his parents resisted. Now he's a perfectly normal 14 year old, with good grades and a wide circle of friends--albeit one with a near-photographic memory and a fascination with maps, weather, and anything else having to do with numbers and statistics.
He has some traits associated with autism, but they don't hold him back, and in fact are arguably beneficial. Is he autistic? You tell me. I wonder how many other kids like him meet the "new" autism criteria. In my view the diagnosis should be reserved for those whose development is hindered and need help.
Chemisse
(30,813 posts)You don't know if he would have been diagnosed with it.
Nevertheless, you make a good point. If autism is on a spectrum, then those who are close to the normal on this spectrum, and not negatively impacted, could artificially inflate the numbers.
Chemisse
(30,813 posts)It's diagnosed a lot - clearly - but then again, many kids have the symptoms of it.
Each year I get 100 new students. Roughly 10 or these will have ADHD.
Autism, on the other hand, is much less common. It's a flip of the coin as to whether I will get one such student each year. Skewing that picture though, is the fact that - in my school - those with severe disability are in special ed classes, so I only get the mildly autistic kids.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)which has absolutely nothing to do with the need to treat it.
There are other modern culture aspects that are unrecognized but likely contributing to many issues that we are seeing. The trouble is even medical professionals and scientists get caught in cultural constructs which makes it very difficult to recognize when societal factors are causing issues.
For instance: It is well known that children who do not get proper bonding consistency have anti-social and other neurological issues. That is why most countries now have a year or more paid family leave after delivery.
Dropping an infant off at daycare causes them stress for a reason. Attachment syndrome is well understood and it can be viewed even at a neurological level: but we have yet to put 2+2 together to realize that we are raising a culture of children that have experienced unnatural bonding stress at the most critical age. It is no wonder that there is a trend toward issues with sociopathy behavior and lack of ability to emphasize.
Scruffy1
(3,256 posts)Chemisse
(30,813 posts)My favorite theories involve food additives and tv, but who knows? So many variables have been introduced since when I was a kid, and we were all expected to sit at our desks, behave and stay focused on schoolwork - and we did it (well I recall a lot of daydreaming and sneak reading, but nobody was up running around the room, that's for sure).
Response to Calculating (Reply #13)
Greybnk48 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to Greybnk48 (Reply #82)
d_r This message was self-deleted by its author.
Greybnk48
(10,168 posts)My apologies. I should have done my own research.
d_r
(6,907 posts)newthinking
(3,982 posts)It may get over diagnosed but not to that extent and it is clearly a serious and growing disease. The trouble is that it is more difficult to diagnose early however early intervention is critical and can have a great impact on a child's life.
I would rather error and have too many diagnosis than the opposite. The long term costs to society will be less than being overly cautious .
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)over diagnosis of Autism but PLEASE don't diminish the seriousness of real Autism. I wanted to deny it ever existed for several months but I did not want to happen to my precious little grandson.
They can not be punished like regular children, potty training is a nightmare with my son having re carpet his house because my grandson would not let himself have a bowel movement He stretched his colon an was given laxatives for months.
Don't forget his MELTDOWNS. When he gets one he strips all his cloths and shoes off , no matter where he is and is crying. You can't stop it without physical restraint.
He isn't dumb, but is slow to learn some things because of very little communications. I also miss him looking me in the eye and giving a huge and telling me ,"I love You". He has done it a couple of times but it is just not his thing.
Texas blocked help for Autistic children to get Medicaid 2 years ago. I figures.
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)EllieBC
(3,016 posts)the spectrum has become larger. Autism is now autism spectrum disorder and is not limited to extreme cognitive delays. Better and earlier screening and intervention may have led to the increase in cases as well. A lot of kids (like my oldest) who would have been labeled as "weird" and or just written off as a behavioral problem kid 20-30 years ago wouldn't have been eligible for early interventions such as occupational therapy and behavioural therapy.
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)Your response is the rational one.
EllieBC
(3,016 posts)with autism. 
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=151671
Could post more, you seem fond of being part of the alt-reality crowd.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)"Who will be the Carl Sagan for this generation?"
"In their respective fields, Andrew Wakefield or Arpad Pusztai come to mind. Take it to the bank."
-- proverbialwisdom
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4479433
KT2000
(20,583 posts)had the courage to stand up for his research even though he was hounded out of his career by corporate interests. Those who smear him have either bought the corporate talking points without researching what they did to him or possibly stand by the Monsanto PR no matter what.
Researcher find results contrary to corporate desires and they are smeared, their reputation ruined, and they are run out of their profession. Have seen it happen to too many times over the years.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)The other name you mentioned isn't much better.
One of the oldest and most respected medical journals said Pusztai's "research" was shit. If you want to claim they are a corporate tool, good luck with that.
KT2000
(20,583 posts)when the price is right
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Check it out:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/jan/15/academicexperts.highereducationprofile
http://www.gmwatch.org/latest-listing/1-news-items/11801-pusztai-to-receive-stuttgart-peace-prize-
https://www.theguardian.com/science/1999/nov/01/gm.food
http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140673698058607.pdf
Off topic, incidentally.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Claiming non-peer reviewed letter trumps peer reviewed research by one of the oldest and most respected medical journals in the world is a real knee slapper.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2408621
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)HuckleB
(35,773 posts)http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2012/01/11/the-antivaccine-crankosphere-rallies-aro/
Your pal David Lewis is just another anti-vaccine crank.
You know how dig yourself into a hole and stay there, don't you?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Wed Apr 13, 2016, 06:04 PM
Do some more reading. Developing...
Here's a book by David Lewis you ought to read: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/science-for-sale-david-l-lewis-phd/1117301377
Start with the B&N Overview.
Guess what? The book's intro was written by the hero of the Flint water crisis (Marc Edwards):
1) http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/03/professor-who-exposed-flint-crisis-says-greed-has-killed-public-science
2) http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/flint-and-the-long-struggle-against-lead-poisoning
3) http://chronicle.com/article/The-Water-Next-Time-Professor/235136
4) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/04/AR2010120400223.html
Sadly, Edwards fought the CDC for years, too. It's shocking to read.
Whistleblowers, all.
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)Ethics matter, but your usual Gish Gallops are not ethical. David Lewis is an anti-vaccine crank. End of discussion.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)...in your efforts to defend the 2016 status quo.
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)Your attempts to promote diseases are here for all to see!
Now everyone knows exactly why you posted this OP.
Whoops.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Last edited Thu Jul 21, 2016, 02:34 PM - Edit history (1)
HuckleB
(35,773 posts) 
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)paraphrased.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024479039#post10
Complete with a link to Age of Autism.
Sid
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Or are you just desperately trying to change the subject?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)The frauds you promote as heroes just ain't that popular these days. So much for Wakefield being the next Carl Sagan, eh?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)In the spirit of transparency, it was my habit previously to provide "LINK FROM" for all posts. Now you can just use Google.
Incidentally, EVERYTHING I've ever posted can withstand fair, tough scrutiny, and I encourage it. Using critiques by "Snopes" or "Skeptics" DOES NOT CUT IT. Sorry.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)I get that you believe that nonsense, but back in the world most call reality nobody is buying it.
Response to Major Nikon (Reply #96)
Post removed
Avalux
(35,015 posts)Environmental factors while the fetus is developing. Interesting article:
http://www.livescience.com/54711-autism-risk-linked-to-high-folate-levels.html
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Mothers of these kids are already blamed enough.
The most likely explanation is a genetic one. Not vaccines, not toxins, not prenatal nutrition.
Avalux
(35,015 posts)Dramatic increases in incidence of autism is an indication of environmental factors, not a sudden genetic mutation. Do you really think what the mother eats doesn't affect development of the fetus? Of course it does, especially neurological development.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)I would add "... or breathes, or drinks, or wears".
There's no such thing as a genetic epidemic. Something in the environment is playing a role.
KT2000
(20,583 posts)the most critical time for development is the first 90 days. A portion of that time the woman does not even know she is pregnant. It is the environment in which she lives that is the problem.
Blood tests that have found toxic chemicals in the blood should tell us that those contaminants are going to the fetus as well. Women will have reduced chemical loads after giving birth and breast feeding.
The possible culprits are in many products - flame resistant treated products, cosmetics, yard chemicals, building materials, cleaning products etc. It is the timing of the exposure that could affect brain development and other systems. Please note that these exposures are invisible - we do not see the chemicals we are exposed to but they are there.
In other words - we are living in an environment that includes about 80,000 chemicals in common use - all but a few poorly researched. We will have to wake up soon and realize that our world is not conducive to creating healthy children as the indicators are there - increase in childhood cancers and neurological damage.
Look up hormone disrupting chemicals - you will be shocked.
phylny
(8,380 posts)actually changed DNA, and that change in DNA is now being seen/triggered now as autism in some people.
KT2000
(20,583 posts)as in environmental cancer issues, it is the trigger we need to identify.
Freddie
(9,267 posts)Since 3/4 of all people with autism are male
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)From Autism speaks:
“Environmental studies have been historically underfunded,” said Alycia Halladay, Ph.D., Autism Speaks senior director of environmental and clinical sciences. “This year we saw a greater emphasis on studies that examine the link between chemical pollutants and autism. Taken together, they show that exposure can affect the developing brain in ways that may lead to autism.”
The July issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives featured five articles exploring how exposure to certain pollutants may contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In yet another landmark environmental study this year, researchers reported some of the first direct evidence of an association between air pollution and autism. A team led by Heather Volk, Ph.D., of the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, associated exposure to high levels of air pollution during pregnancy and the first year of life with a three-fold increase in autism risk. Their report appeared in a November issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/top-ten-lists/2012/deeper-understanding-link-chemical-pollutants-and-autism
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)Scientists Link Autism To These Toxic Chemicals During Fetal Development
The cause of autism is still unknown, but we are definitely closer to figuring it out. A new study published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology, from researchers at the University of Chicago, has revealed that autism and intellectual disability (ID) rates are linked with exposure to harmful environmental factors during congenital development.
“Autism appears to be strongly correlated with rate of congenital malformations of the genitals in males across the country, this gives an indicator of environmental load and the effect is surprisingly strong. The strongest predictors for autism were associated with the environment; congenital malformations on the reproductive system in males… Essentially what happens is during pregnancy there are certain sensitive periods where the fetus is very vulnerable to a range of small molecules – from things like plasticisers, prescription drugs, environmental pesticides and other things. Some of these small molecules essentially alter normal development.” (1a)(1b) – Andrey Rzhetsky, professor of genetic medicine and human genetics at the University of Chicago.
Our environment is full of neurodevelopmental toxins, which means they alter how the brain grows. Mercury, polychlorinated diphenyl, lead, brominated flame retardants, and pesticides are a few of many examples. And let’s not forget about insecticides and herbicides.
Another recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared brain autopsies of autistic children who had died from unrelated causes to those of normal ones. The autistic brains demonstrated abnormal patches of disorganized neurons that disrupted the usual distinct layers in the brain’s cortex. The study suggests that abnormalities occurred in utero during key developmental stages between 19 to 30 weeks gestation. It’s not just the toxin, it’s the timing of the exposure as well.
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/05/11/new-study-links-autism-to-toxin-exposure/
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)With a wide range of severity.
BigDemVoter
(4,150 posts)LeftishBrit
(41,208 posts)The MMR vaccine was withdrawn for several years in Japan, and then reintroduced. It had NO effect on autism rates.
Much of this dangerous lie about vaccines comes from a crooked British-origin doctor called Wakefield. And even if his study was honestly reported (there are many doubts about this) it was a terrible study: 11 children with both bowel problems and autism were studied with no control group; some of them had measles virus in the gut, but there was no evidence either that this came from vaccination rather than the environment or even lab contamination, or that it caused the children's problems. PS the study was funded by a legal team who were employed to get compensation from vaccine companies.
Moreover, a large-scale study in Britain in 2009 showed that, if assessed by current criteria, the rate of autism in adults is just as great as in children: the only difference is that adults are less likely to have been previously given this diagnosis. Thus, it does indeed seem that changes in diagnostic criteria are the main reason for increases in diagnosis of autism.
BigDemVoter
(4,150 posts)
I have heard ENOUGH foolishness about vaccines!
LeftishBrit
(41,208 posts)There are so many ridiculous comments about vaccines still, that one never knows quite what's sarcasm and what's genuine!
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)The Court said it was rare but possible. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is under the US Department of Health and Humans Services. "By 2010, the US Court of Claims had awarded nearly $3 billion dollars to vaccine victims for their catastrophic vaccine injuries.."
In addition to the first year, the family will receive more than $500,000 per year to pay for Hannah's care. Those familiar with the case believe the compensation could easily amount to $20 million over the child's lifetime.
Hannah was described as normal, happy and precocious in her first 18 months.
Then, in July 2000, she was vaccinated against nine diseases in one doctor's visit: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, varicella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/family-to-receive-15m-plus-in-first-ever-vaccine-autism-court-award/
EvolveOrConvolve
(6,452 posts)It's been debunked so many times I've lost count. Guess it's been long enough that you thought you could slip it in here as some sort of "proof" that vaccines cause autism. Horseshit.
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/on-the-rebranding-of-autism-as-a-mitochondrial-disorder-by-antivaccinationists/
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)derp.
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)The US government Dept of Health and Human Services has a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program that settled with a family of a severely autistic girl for $1.5 million -
The government conclusion - although the girl's vaccinations might not have caused autism, her vaccinations contributed to the problem. It's often not so simple as just one factor.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)In fact the court said vaccines did NOT cause her autism. Meanwhile court decisions do not constitute scientific proof.
Nobody is buying your anti-vax bullshit. Please go try to sell it somewhere else.
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)Time Magazine summed up the relevance of the Poling case in 2008: ...(T)here's no denying that the court's decision to award damages to the Poling family puts a chink -- a question mark -- in what had been an unqualified defense of vaccine safety with regard to autism. ]If Hannah Poling had an underlying condition that made her vulnerable to being harmed by vaccines, it stands to reason that other children might also have such vulnerabilities."
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/family-to-receive-15m-plus-in-first-ever-vaccine-autism-court-award/
This is the language of the US Vaccine Compensation Program - We settle but refuse to say the vaccine caused your injury??????
Being awarded compensation for a petition does not necessarily mean the vaccine caused the alleged injury. In fact
Over 80 percent of all compensation awarded by the VICP comes as result of a negotiated
settlement between the parties in which HHS has not concluded, based upon review of the
evidence, that the alleged vaccine(s) caused the injury.
http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/data/statisticsreport.pdf
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Vaccines don't cause autism.
Tell us again how you're not an anti-vaxxer. That was a good one.
lancer78
(1,495 posts)when I was a kid in a second. However, it was the early 80's, so I was just considered "slow". I still got accepted into a federal service academy. Too many malpractice suit afraid doctors diagnosing every kid with any slight problems as autistic.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)You may have ended up beeing misdiagnosed with it, as early diagnosis is indeed difficult (but necessary). But I think you need to actually get to know a child with higher spectrum Autism. It is quite different than what our generation dealt with.
Early diagnosis is necessary even if it has a higher rate of misdiagnosis. Most any neural diagnostic on young children is very difficult because there are indeed many factors, including a lousy and often overcrowded school system.
If you are not aware (as many in this thread seem to really know very little of what is actually going on with this), Autism spectrum children that are diagnosed at a young age are re-assessed at later points and if it turns out that either intervention was effective in moving them down the spectrum or it appears to have been an mistaken diagnosis they are removed from the classification.
Parents **Want** their children removed from the classification, because if they are not higher spectrum it is better to place them in close to or normal school conditions. When a child is diagnosed it is not a simple matter for the parents. There are many aspects to child development that have to be balanced.
This entire thread is so disappointing to see here.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,199 posts)If kids had more time to get outside and PLAY during the school day.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)TexasBushwhacker
(20,199 posts)But I think most kids benefit from getting out in the sunshine, moving, breathing and sweating. And that includes kids with ASD. It also helps expose them them to interacting with peers in a less structured setting.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)and so are classroom-based hands-on and movement activities.
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)that was slow building new homes, and throw dirt clods into the street. he would have a blast. had to stop because of the new houses that finally covered the area. He was diagnosed with autism at age 3 so he had Autism before there was much chance of being outside. Little boys need dirt, water and dogs.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)throwing the dirt. My husband talks about digging little holes in their dirt backyard and calling them "swimming pools." Then they'd pour water in and lay around like little pigs.
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)during a few critical weeks of development.
http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/causes/
TexasBushwhacker
(20,199 posts)in utero.When the tiniest thing goes wrong at a critical time, it can be devasting.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts) 
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)The latter is very likely. I understand skepticism, but it can go too far and deny or devalue the lived experiences of people who are diagnosed.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)People really are confused about the difference between them. Autism is actually quite different. It usually carries a learning disability with it. Getting autistic children to "focus" does not work. Though certainly since our children do not tend to exercise enough, more exercise can be helpfull to many conditions.
Orrex
(63,215 posts)pediatricmedic
(397 posts)Better criteria for diagnosing students with autism has been coming out.
Research is also trending to environmental factors as the chief cause of autism and other health disorders. Pollution, various toxins, less exercise, diet, and stress all seem to be contributing to some degree. Research is ongoing and hopefully we will have a much better picture in the next 10 years.
Vaccines have nothing to do with this.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)so i am not in the least bit surprised
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)Android3.14
(5,402 posts)Last edited Fri Jul 22, 2016, 03:31 PM - Edit history (1)
Sure, the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder gives the anti-vaxxer nutjobs more foil to supply their haberdashery, but it saved my son years of coping with social and learning problems. He has just a touch of autism.
He must have inherited the characteristics from me, as the problems he was having were exactly the same I faced (lack of social skills, fascination with order, rules, numbers, obsession with certain subjects, etc.)
Once we saw what was going on at school, we were able to find him help and this year he graduated from a math and science magnet school and scored a 5 on his calculus AP.
anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)I don't know what to think about the massive increase in autism diagnoses as many of my friends -- those of us in the accelerated courses -- had traits that are now listed on the spectrum, like being "obsessed" with certain subjects, etc etc. in my day ADHD was just starting to become popular, and far too many of us were diagnosed with that "condition." Now very few of my friends from those days have any significant trouble from "ADHD" issues.
Android3.14
(5,402 posts)I actually know how to spell magnet, but my brain pooped out a magnate.
When I was in HS (late '70s), I could not understand why people behaved the way they did, and I was just a weird kid who read all the time and blew the curve in the classes in which I was interested and almost failed all the other classes. I remember a guy once thought I was cheating with his girlfriend (I wasn't, as if I had any clue how to talk to girls at that age) and he attacked me screaming "My girlfriend is f***ing a Poindexter" as if my bookish awkwardness equated with being subhuman.
I look back at HS with such shame and anger. If I could do it over, I would have taken the GED after my freshman year, dropped out and gone to state college.
Luckily, during my second year of college, I ran across the book, Games People Play, which used game theory to model human behavior. Suddenly human interaction made much more sense, and I was finding ways to interact with people that would not lead to long awkward silences. I gave the same title to my youngest the year after we learned of his autism, and he too found it to be a useful set of rules and theory to help him cope.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)
GoneOffShore
(17,340 posts) Schema Thing
(10,283 posts)Not that it was necessarily properly diagnosed in times past though...
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)Schema Thing
(10,283 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)What motivates a parent to seek a diagnosis of autism rather than say, cancer?
newthinking
(3,982 posts)and many that seem to have their own issues with empathy and ignorance.
The work that is being done with this disease and our ability to diagnose it has improved dramatically. What we don't yet know is why and we are just learning what can be done about it. But the idea that the diagnosis is equivalent to vaxer discussions just goes to show how our ignorance and intolerance of science is actually getting quite bad with all of the sensationalism in the media.
I hope the general public is not as insensitive and ignorant as many on this site seem to be.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)I know in our society it is fun to poke holes and blame things on the system (or others) but in this case there is really something to these diagnosis. It may have been easier to get diagnosed some years ago but the medical community has refined approaches and is definitely cautious about this diagnosis. It is actually quite hard for parents with children with this disorder to get a diagnostic. There is a vetting process with specialists that distinguish between autism and other things like ADHD or just slow learning. That is all *required*.
There is no pill that will fix this and most insurance will only pay for a few visits to a specialist. How exactly is that of an advantage to insurance or the parents? They will pay lots of money out of their pocket and it can put them in the poor house.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)How about vaccines administered by people who watch internet porn?
womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)When newborn babies die of totally preventable pertussis because of anti-vax nonsense?
