"although I want another child"...I guess this is something I cant quite comprehend. After the first kid was diagnosed with Autism, wasnt there anything in your head that said "we shouldnt have another kid, this one needs all of our attention"?

I dont care if this was kid #2 or #3...but something should have connected in your head on this.

I just cant believe that the healthy kids in your family are getting what they need, if your 2 autism kids are getting everything they need from you. Not because I think you a crappy parent, but because I believe its impossible to give your autistic kids the attention and time needed to work with them on their developmental issues...and have any time left over for the 2 kids without Autism.

My Aunt works in a public school with Autistic kids...they are only allowed 1 kid at a time, because they need (and deserve) that attention and focus.

If a school is required to operate that way...how do you think parents should be required (obviously not by law, but just by good ol common sense)?

My friend has an autistic son who just turned 3, and while yes, he does take a lot of her time and attention, he's mainstreamed into the public school system, at a preschool in the elementary school where her daughter attends. He is in a group of students, and there is no one on one requirement there.

Her non-autistic daughter also receives an equal amount of attention from both parents, and she isn't neglected or unattended in any way, shape or form. I can tell you this because I spend a great deal of time over there, and my daughter plays with both children multiple times a week.

They have discussed having another child, but probably won't, due to the unknown possibilities. If they ever did decide to have one, however, I'd back that decision fully, knowing that that every child in that family will get the love and care that they need, even if the third child were to turn out to be autistic as well.

Your aunt may work with lower-functioning students, but not every autistic student requires that kind of high maintenance treatment. I see nothing wrong with having more children if you have a child or even two on the spectrum. How silly and short-sighted of you to act like you know anything about the home life of a stranger on the internet.

The Norm?

I question whether autism is a disorder or if the Norm is the disorder.

Are we animals or humans or human animals?

I have never met an autistic individual who wished harm on others.

Jessica, my oldest is typical, child no. 2, 3, and 4 are triplets. Triplet A and C are the ones with autism, and Baby B is typical. So please save your judgment until you know all the facts.

Jessica, your comment is so rude and out-of-line, I hardly know how to respond. Let's start with :

Just who do you think you are to make such mean-spirited judgments of others? Just so we all understand what you are saying -- it is your judgement that only perfect children are acceptable? You, no doubt, should be the one to set the standard of perfection. Anything less restricts the number of children in a family?

You are an example of why out society is circling the drain. The emphasis on material goods and convenience is the death knell of any society.

I respect your right to an opinion but I live with the autism nightmare everyday. I do not need a blood test to know what is wrong. I work with my kids daily. I do believe the government does know what causes this disability (not a disease). They will not share that information in order to protect certain industry from massive lawsuits. Why else did the bill authorizing we go to war with Iraq contain an attachment prohibiting parents from suing the drug industry over autism? By the bill if you can prove shots caused the autism your child can receive a one time payment of $300,000. If they did not know the answers then explain the preventive measures. My children were diagnosed with aspergers long before going to school.

take2la, you have no idea what you are talking about. Autistic spectrum disorders are a brain defect, almost certainly developed before birth. It's been proven over and over (and let my family, where in 3 generations, 5 out of 6 are obviously and easily diagnosed as on the spectrum, stand as a case in point) that autistic spectrum disorders are highly inheritable. If you home schooled your child who was on the spectrum, you would end up with an even larger social misfit than just giving them the benifit of a public education. Pharma shouldn't be all that happy about autistic kids, because you can't treat the sydrome, only some of the symptoms, and everything that is effective at all has been generic for years. Fools like you make it harder for people like us to get help, so in all candor, GET STUFFED.

Larry, the idea that vaccinations caused a birth defect is illogical. People begin to NOTICE ASD syptoms at around 3 years, because that's when children start to learn rudimentary social skills. The fraud who started the vaccine myth has been confronted with his own falsified data, and continues to bilk people for money for his moronic "digestive problem" treatment. His co-writers backed off his position years ago. Autism is a genetic birth defect. It can't be prevented, but the effects can be lessened by training at a very early age. After that, some medications make life a little easier. That's it, period, end of sentence. The fact that doctors are just getting around to "confirming" what the ASD community has known for years will hopefully get children help earlier, before the nerual pathways are hardwired, when intensive behavioral therepy can actually help. I hope this is the case, and that people will concentrate on the real issue and treatments, and get off this idiotic "mysterious cause that has to be discovered" kick. It only distracts people from helping those that are afflicted.

Why else did the bill authorizing we go to war with Iraq contain an attachment prohibiting parents from suing the drug industry over autism?

because some lawmaker slipped a rider on the bill to appease the largest employer in his district?

take2la, it's not an exaggeration to say that just about everything you said in your post is wrong. First of all, do you REALLY think that the autism diagnosis is just a moneymaking scheme by BigPharma?

REALLY???

Some people with autism cannot speak. People with the mild forms of autism often have intense sensitivities to ordinary sensory stimuli, significant behavioral problems, difficulty understanding nonliteral language, extreme difficulty recognizing and understanding the feelings of other people and social conventions, and much more. I have a son with a mild form of autism. He's a wonderful boy but believe me -- if you met him you would immediately see that something is VERY different about him.

Second, your comment about blood tests being required to diagnose any disease is misinformed on multiple levels. Autism and ADHD are neurodevelopmental disorders, not diseases. If you don't know the difference, you have no business commenting on autism -- at all. Next, let's talk about the fact that there are countless disorders that don't show up on blood tests, including some kinds of infection. So your denial of any diagnosis that doesn't show up on a blood test is simply laughable.

Moving right along, I'll point out that most psychologists have not used the term "ADD" for years. ADHD without clinically significant hyperactivity is now referred to as "ADHD- predominantly inattentive type".

Next, I'll mention what others have pointed out: there are VERY few medications that are known to be effective with autism and the ones that are effective have been generic for many years. Currently, pharmaceutical companies make very little money from autism. For that matter, autism is usually diagnosed by psychologists. That's significant because psychologists can't prescribe medication anyway. (And before you spew out more senseless disinformation, they are NOT being bribed by BigPharma.) If you had actually read the peer-reviewed literature that established the validity of autism as a diagnosis and that led to the development of diagnostic criteria, you would have known that this work was funded mostly by autism organizations and NIH grants (NOT BigPharma).

Finally, I don't know whether you were home schooled or not, but I went to the public schools and I learned proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.

Un-fortunately, being/learning/interacting DIFFERENTLY is in the process of MEDICALIZATION for PROFIT.

I was speaking primarily of the inclusion of " autism SPECTRUM DISORDERS" into the DSM as a "mental Illness" and treated by psychiatrists.

UN calls Judge Rotenberg autistic child "treatment" TORTURE

"New Study" Claiming Brain Differences in "Troubled Teens" is FACTUALLY INCORRECT

Murdoch's Media Manipulation Reaches Autism's Dr. Andrew Wakefield

Currently, pharmaceutical companies make very little money from autism.

REALLY!?!?!?

Klonapin-America's Most Dangerous Pill

Seroquel Marketing Undeterred by Deceptive-Marketing Settlement

If you don't know the difference, you have no business commenting on autism -- at all.

REALLY!?!?!?

Antipsychotics Have Dramatic Consequences in Kids, Study Shows - ParentDish

Next, let's talk about the fact that there are countless disorders that don't show up on blood tests, including some kinds of infection. So your denial of any diagnosis that doesn't show up on a blood test is simply laughable.
Depression is NOT a Chemical Imbalance in Your Brain - Here's Proof

(And before you spew out more senseless disinformation, they are NOT being bribed by BigPharma.)

Children exploited for profit using fictitious mental disorders

And here's what I think about your "peer reviewed studies"

If you had actually read the peer-reviewed literature that established the validity of autism as a diagnosis and that led to the development of diagnostic criteria, you would have known that this work was funded mostly by autism organizations and NIH grants (NOT BigPharma).
REALLY!?!?!

Harvard Expert Ties Mental Illness "Epidemic" To Big Pharma's Agenda

Harvard Psychiatrists Disciplined for Conflicts of Interest

Harvard psychiatrists disciplined for not declaring ties to drug companies
Pharma Ghostwriting Scandal Reaches Harvard

Drug Firms Paid 'Independent' Experts on Approval Committees

Psychiatrist Biederman Fallout widens to Australia

So you see Junicon, as it turns out I DO know a little bit about the graft, corruption, and industry wide conflict of interest in your industry. AMOUNTING TO BILLIONS -a large percentage of which was/is made on the backs autistic children and their parents.

I suggest you add me to your watchlist. You might learn a few things. take2la

Finally, I don't know whether you were home schooled or not, but I went to the public schools and I learned proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.

Oh yeah, and...BTW, whether the you & the APA don't like the facts I present or the way I present them is of little or no consequence. You still get my point.

Just so you know.

Un-fortunately, being/learning/interacting DIFFERENTLY is in the process of MEDICALIZATION for PROFIT.

(these MSNBC comment pages get a little buggy-hence the formating of #4.6)

Here's the way #4.6 SHOULD HAVE appeared... (just for clarity's sake)

Un-fortunately, being/learning/interacting DIFFERENTLY is in the process of MEDICALIZATION for PROFIT.

I was speaking primarily of the inclusion of " autism SPECTRUM DISORDERS" into the DSM as a "mental Illness" and treated by psychiatrists.

UN calls Judge Rotenberg autistic child "treatment" TORTURE

"New Study" Claiming Brain Differences in "Troubled Teens" is FACTUALLY INCORRECT

Murdoch's Media Manipulation Reaches Autism's Dr. Andrew Wakefield

Currently, pharmaceutical companies make very little money from autism.

REALLY!?!?!?

Klonapin-America's Most Dangerous Pill

Seroquel Marketing Undeterred by Deceptive-Marketing Settlement

Antipsychotics Have Dramatic Consequences in Kids, Study Shows - ParentDish

Next, let's talk about the fact that there are countless disorders that don't show up on blood tests, including some kinds of infection. So your denial of any diagnosis that doesn't show up on a blood test is simply laughable.

Depression is NOT a Chemical Imbalance in Your Brain - Here's Proof

(And before you spew out more senseless disinformation, they are NOT being bribed by BigPharma.)

Children exploited for profit using fictitious mental disorders

REALLY!?!?!?

If you had actually read the peer-reviewed literature that established the validity of autism as a diagnosis and that led to the development of diagnostic criteria, you would have known that this work was funded mostly by autism organizations and NIH grants (NOT BigPharma).

And here's what I think about your "peer reviewed studies"--

Harvard Expert Ties Mental Illness "Epidemic" To Big Pharma's Agenda

Harvard Psychiatrists Disciplined for Conflicts of Interest

Harvard psychiatrists disciplined for not declaring ties to drug companies
Pharma Ghostwriting Scandal Reaches Harvard

Drug Firms Paid 'Independent' Experts on Approval Committees

Psychiatrist Biederman Fallout widens to Australia

REALLY!?!?!

take2a

"So you see Junicon, as it turns out I DO know a little bit about the graft, corruption, and industry wide conflict of interest in your industry"

No, it turns out you know how to copy and paste and surf the web,

Autism, not so much.

The data is there & stats don't lie.

#YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER...

take,

You cite three articles in response to "Currently, pharmaceutical companies make very little money from autism.", and not one of them mentions autism. Not surprising, as the original poster was correct -- autism isn't treated with drugs.

I dont know how anyone can say that we know all there is to know about Autism, when in reality there is very little we know and understand. Just because we are clear about it being a developmental problem, doesnt mean we have come to any understanding of HOW & WHY some kids end up with Autism.

That said, Big Pharma's lust after Autism $ doesnt prove that autism isnt real, and its manufactured by Big Pharma to make more money. I would agree, that throwing ones money away on medications that havent been proven to help beyond 20% (which is close to placebo #'s) is beyond stupid.

In addition, my Aunt works for a school in which she works with Autistic kids. I appreciate my Aunt and the work she does, but I cant help but think there's a possible connection between parents who dump their kids on a school system that is already going broke...and their kids lack of developmental skills. They expect the school to "fix" their kid...or at the very least, play baby sitter to their kid. I would like to meet these parents, and find out just to what degree they are helping their kid themselves vs relying on the school to do all the helping.

Lazy parents might be creating undeveloped children, in some cases...there's little way to know, considering most parents are entirely over defensive about their potential role in all of this - from lack of interaction with their kid when it was under 1 year old...to horrible diet while pregnant with the child...these area's of possible connection to Autism is just pure off limits.

Parents dont like to find out they did something wrong, even if it means helping other parents to avoid their failures/mistakes.

I cant help but to think the diet of highly processed junk foods isnt helping kids development in fetus.

Take21, your caps key appears to be stuck.

Or is it your habit to shout down others?

Jessica,

You obviously do not know any families with children with Autism. We are VERY active in their lives. From working at home with them on therapy to attending dozens of iep mtgs to doctors appointments to finding outlets for them to flourish. We are the schedule keepers and the bodyguards, the playmates and counselors for our children with autism. We are their primary advocate and the expert on our children at those IEP mtgs.

As to the school system. Those with autism CAN learn and are guaranteed a FREE ADEQUATE PUBLIC EDUCATION (FAPE) under federal law. We aren't dumping ANY children on the school system , just asking, demanding and SHOUTING that our children's rights be respected just like any other child with a disabilities rights would be. Thats what the ADA and NCLB guarantees them.

Bad parenting does not cause autism. Refrigerator mom theory is bunk and has been dis proven for years now. Your insinuations about our parenting skills is disgusting and a lie. You are offensive.

Jessica, how dare you suggest that autism is caused by lazy parenting! Do you know the time and energy parents put into their children with autism to ensure they get the help and therapy they need? I take my children from one therapy to another every single day--from ABA, to speech, to physical therapy--a total of 32 hours a week! Then in the evenings, I take classes to teach me how to become better equipped as a parent of children with autism. I don't "dump" my kids in the school system. I attend their therapies so I know what I can do at home with them. You are beyond offensive especially for someone who does not know what its like to live the life of families who struggle with this disorder day in and day out. You are right we are defensive when we do everything we can for our children and get attacked by ignorant people like you who have no idea what they are talking about.

Your best bet is to immerse both of them in social learning. Young brains can "fix" some of the problems, given enough stimulous. The hardest part is, of course, how quickly those of us on the spectrum get overstimulated. Meltdowns (tantrums) will happen more often, and your kids will probably sleep more. Give them periods off to themselves, away from everyone else, after working with them; they'll need to let their brains unwind. Some studies have shown that as much as 1 in 4 children repond to some degree. Our family has them from one end of the spectrum to the other, with the exception of profound autism, and we've learned it's an up hill fight, but well worth fighting. Every tiny bit of functionality is a victory for the person involved. This sort of thing wasn't around when I was young, but my mother and grand parents just instinctively stimulated me all the time. I've continued to improve over the years by pushing my own limits, but the point is, ASD are not always a static state; they can change. For the better, or if you just ignore it, for the worse. Good luck to you, and to all the other families out their working with the various stages of these disorders.

Larry, I am in no way trying to be disrespectful. This is a sincere question. After having two autistic children, what prompted you to have your fourth child?

10-15 yrs ago the genetic component to autism spectrum disorders wasnt as clear as it is now. I didnt know of the genetic component until a couple of years after my 2nd child was born and we were going through testing and such again.

In addition his kids affected are 13 and 11. the 11 yr old was probably a year old before their older sibling was diagnosed. Without knowing the age of thier youngest its likely that the youngest was born PRIOR to both of them being diagnosed. Diagnosis often happens between 3-4 yrs of age. the more higher functioning the later diagnosis tends to happen.

I have three children, with the youngest diagnosed with mild autism. Doctors have declared him "high functioning."

We had a third child because, "it happened." When he was old enough, he was evaluated and while there were some red flags, we were told just to keep an eye on him/. He's fine today.

Something incredible happened when we had out 3rd. He and our child with autism are best buds, despite the 3 year ago difference. Because our youngest is who he is, our middle child has progressed in social skills (turn-taking, conversation, even arguing & fighting, standing up for himself, etc). One of the best "therapies" for our middle child is his younger brother. And our oldest child has a maturity and understanding for others that I don't believe she would have had if she wasn't the older sibling of a child with autism.

I think there is a widespread acceptance that autism is genetic. I wish studies would turn to finding the trigger for those who have the gene,

Perhaps look to some trauma to the nervous system. Some 'experts' decry the vaccine connection, but to an immature neural system - especially boys under 2 yo, vaccine by needles with adjuvants is traumatic, and can cause a limbic system activation. Compare the "symptoms" of Autism with PTSD and the similarities are shocking. Next look at the limbic system and relationship to somatostatin and hGH and how both affect the body's neural functioning in the brain. Most "research" dances around the core problems, and with vested interests in much of it, it sadly is not surprising.

I am acquainted with a family which has 4 sibs. The eldest is a 'normal' (whatever that means) daughter. She has 3 younger brothers, now teens, who are autistic.

These boys are blessed with a savvy, strong mother who has set a course for her sons and kept them on it. The eldest is transitioning to living independently. I expect his brothers will follow suit.

Not to worry. Your 11 and 13 year olds will be excellent drivers.........

Geez, just re-red my post #5.4 & I think I may have confused people.

I have 3 children. My middle child is the one with autism. He WAS the youngest until we had our 3rd, who is not affected by autism.

what?

mks, while I respect your opinion as it applies for yourself, dont assume because you are happy with how you fit in society that all with high function autism or aspergers wouldn't change or correct some of the disabilities that come from HFA or AS.

I respect your right to opt out of treatment should a valid treatment be discovered, respect others with the condition right to treatment should they desire it.

For the record I have one child with Aspergers and one child with HFA. Trust me they would both love to "cure" their sensory issues and find social interaction easier.

That is something I have never thought of. Would I give up my musical gift or ability to do math for the ability to socialize with people? I don't have Aspergers, but would that be an important question, at least to people with HFA? Maybe the best we can to is help people with this disorder get to a position where they can make that decision for themselves.

To paraphrase Temple Grandin - I think we should look to curing some of the worst parts of autism - such as sensory issues, the inability to sleep, etc, without trying to "cure" the whole "disorder" spectrum. Both my kids have autism. Luckily it's not severe in either of them, and I love how they are and would never try to cure them! However, I know other parents are going through a lot worse and it would be nice if they had a little hope. There has to be a way to treat some of the symptoms on an as needed basis.

I agree with Mike. I also have Asbergers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbergers. Historically the community has focused on "fixing" us. We don't need fixing. We are different; and from our perspective that difference is a strength. My father is an Asberger as well, and has spent all of his life concealing it, not because of any shame, but out of fear. He is a psychologist and has his reasons. He won't discuss the topic with me except to say we are different.

This may be stupid, but I've long speculated that autism is the result of 'growing pains' in humanity's further brain development and evolution. Asbergers being one of the more successful examples.

It's truly amazing to see the amount of brain power unlocked by those with autism-like disorders. If only we could tap into that without the negative aspects of the disorder.

Interestingly, those with the disorder who are highly functioning yet maintain some of the beneficial traits are also much more likely to procreate and raise children in an environment more conducive to their needs. Those with accute negative effects likely will not be having children.

I'd like to see a study on whether certain symptoms are also genetically linked, or if beneficial traits are passed (like the above's father) and the negative traits are less predominant. I dunno... it's just interesting I think.

Sorry I couldn't think of any other words other then cure and treatment. I didn't mean absolutely no treatment. I do agree that we need to find ways to help with the disabling aspect of asbergers or hfa. I just meant we should't completely removing asbergers or hfa without understanding it and its impact on society first.

PS Sorry for the typing errors in my first post. I cut and pasted one sentence. I was rewriting my sentences and forgot to delete some words from the old sentence. Plus writing isn't my strong point, and i think faster then I type.

@mks8088 . NP I just run into too many who think any effort at a treatment or "cure" of the disabilities of autism is a direct line to removing what makes them them.

I dont want to change my children's personalities or abilities. I want to make thier lives easier when it comes to social interaction and sensory issues.

I also know any treatment that helps my children even slightly will probably help those more severely affected even more.

This is an edited vision of my post which is post#6.

I have aspergers syndrome which is a form of high functioning autism, I don't look at it as a defect. Its gives me my intelligence. I just worry about people becoming over zealous and not looking at how people with abergers and Hfa effects society. Because Hft and aspergers give some the ability to design the Pyramids Gaza or the Colosseum. I agree that we should find ways and treatments to help people with aspergers and Hfa to live a better life.

Have you read the peer-reviewed paper? If you haven't, then you are in no position to critique the work.

This may come as a shock to you, but the details of methology, analyses, and the controls used are reported in the peer-reviewed paper -- NOT the news article you just read. If a news article reported all of those details, VERY few people would bother to read it and most of the people that did read it wouldn't understand it.

Agreed, Junicon. I plowed through plenty of peer-reviewed papers while studying for my Master's. They are exquisitely detailed, containing all of the information that an individual could ask for - IF said reader can actually understand one sentence in five.

This is a newspaper written for the general population. If you'd like to read the peer-reviewed study, write down the authors of the study and, if included, the title of the work, and go look in a medical database. Many public libraries and schools provide access.

Well, the experiences of a single family (no matter how tragic) cannot offer ANY information about the chances of having a second child with autism in families that have a child with autism already. This is because the number of children in any one family is far too small to compute any probabilities.

Establishing these kinds of probabilities requires analysis of large numbers of children and careful controls.

They work at microsoft..

They are in engineering schools...Probably working at your IT department

Funny we are now categorizing the ultra intelligent as freaks...

Labeling a child when its a baby or toddler ? They have no actual chemical test to determine autism it is based on what a doctor classifies as normal behavior.

IT IS BASED ON AN OPINION...When the doctors have a concrete test that shows a different chemical reason for Autism or they can show a difinitive brain XRay I will believe the borderline cases or the it might be cases but not there opinion...

Ausbergers individuals are working all throughout society..My neighbor has ausbergers..He works at a pretty big company and a really nice home and 2 cars..

No wife no kids, his house is spoltless and he loves his dog. Obsessed with baseball stats and ketchup...No he's not normal but he is functioning a lot better then most people I know and funny thing he has a job because he is a genius

My husband is highly successful, he makes very good money and is in charge of hundreds of people. He didn't realize he had aspergers until our child was diagnosed. I did not meet him until graduate school, but he had told me how he had always felt different. He was class treasurer and even prom king, so I just thought it was teenage angst that he was expressing. He was so relieved when he found out about aspergers because he felt he could finally understand himself. I don't understand what he went through when he was little, but he said that going through the therapy with our son taught him how to see things differently. I don't know if you can convince your son to read up on some of the therapies but even adults can be helped. It certainly cannot erase bad memories, but if he can understand what happened it may relieve that pain. And even more importantly, perhaps if he can understand his disorder he can change the future. One of the most important steps with our son, socially, was to teach him appropriate social skills using "social stories". Google it, it may seem silly to you, but for those with the disorder it actually helps.
Just an example how the social stories help. I couldn't understand why my son couldn't make friends at school. He kept telling me noone would play with him. I asked his teacher and she said that he stands alone in the corner, never even approaching the other kids. The school director suggested that I tell him to approach the other kids. So I pulled up some of the social stories about meeting new people and how to say hi and how to react if the kids didn't want to play (go ask someone else to play). The next day he came home with two new friends. Yes, there were ups and downs and I have to constantly keep on top of what the next issue will be because he will not just figure it out like other kids. But preparation for new situations has made his condition almost unrecognizable to strangers.
With an older child you would have to do a lot of background work on discussing his past. I let my husband talk about how he felt the condition affected his relationships. Now, before a new experience I try to talk to him about what to expect (like when we are going to take 4 young kids to Disney) so that he will be prepared and know how to react to possible encounters. It's so interesting how he and my oldest are one one page and me and the younger kids on another entirely. But because we are all aware of both of their disorder we can accept eachother and try to avoid problems.

Readabook,

Actually they have found definitive differences in brain MRI's of those on the spectrum and those who are not.

Autism exists, its real and the diagnosis is valid. Those with it experience significant disabilities. EVERY DAY OF THEIR LIVES

Now go away you troll.

My child was 12 before she was diagnosed. Everyone just thought she was quirky but no one would ever help us figure out what the problem was! They figured since Asperger's is so rare in girls it couldn't possibly be that! She has definite quirks and has an extremely hard time socializing, but with hard work on the part of her family, she has progressed so far! She actually called someone on the phone and asked this person to go skating with her and spend the night. A MAJOR accomplishment for this disorder!!! It has also taught her older brother and sister many things about acceptance, patience and the fact that not everyone is the same. We all march to our own drummer. She is smart as a whip and when she finds what it is that she is interested in, her dad and I have no doubt that she will be in the top of her field.

Genenut

I have never heard a single parent who has a child with the different spectrums of autism say..They gave my kid an MRI and he has autism..

unless I am missing something ? Perhaps the folks on here can tell us about the MRI's did there child get one and that is how the doctor said your child has autism etc...I have seen this on TV and read about it in Science Journals but have never heard any of the parents I know talk about the MRI as the reason the diagnosis was given..???

So for the 2 year old are they giving them an MRI ?

readabook , they have found those diagnosed with autism have differences than those who do not on thier MRI scans. They experts are still working on parameters to make a standardized test. Maybe if they hadnt had to spend so much time debunking the vaccine myth they might have the test finalized by now. Who knows maybe if they hadnt had to prove the existance of autism to jerks like you so much they might even be on the way to treatment or a cure for those most disabled by autism.

You are a troll.

You are fortunate to have a program you can enroll your child in to develop social skills. A big focus on helping children with autism is speech. I think sometimes social skills development is an after-thought in school. I can only do so much with my son and his school can only do so much in developing social skills. Having a program that focuses solely on social skills could be such a boon to these kids. Wish more schools would offer that, even if it was an after-school program once a week.

Research the schools for autism in California. They have the best system and treatment in the nation.

Donna...What you described actually falls in line more with Bipolar Disorder than Asberger Syndrome.

Americans are so under education about medical science as to know nothing. This lack of knowledge is really hurting people.

BEWARE of diagnosing without real proof....

ESPECIALLY on a public comment posting site. But indeed EVERYWHERE.

I think you are confusing my post with someone else's. I did not write the post re blood testing or ADHD.

If you will recall, William, those linked articles in #4.8 were in response to the generalized comment about "peer reviewed studies" in #4.5 and the FALSE CLAIMS THAT PHARMA DOESN'T INFLUENCE DIAGNOSING CRITERIA, which is WELL DOCUMENTED.

Additionally, INDEED, if it happens at Harvard YOU CAN COUNT ON it happening at EVERY "research publishing institution" AS WELL AS in regards to EVERY diagnosis.

And I guarantee you the inclusion of "autism spectrum disorder" into the DSM as a "mental illness" IS BASED ON THE SAME TYPES OF QUESTIONABLE DATA as are the PSYCHOTROPIC drugs used by psychiatrists to "treat" autism.

If you feel my comments are "manipulative", THEY ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO PSYCHO/PHARMA'S MANIPULATIVE ADVERTISING TACTICS, FALSE CLAIMS, LIES, ALL USED TO PROFIT. I make TRUTH available to all for free. My comments aren't manipulative in any way.

Harvard has reasearchers who research various medical problems. People that go into medical science often have a calling to do research in various medical conditions. The don't go in to go in league with "pharma".

Every researcher has to publish what they've discovered and what they think it means. It doesn't mean that they've yet found the answers. Other scientists than work on the research to prove it and/or disprove it or use it to take a step further.

DNA is a good example. They were many research papers published. The scientists that actually found the double helix workded off the research of others.

When scientists feel they're get closse, it becomes a race between them to see who actually discovers first; who can claim the glory. It's good because it propels them to to somehow obtain the sufficient funding required.

Medical reasearch requires funding and it's difficult to obtain. Taxes don't pay for all funding and if it does, it's not ofthen sufficent. Funding is obtained thru various other means.

Even Harvard researchers have difficutlty obtaining sufficient funding. And they get more prestige than income.

I buy my underwear at K-Mart...........

Joel, aspergers/autism was first seen PRIOR to WW2.

The Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician. Hans Asperger first used the word autism when he adopted Bleuler’s terminology autistic psychopaths in 1938 in a child psychology lecture at the Vienna University Hospital.

I would concede there is a genetic proclivity for autism, but highly doubt it is the trigger, at least have come across no research which makes that case.

Hmm...I just can't take anybody who so causally applies very specific scientific principles haphazardly to other notions seriously. Really doesn't matter if you're mostly right, I will probably dismiss your argument.

but for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and Autism is just a bad reaction

Really? I had no idea that Autism dealt with Newton's laws of inertia, that could be the reason why it's not well understood. Perhaps we need to have physicists look at the problem instead of doctors.

Or perhaps you can try a better argument without using Newton.

Mitchell

Jogree,

There is no test for autism prior to birth. There is no test for alcoholism prior to birth. There is no test for blindness or deafness before birth. There is no way to determine if a child will develop or be born with any of these conditions. Are you advocating that only the rich should have children? IF so there aren't going to be enough workers to support the economy if only the top 10% of society is allowed to have children.

Go back to your tea party and leave the discussion to the adults. Your "taxpayer" rant has no place here.

Its not a disease. Its the childs interest in seeing how things are built and that when things perfectly align new objects are built. Basically your children are engineers as they love to see how things are built, how things works and how they go together.

I point you in the direction of inherited intelligence. People have always assumed that intelligence is inherited through DNA. So how can a person be intelligent if it is not in their bloodline? The reason why there are no other people in your family who are said to have ASD is because probably none of them have been industrious which there like the gay gene is no such thing as the intelligence gene.

In order to keep religion at the for front of truth people are made to believe that who they are in their lives is a direct result of who their parents are or what genes are said to be attributed with who they can be in life. Which is not true.

Your child is not experiencing any type of disease. They are experiencing the process of learning.

I grew up the same way always digging around in the flower beds looking at and playing with ants as well as building with LEGO's and Blocks etc. But because a majority of my family have been managers of some type the notion of me having to be a manager of some sort is another myth of trying to prove or forcing the belief that intelligence is handed down from god when in fact intelligence is a learned trait.

The people who have the real autism and aspergers are those who believe that intelligence is passed on through copulation and DNA. Which is not true either. The only thing that copulation does is passes on a set number of physiological traits such as height, hair and eye color along with other varrying factors associated with DNA. Intelligence is not passed on through DNA. intelligence is learnt through the persons individual experience in life and not from a god.

dwighthuth....Don't tell people there isn't a disease unless you have an M.D. or a Ph.d in medical science. It's obvious by what you've posted that you're neither.

People stop assuming you know more than doctors. And start learning your medical science in medical librarbries. The media has been telling the public for almost 2 decades that the internet does not provide adequate medical knowledge. Anyone can post on the internet.

Doctors are just people with a paper that allows them to write prescriptions for a controlled substance and legally perform sugery on you.

They are in business to make money like a plumber or a construction worker or a poltician..They go to school for a longtime to get a degree. Then they spend 5 minutes with you and we are supposed to just do whatever they say ?

No I don't think so...I see no difference between a plumber and a doctor ?

They are service workers who send you a huge bill and both are arrogant and get mad when you ASK a question...too bad...

Yes because doctors are the only holy angels in this world who go in to a profession for the love of humanity ? ITS A JOB THEY GET PAID AND THEY DO IT FOR A FEE JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE..

ANYBODY ON HERE YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT A GOD AND YOU QUESTION EVERYTHING THEY DO, GO TO THE LIBRARY AND BY ALL MEANS GO TO THE INTERNET AND READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THE DOCTOR STAY INFORMED

dwighthuth, It is obvious that you neither have the knowledge, backgroundn or experience regarding autism. Autism is a SPECTRUM disorder which means some are severely affected while others have fewer symptoms which are more manageable. You are sprouting non-sensical gibberish which reveals your ignorance of autism.

Carmen, Autism is not a disease. Its a neurological disability/disorder.

I didn't call it a disease. The substance of my post was to point out no one who is not a medical scientist or M.D. should be telling anyone one else what a medical problem is or isn't.

Medical scientists and doctors spend years drowning and breating in medical knowledge. For any who hasn't, it's narcissistic and delusional to believe you know more on the subject.

No doctors are not "Gods" but at least their delusions of Godhood is grounded on something. They can crack a chest open, re-inflate your lungs and squeeze your heart back to life. I would not dismiss their abilities and knowledge simply because they are not Gods.

I would not give them free rein on my body because they went to medical school.

They like to make money like everybody else or why would we have so much medicare and Medicaid fraud in this country..?

And who is saying dismiss there knowledge because they are not Gods ?

I say QUESTION ANYTHING SOMEBODY TELLS YOU WHEN YOU ARE PAYING THEM FOR A SERVICE People go to work to make money..

I take that back there is difference between a plumber and a doctor..plumber will give you a written quote so you know much the service will cost..

The doctor can't tell you how much anything will cost until after the service is performed what other profession doesn't have to post its prices in a clear manner ?

hmm maybe the car mechanic...

readabook hasnt taken his meds today .... the nice white men in white coats should be arriving soon to take him away....

Read the prior post. You're knowledge of autism is meager. It's not defined by stacking objects.

Unfortanutely Dwights definition is what the majority of people equate with autism.

Thimerasol is not and has not been used in vaccines for children since 2001.

That does not answer the question Genenut.

There are more neurotoxins in vaccines and just because they say it was removed does not mean it is so. Alter all, you believe anything they say. I do not believe anything they say.

Another thing omitted is how many of the children were vaccinated?

This is a study that is just written to blame genetics instead of tying the cause /trigger by man and his ego.

No Kerry your question is invalid since Thimerosol is not used anymore it cant be the cause. You asked only about thimerosol. I answered.

Beyond that there have been studies done that show NO relationship between vaccines and autism.

Take you anti vax nonsense elsewhere.

Yes, there are many undiagnosed adults with Aspergers Syndrome and even less resource treatments for them.