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Autism In The Spotlight

Jan-31-2009 By Barbara

The cause of Autism continues to be in the spotlight, or at least, in the center of great debate. Many still feel that autism is caused by the mercury based preservatives used in vaccines. Numerous studies have and are, still dispelling this theory, or link because Thimerosol, was removed from vaccines in 2001.  Even, still many parents are convinced otherwise, and are choosing to not vaccinate their children, in hopes of avoiding autism.

Many experts feel that autism may be caused by a wide range of many factors, including genetics and the environment.  Today, there is still NO known cause, and it is still a mystery as to what factors are key in the onset of the disorder.  Scientist’s are still saying there is no link found between Autism and vaccines.

Major brain structures implicated in autism.
Image via Wikipedia

As I have said before, environmental factors should and must be considered, as there is no such thing as a genetic epidemic.  Still, I’m left to recall in my day, there were perhaps three shots we were required to have.  Polio, Tb, and smallpox.  Now, there are over thirty shots a child is subjected to by the time they reach age 5.  Leaves me to think something is not right somewhere in this picture.  No  small wonder that some parents who have children affected by ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), feel that there is a conspiracy going on.

Here is what we know about Autism.

The odds of autism are 1 in every 150 children in the United States.  In the U.K. the odds are 1:88, or one in every 54 boys.  Another unknown, is that boys are 4 times more likely to be affected by the disorder than girls.  Yet girls, are often times more profoundly affected.

Often typically appearing before the age of 3, Autism is a lifelong non-progressive disorder.

Signs and symptoms include, language and communication deficits, including withdrawal from social contacts, lack of making eye contact, and extreme reactions to their immediate environment.

It costs approximately $3.2 million to take care of an autistic person over their lifetime.  Indirect costs for autistic individuals and their parents can range from $39,000 to $130,000 annually.  Let’s not forget that there are still many who are institutionalized.

The divorce rate of parents with autistic children is at 80%.  Sibling in the environment are under tremendous pressure to help care for their affected sibling on the spectrum.

There is cause to be encouraged, as far as cost factors involved in treating autism.  As of Friday, January 30, 2009, Democratic leaders of the House and Senate have pledged to provide expanded insurance coverage to families to help pay for the expense of diagnosis and treatment of people with autism. There is a nationwide effort that has been proposed similar Legislation in 30 states , including Connecticut. It is a much needed and helpful thing for all families dealing with ASD.

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Posted in: Autism, Disabilities, Health
32 COMMENTS
  1. Teri Said,

    Autism is so very linked to the amount of mercury in vaccinations especially for young babies who’s immune system is not fully developed. Detoxing your child is of great benefit. Great article, Barb.

    Teris last blog post..Weight Watchers

  2. Wizzer Said,

    Another great article. One thing missing in those figures is the additional co0st of treatment for the parents and carers of those poor children. The stress for many is unbearable (80% divorce rate tells us something of that) and the medical costs of that should be factored in. Not to mention loss of earnins etc etc

    Wizzers last blog post..How To Put Video On Your Blog – For Free

  3. Denise Said,

    Autism is a very complicated disease. My one frineds young daughter in in the process of being analyzed to see what they can do for her. Nice article, Denise

    Denises last blog post..Five Principles of Backyard Design

  4. Barbara Said,

    Hi Teri,

    Thanks for your great comment. Yes, even though they have removed Thimerosol since 2001, what about those children born before then? Many parents will never be convinced that the shots had nothing to do with their child’s autism!

  5. Barbara Said,

    Hi Wizzer!,

    Thanks. Yes, Autism is something that affect the framework of the entire family, and yes, the cost in stress, and treatment, counseling and wages, and time loss from work, the list grows on, is staggering!

  6. Barbara Said,

    Hi Denise,

    Thanks for stopping by. Best wishes and regards to your friend. Early intervention is important in assessing autism. The disorder seems to affect everyone differently in severity.

  7. Chris Said,

    Autism is quite a complicated disease which is most likely not caused by one single factor. You are making a good point however: The impact of possible environmental factors should clearly be researched more extensively, since a provable connection to environmental problems would at least provide an explanation for why the case numbers keep going up…

  8. Barbara Said,

    Hi Chris,

    My point exactly. I feel there are many factors, and certainly many that fall on the spectrum, could have different causes. The severity of how each individual is affected could be as broad as the causes.

  9. daria369 Said,

    Mercury or (or any other toxic substance) does not belong to vaccines, no matter what. Great article, delicate but important topic. Thank you!!

    daria369s last blog post..How to calm your mind

  10. Barbara Said,

    Hi Daria,

    Thanks for your your comment. I agree with you 100%!

  11. corrin Said,

    I’m very torn on the vaccination debate, but I keep going back to the theory that more damange can be done to a greater number of people by not vaccinating than by vaccinating.

    corrins last blog post..Crafty

  12. Karen Said,

    It is a difficult subject especially for those whose lives have been changed forever because of it.

  13. Barbara Said,

    Hi Karen,

    Yes, I agree with you totally!

  14. Barbara Said,

    Hi corrin,

    Yes, there is much truth to what you are saying, However, there are parent’s out there who’s children were fine, up until a certain shot. Then their lives changed forever! I know of more than a few families, where there is no convincing them that the shots were not the culprit.

  15. Sadie Said,

    I don’t know much about the disease, so this might be a dumb question, but, could this be one of those things that know that we’re learning more, some of the adults that have social problems had been diagnosed with autism if they had shown these types of signs when they were younger? I mean, know that we’re learning more about ADD and bipolar disorder, we’re catching it sooner and diagnosing earlier – could this be one of those things, or am I totally off? Sorry – I have no idea…

    Sadies last blog post..Laughter Is The Best Medicine

  16. Barbara Said,

    Hi Sadie,

    No question is a dumb question. You raise some good points in regard to bi-polar and ADD. However, with Autism the signs and symptoms make themselves very clear by the age of 3. The child may not speak or react to physical pain. They lack socialization and communication skills or making eye contact. Often there is extreme reaction to their own immediate environment. It makes it very difficult for even their own loved one’s to reach out to them. It is as if they are locked away in their own little world.

  17. LadyGrace Said,

    I could never raise a child with ASD. I have said from the beginging of my pregnancy with my son, that if they think that there is anythign wrong with him while he was still inside me I woudl get an abortion. I couldnt handle something like that. It takes a strong person to care for them. Great articale, well written.

    LadyGraces last blog post..OK so….

  18. Barbara Said,

    Hi Lady Grace,

    Thanks for your comment. Yes, you are right it takes a strong person(s), a tremendous amount of time, love and devotion to care for them. I work with the adult population now, and the thing I find most amazing, is they almost always find something to smile about.

  19. Connie Said,

    Not knowing what causes Autism causes parents and the public to wonder about it. Vaccinations are a likely reason especially as you said the increase of the amount of them and the chemicals in them. I’m glad that you mentioned the ASD as many people don’t understand the idea of the “Spectrum”.

    Connies last blog post..Some Answers

  20. Barbara Said,

    Hi Connie,

    Thanks for your comment. What you say here is very true. ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) shows how this disorder is so different from person to person. Symptoms and severity differ greatly from case to case. It’s another reason the disorder is so baffling.

  21. cady Said,

    my brother and sister-in-law are not vaccinating their son because of their fear of austims. however, i have interviewed mothers of autistic children as part of my job as a reporter, and they say it is STUPID not to vaccinate your children because vaccines DO NOT cause autism.

    cadys last blog post..Back to the Drawing Board

  22. Maureen Said,

    I don’t know if vaccines cause autism or not, but going from 3 to 30 in a relatively short period of time does say something Barbara….like you said. There is something wrong if 30 vaccines are required by age 5.

    Maureens last blog post..MyInternetBusiness: A Review of MyInternetBusiness

  23. Barbara Said,

    Hi cady,

    Yes, that is what the controversy is all about. There have been many studies, and the CDC and the scientific community has said there is no connection. Then, in 2001 Thimerosol, the mercury preservative found in the vaccines was removed. The argument now, is why the disorder has grown into epidemic proportions since the 1980′s. Still no answers and no cure. There are many parents that are not convinced that the shots didn’t have anything to do with their child’s autism. In some cases the children were fine until a certain shot. For some that certain shot was the MMR.

  24. Barbara Said,

    Hi Maureen,

    I’m not positive, but Thimerosol was probably in the shots we received in our younger years. Most of us are fine, but then like I said we were not subjected to the battery of vaccinations, that children have today. It’s just my observation, and I feel some people do agree with me.
    The problem is the statistics on this disorder are staggering, and there are no answers. The pain and heartbreak that families have to deal with is more than most people can imagine.

  25. Lisa Said,

    I have a cousin whose son has autism. I asked her thoughts on the whole vaccine stuff. Her feelings were that in hindsight that her son showed signs BEFORE he had the 18 month vaccine (which seems to be the point at which people start blaming vaccines). Study after study have shown that autism is not caused by vaccines. Trust me, I’ve done my homework since my son just received his 18 month vaccines which ended up being vaccines he had before.

    Lisas last blog post..Corey Vidal: Star Wars A Capella

  26. Barbara Said,

    Hi Lisa,

    Just today in the news, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, the Dr. who sparked the scare over MMR , misreported his findings in his research. It is things like this that keep this debate front and center, especially when there are no real causes or answers that we
    know of today.
    There are no two cases the same with this disorder, and I do know of cases where the child was fine before the shots. Some children must have some kind of intolerance to the shots, especially at that young age.
    Thirty years ago, the odds of autism were approximately 1 in every 5,000 children. Now they are 1 in every 150 children or less. The causes and reasons are many…just no answers to ease the heartbreak.

  27. My Autism Insights Said,

    Thanks for addressing and raising awareness of this topic in a thoughtful and sensitive way. My personal feeling is that my son’s autism had nothing to do with his vaccines. He showed signs from birth. I do think that there is something to be said for environmental factors (like stress) in addition to genetics.

    On a lighter note, I wish I hadn’t seen those numbers for the cost of raising a child on the spectrum! I think I was in a little bit of a blissful ignorance there. :-)

  28. Barbara Said,

    Hi Andrea,

    Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Like I said, each and every case is different, and from my comment above to Lisa, the scientific community is not perfect either.
    I absolutely agree with you that the environment, stress and genetics are likely factors that deserve further looking into.
    As for the cost factor, my heart goes out to you and anyone raising a child on the spectrum. Hopefully, most states will have some insurance for of assistance soon! :)

  29. TheSnackHound Said,

    I have heard that some folks believe the increase in early births may be causing it. Fewer babies are being born prematurely by accident, but many more are being born early due to scheduled inductions and c-sections. (of course, emergecy c sections are excluded in this case) Some people that unless the baby is in danger and they need to get out early to be saved, the bodies of the mom and baby both know what its “time” for a generally healthy baby. Those last few weeks are critical for development, and of course sometimes the conception date is guessed a little off anyhow. I have known of many women who have induced on a date more convenient for them,etc. I am not condemning the choice as I have never given birth, but just the rise in things like that have come along with the rise in autism.

    TheSnackHounds last blog post..Say No to Candy Sticks

  30. Barbara Said,

    Hi Snack Hound,

    Thanks for your comment. Excellent point you make here. It is one of the many things that needs to be looked at closer. People want answers. It is hard to believe with technology the way it is that we are still so in the dark about Autism.

  31. Tami Abiuso Said,

    The mercury may have been removed from some shots in 2001, but not all. I refused to let my son get the meningitis shot last year because of the Thimersol. The nurse practitioner says, “oh, it doesn’t have any,” and I say, I want proof. She comes back with the ingredient list, and sure enough there it is. I said no way to the shot. Babies have so many more unnecessary shots in their first year than even when my children were young. Parents need to be able to say “enough.” They are our children, and we deserve the right to decide, not some government, doctor, or anyone else. Of course the “studies” lead by pharma companies are going to come back as not being a contribution to Autism. Give me a break. How dumb and gullible do they think we are?

  32. Barbara Said,

    Hi Tami,

    Thank-you for coming by and leaving this valuable comment. BTW, I totally agree with what you say here. Of course the government wants us to believe what they say is gospel. But, there are plenty of parents whose children were fine up until a certain shot.
    Every case is different on the spectrum, so for some it could be a factor, for others, perhaps not. At the very least, it is something that should be looked into further.