Goal For The Green

Yes, it’s Autism Awareness Month,and Autism Awareness day was April 15, last week.

In this post I am including the most current information and stats on the condition, that is gaining more awareness, daily.

Since my post last year entitled Autism In the News, the topic is still one of controversy, and alarming statistics.

The thing about Autism that I find most baffling, is the odds of autism, and it’s occurrence. Currently, the odds of autism are 1:110 children affected here in the U.S, and 1:88 in the UK, or perhaps lower,just in this last year. The odds of autism, just a year ago were 1:150 children affected.  These new statistics imply, that a new case of autism, is diagnosed every 20 minutes or less, somewhere in the United States.

The biggest question is why?  Last year in a study conducted at Cambridge University,it stated that many children are “undiagnosed.”  This fact,could bring the number of affected children to 1 in 64.  I find this very troubling…and still, the biggest question is …WHY?
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Early this year, courts across the land ruled that, autism research shows NO correlation between vaccines and autism disorders. The Wakefield Study,first reported a possible connection between autism and vaccinations, back in 1998. The Report kicked off the controversy, that caused many families to to not vaccinate their children. The findings of the Wakefield study,have since been retracted.

Current research on autism spectrum disorders,has strengthened and gained support,as has awareness of the condition.  However, the idea that vaccines cause autism has been out there, for quite some time now.  Even though, the mercury containing ingredient Thimerosol, was removed form vaccines in 1999, the controversy of whether to vaccinate or not, still remains.

In other news:

In late March, president Obama, nominated Ari Ne’eman, to the National Council on Disability. Many families nationwide, who are affected by autism,took the noomiantion as a positive sign. Ari Ne’eman would be the first person, with the disorder, to serve on the council.

Since his nomination, a hold has been placed on Mr. Ne’aman’s (pronounced NAY-men) confirmation, which requires Senate approval.  The reason for the hold, and what action it will take to remove the hold is unclear. Senate allows, one or more members, to prevent a motion form reaching the the Senate floor,by placing an anonymous hold on the action. This seems to be what happpened in  Mr. Ne’eman’s case for nomination.

Ne’eman, is 22 years old, and the founder of the Autism Self Advocacy network.  He has become the focus of criticism from other groups, becuase of his views.  He believes that society should concentrate more on accepting autistic people, rather than curing them. His views, have placed him center stage,at a time when the stastics,fuel a struggle with how autism will be precieved.

He is currently, a senior majoring in political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Mr. Ne’eman himself has a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, which is a form of high-functioning autism.

The general characteristics of autism are impaired social interaction, but the disorder can take an array of forms. Some people, on the spectrum (ASD), may hurt themselves or be unable to speak. While,others may be hyper-articulate, but unable to interpret body language or facial cues. Some may have cognitive learning disabilities,and still others may have savant skills. Almost all forms, have difficulties in social situations.

“Why people have gotten upset is, he doesn’t seem to represent, understand or have great sympathy for all the people who are truly, deeply affected in a way that he isn’t,” said Jonathan Shestack, a co-founder of the advocacy group Cure Autism Now, whose mission is to help finance research to find a cure.

In previous interviews with The New York Times, and other publications, Ne’eman, has argued that those most severely affected by autism, are the ones who benefit least from the pursuit of a cure. He suggests, a cure is unattainable anytime soon. Instead, he says, resources should be devoted to accommodations and services, that could improve autistic peoples quality of life.

Ne’eman founded his self-advocacy organization,in2006, which has grown to have several chapters across the country.  He served on New Jersey’s Special Education Review Commission, where he wrote a report calling for legislative action to end the use of aversives, restraint and seclusion, on students with disabilities.

Mr. Ne’eman also became a critic of Autism Speaks, the largest advocacy group in the country, organizing protests last fall over a fund-raising video.

It is possible that the split among autism advocates, and the views of Mr. Ne’eman, may be as varied as autism itself. Their can be no doubt, that there are many unmet needs of this growing population. The focus should be on,  both research into potential treatments, and for programs that support jobs, and independent living for autistic people.

There is a community of families,nationwide,who are both  frustrated and bewildered.  They are reaching out for any form of help and assistance they can find. Perhaps, in the spirit of fairness and non-discrimination, the best way to look at the nomination of Mr.Ne’eman, is that it’s a great accomplishment, to have a person on the spectrum, be nominated to the Disability Council.

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Be sure to check your local media for events in your area, that are sponsoring or hosting fundraisers, or walks in support of Autism Awareness Month.
For example, Safeway and Easter Seals are participants in events across the country.r