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. Read the rest of this entry »

Update

Congratulations, to to NASCAR’S, Jimmy Johnson.  He was Sunday’s (May31,2009) winner of the Autism Speaks 400.  The race was held at Dover International Speedway in Delaware.

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On Sunday, May 31,2009, The NASCAR Sprint Cup Race will be held at Dover Internaational Raceway.  The name of the race is the Autism Speaks 400.  Autism Speaks was founded in 2005, by Suzanne and Bob Wright, who are grandparents  to a child with autism.  It has become the nation’s largest organization, focused on autism science and advocacy.  Their mission is to fund for the causes, studies, prevention, treatments and cure for autism.

The NASCAR communnity, includes many families and individuals who are affected by autism.   This race helps promote awareness, compassion and hope to the NASCAR community and the entire nation.

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There is a new effort being made, to require insurance companies to provide benefits for the treatment of autism.  The bill made it through Missouri state senate, but failed to make it through the house.  The push is on to have autism insurance available in 2010.

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Controversy is always swirling when it comes to autism.  Anything from the GFCF (gluten-free casein free) diet, to this treatment or that treat ment.  Which one, how much is enough or too much?  Then of course there is always the Question- To Vaccinate Or Not? As if, autism itself weren’t enough for parents and caregivers to  cope with.

According to the scientific community, the topic of whether to vaccinate or not, has become the most debated, diverse, and persistent medical myth of our times:  that autism could be caused by childhood vaccines. Scientists and research says there is no connection.  Obviously,trust and accountability are some of the main reasons Why Many Parents Believe Myths About Autism AndVaccines.

Currently, the odds of autism are 1:150 children affected here in the U.S, and 1:88 in the UK.  The biggest question is why?  Now, in the most recent study conducted at Cambridge University, many children are “undiagnosed.”  This, 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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See where the cutest ladybugs live!

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.

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.