Opinion about autism

2curlygirls · Apr 7, 2007

Possible, sure. Likely, nah. I know that's ONE of the MANY theories. I haven't seen any definitive evidence of any one link. My uncle has researched autism for over 20 years and believes it's genetic. He supports vaxxing on schedule.

I'm certainly not an expert. Just my .02

LydiaNN · Apr 7, 2007

I'd consider the fact that major studies are being conducted at some of the best research institutions in the world before discounting the possibility. The NIH funds several of them.

2curlygirls · Apr 7, 2007

i think you have to do the research and decide for yourself.

1: can j neurol sci. 2006 nov;33(4):341-6. links

comment in: can j neurol sci. 2006 nov;33(4):339-40. immunizations and autism: a review of the literature.

division of neurology, children's hospital of eastern ontario, ottawa, on, canada.

because of a temporal correlation between the first notable signs and symptoms of autism and the routine childhood vaccination schedule, many parents have become increasingly concerned regarding the possible etiologic role vaccines may play in the development of autism. in particular, some have suggested an association between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. our literature review found very few studies supporting this theory, with the overwhelming majority showing no causal association between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. the vaccine preservative thimerosal has alternatively been hypothesized to have a possible causal role in autism. again, no convincing evidence was found to support this claim, nor for the use of chelation therapy in autism. with decreasing uptake of immunizations in children and the inevitable occurrence of measles outbreaks, it is important that clinicians be aware of the literature concerning vaccinations and autism so that they may have informed discussions with parents and caregivers.

pmid: 17168158 [pubmed - indexed for medline]

allnurses Guide · Apr 7, 2007

I mentioned this in another thread about autism - I attend via the net conferences from MIT with scientists who are tracking the genetic causes of many diseases, including autism.

The Picower Institute at MIT has some interesting studies going on. Mark Bear is at the forefront of research into the brain.

http://web.mit.edu/picower/faculty/bear.html

p.s. The two conferences in the Open Mind Series I "attended" via the net were on addiction and depression.

http://web.mit.edu/picower/events/openmindseries.html

steph

PeachPie · Apr 7, 2007

Honestly, whatever autism is found to be linked to (vaccines, increasing rate of preemies, antiperspirants, genetics, Dog knows what chemicals, older parents), I won't be surprised.

In OBGYN, we learned that a few decades ago, a lot of mental retardations and behavioral problems were linked to women drinking during pregnancy. It was a surprise, but rates fell once women were admonished not to drink. I'm waiting for a big surprise link like that.

LydiaNN · Apr 7, 2007

Anything that can cause damage to the CNS can cause autism. I honestly believe that in a majority of children with autism, my own included, there wasn't one particular cause. I think it was the combination of a number of factors... genetics (autism on his Dad's side of the family, numerous ''soft signs'' on mine), possibly the fact that I was exposed to mumps in utero (who knows how that may have affected my reproductive tract?), maybe the Dramamine I took on a trip through some mountains before I knew I was pregnant, maybe the factors that created a need for a C-section or the pitocin, and and and/or or or...???

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2007

This makes me think of a conversation I had a while back with an MD, Medical Toxicologist. He's of the opinion that many neurological disorders including autism are caused by a genetic susceptibility and then an environmental trigger. Like a key turning in a special lock.

2curlygirls · Apr 7, 2007

It's funny. On two other boards there's are pitocin/autism threads. Oh and terbutaline. Not great evidence on those either.

How about non stick cook wear?

Dioxin in disposable diapers?

Red Dye #5 (I'm just making that up I think)

Anyone else have suggestions?

PeachPie · Apr 7, 2007

Dear Lord, while we're on the subject, I'm listening to the neighbor's autistic kid scream at the top of his lungs. He does this for hours on end, mostly because he doesn't like the fence that keeps him from running out into the street and getting himself killed. The first time I heard his screams, I honestly thought someone was being brutally murdered and I was about to call the cops, but then I saw his mom struggling to keep him from bashing his head on the fence. Man, someday, someone's really going to be screaming for help, and the whole neighborhood will assume that it's one of the kid's temper tantrums and just go about their business. I'm concerned for the kid, and it's a tragedy for the kid and the family. I do hope that this can be prevented in the future.

Noahm · Apr 7, 2007

Is he autistic PeachPie? Then he cannot help it and there is really nothing that can be done about it.

I hope to god that if you ever get some kind of brain injury or cognitive impairment that causes you to act that way that you are surrounded by people who are a bit more tolerant than you seem to be.

PeachPie · Apr 7, 2007

Noahm,

You are putting words in my mouth. You blame others for being intolerant and judgemental, pot kettle black. Yes, he is autistic. I have worked with him when volunteering for the Special Olympics (oohhh yes a hateful person like me volunteers her own time because she's so judgmental and intolerant). I know that he can't help it, and it's concerning me. He could bash his head in one of these days, or get loose and get hit by a truck on the nearby highway, and if he screams for help everyone's jsut going to assume that he's having one of his temper tantrums. I was simply commenting on the experience, and the severity of the situation, and I do hope that such tragedies can be prevented. It's a related yet unrelated thing on this autism thread.

Go drink some Hater-ade.