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In reply to the discussion: Autism in US more common than previously thought; wider screening, better diagnosis cited [View all]polly7
(20,582 posts)42. I know very little about autism, but saw this at Alternet today,
and wondered what those of you dealing with it, or having family members with it feel about this information:
http://www.alternet.org/story/155119/why_is_autism_so_drastically_on_the_rise_an_environmental_horror_story/
Why Is Autism So Drastically on the Rise? An Environmental Horror Story
An investigation into the relationship between environmental poisons and human health is riveting -- and terrifying.
April 23, 2012 |
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If horror is your genre, environmental writer Brita Bellis The Autism Puzzle, is the book for you. Her terrifying look at the chemicals we eat, drink and breathe is guaranteed to make your hair stand on end.
We should thank her for it.
Statistics released earlier this spring by the Centers for Disease Control revealed that one in 88 U.S. born toddlers has an autism spectral disorderfrom the less severe Aspergers Syndrome to the so-called classical form of the ailment. Worse, its not just a North American phenomenon; Belli also reports a 57 percent spike in Asia and Europe.
The question is why. Perhaps, some posit, medical professionals have simply become better diagnosticians and people previously labeled eccentric or developmentally disabled were in fact, autistic. Or, perhaps theres a genetic culprit since ASD typically runs in families. Belli gives credence to both theories, but ultimately concludes that there is more to the puzzle. If the rise in autism numbers were only due to improved diagnosis and awareness of autism among the medical communityor if the roots of the epidemic were primarily geneticprofessionals would have seen an increase in adult or adolescent patients who had not been diagnosed or who had been misdiagnosed in the past, she writes.
But they havent. This realization piqued Bellis curiosity and her investigation into the relationship between environmental poisons and human health is riveting. The idea that a toxin can cause autism is neither controversial nor speculative, she begins. In fact, thalidomide, a medication used in the 1960s to control morning sickness in pregnant women, was tied to autism almost 20 years ago. Likewise valproic acid, used to treat bipolar disorder, misoprostol, an ulcer drug, and chlorpyrifos, an insecticide.
more ........
We should thank her for it.
Statistics released earlier this spring by the Centers for Disease Control revealed that one in 88 U.S. born toddlers has an autism spectral disorderfrom the less severe Aspergers Syndrome to the so-called classical form of the ailment. Worse, its not just a North American phenomenon; Belli also reports a 57 percent spike in Asia and Europe.
The question is why. Perhaps, some posit, medical professionals have simply become better diagnosticians and people previously labeled eccentric or developmentally disabled were in fact, autistic. Or, perhaps theres a genetic culprit since ASD typically runs in families. Belli gives credence to both theories, but ultimately concludes that there is more to the puzzle. If the rise in autism numbers were only due to improved diagnosis and awareness of autism among the medical communityor if the roots of the epidemic were primarily geneticprofessionals would have seen an increase in adult or adolescent patients who had not been diagnosed or who had been misdiagnosed in the past, she writes.
But they havent. This realization piqued Bellis curiosity and her investigation into the relationship between environmental poisons and human health is riveting. The idea that a toxin can cause autism is neither controversial nor speculative, she begins. In fact, thalidomide, a medication used in the 1960s to control morning sickness in pregnant women, was tied to autism almost 20 years ago. Likewise valproic acid, used to treat bipolar disorder, misoprostol, an ulcer drug, and chlorpyrifos, an insecticide.
Sorry about the big picture, it was a lot smaller in the article!
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Autism in US more common than previously thought; wider screening, better diagnosis cited [View all]
Julian Englis
Mar 2012
OP
It's now being considered that ADHD is a possible sign of later onset of bipolar. I know
GreenPartyVoter
Mar 2012
#20
Higher rates in Utah? Didn't someone just post an apology letter from a grandparent
midnight
Mar 2012
#16
In the old days, the low-functioning autistic kids would have simply been labeled
Lydia Leftcoast
Mar 2012
#19
OFFICIAL DATA: the autism rate for boys born in NJ in 2000 is 1 in 29 reports Mark Blaxill (@ 4:09).
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#25
"Living in Utah... baby boy will have a 1 in 32 chance of being autistic, the highest risk in US."
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#27
ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS: Occupy EPA Action, 3/30/12,"If the EPA were occupied with sound science..."
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#28
Of mice & children: does this happen in infants & should it comprise a contraindication, like fever?
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#29
Wrong, sorry. The stats are from ADDM, a project of the CDC and its parent agency, DHHS.
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#48
You MUST read this even if a more nuanced explanation is ultimately more accurate (eg post #26).
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#32
HHS Press Release naming new public members of Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee:
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#33
Ouch, PUSHBACK. The devastating grievances detailed here warrant attention.
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#35
Harvard Health Publications: The Autism Revolution by Martha Herbert, MD, PhD, with Karen Weintraub.
proverbialwisdom
Apr 2012
#40
Physicians for Social Responsibility: Impending Vote on Safe Chemicals Act!
proverbialwisdom
May 2012
#58
"Not 1 newborn American baby has been tested without finding 100's of chemicals in umbilical cord."
proverbialwisdom
May 2012
#61