Rates of autism have skyrocketed 1000% since 1990 - Vaccines?

Natural News

[Scythian]

Natural News

Vaccines cause autism: Supporting evidence
October 6 - Rates of autism have skyrocketed 1000% since 1990, yet defenders of vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry keep scratching their heads in confusion: What could be causing this? Lots of clues point to vaccines...

Autism rates double in children as vaccines poison an entire generation
According to a U.S. government survey just published, rates of autism in children have doubled since 2003. Today, an estimated 1 in 91 children are being diagnosed with autism ...

[Dianna]

there are thousands and thousands of lawsuits filed by parents of kids with IEPs seeking dAMAGES that claim the school is not giving them the proper education in accordance with the IEP.

I don't doubt it. The most likely explanation, of course, is that schools lack the funds to hire enough people to do everything that is required to be done.

Inner city parents are being encouraged (by ACORN types) to GET IEPs for their kids. ADD, ADHC, autism, whatever the condition- they are advised to get an IEP

How does this, in any way, refute what I said? There is a limit on the money, period. Yes, some parents will try to work the system in their own favor. Ultimately, if their kid doesn't have a real problem, they are screwing someone else's kid out of time and help. Again, it is certainly not in the school's best interest to sign up massive numbers of kids for special ed in some attempt to get more money.

I do believe that there are some diagnoses that will entitle a parent to SSI money...

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I’m not surprised.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

This disorder is generally accepted as a biological syndrome that affects both the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Children who are autistic can range from mild to severe cases, and the position of autism in developmental psychiatry parallels that of schizophrenia in validity and severity.

Almost all of the researchers in this field of study agree that genetic predisposition is crucial in the neurological foundation of autism. It has been shown that if one of a pair of identical twins is autistic, there is a 90 percent chance the other twin will be autistic. Furthermore, parents of one autistic child who’s risk is 1 in 500 of having an autistic child, rises to 1 in 20 with a second child. After two autistic children, this risk increases to 1 in 3. In addition, "the chances that the siblings of an autistic child will display one or more of the other developmental disorders with a known genetic basis – such as dyslexia or Tourette’s syndrome – are also significantly higher than normal."

One most curious aspect is the dramatically higher incidence of this in Silicon Valley and the Route 128 area outside of Boston. Some high functioning people who work in these areas are considered "broad autistic phenotypes". "One provocative hypothesis that might account for the rise of spectrum disorders in technically adept communities like Silicon Valley, some geneticists speculate, is an increase in assortative mating."

This phenomena is not occurring in just the previously mentioned areas, but also in other places where a concentration of technically advanced people are having children, as well as an increase of reported rates all over the world. There is cause for alarm and an urgent need to mobilize research efforts.

The most detailed medical analysis of autism by far can be found in Topics in Clinical Chiropractic. The most detailed social analysis is in Wired magazine. The most instructive is Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism. There are other sources full of valuable information on the topic. Space prohibits their inclusion and discussion at this time.

Autism remains a puzzle. It is generally believed to be a genetic disorder related to a variant allele of HOXB1, a gene on chromosome 17, possibly regions on chromosome 15, chromosome 7 and chromosome 9. A remarkable and detailed report on the etiologies, brain mechanisms, and neuropsychological phenotypes can be found in Diagnosing Learning Disorders; A Neuropsychological Framework (which may be now outdated). This following description is a valuable bit of information from this 1991 book:  

…Briefly, existing evidence supports the conclusion that autism is familial, heritable and genetically heterogeneous. Among the possible genetic subtypes are multifactorial inheritance, autosomal recessive inheritance, X-linked inheritance and nonfamilial chromosomal anomalies.

Here are some sources...

Silberman, Steve. "The Geek Syndrome." Wired Dec 2001: 176.

Brian J Gleberzon and Anita L Rosenberg-Gleberzon. "On autism: Its prevalence, diagnosis, causes, and treatment." Topics in Clinical Chiropractic. Dec 2001.

http://proquest.umi.compdqweb?TS=1019705267&RQT=309&CC=2&Dtp=1&Did>

Maurice, Catherine, ed. Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism. Austin: PRO-ED, 1996.

Rodier, Patricia M. "The Early origins of Autism." Scientific American. Feb 2000: 56.

Bower, B. "Gene Implicated in Development of Autism." Science News. Dec 16, 2000: 390.

Holden, Constance. "The Destiny of Autism?" Science Now. Dec 6, 2000: 3.

Pennington, Bruce F. Diagnosing Learning Disorders; A Neuropsychological Framework. New York: Guilford Press, 1991.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Autism is on the rise , no doubt about it.

Autism is real. Autism has always existed. The diagnoses have changed.

It used to be underreported, it is now over reported.

[bmwcyle]

ping

[Canedawg]

I’m not trying to refute what you posted as much as i am pointing out that there are mult-layered incentives for parents to get their kids IEPs so that they can work the system to their advantage.

School boards receive federal monies when they agree to comply with the IDEA, and with the PORKULUS, there is no shortage of funding to line the pockets of inner city schools and parents who claim non-compliance with the federal mandates.

[WoofDog123]

“I do not want my 14 year old son’s body to be trained to defend itself against swine flu. Nor will I allow that training in my body either. “

You seem to ignore any possible side effects in your statement. Surely you would consider side-effects and complications of a new vaccine being pushed down our throats via presidential panic news confs when making this choice. Also, this is the same guy (president) who warns of dire imminent consequences for not passing stimulus, health care annexation, etc. I am extremely skeptical of this entire swine flu media frenzy, and have been since it started last year.

DOes what I am saying make semse? In considering the potential benefits of a vaccine, it is of dubious wisdom or advisability to simply not consider the downside of sticking it in your (or your childrens’) bodies.

[dangerdoc]

There is the diagnosis of autism spectrum. Is your kid shy, socially awkward, has difficulty standing up to bullies? Welcome to the world of Autism spectrum.

Also, a significant number of children who would be traditionally diagnosed with mental retardation are now getting labeled at various medical conditions including autism spectrum. This makes the concept of looking at diagnosis rates over time frought with inaccuracy.

[Dianna]

School boards receive federal monies when they agree to comply with the IDEA, and with the PORKULUS, there is no shortage of funding to line the pockets of inner city schools and parents who claim non-compliance with the federal mandates.

Your original point was that autism is overdiagnosed because schools get money for special ed. There IS a limit on special ed funding, as I recall it is 8% of the population. It is laughably easy to find 40 kids out of 500 who have SOME kind of problem. There is no need for schools to make up diagnoses.

The stimulus bill may very well come into play, but I have been arguing the funding point here on FR for 6 years. In every thread about ADHD or autism someone posts that schools rake in the dough for diagnosing kids with the BS of the day. It simply isn't true.

[Roses0508]

At one point in grade school, the counselor suggested my very bright son was autistic and urged testing. To be honest, almost every teacher had a suggestions, because my very bright son was not doing well in school and was a space cadet.

I find the statistical correlation between the locus with highly intelligent people and autistic children very interesting. My grandson’s father was diagnoised as mildly autistic. He comes from one of those families of highly intelligent individuals in just such a corridor.

[neocon1984]

As a clinical Psychologist, I have two things to say:

(1) Freepers are some of the smartest, most discerning folks around, especially when it comes to sniffing out BS.

(2) Autism is often diagnosed inappropriately (too early an age, too few symptoms) because it is an easy default (i.e., full diagnostic criteria are often not met) and reimbursable. There are also “autism activists” who put a lot of pressure on physicians and want to find someone to blame for actual cases (e.g., their child’s) autism. Big Pharma is often their target of choice. Very often “autistic” 2-4 year olds just turn out to be developmentally delayed or somewhat odd in their personalities. Remember Albert Einstein did not speak (according to legend) until he was six years old. Guess what he would have been diagnosed with today?

[Canedawg]

“It is laughably easy to find 40 kids out of 500 who have SOME kind of problem.”

Exactly, and more often than not the diagnoses are BS- and done to allow the kid to get an IEP and special education, FOR WHICH the SCHOOLS receive federal funding. And in big cities, 8% of the population is still a LOT of people!

If you think every kid with an IEP has a legit special ed condition, well, i disagree. Lots of these diagnoses are complete BS.

[puppypusher]

I’m with you.I have a son who’s 24 years old who developed normally through junior high school then I observed that he seemed to slow down in his development but I couldn’t figure out what was going on.

He graduated from highschool with only minor problems but I observed he didn’t seem to want to mature mentally like a normal teen would.He was NOT interested in sports,cars or much of anything other than his computer.

He began his freashman year in college and it seemed as if the bottom fell out.He was having all sorts of problems with school.We had him checked out by his doctor but he said everything was ok physically and he couldn’t see the problem.

So we took him to see a psycologist who after a couple of years of testing determined he had Aspurghers Syndrome.A higher form of autism.
My son is a very bright kid,young adult and it pains me to see that he is not turning into a succesful adult with a career of his own.

I was told that since it took so long to determine that he has Asperghers Syndrome it will take that much longer to help him develope the sociol skills he’s going to need to live on his own.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Vaccines, or maybe (a diagnosis of) autism opens the cash drawer these days.

[JayGalt]

You are incorrect.
The swine flu vaccine is a live vaccine. It causes swine flu, hopefully a small enough and attenuated amount of virus will cause a sub clinical illness and confer immunity. But you are a carrier for awhile after the innoculation and spread the disease, perhaps to someone who is immuno-compromised. People have died from the swine flu immunization. Don’t just buy into what you are told by the Government. Why are they making such a fuss about this flu? We have flu deaths every year, and this flu is not more lethal than most. There are stories about Navy deaths after inoculations but those may or may not be true. I certainly would not put down anyone who is not willing to have swine flu vaccine. Its a judgment issue and as a physician I’m not having the inoculation, nor will I be giving it to family.

[CAluvdubya]

There is a LOT of diagnosing going on, but from what I've seen, the autism diagnoses have been spot on.

I'm currently a one on one aide for a third grader with Autism. He's been at our school since he was in kindergarten and there is no misdiagnosis with him.

He is very high functioning but without the help of medication this boy would be a danger to himself and to others.

It should also be mentioned that there is an Autism spectrum scale, with mild Asperger's on one end and non-verbal, low functioning Autism at the other end. It's much more complicated than I ever knew before I started working in special education.

[Dianna]

Exactly, and more often than not the diagnoses are BS- and done to allow the kid to get an IEP and special education, FOR WHICH the SCHOOLS receive federal funding. And in big cities, 8% of the population is still a LOT of people!

Oh for pete's sake. 500 kids is about 25 classrooms and 8% is 40 kids. I can GUARANTEE that at least 1 kid in each class is going to struggle with reading. So, there are 25 kids eligible for IEP's right off the bat. You've got 15 left out of 475 kids. You add in the kids with physical or actual mental handicaps, Down's Syndrome, vision problems, hearing problems, speech impediments, problems with social skills, problems with motor skills and you are going way over 15 EASY, and I haven't even touched on kids with emotional problems.

8% is 8% no matter how big the population is, and chances are there are more than 8% of kids who legitimately need some kind of assistance, especially in elementary school because of reading problems.

If you think every kid with an IEP has a legit special ed condition, well, i disagree. Lots of these diagnoses are complete BS.

I NEVER said that every kid with an IEP has a legitimate problem. I have maintained that it is very likely that more than 8% of the school population will be eligible for an IEP thus making it a losing proposition for schools to make up problems in order to get more money.

There are any number of kids who could use help but don't get it because schools are overwhelmed with the IEP's they do have.

[Let's Roll]

I know I will have to don asbestos, BUT:

What about mother's abusing alcohol/drugs during pregnancy?

And infants and very young children put into what they perceive as the hostile world of daycare where they experience the human reaction of fight or flight? Not too many fighting babies so flight into withdrawal.

It would be helpful although probably too much to expect for responses to this post to avoid attacking the messenger but instead point out actual research/studies that show my concerns have no relevance. Particularly the daycare issue as it is a recent phenomenom in the human experience.

[CAluvdubya]

If you think every kid with an IEP has a legit special ed condition, well, i disagree. Lots of these diagnoses are complete BS.

I beg to differ. In our small school of 400 kids, we have about 30 with IEPs. Every single one of them needs that IEP. It's not easy to test all these children...and there are multitudes of testing in different areas such as speech, psychology, occupational therapy, and Special Education Resource.

Of course there are those that try to take advantage of the system for some odd reason, but for the most part, these are children that really do need extra help to succeed in school instead of just being shuffled along.

[RJS1950]

No, they have expanded the definitions of autism over the years. You want population control? Just go ahead and do away with vaccinations. Smallpox, scarlet fever, polio etc will make a comeback like malaria and other insect borne infections did when they did away with DDT.