[CharlotteVRWC]

Unfortunately, this is a very difficult topic...There has been such an increase in autism (and varying 'degrees' of autism) over the years, that the 'trigger' needs to be found (whether it is vaccines, environmental, or genetic)... There has been a HUGE increase in California over recent years.

My nephew has been diagnosed with it, and several people I know are also dealing with the problem. In my nephew's case, it is severe delayed speech. He is 5 years old, can say words, but not sentences. He is very smart, can use the computer for games and things. He is very loveable, and isn't totatally 'withdrawn' as you think of an autistic person. We pray that he will be able to lead a normal life.

[CaptainLou]

.Unfortunately, this is a very difficult topic...There has been such an increase in autism (and varying 'degrees' of autism) over the years, that the 'trigger' needs to be found (whether it is vaccines, environmental, or genetic)... There has been a HUGE increase in California over recent years.

There is still a lot of debate in the medical community as to whether there is an increase in autism itself, or whether we have just gotten better at identifying it, thus the rising rates of diagnosis.

[pollywog]

My granddaughter is high functiong autistic, my 19 year old grand nephew is severely autistic, non verbal, and we have a 25 year old severely autistic/deaf son.(adopted). We have MANY friends with autistic children. It is running rampant.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

My 14 year old "autistic" grandson just got a perfect score on an international Math Counts test. Took his ACTs as a 7th grader--scored 22 with 25 in math.

He still does annoying things like walking on his tippytoes and holds his hands somewhat high. He gets along well with others at school and the kids respect him because they recognize his intellect.

He was interviewed on a local radio station and came across great so his verbal skills are good.

It is scary to think about what the future holds.