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I have always wondered if the rise in rates of autism, or whatever symptoms it is are passing for autism, has soemthing to do with drug use by parents? Either majihuana, harder stuff, amphetamines, or drugs like prozac. parsy the curious.

I know of several cases of autism where the mothers involved were heavy drug users. Of course, this has never been disclosed to their doctors. Anecdotal information, but, still, it makes me wonder. If the medical establishment is willing to insist HIV causes AIDS, why should we expect them to get anything else straight.

Having these bozos tell me I can't have a smallpox shot when I *know* for a fact there are tons of poorly guarded smallpox stockpiles in Russia is infuriating.

There is a lot of ADHD (attention deficit disorder) due to the mother taking drugs and alcohol when pregnant, but not autism. No known problems with prozac, but they are looking hard. I've only told one lady to stay on Prozac when pregnant-- she had obsessive compulsive disorder, and could not function. But most cases I see are merely mild to moderate depression, and can stop it with lots of family sympathy to help them. So far the studies don't show a major increase with prozac. Lithium however causes severe malformations and is an indication for theraputic abortion.

The classical description of autism is a normal child who at the age of 8 months to two years develops a high fever. After the fever, he or she deteriorates and develops social problems, ritualistic behavior, speech abnormalities etc.

No one knows why. We do know that rubella can cause it, which is why they are so worried about MMR. Also, measles used to be associated with a lot of encephalitis, that left people brain damaged. That's why a lot of people are worried about MMR vaccine. There is also a question if the problem was the mercury preservative in the vaccine, since heavy metal poisoning like lead poisoning can cause retardation with social abnormal behavior.

Unlike a lot of the paranoia about medicine etc. this one is believed by a lot of doctors. However, most of us feel that the risk/benefit ration is worth it (kids die of measles, and one in ten thousand get encephalitis).

On line book about autism: AUTISM

For parents and relatives of autistic kids: Autism organization

Parents who use heavy drugs during pregnancy, many times have babies with missing parts to their brain...some times no brain at all. I often wonder why there isn't an ad campaign for this as there is for drinking or smoking during pregnancy.

Most parents that I see that have autistic children are pillars of the community who follow doctor's regimen to the letter.