[LadyDoc]

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

[is_russia_western]

That's interesting about the fever my autist son had alot of ear infections I always thought it was that. I always gave my son tylenal before all vacines so no fever would result from the vacine.

[DaRocksMom]

Boy am I glad you are not my doctor!