When i was in speech class, some time ago, this guy did a speech on genetically modified foods. He had studies to back up his arguement and performed a very good speech. He said that autism is on the rise because of the foods we are now eating. They are putting antibiotics in the veggies along with pesticides. In the actual genes of the foods. So we are consuming these abnormalities when eating. It also happenes with our meat. They feed the animals the genetically altered foods and try to bulk up the chicks and cows to produce more meat. I can't remember the exact numbers he told but autism in now 1 child for every 160 or something. A rise after they started messing with the foods. I don't know for sure, more research has to happen; he was very convinicing.

I truly believe that it has to do with the foods we consume that cause many of the afflictions people have nowadays, for autism to cancer. Unfortunately the organic foods, if they truly are, cost much more than just regular old veggies. I have not found organic meats where I live and shop. I buy the organic when it is on sale, but cannot always afford to buy them. I know I probally should just spend the extra money, but there are times that it is just not possible.

I think the autism crisis is another hype diagnosis, I remember when all the kids were diagnosed with ADD and ADHD...it seems like sometimes the doctors grab a catch phrase diagnosis and run with it, and then everyone has some characteristic that fits. My cousin has a son with autism...he has to go to a special school. is 5 and does not say a word and wears diapers, this case may be autism, but I see kids all the time who are just shy, or inward, and that doesn't make them autistic. My advice is to ride out the craze and see what happens, but DONT put your kids on any autism drugs, or get all worried about your son if he won't wave to the neighbors...

Autism in diagnosed "more" now because in the past they just labeled kids like this are being "retarded". There are no drugs to treat autism, it's mostlt done through behavioral therapy like ABA. If drugs are used at all, it is not treat the disorder itself, like a cure I mean, but may help in certain behaviors that are violent or dangerous to the child/others or that interfere with functioning. The earlier a child can be diagnosed the better! Early intervention is KEY to helping these children. I've seen and worked with kids as young as 2 who's parents did not want to "see" that their kids had problems, and then by age 6 it was much, much more difficult to work with these same children and get them to a better functional level.

Yes, I agree that ADHD/ADD without hyperactivity (DSM IV) is over-diagnosed, and that too many kids are on things like Ritalin, but I do not believe that Autism Spectrum Disorders are over-diagnosed, rather they are finally being recognized and sorted out for what they are; not that the child is "retarded" ,"slow", or "trouble maker"... I know of a 9 year old girl who was FINALLY properly diagnosed (with Asperger's) and had spent YEARS being told she was a trouble maker and other bad labels in school. She is now getting the help she needs academically and psychologically. Her not understanding the subtlty of jokes, sarcasm and facial expressions took a comment made about weight seriously and at age 8 became anorexic. In the past she would have been put through psychologist/psychiatry, and no one would have even thought to see WHY she took this comment to heart.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis_causes
"There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single "trigger" that causes autism to develop.

Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.

Autism tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). Some harmful substances ingested during pregnancy also have been associated with an increased risk of autism. Early in 2002, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepared a literature review of hazardous chemical exposures and autism and found no compelling evidence for an association; however, there was very limited research and more needs to be done.

The question of a relationship between vaccines and autism continues to be debated. In a 2001 investigation by the Institute of Medicine, a committee concluded that the "evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship.... between MMR vaccines and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)." The committee acknowledged, however, that "they could not rule out" the possibility that the MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children. While other researchers agree the data does not support a link between the MMR and autism, more research is clearly needed.

Whatever the cause, it is clear that children with autism and PDD are born with the disorder or born with the potential to develop it. It is not caused by bad parenting. Autism is not a mental illness. Children with autism are not unruly kids who choose not to behave. Furthermore, no known psychological factors in the development of the child have been shown to cause autism."

Hi, dmchaucer, my name is Cuttie. I have a neighbor who is severely disabled, and is in a wheelchair. She has a son that is autistic. He can form words, but sometimes you can't understand anything he says. He has poor social skills. He fights children, that are smaller than he. His mother is not in denial about her son, she spoils him to death. Your friend has to come to terms with her son condition. You can give her some information on autism, let her decide on her own, but if his behaivors keep getting worse, the schools psychologists will decide for her, his conditions will prolasps throughout his childhood. One day, she will have to come to a realization, that children all not always perfect in their behaivors, especially, when they have a mental disorder like autism.

I realy enjoyed reading everyone posts on Autism. We have been living with autism now for 14 years. Two of my 3 children are diagnosed with autism. My theory is that no one thing will cause autism. Many things must add up together to produce autism.. I do believe in a strong genetic link. Their is no cure for autism. This is the way these children are born. The best thing for autism is early intervention. I certainly don't have all the answers and never wiil. Just know by experience what works and doesn't.

With my oldest we knew something was not right from the beginning. However, it took many years to get the correct diagnosis. He was diagnosed with Aspergers when he was six. We had difficulty getting the correct diagnosis because he was speech delayed. My middle child we did not think he had autism till he started having difficulty in school. We thought his odd behaviors were just learned from his older brother. He also was speech delayed and has a diagnosis of Aspergers. My youngest child also has speech difficulties but no diagnosis of autism yet. We had difficulty getting the Aspergers diagnosis because of the speech delay. Most Asperger children develop normal speech. To listen to my children now you would never know that they could not talk. We had a lot of support when they were little. As they have grown they need less support. My oldest is in 8th grade participating in the regular education classroom and school sports. He has minimal support at school other that a resource teacher that he see everyday to help him deal with unexpected situations. My middle child is in the 4th grade and is in the regular classroom, but has a skills trainer who is with him at all times.