Wednesday, 07 October 2009
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Autism on the Rise?
I don't have a family member or friend who is effected with autism. But I am a teacher & I am concerned of course as a human being for people who have this unfortunate illness...I wish there were NO illnesses in the world at all!
I saw an article (though I can't remember which one) that stated that autism is on the rise. This to me was disheartening!
How do you feel about autism being on the rise? Do you agree that it is? Do you think there'll be a cure within the next few years or even in the next century?
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About the Author
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- From: MDrabing83@xanga
- Name: Maggie
- About Me: I'm a 26 year old female from Baytown, Texas near Houston. I'm currently teaching English & working in a new international-Korean church in Seoul, South Korea! I love Jesus.....if you wanna know about Him, just ask...He's my Life, my Everything.
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Comments (65)
I wonder if it's on the rise, or the diagnosed cases are on the rise...
It wasn't all that long ago when they finally figured out how to check for this sort of thing, given the WIDE spectrum that Autism falls over.
I don't think that autism itself is on the rise. I think that it's more likely that the diagnosed cases are on the rise. Which is a good thing, IMO.
Since we have been in this world of autism for many years now I have seen a huge change in what qualifies as a diagnosis of autism. A widening of the spectrum so to speak. What once was considered ADHD, speech delay or other condition MAY now be classified under an autism diagnosis by SOME clinicians.. Some of the reasoning behind this is that the services for an autism diagnosis are much greater in scope and what parent does not want speech, OT, PT and a one on one aide for their child if they are experiencing a challenging issue, especially when public schools are failing and an ADHD child might get lost in a class with 35 students and one teacher. There also is greater awareness of Autism and the need to diagnose at the very early stages which is awesome and necessary for a better outcome but if a child is diagnosed at 18 months because of speech delay and suddenly starts talking up a storm at the age of 2 or 3 they are deemed "recovered" vs possibly having been misdiagnosed in the first place.
There very well could be an increase in cases as well but I'm wondering how many of these cases fall under the guidelines of DSM1V. It will be sorted out at some point but probably not for many years to come.. Let's just hope and pray that the former explanation is true vs the latter.
no beacuase there aren't enough funds in the cure of autism even if it is in the rise. There aren't enough volunteers or people willing to be tested for this horrible illness. Plus according to our government there are more important things. but don't loose hope, There are people out there that are trying to make a difference. Just google it out!! Nice blog it's good to see poeple interested in these things.
@P1AutismMom - I agree with you on all counts, especially about those who are deemed "recovered" but am very thankful these kids were diagnosed early and given the therapy they so needed which they wouldn't have had if not diagnosed with ASD. I believe the same is true for the many who are "cured" with GFCF diets. How wonderful for them that their parents worked so hard with this diet. Such severe food allergies often go for years undetected with much suffering.
My oldest son probably would have been diagnosed by today's standards. He did not talk other than mama, baba and a few other words till he was about three. I took him to a specialist, an older doctor who was wonderful. They checked his hearing and did a few other tests the he said "mam' your child just doesn't have anything important to say. He'll start talking when he does" Sure enough, a few months later, you couldn't shut him up. He continued on to be a honor student and even completed a year of college while still in high school. Sometimes I think we label our children with something far too young. This may even hinder our children as we lower our expectations based on a diagnosis.
I think before a "cure" can even be thought about, we need to find out just WHAT exactly Autism IS. As it stands with everything I have read, and believe me, that's a lot... it is a collection of "symptoms" or "signs" of something not quite "normal" in brain function.
Is it a purely neurological disorder? Is it more of a physiological disorder? Is it a chemical imbalance? The possibilities so far are practically endless. What if it isn't a disorder at all? What if it is like X-Men, the "next level of evolution"? (note facetious tone here please)
What if science needs to get its acts together and further study the links between consciousness and quantum theory? What if these autistic kids are actually existing in an alternate reality, half way between here and there? Physically here, but consciously somewhere else? (I am still being slightly facetious, but still, who knows?)
What if it is a spiritual thing? What if these are kids who exist on a different "spiritual plane" than the rest of humanity? *shrugs* Superstitious sounding, right?
The point is, if we don't know what it is, how can we expect to cure it?
It's been linked with exposing your kids to to much tv at a young age
and the amount of chemicals/artificial products you take (directly and indirectly) into your body
so yea I bet it is
which is a shame really
I think, based on my high-functioning, moderately autistic son, that autism is a diagnosis that was previously less detectable in kids, aside from such cases as illustrated in fiction like Mercury Rising and Rain Man. Notable, but, now that we have the knowledge to better understand the impact of a neurological condition, I believe that the rising amount of cases can be both contributed to a newly discovered definition, combined with the theoretically genetic base eventually procreating and birthing genetic earmarkers towards autism/autistic spectrum that went previously unrecorded.
Are the numbers alarming? To a degree - what is better about it is that we are learning how to better teach the kids who, only a generation ago, were once thought to be problem kids/unreachable/unteachable/social outcasts...now we are learning how the mental process works, and can better educate these previously lost kids. I'd recommend the book, "Dibs in Search of Self", a book that was written in the 70's about a kid who, by today's newly discovered tools and knowledge, is a high-functioning, moderately autistic kid.
Are we closer to a cure? I don't believe a mental process can outright be "cured", but at least the kids have a fighting chance to be educated, and to eventually, hopefully, graduate to independent living.
My son is in honors classes, in mainstreamed classes, earning a 3.5 GPA or better throughout his scholastic years. He is developing socially, academically, and also developing initiative and a drive to succeed...something that was lost, even in my generation.
I don't see a "cure" in the works. I'm not entirely certain that I would wish for one, much like I am sure that Temple Grandin, among others listed here, would want that said "cure".
this is wonderful topic ... i will put acopy of this topic
on my sites here
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A Good Look At Autism http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1554937&vid=138722
Temple Grandin herself would probably not have wanted to deal with anxiety, over stimulation, over sensitivity, etc. She is a great example of high functioning and a highly accomplished autistic person. I recommend "Thinking in Pictures"
The movie Rainman is fiction however the character is modled after a savant named Kim Peek http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&rlz=1R2RNTN_enUS343&q=Kim%20Peek&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv# "Kim's Gifts Come at A Price" His Dad facilitates his functioning to survive in the world today but his Dad will not be here forever. Then What?? Yes, we need answers and a cure.
My son Daniel has a photographic memory that I am hoping will serve him well in a career someday. He can recreate in 3d on paper what he has just seen in a picture. It's a very oooooh ~ ahhhhhh skill however I'm sure he would trade the accolades from observers for the ability to speak when he wants to and most importantly, when he needs to because like Kim's father, I will not be here forever.
I think it's ridiculously over-diagnosed. It's the new ADD. Kids had bad grades in the 80s and 90s, they were diagnosed with ADD. If they had trouble sitting still, they labeled them ADHD.
Now, if kids have so much as the slightest behavioral problem, they're labeled on the spectrum. It's bullshit.
I don't know if autism is actually on the rise or not. I was actually talking about this for a few minutes earlier with my parents, and while I can't remember the exact numbers that Mom mentioned, I do remember that it was a lot. At times I wonder if autism is truly on the rise, or if it is just being over-diagnosed.
The criteria for diagnoses has widened, of course it is on the rise.
don't worry, everything will be ok! )
As someone on the spectrum, I don't feel that this is an illness. At least as it pertains to me... Just sayin'...
Maybe autism isn't necessarily "on the rise."
Maybe the diagnoses are on the rise.
@mathematicalbagpiper@xanga - Agreeeeed.
Honestly a LOT of this is caused by what we consume. The FDA pumps so many chemicals into our food and we dont see that as the cause. Milk has so many hormones and chemicals pumped into it, not to mention the food most of them eat is ground of chicken, pigs, and cows which as we all know, cannibalism is bad. Anyway, if we as people went back to eating all organic, I would bet my life and money that most of these things would go back to few and far between as opposed to larger and larger.
it's definitely difficult. my nephew is austistic and so is his (soon-to-be) stepbrother. what are the odds of that? it's hard and worrisome, but it's good that people are starting to become aware of this! thanks for your post.
another thing i will say is that my nephew (aidan) has difficulties sometimes with social interaction, but i find it funny that when he gets with hunter (brother). they both seem to understand and communicate better than they do with anyone else. it's heartening to know that he's not completely impeded into isolation by his mind. i hope they work on figuring out what's causing this... :(
Why is this autism?? Looks like she's saying. Hey, get that stupid camera out of my face!! Come on people, Count your blessings!!!
http://www.theautismnews.com/2009/10/13/a-little-girls-struggle-with-autism/
I have a four year old nephew that has Autism and his 3 year old brother doesn't have it. It hurts my heart that he can't talk or express his feelings and say what he wants :(
@Lifesizebarbee@xanga - Hopefully the parents are receiving some sort of intervention for the boys. There is a method called Picture Exchange Communication or PECS It can be expensive if you purchase it but I used magazine pictures and photos of items Danny would want. Lamanated them and put the pics on the refrigerator using velcro. When I knew he wanted "milk" I would put the picture of milk in his hand and have him hand it to me. If he did not get the concept I would take his hand with the card in it, bring it to mine and immediately hand him the milk. It showed him how to communicate through pictures. He is 13 and can say 3 word requests now but that did not happen until he learned that words have meaning. Some children will never be verbal but there are ways to communicate. I truly hope that your nephews develop skills over time that will provide them with what they need to function as independantly as possible.
I met a guy with Autism. I didn't even know he had it. He just seemed like a super hyper guy. He was so lovely and caring.
I don't think anyone should over-react.
1. Autism on the rise? I sincerely doubt it.
One study showed that autism occurred at the same rate of about one out of 100 in adults, and I wouldn't be surprised -- most adults were not diagnosed as children and many still don't have official diagnosis. We don't have a clear picture yet. Not even close.
It makes sense that the autism rate is similar in adults because autism is largely genetic, they don't know the triggers yet, but they do recognize that it's largely genetic (something like 90% genetic is the current thought).
As someone on the range, I'm not unaware of the political, social and other damages that occur due to people referring to autism as a disease/illness and especially as a neurological disease.
Autism affects not just the brain but entire body, it is systemic...yet most resources and professionals still parrot that it's a neurological condition and will continue to do so for some time since trends of "understanding" don't lie down too eagerly in the face of new bodies of knowledge and discovery. Most of what we know is driven by fads. That's nothing new.
But it does tie in with the fact that people tend to be really odd about things neurological difference.
Look at the refridgerator mom theory. That took an awfully long time to die down and we still people like Rick Savage making the accusation that autism is something people made up to get hold of funds -- that 99% of the time the kid is just a spoiled brat, faking it, and what is that if it not the blame the parent theme all over again?
People, professionals included, get weird about things neurological that occur with other systemic illness too. For instance, systemic lupus can, in some cases, affect the brain just as it can affect other organs, but neurological impact is the most controversial topic of all, regarding the disease. It's so controversial that dialog, research, diagnosis and treatment regarding lupus-related neurological changes are greatly hampered. Handicapped.
2. When will there be a cure?
First of all, it won't be "a" cure. There will be different treatments/cures because autism is an umbrella term. What we think of as autism will be differentiated into different often entangled conditions.
More comprehensive treatments are probably at least two to four decades off into the future and may be, in some cases, tailored to retain neurological advantages seen in some individuals while treating autisms' deleterious damages. For multiple reasons, it may not be all about cure.
They will learn to better rewire brain cells and strengthen connections between brain cells. Much will be accomplished though a combination of gene therapy, social and other paradigm shifts in autism awareness, medicine, interactive computer or one-on-one programs (there are already some such programs in development now) and treatments from fields yet to be born. The brain sciences are in their infancy, as are some other fields, and other fields are yet to be.
I mentioned social paradigm shifts in autism awareness because of the current trend of scientism, the belief that the investigative methods of the physical sciences are applicable or justifiable in all fields of inquiry. Scientism fails to imagine how dualism slides into dehumanizing -- it fails to imagine why dealing with challenge isn't all about curing one side of a false dichotomy (neurotypical vs. autistic), still rewarding autistics (especially adult autistics) who reach out with rejection, marginalization, and hardships (hopefully, things are better in the younger and coming generations). That only creates more disadvantages and handicaps and confuses things, and muddied waters retard clarity, discovery, complex treatments.
But no longer classifying autism as a neurological disease or as simple as curing one side of a false dichotomy will involve changing how we look at autism in other ways.
There is no clear autistic vs. normal dichotomy.
If you could picture normality (yeah, define that, heh) and the autism range, they'd look more like extremely enmeshed 3D objects with many fuzzy projections that deeply penetrate the other, and one range nestles within the other. So, while picturing disembodied linear left to right ranges (like the autism range) is a start, it actually isn't very helpful when you start getting into the topic more in depth or in the long run.
I don't know if you've seen those comordity maps (here, about half way down the page) but that information will have many layers of additional information meshed with it and interactive computerized 3D programs will more than help do justice to the topics involved.
That will require increased purposeful cooperation across different disciplines, including but not limited to AI (artificial intelligence), which curiously opens windows of awareness about human intelligence.
I wouldn't be surprised if really effective comprehensive treatments for autism and comorbid conditions is about 50 to 70 years off, even despite the exponential growth of technology and scientific advancements.
Autism awareness and treatments are interdependent. If one leg has some old ball and chains dragging it down, handicapping it, the other leg is affected, can only go so fast and so far.
First Autism is a disability not an illness. Secondly, it's a spectrum disorder which means there are many forms of it. Some children with Autism appear perfectly normal, they might lack social skills but are very bright such as students with Aspergers. On the other hand there are students with severe Autism who lack a lot of communcation and verbal skills, and they more support. And of course all the in between. What you heard is correct Autism has been recently diagnosed to 1 out of 100 children, where as in the past two years I believe it was 1 out of 150. There are many factors as to why this is..
First people are seeing the signs and symptoms early on since there is such an awareness of it in the media and more and more infants are getting detected early.
Secondly doctors may be overly diagnosing people such as people with cases of ADHD do they really have it, or was it simply another case of mass diagnosing?
Third, it is a fairly new diagnosis so people who have may been diagnosed with MR or another disability really had Autism and are now getting diagnosed accurately
Fourth, I believe there is an increase in Autism, not as great as everyone thinks but there is. We dont know the reason why they have it and hopefully someday we will find methods of preventing it or curing it, or at lest improving their quality of life.
However, people with autism can live wonderful, successful, happy lives. There is no need to panic. Yes they need more support and care and differentiated instruction, but don't see the disability as limiting them, see the potential they do have.