Comments on: Autism: Shattering stereotypes http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Craig http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101394 Craig Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:23:47 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101394 Sounds very much like Asperger’s Syndrome, it’s on the Autistic spectrum and can be misdiagnosed as Autism. I have Asperger’s and I had similar behaviors when I was Dylan’s age. Also good to see the emphasis on a genetic cause which is likely to be responsible in most cases of Autistic Spectrum disorders. The media is giving the vaccination crowd far more attention than the theory merits. Sounds very much like Asperger’s Syndrome, it’s on the Autistic spectrum and can be misdiagnosed as Autism. I have Asperger’s and I had similar behaviors when I was Dylan’s age.

Also good to see the emphasis on a genetic cause which is likely to be responsible in most cases of Autistic Spectrum disorders. The media is giving the vaccination crowd far more attention than the theory merits.

]]> By: Lisa http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101168 Lisa Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:11:34 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101168 I'm really very glad that so much attention is being called to autism. It is staggering how many cases there are in this country alone. My older sister is one such case. She is sometimes very precocious. She can build a 1000 piece puzzle from the bottom up, right to left, one piece at a time, in under 2 hours. I know, impossible right? It would take me, her "normal" sister two weeks to do that same puzzle. She never fails to amaze me, and despite the difficulties that she and my family have faced, her character has made me hopeful for the future. I believe that through more attention and more research, together we can move towards a cure. Lisa Vermont I'm really very glad that so much attention is being called to autism. It is staggering how many cases there are in this country alone. My older sister is one such case. She is sometimes very precocious. She can build a 1000 piece puzzle from the bottom up, right to left, one piece at a time, in under 2 hours. I know, impossible right? It would take me, her "normal" sister two weeks to do that same puzzle. She never fails to amaze me, and despite the difficulties that she and my family have faced, her character has made me hopeful for the future. I believe that through more attention and more research, together we can move towards a cure.

Lisa
Vermont

]]> By: anne http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101158 anne Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:51:24 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101158 My autistic son is similar to Dylan. And yes, I never considered it a disability, but instead a challenge. Kids (and their parents) on this side of the spectrum are lucky and sometimes there is guilt about that, but there are still challenges we share in common. I think kids like these who are high-performing are able because their needs have been met, which begs the question, what are some other (not all kids by any means) lower performing autistic kids capable of if they got what they needed? I do believe most of history's biggest innovators are on the spectrum, and that illustrates what the world stands to gain or lose. That is the promise of increased knowledge and awareness. If I made my son spend all his mental energy on counting the number of seconds for proper eye contact or how to meet the social expectations of every stranger we met on the street, something else would have to give and that's not a trade I wish to make. So world get used to it. Thank you CNN for showing the full spectrum. My autistic son is similar to Dylan. And yes, I never considered it a disability, but instead a challenge. Kids (and their parents) on this side of the spectrum are lucky and sometimes there is guilt about that, but there are still challenges we share in common. I think kids like these who are high-performing are able because their needs have been met, which begs the question, what are some other (not all kids by any means) lower performing autistic kids capable of if they got what they needed? I do believe most of history's biggest innovators are on the spectrum, and that illustrates what the world stands to gain or lose.

That is the promise of increased knowledge and awareness. If I made my son spend all his mental energy on counting the number of seconds for proper eye contact or how to meet the social expectations of every stranger we met on the street, something else would have to give and that's not a trade I wish to make. So world get used to it.

Thank you CNN for showing the full spectrum.

]]> By: Katherine http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101139 Katherine Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:11:50 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101139 I only wish more people who know that there is a direct link to vaccinations and autism would be allowed to speak up. I personally know a Doctor who went to a medical convention on autism and was floored to hear the medical experts aknowledge the link and then communicate the fear of the "public" reaction to such a finding. It is outragous that our system of protecting big business (ie.. the pharmaceutical industry, CDD, WHO, and others ) is allowed to get away with covering up information at the expense of of citizens health. I applaud CNN for discussing this very important issue. However, I also recognize that the medical experts opinions will, at the very least, undermine most, if not all, findings that may help save future families the grief of having to deal with autism. I would truly welcome the day when reporters are allowed to fully disclose their investigative findings without the fear of reprecussions from the powerful "Big Government"!!! I am hopeful that you, CNN, can help pave the way. This is a good start, just PLEASE allow other "experts" outside the traditional medical community to present their view points as well. Thank you CNN for your courage to bring topics like these out into the open!!! I only wish more people who know that there is a direct link to vaccinations and autism would be allowed to speak up. I personally know a Doctor who went to a medical convention on autism and was floored to hear the medical experts aknowledge the link and then communicate the fear of the "public" reaction to such a finding. It is outragous that our system of protecting big business (ie.. the pharmaceutical industry, CDD, WHO, and others ) is allowed to get away with covering up information at the expense of of citizens health. I applaud CNN for discussing this very important issue. However, I also recognize that the medical experts opinions will, at the very least,
undermine most, if not all, findings that may help save future families the grief of having to deal with autism. I would truly welcome the day when reporters are allowed to fully disclose their investigative findings without the fear of reprecussions from the powerful "Big Government"!!! I am hopeful that you, CNN, can help pave the way. This is a good start, just PLEASE allow other "experts" outside the traditional medical community to present their view points as well. Thank you CNN for your courage to bring topics like these out into the open!!!

]]> By: Mari http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101134 Mari Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:03:46 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101134 I totally agree with Dr. Tom Waite. Over diagnosis of Autism is a major problem. My son did not speak until he was 2 and half. He had good eye contact with me or other family members but not so with strangers, so people keep trying to label him as Autim. He is doing very well now, but they still want to label him as autistic like behavior. It drives me crazy! Mari I totally agree with Dr. Tom Waite. Over diagnosis of Autism is a major problem. My son did not speak until he was 2 and half. He had good eye contact with me or other family members but not so with strangers, so people keep trying to label him as Autim. He is doing very well now, but they still want to label him as autistic like behavior.
It drives me crazy!

Mari

]]> By: Diana http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101126 Diana Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:55:32 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101126 I read this and the article by the woman diagnosed with Asperger's at 48 who to me, sounded pretty normal. She indicated that thinking as a child that a janitor was the equipment, not the man, was a clear symptom, yet it sounded to me like a pretty typical childhood mistake. (For example at the same age we had a discussion of rhyme in class, and I, off in my own world during the explanation, offered "dragon" as a rhyme for "cat" and had no idea why everyone laughed.) I was an extremely advanced reader, starting at 4 and reading Tolkien, Anne Bronte, and similar authors at age 8. I have to work at being warm and social on first meetings. Like lots of people I don't like (even recoil from) random touching; and you certainly don't have to be somewhere on the autistic spectrum to be moved to tears by beauty - whether scenery, music, a painting - doesn't matter. Yet - I am absolutely not autistic in any way. I believe the numbers are "rising" because it's massively over-diagnosed - just as a decade ago, everyone started thinking their child was ADD. Over-diagnosing perfectly normal children and people who may be a little quirky and different as autistic does a huge disservice to the people who truly are autistic, doesn't help get at the cause, and doesn't help their families. What happened to embracing diversity? Let's get a grip. I read this and the article by the woman diagnosed with Asperger's at 48 who to me, sounded pretty normal. She indicated that thinking as a child that a janitor was the equipment, not the man, was a clear symptom, yet it sounded to me like a pretty typical childhood mistake. (For example at the same age we had a discussion of rhyme in class, and I, off in my own world during the explanation, offered "dragon" as a rhyme for "cat" and had no idea why everyone laughed.) I was an extremely advanced reader, starting at 4 and reading Tolkien, Anne Bronte, and similar authors at age 8. I have to work at being warm and social on first meetings. Like lots of people I don't like (even recoil from) random touching; and you certainly don't have to be somewhere on the autistic spectrum to be moved to tears by beauty – whether scenery, music, a painting – doesn't matter.

Yet – I am absolutely not autistic in any way. I believe the numbers are "rising" because it's massively over-diagnosed – just as a decade ago, everyone started thinking their child was ADD. Over-diagnosing perfectly normal children and people who may be a little quirky and different as autistic does a huge disservice to the people who truly are autistic, doesn't help get at the cause, and doesn't help their families. What happened to embracing diversity? Let's get a grip.

]]> By: Kevin - Indianapolis http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101124 Kevin - Indianapolis Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:53:50 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101124 I think it's important for news organizations to note in their stories that autism isn't a "black and white" diagnosis. This story helps to illustrate what medical professionals have been trying to say for years, autism is a spectrum of functional impairment - some children are largely functional while others require continuous, lifelong supervision - with an unknown cause. It's irresponsible to classify all children with autistic symptoms as having the same disease severity, which has been implied in more than one story on CNN this week, though not in this article. Regarding Larry King's story last night about the correlation between vaccines and autism, I have to take issue with those parents who think vaccines are the cause of autism. Childhood vaccines have been largely unchanged for the past twenty to thirty years. When parents became concerned about mercury-based buffers in vaccines, they were replaced with a different buffer formulation. Still, autism rates continue to rise. There is no statistic correlation between vaccination and the increasing prevalence of autism in this country. Why is nobody considering the fact that the toys these children are playing with came largely from China - many of which may contain other toxic substances such as lead? Why is nobody concerned about the possibility of high levels of mercury in our world's fish population and the effects fish consumption may have on the development of autism? Or better yet - why is it rates of autism are rising so quickly in this country while they remain nearly constant in many others which have the same vaccination recommendations and requirements as the United States? Until these questions are answered, the witch-hunt against vaccine manufacturers needs to be put on hold. I think it's important for news organizations to note in their stories that autism isn't a "black and white" diagnosis. This story helps to illustrate what medical professionals have been trying to say for years, autism is a spectrum of functional impairment – some children are largely functional while others require continuous, lifelong supervision – with an unknown cause. It's irresponsible to classify all children with autistic symptoms as having the same disease severity, which has been implied in more than one story on CNN this week, though not in this article.

Regarding Larry King's story last night about the correlation between vaccines and autism, I have to take issue with those parents who think vaccines are the cause of autism. Childhood vaccines have been largely unchanged for the past twenty to thirty years. When parents became concerned about mercury-based buffers in vaccines, they were replaced with a different buffer formulation. Still, autism rates continue to rise. There is no statistic correlation between vaccination and the increasing prevalence of autism in this country. Why is nobody considering the fact that the toys these children are playing with came largely from China – many of which may contain other toxic substances such as lead? Why is nobody concerned about the possibility of high levels of mercury in our world's fish population and the effects fish consumption may have on the development of autism? Or better yet – why is it rates of autism are rising so quickly in this country while they remain nearly constant in many others which have the same vaccination recommendations and requirements as the United States? Until these questions are answered, the witch-hunt against vaccine manufacturers needs to be put on hold.

]]> By: Todd E. http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101121 Todd E. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:53:18 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101121 I am very happy to see stories focusing on people with autism that are focused solely on the negative (abnormal affect, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, etc.). However, I would love to see stories that don't continue to feed what I call the "Rain Man" effect in the public. The "Rain Man" effect is this commonly held belief that people with autism have some extraordinary (borderline supernatural) ability in some facet of their life (mathematical, musical, etc.). When I tell people that my 12-year old son has autism (with cerebral palsy, mild mental retardation and hypotonia), people try to ferret out what "talent" he has. I tell them he has none, and he is a perfectly ordinary boy who has some challenges in accomplishing things others take for granted. He is a good brother to his little sister, he likes movies, music, computers and any little tech-gadget you might have. He likes to go visit friends and loves cheesburgers. He is so much like just another kid, and I love him for it. I am very happy to see stories focusing on people with autism that are focused solely on the negative (abnormal affect, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, etc.). However, I would love to see stories that don't continue to feed what I call the "Rain Man" effect in the public. The "Rain Man" effect is this commonly held belief that people with autism have some extraordinary (borderline supernatural) ability in some facet of their life (mathematical, musical, etc.).

When I tell people that my 12-year old son has autism (with cerebral palsy, mild mental retardation and hypotonia), people try to ferret out what "talent" he has. I tell them he has none, and he is a perfectly ordinary boy who has some challenges in accomplishing things others take for granted. He is a good brother to his little sister, he likes movies, music, computers and any little tech-gadget you might have. He likes to go visit friends and loves cheesburgers. He is so much like just another kid, and I love him for it.

]]> By: Marylin http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101113 Marylin Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:47:37 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101113 I agree with earlier comments that the child highlighted does not represent the more commonly affected on the autism spectrum. More often, the children are unable to speak, have extreme behavioral issues and cannot make emotional contact with parents and other children. I understand the public is interested in the attractive children with unusual autistic abilities but the extreme and heartbreaking hardships are on parents who have children functioning on the other end of the spectrum. I know, I work in a program for developmentally disabled adults and see, daily, what aging parents are doing to meet the needs of their autistic children. In some cases it's killing them physically and emotionally. Please offer a more realistic picture if you hope to gain the understanding and support of the public. A Social Worker I agree with earlier comments that the child highlighted does not represent the more commonly affected on the autism spectrum. More often, the children are unable to speak, have extreme behavioral issues and cannot make emotional contact with parents and other children. I understand the public is interested in the attractive children with unusual autistic abilities but the extreme and heartbreaking hardships are on parents who have children functioning on the other end of the spectrum. I know, I work in a program for developmentally disabled adults and see, daily, what aging parents are doing to meet the needs of their autistic children. In some cases it's killing them physically and emotionally. Please offer a more realistic picture if you hope to gain the understanding and support of the public.

A Social Worker

]]> By: Lila http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101100 Lila Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:30:20 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101100 Dylan sounds very normal to me. And very smart. If I had a kid like him, I would feel blessed. His social behavior is not odd at all. He's just 51/2. It's normal for him not to be able to find social boundaries. It is ridiculous to call kids like Dylan "Autistic". I think the definition of "Autism" is too wide and confusing. Dylan sounds very normal to me. And very smart. If I had a kid like him, I would feel blessed.
His social behavior is not odd at all. He's just 51/2. It's normal for him not to be able to find social boundaries.
It is ridiculous to call kids like Dylan "Autistic". I think the definition of "Autism" is too wide and confusing.

]]> By: al d http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101097 al d Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:27:38 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101097 I don't have autism, but can not talk. Vietnam has left me no larynx. I have searched and search for a voice synthesizer like the one on your "Finding Amanda" story. I have a laptop, with speech software, but it is not practical, and the battery life is so short. Does anyone know where a device like she had can be found ??????? I don't have autism, but can not talk. Vietnam has left me no larynx. I have searched and search for a voice synthesizer like the one on your "Finding Amanda" story. I have a laptop, with speech software, but it is not practical, and the battery life is so short. Does anyone know where a device like she had can be found ???????

]]> By: JGG http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-2/#comment-101077 JGG Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:48:10 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101077 These children are not only "linked" to a single sperm donor, they are also linked to frozen sperm in general, artificial fertilization methods, older mothers, etc - which of these "links" might also be a cause? I suspect - and you can quote me - that we are going to find another cause (other than immunizations) for autism that "appeared" within the last 20 years - and artificial fertilization (of older women) is going to be one of the factors that needs to be investigated. These children are not only "linked" to a single sperm donor, they are also linked to frozen sperm in general, artificial fertilization methods, older mothers, etc – which of these "links" might also be a cause?

I suspect – and you can quote me – that we are going to find another cause (other than immunizations) for autism that "appeared" within the last 20 years – and artificial fertilization (of older women) is going to be one of the factors that needs to be investigated.

]]> By: Kate http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101070 Kate Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:36:43 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101070 As you say though, it is important that people not think of Autism as being in only one or another state. It is a huge spectrum. Dylan sounds like a savant, which not all autistic kids are. As a mother of a high-functioning autistic child, it can be daunting when society looks at our daughter and expects her to act a certain way but she cannot. Yes, she can talk with you and is very friendly but she is also very easily frustrated, does not like changing activities and has a hard time socializing with her peers. Thank you for bringing to light yet another face of this awful spectrum. As you say though, it is important that people not think of Autism as being in only one or another state. It is a huge spectrum. Dylan sounds like a savant, which not all autistic kids are. As a mother of a high-functioning autistic child, it can be daunting when society looks at our daughter and expects her to act a certain way but she cannot. Yes, she can talk with you and is very friendly but she is also very easily frustrated, does not like changing activities and has a hard time socializing with her peers. Thank you for bringing to light yet another face of this awful spectrum.

]]> By: Tammy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101067 Tammy Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:31:52 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101067 This PhD agrees with the other PhD (who also has an MD). After watching the program, this child seems gifted more than autistic. Parents are too quick to label their kids in an attempt to fix them. And the counseling, psychological, educational, and medical professions are all too willing to enable this need for a quick fix and diagnosis (ADHD, depression, and autism are cases in point). Dylan seems highly intelligent more than anything else. Maybe I missed some dianostic criteria watching himand I have not interviewed the child and observed him in person, but autistic is the last thing I'd call him based on what I saw. I've taught austic kids and worked with them at various ends of the spectrum. I've also taught and worked with gifted kids. I think I'd take this child and have him reassessed. If he were mine, I'd never slap the label autistic on a boy that intelliegent and gifted unless three independent and qualified assessors all came to the exact same conclusion by using appropriate diagnostic testing methods. And for the record, gifted kids are often hyperfocused and some kids are just more affectionate with complete strangers than others. Just my random thoughts and experiences, but I wouldn't be so quick to label every kid autistic who shows a few symptoms (that don't necessarily mean autism), doesn't fit the "norms" of childhood, and is hyper intelligent. This PhD agrees with the other PhD (who also has an MD). After watching the program, this child seems gifted more than autistic. Parents are too quick to label their kids in an attempt to fix them. And the counseling, psychological, educational, and medical professions are all too willing to enable this need for a quick fix and diagnosis (ADHD, depression, and autism are cases in point). Dylan seems highly intelligent more than anything else. Maybe I missed some dianostic criteria watching himand I have not interviewed the child and observed him in person, but autistic is the last thing I'd call him based on what I saw. I've taught austic kids and worked with them at various ends of the spectrum. I've also taught and worked with gifted kids. I think I'd take this child and have him reassessed. If he were mine, I'd never slap the label autistic on a boy that intelliegent and gifted unless three independent and qualified assessors all came to the exact same conclusion by using appropriate diagnostic testing methods. And for the record, gifted kids are often hyperfocused and some kids are just more affectionate with complete strangers than others. Just my random thoughts and experiences, but I wouldn't be so quick to label every kid autistic who shows a few symptoms (that don't necessarily mean autism), doesn't fit the "norms" of childhood, and is hyper intelligent.

]]> By: silicablue http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101063 silicablue Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:19:23 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101063 Oh, and just one more thought. To Caryn Papish: Sometimes, in the grand scheme of things, a discovery is deemed so important that the attention of even the dullest of intellects need have their attention directed to it. Oh, and just one more thought. To Caryn Papish:
Sometimes, in the grand scheme of things, a discovery is deemed so important that the attention of even the dullest of intellects need have their attention directed to it.

]]> By: Joanne Wiels http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101053 Joanne Wiels Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:56:02 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101053 Why do people feel the need to blame someone or something if their kids don't meet the definition of what they think should be "normal"? Who's to say what's normal? Millions of people have taken vaccines and not developed autism - look at autism rates in countries where they don't get vaccines. It's pretty high. Genetics? Maybe but kids can inherit a lot of things. Cures? Recovery? Sure diets and other strategies may work for some, maybe not for others. No major studies have shown any thing (sorry Jenny McCarthy, your experience with your son is great but hardly scientific proof.) Bottom line. HAving and raising kids is challenging. It's a whole lot easier if you don't expect them to be perfect or have unreasonable definitions of "normal." Love them for who they are. Be there for them. Work with them. Seek out resources if you can't do it alone. But put the blame away. , Why do people feel the need to blame someone or something if their kids don't meet the definition of what they think should be "normal"?
Who's to say what's normal?

Millions of people have taken vaccines and not developed autism – look at autism rates in countries where they don't get vaccines. It's pretty high. Genetics? Maybe but kids can inherit a lot of things.

Cures? Recovery? Sure diets and other strategies may work for some, maybe not for others. No major studies have shown any thing (sorry Jenny McCarthy, your experience with your son is great but hardly scientific proof.)

Bottom line. HAving and raising kids is challenging. It's a whole lot easier if you don't expect them to be perfect or have unreasonable definitions of "normal." Love them for who they are. Be there for them. Work with them. Seek out resources if you can't do it alone. But put the blame away.

,

]]> By: pam http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101038 pam Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:15:31 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101038 What I see in the video and the story is a profounded gifted child. We're looking at a boy that is smarter that 99.99% of the population. He is going to process information differently. He is going to be taking in information all the time using all his senses. This can cause sensory over load and you will see sensory intergration issues like hand flapping. But having the physical quirks that are common in Autism and Aspergers does not equal Autism and Aspergers. Parent of 3 profoundly and exceptionly gifted children What I see in the video and the story is a profounded gifted child. We're looking at a boy that is smarter that 99.99% of the population. He is going to process information differently. He is going to be taking in information all the time using all his senses. This can cause sensory over load and you will see sensory intergration issues like hand flapping. But having the physical quirks that are common in Autism and Aspergers does not equal Autism and Aspergers.

Parent of 3 profoundly and exceptionly gifted children

]]> By: Cathy C http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101034 Cathy C Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:09:54 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101034 The number of Autistic children has grown so quickly in the last 20 years. Has any research been done as to the number of Austistic children conceived when the mother used fertility drugs? What is the percent vs children conceived naturally? I have 5 friends who used fertility drugs, and 3 have Austistic children. Two very mild. One severe. Just won The number of Autistic children has grown so quickly in the last 20 years. Has any research been done as to the number of Austistic children conceived when the mother used fertility drugs? What is the percent vs children conceived naturally? I have 5 friends who used fertility drugs, and 3 have Austistic children. Two very mild. One severe. Just won

]]> By: silicablue http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101030 silicablue Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:55:44 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101030 WOW. From a scientific point of view, this is huge. Has anyone looked for a genetic link in relation to autism before? The Donor "X" sperm that's left should be studied along with "Donor X" and his bloodline and their place of residence now and as far back as can be traced. This creates so many questions in my mind. such as: Can autism be passed from mother to child or only from father to child? Does "Donor X" show any signs of autistic behavior? Do any of his relatives? This story opens a new road to travel down in the search for answers leadingg to the roots of autism. Good job to all invloved. WOW. From a scientific point of view, this is huge. Has anyone looked for a genetic link in relation to autism before? The Donor "X" sperm that's left should be studied along with "Donor X" and his bloodline and their place of residence now and as far back as can be traced. This creates so many questions in my mind. such as: Can autism be passed from mother to child or only from father to child? Does "Donor X" show any signs of autistic behavior? Do any of his relatives? This story opens a new road to travel down in the search for answers leadingg to the roots of autism. Good job to all invloved.

]]> By: Jeff http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/02/autism-shattering-stereotypes/comment-page-1/#comment-101029 Jeff Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:44:29 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=528#comment-101029 It is scary to me to read the comments below of Tom Waite, a medical professional: "This kid simply does not fit the definition of autism, and should never have been diagnosed as such. He just doesn’t meet any of the criteria." I have a 5-year old son with autism, and even the most basic understanding of autism comes with the notion that it is a SPECTRUM disorder. There is not a "typical definition". While I agree in some cases with Dr. Waite's general theory that we may overdiagnose in certain cases - as we do with many other diseases in today's society, especially in this country - we cannot afford to classify cases of this complex disorder as "typical" and "non-typical". One thing that is increasingly clear to me is that we will not make the progress that we need to in understanding this disorder if we can't get the medical community in it's entirety to breaking down old stereotypes (autism is more than just Dustin Hoffman's character in 'Rainman') and coming to the table open-minded to help resolve it. I want to THANK CNN for yesterday's session. Raising autism awareness is critical to building broader support for solutions. People need to understand that this problem is real. It is likely that you know someone who has been touched by this disorder, and the reality is that these people will need expensive services for years - and in many cases throughout their lives. It is scary to me to read the comments below of Tom Waite, a medical professional:

"This kid simply does not fit the definition of autism, and should never have been diagnosed as such. He just doesn’t meet any of the criteria."

I have a 5-year old son with autism, and even the most basic understanding of autism comes with the notion that it is a SPECTRUM disorder. There is not a "typical definition". While I agree in some cases with Dr. Waite's general theory that we may overdiagnose in certain cases – as we do with many other diseases in today's society, especially in this country – we cannot afford to classify cases of this complex disorder as "typical" and "non-typical".

One thing that is increasingly clear to me is that we will not make the progress that we need to in understanding this disorder if we can't get the medical community in it's entirety to breaking down old stereotypes (autism is more than just Dustin Hoffman's character in 'Rainman') and coming to the table open-minded to help resolve it.

I want to THANK CNN for yesterday's session. Raising autism awareness is critical to building broader support for solutions. People need to understand that this problem is real. It is likely that you know someone who has been touched by this disorder, and the reality is that these people will need expensive services for years – and in many cases throughout their lives.

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