What is autism

Autism is a severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life. Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors which are markedly different from those of typical children. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is four times more likely to occur in boys than girls.

Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

What is causes autism?
You will hear many theories about what causes autism. To date, no one has found the exact cause of autism.

Autism and genetics:
There are many in the scientific community who believe that there is a strong genetic component or pre-disposition to autism spectrum disorders.

It's important to note that in the past 10 years of looking for the "autism gene," none has been found which leads many researchers to believe that something had to TRIGGER the gene to turn on and cause autism.

According to officials at the National Institutes of Health, while there is most likely a genetic predisposition, there must also be an environmental component to autism. The rapid rise in the rate of autism over the last 15 years cannot be attributed solely to genetics.

Autism is no longer considered a heritable, genetic disorder. It is an environmentally triggered, therefore preventable and treatable disease. Environmental research holds the key to finding the cause and developing effective treatments for those affected.

Thimerosal

Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial). Thimerosal has been used in some vaccines since 1930's, when it was first introduced by Eli Lili company.

As a vaccine preservatives, thimerosal is used in concentrations of 0.003% to 0.01%. A vaccine containing 0.001% thimerosal as a preservatives contains 50 micrograms of thimerosal per 0.5 ml dose or approximately 25 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 mL dose.

In July 1999, U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) agencies, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); The American Academy of Pediatrics; and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure and to reduce exposure to mercury from all sources. This decision was based on the various Federal guidelines for methyl mercury exposure and the assumption that the health risks from methyl and ethyl mercury were the same. More research is needed to determine if the guidelines for methyl mercury are also appropriate guidelines for thimerosal.

MMR
Dr. Andrew Wakefield first cautioned parents of the potential link between autism and the MMR vaccine in 1998. He raised fears that the MMR vaccination could trigger bowel disorders in susceptible children.

His studies have shown the presence of persistent measles virus in children with ileocolonic lymphonodular hyperplasia which was shown repeatedly in children with developmental disorders. Dr. Wakefield's work confirmed an association between the presence of measles virus and gut pathology in children.

There is still ongoing research by Dr. Vijendra Singh, Dr. Arthur Krigsman, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, and others into this link. For more information on current research you can read the full transcript from the Congressional Hearing on June 19, 2002. All three of these doctors testified and shared current research information.

Symptom

• Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)

• Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)

• Not look at objects when another person points at them

• Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all

• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone

• Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings

• Prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to

• Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds

• Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk to, play with, or relate to them

• Repeat words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)

• Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions

• Repeat actions over and over again

• Have trouble adapting to changes in routine

• Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound

• Lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)

Early Intervention Program
Every state has some form of early intervention program such as a 0-3 Infant Development Program.

Call your state or local Department of Human Services and ask to speak with someone who can help you set up a free evaluation for your child.

A team of trained professionals will come to your home and do an assessment and if your child meets their criteria for specific delays then you may qualify for services.


source:
autism.com
cdc.gov
naa.com