My Personal Opinion on Causes & Rates
The first important papers on Autism were published in the early 1940s by Dr. Leo Kanner.
By the 1950s & 60s due to the work of Dr. Bruno Bettleheim Autism was regarded as a psychological disorder caused by unemotional or uncaring “refrigerator” mothers. In the mid 60s Dr. Bernard Rimland managed to show that Autism had a biological cause (disproving Bettleheim).
http://www.naar.org/aboutaut/whatis_hist.htm
Since that time a great deal of research has been done into the genetic causes of the disorder but no simple answer has emerged. It seems that many Dr.s now believe a complex interplay of genetics is at work.
However, autism rates seem to be on the rise.
Ten years ago it was commonly estimated that Autism effected 1 out of every 10,000 children.
Two years ago the rates had risen to 1 out of 250 children. In 2002 Congress declared Autism a national epidemic. In January of 2004 the Center for Disease Control estimated the rate of Autism at 1 out of 166 children.
http://unlockingautism.org/aboutus.asp#whatis
In 2001 the U.S. Department of Education released figures that documented a 544% increase in the number of students with Autism diagnosis in the public schools from 1992-93 to 2000 -2001. In my home state of Colorado the number jumped from 14 students to 453 students in that time period. Rates have continued to rise the latest department of education figures show rates still rising .... an increase of 67% from the 2001 figure to the 2003 number.
http://www.mercola.com/2002/apr/17/autism_epidemic.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/aic/about/default.htm
This rise in rates is a cornerstone in the debate over autism causes.
If Autism is purely a genetic disorder then a rise in prevalence should be virtually impossible (in a large population you cannot have a genetic epidemic). Folks on the purely genetic cause side of the debate tend to insist that the rise in prevalence of the disorder is caused purely by changing diagnostic criteria. If this is not the case and the numbers truly indicate an epidemic then
there must be some environmental cause .. most likely a genetic predisposition to an environmental stimulus.
This is my personal opinion - as a parent .. I am obviously not a medical professional.
A genetic predisposition to an environmental stimulus .. Quite possibly the Thimerosal preservative in vaccines is a leading cause of autism.
Due to the fact that Autism is a spectrum disorder .. with many symptoms that can be present at many levels of severity ... and is diagnosed from symptoms ... that in time we may come to recognize that there are several separate causes that produce somewhat similar symptoms .. our knowledge of the brain is so far behind our knowledge of the rest of the body .. just a like a stomach ache can be a symptom of any number of causes ....
There are several studies that support all sides of this debate .. and many people spend a great deal of time trying to point out the flaws in these studies.
However, the continuing work of Dr. Bernard Rimland
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/index.htm
and these two studies in particular have been very influential in solidifying my opinion.
Columbia University Study by Dr. Mady Hornig
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/09/23/415264ca43a6a
California Department of Developmental Services Autism Rate Study led by Dr. Robert S. Byrd
http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?id=5733
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/behavior/2002/2002-10byrd.htm
http://www.blackherbals.com/california_autism_rate_doubles_i.htm
http://www.dds.ca.gov/Autism/Autism_main.cfm
The first important papers on Autism were published in the early 1940s by Dr. Leo Kanner.
By the 1950s & 60s due to the work of Dr. Bruno Bettleheim Autism was regarded as a psychological disorder caused by unemotional or uncaring “refrigerator” mothers. In the mid 60s Dr. Bernard Rimland managed to show that Autism had a biological cause (disproving Bettleheim).
http://www.naar.org/aboutaut/whatis_hist.htm
Since that time a great deal of research has been done into the genetic causes of the disorder but no simple answer has emerged. It seems that many Dr.s now believe a complex interplay of genetics is at work.
However, autism rates seem to be on the rise.
Ten years ago it was commonly estimated that Autism effected 1 out of every 10,000 children.
Two years ago the rates had risen to 1 out of 250 children. In 2002 Congress declared Autism a national epidemic. In January of 2004 the Center for Disease Control estimated the rate of Autism at 1 out of 166 children.
http://unlockingautism.org/aboutus.asp#whatis
In 2001 the U.S. Department of Education released figures that documented a 544% increase in the number of students with Autism diagnosis in the public schools from 1992-93 to 2000 -2001. In my home state of Colorado the number jumped from 14 students to 453 students in that time period. Rates have continued to rise the latest department of education figures show rates still rising .... an increase of 67% from the 2001 figure to the 2003 number.
http://www.mercola.com/2002/apr/17/autism_epidemic.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/aic/about/default.htm
This rise in rates is a cornerstone in the debate over autism causes.
If Autism is purely a genetic disorder then a rise in prevalence should be virtually impossible (in a large population you cannot have a genetic epidemic). Folks on the purely genetic cause side of the debate tend to insist that the rise in prevalence of the disorder is caused purely by changing diagnostic criteria. If this is not the case and the numbers truly indicate an epidemic then
there must be some environmental cause .. most likely a genetic predisposition to an environmental stimulus.
This is my personal opinion - as a parent .. I am obviously not a medical professional.
A genetic predisposition to an environmental stimulus .. Quite possibly the Thimerosal preservative in vaccines is a leading cause of autism.
Due to the fact that Autism is a spectrum disorder .. with many symptoms that can be present at many levels of severity ... and is diagnosed from symptoms ... that in time we may come to recognize that there are several separate causes that produce somewhat similar symptoms .. our knowledge of the brain is so far behind our knowledge of the rest of the body .. just a like a stomach ache can be a symptom of any number of causes ....
There are several studies that support all sides of this debate .. and many people spend a great deal of time trying to point out the flaws in these studies.
However, the continuing work of Dr. Bernard Rimland
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/index.htm
and these two studies in particular have been very influential in solidifying my opinion.
Columbia University Study by Dr. Mady Hornig
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/09/23/415264ca43a6a
California Department of Developmental Services Autism Rate Study led by Dr. Robert S. Byrd
http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?id=5733
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/behavior/2002/2002-10byrd.htm
http://www.blackherbals.com/california_autism_rate_doubles_i.htm
http://www.dds.ca.gov/Autism/Autism_main.cfm
Environmental Health Perspectives: a peer reviewd journal of the National Institute of Health http://tinyurl.com/a5bhu
This is a nice summation commentary:
