Comments on: Diagnosis: Autism

Latest Weapons Are Early Detection And Treatment

[aidevry]

After decades of years, Austism is finally being recognized as a serious problem here in the United States. Although I agree that that some information was left out in order to fit the required time for the segment,(Vaccine shots, the change in environment itself) I still believe that this is the kind of push that we need to get others to notice what is happening to our children. My son is austistic and my wife and I have been providing as much programs and therapy possible with our son in order guide him into the right direction. Watching this segment about the M.I.N.D. institute has assured us that we are taking the right steps in handling this predicament which affects so many children today. 60 minutes has given a start on this subject which will be valued as a "wake up call" to many who are unaware of this type problem that we have in society today. I pray that researchers will be able to provide more breakthroughs and assistance to those in need. I am howver, truly thankful of the therapists that have provided their guidance for our son. Now, it's up to the world do more about this predicament and find a resolution and find ways in prevention or reversing the process.

[aidevry]

After decades of years, Austism is finally being recognized as a serious problem here in the United States. Although I agree that that some information was left out in order to fit the required time for the segment,(Vaccine shots, the change in environment itself) I still believe that this is the kind of push that we need to get others to notice what is happening to our children. My son is austistic and my wife and I have been providing as much programs and therapy possible with our son in order guide him into the right direction. Watching this segment about the M.I.N.D. institute has assured us that we are taking the right steps in handling this predicament which affects so many children today. 60 minutes has given a start on this subject which will be valued as a "wake up call" to many who are unaware of this type problem that we have in society today. I pray that researchers will be able to provide more breakthroughs and assistance to those in need. I am howver, truly thankful of the therapists that have provided their guidance for our son. Now, it's up to the world do more about this predicament and find a resolution and find ways in prevention or reversing the process.

[Rich Murray]

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GFCFKids/

The principle aim of this list is to provide a discussion forum for parents of children on the autism spectrum who are avoiding gluten and casein and other substances in their children's diets.

http://www.gfcfdiet.com

# Members: 10394
# Category: Autism
# Founded: Dec 15, 1998
256,632 posts in public, searchable archive

Food Intolerance Network, avoid reactions to dyes, preservatives, salicylates,
benzoates, amines, sulfites (dried fruit), gluten (wheat), casein (milk), MSG,
soy, pollen, tomato, citrus, broccoli, and more, Sue & Howard Dengate: Murray
2007.02.01
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1407

[Rich Murray]

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GFCFKids/

The principle aim of this list is to provide a discussion forum for parents of children on the autism spectrum who are avoiding gluten and casein and other substances in their children's diets.

http://www.gfcfdiet.com

# Members: 10394
# Category: Autism
# Founded: Dec 15, 1998
256,632 posts in public, searchable archive

Food Intolerance Network, avoid reactions to dyes, preservatives, salicylates,
benzoates, amines, sulfites (dried fruit), gluten (wheat), casein (milk), MSG,
soy, pollen, tomato, citrus, broccoli, and more, Sue & Howard Dengate: Murray
2007.02.01
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1407

Connecticut bans artificial sweeteners in schools: short aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity research summary: Murray 2007.02.15
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1404

[drmroberts-2009]

My son was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism when he was two. Three years later with consistent early intervention services, he will be entering a minimally assisted regular education setting as a kindergartener in July. His growth has been tremendous, and in many ways unfathomable. He has worked harder than most.

I think it is easy to become stuck in the midst of diagnosis, engaging with the system, seeking the right help, ensuring consistent services, and keeping sight on the true goal - the health and happiness of the child.

60 Minutes has added to the body of literature in raising awareness to the essential aspects of autism. We need to keep in mind that it is okay to continue the search for causation, but keep focusing on important process for treatment success.

I also believe that special education at all levels is underfunded.

[gearyh]

I always considered 60 Minutes an impartial news show. Unfortunately, I found the segment on autism to be severely biased. There was a brief mention of the vaccine "controversy" but no explanation other than the standard line that there is "no known link" between vaccines and autism.

Unfortunately there are a number of facts that 60 Minutes simply chose to ignore. Like the fact that the levels of mercury contained in some of the vaccines injected into infants would be considered safe by the EPA if the infant weighed 275 lbs! And this is only one vaccine. We are talking about one of the most toxic substances known to man being injected into tiny babies in concentrations high enough to affect full grown adults. No wonder our government wants it to appear controversial!

And then there are the various government sponsored studies that refute the obvious link between vaccines and autism. Our government saw fit to commission "scientists" who are employed by various vaccine manufacturers to use data from Denmark to prove that there was no link between mercury containing vaccines and autism. Denmark does not have an autism epidemic. Using their database to study the US autism epidemic is like doing epidemiology on the effects of mosquitoes on malaria and conducting the study in Alaska instead of Angola!

I hope that your next report on the subject (and there will be many more at the current rate) offers a more balanced view point.

[heifetz1]

I was deeply affected by your story on autism. Particularly by the little boy Haydn, who was shown at 6 months as a vibrant, responsive baby, and at 12 months with clearly a lot going wrong. Here

[heifetz1]

Dear 60 Minutes,
I was deeply affected by your story on autism. Particularly by the little boy Haydn, who was shown at 6 months as a vibrant, responsive baby, and at 12 months with clearly a lot going wrong. Here

[lucasnico]

taracohen..........very good points. Some autistic kids are diet candidates, others are not. It is worth trying.....it doesn't involve meds, behavior modification, extra therapies... just a diet shift and shopping at a co-op or health food store. Our 7 year old did not respond to dietary shifts. He has, however, had an amazing response to music. Music therapy has taught him to talk.
The biggest mystery to autism is that there is no hard, fast, consistent cure or plan. As a parent, you need to be your own strongest, and best informed advocate. Keep trying, until you find something, or somethings that work. O.T., speech, swimming, gymnastics, diet....there is no road map. You have to investigate every single possibility. More than anything, that is what was missing from the story.

[vmonsul]

I was shocked to hear the irresponsible comments of the epidemiologist from Johns Hopkins. He is playing a dangerous game of semantics. Just because the definition of autism was expanded to include other serious syndromes in no way changes the fact that all of these children exist and are all in desperate need of help. To try to convince the public otherwise is at best negligent and at worst criminal.

[mom631]

I am the mom of a 13 yr old boy, diagnosed with autism the week after his 2nd birthday. We chose applied behavior analysis. Today he is a straight A student and on the swim team. He IMs with his friends and most weekends hosts or attends a sleepover. He also plays guitar and piano and has a crush on a girl. He's a teenager - so far all of my dreams for him have come true.

He is an only child - knows nothing of his past diagnosis, though we know we will have to tell him some day due to the genetic component.

I pushed for the diagnosis as he would scream when unable to tell us what he wanted. I didn't know what it was, only that it wasn't normal.

Regarding the increase in diagnoses these days. When my son was diagnosed we were told he was moderately retarded (IQ of 70), but then how do you measure the IQ of someone who cannot communicate. The last IQ score I know of his was over 100 (how does that happen?) and he is now in gifted classes, being invited to sit for the SAT. I believe these kids used to be shunted off to the state schools or labeled retarded or problem children and that is why it seems to have increased so much. Our ability to diagnose has improved.

I thought is was interesting that they asked if the therapy cured everyone. I know of no therapy that is a guaranteed cure.

Good Luck to everyone who is dealing with autism. My prayers are with you.

[eme7782]

Dont get other possibilities mixed up with Autism! What needs to be discussed more is Speech problems..Every little thing that is different with your child cant be linked to AUTISM! And how can you tell if your baby is Autistic at 2 monthes?!

[dsg1282]

So what planet has Dr. Goodman, the epidemiologist, been living on?! He needs to address the group of educators I have just met with this week to set up an IEP for my autistic son! Broadening the diagnosis of Autism to include a spectrum of the disorder does not negate the the diffenitive symptoms exhibited by children with this disability. The rate of 1:150 is an astounding number with real cause for concern in our public community. Let us not give away an entire generation of children to this disease!

[hammerzoo]

The power to cure is in our hands according to the M.I.N.D. Institute. One of their doctors told me after 3 of them saw my son. Had I have brought him in when he was 3y.o he would have been diagnosed with autism but now that he was 15y.o they hardly saw any signs at all, and he was not worth their time unless I wanted meds. I spent the previous years fighting with peds. docs. who said my son had a discipline problem, not a speech problem, not an eye contact problem, not a social problem. Without the proper diagnosis I have had to fight for every inch my son steps forward.
My distain for shows like this grows every year. Making it sound like it's easy to get the diagnosis, then you get all this help. What about those that don't get the diagnosis? What is the prognosis for them? When he was 12y.o, the therapists and docs told me that he should be institutionalized because there was nothing else they could do for him because I nor my son were willing to keep trying new meds, I gave up on the so-called "pros". My son thanked me. We have both learned that no dyes, no preservs, and no additives works for us. I have 3 boys and only the middle is autistic. I do still have to fight with the CA school system and there nonsense. My son was diagnosed at an early age by me (not a pro) therefore he doesn't receive therapy, meds, or help from the school district.
If the numbers are 1:155, and each child has 2 parents. Then let your votes do the talking. Make them listen.

[taracohen]

My son is 23 months old and was just diagnosed with Autism. I had hoped to see an objective report on 60 Minutes, given the reputation of the show. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed.

First, the show was really one-sided. There was just a brief mention of the vaccine relationship, and that only had to do with mercury. Research has found a link between the MMR and autism based not on mercury content, but on children's ability to process the MMR if they have gastrointestinal issues, as is common with autistic children. There is ongoing research investigating whether these predisposed children are being overloaded with viral loads from vaccines, thereby triggering the symptomatic behaviors associated with autism.

Second, there was no mention of the phenomenal success parents all over the world are having with gluten-, casein-, and/or soy-free dietary intervention for their children. There was no mention of the opiate peptide theory. Instead, we saw an expert who said "We cannot touch the biology of autism," and another who denied an increase in prevalence. There are better diagnostic tools now and the diagnosis rates have increased, but that cannot feasibly account for the massive increase in prevalence.

I would like to see 60 Minutes do an objective piece including the more current theories and treatments available. Please consider interviewing a DAN! doctor and looking into the benefits of dietary intervention and supplementation. Thank you.

[taracohen]

My son is 23 months old and was just diagnosed with Autism. I had hoped to see an objective report on 60 Minutes, given the reputation of the show. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed.

First, the show was really one-sided. There was just a brief mention of the vaccine relationship, and that only had to do with mercury. Research has found a link between the MMR and autism based not on mercury content, but on children's ability to process the MMR if they have gastrointestinal issues, as is common with autistic children. There is ongoing research investigating whether these predisposed children are being overloaded with viral loads from vaccines, thereby triggering the symptomatic behaviors associated with autism.

Second, there was no mention of the phenomenal success parents all over the world are having with gluten-, casein-, and/or soy-free dietary intervention for their children. There was no mention of the opiate peptide theory. Instead, we saw an expert who said "We cannot touch the biology of autism," and another who denied an increase in prevalence. There are better diagnostic tools now and the diagnosis rates have increased, but that cannot feasibly account for the massive increase in prevalence.

I would like to see 60 Minutes do an objective piece including the more current theories and treatments available. Please consider interviewing a DAN! doctor and looking into the benefits of dietary intervention and supplementation. Thank you.

[willjosh7]

Autism cases are certainly on the rise, but most likely due to our increasing knowledge and our newfound definition of the disorder-no longer limited to the severe, classic form, but now known as a spectrum or continuum of disorders.
It would be wonderful if we could pinpoint the genes involved in this disorder or other environmental causes; but instead of debating and arguing over the etiology of autism, we should be focusing on the treatments and early detection methods.
My son was diagnosed at age three with PDD-NOS; but with early intervention, he has made great strides and now, at age 8, he is very high-functioning in a mainstream class with a shadow at school. He is beginning to show in an interest in some of his peers and has 2 good friends!! This is another testament to the importance of early intervention!!! If you have any doubts in your mind at all about your child's development, please have your child evaluated by early intervention team. Don't let anyone dismiss your concerns-parents know best!!!!

[eme7782]

What also needs to be brought out to everyone elses attention is other problems!
ADHD
Speach problems
etc..
Or is that a sign of AUTISM! I am sorry but i am so mad about all of this! You never heard of AUTISM 5, 10 years ago..WHY NOW? And why is it that every little thing that is wrong with your child it has something to do with AUTISM! Please tell me! My son talks, he was a little late and sometimes i have a hard time understanding him..but a doctor at Childrens Hospital told me that a child has to have ATLEAST 6 signs on the sirst signs of Autism list!

[sharma7]

My niece just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I was shocked that the day before the birth they prescribed a sleeping pill for her,Ambian. She had a C-Section on January 24th. On January 29 they were already injecting this poor baby. Why do vaccines have to be given so soon after the babies birth? Perhaps some are predisposed to adversed reactions where others aren't? Why not wait till the baby is a little stronger and a little bigger? Good forbid that they don't get that mother out to work asap. Why don't they stop vaccinating these children so early in their developement and do it when they are ready to attend schools?
My godson's daughter has developmental problems and the medical profession doesn't know what she has. Yet while the mother was pregnant she had a gall bladder attack and was prescribed medicine. They will never admit that THAT Medication could have contributed to this childs ailment. What surprised me is that the mother is a nurse and still took that medication. Doesn't anyone remember Thelidomide? Wake up Women, Dr's make mistakes and it's no sweat off their backs since they will treat your child forever if need be, at your expense since health care in this country is a joke.

[eme7782]

You have every parent in the world thinking that their kid is Autistic IN SOME WAY! I do not know one AUTISTIC person who is my age or older and I am 24 years old! Why all of a sudden? I was a late talker, I started talking at 4..Am I Autistic? Just because your kid isnt talking at 2 or 3..That means that they are AUTISTIC? My son has also suffered from alot of ear problems, which can also effect the hearing,we got tubes in his ears and now hes repeating,talking more, copying and alot more social! I think that the Doctors or whoever works on Autism needs to come up with a new more serious list of first signs cause you can put anybody at any age to that list of first signs and they would have atleast 3 of those signs on there list! What we basically have right now is that every kid just about, is Autisic! If you cant talk, you are Autistic! When my son gets into the bath, I line all his toys up on the side of t he bathtub..I put his cars all together side by side and I do the same with his Dinosaurs..He lines things up by hiself now..A BABY COPIES what he/she sees, thats how they learn. On the list of first signs of being AUTISTIC, one of the symptoms are lining things up! Since I line them up for him, am I Autistic? I line all the toys on the side of the bath so hes excited about getting in the bath! kids learn at different times, some are late talkers! I just dont think its fair that if your child is a little slower than others he shouldnt be labled AUTISTIC!