Comments on: Diagnosis: Autism

Latest Weapons Are Early Detection And Treatment

[jhuddle3]

Wow. I am shocked and appauled at some of you. It's a news show, they can't go into every detail of autism. 10 even 5 years ago, did you hear anything about autism? Rarely, very rarely. Now they are doing specials on it to raise awareness so that people won't have to let their kids go on to ages 4 and 5 with no clue. My son was in this study at the MIND and he was diagnosed with ASD. I now have two sons on the spectrum and can relate to some of the same feelings the mother was having. It's a hard thing to realize that this disorder has effected not one but both of your children (or possibly 3 in her case). Seriously, have a little compassion.

[pedro524]

The story on Autism was non-informative nor did it begin to touch the problem that we all face with this disorder, my son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, my wife felt that something was not right with him, we told his DR he did not speak or play much, she told us "boys are slow they take talk longer to learn then girls don't worry" she said, a year later we took him to get diagonosed. It seems to me that DRs, specialist other officals don't know much at all about this disorder, theres no cure, no precise medical explanations why or what cause this, is it the vaccinations,genes,enviroment all of the above and why does it affect more boys then girls? know one has any answers! I thought that CBS would spend more time in researching the story to provide viewers with more information about such an alarming epidemic. Mr.Stephen Goodman statements where someone who was trying to cover something, but most of these professionals seem to have that type of attuitude that it's no big deal.
The story was a told fluff piece, very disappointing.

[heifetz1]

I was deeply affected by the 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]

I was deeply affected by the 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

[zootallures2]

REAL Autism doesn't need a cure. It is a plus. These people who can't talk or function are something else. Either way, it is not for YOU to say what is normal. A bunch of nuts who blow up their own skyscrapers for an excuse and lie to go on a mass killing spree of other people is not normal in the least bit. Any fool can see it was controlled demolition a YOU are controlled lunatics. Who knows what YOU are putting in the food or vacines. You don't care about "the children". You are bombing then to pieces in Iraq with your Black Ops. I think if we cure YOU first, the rest will turn normal.

[Sheekasha]

I don't think that there is enough understanding as to the subjective mental state of the child that is supposedly suffering from autism, as is extrapolated from the "symptoms" that are observed by the psychiatric professional. Temper tantroms are a scary thing and of course there has to be something that is causing the child to have an outcry, and there is probably also a reason why the child does not like to talk. But stages of development must also be understood in a tolerant fashion. Why must it be viewed as an illness that a child likes to think in his or her own world? Why is that deemed to be defective? By labelling the child as autistic, and therefore also "mentally ill," at a young age, the child is then forced to live the oppressive life of a mentally ill person, medication etc., the child is now on the mentally ill track of life. Perhaps such a pigeon hole then extends and perpetuates the autistic symptomolgy, via the exclusion of the child from normalized everyday living. Perhaps the rights of these children are not being respected. Once an individual is deemed to be mentally ill, they lose their voice in the world, perhaps the parents get to control their children therefore in ways that are not appropriate.

[righnote]

Before the Committee of Labor and Human Resources, on the subject "Nutrasweet: Health and safety concerns", November
3, 1987


I have considerable concern for the increased dissemination and consumption of the sweetener, aspartame, in our world food supply. This artificial dipeptide is hydrolyzed by the intestinal tract to produce L-phenylalanine which in excess is a known neurotoxin.

The question is "does phenylalanine excess occur with Aspartame ingestion?".

1. In the developing fetus such a rise in material blood phenylalanine could be magnified four to six fold by the concentrative efforts of the placenta and fetal blood brain barrier and this concentration kills cells in tissue culture. The effect of such an increased fetal brain concentrations woule probably be expressed as mental retardation, or potential certain birth defects.

2. In the rapidly growing post-natal bran (children of 0-12 months) irreversible brain damage could occur by the same mechanism.

3. In the adult, fortunately, these effects on the mature brain are reversible but provide clear evidence for negative effect on sensitive parameters of brain function.

Respectfully submitted

Louis J. Elsas, II, M.D.
Director, Division of Medical Genetics
Professor of Pediatrics

******************

[tigublink182]

I hope that Mr.Stephen Goodman will someday understand the negative affects of his statements regarding whether Autism is on the rise or not. Whether it is or is not is almost a non-issue. Regardless of the controversy over counting the cases, it needs to be prevented, and cured. I hope that it doesn't take an Autism diagnosis in one of your own children, or grandchildren for you to realize that arguing the language used buy Autism groups to describe what seems to be an epidemic issue in order to bring in funds for research, cures, help, education, etc. is a useless waste of everyone's time. More attention needs to be paid to those one in 150 who end up with the diagnosis. It shouldn't matter to anyone what the numbers used to be, it should only matter what the numbers will be. I'd personally appreciate it if you and those who agree with you would just decide to be the bigger person, drop the argument, an refocus your energy towards something that must be accomplished. Autism awareness, cures, help for those who have been diagnosed, research for the causes and prevention.
Your mantra of "Gee, it isn't as big a problem as some people say it is" is disgusting.
Let your new mantra be "NOT ONE MORE CHILD SHOULD BE BURDENED WITH THIS DISORDER, BECAUSE EVEN ONE MORE IS TOO MANY".

[kamachrist]

Dr Ozonoff seems to be using this boy as a guinea pig to prove her theory. If the boy where to get therapy prior to her finishing her study, she will not be able to include him (and others like him) in her results. This is CRIMINAL! Give Haydn's genetic predisposition with two brothers on the spectrum, how can an "expert" not urge the parents to get help for him. As to the mother, clearly she hasn't learned anything in all these years. She is still in denial BIG TIME. "Well, I'm still leaning for optimism because, you know, he's such a good boy. He's a good kid." she says. WAKE UP WOMAN!!! DO SOMETHING for your kids' sake.

[kamachrist]

Dr Ozonoff seems to be using this boy as a guinea pig to prove her theory. If the boy where to get therapy prior to her finishing her study, she will not be able to include him (and others like him) in her results. This is CRIMINAL! Give Haydn's genetic predisposition with two brothers on the spectrum, how can an "expert" not urge the parents to get help for him. As to the mother, clearly she hasn't learned anything in all these years. She is still in denial BIG TIME. "Well, I'm still leaning for optimism because, you know, he's such a good boy. He's a good kid." she says. WAKE UP WOMAN!!! DO SOMETHING for your kids' sake.

[zootallures2]

Two different origins of Autism? This new phenominon being called Autism and real Autism look alike; but are they? If you will note, in the Middle East, both the Israelis and Arabs of Hebrew origin have been rocking for thousands of years but are quite bright. This new Autism could be one of your Nazi genetic experiments gone wrong. Maybe one frankenstein got away and into your gene pool. Afterall, the Nazis, Zionists, and even *** Cheney have written about isolating and exterminating a certain race. Or, maybe they are putting something in vacines to *** those with the genes of the Adamites or real Hebrews. Can't have those smart, peaceful, non competetives, ruining YOUR flat earth. Real Autistics would never live in a 5 million dollar home and bomb defenceless people. Or leave others starving to death and get off on it. You are not normal and your psycologists are nazi freaks.

[rossputt]

I found it alarming that at the end of the segment, when they were not sure if the youngest child did/or did not have autism, that the answer was to "watch him". Knowing that intensive early intervention is key to the progress with children diagnosed with PDD/Autism, why wouldn't it be strongly encouraged ASAP. Whether he truly fits the diagnosis or not, early intervention addressing his language and social skills would surely benefit the child dramatically in the short and long run!

[drinuk]

One child in every 150 is a national disgrace and there will be a reason. It is not unlike Thalidomide, there will be a common cause so do what Angela did....Read and Read, check out the web as there are some good people shouting it from the rooftops. We all need to learn more about what is and what is not good for ourselves and our families. There is a lady in Atlanta who has a website called Mission Possible check her out and support her, she's doing a great job.

[listorer]

I have a 7 year old grandson with ACC-agenesis of the corpus collosome and exhibits a lot of symptoms of aspergers, adhd, odd etc. IEP plans and neuro testing so far are indicating Behavioral treatment programs (NOT involving any SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY). BEING TOLD HE DOES NOT HAVE ASPERGER'S. ANY COMMENTS?

[zootallures2]

The label of Autism is far too over used because it is a nicer word. Also, diagnosis should done with an MRI. These children, sadly, are retarded or metally ill from vacines or other sources. Real Autistics are not dummies who can't talk. They are actually, socially far more advanced than even "normal" folks. They are not lying, sadistic, fakes, who just care about how they look or fool the others. Which is why the adults are not heard from. They just want to get as far away from the rest of you as possible. You so called "normal" folks are dangerous nuts. As anyone can tell by just reading the news.

[besamcass4]

I feel I must respond to the post made by michaure who wondered why the parents of 5 autistic kids kept having them. This is an extremly insensitive remark. I am sure the parents themselves already have wondered if this is their fault, but as a mother of 3 autistic children(1 autism,2 aspergers)let me explain to you how you could have multiple autistic children. My youngest child now age3, at 18 months she got a shot, stopped talking,started withdrawing,rocking,I took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with autism. The doctor asked about my other children. I had concerns with my older 2 but I listened to other people who told me not to worry. My older 2 daughters 11 and 13 also saw the doctor and he diagnosed them with aspergers. My 13 gets straight a's but doesn't socialize at all. My 11 year old has learning disabilities and extreme reactions due to sensory integration difficulties. I know fom experience parents will deny problems with kids hoping for the best. I wish I had known my 2 older daughters had aspergers when they were little, but doctors, teachers didn't seem concerned. There is a great deal of spread on the autism spectrum. I think many children don't realize they have older children with autism, until a younger child is diagnosed and parents learn about autism. It is extremly tiring and stressful to take care of children who have autism, even though its a joy too. People shouldn't be too quick to judge parents who are dealing with this and doing the best they can.

[drinuk]

Angela39440.

I will tell you why this is going on, it is because the pharmaceutical industry has everyone in their pockets, or should I say Wallets. They are *** with the FDA, Politicians, Doctors and Insurance Companies. They lie for money, they don't care about you or your children, they only care for the price of their stocks and shares. Al Capone had nothing on these guys, they are criminals. Just ask yourself when they last cured anyone, there is no money in a cure, comfort and dependency is big bucks. Check my earlier posts on ASPARTAME then go look at www.sweetpoison.com

[cailin5]

My son is 24 and was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder at age 7. I think, had it been more common in the early 1990s, he would have been diagnosed as Asperger's, which he clearly fits. I think parents, in the end, have to do what fits for their child - regardless of what experts or other parents promulgate. We tried many things and what helped was year-round school and intensive intervention. By the time my son reached high school, he qualified for early entry college, which helped a lot since he was being teased. He is now a university student and even spent 3 years living abroad. He still has "issues" but doesn't everyone? I have never felt he was a "mistake" or a "problem" and I am only proud. No one asks for this diagnosis but we can learn from people who have it just as much as they are changed through intervention.

[angela39440]

Let me start that I have a normal child...I had a problem with him getting dizzy at 18 - 19 months old. They sent him for all sorts of testing. His Dr. was also a friend. The Dr sent me to a medical libary to do some research. Luckly we live in a city that has one of the best medical schools. In there you can go and read many different reports on many different things. I spent days reading different reports done by many differnt groups-dr's etc... After all the reports I read I would never give my child or any other child the MMR immunzation. The proof is there brain scans and blood test. I would demand they give it one at the time and not combine these. The mercury is bad but so is combining them. There needs to be more testing. But, insurance/comp would rather they get it done in one visit it is cheaper. Boys should not get it at the same age as girls. The brain in boys are different at that age. I was sick at what I saw and read. Report after report? How could this be going on. Why do Dr's and parnets let this go on. There is so much to report on and proof why did 60 minutes drop the ball? Easy way out? not a good report....

[jenn3842]

My son was diagnosed with PDD when he was 2. I knew something was wrong due to lack of speech, tantrums, # of things. Early state intervention helped him Alot. He is almost 4 and doing well.
I am still convinced that the MMR shot sent my son for a ride. He was perfectly fine before that shot. After...he was a TOTALLY different kid.
Bottom line....That shot NEEDS to be changed. WHY CAN'T THEY JUST TRY what can it hurt!!