Diagnosis: Autism

Latest Weapons Are Early Detection And Treatment

(CBS)  When psychologist Sally Ozonoff, vice chairman of research at the M.I.N.D. Institute, started the study three years ago, she was hoping to drastically lower the age of diagnosis.

She says she is aiming for a diagnosis age of 12 months. Ozonoff is tracking 200 babies from birth, like Gabe, a normal 12-month-old, being tested for his reactions to a new toy.

"He's very interested in it. And he communicates that to her with that great look, big eyebrows raising, smile. And then he asks for it without language—he’s 'Ah, I want that,'" Ozonoff observes.

This behavior, Ozonoff says, is typical of a healthy one-year-old.

But when a boy named Jacob is shown the same toy, he stares at it in silence, never reaching for it, never looking up at the examiner.

"There's no communication at all with the woman," Stahl remarks.

"That’s right. It's as if she isn't there. Like she’s an object-handing machine," Ozonoff says.

Jacob was later diagnosed with autism.

Ozonoff also uses high tech methods, like eye tracking. A normal baby looks right in mom’s eyes when she talks to him. But children who are autistic avoid eye contact, looking more at the mouth.

Like most autism researchers, Ozonoff believes children are born with the disorder. She went into her study convinced she would spot the symptoms as early as six months.

But so far, researchers have not been able to see the symptoms at such an early age.

Diagnosing one year olds has proved just as perplexing. Repetitive behavior, like the way Jacob plays with a lid for example, looks like a clear symptom.

"All he's doing is the picking up and watching it wobble, over and over again," Ozonoff observes.

But Ozonoff has found that not all one year olds who do this end up with autism. Her "most reliable" test so far is surprisingly simple.

"Starting about six months maybe even a bit earlier, if you say a child's name, they quickly turn and look at you. And you’ll see this with Gabe," Ozonoff explains. "Say his name, his head whips around…makes eye contact and smiles."

When the same experiment was done with Jacob, the result was different.

"The experimenter's gonna walk behind him. Call his name three times at normal volume," Ozonoff explains.

Jacob didn't respond to his name.

But even with this test, only half the children who fail it end up having autism. Haydn was six months old when he was first evaluated and, to Valerie's relief, he tested on par with children his age.

On one of her visits last year, Ozonoff gave Valerie a copy of her book on Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

"So I was reading this book. And through the whole book I just cried because I felt like I was reading this book about Michael," Valerie remembers.

Michael is her nine-year-old. Through years of speech and occupational therapy, no one had ever suggested that his problems, including his struggle to make and keep friends, could be Asperger's, until Valerie began asking questions.

"So now you're basically told you have two sons with autism," Stahl remarks.

Valerie admits she was reeling. "I was. You feel like you should, you should have pulled your genes out of the gene pool a little sooner you know, at that point," she says.

And there was still the question of Haydn: his 12-month visit a half-year later was distressing. He wasn’t smiling anymore and he seemed to be regressing into his own world. And then, he stopped responding to his name.

"I knew my son wasn’t hearing me. Everyone around me was saying, 'Oh, he’s just stubborn. He doesn’t want to listen to you.' But I knew that wasn’t it," Valerie recalls. She says she knew it wasn't a hearing issue.

Despite Haydn's symptoms, Ozonoff felt it was still too early to tell.

"I would hate to cause the pain…and anguish of having another child diagnosed on the spectrum and then be completely wrong," she explains.

[redhead60707]

While it is nice of 60 Minutes to report on autism, this is meager and almost irrelevant to the headlines of the CDC study. This segment explores behaviors and has little to do with a real investigation of why so many children are autistic. It is like installing a smoke alarm while the house is burning down.

If 60 Minutes wants to do a real piece on autism, contact Dr. Martha Herbert (Harvard), Dr. Thomas Burbacher (University of Washington), Dr. Jill James (University of Arkansas), Dr. Mady Hornig (Columbia University), Dr. Richard C. Deth (Northeastern University), Dr. Diana L. Vargas (Johns Hopkins University), and many others. They will tell you of their findings of inflammation in the gut and brain, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalances, and loss of or absence of glutathione, a protein needed to excrete toxic metals, which is why toxic metals are more evident within, especially mercury.

Shame on Sally Rogers for her comment on not knowing how to "touch the biology." The biology is there but the denial continues.

[impdegas]

You need to do your research. There is research out there that shows some causes of autism and some treatment for autism that has shown to recover a lot of children from Autism (recover is different from cure). Call or read David Kirby's book, Evidence of Harm. That book has a wealth of information.

As a mom with a son with Autism, I'm very disappointed with your lack of knowledge and research on this topic. You are promoting more ignorance to the causes and treatment of Autism than helping expose the truth.

Thank you for taking the time to read my comments and for at least putting the topic out there.

Sincerely,
Vivian Duckett
Mom of a beautiful 5 year old son w/ Autism

[cakkallen]

If someone accidentally gets a nail driven through their hand you can correct the behaviors associated with the pain and the behaviors can be reduced to the point where they are not obvious anymore.

It would be easier to remove the nail.

Ignoring the biology of autism is nothing more then ignoring the nail sticking out of half a million children's hands.

[kwsf]

Findings do not constitute appropriate treatment. I have seen the negative effects of biomedical and dietary treatments on children with Autism. I counsel families with a child with Autism to try those treatments that make sense to them and that feel right to them. I advise them not to feel guilted or pressured into treatments that are really still just theories. I have a real problem with parents trying treatments that currently amount to experimentation.

I believe that many well-meaning people are jumping the gun with the limited research findings that are available to us now.

God bless the MIND Institute for doing what they can to help families to help their child with Autism be able to function happily and successfully in this difficult world.

Of course, we still want to find treatments and cures for autism, but in the meantime, let's not ignore the interventions that we KNOW help these children.

I've heard Martha Herbert speak and I believe her theories about environmental toxins causing Autism prenatally ring true and are astounding.

This is a world-wide crisis that does need to be looked at and billions of dollars should be dedicated to research, but let's not attack those who have dedicated their lives to helping the children who already have Autism.

Shame on you for doing so!

Mother of three children on the Autism Spectrum and two children who are neuro-typical.

[rabold92]

With no known cause or cure for autism yet
This is an untrue statement. Research shows that the incidence of autism has risen in direct proportion to the vaccination rate. The ingredients in vaccines cause autism: the vaccine viruses cause injury to the gut, and to the myelin sheath; mercury causes brain inflammation. Altogether the toxic vaccine ingredients destroy the liver, immune system, digestive system, nervous system, etc. This is a complex illness that is caused by vaccinations. It requires bio-medical treatment to reverse the damage and allow healing. This is possible. Info can be found at: www.autismresearchinstitute.com, www.thedaviscenter.com, www.scdiet.com, and many books. It's about time reporters started reporting the TRUTH about autism ... instead of the lies from the CDC, FDA, AMA, and pharma industry.

[Laurece Rust]

I%u2019m glad to see 60 minutes doing a special on Autism, but I must say this segment done by 60 minutes was very disappointing and barely scratched the surface. I%u2019d like to see them try it again and really delve deeper on the subject.

[tgage4]

It is true there is no known cause of autism and that the behaviors associated can be reduced to the point that they are not so obvious. I think the better approach would be to educate the public that the "non-typical behaviors" of autism should be accepted and not looked at as abnormal. I want my children with autism to be accepted. Who has the right to define what is "normal"? I have learned from my very gentle and loving children that if autism is not normal---the rest of the world needs to change.

[atso003]

Why is it that when a TV show runs a story on Autism, they never discuss the possible vaccine link? Could it be big sponsorship dollars from pharmaceutical companies are on the line? If many parents believe that their children were injured from vaccines, why aren't reporters running to cover the story?

[flsunshine70]

The intent of this show, I am assuming, is to share the fact that autism does not need to go unrecognized until the age of 2-3 years of age which is typically when a diagnosis would be made. Although a diagnosis may still not officially be made, the red flags for autism could qualify a child to get intervention much, much earlier. Regardless of which intervention a family wishes to use, wouldn't you rather start as early as possible than to waste 2-3 precious years? Early intervention programs can make great differences for children on the autism spectrum. Most of the posters so far appear to be parents of children with autism; if you were to just be starting this journey, wouldn't you rather have known as early as possible? Don't we want doctors to start taking parents seriously when they say "I think something isn't right" rather than giving them the "oh, your child is just a late bloomer" talk and then later come to learn that yes, your child does have autism. Recognizing the red flags for autism and the key developmental milestones can make a great impact on the life of a child on the spectrum. We must get this information out to families and physician's now. People won't treat autism at all if they can't even recognize it.

[migibelle]

I have three children with autism. The GFCF diet allowed one of my kids to "drop" an oppositional defiant disorder diagnosis at 3. It allows my youngest to sleep through the night, not scream all day and not bite her fingers bloody. All by removing wheat and dairy and soy. I leared this through PARENTS and an astute therapist. The mainstream docs have little to offer beyond high powered drugs and a pat on the head. Trust your gut, do what you think is best for your child. DO YOUR HOMEWORK - autism isn't cancer. There's no red carpet at Ronald McDonald House, No Make a Wish foundation, No national protocal with proven treatment results that every doc "gets." It's a tough, lonely road. But we have to keep looking for real answers, not accept the grim "uncurable" diagnosis most docs peddle. God Bless all of you who write in with kids with autism. Thank you CBS.

[moonmarty]

Thank you 60 Minutes for providing your audience with some of the lastest findings on autism research. Shame on you for not having the courage to tell the same audience what appears to be the cause(a genetic subset of the population unable to efficiently rid themselves of environmental toxins) and promising biological based treatmentS(chelation, supplements, diet modification....). David Kirby should be your next guest. He would educate the public how the government/pharma has stifled the debate.

[timmypat2]

Stop scratching the surface. If you discuss the truth you can look back in ten years and feel proud your were on the right side - the children's side. You know what I'm talking about and so will everyone reading this. Stop protecting "Big Pharma".

[katdowney]

I am mother of 2 autistic children and would strongly suggest any parent who has a diagnosed child to read "Children with Starving Brains" by Jacqueline McCandless which is a guide on biomedical treatments for ASD kids. I also agree with the other people who have written comments on this issue that these biomedical treatments, GFCF diets are the only way we will save these kids. Vaccinations are a direct link and would love to see the media explore that issue.

[rogerw21]

I read about this comment thread on autismsense.blogspot.com and they are right. Why can't we just let CBS focus on the one thing we know works now for our kids. Early intensive treatment after early detection. Leave the conspiracy theories to the kooks who would rather find someone or something to blame than focus on the hard work of our kids future.

[ateam1233]

One must also consider the High Functioning kids. These kids don't exhibit classic behaviours as infants, they do respond, they do react to toys, but somewhere it falls off the rails. It appears in social interactions, in language, the ability to have a conversation, and inappropriate behaviour with peers.
These are the ones who can be taught to become productive members of society, who can have jobs, get married, have lives, outside of their parents. These are the ones who need appropriate schooling, teaching in social skills and biomedical or other kinds of therapy to help them "fit in" to society. They may always seem a little odd but they can function if they are given the right support. If a cure was available, sure lets have it, but until then lets help these guys live up to their full potential.
You're right, there's no red carpet at Ronald McDonald house for us, most people just think that those of us with High Functioning kids are just bad parents, with uncontrollable brats.
The more light we shed on Autism, the more help and understanding we will all receive. With these kinds of rates, everyone knows someone, or is in a classroom with someone with Autism.

Hmm. So let me ask this question to all of those who are in favor of the "vaccines ruined my baby" theory. My autistic child was diagnosed at 3 years old, we suspected it as much as a year earlier. She was showing signs at birth, before she had ANY vaccinations. What then?


My child falls into the 'high functioning' catagory. This doesn't always make things easier at school. When she is doing well, they want to take away the special services that allow her to do well. Once they are taken away, she stops doing well. Sometimes I think if she were doing worse, they would help her more - or believe that she needed and deserved the help, and that help they are providing is the REASON she does well. I a well pleased with her school now, she has gone from no social interaction and screaming fits and getting kicked out of pre-school because they couldn't handle her to the top 10% of her grade and well-liked by peers - all because of this school. (mainstreamed, too

[bel4290]

AUTISM IS A DISORDER THAT EFFECTS MANY KIDS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT AND AS A PARENT IT CAN BE FRUSTRATING. THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER PARENT TRAINING AND TEACHER TRAINING. WE NEED TO BETTER EDUCATE THE PARENTS AND THE TEACHERS. WE NEED TO BE VIGILANTE AND SUPPORTIVE OF OUR TEACHERS. THEY ARE WORKING WITH OUR KIDS ON A DAILY BASIS AND NEED OUR SUPPORT AND TRAINING.
WE ARE LOOSING OUR BATTLE WITH OUR KIDS. WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THEM WHEN THEY GET OUT OF SCHOOL? ARE THERE ANY JOBS? IF YOU THINK THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS BURDEONED NOW, WAIT TILL OUR KIDS ARE OF AGE WHAT WILL YOU DO THEN.
BOB LANZIERI
BRICK NJ

[birdietalk]

I'm mother of a 6yrs old daughter with austism.I think the goverment should get more involved.I went to Jefferson City to ask the politician involved for more money.To keep on differant resource to help out the childern with austism.The more funding there is the better a chance we probly can find a cure,early detection,and treatment for the children can live a healthly life.

[tatankablanc]

This post is not on early diagnosis but provides an uncommon autobiographical look (a You Tube video) at autism:

http://www.RollingRains.com

[tatankablanc]

This post is not on early diagnosis but provides an uncommon autobiographical look (a YouTube video) at autism:

http://www.RollingRains.com

[yesidea]

I have two children who were diagnosed with Autism. They are currently 10 and 8-years-old, but they were daignosed when they were 2 1/2 years and 18 months. My younger son went through a developemental assessment when he was a year old. When he was 18 months we and his doctor were able to see that he had not made 6 months progress in 6 months time. His most significant delays were in communiciation and play activites. Add that to our older son's daignosis, red flags were a flyin'! Both of my children have received intensive ABA based intervention and they are both in general education settings and working at their respective grade levels. They are doing very well. I truely beleive that my children's success is due to the fact that they received appropriate intensive EARLY intervention AND my husband and I went through training too, so when the therapist went home, we could continue where they left off.

[nikasmomma]

In April 2006 (after years of Internet searches), I stumbled upon http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/ and the Son-Rise Program. We bought the book, Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues by Barry Neil Kaufman about his son, Raun's recovery in the early 1970's. We later read A Miracle to Believe In also by Kaufman about their work with the Soto family (1978-1979). Here is the URL to a video of one of the kids who completely recovered from Autism using Son-Rise: http://www.kylestreehouse.org/video1.htm Kyle Westphal was also featured in a FOX News segment on the Autism Treatment Center of America. Our 6 yr old daughter has made great progress; verbal skills are growing exponentially; her eye contact and focus has increased dramatically! We are getting 5 and 6 word sentences like, "Please throw Harmony Bear to me." instead of just saying "catch

[nikasmomma]

In April 2006 (after years of Internet searches), I stumbled upon http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/ and the Son-Rise Program. We bought the book, Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues by Barry Neil Kaufman about his son, Raun's recovery in the early 1970's. We later read A Miracle to Believe In also by Kaufman about their work with the Soto family (1978-1979). Here is the URL to a video of one of the kids who completely recovered from Autism using Son-Rise: http://www.kylestreehouse.org/video1.htm Kyle Westphal was also featured in a FOX News segment on the Autism Treatment Center of America. Our 6 yr old daughter has made great progress; verbal skills are growing exponentially; her eye contact and focus has increased dramatically! We are getting 5 and 6 word sentences like, "Please throw Harmony Bear to me." instead of just saying "catch

[nikasmomma]

Oops! I miscalculated the size of my previous post about http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/ and the Son-Rise Program, so I continue where it left off.

[nikasmomma]

Yikes! I give up! This message board is frustrating! Just check out http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/ and the Son-Rise Program

[slealey2]

It is time to do away with the myth that autism runs in families. It does not. What does run in families however is the American pediatric immunization schedule which has too many known viruses and a known neurotoxin injected into developing immunities before the age of 2. Ask yourself this question before you start touting off that there is no known reason in the 21st century to account for an obvious epidemic in this country---CAN YOU TRULY HAVE AN EPIDEMIC THAT IS GENETIC?

[kyliesmom2]

Finally Autism is getting a little attention from the press and the government. It's a little late to finally notice when the statistics are 1 in every 150 children! Then you have politicians like Barton (Texas) who stand in the way of important bills such as Combating Autism, out of ignorance and selfishness. Parents are the ones who are making noise and making others take notice. Autism does not mean you have a bad kid. The CBS article said that the Mom is leaning toward optimism because she has a good kid, a good boy. Well,just because a person has a neurobiological disorder does not make them "bad". Imagine being locked in a closet and trying to get those on the outside to hear and understand what you want to say, or need. Frustrating! Our schools largely are more interested in saving money than educating a child with special needs. Autism is at epidemic rates and needs to be addressed now through awareness and research. Support organizations such as Autism Speaks and Autism Society of America. Nobody ever expected Autism to enter their lives, but boy does it change your priorties!

[goldenbeauty]

I want people to know that Fragile X is also in realation to autism. For more info on fragile x syndrome the leading cause of mental imparment in the world that is gentic. Here is the website to fragile x syndrome: http://www.fragilex.org or check out the Fraxa Research foundations website: http://www.fraxa.org

[goldenbeauty]

I want people to know that Fragile X is also in realation to autism. For more info on fragile x syndrome the leading cause of mental imparment in the world that is gentic. Here is the website to fragile x syndrome: http://www.fragilex.org or check out the Fraxa Research foundations website: http://www.fraxa.org

[goldenbeauty]

I want people to know that Fragile X is also in realation to autism. For more info on fragile x syndrome the leading cause of mental imparment in the world that is gentic. Here is the website to fragile x syndrome: http://www.fragilex.org or check out the Fraxa Research foundations website: http://www.fraxa.org

[martinsawzin]

I hope the quote, "We don%u2019t know how to touch the biology of autism. But I do think that the behaviors associated with autism can be reduced to the point where they are not obvious anymore."
clarifies that many patterns associated with autism are desirable, some so much so, that the human capacity to concentrate, excell, and have forms of extra inner sensory perception has already benefitted from imitating the mysterious benefits of autism.

[chrzeerose]

This is yet another sad disapointing article about autism. Thimerisol is 49.99% mercury. It was used in almost all vaccines until 2002. It's still being used today. There is a hearing coming up to discuss the saftey of using thimerisol, 1st ever, yet it's been being used since the 1930's. Can't touch the biology of autism? yeah right. Kids are being completely recovered or at least seeing huge improvements in their autistic symptoms by getting the yeast out of their guts and pulling the toxic mercury out of their brains. Come on America. You are not stupid. Read all the studies. Not just the ones handed to you on a silver platter by the FDA and CDC. Help parents of kids with autism by demanding the truth. It's not like it would be the 1st time the drug companies have used us as their test piggies. And BTW, I am a firm believer in some vaccines, I just dont think they need to contain the most toxic element on the planet. Go to the following sources for unbiased info on real treatments for autism. ABA is good, but it's not enough.
Safe Minds
Generation rescue
National Autism Assoiciation

[ather_akbari]

Thank you for the story on autism. My son is now 17 years old. We noticed difference in his development when he was few months old. He was born with agenesis of corpus collasum and hence we were alerted right from the first day of his birth.

We used all sorts of early intervention with him, but still could not improve his speech and could not bring him at par with other children. Now that he is an adult, I gather from your program that this is it for my son! All research and programming that I hear about are for new born.

[autism5]

I'm at a toss up myself.I too am a mother of an autistic child and because my son is not retarded, he is not eligible for sevices.I'm also having trouble finding a summer camp that would be right for him. I didn't want my son to have the immunization shots so early in his life but the nurse said they could have him taken away from me for neglect if I didn't let them give the shots. My own mother kept saying that we HAVE to do what they say. Throughout the years I have learned some serious lessons and the main lesson is to go with your gut! Stick up for your children and do not allow these doctors offices to bully us!

[victorianros]

I have a daughter that is 19 years old with autism. It is very frustrating for the both of us to understand one anothers world. As we both grew trying to understood and learn to connect for a more productive, consistant, reputious, do not change envoronment lifestyle. Early intervention is the key. I started early intervention with my daughter at the age of 18 months. My daughter did not bond with me when born she had her own problems at birth and after the problems of collaspising lungs not able to suck on bottle as a newborn where addressed then life moved on into a different direction of something else is wrong. Ashely was late on all areas of fine and large motor skills. Her congnitive ablities to grasp and enjoy playtime was null. There was no love just blank stare of unreality to this world. She was also becoming failure to thrive baby. The endless nights and days trying to work and going with little to no sleep was so very exhausting and 19 years ago autism was 1 in 10,000 and mainly in boys. When I seen Rain man which was a popular movie in the late 80's I knew this was a diognosis my daughter will have to endure for the rest of her life.

[aspiedad]

In a world of amazing wonders I am both amazed and bewildered! I find myself wondering how humans,as a whole,can find the answers to such complex questions such as space exploration,global warming,etc,and at the same time I feel bewildered at the apparent lack of interest in finding a cure for Autism. Perhaps it's time to ask Stephen Hawkings to look into this. As a father of two autistic boys and a person with aspergers I strongly agree with tgage4 in that perhaps the solution is to find the answers within our own hearts as well as searching for the biological reasons. My boys have blue eyes and brown hair and do not wish to change these things any more than I would change who they are! Perhaps everyone else needs to change?

[tgage4]

Thank you, AspieDad! I could not have said it better. I love my children just the way they are-to take away their autism now would be changing the people they are. There are many challenges we all will have to endure as a family and I want to help my boys to fit in and find their place in this world. I lobby for autism research to find a cure so that other parents wont have to experience the heartbreak involved when autism enters our lives without our permission! I cant change that now but I sure would like to see the world open up their eyes and stop viewing my boys as misfits. Their intelligence, sincere honesty, and literal thinking is a change this world could use a great deal more of!!

[mtredhawk200]

I am a horseback riding instructor and I work with several autistic kids. Hippotherapy, horseback riding, is proving to be very effective. All of my students show increased communication skills, balance, and social skills. The horses are amazing with autistic kids and adults, and facilitate a family bond that doesn't focus on "handicap". There are many excellent programs across the entire US, and insurance will frequently cover hippotherapy.

[cheryl53151]

The school system in Arizona is No. 50 as far as Education. Mesa Public Schools would never give services to my autistic child. He lacked services for almost a decade until I filed grievance with Office of Civil Rights in Denver. Parents have to take action. My son suffered and all lawyers in Arizona seem to work with school systems. Arizona, wake up.

Cheryl Moore

[cheryl53151]

I live in Arizona where we are No. 50 in education our child in these United States. It took almost a decade for the schools to finally realize my autistic son needs services. I filed complaint with Office of Civil Rights, and finally got some action. But no lawyer in Arizona will step up to help, what a shame, my advice to parents who live here with disabled children is to move.

Cheryl Moore

[gottapoint]

Early diagnosis is entirely possible and critical to getting your child help!
My daughter was diagnosed in 1998, one month after her second birthday, but since she also had a language delay she had services starting at age 19 months. Keep getting second opinions, and keep advocating for your child to get services. My daughter is almost 11 now and she is in regular fifth grade and continues to make progress thanks to ongoing services, due to our constant efforts to advocate for her-with teachers, school administrators, doctors, and agencies. Parents need to keep asking for services; don't give up, because every minute of childhood is a learning opportunity that can make all the difference for your child's lifetime.

[neurocurious]

Speaking to the possible biological aspects of autism, is anyone doing a long-term study on the association between autism in children and oxytocin levels in mothers before and during pregnancy and motherhood?

Since oxytocin is important in inducing birth contractions and lactation, a woman with genetically low or behaviourally reduced levels of oxytocin goes into labour (due to social anxiety, stress, and alcohol, drugs) will experience greater difficulty in labor. That stress reaction can further reduce the level - difficult delivery communicated to the infant both physically & hormonally. The low level can also make lactation difficult - reinforcing the stress reaction and creating another barrier between mother & child. Nursing tends to stimulate oxytocin secretion in the mother. If she's having trouble producing enough milk, the stress/physical discomfort could lead to frustration or even anger - thus impeding the initial establishment of a positive mother- infant bond.

If the mother's oxytocin levels are systemically low, her behaviour is likely to be disaffective. Consequently, unless there are other nurturing parental figures on the scene, the infant's level of oxytocin secretion will remain low, never achieving a higher set point.

[neurocurious]

Speaking to the possible biological aspects of autism, is anyone doing a long-term study on the association between autism in children and oxytocin levels in mothers before and during pregnancy and motherhood?
Since oxytocin is important in inducing birth contractions and lactation, a woman with genetically low or behaviorally reduced levels (due to social anxiety, stress, alcohol or drug abuse) can have more difficult labour. The stress reaction can further reduce the level, communicated to the infant both physically and hormonally. The subsequent difficulty lactating reinforcies the stress reaction and creates another conflict between mother and infant. Nursing tends to stimulate oxytocin secretion (both sucking and infant hand massage motion) in the mother. If she's having trouble producing enough milk, the stress could block that effect, leading to frustration or even anger, thus impeding the initial establishment of a positive mother- infant bond.
If the mother's oxytocin levels are systemically low, her behavior might continue to be disaffective. So, unless there are other nurturing figures on the scene, the infant's level of oxytocin will remain low, never achieving a higher set point, possibly combining with other factors to result in autism.

[geebat]

One thing my girlfriend and I researched on Autism, since she has a 9-year-old son with Autism...NO drugs have EVER been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Autism.

Interestingly, some doctors are silly enough to prescribe medications for Aspergers now.

Early diagnosis AND early intervention works, and slowly plodding on DOES see results, however small they seem. During the wait while these results take their time, it's good to concentrate on one fact about your handicapped child...that EACH handicapped child ALWAYS has a HIDDEN BLESSING. It just takes patience and eyesight to see that.

But a caution. Some areas of medicine come out with crocks...ADHD being the prime example. The treatment FOR ADHD, Ritalin, is a derivative of cocaine. Yet, better diets and stronger parenting skills do better than Ritalin.

And with big money in drugs and treatments, some caution towards diagnoses which are dubious and iffy. Normal kids get called Aspergers or ADHD for the wrong reasons. Which takes away from the need for services for the more severe cases of Autism.

[fluorisnuffd]

As one of the fluoridation snuffed of my generation growing up in the 70's with mysterious natural sleep paralysis autonomic breathing interruption, I can tell you that there isn't likely to be any discussion of known or potential causes including the obscene forcing of public drinking water fluoridation that has practically holed up the government into a cabalistic junta.

There is another message board offerred by CBS Nightly News:

http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?BoardID=762&ThreadID=190478&BoardsParam=Page%3d59%26nocache%3d1&lc=1033
Posts #705-#706
Read the definitive points of proof the CDC is defrauding the American public on a matter of national emergency implicating them and fluoridation.

[kathidee]

Thank you AspieDad!! I couldn't have said it better!! I am the widowed mom of two teenage boys that were diagnosed with AS at the age of 12. I knew something wasn't right, but it was chalked up to not being a good enough disciplinarian to there isn't anything wrong, they are just boys. Due to the ignorance of many individuals, I feel like I am starting to have my own social issues. I used to be a very social person and enjoyed being around others. I have now reached the point where I don't even want to leave my house. I am tired of so many people judging my boys and I. Tired of the remarks, the looks and the judgements. Thank you CBS for airing this. I only hope that the individuals that need to see this do and take heed. Also, hopefully individuals in decision making positions in schools, insurance companies and government officials will take heed as well.

[fluorisnuffd]

In fact, I knew it was going to be more important to post on this blog than watch the show tonight, because 60 MINUTES has a history of reporting the obscurantism of the savant autistic with unnatural mental powers.

Give us a break, dual diagnosed as mental retardation, autism effects upwards of 1 in 50, maybe more if kids were supposed to being doing better with unadulterated standards in public schools.

We live with populism trying to promote anti-intellectualism, that dumb is cute, and that ridicules any considered thought about anything.

Small wonder. Drink distilled.

[pannarino]

I have not seen the broadcast yet but want to say that I began working with brain injured children in 1971, retiring in 2001. I have been involved with many children with autism and their families. Autism is caused by injections! Early years it was the DPT shot. (Read the book: Shot in the dark.) Since the 80's doctors cover up..don't make comments in their notes to keep from getting sued! Contact Amanda Hart's mother in Dayton, Ohio...she sued and won a settlement.

[johnnye6]

So has any more research been done on the possible mercury vaccine connection?


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/14/eveningnews/main709269.shtml

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/07/01/autism_mercury_and_politics/

[ksfm3]

I am so furious after watching this segment. How can Steve Goodman sleep at night to say there has been no rise in the increase of autism. Also, thumbs down to 60 minutes and Leslie Stahl for not calling him on this and if there is no correlation to vaccines and nothing is wrong, why was the question not asked, why in 1991 was thermisal taken out of the vaccines!! come on 60minutes!!! Please show both sides of this controversy. I do appreciate anything to raise autism awareness, but please don't make the millions of americans who are affected by this horrific epidemic look like this is nothing or not happening.