Autism - Poll

thatgirl84 · October 2011

I don't want to start a debate...just want anonymous answers via the poll

Or...not-so-anonymous is fine by me.
[Poll]

Dani0701 · October 2011

I honestly don't think it could be genetics, bc why all of the sudden is every 1 in 110 kids being diagnosed? I'm a special ed teacher and it breaks my heart seeing how some of these children are stuck in their own minds and bodies and can't communicate. There are many ways for them to try to communicate (PECS books, audio devices, flash cards, etc) but I hate seeing in their eyes how frustrated they are. I hate that these babies are perfectly normal for almost 2 years, then bam! It's like a switch shuts off and they regress losing so many cognitive and developmental skills. I hope we find a way to cure it some day.

RClaffee · October 2011

I read a recent study that said that if one identical twin has autism, there is a 70% chance that the other will too. The same study also pointed out that that finding does not completely dispel the genetics theory because even id twins don't have exactly the same DNA, something I was really surprised to read.

Anyway, I think that a lot of it has to do with three things: First, a genetic proclivity for autism; Second, environmental factors in utero especially (that might explain why fraternal twins are more likely to both be autistic than two siblings are), and third, more and more people are having children later in life.

I also think a big part of why autism rates are skyrocketing is due to awareness and the broadening of the spectrum. At work, I see a few parents looking for an autism diagnosis for their child when the culprit could be another issue, but that is a whole different story.

Mrssjb · October 2011

The broadened spectrum is a major thing. I have seen dozens of kids diagnosed and after a few years of focus training at school suddenly they are "cured" but are actually labeled as misdiagnosed. I think the system will go through some more major changes in our lifetime

Dani0701 · October 2011

RLH315:

I read a recent study that said that if one identical twin has autism, there is a 70% chance that the other will too. The same study also pointed out that that finding does not completely dispel the genetics theory because even id twins don't have exactly the same DNA, something I was really surprised to read.

Anyway, I think that a lot of it has to do with three things: First, a genetic proclivity for autism; Second, environmental factors in utero especially (that might explain why fraternal twins are more likely to both be autistic than two siblings are), and third, more and more people are having children later in life.

I also think a big part of why autism rates are skyrocketing is due to awareness and the broadening of the spectrum. At work, I see a few parents looking for an autism diagnosis for their child when the culprit could be another issue, but that is a whole different story.

Mmm...you know, I completely forgot until you posted, one of the boys in a class I used to do summer work with had a twin that had it too. I've never met him, he was in a school for more behavior autistic children. That's sad that people are actually LOOKING for an autism diagnosis just to work the system to get more support for their child. That is true that the spectrum is soooo broad now, I think that if everyone were to get tested, they'd qualify to some degree!

just kita · October 2011

I recently took a class from someone who also teaches at harvard med school, and he told us he believes it probably has to do with the age of the father and nothing to do with vaccines. He didn't go into any more detail than that.

Tellyb0228 · October 2011

RLH315:

I read a recent study that said that if one identical twin has autism, there is a 70% chance that the other will too. The same study also pointed out that that finding does not completely dispel the genetics theory because even id twins don't have exactly the same DNA, something I was really surprised to read.

Anyway, I think that a lot of it has to do with three things: First, a genetic proclivity for autism; Second, environmental factors in utero especially (that might explain why fraternal twins are more likely to both be autistic than two siblings are), and third, more and more people are having children later in life.

I also think a big part of why autism rates are skyrocketing is due to awareness and the broadening of the spectrum. At work, I see a few parents looking for an autism diagnosis for their child when the culprit could be another issue, but that is a whole different story.

Yes.

thatgirl84 · October 2011

RLH315:
.
I also think a big part of why autism rates are skyrocketing is due to awareness and the broadening of the spectrum.

I think this is a big factor, but another one is the fact that formerly separate diagnosis started being considered a form of autism, such as aspergers. I think there are a few others, but I can't think of them atm.

SpceCadet · October 2011

Mrssjb:
The broadened spectrum is a major thing. I have seen dozens of kids diagnosed and after a few years of focus training at school suddenly they are "cured" but are actually labeled as misdiagnosed. I think the system will go through some more major changes in our lifetime

This is how I feel about my nephew. He was diagnosed with Autism at 2.5. He's the most normal kid and if you didn't know, you would never guess. Personally, I think his parents use the diagnosis as a crutch and excuse to allow certain behaviors. He has no problem with social interactions, looking people in the eyes, or communication. Academically, he needs special attention but not so much that there's a fear for his long-term success.

chuicafina · October 2011

I go to an annual "update" at Stanford provided by the researchers there. This by no means makes ME an expert on the subject, but I do appreciate the insight of the researchers providing us with the most "up to the minute" info on the subject. What they have basically said is this: 1-No one knows for sure. 2- There seems to be a combination of factors at play both genetic and environmental. 3- It's not vaccines.

At the preschool where I work (school for children with special needs...I'm an SLP there), my colleagues who have been there for 20+ years all say that the children we're getting now are more severe and more "abundant" (for lack of a better word) than they were before. So while I completely agree that there is plenty of over-diagnosis happening and a broadening spectrum of what qualifies as ASD, I don't think that's the whole picture. I think there is actually more autism now, which is scary.

Re: the genetic component...I find it a little disconcerting how many children we have at the preschool who have had siblings attend too. And I'm not talking about 2 kids who have minor language delays...I'm talking about 2 with definite autism. I guess it's tough to say whether this is genetic or environmental, but there are certainly more "repeat families" at our school to be due to chance.

Anyway, just my observations. I think the longer I work in this field the more humbling it is...we just don't know. Hopefully we can find a more definite cause soon.

TheMrsHodges · October 2011

I work at a school with kids that have autism as an educational aide and I agree with what others said regarding twins. Once of the boys in my class has an identical twin that is in another classroom and they both have autism. One of the aides that I work with told me that her son has autism and she believes that it is due to autism, her daughter does not have it, she said that her son was fine until they gave him two sets of vaccines at the same time instead of spacing them out a couple of months apart like they usually do. She said a week after the vaccines were given he had lost all of his milestones (crawling, talking...etc). I personally haven't done too much research on the subject but I don't necessarily believe that it's genetics specific, I think that environmental factors are at play. It's hard sometimes working with these kids especially being a parent of an infant thinking, what if it happens to my child, but it is so rewarding to see the progress that these kids make.

MommaA117 · October 2011

my personal opionion is environmental/chemicals in everything we eat, put on our bodies an breathe in. Not even necessarily things the baby takes in but their mother even before pregnancy.

Sure it is more diagnosed now but you cannot deny there is much more of it now then way back when and it cannot all be dx'ing it.

mrsmullins0500 · October 2011

I guess everyone has a diff. opinion on it. My husbands aunt has a son with autism, the worst case I've ever seen. She blames it on vaccines and seriously had me so scared of giving them to LO. DH and I discussed it between us and also with our doctor and we thought it was best to go ahead and do the vaccines. Her husband was almost 60 when they had their son so maybe that could of had something to do with it. It's scary to think about! Our doctor said she has a family at the practice with 2 children with autism so she thinks genetics may play a little part in it.

MommaA117 · October 2011

janbc06:
I guess everyone has a diff. opinion on it. My husbands aunt has a son with autism, the worst case I've ever seen. She blames it on vaccines and seriously had me so scared of giving them to LO. DH and I discussed it between us and also with our doctor and we thought it was best to go ahead and do the vaccines. Her husband was almost 60 when they had their son so maybe that could of had something to do with it. It's scary to think about! Our doctor said she has a family at the practice with 2 children with autism so she thinks genetics may play a little part in it.

or things the Mother could have been exposed to? Who really knows though.

I also have a friend who I went to HS with who's son has it pretty severe and she also blames vaccines.

MrsWaldo · October 2011

I think people are genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to environmental factors. I base that opinion on the majority of what I've learned about other developmental disabilities in my classes ( I'm majoring in cognitive impairment). Even though numbers are on the rise it's still a low incidence disability. Definitely don't think it's vaccines, however I do think some of the stuff in vaccines is a bit freaky (don't worry...lo is still getting vaxed.)

kas80 · October 2011

Without getting too much into my theory, I believe that whenever there is a large rise in something like autism you have to go back to when that rise happen and try to figure out what factors also increased. Minimally, that's when more genetic manipulation of food started occurring, more electronics were in homes, more widespread air pollution, more extensive fertility treatments started being used commonly and when the age of parents started increasing sharply. I don't think it's as easy as one thing causing it. However, I definitely don't think it was vaccines, I think they are easy to point to because they are given at the same times that autism symptoms start appearing and when you are looking for something to blame it's easy to go to the thing that caused your baby obvious discomfort recently.

chuicafina · October 2011

kas80:
Without getting too much into my theory, I believe that whenever there is a large rise in something like autism you have to go back to when that rise happen and try to figure out what factors also increased. Minimally, that's when more genetic manipulation of food started occurring, more electronics were in homes, more widespread air pollution, more extensive fertility treatments started being used commonly and when the age of parents started increasing sharply. I don't think it's as easy as one thing causing it. However, I definitely don't think it was vaccines, I think they are easy to point to because they are given at the same times that autism symptoms start appearing and when you are looking for something to blame it's easy to go to the thing that caused your baby obvious discomfort recently.

I agree with all this. I also think the theories are interesting. I tend to be suspicious of things like GM food though, so I could just be biased here.

RClaffee · October 2011

Dani0701:
RLH315:

I read a recent study that said that if one identical twin has autism, there is a 70% chance that the other will too. The same study also pointed out that that finding does not completely dispel the genetics theory because even id twins don't have exactly the same DNA, something I was really surprised to read.

Anyway, I think that a lot of it has to do with three things: First, a genetic proclivity for autism; Second, environmental factors in utero especially (that might explain why fraternal twins are more likely to both be autistic than two siblings are), and third, more and more people are having children later in life.

I also think a big part of why autism rates are skyrocketing is due to awareness and the broadening of the spectrum. At work, I see a few parents looking for an autism diagnosis for their child when the culprit could be another issue, but that is a whole different story.

Mmm...you know, I completely forgot until you posted, one of the boys in a class I used to do summer work with had a twin that had it too. I've never met him, he was in a school for more behavior autistic children. That's sad that people are actually LOOKING for an autism diagnosis just to work the system to get more support for their child. That is true that the spectrum is soooo broad now, I think that if everyone were to get tested, they'd qualify to some degree!

I don't think they are looking for it to work the system (at least I really really hope not). I think that there is something wrong with their child and they just want an answer. I feel badly every time we have to give a non-specific diagnosis because they parents feel so lost as to what to do. Even though autism is so awful, at least there is a plan of managing it.

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