I am not a consistent viewer of the show but I do try to watch when there is free time in my morning.   I usually enjoy the show but today’s segment on Autism irritated me a bit.   I understand the medical foundation of the show and preventive medicine is the route chosen for discussing certain topics.   I am curious as to why allied health options such as occupational therapy and other various resources were not provided for parents who have autistic children.   Most of the time was spent covering possible causes of autism when neither of the causes discussed have clear promising outcomes.   I personally felt that the show made it seem like there was nothing you can do once your child has such a disorder when there are numerous programs and therapy options available for these children that can help immensely.   You could have at least thrown in a link to some websites to help concerned new parents.    

I agree with mcimeg.  I would like to see a follow-up show discussing the various allied health options and other various resources.  I have a 4-year old grandson with PDD-NOS and he has shown improvement since he was placed on a gluten-free diet and in a “special needs” class.

Since autism is a pervasive condition and runs a spectrum of traits and severity, the concept of treatment implies it’s a disease.  It is instead however a neurological condition that per se has no cure but what is needed is support for developing coping mechanisms in the child or adult with an ASD.  Life is difficult for autistic people and their families, but we need to be careful to fully examine what “treatments” are out there since many have not been properly analyzed at to the effectiveness.  They may do some good and others are just benign and some can cause outright harm to the kids.  We need to be careful to use science and not just individual cases since people see what the hope so much to see (an improvement) so that they buy into anything that has been touted as a “treatment”.  Most of them turn out to be snake-oil.

Autism is on the rise at an alarming rate. That increase coincides with the increase of mass production of meat, poultry, milk and eggs. There may be a connection, “We are what we eat.” To raise thousands of animals in confined areas, some of the feed to start the young animals contains arsenic. Other daily feed given to all of them contains low levels of antibiotics and dewormer medicine in their water. Most dairy cows are given a synthetic bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) to increase milk production. The manure from these facilities, CFO/CAFO, is then applied in either liquid or solid form to crop land. It still contains remnants of the arsenic, antibiotics, dewormer, pathogens, bacteria, you name it. It then enters the air through the spraying application and surface and ground water by runoff or leaching. Plants absorb what is in the ground. Remember the spinach and tomato scare? By law, these big producers of our food supply don’t have to reveal what they have fed their livestock so the public doesn’t know what they are truly eating, even in vegetables. Due to lobbying by the big food corporations, we may not know for years to come if there is a connection to autism, but there should be independent studies, not paid for by the food corporations.

Heavy Metal Detox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Research has shown that Autistic children can decrease some if not all symptoms with heavy metal detoxs.

Having 1 child with Autism (PDD-NOS/Aspergers) three without I understand today’s couple dilema with raising them not to mimick the bad behaviors. I want to recommend a book to this couple and anyone else raising a child with any special need. Too Wise to be Mistaken, Too Good to be Unkind: Christian Parents Contend with Autism. I can be found at amazon.com. This book has some strict parenting styles of a religious nature. But even if you are not religious I believe the overall message of the book is a must read for any parent even without a child with special needs or disabilities. The message I took from reading this book is that it is the child’s heart that needs to be cared for first. If the heart is cared for the rest will follow. I journaled online when my son was younger for a short period of time. He is now 18 and I read those entries a few weeks ago and just cried. He has progressed so far that I had literally forgotten how truly BAD things were when he was younger and how hard it was on his siblings. I am a believer that vacinations were the factor in the cause for his autism, I am still looking for answers. We did delay vacinations and still ended up with this diagnosis. Just know that there is hope, but it takes LOTS of dedication and hard work. I have to say I am in awe of today’s family. I only have one child with autism, I cant even begin to imagine the patience it takes to have 4 AND 3 other children as well. I applaud your courage and perserverance. I know I used to want to wear a shirt that said “He is not undisciplined or a brat-he has autism” I learned not to judge other people’s parenting skills. I also carried business cards and handed them out to the busy bodies who thought they needed to tell me how to parent. One side reads For More Information call 1-800-3-AUTISM
The other side says
MY CHILD HAS AUTISM
You are observing a developmentally disabled child. Coby has severe language and behavior disorders. At times he becomes confused, upset, disoriented, or violent. We, as parents are trying to teach him to function in society. Anything you may see us do is for the benefit of Coby and safety for all. Please do not stare as this gives him unwanted attention for inappropriate behavior.
Please excuse his actions!!
My journal page is http://www.angelfire.com/nm/praisinHim/aut.html if anyone would like to read.

I have numerous people both friend and family with Autistic children. All of their children presented with symtoms almost immediately after vaccinations, some at birth and most at 18 months. Historically the introduction of thimerisol into vaccines coinsided with the jump in rates. 1 in 10,000 in the 80’s and beginning in the nineties the rates begin to climb and is now 1 in 150. Mercury was added in the early nineties to vaccines. My personal hypothesis is that the mercury suppresses the immune system so much that opportunistic pathogens attack the body at it’s weakess point. Is the mercury causing the autism or causing the conditions that lead to it. Whatever the case MERCURY IS HIGHLY TOXIC and what are we even thinking injecting it into newborns that can’t even regulate their own body temperature or for that matter any one else. The Drs kept interupting the one Dr when he tried to explain that mercury is STILL in many childrens vaccines including the flu vaccine. What are you trying to cover up? This is life and you will be held accountable for how you mislead the people.

i completely agree with mcimeg that the show should have covered more resources and options that families facing autism have. the show definitely left a negative imprint on the disorder, leaving no ray of hope for families with autistic children.

am i the only one who found it a little upsetting that the parets featured on the autism segment said that they are continuing to have children so that their non autistic children can take care of their siblings affected with the disorder? what kind of environment is that to raise children? they are going to have enough issues trying to develop normally in a family with so many difficulties, do they really need the pressure knowing that they were only conceived to be the caretakers of their autistic sibling while their parents are away?

MY SON IS NOW 4 1/2 YEARS OLD…AT AGE 1, HE WAS A NORMALLY DEVELOPING CHILD WITH EYE CONTACT, VERBUAL COMMUNICATION, AND INTERACTION WITH OTHERS…6 DAYS AFTER HIS MMR VACCINE HE HAD A SEIZURE…I TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FEVER SEIZURE, WHICH DID NOT MAKE SENSE CAUSE HE DID NOT HAVE A FEVER AND WAS NOT SICK…I WITNESSED MY CHILD CHANGE BEFORE MY EYES, HE WOULD SPIN FOR HOURS IF YOU LET HIM, THERE WAS NO EYE CONTACT, AND HE BECAME NON-VERBEL.. IT TOOK UNTIL HE WAS 3 1/2 TO GET HIM DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM… I BELIEVE THAT THE MMR VACCINE CAUSED THE AUTISM … I ALSO BELIEVE A CEASIN FREE & GLUTEN FREE DIET HELPS HIM…WHICH IS ALSO NOT PROVEN IN STUDIES… PLEASE ASK PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM WHAT THE RESULTS OF VACCINES ARE ON THIER CHILDREN AND HOW DIET CAN HELP…I HAVE A 3 1/2 YEAR OLD WHO CAN NOT TELL ME HIS NAME…MAY YOU NEVER HAVE TO WALK IN THE SHOES OF A PARENT OF AN AUSTISTIC CHILD…

I mentioned that I do believe vaccinations can be a cause of autism. I failed to mention that the only vaccine I give my children is the tetnus. Yes, you can get JUST the tetnus. Many Drs will tell you that you cant, but you can. Every single vaccination can be given individually. Anytime anyone asks me for my opinion and if they are dead set on getting vaccinations my recommendation is to delay until at least 6 mths of age and give one vaccination at a time at least 2 weeks apart. Yes, this is a lot of Dr visits; but it is also the quality of life for your child.

I am a lay researcher and study various modalities that would be considered alternative. I have many friends and family with autistic children. Without exception they all presented with autism after receiving a vaccination either at birth or most of them at 18 months. I personally suspect that the mercury suppresses the immune system opening the door for opportunistic pathogens that cause the autism. Regardless of  that, WHAT ARE WE THINKING GIVING THE MOST HIGHLY TOXIC HEAVY METAL TO NEWBORNS, or anyone else for that matter, THAT CAN"T EVEN REGULATE THEIR OWN BODY TEMPERATURE? This is insanity. We are not supposed to throw away thermometers in landfills but we can inject mercury into children? There are safer alternatives to preserve the vaccines so why do we not immediately stop using mercury? I am very disappointed in Dr Sears and the other Drs on the panel for interrupting the one guest Dr that was trying to point out the fact that MERCURY IS STILL IN CHILDHOOD VACCINES AND THE FLU VACCINE. What are they trying to cover up? Is it that important to insulate the pharmaceuticals at the expense of these children and their parents? Look at the statistics. In the 1980’s autism rates were 1 in 10,000. In the early 1990’s Thimerisol (mercury) was introduced to vaccines and the rates began to climb. Now it’s 1 in 150. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Bottom line, mercury is a poison yes or no? If you doubt what I have said here call the CDC in Atlanta, GA and ask them if mercury is in the flu vaccines. Of course they will say it is organic mercury. Like that makes it better. The amount in childhood vaccines has been reduced not removed. I am sick of the pharmaceuticals having their way in poisoning the public. Vioxx, Vitoryn, Celebrex, Statins and the list goes on. Do your own due diligence it’s your child.

I understand peoples’ need to have something or someone to blame for their autistic child.  It used to be thought in the 60’s that it was due to bad parenting … thank God that has been totally dismissed.  However, there is a lot of research that points to a definite genetic link and additionally that refutes the vacination theory. 

All that I can say is that I predate all of the current vaccines and am still on the autistic spectrum (one of the 1 in 150).  I don’t blame anyone or anything for my differences, in fact they are a part of me and my personality that I’m not sure I would like to change.

I blame the pharmatucals and the government. Autism is on the rise and the government or medical health don’t want to acknowledge the hardship the parents take. I don’t understand why Medicare doesn’t pay for these therapy!
This is a neourological disease and no known cause but children with Alchol fetal symdrome are covered till they are 18. When that disease is preventable by the parents. I don’t how many parents sell their houses,their retirement, etc… to help thier child. The divorce rates are also up, having an autistic child. I know some states have started provided therapy through their health plan.I am from Canada and we only get $6000.00 a year for therapy for our son since he has turned six but if under 6 you get $20 thousand but that isn’t enough because they need occupational, physio and speech. Anyways .

High functioning autism is B.S.  Psychology is not science, and parenting does have a lot to do with it.

One of the first books I picked up on autism began with the story of a boy who insisted on undressing himself every time he got in the car.  The parents believed it was easier to allow him to do this than to deal with his temper tantrums.  How on earth was he supposed to learn that temper-tantrums are socially inappropriate behavior?  He was given absolutely no consequence.  So when did a temper tantrum become a symptom of a disorder?  When did people come to believe that parenting isn’t supposed to be hard? I saw the segment on Oprah where a mother tried to force her twelve year old daughter to get on a swing.  What right did the mother have to do that?  How would you respond if someone tried to do that to you?  That mother inparticular was emotionally abusive.  Refusing to look someone in the eye (there are some cultures in which it’s considered rude, btw, some indigenous cultures right here in the U.S.) is a matter of personal choice.  Ever think maybe the kid thinks you’re an *sshole?

I came in at the tail end of the autism segment, so I didn’t see how much they went into what is and isn’t science during that conversation.  But I did see the fact or myth segment where they cited a study that claimed sugar doesn’t make kids hyperactive.  Almost all the doctors disagreed with the study.  But I couldn’t help wondering why they didn’t discuss the scientific validity of the study, or the difference between solid and junk science.  It has to do with more than just who put up the cash.

For instance, the reasons why Psychology is not science is explained in layman’s terms by an award winning scientist here: http://www.arachnoid.com/psychology/index.html

And then take a look at “Asperger’s by Proxy” to really blow your mind. http://www.arachnoid.com/psychology/aspergers.php

To forumpostar,

I have a degree in Mathmatics (described as a
pure science) from a well-respected university.  Just because
Psychology is somewhat misdirected as per scientific method doesn’t
mean that all of the assumptions are false (some are, some are not).

I read your links to the articles questioning psychology and aspergers.  The falacy in your assumptions is that unscientific observations are incorrect.  In fact, that’s not the case, observations can be correct even though they haven’t been “proven”. 

I can quarantee you that high-level autism (or aspergers) does exist and that it pre-dates the definition in the DSM-IV.  I can tell you that not all autistic or asperger people throw temper tantrums or have otherwise “inappropriate behavior” … I was probably considered the “perfect” child since I was so withdrawn that I was afraid to show any rebelion.

Please open your mind and see that there are other perceptions other than what you think you see.  A lot of parents and autistic adults are affected by how people percieve them.  The life is not easy, but it is life as God has willed it.

Bob S.