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10/06/09 | Report as spam
Is Autism really a disease?
Think about it. Autistics have a tendency to focus on a single
subject or ability to the exclusion of everything going on
around them. This makes them perfect for specializing in
almost any given industry where attention to detail and
concentration are critical.
Could it not be that Autism is nothing but the next step in
Human Evolution?
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It is an issue that needs addressing
There is a child in my son's "year 3" class (age 7-8) and he is diagnosed as ADHD. This child is out of control most of the time and is frequently physically violent to other children, my son included.
The boy is classed as "special measures" (whatever that means) but I strongly think he would be better served by being in a special school.
Currently the politically correctly mishandling of this one child is ruining the education and school experience of at least twenty nine other children.
Where is the sense in that?
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Wow, I've actually always wondered why they over diagnose
kids with ADD and ADHD when most of the time they do not
have the disorder. It makes sense to do it to give those kids
the attention they need, however medically immoral it may be.
However, giving a child attention is different than pumping
them full of drugs, which is the "solution" to ADHD in kids. I
truly hope this new trend stops with autism. That is a serious
condition, but if it's overly diagnosed, no one will take it
seriously. I know I never took ADHD seriously when in school,
as even I was diagnosed with having it. Thank goodness my
parents did not subscribe to that.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
You can think what you like. Controversy will always exist. However, for those families that have children and/or adults with this disease, the concern is how to care for them for their entire lives. There are different levels of the disease, with some who are extremely intelligent but who have issues dealing with people (behavioral problems). Then there are others at the opposite end of the spectrum who have other diagnoses that also impact their lives.
There is a problem regardless of whether it's 1% or 10% or 0.01%. If it affects you and your family, it's 100%.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Whatever the diagnosis and treatment it costs money and expertise to deal with. Both disorders also can have genetic components, adding complications in treatment- ie parents who may need special attention. Unfortunately good intentions and wants also require a lot of extra time, energy, and money. Interesting too, many spectrum "disordered" may end up in IT and engineers. Someone I know works with both in the schools as an OT. She is convinced there are more spectrum disordered, not just more diagnosed.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
I agree with jwurster. These are spectral disorders, with impacts ranging from minimal to severe. They are neither mutually exclusive nor inclusive, and adding to the complexity, there are other behavioral, cognitive, and learning disabilities that may be layered on as well, like verbal processing deficits (I see what you are asking me to do, but I don't understand what you are saying) and the reverse, visual processing deficits (I understand what you are saying, but I don't understand the picture).
Finally, layer on the several types of intelligence to the picture:
1.Linguistic and verbal intelligence: good with words
2.Logical intelligence: good with math and logic
3.Spatial intelligence: good with pictures
4.Body/movement intelligence: good with activities
5.Musical intelligence: good with rhythm
6.Interpersonal intelligence: good with understanding and relating to others
7.Intrapersonal intelligence: good with analyzing thoughts and motivations inside oneself
8.Naturalist intelligence: good with understanding natural world
Now you get some idea of the complexity of these issues, and how obviously and severly impacted children require a lot of "peeling the onion" before an effective diagnosis can be made.
Some of this is genetic, some environmental (both intellectual/emotional and physical), some neurological. Some conditions are treatable behaviorally, some require medication, some both. Unfortunately there is nothing but anecdotal data to support diet, or other 'alternative' treatments.
The bottom line: As we value 'higher performance' more as a society, the more emphasis there will be on identifying and treating conditions that impede that performance, and with that greater number of diagnoses for intellectual, behavior and emotional issues.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Why is society so obsessed with labeling children and then drugging them into submission, instead of making the effort to determine the true source of their behavior?
My stepdaughter was diagnosed as 'adhd' by the school system, people with no medical training. It took years and trips to numerous doctors before we found one who did more than spend 5 minutes with her before agreeing with the school system and prescribing mind and mood altering drugs that did nothing to help. We finally found a doctor who took the time to do a full physical on her and found that she had a congenital birth defect known as Klippel-Feil Syndorme, caused by the fusing of vertebrae in the neck while in the womb. The clues were there but nobody could be bothered to take the time to look. By the time we found out what the problem was, the damage to her psyche had been done. And, even though we had a diagnosis, the school system refused to accept it and continued to label her and to treat her as an unwanted problem to be ignored.
Thanks to the SPEDDs (Self-Proclaimed Experts with Dimestore Diplomas) she dropped out of school, has no useful skills and suffers from extremely low self-esteem, on top of the health problems caused by her defect.
Also, after years of interacting with families of 'adhd' or 'autistic' children, I have found that lower income families, with little or no insurance are far more likely to get a diagnosis of 'adhd' or 'autism' than those who do have insurance. These diagnoses have nothing to do with wanting to get the kids the help they need and everything to do with greed and not wanting to make an effort to find the cause.
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Are inner city schools full of geniuses?
I have a hard time blaming teachers that have to deal with a wide spectrum of children for not being 'sensitive' enough for a disorder that affects 1% of kids.
Also to the first commenter. Autism isn't just about 'focusing' but rather an inability to understand how human relationships work. Often times their parent is no more important to them than a chair.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Sounds like the Psychs have figured out how to create another customer for their buddies in Big Pharma. When are people going to see that all this crap diagnosing is just a way for a billion dollar industry to ensure their vested intrests are met and expanded. Sadly, at the expense of our children's lives!
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Anthony Hunt
You have a very "japanese" attitude toward ADHD. The nail that sticks up must be hammered down.
The kid needs treatment, not ridicule. It's possible he was just identified and the parents won't medicate, yet are standing on their rights.
I grant you it's a problem. The kid needs help they are not getting. But a "special ed" class won't get it for them.
One more thing. About 47 years ago I was that kid.
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27mbrown
I think you're the person to answer Anthony Hunt's concerns. You admit the condition but deny the treatment. Should his son's classmate thus be thrown in a rubber room? You won't allow the kid to be given stimulants -- which we know work.
What is your solution?
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Presspop
There are mis-diagneses all the time. But it's far more likely that a lower-income kid won't be discovered at all -- and will wind up in jail -- than that their ADHD will get any treatment whatsoever.
You describe a situation that is crying out for more understanding. It's hard to believe you weren't treated well even after you had an accurate diagnosis, and tragic.
Sort of puts my own struggles in perspective. Thanks.
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Doctorpm
What kind of doctor are you? Astrology?
Medical diagnosis and treatment are imperfect, and medication is highly imperfect, but many do get relief, and lead fulfilling lives instead of being discarded.
It's your attitude of denial that is the real problem here. A lot more kids are left undiagnosed and unidentified, still, due in part to attitudes like yours, than are being helped.
Point is, psychology is complex. It gets better all the time. We can offer relief, through therapy and medication. But if you're going to deny reality we can't help you -- or your kids.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
first let's discuss autism. there is no set diagnosis for this condition, it all depends on the observer. so many aspects of this condition can and are characteristics of a number of other conditions that are good, not bad. a child that is uninterested in what is happening around him may truly have no interest in this because what is happening is boring him. some children just like to be alone, either because they do not enjoy others or because they are too busy doing their own thing and do not want to be disturbed. autism ********. were the numbers of 'autistic children really true, we would have a society of disfunctional people. though it is true the workplace is full of mediocre people, few if any can be called disfunctional when it comes to doing their jobs.
at such time a real, conclusive diagnosis of autism is found and that can show there is a specific rceognizable condition that excludes all others, then we can start to discuss the numbers of autstic children or adults there are in our population.
i have pretty much the same feeling about adhd. much of it is in the eye of the beholder. there is hardly a real workable diagnosis. a child with exceptional ability will be frustrated by having to work with those that are not as smart nor quick. a child at the other end will have the same frustation at having to try to do the impossible and keep up with those that are smarter and quicker.i would submit that frustration will show at either end and that will show as bad behavior.
we have a hard enough time diagnosing real diseases for which there are diagnostic tests. how does one tell the difference bamong alzheimer's disease,senility or just plain forgetfullness common in the old? there are plenty of specific diseases thatneed careful testing to diagnose. when either of the two childhood condiotions above lend themselves to a specific test for their diagnosis, we can forget about assigning numbers.
we are a nation of paniced people, brought on by a lot of happenings and mostly by propoganda put out by the uniformed. many in this country do not know any more who to believe so they take shelter in arcane, obscure, and mystical beliefs that defy rationality. talking rationally to most of the great unwashed is a study in frustration because they are willing to believe any nonsense as long as it reinforces the stand they have already taken. we are being treated to this in the talk of autism and attention deficit. believe what you will, but unless you can show repeatable proof, all of it is just uneducated guess.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Dana,
My Grandson (age 10) was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 7. He was put on Ritalin and showed some improvement. However, we did not want him on drugs. We were told by a doctor that ADHD is often caused by a digestive tract problem called "leaky gut." We put him on a gluten-free, casein-free diet, which eliminated most of the ADHD behavior. We were advised to give him some additional supplements as well. Today, he is off drugs and an honor student in school. Gluten is the protein in wheat and casein is the protein in dairy. My 42 year old son-in-law, who also had ADHD, went on the diet as well. He now feels healthier. They buy a lot of their food from www.gfMeals.com and Whole Foods Market. Many think that ADHD is also on the autism spectrum. If you include ADHD, the statistic goes from 1:100 to 1:8.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
My name is Susan. Our son also was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6. He has always been "brilliant" intellectually. In a Christian school until 10th grade, he was "labeled" and often in trouble. If something happened.... "Joey did it", whether or not he did. His pediatrician (for most all of his life) told me, when he was 15, ... "You might now want to familiarize yourself with the judicial system" and "You've gone beyond me now, he needs more help than I can give." At age 16 we FINALLY (I praise the Lord) received a diagnosis of Asperger's. EVERYTHING now made so much sense. No more suspensions or detentions. I not only understand him better, but our relationship is so much better now. He is achieving success. We have now also become advocates for Asperger training. It is so needful.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
I believe autism IS the disorder du-jour. School counselors are seeing it everywhere. I have a 7 year old son who learned to read and write early (age 2 to 21/2), loves letters and numbers, pretty much learned all of this on his own, although we encouraged his interest. He is also someone who does better in small groups. In a large classroom he was pretty quiet and, because he wasn't in the middle of the games the other kids played, I got repeated comments about making sure he was around his peer group so he could learn to get along better. Note: he has been around his peers since age 18 months. But whatever they play he appears bored with or like he can't figure out why they want to play it.
He got to public school. He had an excellent teacher who did her best to encourage him and keep him from getting bored even thought she had a class of 20.. She asked for a counselor to look in on him to help her figure out some more ways to use his intellect and challenge himself. Rather than see a child who was ahead of the class and was bored yet quietly entertaining himself, every move my son made was interpreted as a sign of "autistic tendencies".
This was confirmed by both a letter and a call from the school encouraging us to have him fully screened and including the legal language they have to use stating that "we refused to have testing done that the school counselor felt was warranted".
This year he is in Montessori, he is having a blast, I am not getting comments from his teacher. The class is small (5 kids) and he is allowed to work on what he is interested in and ways are found to keep him working on the things that don't interest him so much.
I did some research and the number 1 symptom/behavior a child MUST be exhibiting om order to diagnose is "problems with social behavior that are SEVERE ENOUGH TO IMPAIR THE CHILD'S ABILITY TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS."
If that symptom is not exhibited, a diagnosis of Autism, per DSM IV, cannot be made, nor pervasive developmental disorder no aspergers. My son did not exhibit any social problems of this type. In fact he is extremely sociable, especially with adults. He was a child who was more advanced than his peers in intelligence and, while wanting to share his interests, could find no peer interested in the same things. He did watch and play other kids' games for awhile but I think mainly to get along rather than any real enjoyment.
In all other respects he acts like a regular, normal boy (which can be very annoying but not worrying). I have a friend with a son the same age and her child is demonstrably autistic and they spend a fortune on treatment and therapy for him because so little is covered by insurance and/or state assistance.
I understand the need for early intervention but I think, as usual, the system has gone overboard. If I had been the type of parent who went along with everything the school system said, I would be worried sick about my child, even though the pediatrician and nearly every other adult who interacted with him did not agree with the tendered diagnosis.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
I suggest you all take a look at Daniel Amen's book Healing ADD. It refers to ADD because it was written about the time they chenged the name from ADD to ADHD. Dr. Amen does SPECT brain images (similar to PET scans) that show brain acitivity. He does a resting scan and a scan with the patient trying to focus. With a normal patient the prefrontal lobes will light up (showing activity) when the patient tries to focus. With someone with ADHD, the prefrontal lobes will get darker. I can see this in my daughter who has ADHD - when whe tries to focus she strains and strains and finally gets angry and yells, "I can't do this!"
There are other parts of the brain that are over or under active in various forms of ADD or ADHD - Dr. Amen identifies 6 types of ADD/ADHD.
I have read a lot about how "mainstream" doctors reject Dr. Amen's work, but mostly what I have been able to find claims that spect is not ready for this kind of research, and where someone bothers to elaborate it is typically about increased cancer rates caused by spect scans. From other research these seem to be somewhere between 1/1000 or 1/2000 cancers per scan. I don't know how freely Dr. Amen does scans, but his writings make it sound like he does them without concern about cancer. I don't agree with this. But that doesn't mean that his work is invalid. I have a degree in physics and several experimental design classes, and while I have not see much of the details of his studies, I find the information I have seen pretty convincing, assuming of course that his reporting is accurate.
I have my daughter on over the counter meds based on evaluations and recommendations in his book. She is much improved - she still is struggling with focusing (L-Tyrosine) but her anger is very much improved (GABA) as is her tendency to compulsions (St. John's Wart).
He also identifies Autism with reduced temporal lobe activity.
For more info on Dr. Amen's ideas go to http://www.amenclinics.com/clinics/professionals/how-we-can-help/
Disclosure - I have no relationship to Dr. Amen except that his work seems to have helped my daughter.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
I agree with you in most all you said. There is one exception. Its not just now that the spectrum of autistic disorders is discussed. The PDD diagnosis has been there for ages, and the Asperger's diagnosis came about as a specific subtype of autism from its conception. Still, I see autism, especially Aspereger's, as the new flavor-of-the month. It did not secede ADHD. Bipolar Disorder did that. Another diagnosis with validity but way overused. A Psychologist, Psychiatrist, whomever needs to do a thorough review of family and personal history and then utilyze test instruments correctly. This involves evaluating strengths and weaknesses of the youth and from there obtaining a diagnosis. One should NEVER test FOR a diagnosis. this leads to incorrect conclusions. I do hope the consumers (mainly the family) benefits from your article and at least develops the knowledge base to ask the appropriate questions.
Dr. Kelly L. Hern
Licensed Psychologist GA, KY, IN
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
I concur with what Aubrian wrote. We were told, more than once, that our son's high intelligence was actually causing him the problems in school. He was "too smart" we were told. We were able to sense at maybe 8 years of age that he was often bored in the school classes. This was evident by his tendency to be disruptive and yet still he was learning all the course material that was being taught to ALL 3 grade levels being taught in the same classroom. But we were being told he was not concentrating???? Go figure.
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someoneIlovehasautism
There is often a disconnect between treating the behavioral problems of ADHD and delivering the intellectual rigor a kid is ready for.
We had that problem with our son. We still have it. I'd hoped he would get into a really good college and be challenged there, but none will take him until his behavioral condition improves -- or until it's at least identified through a collegiate-driven process.
So that's where we are.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Last weekend my wife and I traveled 5 hours from New Jersey up the east coast to attend a conference offered by the Gottschall Autism Center in Massachusetts.
The agenda for the conference was "When The Belly IS The Beast." After a welcome from Ms. Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Society, my wife and I were honored to have participated in a presentation offered by Dr. Martha Herbert.
Dr. Herbert is an internationally renowned researcher, speaker, author and expert on the genetics and neurology of autism. She is also a pediatric neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.
My wife and I found the presentation "How Understanding Autism as an Ongoing, Active Process Can Make A Difference" simply eye opening. Dr. Herbert's articulate and informative review of the latest findings from recent studies was breath taking. Dr. Herbert shared how these recent findings are drawing scientists closer to understanding the importance of how intestinal function plays a pivotal role in behavior, communication, socialization, and cognition in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
We often think of autism as a developmental disorder or a neuropsychiatric problem. While it's true that one may inherit genetic traits which establish autism, scientists now have an understanding of the role the environment contributes to this disorder. Epigenetics (environmental changes to DNA) has been shown to adversely effect an increasing segment of our population, sadly our children.
One shocking revelation was the presentation of findings of a study focusing on umbilical cord blood. The laboratory test revealed a total of 287 chemicals present out of 413 chemical tested in the umbilical cord blood of these babies. Of the 287 chemicals detected in umbilical cord blood:
180 cause cancers,
208 cause birth defects,
211 disrupts the hormone system,
217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system,
263 cause impairment to reproductive system, and list goes on.
Nearly 200 have been banned from the market for years.
It's a damming indictment of what the American public is consuming and exposed to. Visit 287campaign.org for more info.
Autism is a behaviorally defined syndrome. Biology is not part of the definition (an neither is the prognosis.) The secondary features of autism ARE biological:
Seizures, cognitive deficits, sensorimotor abnormalities, savant skills, immune impairments, GI distress (50-75%). food allergies (-50+%)
Autism is presumably Heterogeneous Biologically but autism is biological.
The cumulative percentage change of autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental retardation over two decades finds an incomprehensible 1200% INCREASE in autism.
Scientists are now understanding that gene-environment interactions are NOT either-or but BOTH-AND. Gene and environment probably effect most cases - ASD can be both 80% genetic and 80% environment.
But why did my wife and I travel 5 hours for this conference most of all? My son and I have issues. I was recently diagnosed as having celiac disease.
Celiac disease manifests itself as a severe gluten sensitivity. Imagine living 45+ years and being told that you can no longer tolerate (as if I ever did) wheat, barley or rye. Having a colonoscopy resulted in a biopsy that diagnosed this autoimmune disorder.
Please pray for me as I can no longer partake in the joys of my youth: devil dogs, pizza, any kind of bread, beer, soy sauce, cereal, etc. Wheat is in EVERYTHING!!!
More to the point: my diagnoses and subsequent dietary change alleviated other symptoms I was having as well as symptoms my son had as well. My son has Asperger's and Tourette's Syndrome. I was diagnosed as being Bipolar over 20+ years ago. Unexpectedly, many of my symptoms were alleviated as was the case for my son. Our ability to control our moods has greatly improved as is our digestive health. What I tolerated and associated as a routine side effect of a prescription drug went away.
Further, I've recently learned that Depakote (valproic acid) may be contra-indicated for patients of the ASD spectrum.
The second part of the conference was presented by Pamela Ferro, RN, President of the Gottschall Autism Center and Co-Founder of Hopewell Autism Associates. She shared her medical experience and knowledge regarding her topic: "Gastrointestinal Pathology and the Use of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet."
In a nutshell, Ms Ferro explained and articulated how the SCD works. By eliminating foods that are known to be toxic in my gastrointestinal system my family and I experience markedly improved health. Ms. Ferro explained how to "Break The Vicious Cycle." Visit www.gottschallcenter.com for more indepth information.
Simply, by avoiding certain carbohydrates one promotes healing of the gut. No more gastric distress, no more moodiness.
To answer the question, "Is autism just the new ADHD?"
ADHD is now thought of as ASD as was discussed in the conference. It is now one manifestation of the ASD spectrum.
As to weather autism is not thought to be curable, we have advanced from genes causing brain damage to genes plus environment causing brain damage. What's wrong is that the mainstream of scientific thought is not looking at mechanism as something ACTIVE, being caused every day by things we may be able to address and treat.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
I think it is fatalistic to say that any brain disorder is incurable.
My son is an Asperger's child and it was evident enough at 2 years
old that we were able to identify that something was wrong and began
to work towards both a complete diagnosis and a cure. As far as a
diagnosis, it finally came when he was 5 years old. As far as a cure,
well, there is no medicinal cure, but there is good old hard work and perseverance. First off, for my son, learning anything takes maybe as
much as 10 times more practice than it does for the average child.
This means as parents, we find ourselves reteaching to our son
several times over everything the elementary teacher already taught
him, just to help him understand the basics. It also means working
and communicating closely with my son's teachers to help educate them
as well as work out plans on how to help my son learn every topic in
school. It isn't easy, but we have had a lot of success. My son this
year got his first A on his report card along with his normal D's and
C's, which is more than we had hoped for. While my son is still far
from average, we still see a bright future for him, even college.
One thing that I have learned in all this... the brain has far more
capacity to change, adapt, and excel that most of us give it credit.
It just takes lots and lots of practice with Autistic kids.
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10/07/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
My 6 year old son has been diagnosed as "autistic". I put it in quotes because out of our entire family, I and my mother are the only ones who want to see it.
The rest of the family (My wife, her mom and dad, grandparents ect) refuse to admit that our son is autistic. The reason they refuse to admit it is simple. Autism has NO CURE and no real treatment. Sure they can pump the high functioning ones full of anti-aggression mends but it really doesnt help.
My son is Autistic, a form of mental retardation. While he is considered "High functioning" he lacks some of the simple skills needed in life. He constantly pee's his pants because he is so focused on something he forgets he has to use the rest room. He attacks other children because they make fun of him (In his mind he misunderstands simple criticism as personal assaults on him)
He can barely write his name (letters backwards or upsidedown) and yet the school system here refuses to see him as Autistic. They would rather classify him as emotionally disturbed because it gets them more cash as opposed to mentally retarted which nets them next to nothing for students.
Long story made short... If people are intentionally misdiagnosing kids as Autistic just to get them kept in school please stop. You have no idea what its like to have an autistic child. Knowing that for the rest of his life, even at a "high" functioning level, you will have to care for him because he will never get to a point of self sufficiency.
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10/07/09 | Report as spam
Relorian
One of my great life frustrations was our school district's refusal to recognize my son's ADHD until it became a police matter.
But you don't have to wait.While the courts still hold there is no "requirement to identify" kids with autism or ADHD, the Supremes did rule this spring that if you tell the school about the condition, they do nothing, and you have to send the kid to a private school, you can make the public district pay for that private school.
The amount of extra funding given school districts to help dyslexics, ADHD kids, and autistic kids is still pitiful, but now you have some leverage.
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10/07/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
The fact is and remains: we need extensive autism research. I personally believe from my own research that we can treat virtually any brain disorder. In the case of autism, however, that may be difficult if it is caused by a chemical imbalance that interferes with neuronal communication.
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RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
My 17 year old step son was first treated as someone with ADHD. First Ritilin and then Straterra. It slowed him enough that he was able to maintain eye contact. When 'Time' magazine did a cover story on we finally had a label for what Randy had. It didn't really change anything... since the day he was diagnosed with ADHD we have worked with the school system to ensure he had the accomodations he needed. With he diagnosis of Aspbergers, nothing has really changed. The school system has worked closely with us to help him excell in those areas he is able to and to get thorugh those things he struggles with.
He is about to graduate high school and his talent is writing. He wants to be a journalist and yet he has trouble crossing the street. NOW is when we need the extra help. Now is when we, as parents, wonder what next.
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10/08/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Adressing JP Morton's comments. Our Joey will be 18 in November. He will graduate High School (with an advanced diploma... but boy have we been through a lot these past years!) in May of 2010. Before school ended last Spring we ( we live in Alabama) signed him up with the State Vocational Rehab Department. A case manager will now pick him up when he exits high school and follow him through his next years until he is 25 years old.... if that be vocational school or college or even a job. They will assist (some financial) with him making applications, with school accomodations if they become necessary, with training for life/independent skills, etc. At this point, Joey (still sometimes emotionally younger than his almost 18 years) is really not ready to leave our home, (which is fine for me at least until I am comfortable with his being on his own...) and will need sturctural support as his maturity catches up with him. So, the local Junior College is going to be a good thing for him. He can learn about how things go with higher education, still live at home and have us as emotional security and the rehab case worker for guidance as well. Then he may go on to a four year school from there or maybe a job he may be cut out for. Time will tell. He is brilliant with numbers and repetitive assignments. (He thinks he wants to work with animals somewhere... like in a zoo) My suggestion might be for you to look at the state level where you are to see if this kind of help is available for you guys too. Susan
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11/09/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Both are terms used to describe affects of brain dysfunction and are subjective diagnosis of human observation.
A normal brain is multitasking.
Autism as a description of behavior due to physical brain abnormalities can be caused by heavy metal concentration inside brain cells, kept there by wireless radiation, producing toxins and causing brain cell deformity or cell death. Mercury is a heavy metal.
Another explanation seldom encountered is the possibility of embedded or implanted devices and/or communications access to the brain. These technologies are very advanced and the uses of them can be physio and psycho mimetic of symptoms observed and categorized as Autism, ADHD, and other brain disorders.
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11/13/09 | Report as spam
Reply to Presspop #7
What state were you in at the time, that mere school officials had the right to make diagnoses? In most states, even every one that I know of, only a medical professional, usually a psychiatrist or psychologist, has the right to make that diagnosis. The school administration must then take the special education measures required for children with such a diagnosis.
So, for example, "Identifying, Assessing and Treating Autism at School" by Stephen E. Brock et al. lists the requirements specified by the California Department of Developmental Services as (p54-5):
1) Qualification to render a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) under the provision of California state licensure.
2) Documented appropriate and specific supervision and training in ASD as well as experience in the diagnosis of ASD.
The list goes on.
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11/21/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
People like you are the problem in America today. Until you have been touch by Autism you should keep your opinions to yourself. Kids that simply need attention do not have Autism. Do you think we want our kids to have Autism? I'm am lucky that mine have speech. But that has been years and years of work and speech therapy. Kids that suffer from lack of attention can still talk on their own. Autism is more than just behavior problems, it all stems from an inability to communicate properly. And because of that their behaviors don't develop as they should. So once you get the speech to anything close to normal you realize that socially they are so far behind. Whatever the cause of Autism these kids need help and people that doubt it like you make my life a living hell. Everyday I work ten times harder than the other parents to try to just make my kid normal. It's not about making then an overachiever it about making able to live independently when they grow up. If your statistic is true-- 40% of parents are blind to the fact that their kids have Autism. I was for awhile too, until I really looked at and understood it. Early intervention is the key. A couple of years of therapy when they are 2-5 is so much better than a lifetime of care. Your accusations are insulting to every family affected by Autism -- including those that haven't accepted it yet. Learn you facts before you write about them ADHD and Aspergers don't have a speech delay component. A speech delay is part of any Autism or PDD diagnosis. Stop making it so hard for us to get our kids help!
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11/22/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
WOULD APERSON WITH DISLECIT BE IN SAME BOAT..JOHN FROM OZ
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11/24/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
Check out the uncanny similarity between autism and mercury poisoning. You may ask: Why would there be a genetic component? Because, some individuals are genetically disadvantaged to rid the body of its burden of mercury, others have the needed enzymes and vitamins readily available to excrete mercury through the hair and other avenues of excretion. That is why some individuals are so profoundly affected from mercury. See the chart at this link for the similarities of autism and mercury poisoning. http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/thimerosal.php
The spectrum of symptoms depend upon the amount of mercury and the individual's own strengths and weaknesses.
An individual can get mercury from vaccinations (thimerosal) and silver dental fillings. It does not take a lot of mercury to do great harm.
The good news is: It is reversible, by detoxing the body.
See: How mercury causes brain neuron degeneration: http://commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury/
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12/12/09 | Report as spam
RE: Is autism just the new ADHD?
i suspect it also has to do with education dollars for special ed. the more problems a district has the more dollars for spec ed. in addition, i do not trust the statistical sampling and then extrapolation to the population at large.
A report in the journal Pediatrics says that over 1% of all children born in 1996 may have been diagnosed with autism. It is causing enormous controversy. (Photograph by the author.)
