New Autism Data & a Really Good Article

I was THRILLED to see this article shared on facebook. I was totally shocked to find that it was actually done by CBS News! Shocker. I don't have anything against CBS or any other specific station, I just find that most mainstream media outlets are loathe to cover this subject in an unbiased fashion. I guess they worry that some of those direct marketing commercials for Viagra might get pulled. Wouldn't we all grieve that change?

Anyway, please check out this article. It does a GREAT job of laying out my argument, and that of millions of other parents, researchers, and physicians who argue that the data saying that vaccines are safe is incomplete at best, bought and paid for at worst.

In other Autism news, a report just released in the journal Pediatrics shows 1 in 91 children, ages 3-17, have some type of autism. Even more disturbing, 1 in 58 Boys in this age group has Autism. The previous numbers released by the CDC were 1 in 150 children.

Anyone else freaking a little about those numbers?

Next time you are sitting at a school function or a church service, just start counting kids and see how quickly that 1 in 91 adds up. And what bothers me the most is that people think they are untouchable and that this epidemic can never darken their door. That denial by the public at large just makes it easier to ignore these children, even when they live in your own house. MANY--far too many of these kids go undiagnosed until Kindergarten because parents simply don't want to accept that their kids could have a problem, or a disability. Look, I get that. I understand that fear very well. But hiding from the truth doesn't change it. Instead it makes reality much harder on you and more importantly your child. And as you sit and worry about what your family or friends will think, or how much effort and time will be asked of you, or what an inconvenience and embarrassment having a special needs child might be just know that precious minutes are ticking away for your child. EARLY INTERVENTION makes a huge difference for developmentally delayed children. If your child exhibits any of these signs or symptoms, please contact your state's early intervention program, or a licensed Occupational therapist or even a psychologist to get your child evaluated. It has been my experience, and the experience of several of my friends (moms of kids with ASD) that many pediatricians often dismiss mother's concerns and write them off to media coverage, first-time mom worries, etc. I personally think that many pediatricians simply aren't trained to notice all of the subtleties of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and really how much can they see in 5 minute intervals 4 times a year, between listening to a heartbeat and checking ears?

Generation Rescue also has a good confidential survey you can take if you are concerned about your child. Of course this does not take the place of a diagnosis, but it can help point you in the right direction. My biggest advice about Autism or any other developmental delay is to remember that this is not about you. I struggle with that daily....how Autism makes me life hell. But I have to remind myself over and over again that my kids are really the ones suffering and it's my job to help them out of the wilderness. Good luck fellow travelers!