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Let’s look at some possible causes of autism

Today, in Day 3 of this Autism series, I’d like to share with you some of the suspected causes of autism. No one REALLY knows the exact cause, or causes, but there are suspicious instigators (or etiologies) that are being investigated.

Although the incidence of autism is increasing (1 in 150 children), there doesn’t appear to be a single cause, or culprit. Since autism covers an entire spectrum of disorders, such as Asberger’s Syndrome and others, there are undoubtedly several causative factors. Let’s look at the most suspicious ones first.

Vaccines

To research the possible relationship between vaccines and autism, I first went to the CDC. The Center for Disease Control says there is no relationship between autism and vaccines, according to their research, BUT. . .

The general suggested scenario for vaccine-induced autism is for a child to have an immediate reaction to an immunization, up to, and including, a fever, seizure and infections. In the following weeks and months after the immunization, changes in behavior and regression in developmental milestones are noted, most usually by parents themselves.

Vaccines cited most frequently as triggering autism were the MMR and DPT. Another scenario that was notable was when the physician decided to catch up with a child behind on the vaccination schedule by giving a child several immunizations at once.

The typical changes in behavior include becoming more unhappy, losing eye contact and becoming withdrawn. A typical regression in developmental milestones is for the child to lose some or all language acquired prior to immunization. Frequently, the initial reaction to immunization wasn’t as pronounced, but regression in language and behavior followed nonetheless.

The key suspect in immunization-triggered autism is mercury, the base used to prepare the vaccines.

In spite of study results claiming no link between autism and vaccines, a significant number of children currently diagnosed within the autism spectrum could have vaccine-induced autism. In turn, the number of children with vaccine-induced autism could account for a substantial portion of the increase in reported cases of autism.

Although vaccines have played an important role in ending many terrible and deadly childhood diseases, any caring parent can’t help but wonder whether receiving up to 20 immunizations before the age of two plays a role in triggering autism and other learning disabilities as well.

DNA & Genetics

DNA and genetics are a wide-open field for discovering the possible genetic and/or hereditary causes for many diseases and disorders, including autism. Some geneticists believe that autism may be linked to a fragile-X chromosome, often associated with elderly parents. There has to be more to it than that, possibly going back two or more generations, because many autistic children are born to young and seemingly healthy parents.

One of the supporters of this theory is one of my commentors, Leslie at Autism-Prevention Blog.

Since there has been such a documented increase in the occurrence in the population, there will continue to be many theories and facts revealed. It may be that something in our diets, including fast food french fries, just may be catching up with our society at large.

There is so much to learn and know but don’t give up. Tomorrow, I’ll discuss some of the diagnostic tests available AND some of the most famous people with autism.

Tune in tomorrow!

Until tomorrow,
Brennan

The Kingsland Plan

Save Our Schools

Filed under: Education News