If that's not the million dollar question, right? The fact is.....no one knows for sure. Doctors, parents, teachers, lawyers, they all have their take on what causes Autism, but the truth is, that it's still just a mystery. I haven't a clue as to what caused Amanda's Autism. All I know is that my pregnancy was horrible, she had some developmental issues in utero, so I don't know. Here are some of my observations and opinions. Agree or disagree, that's your prerogative, but unless you have some proof, do NOT correct my opinions.
Vaccines????
That's the big one. The most controversial reasoning behind Autism today is probably blaming the vaccines. Whether it be the Thimerisol (mercury), other ingredients, or the disease in the vaccine itself, many many parents have come forward stating that their child changed after receiving a vaccination. The truth of the matter FOR US, is that vaccines did NOT cause Amanda's Autism. Now, that being said, I refuse to discount the countless stories I have heard from families concerning the injuries to their children after vaccination. Family after family cannot possibly experience the exact same thing without there being some sort of connection. Let's face it folks, if vaccines were 100% safe, the federal government would not now have a vaccine injury hot line. Now, on the flip side....although they are not 100% safe, I feel, as a parent of an autistic child who's symptoms started from birth, it's worth the risk of a vaccine. Space them out. The MMR vaccine can be given in three different injections. There is no medical need to inundate your immune system with 7 different viruses at once. Zachary and MacKenzie are fully vaccinated, but I did insist on separate vaccines and I did spread them out. Rubella can kill your child. Polio can kill or paralyze your child. If Smallpox was not eradicated, my children would all be vaccinated against that too. If I can stop my child from going through these horrible diseases, I will. I would much rather have a child with autism, than a child dead from a preventable disease. Many of you won't agree, and you have that right to your opinion, and I respect that. All I am asking is that you respect my right to my opinion as well. After all, this is my blog.
Is it environmental? I don't know much about this subject, but the dramatic increase in numbers cannot be solely on the fact that there is better diagnosis. Think back to your high school years....were there kids in your high school exhibiting the same type of Autistic symptoms there are today. I honestly cannot think of a single one. Yes, there were the "eccentrics", the strange, people with quirks, but not the true Autistic symptoms that are out there today. Something is causing this, and it's not better recognition of the disorder. I call BS on that theory and will argue with you till the rapture to prove my point. Sorry, but that' the way it is.
Perhaps these children are pre-disposed? Many children are pre-disposed to allergies, some get the flu easier, some get lots of ear infections, etc. Maybe, just maybe there is something going on metabolically in these children. Perhaps they are metabolically predisposed to autism, and when that "trigger" is introduced, then the symptoms begin. That trigger could be environmental, vaccine introduced, something they eat, I don't know. But i think some more time should be spent exploring this possibility.
Why do some kids seem to outgrow it? How can some kids be "cured" with the gluten and casein free diet? Why does stem cell transplantation work on some children, but not others? Why can some talk, but others can't? Why do some stem, and others don't? Why is sensory a big deal in some, and others it's not even apparent? Why do some symptoms start after vaccination, and others have no apparent cause of manifestation? Why doesn't Applied Behavioral Analysis have to same effect on all of these kids? The are the questions we deal with every day. As with any other disorder tho....there is not only one answer. Why do some people survive heart attacks? Strokes? Cancer? Why doesn't all chemotherapy cure all cancers? Treatments range from person to person, Causes range from person to person. This is true on all medical aspects, not just Autism. But why is this puzzle of Autism so hard to crack? We don't even have to border pieces sorted out and put together......why?
