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The Autism Rights Movement
By Virginia Prescott on Thursday, June 5, 2008.
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The number of people diagnosed with autism has grown tremendously in the past few decades. In the 1970s the rate of autism was about one in 10,000. Now it's about one in 150. But the question of whether autism is indeed spreading is contentious. In fact, so is almost every aspect of the disorder.
Most agree autism is genetic, while some believe it's caused by environmental toxins, especially vaccines. And a third camp believes people with autism should be accepted, and should in fact be proud of being different. They refer to themselves as the "neurodiversity movement."
Andrew Solomon recently wrote about the push for autism rights in New York Magazine, and he joined Word of Mouth to discuss the movement to see autism as a positive identity, not a disability.
(Photo by Norma Desmond)
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Word of Mouth is all about what's new. Online and on-air, the show looks at our fascinating and ever-changing world, and puts the latest ideas under a microscope. Word of Mouth investigates everything from science and technology, to health and the environment, to new trends in popular culture. The show airs Monday through Thursday at noon and is hosted by Virginia Prescott.
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Older paternal age in one generation or another is a robust cause of non-familial autism which is for some reason not publicized. Probably the reason is older paternal age is also a robust risk factor for some cancers such as breast and prostate, autoimmune disorders such as MS and type 1 diabetes, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's all non-familial de novo versions. Here is one article that explains the schizophrenia/autism connection: http://www.schizophreniaforum.org/for/curr/Malaspina/default.asp
Average paternal age is sky high and in the danger zone, which is past 32. Some men are more prone with accumulating danger genetic mutations in their sperm making cells than others.
I think Andrew Soloman misrepresented the facts about autism by not pointing out that Low Functioning autistics comprise 20% of both the child/adult autistic population, and the children can be helped along the spectrum with many mainstream and safe treatments to become High Functioning auties or aspies.
He also did not address the fact that the most vocal and vitriolic of parents are testing dangerous and damaging methods of 'curing' thier children (and they don't work), which infames the Neurodiverse community - especially after children have died from unproven snake oil treatments.
Low Functioning Autistics can become High Functioning Autisics. Hear what they have to say at aspiesforfreedom .com
What in the world are you talking about? It certainly cannot be regressive autism. Terry Poling
That's probably because about half of LFA are actually vaccine damaged childred, brain damaged kids that were Neurotypical at Birth, but shoved onto the spectrum by compassionate doctors because there's nothing else for them provision wise outside the spectrum, and very little in the way of support for thier parents. So - even if they aren't genetically ASD they get lumped on and we get all the crazy parents coming to the community saying that because thier kid is vaccine damaged - everyone must be! *sheesh*
LFA's are low IQ and are traumatised by Sensory Integrative Disorder (a central component of all ASD's). With time and treatment they can be helped along the spectrum, but brain damaged NT kids that are the small number of victim of vaccines - cannot move along a spectrum they were never on to begin with.
"In the 1970s the rate of autism was about one in 10,000."
This is not factual. The prevalence of autism in the 1960s was estimated at 4-5 in 10,000 (Lotter, 1966). To then compare autism, as was defined in the DSM 1 to today's 1 in 150 rate for Autism Spectrum Disorders is comparing apples to sheep. The autism rate has *never* been 1 in 10,000 and that "fact", along with your comparison, are misleading at best and misinformation at worst.
Autistic people can go on with their lives about as good as anyone as long as they can do it on their own conditions. The reason why more and more people get this diagnose is only because it is looked for nowadays.