Autism Rates on the Rise
 

It was reported that 1 in 31 newborns will have autism. Autism does have different levels, say 1-5 which it never had in the past, 50's or 60's. So diagnosis is much better now where it was minimal years ago. In the 70's it was 1 in 54.

So part of the reason is better diagnosis. However, what is around today that wasn't around in the 60's. You guessed it Marijuana!

41% of people 19-34 either use or have used Mary Jane. And now that it is a recreational accepted drug, pregnant women seem to think it isn't harmful to a fetus.
I still don't agree with calling it a fetus, it's a baby. Mary Jane just doesn't leave your system overnite.

I think the government will eventually find this out that it's not whats in the water that causes autism. It's in the smoke. Admitting it will be another issue so they don't disturb a multi million dollar business. DAH

However, what is around today that wasn't around in the 60's. You guessed it Marijuana!

You obviously weren't around for the '60's, or led a very sheltered life!

https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-statistics-asd

It seems to be the identification of kids and others with autism has improved not really the prevalence of it.

I went to school in the 50's and early 60's and there were several kids in most of the grades that today would be considered having Autism, some were verbal and some where not.

Or there are additives in our food we should not be eating

That looks like bad logic to me . There have been additives in food for a long time .

Food Additives Are as Old as History

Suggest you do a little further research than just a "news" article from a company that sells food additives and preservatives. It's not so much that we have additives in our foods but what type of additives are being used. Many are petroleum based. When's the last time your doctor said, " take a teaspoon of crude oil and call me in the morning"? The manner in which foods are processed is a problem too. Toxic chemicals are used and vitals nutrients lost.

Lots of health problems being discovered related to our food supply. No doubt other environmental factors are at play as well. It's time we impartially research causes and take steps to remedy the problems. No more letting big business profit at the expense of our health.

It seems to me the real 'tell' for much of this issue lies with the contingent of children that were not given any injections shortly after birth, or in the ensuing months, and developed normally as evidenced by parental experience and Doctor measurements/evaluations.

Then, a year or so after birth, took a cocktail of injections and their development trajectory very obviously changed - sometimes their personalities did too.. There are loads of situations like that and there is plenty to read about it. The dot connecting isn't difficult.

Btw, I've seen some wild things in my day but, toddlers or grade schoolers smoking pot is not one of them.

There are a lot of correlation articles out there. I wish I could find the one I just read recently that discussed the rise in autism rates correlated with increased testing, social program funding, vaccinations, sex, race, wealth, and age. What I took away from it was autism rates increased when there were incentives to find more cases.

I went to elementary school during the "Leave it to Beaver" days. Should I have noticed it in my classmates back then? Was lithium or similar drugs used to treat unruly children back then?

Yes, I have no doubt about that. Zero doubt. That the definition of autism has likely been broadened in the last several decades because there are drugs, therapies and other things to sell those "afflicted". I wish more people understood this.

It happens in many areas -- the expanded diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Did you know, in many instances, the US Govt pays parents a monthly check if they put their kids on drugs for those conditions and others? It's been going on a long time and is well-known in the schools. The pop culture terms for them is: crazy checks ....and the kids ask each other if they're getting them. Astonishing.

The explosion of CPAP machine pushing is another annuity racket. Most people could likely address their sleep issues in other, more natural, and less costly ways.

What is the cause and effect? How long have we had food additives and how long have kids had autism? What has changed?

My Mom and my aunt both had a bad flu when me and my cousin Jeff were in the wombs. I had a lot of developmental problems and was in the short bus at times in Wisconsin. My cousin never had a teacher like Mrs. Barbara Mitchell that saw something in me and honed my talents. Basically by telling me I could do a lot better. Jeff died a paranoid schizophrenic a few years to in a facility in Illinois. I still owe Mrs. Mitchell so much . I earned 4 degrees. I have had problems here and there but keep fighting them . Sometimes it just takes someone to put the fight in them .


I do not see the labels people put on other people as so fixed. Of course there are a lot of limits with respect to opportunities given . Often based on your zip code . We have it pretty good in the Villages.


It would be interesting to see what kind of incidents there are of autism here in this zip code and how they are related to food in our grocery stores.

Sheltered Life
 

60's was introduction of Mary Jane, Beatles etc, 70's is when it exploded and sorry to say its second nature now..............glad I led a sheltered life....never tried it...its why they call it dope...just say no......why any woman would smoke it especially at early pregnancy is beyond this simple mind.

There are no "autism drugs." Autism is not something that gets cured or treated. It gets managed. Some of the behavioral symptoms and traits can be treated with pharmaceuticals but they usually have unwanted side effects and are used only if the behaviors are dangerous (such as stimming by banging their head against the wall). Where are you even finding this nonsense you're spewing? Breitbart? whale.to? Some alt-med guy on youtube who will tell you 40 secrets that all doctors don't want you to know?

The "explosion of CPAP" machine use went up, when it was discovered that for many people, insomnia is caused by breathing cessation during sleep. Science evolves.

The only "astonishing" thing is that there are people who actually believe these "government paying parents monthly bonuses if they'll let them give their kids a diagnosis just so they can try and treat them" conspiracies.

So I guess you never heard of the famous 1930's movie Reefer Madness hm? Or maybe you thought it was released in the 1970's only. Here's a little history for ya.

The widespread use of cannabis is nothing new. It wasn't really ever anything new. Indigenous peoples in climates where it grows, have been using it for centuries. The idea of it caught on in the States in the 1930's and by that time it was popular enough that some church organizations decided they needed to step in and "do" something about it. One of them sponsored the making of this film, which had a different name at the time and has had a few name changes over the years.

People have been smoking weed all this time, but it wasn't until the late 1950's and early 1960's that younger folks finally said, "y'know what? You older people need to lighten up and stop harshing our generation's collective mellow" and they started smoking in groups, in public - often as a protest. They'd BEEN smoking privately all along. So nothing changed other than their openness about it.

That's when it started getting bad press again, and Reefer Madness was RE-released in the 1970's and considered a satire, rather than a serious warning, because science evolved. Weed wasn't going to turn anyone into a psychotic axe-murderer like the movie suggested. It was considered trendy to get stoned with a bunch of friends to watch the movie, because it was so ridiculous that they could enjoy the heck out of it as a satirical comedy.

Should pregnant women use it? No, they shouldn't. But "pregnant women" isn't the singular exclusive criteria that determines whether or not something is safe. Pregnant women also shouldn't be taking viagra. And yet - hm.

I recall getting rather stoned at a Red Rocks Bette Midler concert. The marijuana smoke was so thick . Same with an Eric Clapton concert in Tempe, Arizona.

One of our youngest degrees is Behavior psychologist. Graduated from one of the top 3 universities for Autistic children to young Adult.

Low functioning, High Functioning, from diagnoses to continuing education guidance. It’s a long hard road, for not only parents, but those who work tirelessly 4 hours in a booth every day, to eventual trips to public places.

Reading articles only gives you the opinion of the writer, and what they have decided is cause and effect. There are hundreds of articles, however many specialized groups, rely on dedicated research from the top 10 learning institutions for Autistic Children.

Unless you are directly involved, with an autistic child, reading an article doesn’t make fact or fiction, for each child is unique in their own way.

After meeting and hugged by many parents, and seeing the children in our son’s program, I have no idea how those working in the clinic, kept a positive outlook for every child in the program. I have met many parents who didn’t even use OTC medications, yet child had diagnosis of autism. Everyday they sit and wonder what they did or didn’t do right.

Did I read the article listed in this thread, no..I get to listen to people who are directly involved.

My Mom taught special education kids in Reno, Nevada from around 1974 through 1984. No two were alike just like with any other groups of people. She did bring them home on occasion if memory serves.


And there probably were food additives in many things back then.


She also volunteered to help special needs adults here in the Villages. I see one of these people almost once a month as she works at a local store.


She did have some of these adults come home with her on occasion.

S.T.A.R. Program for Adult Villagers with Special Needs


The Villages Special Needs Community - Advancing Families & Individuals Needing Services

Medications Used for Autism:
Antipsychotics:
Risperidone (Risperdal): Approved by the FDA for reducing irritability in children with autism, it can also help with aggression and rapid mood swings.
Aripiprazole (Abilify): Also FDA-approved for irritability in children with autism, it may improve irritability, hyperactivity, and repetitive movements.

Antidepressants:
SSRIs (e.g., Sertraline, Fluoxetine): These antidepressants are used to manage anxiety and mood issues, as well as potentially reducing aggression and repetitive behaviors.

Stimulants:
Methylphenidate (Ritalin): Primarily used for ADHD, some studies show that it can improve hyperactivity and inattention in some children with autism.
Dexamphetamine (Adderall): Another stimulant used for ADHD, it can also be considered for ADHD in children with autism.
Alpha-2 Agonists:
Clonidine (Catapres): Often used for ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders, it may also help with irritability in autism.
Guanfacine (Intuniv): Another alpha-2 agonist that can be used for ADHD and may have benefits for managing irritability and hyperactivity in children with autism.

Other Medications:
Amitriptyline: Used for sleep, anxiety, impulsivity, ADHD, repetitive behaviors, and enuresis, and has promising neurotrophic properties.
Loxapine: Replicated an atypical antipsychotic in studies and may be weight-sparing.
Lithium: A promising potential therapy for autism spectrum disorder, often used for bipolar disorder and depression.


The fact that anyone poses that question when we live in the most amazing, comprehensive and up-to-date information age is, well, breathtaking. The info is available to be found. One only needs to know how to keyword search and not have a closed mind.

Lol, it went up because another racket was created and of the annuity version - those are the most successful ones. CPAP machines are a costly BAND AID. Diagnose the underlying cause(s). Several of them are related to consumption. For many, eliminating those consumed triggers would put them back to sleeping normally. But, that's not profitable for the racketeers so, it doesn't get promoted.

I've never understood those who shoot messengers as it never changes anything. Deal with the truth - it is the only intelligent way to live. The payments are real, that they are widely distributed is real, the nickname for them is real and that an absurd number of kids are on those drugs is real.

I suppose some would find it upsetting to learn that Medicare/Medicaid had a $$ bonus program in place four years ago for Doctors who got a new, experimental, non-FDA approved injection into arms. Well, they should be upset by that, big time, it was massive conflict of interest. It may still be happening.

Yet most Clinics and practices for autistic children donate up to 30% and more of their time for families, that have no means to pay for diagnosis or behavioral treatment, because insurance pays very little sometimes nothing, much less a state program.

Could you post the bonus program Applications site? What companies offer non-FDA approved medication?
It would help greatly especially the fact that we have autistic children living not only in TV, but local areas. I know of 2 families could could use your expertise of navigating ways to help their autistic children.

Wonderful, it also has no relevance to what I wrote about.

The non-FDA approved medication I was referring to - for which a Medicare/Medicaid bonus program was (is?) in place for Doctors - is the Covid injections...produced by several companies. I've seen the document about that. A constituent provided it to his Congressman who posted it online a couple years ago.

I mentioned that b/c of the disbelief expressed that the US Govt would be sending checks to parents who will put their kid(s) on psychotropic drugs purportedly b/c of ADD/ADHD/or whatever. Naturally, not all kids on those kinds of drugs are getting checks nor would every Doc accept money for getting Covid needles in arms.

I would be interested in whatever valid info you have to offer about the info in Comment #8.

Are autism rates on the rise or just the diagnosis of autism? Back in the day when we were young (a long friggin time ago), everything out of the norm was simply diagnosed as not normal. Now, it’s big business to have a clinical diagnosis for everything, no matter how significant or not. Go figure?

Asd
 

The correct term is Autism Spectrum Disorder and the spectrum is vast that includes many people including Elon Musk

Suggest looking at the science such as the role that genetics play instead of spouting unproven theories

People eat sugary plant-based junk food/oils and it's THC that's the problem?
Combine that with neurotoxins in vaccines.

Back then many with profound disabilities were institutionalized or kept at home since schools did not have to provide accommodations. So we may not have known the actual prevalence.

Autism rates
 

I have been involved with the autism community since 1976. The rates were not 1 in 51, it was 1 in several hundred- thousand. I have taught students with autism since 1981. The increase is real. It is not due to pot ( unless now pot is being sprayed with chemicals in production)
What is true, is that asperger is now in the definition of autism through the dsm-v. It used to have it's own category and they combined them. These are the individuals that in the 60's and 70's when i went to school were what we considered " nerds" or "brains" they were super smart in a chosen area and had no social skills.
Even with the melding of the 2 categories into one, the increase is real! There are 3 levels of autism based on the dsm-v. Level 1 is our aspergery friends that need minimal supports to function in society. Level 2 are our friends that will need supports, maybe hold a very routine job ( with help), and may be able to live on their own but will still need support in their lives to be able to do that. Then we have tge level 3 friends. These require continually supports throughout the day. They will most likely live with their parents their entire life. They will most likely not have a job, are at time nonverbal, lower cognitively, and struggle in daily living skills. They also have a higher incidence of aggression towards themselves and others
Our numbers have increased due the the diagnostic criteria BUT, the level 3 numbers have increased significantly! These people would get the diagnosis upon walking into the doctors office. They would get the diagnosis back in 1977 when I started. In my school, we have gone from 4 level 3 students in 2017 to 19 in 2024. We have 18 right now in our preschool that will be coming our way next school year. I am thankful RFK is looking at the cause. There are so many studies determining genetics, environmental causes ( plastics, GMO'S ,etc) and now the gut health of the pregnant mother. We need to find the answer for the level 3 kids. There is nothing out there for them once they age out of school and not much help for parents/relief for the 24 hour a day responsibility of taking care of these individuals.

Vaccines have no link to Autism and Covid originated in a wet market in China. I know this because the Government and the media told me so.

The degree of advancement of a society is how it treats the poor, the disabled, and the elderly. The tradeoff is cost and time to keep this portion of society functioning.

The downside is that we are the products of evolution of discarding any poor/faulty genetic combinations, and therefore strongest gene pool survives. The more complex the organism, the more fragile the existence is. . there are trade offs.

The degree of advancement of a society is how it treats the poor, the disabled, and the elderly.

I think the real experts these days believe that there are a lot of different forms and levels of autism, and they are generally due to genetics, but with a strong bit of environmental influence, though NOT vaccines. Autism runs in my family and in my ex-wife’s family. I’ve had it all my life, but I wasn’t diagnosed until I was about 65. I have a Ph.D., and most of my extended family members on the autism spectrum have a Ph.D., an M.D., or a J.D. We are all very focused, enthusiastic about strange things, abrupt, “weird,” and sort of reclusive or shy. We say things that may offend people without our realizing it. We teach at your universities, treat your illnesses, and represent you in court, but we are autistic, and we don’t have many friends. Until recently, we weren’t diagnosed. Diagnosing us explains the majority of the growth in autism numbers. We were here before, but unrecognized.

As far as food additives and petroleum in things we eat go, it’s a possibility, but it’s not yet proven. As for thimerosal that once was used as a preservative in vaccines, the active ingredient is a tiny bit of mercury. However, mercury is also sometimes found in swordfish and big tuna. I love tuna steaks. Do you? I also love a good apple, and even though I wash it with soap before eating it, it may still have residual poisons on it. The same goes for most of our vegetables and fruit. We could blame petroleum for this, but consider that petroleum use goes far beyond insecticides and fungicides and herbicides. Mineral oil is a petroleum product. Many people use it every day on their skin (some of which soaks in), to remove eye make-up, etc. Those high quality raisins you buy instead of the store brand stay loose because they have a light covering of mineral oil. It’s not digestible, so it comes out the other end.

Ever changed your oil or worked on a car? Ever got gasoline on your hand while filling your tank? Ever done furniture refinishing? Ever used cleaning products or furniture polish? There are petroleum products in your laundry detergent. The “fragrance” added helps cover up the smell of the chemicals used to clean the clothes, although it is itself chemicals. (I use fragrance-free laundry detergent, Tide or Persil, and the clothes come out of the wash smelling like chemicals). Lots of chemicals soak into your skin. They are used in moisturizers and soaps. Ever had your clothes dry-cleaned? You know those chemicals cause cancer, right?

Could some of these environmental factors be adding to the numbers of people with autism? Maybe, but I haven’t heard of any solid evidence. It’s more likely that they are contributing to other problems. However, the fact is that the average life span today is much longer than it was when we were born. Many of us who are doing well today would be dead or crippled if we had only the level of medical and surgical care available a hundred years ago. For example, one reason there is so much diabetes is that a century ago people with diabetes tended to die within a few years of diagnosis. The same goes for heart disease.

“Mineral oil is produced from crude oil through a refining process that involves distillation, extraction, and potentially other treatments. Crude oil is first heated and distilled, separating it into various fractions with different boiling points. The desired fractions, which will become the base oils, are then further refined through processes like solvent extraction, deasphalting, and hydrofinishing to remove impurities and unwanted compounds. Finally, additives are added to enhance the physical and chemical properties of the mineral oil, resulting in the final product.”

I can tell you both as parent of child on spectrum and teacher for 28 years just retired and still subbing that this “school explosion in diagnosis “ is both money and get out of jail card for a majority of parents. I have filled out countless checklists for children to determine their autism levels. Remember there is no medical test. The diagnosis is purely observation and antidotal. Only three were truly autistic in meaning affected learning and social well being. The rest were doctor shopped so parents could get money, excuse for child behavior, special accommodations not needed, or social status. There was one doctor in my town that gave 100% diagnoses and 100% medications. Four of these children behaved fine in my class and were on honor roll. Having raised an autistic spectrum child who is now successful man in every aspect, it is hard work and long hours, but what I see now is just an industry that is booming from this new “crisis”. A lot of diagnosing to raise a lot of money and misbehaving low achieving children.

The parents I know with autistic children never smoked pot. None of them. Your theory is wrong.

Women who disobeyed their husbands or performed poorly in bed were also often institutionalized or drugged, with the diagnosis of "hysterics." Turns out, they just had lousy husbands - and now, the diagnosis of "lousy husbands" is prevalent. Are there more lousy husbands now than before? Nope. They just corrected a faulty diagnosis.

Your sample is too small
 

I know 2 with autistic child and both smoked pot. My sample is too small also.

Must wait till Sept. when the former drug addict will tell us why. Hopefully he stopped smoking pot by then.

Everything you said I agree with 100%. I can sort of relate to your personal anecdote. I didn't do well in my first school years and struggled with certain course topics (history, math, anything requiring memorization of numbers, dates, matching dates to events, "facts" versus "information.") If it wasn't applied practically, I struggled with it. It's probably why I was pretty good with chemistry, but lousy with algebra. Algebra is conceptual, chemistry is practical. I also tended to "zone out" into daydreams whenever a teacher was talking about a lesson. Or I'd stare vacantly out the window, watching individual snowflakes and tracking their fall to the ground. Or look up at the popcorn ceiling and imagine the images the dots made (the same way astronomers imagined the clusters of stars in the sky became constellations). I never swung my arms when I walked, I was awkward socially, I stammered, and I stimmed when I was anxious or excited, or even if I was REALLY enjoying my meal. I still stim but now it's more intentional. Flapping my arms from the elbows and wrists just feels good, it's a great way to express my emotions when I'm frustrated or incredibly happy.

I often retreated to my own world when I was unhappy, and sometimes I did so simply because I enjoyed doing it. I've always been more comfortable with my own company, rather than seeking out other company.

So yes - I'm totally on the spectrum. It's not an illness, it's not a disease, it's not a disorder. It's just a different way of perceiving the world and the sense of self. I don't want to be treated for it, or cured of it. I have no symptoms that are dangerous to me or my surroundings. In fact, I'm more likely to point out YOUR neurotypical symptoms that are dangerous to me or your surroundings. Like if you turn without using your turn signal. Or you smoke near a group of neighbors and your ashes are about to drop on your neighbor's dog. Or you cough without putting your hand over your mouth. Or someone else in the crowd 20 feet away from me is walking by and the person facing the other direction is about to step back, and bump into that walking person. Other people might not really notice that, but I notice everything. All the time. I don't have any choice, it's how my brain is hardwired. All of that noticing stuff is my ADD. My reaction to all of it is the autism spectrum. I observe it as if I was looking through a camera lens, or watching it on a youtube video. I'm distanced from it, even if I'm in the middle of it.

It's an interesting way to exist, and I'm content existing this way. No one is paying my parents for me to try their medications, and in fact I wasn't even diagnosed with the ADD until I was over 40. But I've had it all my life. They just called it "lazy, disinterested, inattentive, scatterbrained" and would punish me for being me instead of helping me to learn skills to work WITH it. Those, I learned on my own. I created my own methods for coping, learning, and understanding my universe.

So this nonsense about autism being caused by vaccines is horsepucky. Caused by gut flora - nonsense. Caused by blah blah blah blah. Why not just ask what is causing you to get a freckle on your arm instead of on your face. It's the same answer: "because." That's why.

Could not agree more. Whilst there are many children with disabilities, there are far more claiming to be, who are not.
It is almost a social standing requirement these days to have at least one acronym behind a child's name, to cover bad parenting and unsocial behavior.
A good clout round the ear, and teaching the word "NO!" in formative years, would have cured most of the little darlings present problems.

And clouting someone on the ear is your idea of "good social behavior?"

For me, your post lost all credibility when you declared C-PAP machines an "annuity racket". What a foolish claim and if you ever had exposure to someone with this necessity you would know how valuable they are for health and well being. No one craves or has a mad desire to use one but the difference in their lives is remarkable when medically necessary. The average user is not an alcoholic, druggie or obese but have anatomical features creating the issues that need resolution.

You may be better off spouting off about things about which you are educated.:thumbup:

Is this April 1? An April fools joke? MJ is the culprit? Last I checked, the 60’s were the age of peace and love and drugs.
Respectfully, you may want to look at the child vaccination schedule. That is what has changed over the last 6 decades.
I’m over 60. I had 5 vaccinations to enter school. Today, there are dozens of vaccinations needed. At such an early age. This is child abuse, but that’s just me. That is your smoking gun.

Hooey! I have a cousin with two brain damaged children. They were never diagnosed as autistic until recently and are considered "under the autism spectrum". Neither she nor her husband ever partook in marijuana. More likely, the causes are due to all the pollutions in our environment which will only increase with the WH deregulations.

Are you insinuating that vaccines are responsible?