New Autism Numbers

It's official according to the CDC and other government bodies. The rate of autism has increased no matter what. Depending on what study you look at, the numbers are below 1 in 100. Will these new numbers be the tipping that will cause change in the way we take care of our children? Will it change how we live?

Over reporting? Even Michael Kogan, lead author of the HRSA study states there are unaccounted for percentages in the rise. I didn't get a call, did you? Doubtful Leo's former pediatricians didn't account for him. And how about those that say we must "proceed with caution?" What? Cautiously treat children that desperately need services? When a very small percentage get the level of services they need already?

Do we treat the statistics or do we treat what we see before us?

I was sitting at dinner the other night with new friends after Leo's baseball game. Our first social dinner out since our move. For the day I forgot all about health: Sydney and Leo were having a good health weekend. The day was extraordinary beautiful, a perfect game day. Leo's bun-free order didn't even register. It was so nice! Come to think of it, it has been a break to not know almost every single child in Leo's 5th grade like I did at our old community. That constant reminder of our New Normal.

My bubble burst as somehow the topic of the uneaten bun comes up. The mom offers that the restaurant has a gluten-free menu available upon request. I smile widely and say all the right things back. The dad joins the conversation and says they "used to think Taylor had a gluten problem, but that wasn't it. They still don't know what it is." Usually this is my cue to go off about the toxic load, how we are all bearing children with GI and immune problems from the get go. But, I was tired. I was bummed. I didn't even say something sympathetic or ask more. Not me! Did I subconsciously think our new community was immune to the New Normal?

And what is the New Normal anyway? The secret isn't out yet, it's not okay to openly talk about it. Doesn't register with most parents, as they often think they are the ONLY ones with sick kids. Many parents don't even KNOW their kids are chronically ill because their friends, their pediatricians, don't phrase these problems as chronic illness. I've gone through 4 pediatricians. They all didn't show concern when I asked them "Aren't you concerned that all these kids are sick once a month?" Isn't that abnormal? All 4 say the same thing, like good little soldiers courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Why think for yourself when you are protected to say and BELIEVE the party line?

Here is the new normal (scroll down toward the bottom of page) that I SEE EVERY DAY and I have consistently seen since Leo was born almost 11 years ago. What do you see? And it's not just me that sees this. Just this summer my good friend Janice that had a girl in Leo's class and I sat down and looked at the lovely 4th grade class of "typical" children in our affluent public classroom. I knew all the boys and Janice knew the girls since our kids have grown up with them.

Just a handful, on average, 5 out of 22 children were "normal". These 5 kids did NOT have: ADHD, ADD, an ASD, a mood disorder, an LD, Sensory Integration, chronic eczema, constipation, asthma, allergies (food, environmental), P.A.N.D.A.S., Lyme disease and/or co-infections, a behavior plan, ODD, chronic colds, bronchitis.

About 5 out of 22 children. That gives you roughly 22% of health. Is it just me or does that not scare the crap out of you?

Hepatitis B Vaccine Triples the Risk of Autism in Infant Boys

Posted by: Dr. Mercola

October 08 2009

A new study has shown that giving Hepatitis B vaccine to newborn baby boys more than triples their risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder.

The study’s authors used U.S. probability samples obtained from National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 1997–2002 datasets.

The conclusion states that: “Findings suggest that U.S. male neonates vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine had a 3-fold greater risk of ASD.”

The authors also noted that an earlier study by them found that hepatitis B vaccination was associated with receipt of early intervention and special education services.

The new study used a different database than their earlier study, and they found same results, suggesting a validation of their findings.

Sources:

Age of Autism September 17, 2009

Annals of Epidemiology September 2009: 19(9); 65

One could go on and on with these studies. So much evidence is pointing to the fact we are replacing acute with chronic illness and major disorders.

NY Times: Childhood: Autism Diagnoses Rising, U.S. Reports

By BENEDICT CAREY

More than 1 in 100 American children and teenagers may have autism, Asperger’s syndrome or a related developmental problem, although such diagnoses often do not hold up, according to a government report released on Monday.

The estimate, based on a telephone survey of some 78,000 households and published in the journal Pediatrics, is the highest yet of the prevalence of so-called autism spectrum disorders, which include everything from severe autism to milder social difficulties to “pervasive developmental disorder,” a description given to many troubled children.

Nearly 40 percent of the children in the study who were given such a diagnosis grew out of it or no longer qualified for it, the study found. The estimate is based on those whose parents said they were currently struggling with one of the disorders.

Prevalence estimates for autism-related disorders have increased so quickly over the past decade — to 1 in 150 in 2007, from 1 in 300 in the early 2000s — that researchers have debated whether the disorder is in fact becoming more common or is simply diagnosed more often.

The new survey is not likely to settle the question. “This is an excellent study, but what it looks at is the prevalence of the diagnosis, not the disorder,” said Dr. Susan L. Hyman, a pediatrician at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. “The next step scientifically is to see whether those diagnoses are being made accurately.”

Huh. Funny how this big news just didn't get me all fired up. We've known this is rising and we all talk about it constantly. We live it, but amongst ourselves. Until a friend got me thinking about this "news", I figured I should post something from an acceptable media outlet like the New York Times. Reminds me of the feeling I had watching Autism Speaks or Jenny McCarthy get plastered all over the news the last few years. A little invasive into my personal world. Especially the recovery part, it made me a bit paranoid. A good invasion of course!

It's "the" talk for now. What will, if anything, people DO about it? What will change? 1 in 150 wasn't rock bottom. Will 1 in 94 be?