AUTISM
What is Autism?
Autism is a devastating neurological and biological disorder that typically affects children between the ages in 18 months to five years of age. Autism currently affects 1 in every 91 children today. It is estimated there are over 1 million people in the United States alone with autism. Autism affects each individual differently and at different levels of severity. Some people with autism are severely affected, cannot speak, require constant one-on-one care, and are never able to live independently. While others who have less severe symptoms, can communicate, and eventually acquire the necessary skills to live on their own.
Typically, autism affects individuals in five key areas:- Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
- Social skills
- Behaviors
- Learning
- Medical issues
*http://www.tacanow.org/about-autism/
What causes autism?
The official cause of autism is still unknown. Many groups of individuals have different ideas as to how autism developed, depending on their personal experiences. Many families believe autism is linked to childhood vaccinations and have made their claims vocal, including Zack in his books SAVING DEETS! and CHARITY BITES!. Others believe autism is solely genetic. Scientist have claimed over and over again that vaccines are not the cause of autism, however, organizaitons, such as SafeMinds, believe that it is not the vaccine, itself, but that it is the components of the vaccines (ie. mercury).
The mercury debates has been going on for years. Although claims have been made that mercury has been removed from childhood vaccines, some childhood vaccines contain trace amounts, and mothers are also encouraged to receive mercury-containing vaccines while pregnant. Mercury can be consumed in a variety of different ways, aside from vaccination. Other controversial ingredients in vaccines include aluminum and antifreeze.
Many families, such as Zack's, believe that the cause of autism is a combination of a genetic vulnerability and a triggering toxic environment full of poisons (such as mercury and aluminum), polution, and unhealthy foods.
Again, the cause is still not fully scientifically determined.
What are the symptoms?
Some autistic traits could include:
- Scatter/splinter skills of abilities –
- such as poor gross motor or fine motor skills and the ability to read at a very young age
- Oversensitive or under sensitive to pain
- Desire for the same daily schedule, toys, type of clothes or an insistent on “sameness”
- Repeating words, phrases in place of typical language or conversation (This is known as echolalia)
- Much difficulty expressing needs – they may use pointing, gestures versus words, or tantrums
- Finding situations funny or laughing at times when it is inappropriate (i.e., laughing at a baby crying.)
- Activity is noticeably under active or over active
- Excessive or frequent tantrums
- Can be aggressive or self injurious
- Prefers to be alone – may have social skills deficits
- Autistics can act deaf or be non responsive to verbal cues
- Odd play such as; spinning objects, or using toys for something besides there their intended purpose or using an odd attraction to an item that is inappropriate for age
- Non existent or poor eye contact
- Non responsive to typical teaching methods
- May respond negatively to crowds or not able to mix well with others
- Difficulty with holding a conversation
- May not like hugs, or to be cuddled.
- Sensitivity to loud noises, tags in clothes, coarse clothing, lights, and smells
- Frequently uses peripheral vision to track items (e.g., rolling car along countertop at eye-level)
- Highly self-limited diet (narrow down foods they’ll eat to a very limited few items when previously a broader range was accepted (e.g., bread, chicken nuggets, cheese, milk, and crackers – period.)
- A high amount of severe food allergies
- History of chronic ear infections as an infant
- Severe gastro-intestinal issues; chronic loose and/or foul-smelling stools.
- Lack of imaginative play or imitation.
*http://www.tacanow.org/about-autism/
Autism Facts & Statistics
- One in every 91 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with autism. (NOTE: This number does NOT include: PDD, Aspergers and other spectrum disorders. These statistics are endorsed by the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other federal organizations.)
- Autism is a life-long disability for many affected individuals
- Autism affects each individual uniquely
- People affected with autism live a normal life span
- It is estimated that there are approximately one million people in the US affected with autism
- Some people affected with autism will require life-long care at the cost of $5 to $7 million dollars.
- Autism is the most common developmental disability in California (and many other states). Autism is now more common that Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation, and Cystic Fibrosis combined.
- Autism often strikes boys more often than girls – roughly four times more common in boys.
- Some children who receive an early diagnosis, intense behavioral intervention, medical treatment, and speech therapy will lead typical lives. Not all people diagnosed with autism receive such an early diagnosis or enjoy this outcome.
*http://www.tacanow.org/about-autism/
Autism Treatment
The topic of recovery is also controversial. Public Actvists, such a Jenny McCarthy, claim to have healed autism in their children, but many people associate it with a cure for autism. There is no cure for autism. However, there are many helpful treatments that aid in treating and managing symptoms of autism.
Treatment has been proven affective in many cases. The Talk About Curing Autism Foundation and Generation Rescue have resources to better aid you.
For information on the Generation Rescue Family Grant Program,
CLICK HERE. The grant is a jumpstart to help families treat their child's autism.
VACCINES FACTS
Did you know :..
... infectious diseases were over 90% resolved by the time vaccines came onto the market?
...there are now 33 vaccines that are mandated by the time your child is 6 years old? and 40 by age 16?
...that before 1991 there was no system in place for reporting adverse vaccine reactions whatsoever?
...that only one country in Europe still has mandated DPT shots, whereas the US still requires 4 separate doses?
... 43% of Gulf War veterans experienced side effects to vaccines?
... 80,000 Gulf War vets have permanent medical conditions as a result of vaccinations?
... that vaccination is not immunization?
... that Hepatitis B vaccine was outlawed in France after 15,000 citizens filed a class action suit against the government?
...thatvaccines do not have to be proven safe and effective in order to be added to the list of mandated shots for American children?
...the the mercury in most vaccines is dozens of times in excess of EPA safe levels?
..that there are many new vaccines in the pipeline trying to get FDA approval so they can be tacked onto the mandated schedule?
... that vaccination is a multi-billion dollar industry in the US?
... that the US Congress has recently discovered rampant conflict of interest between the FDA and the vaccine manufacturers?
...that in the past 20 years, autism has gone from being almost completely unknown to an epidemic that now affects as many as one in every 150 American children?
... that the drug companies are not required to prove that vaccines will not cause cancer, and that no testing for carcinogenicity is even done before a vaccine is approved?
...that all states but two have very simple exemption forms by which a parent can choose to forego all vaccines for the child?
Message from National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) on Dr. Wakefield:
Videos on Autism:
Mercury Causing Autism Poll - 1 mins
obtained from:
Videos on Autism Recovery:
Click Here to watch the success Stan Kurtz had with his son Ethan
