Must See TV!!
Tonight on HBO:
In 1980, autism was a relatively rare disorder, diagnosed in one of every 10,000 U.S. children. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 150 may be afflicted. AUTISM: THE MUSICAL counters this troubling statistic with the story of five autistic children, their families and the dynamic woman who leads them to defy expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own musical. An intimate portrait of these young people and their families as they struggle, and ultimately triumph, through the transformative power of theatre.
I know, I know … It’s American Idol night. But I recommend setting your DVR or Tivo to record this. Or check out the replay schedule here.
One cause of non-familial “autism” is for sure, OLDER PATERNAL AGE. I’m looking forward to seeing the show.
Les,
Thanks for the comment. I too am looking forward to this show. I’m headed over to check your blog now.
I think a big factor in the “increase” in autism is due to better diagnostic techniques and more awareness. As little as 5 years ago my daughter would have never been dx’d with asperger’s. She would have just been labeled a behavior problem. Or worse.
Heck, when we first started looking at autism spectrum as a possibility I was told she couldn’t have it because “she’s a girl”. That was less than 2 years ago.
Re: the Poling case.. that is dealing with a specific type of regressive autism that they were able to prove the link with the shots. It’s not likely to have all that much impact from what I have heard.
I have seen a lot of reference to auto-immune disorders related to autism. I find that very interesting.
Kirsten,
Thanks for visiting. I agree that better diagnostic procedures are playing big part. I read somewhere (will try to find the source) that even while thimerosal usage has decreased in vaccines, autism rates have continued to rise. I think there’s just so much we still don’t understand.
I also feel that getting better with ‘genetic’ medicine will also help us to distinguish between those with autism and with, say, 7q duplication syndrome. It’s going to help us better understand the differences in severity differences between people.
Lastly, I must get on my soapbox for a moment …
(this is completely opinion based …)
I am torn on the vaccination issue. I continue to read more and more about it and continue to flip-flop back and forth about what is necessary and what is not. The one conclusion that I have made and stand strong in defending, is that I don’t believe we should be giving so many vaccines at one time! Between 12 and 18 months there are a recommended 9 vaccines that an infant should receive. WOW! AT this stage of life neither the immune system nor the nervous system are fully developed. What could this be doing to give so many vaccines over a short period of time during such a crucial stage in human development?
That’s the issue I think we need to examine more closely.