A Genetic Clue to Why Autism Affects Boys More

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Do you think that it might have nothing to do with anything but being able to diagnose it more accurately and having more advances in "treatment" (by that I mean coping skills and what not) and other diagnostic methods? I'm thinking that it has always existed, but there wasn't a name for it as much knowledge as we have now, so it appears to be on the rise but potentially just wasn't diagnosed.

I think that explains part of it, but I don't think it explains all of it. I suspect there are a variety of factors at work, genetic and environmental. And I've known of enough cases where a change in diet lead to a real improvement that I cannot discount the food aspect that ThetaPrincess24 mentioned for some kids.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Because they can't let go of this idea of vaccine link to autism even though it has NEVER been linked by reputable studies.

I kind of hate to say this, but my experience is that there are more than a few parents of kids on the spectrum who don't completely trust (or who don't trust at all) the medical research establishment. I'm not one of them, but I can sort of see where they are coming from.

I think this may come from a variety of reasons. I know some who still sting from the old theory that withheld maternal love was the culprit. I know some who don't trust research that they think is controlled by pharmaceutical companies. I know some who believe that they saw real changes in their kids that coincided with events like vaccines. (Maybe they did, or maybe it's rationalization, I can't say.) And, sad as it is too say, I know some who've had bad enough experiences with medical doctors who have failed to help (not cure, but just offer compassionate help rather than judgment or "it's not real" reactions) that they've been turned off the "establishment" and just don't trust it.

The reality is that alot of these parents are grasping at straws, looking for any explanation of what happened to their kids and any idea of what can be done about it. Even when I think they're way off base, I can see how they got there.