Post by Dr. Bill Z on Mar 31, 2014 6:13:45 GMT
On March 28th the CDC reported an increase in frequency of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders from 1 in 88 to 1 in 68.
www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/health/cdc-autism/index.html
The ratio is still predominately male (about 5:1) over female. Many are calling for better research into autism. Parents are frustrated and angry with the lack of solid answers about why we are no better at treating or preventing this disease than we were 10 years ago. Even worse is the fear generated over vaccines that has left some children to suffer measles and mumps unnecessarily. Many families do not understand how dangerous it can be to suffer through such disease, which can be fatal in some cases. Perhaps the one good measure from the new statistics is that we can lay the argument over vaccines to rest since many kids have gone without vaccines and the number of children with autism continues to increase.
As a child neurologist and a parent of a child with autism, I have spent much time thinking about the subject. The truth is we are doing a better job treating the disease than 10 years ago. There are more resources and more options available for families than 10-15 years ago. The best are associated with behavioral shaping and conditioning and may include "play therapy" which helps lower the threshold to model appropriate behavior. Elimination diets are easier to follow now that gluten free and other specialty foods are more readily available. There are more special schools and teachers with training and experience to help special children than ever before. All of this being said, it is still a devastating diagnosis to receive as a parent and more resources are needed to help guide parent with new diagnosis.
As far as research and prevention, we must first better define the disease. Autism is likely more than 50 different disorders lumped together because they present with the same symptoms. It is the same as labeling stroke and MS as cerebral palsy. With autism, the underlying diagnosis is elusive and typically never uncovered. Every child with autism undergoes screening for Fragile X and RETT, which present as autism like disorders. Genetics certainly plays a role, but likely with regard to susceptibility to an environmental or infectious cause. Note that not everyone gets chicken pox or small pox and still others become very ill or can die from the same virus. These differences are related to the genetic susceptibility of the host. If the person coming into contact with the disease lacks certain proteins that the virus binds to, they do not become infected. The proteins change with different genetic make up. Perhaps the phenomena that we are experiencing is the effect of one or more viruses that are infecting mom early (first trimester) and evidence of the virus is gone by the time the child is born. However the effect of the virus is seen as the lack of connectivity in the brain no recognized until 1.5-2 years of age. Herpes like viruses would be a good place to begin focus since some are built to be transported through nervous tissue.
www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/health/cdc-autism/index.html
The ratio is still predominately male (about 5:1) over female. Many are calling for better research into autism. Parents are frustrated and angry with the lack of solid answers about why we are no better at treating or preventing this disease than we were 10 years ago. Even worse is the fear generated over vaccines that has left some children to suffer measles and mumps unnecessarily. Many families do not understand how dangerous it can be to suffer through such disease, which can be fatal in some cases. Perhaps the one good measure from the new statistics is that we can lay the argument over vaccines to rest since many kids have gone without vaccines and the number of children with autism continues to increase.
As a child neurologist and a parent of a child with autism, I have spent much time thinking about the subject. The truth is we are doing a better job treating the disease than 10 years ago. There are more resources and more options available for families than 10-15 years ago. The best are associated with behavioral shaping and conditioning and may include "play therapy" which helps lower the threshold to model appropriate behavior. Elimination diets are easier to follow now that gluten free and other specialty foods are more readily available. There are more special schools and teachers with training and experience to help special children than ever before. All of this being said, it is still a devastating diagnosis to receive as a parent and more resources are needed to help guide parent with new diagnosis.
As far as research and prevention, we must first better define the disease. Autism is likely more than 50 different disorders lumped together because they present with the same symptoms. It is the same as labeling stroke and MS as cerebral palsy. With autism, the underlying diagnosis is elusive and typically never uncovered. Every child with autism undergoes screening for Fragile X and RETT, which present as autism like disorders. Genetics certainly plays a role, but likely with regard to susceptibility to an environmental or infectious cause. Note that not everyone gets chicken pox or small pox and still others become very ill or can die from the same virus. These differences are related to the genetic susceptibility of the host. If the person coming into contact with the disease lacks certain proteins that the virus binds to, they do not become infected. The proteins change with different genetic make up. Perhaps the phenomena that we are experiencing is the effect of one or more viruses that are infecting mom early (first trimester) and evidence of the virus is gone by the time the child is born. However the effect of the virus is seen as the lack of connectivity in the brain no recognized until 1.5-2 years of age. Herpes like viruses would be a good place to begin focus since some are built to be transported through nervous tissue.