LilSugar

Is Autism on the Rise or Are Parents Misreporting?

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:47 -0700

Parents were alarmed when the one in 150 statistic was released a while back. Now, a new study says as many as one in every 91 children in the United States has been diagnosed with some form of the developmental disorder. The statistic is a result of 78,000 verbal interviews with parents of children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old. And, some experts worry that the numbers are inaccurate because there's no way of knowing who made those diagnoses. Additionally, experts say 40 percent of kids who were once diagnosed with some form of autism, no longer meet the criteria. Do you believe autism is on the rise or are parents who need resources too quick to label their offspring?

Would You Invest in an Autism Screening Assessment?

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:45 -0700

If you could buy one more piece of the puzzle, would you? Some parents rely on their pediatricians for recommended tests and screenings, while others are willing to take matters into their own hands. When it comes to autism, many mamas seek out doctors willing to use a modified vaccination schedule or conform to a controlled diet in order to reduce the chances of their lil one developing the disorder. While researchers work on the possibility of a prenatal screening, one company is touting its ability to screen 24- to 48-month-olds for the likelihood that they will develop the disorder.

The same company that developed a system for testing a child's language development through the mail has introduced the LENA Language and Autism Screen ($200). By placing a recording device in specially designed clothing and letting it record 12 to 16 hours of a child's speech, LENA claims they can process the data and provide parents with a probability of their youngster being diagnosed with autism.

Given the importance of early detection, would you invest in an autism screening assessment?

Jenny McCarthy Talks Autism, Instincts, and Jim Carrey

LilSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Jenny McCarthy is one candid cover girl. We'd expect nothing less from the passionate mother and autism advocate who posed with her son Evan, 7, for the September cover of Cookie. Check out a few of the highlights from the interview.

On how she felt when Evan had a seven-hour seizure and went into cardiac arrest in 2004: I ran out of my house and into my driveway and screamed at the top of my lungs to God to just take him away, because I loved him so much and he was in so much pain.

On Amanda Peet calling parents who don't vaccinate their children "parasites": I think vaccines are one of the greatest things ever invented. I used to be [Peet] before I had a kid with autism.

On the position of Generation Rescue: "Vaccinations are safe - dot, dot, dot - for some kids. Vaccinations are not safe - dot, dot, dot - for other kids. Let’s protect the ones who are weak. We are pro–safe vaccine. Vaccines are just not one size fits all. If you gave everyone in the world penicillin, there would be some adverse effects for some people, and possibly deaths."

On parental instincts: "We’re the generation of parents who are saying, ‘Listen to us. We are the bosses of our children.’ I want parents to realize that, and not get pushed around by doctors who say, ‘Oh, that’s 100 percent safe.’"

On her most humbling mom moment: "Watching Evan pee on a fake tree in a waiting room."

On her relationship with Jim Carrey: "It’s wacky-weird that not only does [Carrey] not want to get married, which I love, but he also doesn’t want to have more kids, which I love."

Could Breastfeeding Contribute to Autism?

LilSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:00:19 -0700

The debate over autism continues. A two-year-old study about the link between breastmilk and the developmental disorder is gaining attention again after the university where it was conducted re-published the results on its website. In 2007, UCSF's Dr. Michael Merzenich introduced rats to the same levels of environmental toxins like PCB and PBDE found in breastmilk and saw significant deterioration of the brain.

Dr. Merzenich suggested that women exposed to high levels of environmental toxins should reconsider giving their tots breastmilk due to the toxins' ability to exacerbate brain disorders. No such studies have been conducted in humans at this point, but the research does have people talking. Do such findings make you reconsider nursing?

Will You Watch Autism X?

babysugar — Sun, 17 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Autism is a developmental disorder that invades the lives of thousands of families every day. It's a topic that brings out debate and passion - it is a mystery to many people who have never encountered such dysfunction. Bringing attention to the disorder, the Kirton family is taking their home life into our living rooms with a show called Autism X.

The family of eight has six children under age 14 who are all on the autistic spectrum. Trying to make ends meet, the family lives in an 1,100-square-foot house with one bathroom. Since both parents are staying at home to manage the chaos, they have taken to the Internet to sell tee-shirts on their family site Autism Bites. I'll be tuning in on Wednesday nights on Discovery Health to see how this crew makes it through the day. Will you?

Heated Autism Debate on The Doctors With Jenny McCarthy

LilSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:09:09 -0700

Passionate parents and doctors went head to head in what turned out to be a fairly heated debate on Wednesday's episode of The Doctors. Autism advocate and mother, Jenny McCarthy, her son Evan's doctor, Dr. Jerry Kartzinel, and J.B. Handley, co-founder of Generation Rescue were guests. They talked candidly with Dr. Jim Sears and Dr. Travis Stork about the 36 vaccinations American children are given. To see the second clip, read more.

Size of Toddler's Brain Section May Signal Autism

LilSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Sixty-seven American children are diagnosed with autism each day so it's no wonder why parents worry about their youngsters and watch for signs of the developmental disorder. A new study of 2-year-old children suggested that one area of the brain offered insight. The report said:

"We believe that children with autism have normal-sized brains at birth but at some point, in the latter part of the first year of life, it [the amygdala] begins to grow in kids with autism. And this study gives us insight inside the underlying brain mechanism so we can design more rational interventions," said lead study author Dr. Joseph Piven.

The amygdala gland helps with the processing of things like faces and emotions. Doctors hope this finding will eventually help them be able to diagnose autism at an earlier age.
Source

How to Talk to Your Pediatrician About Your Vaccine Concerns

babysugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:25 -0700

Mothers are hit with conflicting views on autism and vaccines. The morning news will feature a pediatrician denying any link between the two. Then on another channel, a mother is interviewed claiming that immunizations changed her child's life forever. Conflicted about what to do, some parents are opting not to vaccinate their children while others choose an alternative schedule and some stick with the schedule suggested by the AAP. Parents should talk with their pediatricians about their concerns so they can make the best decision for their child.

To see some talking points for a conversation with your doctor, read more.

Being open and honest with the doctor can be informative and beneficial for all involved. Here are some questions to get the ball rolling:

Do you think there is any link between vaccines and autism?
If "no" is the response, ask why they don't think there is a link.
If my child has a bad reaction after receiving a shot, what can we do?
Is thermisol present in any of the shots?
Why do you think there is such a high incidence of autism in boys versus girls?
What kind of alternative or modified shot schedule do you offer?
Will it cost more to administer the shots in a modified manner?
How do you or would you vaccinate your own children?
What do you think the possible causes of autism are if it isn't vaccines?

While pediatricians may not be able to answer all of these questions, it's a good way to get the dialogue started and to explain your apprehension and insecurities.
Source

Vaccines: Sticking With the Original Plan

babysugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:00:20 -0700

What is really to blame for the rapid increase of autism? It's something we all want to know, and unfortunately it has not yet been answered. While we nail biting parents sit and watch our children for signs of the developmental disorder, scientists, mothers, pediatricians, fathers, and advocates scramble to find the cause and a cure. Until that day, it seems vaccines will be the target of controversy.

Believing that immunizations may be at the root, some parents still choose to vaccinate their children as they would rather take a risk than have their youngster contract a life threatening disease like the measles. Others simply do not see a connection between the two and have the shots administered as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics. To see a chart of the recommended timeline, read more.

As I've mentioned before, I chose the regular AAP shot schedule for my daughter, but an alternative one for my son. Speak with your pediatrician to decide what is the best course of action for your child.

Do You Look For Signs of Autism in Your Child?

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:02 -0700

Each generation has its own worries, and these days a lot of moms and pops of tots carefully observe their children for signs of autism. The developmental disorder is such an issue that President Obama has made it a priority in his agenda on disabilities. Do you worry about your youngster?

Source