Autism - A disorder whose time has come?

I hope so...

RFK Jr. appears to have hit the ground running since taking over Health and Human Services. Last week, I was pleased to see that he presented his plan to find out what is behind the autism epidemic. I outlined the challenges faced by families with children who have been diagnosed with the most extreme form of autism. I say the most extreme form, because one of the challenges of autism, is the poor diagnostic criteria used to diagnose children, and to place them on the “Spectrum”.

During his speech, RFK Jr. described the things that a child diagnosed with autism would never be able to do. Immediately after his presentation, he faced a backlash from the sensitive parents raising children with autism, who were upset because of the terminology used by RFK Jr in his speech. One mother took exception to the list of “nevers” - the things she was told her son would never be able to do. She took exception with RFK Jr. referring to Autism as a disease, instead of a disorder. Really? Is this all you can find to be unhappy about from his speech? Shouldn’t you be happy that someone is finally going to spend the money to determine why autism has been afflicting so many children for generations? I know some will be unhappy that I used the word afflicted. Yes, they are afflicted.

Children who are autistic do not like to be touched. They cannot play with other children. They are isolated in their own world. If a single child can be prevented from becoming autistic, then I am all for the research that RFK Jr. is planning to conduct. However, the research must not be contaminated by those who have a vested interest in the outcome. This means that any group that has a vested interest in the production of chemicals, vaccines, additives, fertilizers, must have no say in the research to be conducted. Everything should be on the table. Nothing should be off-limits.

We need to listen to parents who have documented evidence of their child’s descent into autism. These days the average parent takes a million photographs after the birth of a child. The photographs can be used to demonstrate the timeline of interventions in relation to the outcomes. Epidemiological methodologies can go a long way to finding the cause and effect. We need to mine the data that are available.

One of the games we play in society is the game of uproar. RFK Jr may not use all the correct terminology, but by creating uproar, some in society can avoid looking at the real issues he is raising.

Do I believe there is a cause and effect to autism? Yes.

Do I believe it is possible to pinpoint the cause? Yes.

Do I believe RFK Jr is the man to determine the cause of autism? Yes.

RFJ Jr is someone who has researched toxins in society for decades. He is not a Johnny come lately. I suspect he has receipts, and will be quickly able to direct his team in the right direction to conduct the research that will conclusively provide the much needed answers.

I wish him much success, for the sake of future generations.