Response to 'Autism: The hidden epidemic?'

If you would look into the studies before NutraSweet was placed on the market, I think you will find the reasons for autism. The studies peformed on rats will give clues to what is taking place. Then do a study on all the parents who have children with autism and find out how much NutraSweet they consumed before they gave birth. I recieved all this information before NutraSweet was placed on the market and was told never to consume this product. This is food for thought, and guess what? NutraSweet in not food. You will need to check companies in California for the results of the testing. Go back to the early 70s and before. Good luck.
— Sallie Underwood

Re: As autism cases soar, a search for clues
I found your article to be very interesting. Of particular interest was the seemingly drastic rise in autism diagnosis. It seems to be the "in" diagnosis. You can't read a newspaper or pick up a periodical without reading something about it. A couple years ago it was "ADD." My wife and I are a couple in our 30s and have a 2 1/2 year-old boy. Similarly, we have a couple of friends with babies of about the same age. One of these couples' son has been diagnosed as having slight autism. Their doctors have this couple running from one therapy session to another. Five days a week. Now I don't pretend to be a doctor or play one on TV for that matter, but I don't see in my friends' child a tremendous difference between him and our child (who has not been diagnosed with the disorder). Again I spend far more time with my child than with theirs. But my wife and I don't see it. We feel that the experts are painting with a REALLY WIDE BRUSH on a VERY BIG CANVAS. Severe autism, slight autism, high-functioning autism, autistic-LIKE tendencies. A jump from 5.5 cases per 100,000 to 44.9 in such a short time span is epidemic. No one could deny that a jump in any rate (Cancer, AIDS, Down Syndrome) as drastic as that would set off major alarms. Could the "drastic rise" be in part to some misdiagnosis or the NEED to diagnose something? Why must every child be "Something." Children develop differently. Some are quicker to learn than others. Some develop intellect but are lacking in social skills. Some have better motor skills than others. Everyone's different. Of course, an expert will tell you that my friends' child would not have any of the skills he has today if it weren't for the "intensive" therapy he is undergoing. And there is no arguing with an expert. If you do, you're in denial.
Sometimes, when you get sick, you go to the doctor and he prescribes something, and in 5-7 days you feel better. Sometimes, when you get sick, you do nothing and in 5-7 days you feel better, too.
— Frank Prano

Having a child diagnosed with autism, I have been following your various news stories this week with much interest. One of the most frustrating issues that I hope will also be addressed is convincing the medical insurance companies that autism is now considered a "mainstream" medical condition that should be covered. At best, some of the biggest insurance companies will only partially cover a limited number of therapy visits.
Definitely not enough to do justice in giving the child the help they need.
Hopefully, you can interview some of the insurance company CEOs to put them on the spot for commitment. I would like to recognize organizations such as Denver Options, who have been wonderful in providing assistance.
— Ron Sherman

Perhaps the diagnosis of autism is soaring because it is misdiagnosed and overdiagnosed far to often. With the obsession in this country with standards and testing it is no wonder that children who talk later than "normal" are labeled as autistic by over enthusiastic clinicians and school staff. Many times children whose only problem is delayed receptive and/or expression language development will quickly be labeled autistic. May I suggest that you read information about the study and work that Dr. Stephen Camarata of Vanderbilt University is doing on late talking children? It may enlighten you and help explain why so many children are labeled now as autistic. I would also suggest that you read "The Einstein Syndrome" by Dr. Thomas Sowell.
— Sharon Knecht

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