Response to 'Autism: The hidden epidemic?'

After reading the articles regarding the increase in autism — especially in Silicone Valley, I can't help but wonder if there is a relationship between autism and the use of some illegal drugs. I say this because I have a grandson who has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and I have reason to believe that his mother was smoking pot during her pregnancy and that she had been using it for many years prior to her getting pregnant. Also, the father was a long time user of pot as well. Both parents continued to smoke pot after the birth and I believe that the infant was exposed to the second hand smoke. Silicone Valley has a reputation for attracting people who have used and continue to use drugs. I may be all wrong, but I think that there is a common denominator here that should be investigated.
— Carolyn Mosley

Thank you, thank you, thank you for running your series on autism awareness. My beautiful son, John, was diagnosed a year ago at the age of three. John had no language before we began our journey of ABA therapy. With a lot of time, energy, money and faith he is developing into a "typical" four-year-old.  I often wonder if the flu shot or rhogam shot I received during my pregnancy contributed to his disorder. I do know that if we don't figure out what is causing this devastating disorder we will have a generation full of adults who can't function on their own.  My son is proof that early, intensive therapy is key to this crippling nightmare and I thank you for devoting time and effort to awareness and understanding.
— Susan Pero

My name is Cynthia Brown and I reside in Cheyenne Wyoming after moving from New York City in October.  I am the divorced mother of an 8-year-old child with autism who is in the majority of families that struggle to raise their children alone.
I am disappointed in the stories that I have seen so far. I feel that by writing this letter, I am speaking for poor minorities, single parents, grandparents who struggle to raise their children with the limited resources that we have. I am a native of the Bronx who has had to make the difficult decision to move 1,800 miles away from family and friends so that my son could have a better life. These are the population of families that are being ignored, I cannot relate to Dan Marino, he is a millionaire that could well afford the best for his son, unfortunately, this is not the case for a majority of us. My son has had the early intervention and still cannot carry on a full conversation. Unlike Dan Marino, I cannot afford a private therapist to come into my home and work with my son. My son was diagnosed at 14 months old and while most parents have time to grieve, I had to figure out what I needed to do to help my son.
Social Security is another issue not covered. In a time where the divorce rate is at its highest, me along with other parents have had to depend on Supplemental Security Income to meet the cost of raising a child with autism. I was receiving $158 per month in SSI payments along with child support and food stamps and still was not making ends meet. I did not have anyone who could care for my son after school so that I can work and finish my education. I was not making it and I needed to make some decisions for me and my son. This is my story and the stories of many people like myself that struggle to raise their children with limited incomes and resources. These are the people that we need to hear from.
— Cynthia Brown

MORE FROM AUTISM: THE HIDDEN EPIDEMIC?

Autism: The hidden epidemic? Section Front

More U.S. families in the grip of autism As autism cases soar, a search for clues Inside the autism treatment maze How families connect to cope with autism Virtual world teaches real-world skills Read responses from our readers Vote: What's behind the rise in autism? Autism resources, treatment and support Autism: The hidden epidemic? Section Front   Add Autism: The hidden epidemic? headlines to your news reader: