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Autism Linked to Environment
January 12, 2009 at 2:06 PM by Cafe Cynthia - Comments (18)
Speaking of vaccines and controversial subjects, here's some new findings on autism's link to the environment. A group of doctors in California, where autism rates are skyrocketing, feel strongly that autism may be more the result of household cleaning products, pesticides, and other chemicals than previously thought.
In a study in the journal Epidemiology, the researchers give a bunch of numbers that show increases in autism are not artificial -- that is, caused by immigration rates or more diagnoses due to increased awareness. They also toss out the probability of genetics and vaccines (thimerosal was taken out of vaccines in 1999) being a huge factor for various reasons.
Rather, these researchers are big on the idea that environmental causes, which could be altering a developing
baby's brain structure, are triggering autism. They include:
Mercury and other metals
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, man-made chemicals used in electronics and industrial processes)
Lead
Brominated flame retardants (used in furniture and electronics);
Pet flea shampoos (mothers of autistic children were twice as likely to use them)
Phthalates (used in vinyl and cosmetics)
Antibacterial soaps (they could have ingredients that harm the brain by changing immune systems)
Infectious microbes (in the 1970s, autism rates increased due to the rubella virus).
FILED UNDER: development & growth, health, safety
Comments:
I've also heard that too much TV can lead to Austism. Is this a fact or just a rumor of sorts?
Vitamin D defficeincy, video games, but I agree that the chemicals in the house are a big factor.
I don't know about the TV...my son was diagnosed on the spectrum and we didn't even have our TV plugged in for the first three years of his life.
I've heard some much news on vaccines being a contributing factor of autism. Our environment has to be part of the problem, especially in chemicals they use in toy making in other countries. It's heart breaking hearing my friends who find out their children get a diagnoses of autism, when they did everything right in caring for their pregancy and baby.
IMO (and this is JUST an opinion) I think there are several factors involved, probably environment as well as vaccines, BUT I think that you must already have a predisposition to autism and that possibly vaccines are just one of the factors that can trigger the disorder...which is why not ALL children become autistic from vaccinations ..so basically if the child became autistic right after a vaccination they were already going to have it..but thats JUST my opinion..
whatever the chemicals that are in the vaccines are also in the environment but you dont get such a strong dose as when the babies are under 5.IMO
I will be bringing home my 5th child with autism soon for adoption. I think many factors are involved. Autism is a spectrum disorder and I think that is one of the things that makes it hard to figure out. Autism is diagnosed by behaviors, delays, etc that could come from several sources. I also think that often kids are grouped into categories and labeled with not being "normal" as a kind of excuse. I've chosen to adopt my kids and "autism" isn't a horrible thing that they are faced with, but a way that God chose to make them special. Their behaviors can be modified and they shouldn't be shunned. I'd love to see a day come when people don't cringe at an autism diagnosis, but instead will have learned how to help them succeed and be accepted into society as the special individuals that they are. Whatever the "cause", I'm just thankful that God gave me such wonderful children.
so sad... ;(
Pet flea shampoos (mothers of autistic children were twice as likely to use them)
What the hell is THIS about? mothers using PET FLEA SHAMPOO????? I need someone to explain THAT to me.
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BigMommaJesca Jan. 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM