2006-09-19 06:46:41 · 4 answers · asked by gigaman 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Just about anything with the brain is a very difficult subject for science.
I can summarize much of what I discovered from a lecture by Geraldine Dawson, PhD.
Genetics play a huge factor in a child's likelihood to have autism, but it's not totally genetics. If one fraternal twin is autistic, the 2nd twin is no more likely to be autistic than siblings born at different times (about 6%). But if one identical twin is autistisc, the 2nd child is at least 10 times more likely to be autistic than siblings born at different times (about 60-80%.) If genes were the sole cause of autism, the identical twin of an autistic child would ALWAYS be autistic. So it appears there are both intrinsic AND extrinsic factors, combined.
But, inspite of anecdotal stories, at least some of the children with autism, developed autism BEFORE 18 months, when the vaccinations take place. There was a study using home old videos taken at first birthday parties & they were able to identify 90% of the kids with autism. If at 12 months, they were already displaying autistic behaviors, the vaccinations couldn't have caused them. That does not rule out the possibility that as much as 10% of the autistic children "get it" from the vaccinations
2006-09-22 20:46:19 · answer #1 · answered by Smart Kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a great mystery, but it seems to have a lot to do with infant and prenatal nutritional problems. The only reference I have that even makes an effort to treat it is James and Phyllis Balch's old classic Prescription For Nutritional Healing (pg 148). The Natural Pharmacy (ed. Liniger) mentions work with magnesium and pyridoxine supplements, and Dr Atkins Vita-Nutrient Solution touts the work of Bernard Rimland PHD with a supplement called DMG as showing significant benefit (pg 265).
Books are available on Alibris.com if you cant find a local copy.
Good luck!
2006-09-19 14:08:12 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Roy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because there is not a single cause but loads of them? with some people it's genetic, with some it can be caused by food intolerances and so on.
2006-09-19 13:54:45 · answer #3 · answered by nerdyhermione 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time and money.
Just like they haven't found a cause for what I suffer from.
2006-09-19 13:53:57 · answer #4 · answered by Smitty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋