why do so many kids have autism?

Answer 1

It's not just kids. There has been an increase across the board for all age groups. The reason is the expansion in the mid 90's of the diagnostic requirements. Many who were previously diagnosed as mentally retarded or schizophrenic or other developmetnal delays now fall on the autistic spectrum. So there's nothing contributing to this increase other than shuffling of the diagnoses. In fact, there's been a proportional decrease in the above mentioned conditions to the increase in autism. Everyone loves a conspiracy, so vaccines have been blamed...but there isn't any science to back up these claims. It's been tested over and over, and over.

Answer 2

There are several line of thought today to explain this epidemic.

First, yes there are some studies that suggest that immunizations may have an affect on children.

Second, Is that Asperger's disorder, often referred to as high functioning autism has become the new ADHD.

In the late 80's and 90's society seen a huge increase in the diagnosis of ADHD. Was that because there were more children with ADHD or was it because doctors just understood what the symptoms were? Remember drug companies spend billions of dollars each year researching a developing new drugs, in the 80's & 90's there was a huge increase in the medications available to treat ADHD. Did drug companies respond to a need in the market or did they create a need by creating the drugs? Was this because there was more cases of ADHD or because there were new drugs to treat symptoms of ADHD? or was it because doctors were more aware, due to the new medications. (pharmacutical sales representatives visit doctor's office very frequently to pass along information on new medications.)

As a parent of a child with ADHD, I truly believe in the effectiveness of the medications developed. My son is able to perform at his potential while on medication and without he finds it very difficult to complete any work at school.

My personal belief is that Autism is being recognized more often today because of awareness. Perhaps the increase in standardized testing in school have shown that this kids aren't the "dumb" kids or the "lazy" kids that they once were thought to be.

These poor individuals have been around for a very long time, as were the ADHDers, we typically called this people weridos or retarded.

Remember there are many highly successful individuals in the world today that have asperger's or ADHD, These disabilities do not mean that these people are dumb, or slow, often they are average to above average intelligence, they just don't relate with the world in the same way that "normal" people do. Some of these individuals have found their niche in the world and are doing well.

Answer 3

Autism affects an estimated 10 to 20 of every 10,000 people. It is about 4 times more common in boys as in girls.

What Causes Autism?
The exact cause of autism is not known, but research has pointed to several possible factors, including genetics (heredity), certain types of infections and problems occurring at birth.

Recent studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism, meaning that a susceptibility to develop the condition may be passed on from parents to children. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this increased vulnerability. In some children, environmental factors may also play a role. Studies of people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain, which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early brain development while still in utero.

Other theories suggest:

The body's immune system may inappropriately produce antibodies that attack the brains of children causing autism.
Abnormalities in brain structures cause autistic behavior
Children with autism have abnormal timing of the growth of their brains. Early in childhood, the brains of autistic children grow faster and larger than those of normal children. Later, when normal children's brains get bigger and better organized, autistic kids' brains grow more slowly.

Can Childhood Vaccines Cause Autism?
To date there is no convincing evidence that any vaccine can cause autism or any kind of behavioral disorder. A suspected link between measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism has been suggested by some parents of children with autism. Typically, symptoms of autism are first noted by parents as their child begins to have difficulty with delays in speaking after age one. MMR vaccine is first given to children at 12 to 15 months of age. Therefore autism cases with an apparent onset within a few weeks after MMR vaccination may simply be an unrelated chance occurrence.

There are no medications currently approved to treat autism, but medications may be used to treat specific symptoms, such as anxiety (nervousness), hyperactivity and behavior that may result in injury. A recent study found that a drug often used to treat schizophrenia in adults, called Risperdal, might benefit children with autism.

Autism cannot be prevented or cured. However, early diagnosis and intervention is critical and may help to maximize a child with autism's ability to speak, learn and function. It is very important that all children see a pediatrician regularly so that any signs of autism can be detected early. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be.

Answer 4

i work in the school's and there are allot of kids with autism. most studies point to all the immunizations. every time a new type of immunization is given the amount of kids with it goes up. it use to be about 1 in 10,000 in the 1980's now it's way up there about 1 in 1,000. but the government said the connection between the autism rate and the shots is still inconclusive.

Answer 5

If you look hard enough, you can find anything linking to autism. Basically all you have to do is have social issues to be diagnosed on the autism spectrum. They also diagnose with autism if they don't know what else to diagnose with. My neice was diagnosed with autism in order to recieve special education services, because apparently there's no category for 'extremely rare partial chromosomal deletion' for spec. ed.

Answer 6

Are you asking this because it's autism awarness week?

Children get autism from reasons unknown but here's a good link you may want to read

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Answer 7

Because there is a wider diagonostic crisis, it has nothing to do with immuninations or mercury whatsoever. I know because i have a mate with aspergers who has had no exposure to the MMR or mercury

Answer 8

I think it's from all the crap they put in food nowdays. I'm getting scared to eat anything. I thought just regular fruits and vegs were the best, but even now they are finding e-coli and bacteria on/ in them.
I wish people could go back to growing their own food. I don't know what's going to happen to everyone, with the crappy food causing all kinds of health problems.

Answer 9

There are some studies that show an increase in autism/ADHA/ADD in children whose mothers had epidurals during childbirth.

Answer 10

Heavy metal exposure environmentally and via vaccines, is suspected.

Although, as vaccines use mercury less and less, the affect on the numbers should be immediately obvious.