Autism is not a mental illness, but a neuro-biological disorder. But I'm not sure what category would be best for this question. I hope placing it here in the mental health section does not offend anyone. If it does, I'd like to apologize.
Ok, what exactly is the Combating Autism Act, and why are many parents of Autustic children, and many Autistic adults against it? Will this act find ways to prevent children with this syndrome from being born, or will it simply spread awareness about Autism, and provide treatment so that Autistics can function with more ease in society?
Would this also apply to people with Aspergers? Also, what will this mean for adults who have gone undiagnosed for years, only to find out at 20, 30, and older they have an autistic spectrum disorder? Will they be ostracized even more if Autism is eventually gotten rid of in the future? I'm confused and interested in hearing both sides. Thanks.
2007-06-15 08:09:28 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
One point I've heard is that some say the goal of the "Combating Autism Act" is to develop genetic screening so it can be discovered in the womb and women then can abort. This not only is offensive to all those against abortion, but it also smacks of eugenics.
There are others who oppose any cure for autism. They insist people with autism don't need a cure; they need acceptance. That sounds good for high-functioning individuals, but when you have a 30 year old in diapers, or a child that beats his head bloody, I can't see how anyone can say such a person doesn't need a cure. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Al7aTnDYFYaKhJWibokbYh3ty6IX?qid=20070204200238AABSp5A&show=7#profile-info-AA11247439
As far as the question of whether a child is born with autism or not, 75% of all kids with autism exhibited signs from birth. 25% develop normally for the first year or so, then regress into autism.
2007-06-17 07:42:13 · answer #1 · answered by Smart Kat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Autism and Pervasive Developmental DIsorders are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)
Apparently, the Combating Autism Act is some movement by the government to research causes of Autism.
There's no known way to prevent children with Autism from being born. There aren't any ways to test if a child is autistic before they are born. I doubt if the Act has anything to do with abortion because President Bush approved it.
Asberger's DIsorder is a form of Pervasive Developmental DIsorder or Autism Spectrum DIsorder. Most people with Autism are diagnosed as children, it's very rare for anyone to get this type of diagnosis in adulthood.
I don't think we can realistically believe we will elimate autism any time in the near future. How can that be possible when no one is sure what causes it? I'm not sure why some people are upset about the Combat Autism Act, but sometimes people get confused about issues like this, especially when they get political about it. A lot of people sure got confused and upset about stem cell research, for example.
2007-06-21 20:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by majnun99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are probably freaking out and want women to abort autistic children because its becoming apparent that autism is future of huminty.. children are being diagnosed at an alarming rate... in the town next to where i live they are building a new school specifically for autistic kids because the township has SO many autistic children... it just scary...
2007-06-18 12:11:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are not born with autism they get it from immuniztion shots.
2007-06-15 15:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by cher b 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋
cher actually most are born with it
2007-06-16 21:02:47 · answer #5 · answered by LDawnZ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋