My friend Suzy sent me this:
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/16660553.htm
A couple of things......
1) The CDC is NO FRIEND to children with autism. Don't buy it. Don't buy it. Don't buy it.
2) The article states that 10 % of the 8 year old population studied has some form of autism. 10%!
It goes on:
"Our estimates are becoming better and more consistent, though we can't yet tell if there is a true increase in (autism spectrum disorders) or if the changes are the result of our better studies," CDC Director Julie Gerbering said in a statement.
Anyone who can look at the numbers and make a statement like that should be tested for their own developmental delay.
3) The article describes Asperger's as "relatively subtle." My kid is on the high functioning end of the spectrum but she does not go "unnoticed" for very long. Believe me, subtle, she's not.
(Speaking of "high functioning," I really need to write something about that label. Perhaps another day).
Anyway...if this is what the CDC is admitting to, one can only imagine the scope of the truth.
Think autism doesn't affect you? Look out. Our ecomony stands to come crashing down if the powers that be continue to ignore this epidemic. If we continue to deny these kids the medical interventions and therapies they need.
What happens when the parents die? The "lower functioning" will end up institutionalized. Who's paying? Without early intervention, our "higher functioning" kids will be out on the street. You think we have a homeless crises now? Just wait.
10% of the 8 year old population has some form of autism?
It's a self inflicted medical travesty. A result of greed and collective unconsciousness.
It's a disgrace.
And it will affect everyone.
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9 comments:
Yea, Michelle! Thank you for being a powerful voice and force to turn this travesty around!
Sing with me AAAAAMEN! AAAAAAMEN! AAAAAMEN,AMEN AMEN! Sure, the stupid pediatricians 30, 40, 50 years ago missed all the autistic kids. It's just better diagnosis. You know, in the old days when docs CAME TO YOUR HOUSE and spent time with the family, had a cuppa with Mom while opening the black bag, they MISSED the kids screaming, wearing diapers at 12, unable to say hello or stop saying DOROTHY WANTS TO KNOW IF ELMO CAN SWIM. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!
Wow. Wow wow wow.
People are in blind denile. It really pisses me off.
At least voices like yours are fighting to be heard! Go! Go!
:)
I was wondering what your response to this news would be. So sad that there are not more advocates for this heartbreaking situation for so many families. Do you think that at least some of the media coverage will have a positive impact? After reading more about Riley and the broad spectrum of behaviors and issues related to autism, I have sneaking suspicions that a good friend's daughter falls somewhere on the spectrum. (See what you have done Michelle - 6 months ago, I never would have even KNOWN that there was a spectrum of autistic behaviors!) I'm sure she has slipped through the cracks because she has been seen as just a "high maintenance" child. Now - how to approach my friend . . .
Keep on keepin' on, girl. You are a wonder (I know I keep saying that, but it's so true!).
I don't know what to write. I am too angry. My heart is too full. Thanks for posting this. You light the fire under me to become more vocal. After all, who am I protecting by being so polite and silent? Certainly not the new moms and babies.
You know, these people must not have been present at the college faculty meetings in colleges all over the nation last year. You see, within another year or two several thousand children on the spectrum are supposed to be entering college age. The focus of the school agenda is how to teach these autistic kids, it's hard enough teaching the illiterate American kids not on the Autism spectrum. The conclusion of the faculty (from what I hear from friend profos) is that they don't know how they are going to teach these kids. That's kind of funny, doctors don't know what to do with them besides diagnose them, parents don't know how to reach their own children, so why would teachers know what to do with these kids? But of course nothing has changed in the past 15 years except for better diagnosing. I think we are all about to receive a great big lesson in societal denial.
FYI Most DOCTORS don't know how to diagnose autistic spectrum disorders unless they are severe.
We were told by so called professionals:
1) your daughter is just clumsy
by another:
2) tell her she's making a big deal out of nothing
3) you're just disappointed she'll never be an athlete. Nothing wrong with her. Just a little delayed.
Then, when an OT finally figured her out, all the doctors wanted to know was,
"Well....who diagnosed her?" They were all offended that an OT had the nerve to call a spade a spade.
More concerned about another profession impinging on their diagnosing, than about actually helping the child.
Thank you, Michelle. I have two nephews, one a drug addict at 20, who I know is on the spectrum but has never been properly diagnosed. Such suffering when the medical model does not reflect truth back to us.
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