"This poorly researched and written report should embarrass US News and World Report for it's shallow exploration of the scientific literature. This has become all too common in scientific reporting, if not expected in journalism these days, especially as magazines respond to plummeting ad sales with lay-offs of experienced and well-trained reporters."
I agree, scientific reporting in mainstream media has become shallow and unexplanatory leading many to question the results of even government funded studies. At least speculative broadcast reporters have more interesting coverage- at least it doesn't read like a press release. To view how this story has been reported upon by other outlets check out this video: http://www.newsy.com/videos/autism_on_the_rise
Ashleyof IL12:37PM October 09, 2009
Most of the parents where I live see the rise of Autism in their very lives. Early Intervention is key, stick with therapy and what works for the child. Take out all chemical usage in the home (as well as food). My son has improved tremendously.
I also MUST add that I think anyone who might think that Autism is caused by bad parenting, deserves a perfectly healthy child. The ignorance in some people blows my mind. You have no idea what most parents do for their autistic children, and thank god one of them does not belong to you. Ignorance, now that would more likely come from BAD PARENTING.
DontWORRYboutITof IN6:03PM October 06, 2009
This is what happens when women get C-sections and have their kids vaccinated.
Gregof IL3:09PM October 06, 2009
It's the only minority the Republican Party really cares about: http://www.urinalgum.com/?p=201
Urinal Gumof OR11:08PM October 05, 2009
Begging your pardon naysayers, the University of California study proves that autism's numbers cannot be explained away by artificial factors, such as misclassification and criteria changes, according to the results of a large statewide epidemiological study.
Published in the January 2009 issue of the journal Epidemiology, results from the study also suggest that research should shift from genetics to the host of chemicals and infectious microbes in the environment that are likely at the root of changes in the neurodevelopment of California's children.
The methodology eliminated migration as a potential cause of the increase in the number of autism cases. It also revealed that no more than 56 percent of the estimated 600-to-700 percent increase, that is, less than one-tenth of the increased number of reported autism cases, could be attributed to the inclusion of milder cases of autism. Only 24 percent of the increase could be attributed to earlier age at diagnosis.
"These are fairly small percentages compared to the size of the increase that we've seen in the state," Hertz-Picciotto said.
Hertz-Picciotto said that the study is a clarion call to researchers and policy makers who have focused attention and money on understanding the genetic components of autism. She said that the rise in cases of autism in California cannot be attributed to the state's increasingly diverse population because the disorder affects ethnic groups at fairly similar rates.
"Right now, about 10 to 20 times more research dollars are spent on studies of the genetic causes of autism than on environmental ones. We need to even out the funding," Hertz-Picciotto said.
Have any of you naysayers read the report? Any report? Didn't think so.
bensmysonof NC7:35PM October 05, 2009
"I'm not saying legitimate autism doesn't exist, but I think the article allows one to make a fairly intelligent conclusion."
Legitimate autism does exist. I was very skeptical about my daughter's initial diagnosis, because I feel that the hysterical nature of our society tends to blow things way out of proportion. That being said, eventually I came to believe that the diagnosis was correct, and we took the appropriate measures, focusing on speech, physical and occupational therapy.
And we refused to put our daughter on any medication. So far, the results have been good. Are there some cases where parents look for something to blame? Sure. But I think that explanation is somewhat simplistic.
David Schifferliof OH5:14PM October 05, 2009
Take ALL kids and do not vaccinate them ever. See what happens. Most of these so called childhood illnesses that we are soooooo worried about simply make you sick for a few days. Majority of children this day and age will not die from measles, mumps or rubella. Some of these other diseases have not been around since the stoneages. I would rather take a chance on my child getting a childhood illness and recovering thereby being fully immune to the disease rather than risk a brain disorder such as autism which in my opinion can never be corrected. Childhood illnesses are rarely fatal and when they are it is usually something else that helps such as a weakened immune system. I had immunizations and I also had measles, mumps and rubella as a child. Some immunization that is. Also, I am still alive to tell this story.
Jerryof OH4:54PM October 05, 2009
"What the piece fails to address are the statistical anomalies that explain the apparent increase, such as the fact that over the past twenty years the definition of autism has broadened to included several old and some new conditions including Asberger's syndrome and pervasive developmental delays--this, coupled with the fact that parental pressure has increased on physicians to "diagnose" autism in order to qualify their family for special education programs for their children.
Grady also makes a good point. However, part of that is due to the healthcare "Rubik's Cube" that parents must play with their insurance providers in order to at least receive some sort of coverage. Neither my wife's nor my own plan would cover a diagnosis of simple "delay". However, when the diagnosis became "PDD" we did receive at least some coverage, although not much. Trust me, treatment for this type of problem is expensive. Even with the coverage we received, we spent five years paying off the bill.
Daveof OH4:44PM October 05, 2009
The "Gosh, I don't know" answers of these researchers puts their own findings questionable at best. And the fact that it's white kids mostly, and mostly boys? Hardly surprising. These helicopter parents bring their insufferable little brats in to the doctor and NEED some kind of diagnosis that will take them off the hook for having really terrible parenting skills. It's the ultimate in the "Not My Fault" mindset of most of America, but particularly with whites. They can't imagine that they have created these monsters, so they look elsewhere for fault. Really sad. Meanwhile these kids grow up with the double burden of being stigmatized and having boundaries basically removed for them. I'm not saying legitimate autism doesn't exist, but I think the article allows one to make a fairly intelligent conclusion.
Kyleof MN4:38PM October 05, 2009
This poorly researched and written report should embarrass US News and World Report for it's shallow exploration of the scientific literature. This has become all too common in scientific reporting, if not expected in journalism these days, especially as magazines respond to plummeting ad sales with lay-offs of experienced and well-trained reporters.
What the piece fails to address are the statistical anomalies that explain the apparent increase, such as the fact that over the past twenty years the definition of autism has broadened to included several old and some new conditions including Asberger's syndrome and pervasive developmental delays--this, coupled with the fact that parental pressure has increased on physicians to "diagnose" autism in order to qualify their family for special education programs for their children. One used to come to "print" journalism for factually accurate reporting, but nowadays one might just as well go to CNN or Fox TV news.
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Ashley of IL 12:37PM October 09, 2009
DontWORRYboutIT of IN 6:03PM October 06, 2009
Greg of IL 3:09PM October 06, 2009
Urinal Gum of OR 11:08PM October 05, 2009
bensmyson of NC 7:35PM October 05, 2009
David Schifferli of OH 5:14PM October 05, 2009
Jerry of OH 4:54PM October 05, 2009
Dave of OH 4:44PM October 05, 2009
Kyle of MN 4:38PM October 05, 2009
Grady Watts of DC 4:18PM October 05, 2009