July 4, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Might such a test be developed in a minimum of five years, to be used to test children for autism at birth? Professor Rebecca Landa guesses this at the end of a June 3rd Newsweek article on the early detection of autism. And here is one company with a business plan to develop such a test. Are we ready for it?
[...] is currently no medical or biological test for autism. Some researchers have noted that a blood test might be developed for autism: Today’s Science Daily reports on how researchers at Purdue [...]
[...] advances in studying the eye tracking patterns of infants may lead to a new way–yet another new way?—to diagnose autism and language delays in young children, according to the July 31st New [...]
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I have a serious problem with things like this. I feel they’re part of an effort to make everyone the same. I periodically hear about “cures” for homosexuality too. It’s like they want everyone to be made of plastic, or simply more easily managable. What is the motivation for trying to “modify” a person who is perfectly healthy, sane, and not harming anyone?
And before anyone tries to go down this road: Yes, I know the difficulties that come along with autism. Repeatedly chasing after someone who is darting into traffic? Been there. Defending myself against a sudden, full-on, frontal assault that started because of sensory overload that transpired before I even got there? Done that. Listening to the same 4-second clip of a song repetitively for years? Got the t-shirt.
At the risk of sounding redundant, what good are any tests to identify things if there’s no effort, funding, etc. put into educating and helping families create the best possible life for their children?
I’ll believe it when I see it. If it becomes available at all, it will probably be a very complex and expensive test that misses half of all autistics. Nor do I think it will be helpful.
How “accurate” might such a test be?
The spectrum is so wide, so varied. How can a blood test be accurate? It certainly can’t predict where on the the spectrum a person might fall, and what that person’s abilities might eventually be.
Pre-natal detection is not for those who want create the best possible life for their children, AS MUCH AS for those who would be horrified, mortified, unwilling to have a child with Autism. In a way, I wish those people didn’t get to parent auties.
I DID get amnio(and karyotype), when the AFP suggested, and the ultrasound by a specialist supported that C would have Downs. It wasn’t necessary. I don’t really know why I risked it.
I wouldn’t cure either child of their dx. I would not have terminated either pregnancy.
oh.. derrr “at birth”. never mind
There already are blood tests for specific markers that lead to an understanding of the individual differences. Mostly expensive.
I think it would be a good thing. The same way many parents find out about other disabilities on their babies right at birth, parents of autistic kids will have more time to digest the diagnosis and accept their child, and of course work early on to develop their social and communication skills.
Another positive side of a blood test for autism at birth is to put the vaccine-causes-autism theory to rest.
I meant “accept their child as an autistic individual”, and not as an NT kid turned autistic by some toxin later as a toddler.
They are talking about a prenatal test. The cause of autism is not known. 90% of the US population is Pro-Choice despite the the claims of the Pro-Life movement. How is this known? 90% of all Down’s Syndrome pregnancies end up with a therapeutic abortion which means most pro-lifers become pro-choice when it comes to their own situations..
This is assuming. of course, that they know what they are testing FOR, and they don’t. 99% of children are not BORN with autism, they develop it around 15-18 months of age. So a blood test at birth is irrelevant.
“99% of children are not BORN with autism, [sic] they develop it around 15-18 months of age.”
Where’s that research? Studies? Evidence? And, how do we know who those 1% born with autism are?
Our child was assigned a PDD label in order to ‘get services’ by an arena eval at a Board of education. Of course we did not get those services and had to cobble together a very expensive program which ultimately backfired as the “therapy” as it was delivered only created rigidity and rebellion in a once happy child.
What we did discover by innocently using the label (we thought it carried no more stigma,than say, parkinsons) is that our child at four was segregated, persecuted, and ostracized overnight, where previously our child had been well-liked and included. It is very hard to explain to a four year old why the birthday party invitations have dried up and why there are no schools to go to. I am sure so many of you have been here, I do not mean to whine.
If the scientific community can actually come up with a definative blood test, how will society’s attitudes change? for the better – or will people be forced to wear something to identify this ‘difference’?
Mary,
What you said does not make sense. Just because something is not evident at birth is not a reason to claim it was not there.
For example, both of my children had blue eyes at birth. Both of them now have hazel eyes. In both the change happened around 4 or 5 years old. Based on your reasoning, something happened to my children to “make” them change from blue eyes to hazel eyes. The truth is this happens all the time, my eyes changed much earlier than theirs, but mine are brown. Their mother has blue eyes. The hazel is from my father.
And so is the autism my son and I both have.
And, do we know autism “looks like” in infants?
Caroline, *sigh* regarding birthday party invitations; haven’t received one in some time.
I was reading by the pool this afternoon after a very autistic day and came across this statement from Rosemarie Garland-Thomas in “Integrating Disability” from _Gendering Disability_:
In regard to prenatal testing for disabilities as a means of modern eugenics:
“[W]e cannot predict or, more precisely, control in advance such equivocal human states as happiness, suffering, or success. Neither is any amount of prenatal engineering going to produce the life that any of us desire and value. Indeed, both hubris and a lack of imagination characterize the prejudicial and reductive assumption that having a disability ruins lives. A vague notion of suffering and its potential deterrence drives much of the logic of elimination that rationalizes selective abortion (Kittay 2000). Life changes and quality are simply far too contingent to justify prenatal prediction.”
Rochelle, excellent points!
I have completely changed in my thinking re: pro-choice after having a child with a health condition.
I did all the tests one could do with amniotic fluid, probably ‘just to know’ as I felt blessed to have conceived at all, took the ante-natal vitamins for four years, etc.in anticipation and ‘trying’ like lots of modern mums.
Having seen and almost gagged on the sheer physicality of the prejudice that people with disabilities of any stripe are exposed to has made me vigilant in my belief that everyone has value, not just the pretty, slender, bright, articulate people. It can be taken away at any time. (strokes, Alzheimers, dementia, riding accidents, etc. etc.)
Perhaps the focus on ‘autism spectrum disorders’, whether an epidemic or not, will usher in a new way of thinking that is a little more tolerant than now.
I often look at the smug ‘professionals’ in charge of making decisions that pidgeon hole children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and think ‘what if you were suddenly unable to communicate? How would you wish to be treated?’
Okay, cue the words to the Declaration of Independence….:)
Hi, Caroline…
I hope that you’re right that increased focus on ASD will facilitate understanding and awareness. I think so, at least. I have been doing research here lately in disability studies (I suppose as a therapeutic way to deal with my son’s diagnosis) and I think the Humanistic approach to disability (like those found on this blog) that contradicts the medical model of disability that monopolizes our media offers the counter-statement that you discuss. There’s more to the “human experience” or “human condition” than what can be summed up in a medical chart. The “human experience” is more than just our collective bodily functions.
And, to support your point, 75% of the human population will experience some form of disability in some point in their lives. There isn’t a “normal” body or “normal” brain that is tainted or flawed by disabilities. The reality is that most of us just aren’t disabled…yet.
Off topic–Send me your email address and I’ll send you a birthday invitation. We’re having a party at the end of this month and if you’re ever in Texas, your son is officially invited. Charlie is, too, Kristina.
I’m excited! We’ll be there (virtually, and with all heart).
Just a quick comment re: the birthday invitations…I always found birthday parties (especially sleep-overs) distressing in the extreme.
While I mostly “pass” for NT, small talk and “schmoozing” is not my thing, and that makes parties very difficult for me. I also have a hard time initiating social interactions, so I generally hang out on the sidelines until someone drags me into the thick of things. Meanwhile, I have some pretty definite personal space issues that make crowds not fun. Add to that being a picky eater, and you can see where this is going.
I stopped having my own parties as soon as I could convince people I didn’t want one; rather, my family developed a tradition of a “birthday dinner” that I could invite one friend to.
I’m not saying that friends aren’t important, or that birthday party invitations aren’t something a child would like, or even that all people on the autism spectrum dislike them — and I’m certainly not trying to minimize your feelings about them…I’m just pointing out that it might not be bothering your kids.
Maybe a bike ride with a neighbor or classmate (or, even, in Charlie’s case, someone maybe training for a bike race that would enjoy Charlie’s long bike rides could be a good “big brother” type of pal for him) would be good.
Excellent point and suggestions, Jennifer…
I wish I could have known when my son was very small that he would have this disorder. If i had known I would have gotten him treatment sooner instead of waiting on doctors to play catch up. Instead I got the ” Oh your a first time mother and some kids have developmental delays”. Yeah they do.. but into the 4th year shouldn’t he be talking???? It would be great to be able to be of use to my child instead of being forced to wait all those wasted years.
I said it before and I will say it again. The new born should have a test for the amount 0f lead and arsenic in there hair to see if they become autistic later on. If they do then just find out were the lead or arsenic comes from and you may cut down on the number of childern with autism.