It Never Rains But It Pours: What a Week
November 8, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
What a week—–I guess that is kind of an understatement. There was a new, and frustratingly improbable theory of autism causation: Rain. The Times Online reminds us that, as has often been said, a correlation does not mean you’ve got a cause and notes that there’s indeed doubt as to “whether the paper deserved to be published and reported.” The line of reasoning followed by the paper’s author, Michael Waldman of the Johnson School at Cornell University is that living in a wetter climate leads children to stay inside more, and to be exposed to less sunlight and so produce less Vitamin D, and to spend more time on indoor activities such as watching TV—and to become autisitic.
Theorizing that TV might cause autism was the topic of an earlier paper by Prof. Waldman that relied as much on correlations and associations. I wrote to Prof. Waldman about his TV-autism theory back in October of 2006. The TV theory made especially little sense in our household because we don’t have a TV and, when we did, Charlie was not one to watch it, beyond certain favorite videos. Indeed, Charlie’s preferred activity is to be outside, pacing or roaming, preferably on a day with a clear blue sky and lots of sunshine. He is, though, pretty tolerant of rain and when it’s not too heavy—misting—-he doesn’t seem to care at all. This is obviously a correlation, but I’d say he’s more focused and calmed and at ease for being outside (mist or rain).
Anyways, as we have no TV, we weren’t able to sit in front of it to watch the results of the US Presidential election pour in (I did not mean that as a pun) on Tuesday night. Jim went to the gym and watched TV there and I flitted around between every major news website I could think of; Charlie was sound asleep, after a good day at school, a log walk (in misty conditions), and a potentially disappointing visit to the grocery store because they’d lost their power and almost all refrigerated and frozen items had had to be tossed, and Charlie was unable to find the usual items (vegetarian egg rolls and mini carrots, among others) that he favors.
You know what happened in the election, and then before you know it there’s been a brouhaha about the suggestion that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., might be considered to head the EPA—-seems not a week can go by without a certain theory of autism causation pushing its way into the public discussion (and onto this blog). Turning to the topic I prefer to devote my energies to (despite what may seem to be the case), it seems that Colin Powell has been mentioned as a possible education secretary.
On which note—-it’s the annual convention for the New Jersey Education Association and Charlie (a student in NJ’s public schools for most of the past 7 years) has had Thursday and Friday off (hence a much appreciated grandparents visit). And while preoccupied with everything previously noted in this post, guiding Charlie (who made his Monday lunch after school on Wednesday) through a smoother, or reasonably smooth, long weekend has been the main business around here. He’s spent a fair amount of time shopping for new pants (this growth spurt thing just won’t let off), hanging with my parents and using an old computer. I took him for a long swim on Thursday night, Jim did a 12-mile biker ride, and we all went out for Spanish food afterwards.
Correlation between all that and a quite peaceful easy-feeling boy?
If you choose to see it that way…………..
I really enjoyed your article. The TV idea is laughable.
My son Nick didn’t watch TV much either – his condition/personality was, on reflection, visible much earlier.
The result of your “peaceful easy-feeling boy” is commendable and might enable him to soar with The Eagles one day!
Thankyou for this type of discussion.
It’s funny, all that has happened in the last week, and when I look at my son, I just see his happy little face and his particular needs. He has been singing John Lennon songs this week, quite appropriate, I think!
For me, a particular biggie this week was my first board meeting for a “local nonprofit organization that comprises 25 programs, including 15 residences, day habilitation and in-home supports, case management, an array of employment supports and class offerings, as well as the unique and nationally-renowned Spindleworks arts program and gallery”.
Just my way of learning and contributing to the now and future needs of my son and others. I appreciate that the board includes several of their clients, and had a nice time getting to know them.
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research be damned, you just said it in a nutshell!
Well if this were true (lack of exposure to the sun) we should look to see if Alaska has a higher degree of children born and dx’d during the winter and conversly a lower degree born and dx’d during the summer? From cursory research (Google U) it seems that the current trends in the lower 48 are the same in Alaska.
I used to think of Cornell as a rather good school but with garbage like this “study” coming out of there, I am thinking about changing my opinion.
“Well if this were true (lack of exposure to the sun) we should look to see if Alaska has a higher degree of children born and dx’d during the winter and conversly a lower degree born and dx’d during the summer? From cursory research (Google U) it seems that the current trends in the lower 48 are the same in Alaska.
I used to think of Cornell as a rather good school but with garbage like this ’study’ coming out of there, I am thinking about changing my opinion.”
Garbage comes from all kinds of institutions, really. I wouldn’t presume that any school would preclude it (and from the larger Ivy league schools, I’d actually expect it).
But, to play devil’s advocate for a brief second, I don’t think they’re specifically or necessarily targeting just lack of exposure to the sun as much as an indoors environmental factor of some kind, with the lack of exposure to the sun being a (lame) example. Mind you, that doesn’t help with the general problems of implication and the design flaws (which are as humorous as they are lethal to its effectiveness).
Cliff
Colin Powell for education? I’d rather see Hillary Clinton there. Honestly, her background knowledge and experiences rank her highly in educational circles. She’d be a breath of fresh air after Paige and Spelling.
I enjoyed this post also. Got a whiff of the rain-autism story and just chuckled. I blame the media in part. Few people see the original publications and journalists have other agendas for slanting stories.
Do we really need (or benefit from) a Secretary of Education?