Comments on: My letter to Autism Speaks about the “autism epidemic” http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:49:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Autism Vox » Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine: Early Detection, the Cost to Society, Older Parents http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-532679 Autism Vox » Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine: Early Detection, the Cost to Society, Older Parents Mon, 02 Apr 2007 18:01:55 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-532679 [...] for future budgets. But I have to wonder how someone who (for instance) believes that there is an epidemic of autism might use such figures—perhaps to suggest that we had better start curing all these [...] [...] for future budgets. But I have to wonder how someone who (for instance) believes that there is an epidemic of autism might use such figures—perhaps to suggest that we had better start curing all these [...]

]]> By: Autism Vox » The Other Autism “E” Word http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-532150 Autism Vox » The Other Autism “E” Word Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:31:14 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-532150 [...] is a real increase—an epidemic. I have posted more than my share of thoughts about the autism epidemic here. But I wonder if it would not be more useful—would be a more direct way of addressing [...] [...] is a real increase—an epidemic. I have posted more than my share of thoughts about the autism epidemic here. But I wonder if it would not be more useful—would be a more direct way of addressing [...]

]]> By: Autism Vox » Educate Autistic Children Now http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-531013 Autism Vox » Educate Autistic Children Now Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:23:18 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-531013 [...] Along with Dr. Sapir, I think that there is no epidemic of autism. From my reading of his letter, it seems that it is the phenomenon of the “changing definitions” of autism itself that he suggests is the reason, indeed the cause, of what appears to be an “artificially” constructed “epidemic” of autism. Whoever is changing the definition of autism would then be responsible for what seems like an “epidemic” of autism. [...] [...] Along with Dr. Sapir, I think that there is no epidemic of autism. From my reading of his letter, it seems that it is the phenomenon of the “changing definitions” of autism itself that he suggests is the reason, indeed the cause, of what appears to be an “artificially” constructed “epidemic” of autism. Whoever is changing the definition of autism would then be responsible for what seems like an “epidemic” of autism. [...]

]]> By: Autism Vox » Of Birds and Sheep, and Science in the Media http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530498 Autism Vox » Of Birds and Sheep, and Science in the Media Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:35:05 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530498 [...] There is, Illes notes, a “sharp disconnect” between the “conversation” that scientists have with themselves and what the public learns through media stories (and, too, via the Internet, whether in blogs, email discussion lists, or plain old websites). And the volume of stories that the public reads about possible environmental factors causing autism can, indeed, convey a sense that this is the issue—can cause people to flock to ideas (and, indeed, to panic and alarm) about whether or not there is an epidemic of autism, rather than to reflect upon the difference between terms like epidemic and prevalence [...] [...] There is, Illes notes, a “sharp disconnect” between the “conversation” that scientists have with themselves and what the public learns through media stories (and, too, via the Internet, whether in blogs, email discussion lists, or plain old websites). And the volume of stories that the public reads about possible environmental factors causing autism can, indeed, convey a sense that this is the issue—can cause people to flock to ideas (and, indeed, to panic and alarm) about whether or not there is an epidemic of autism, rather than to reflect upon the difference between terms like epidemic and prevalence [...]

]]> By: Autism Vox http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530428 Autism Vox Sat, 27 Jan 2007 09:16:46 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530428 [...] Grinker’s argument for why there is no epidemic of autism is not, indeed, “obviously or patently true,” if one reads many of the emailed-in responses to Autism Speaks January 17th query for responses to the question “Is Autism an Epidemic,” a request which was itself prompted by recent media coverage of Unstrange Minds. “The schools are busting at the seams trying to accommodate these PDD-Autistic children”; “I think this Roy Grinker is out of touch with reality to suggest that autism is not an epidemic”; “Better diagnostics just simply doesn’t hold water. This is all common sense,” are a few examples of the sorts of objections raised. I have discussed Grinker’s “no epidemic of autism” argument in a previous post, What is there is no autism epidemic?, and posted my letter (on why I do not think there is an epidemic of autism) in this post, My letter to Autism Speaks about the autism epidemic. The comments on the former post reveal a developing discussion about whether or not there is a real epidemic of autism—whether there jst simply are more autistic children “out there,” or whether better diagnostics and a number of other factors have contributed to what seems like a massive, sudden increase in a disorder once thought rare. It is suggested that, in some ways, what we call an “epidemic of autism” is a metaphorical use of the word: That “epidemic” is being used in reference to autism to mean something like “a sudden and drastic rise in some condition,” but not to an actual, medical, disease caused (for instance) by a microbe or other molecular marker. [...] [...] Grinker’s argument for why there is no epidemic of autism is not, indeed, “obviously or patently true,” if one reads many of the emailed-in responses to Autism Speaks January 17th query for responses to the question “Is Autism an Epidemic,” a request which was itself prompted by recent media coverage of Unstrange Minds. “The schools are busting at the seams trying to accommodate these PDD-Autistic children”; “I think this Roy Grinker is out of touch with reality to suggest that autism is not an epidemic”; “Better diagnostics just simply doesn’t hold water. This is all common sense,” are a few examples of the sorts of objections raised. I have discussed Grinker’s “no epidemic of autism” argument in a previous post, What is there is no autism epidemic?, and posted my letter (on why I do not think there is an epidemic of autism) in this post, My letter to Autism Speaks about the autism epidemic. The comments on the former post reveal a developing discussion about whether or not there is a real epidemic of autism—whether there jst simply are more autistic children “out there,” or whether better diagnostics and a number of other factors have contributed to what seems like a massive, sudden increase in a disorder once thought rare. It is suggested that, in some ways, what we call an “epidemic of autism” is a metaphorical use of the word: That “epidemic” is being used in reference to autism to mean something like “a sudden and drastic rise in some condition,” but not to an actual, medical, disease caused (for instance) by a microbe or other molecular marker. [...]

]]> By: Autism Vox » Reading the Fragments: Sappho, Charlie’s Words, and Autism Speaks http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530240 Autism Vox » Reading the Fragments: Sappho, Charlie’s Words, and Autism Speaks Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:14:27 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530240 [...] As I read through the fifteen additional responses on whether or not there is an autism epidemic that appeared on the Autism Speaks website, I thought of what it is like to read the ancient Greek poet Sappho. [...] [...] As I read through the fifteen additional responses on whether or not there is an autism epidemic that appeared on the Autism Speaks website, I thought of what it is like to read the ancient Greek poet Sappho. [...]

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530260 Kristina Chew, PhD Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:10:36 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530260 As of this afternoon, my excerpt is quite <a href="http://autismspeaks.com/inthenews/grinker_unstrange_minds_email.php">unreadable</a>. As of this afternoon, my excerpt is quite unreadable.

]]> By: Beau http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530266 Beau Wed, 24 Jan 2007 19:20:25 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530266 I agree the point is not to argue over increased incidence or diagnosis. It is how we are helping those affected adapt and become successful, productive, contributing members of society. I agree the point is not to argue over increased incidence or diagnosis. It is how we are helping those affected adapt and become successful, productive, contributing members of society.

]]> By: Julia http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530268 Julia Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:27:12 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530268 Whatever else is going on, whatever form of autism any of my children have is probably genetic. I don't presume to speak about ALL autistic children, but in the case of mine, I'll maintain it's genetic. If someone wants to point to some other cause of their own child's autism, I'm not going to argue with them, but if they tell me my own children's autism isn't genetic, I will not accept that, and I will not let them think that I accept that. Whatever else is going on, whatever form of autism any of my children have is probably genetic.

I don’t presume to speak about ALL autistic children, but in the case of mine, I’ll maintain it’s genetic. If someone wants to point to some other cause of their own child’s autism, I’m not going to argue with them, but if they tell me my own children’s autism isn’t genetic, I will not accept that, and I will not let them think that I accept that.

]]> By: Kev http://www.blisstree.com/articles/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-530320 Kev Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:44:52 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/my-letter-to-autism-speaks-about-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-530320 Well done on getting just a flavour of (censored) anti-epidemic out there Kristina. Believe me, many more people than yourself and Mark Probert mailed Autism Speaks about this. I also cannot believe they had the audacity to quote Kevin Barry. Not only is he an employee of Autism Speaks, he's also been caught red handed organising a campaign to flood the Autism Speaks webmaster with epidemic opinion. Well done on getting just a flavour of (censored) anti-epidemic out there Kristina. Believe me, many more people than yourself and Mark Probert mailed Autism Speaks about this.

I also cannot believe they had the audacity to quote Kevin Barry. Not only is he an employee of Autism Speaks, he’s also been caught red handed organising a campaign to flood the Autism Speaks webmaster with epidemic opinion.

]]>