Comments on: The Extraordinary Claim of the Autism Epidemic http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:47:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Minnesota Has the Highest Autism Rate?: Depends on How You Count It http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-559945 Minnesota Has the Highest Autism Rate?: Depends on How You Count It Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:30:44 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-559945 [...] discussion of autism rates among students (and no discussion of the so-called “autism epidemic“) is complete without keeping in mind Washington University Paul Shattuck’s 2006 [...] [...] discussion of autism rates among students (and no discussion of the so-called “autism epidemic“) is complete without keeping in mind Washington University Paul Shattuck’s 2006 [...]

]]> By: Chicken or Egg: What’s Behind the Increase in Autism? http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-560336 Chicken or Egg: What’s Behind the Increase in Autism? Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:16:36 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-560336 [...] reported by school systems. Washington University professor Paul Shattuck has found that the number of children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis increased at the same time as the number of children receiving diagnoses of mental retardation and learning [...] [...] reported by school systems. Washington University professor Paul Shattuck has found that the number of children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis increased at the same time as the number of children receiving diagnoses of mental retardation and learning [...]

]]> By: Vaccines, Diagnosis, and Databases http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-554990 Vaccines, Diagnosis, and Databases Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:38:12 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-554990 [...] one of “PDD-NOS” and, often, more than one of “Asperger’s Syndrome.” Studies like that by Washington University professor Paul Shattuck—which found that, at the same time [...] [...] one of “PDD-NOS” and, often, more than one of “Asperger’s Syndrome.” Studies like that by Washington University professor Paul Shattuck—which found that, at the same time [...]

]]> By: Another Hidden Hoard? http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-551085 Another Hidden Hoard? Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:23:44 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-551085 [...] spectrum disorder. Also, as Washington University professor of social work Paul Shattuck wrote in a 2006 article, as the prevalence rate of autism rates rose, the prevalence of mental retardation and of learning [...] [...] spectrum disorder. Also, as Washington University professor of social work Paul Shattuck wrote in a 2006 article, as the prevalence rate of autism rates rose, the prevalence of mental retardation and of learning [...]

]]> By: John Elder Robison http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-543224 John Elder Robison Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:32:44 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-543224 It's very hard to figure out, isn't it? I see a lot more autistic people, too, but is that because I'm more aware? Because they're drawn to me? Or because the population is increasing? Going on the road as I have, I've meet many, many autistic folks . . . far more than most people, I'd guess. I'm no scientist but I do have to wonder if we're seeing two different conditions here. The people with {regressive autism seem} different from the Aspergians I meet. I can't quite put my finger on the difference. In some of the posts on my own blog I've talked about the "look of autism/Asperger's" I truly believe I'm onto something with that, but I can't describe it in words. I guess I feel I'm seeing more than one condition, and I don't see myself mirrored in both groups. But am I onto something, or am I just grasping at superficial differences? I think not, but I can't be sure. I have observed people whose "look" is different from my own express solidarity with my views vis-a-vis our thoughts and feelings and hopes, but that may have nothing to do with the underlying cause of our conditions. It’s very hard to figure out, isn’t it? I see a lot more autistic people, too, but is that because I’m more aware? Because they’re drawn to me? Or because the population is increasing?

Going on the road as I have, I’ve meet many, many autistic folks . . . far more than most people, I’d guess.

I’m no scientist but I do have to wonder if we’re seeing two different conditions here. The people with {regressive autism seem} different from the Aspergians I meet. I can’t quite put my finger on the difference.

In some of the posts on my own blog I’ve talked about the “look of autism/Asperger’s” I truly believe I’m onto something with that, but I can’t describe it in words. I guess I feel I’m seeing more than one condition, and I don’t see myself mirrored in both groups.

But am I onto something, or am I just grasping at superficial differences? I think not, but I can’t be sure.

I have observed people whose “look” is different from my own express solidarity with my views vis-a-vis our thoughts and feelings and hopes, but that may have nothing to do with the underlying cause of our conditions.

]]> By: Kassiane http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-543136 Kassiane Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:28:12 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-543136 I agree with anon_two. I've not seen ONE benefit for autistic people from the epidemic crap. Lots of fear, hate, murders, violence. Not one benefit. I agree with anon_two. I’ve not seen ONE benefit for autistic people from the epidemic crap.

Lots of fear, hate, murders, violence. Not one benefit.

]]> By: anon_two http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-547026 anon_two Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:12:44 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-547026 The actual "epidemic" is one of bigotry toward those who are at all "different" in their thinking styles. I would trade all the epidemic rhetoric for silence because the result of the epidemic talk (poisoned; train-wrecks; tsunamis; toxic; combat; kidnapped; ransom; soulless; empty shell) has literally fueled a full-on hate campaign which has a a detrimental affect on my own autie family member and others whom I know. The actual “epidemic” is one of bigotry toward those who are at all “different” in their thinking styles. I would trade all the epidemic rhetoric for silence because the result of the epidemic talk (poisoned; train-wrecks; tsunamis; toxic; combat; kidnapped; ransom; soulless; empty shell) has literally fueled a full-on hate campaign which has a a detrimental affect on my own autie family member and others whom I know.

]]> By: Autismville http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-543025 Autismville Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:05:05 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-543025 Hopefully there will continue to be some benefits of the use of the term, whether accurate or not. I know many people are interested in talking with me about autism, just because of the various spins they've heard. I welcome the opportunity to tell them about Jack and the challenges he faces as well as the successes we have. Hopefully there will continue to be some benefits of the use of the term, whether accurate or not. I know many people are interested in talking with me about autism, just because of the various spins they’ve heard. I welcome the opportunity to tell them about Jack and the challenges he faces as well as the successes we have.

]]> By: autismdaddy http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-542905 autismdaddy Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:50:35 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-542905 We live in a soundbite-friendly world where substance and thoroughness takes second place to media-savvy spin. 'autism epidemic' is a soundbite designed to inspire worry and fear and keep the contribution dollars flowing. It's a situation not limited to autism - its everywhere. Remember the infamous '45 mins until Saddam can unleash his Weapons of Mass Destruction'? Presented as fact when it was equally as vacuous and empty a statement as 'autism epidemic'. We live in a soundbite-friendly world where substance and thoroughness takes second place to media-savvy spin. ‘autism epidemic’ is a soundbite designed to inspire worry and fear and keep the contribution dollars flowing.

It’s a situation not limited to autism – its everywhere. Remember the infamous ‘45 mins until Saddam can unleash his Weapons of Mass Destruction’? Presented as fact when it was equally as vacuous and empty a statement as ‘autism epidemic’.

]]> By: Marla http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-542872 Marla Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:40:55 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-extraordinary-claim-of-the-autism-epidemic/#comment-542872 Sometimes I think it is all in how you grow up and where you are located. I have a disabled sister so I was around lots of children and adults with disablities as a child. Then, I worked in social work with disabled children and adults. I don't really think there is an 'epidemic'. We also have the increase in communication with internet and television. So it seems like autism is everywhere. However, I still meet many people who have no idea what autism is. Sometimes I think it is all in how you grow up and where you are located. I have a disabled sister so I was around lots of children and adults with disablities as a child. Then, I worked in social work with disabled children and adults. I don’t really think there is an ‘epidemic’. We also have the increase in communication with internet and television. So it seems like autism is everywhere. However, I still meet many people who have no idea what autism is.

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