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I think there is a lot of overdiagnosis. Autism by definition is a condition, not curable. Yet so many young children who are diagnosed as autistic no longer fit the criteria as elementary age children. Any boy with a speech delay is labeled as being ‘on the spectrum’ today.

There is actually a great deal of research available on what ASD is. What is needed is extensive training in terms of diagnosing and treating it.
With serious, intense intervention many children can “redirect” neural activity and unlearn many of the behaviors that typify ASD. I have seen such a result with my own child and anticipate a day when he will no longer meet the criteria of autism – not cured, ASD will present challenges throughout his life, but greatly improved.
I just wish the media and talk shows would give more attention to treatment – Applied Behavior Analysis, Floortime, Miller Method – instead of the sensationalistic debate about vaccines and diet.

The more important story here is that 40% were found to no longer carry the diagnosis in follow-up interviews. Why isn’t the media focusing on THAT part of the story? I have a late talking 28 month old, and luckily he is in an Early Intervention program which is very conservative about diagnosing kids as on the spectrum. It seems to me they are always expanding the definition of autism. One reason for this is so kids can get services. Sad, but true.

Has the possible connection between MSG and autism been thoroughly explored? It’s interesting that autism seems to appear about the time babies start eating all the fast food and canned junk that is filled with MSG. Even Campbell’s soup (especially chicken noodle) that is touted as great for kids and many canned treats like Chef Boyardee spaghetti and raviolis contain it. Look at all the flavored chips, the frozen fish sticks, and prepackaged meals and you’ll find that children are ingesting MSG at all time highs. Given the fact that MSG is one of the top migraine triggers listed by the National Headache Foundation and doctors such as Blalock have suspected an MSG/autism connection for some time, I am surprised that more is not being researched on the connection. Could it be the glutamate industry has too powerful a lobby?

I am still siding on the genetic side. I used to beat myself up over my 1st child’s behavior. I couldn’t understand what I was doing wrong… I tried Love and Logic and so many other different “parenting techniques”. I eventually believed my child did have Asperger’s and was told no, IT WAS ME by a counselor. Then my second child had speech problems and third child has autism. And a sibling of mine has had the same thing happen with their children. I think it is genetic and for once I wish I was given credit for all the hours spent researching and applying “social skills training” etc. I think too many people are ready to point fingers at anyone for this rise in social issues. I feel bad for who ever is caught in its wake. Oh, FYI after multiple tests my oldest was said to have a Nonverbal Learning Disorder.