Preventing autism during pregnancy?

[Rosie85]

I agree anchor. The last 30 years for me this is what I have decided is different

-Computers and wireless, laptops--which people set near their reproductive organs.

-Doctors are better at diagnosing illnesses

-More medications, doctors are quicker to give them too

-More vaccines are given at once and then we are told to give tylenol to the kid--seriously do some reading up on tylenol, you won't like what you find.

-More chemicals have been introduced in foods, cleaners...etc etc.

-The obesity rates have gone up considerably

-Many viruses have been mutating

-Global warming

I am definitely not saying one or the other caused anything I was simply listing changes that have been noted in the last 30 years that have impacted human life in major ways.

I am sure there is more to give to the list too.

We have also had positive changes in the last 10 years with the green and organic spike with foods and products. I wonder if there is less prevalence of autism in homes where the families are extremely green in all ways. I really think it would have to be extreme to make any difference though.

[Rosie85]

oh I wanted to also put the alarming rates of c-sections and inductions in labor and delivery. There has been interest in those as a cause of autism as well. It was studied that those with difficult labor and long push times/ c-sections were more likely to have a child with developmental issues.

[Ribbons]

oh I wanted to also put the alarming rates of c-sections and inductions in labor and delivery. There has been interest in those as a cause of autism as well. It was studied that those with difficult labor and long push times/ c-sections were more likely to have a child with developmental issues.

Good point! I should have added that earlier too. DS1 was hospital induced delivery with drugs, DS2 was a drug-free home birth (and DS3 will be as well). I don't think this is a cause of autism per say, but I do believe that having interventions in the birth process does a lot of untold damage that we don't quite understand yet.

I think that I am now one of those "extreme green" people that you mention. DS1's autism diagnosis was what started me down that path. I STRONGLY believe it is genetic and the environmental stuff is the trigger - have a HIGH prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in both my immediate and extended families - father (Aspergers), brother (Aspergers), 2 nephews, a niece (my brothers daughter - ASD), 2 cousins and possibly even myself. Not taking any chances.

[Rosie85]

Ribbons, I think that is what people don't understand. They seem to need autism to be caused by one thing or think since everyone doesn't have it it can't possibly be that. That is NOT what it is about it is like YOU said...the triggers. I the womb I believe a baby will be predisposed to it, whether it was from a bum egg/sperm or because it runs in the genes. Triggers can come from anywhere and each child will be different.

I too try and stay away from chemicals like crazy, we use green cleaners and try to stay to a minimum with processed foods and such. It isn't worth taking the chance for me.

[Ribbons]

Tying all of this back into gender swaying theories - I have been wondering lately if families with high prevalence of autism have more sons than daughters?? Just a wild theory of mine backed up by no facts whatsoever, but it would be interesting to see a study. I know that autism disorders are more prevalent in males... is that because the females who carry those genes are fewer/far between, and they mostly produce sons whether or not they themselves exhibit autistic traits? Most of the families/family lines I know with multiple autism diagnoses have mostly boys, including my own. I am beginning to think that I might not be able to produce girls at all, even with swaying (I'm pretty sure that I am a borderline aspie). Sorry for the minor tangent, but I find all this stuff so fascinating

[Rosie85]

That is a very interesting theory. I have noticed the same thing with families with a high number of boys and autism cases. it doesn't fit with natural selection though...women who carry a heavy gene for autism should be more likely to have girls to safeguard against the disability- not saying that's how it is but how it should be! Don't you think??! If nature "knows" what is going on you think that's what you would see but it's obviously not since we both see a pattern. I know a lady with 4 boys and each one has autism...they vary hugely on the spectrum too.

I have also read older moms or moms who have a harder time getting pregnant are more likely to carry a child who will have autism. I have always wondered why.

I wish we lived closer so we could get together and study into this farther!

[Ribbons]

That is a very interesting theory. I have noticed the same thing with families with a high number of boys and autism cases. it doesn't fit with natural selection though...women who carry a heavy gene for autism should be more likely to have girls to safeguard against the disability- not saying that's how it is but how it should be! Don't you think??! If nature "knows" what is going on you think that's what you would see but it's obviously not since we both see a pattern. I know a lady with 4 boys and each one has autism...they vary hugely on the spectrum too.

Unless it's not really a disability but perhaps something that has an evolutionary advantage we don't understand (high intelligence, determined personalities, savant abilities etc) and the environmental disturbances that made those mutations gone awry are too new for nature to have adapted yet?

If you ever watch TED talks, you should check out Temple Grandin!

[Rosie85]

Very true. I actually was speaking with my sons therapists in a meeting and one of them strongly believes neurotypical people will one day be the minority, that being on the spectrum will be the norm. I would say evolutionary wise perhaps the high functioning people would have an advantage but what about the low functioning? I wonder if severe autism is becoming more common too or just the aspergers/high functioning sort.

With the technology and the way the social world is I think neurotypical people are already at a disadvantage but in my opinion the world has been moving in the wrong direction and I wish we could get back to the roots of real communication.

[Ribbons]

I think we are onto something here

http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/09...plus-of-males/

Extreme Male Brain | Understanding Research | Interactive Autism Network Community | Share. Research. Discover.

[Rosie85]

I am excited to read those. It will have to wait until after lunch!