Autism: Disease or Disability?

by Kristyn Crow | More from this Blogger

27 Nov 2007 10:41 AM

Some experts are suggesting that autism is not a disability, but a disease, like cancer, leukemia, or diabetes. This is a new way of thinking for medical researchers. Their reasoning is that autism has become an epidemic, with numbers continually increasing, and genetic "epidemics" do not exist. The good news is that if autism is a disease, potentially it can be treated, prevented, and even cured. Chromosomal disorders, on the other hand, are not curable. If autism is written indelibly into a person's DNA, we have to accept it as is, only working to improve the lives of those who have it. But if it isn't, we have an obligation to search for causes in the environment.

The curious behaviors we see in autistic children which define the disorder may in fact be symptoms of a much larger, complex disease involving the immune, gastrointestinal, neurological, and toxicological systems. Since autism creates severe communication deficits in individuals, we are likely missing symptoms of pain, discomfort, and illness that they may be experiencing. And until very recently we haven't approached autism with a whole-body perspective. Recent theories are that children who are genetically at risk for unknown reasons are hit by multiple environmental toxins causing widespread problems, and their bodies cannot respond appropriately.

We need to support, even insist upon, more funding for research. According to Autism Speaks, the amount of private funding money for autism research pales in comparison to the amount available for leukemia, AIDS, muscular dystrophy, and many others. For example, pediatric AIDS receives nearly $400 million dollars in private funding, despite affecting only 1 in 8,000. Autism receives $15 million, and affects 1 in 150 individuals. One in one hundred fifty is an alarmingly high number. Why doesn't the funding match the need? If autism is a potentially curable disease affecting people in epidemic proportions, why aren't we contributing more to research?

Perhaps it's because we do view autism as a disability. Somewhere in our subconscious minds, we just don't see autism as curable. We've got to change this perspective, and this can be difficult to do. Especially in the medical community, changing the "take" on autism will not happen overnight. It's like turning a great big ship around in another direction. It will take careful, slow maneuvering. But it can be done.

Are you on board?

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Learn more about Kristyn Crow

Kristyn Crow is the mother of seven children, and the author of three children's books. Visit her website at www.kristyncrow.com.

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dainty_daffodil (5) 11 Feb 2008 12:47 PM

autism is not a disease, its a neurological disorder...

Kristyn Crow (2546) 11 Feb 2008 01:14 PM

Thanks for your comment--there are some who would disagree with you. Autism is more recently being viewed as a whole-body disease which affects neurological functioning as part of the whole picture. Many parents of autistic children report that their kids, along with cognitive dysfunction, have gastrointestinal, autoimmune, and numerous other problems.

You might be interested in this website:

http://www.thoughtfulhouse.org/bio_bjepson.htm

Dr. Bryan Jepson is considered a leading expert on autism, and he has treated hundreds of autistic kids. He believes that autism is a disease. It's a good idea for us to keep an open mind on this condition and be open to possibilities, so we can find the best treatments and preventitive strategies.