Autism Rates Surge: Beyond Genetics and Diagnosis (Connecting the Dots: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Autism Speaks & Soros Funding, All Networking)
Though
the diagnosis of autism in children is soaring, many cases have been reversed
through diet, lifestyle, and therapeutic changes
The
Epoch Times
By
Joel Warsh 6/4/2024 Updated: 6/12/2024
https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/autism-rates-surge-beyond-genetics-and-diagnosis-5655270
Health
Viewpoints
The
medical community frequently attributes the rising rates of autism to improved
diagnostics and genetic predispositions. However, as a holistic-minded
pediatrician deeply involved in child health, I observe a concerning trend
indicating that we may be overlooking the broader underlying issues.
In
California, where autism rates are among the highest
in the world, reaching 1 in 22 children, the conversation seems to
be shifting away from personal responsibility to one that allows us to remove
ourselves from the equation, ultimately doing a disservice to the children
whose numbers continue to rise alarmingly.
Why
is the medical community in California not questioning more strongly why the
autism rate is significantly higher than the national average? Why are we not
open to every and any possibility for what might be causing this shocking
trend? Are we afraid of what we may find? The rapid increase in autism rates demands a
deeper inquiry into the “why”—it’s not about placing blame, but about
uncovering the truth and getting to the core of the issue. Our children deserve
that clarity.
The
Environmental and Lifestyle Equation
The
prevailing
focus on genetics and “improved diagnosis” overshadows the
significant impacts of environmental and lifestyle factors, which could be key
contributors to the explosion in autism cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of autism in
children in the United States has risen to 1 in 36 in 2020 from 1 in
150 in 2000.
While
improvements in diagnostic criteria and awareness have undoubtedly contributed
to identifying this increase in small part, the rise is far too significant to
be attributed solely to these factors alone, suggesting the obvious—other
causes are at play.
Scientific
research increasingly highlights the potential roles of various
environmental triggers in the development of autism, challenging the dominance
of genetic explanations. Exposure to heavy metals such as lead,
mercury, and cadmium has been linked to higher autism rates.
Such
metals interfere with normal neurological development, raising serious concerns
about their impact on health. Additionally, pesticides, specifically
organophosphates and organochlorines, when exposed to prenatally and in early
childhood, have been linked to
a higher incidence of autism. Lifestyle
factors may also play a critical role. For instance, children born
to older parents are at a higher risk for autism, as are children of mothers
with health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension during
pregnancy.
Cause
vs. Classification
As
a concerned physician and parent, I am deeply frustrated by the discourse on
autism in the media. Often, discussions about environmental triggers for autism
become mired in debates about ableism or accusations of shaming those with
autism as “diseased,” suggesting that autism is merely a normal neurological
variant even though it is classified as a disorder in the “Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” (DSM-5).
If
we begin to classify autism as a “normal variant,” the numbers will continue to
rise. However, determining the underlying causes would enable us to implement
changes to reduce the risk to our children. When discussions devolve into
division and conflict, focusing on whether acknowledging these risks belittles
children and adults with autism, they overlook the severe hardships many
individuals with autism and their caregivers endure.
The
argument that the sharp increases in autism rates are primarily due to genetic
factors is directly contradicted by the observable symptoms and behaviors
associated with the condition. For instance, severe manifestations of autism,
such as nonverbal communication, are unmistakable and wouldn’t have gone
unnoticed or undiagnosed 50 years ago. Severe symptoms of autism, often
referred to as “profound autism,” affect a child’s ability to function and
communicate.
Many
children with autism do not develop spoken language or have very limited
ability to use words effectively, with studies
indicating this in about 25 to 30 percent of children with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, intellectual disability is prevalent,
with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that 31
percent of children with ASD have an intellectual disability, with an IQ less
than 70, and another 23 percent are in the borderline range. Behavioral
challenges are very common, as more than 30 percent of children with ASD display
self-injurious behaviors.
Diet
Over Discourse
Discussions
with fellow practitioners reveal that when they empower parents with lifestyle
modification strategies, they often observe dramatic improvements in their
patients. In some cases, these changes are so profound that children may even
lose their autism diagnosis.
“For
15 years, we have been documenting cases of children who have completely lost
their autism diagnoses,” Beth Lambert, director of Documenting Hope, says.
“While certain genetics might make these children more vulnerable to developing
autism, it is the diet, lifestyle, and therapeutic choices made by these
families that help them overcome these genetic vulnerabilities and lose the
symptoms that we call autism.”
Despite
these remarkable outcomes, the concept of reversing autism is seldom discussed.
The prevailing discourse primarily frames autism as a neurological spectrum
condition that is not to be cured. Ms. Lambert points out, “Cases of full
autism reversal have been documented in the medical literature, but this
phenomenon has not yet made its way into most medical practices.
“We
just recently published an important
paper about a set of twins who reversed their autism diagnoses by
utilizing a comprehensive diet, lifestyle, and personalized therapeutic
approach—the same approach taught by Documenting Hope,“ Ms. Lambert said. ”Our
goal is to teach this approach to parents and practitioners so more children
can overcome the most challenging symptoms associated with autism.”
Hope
Moving Forward
By
shifting the focus to modifiable factors, we can offer hope and actionable
strategies to families navigating autism, emphasizing the potential for
significant improvements through targeted lifestyle changes.
Future
public health policy and messaging must focus on the environmental and
lifestyle factors contributing to the rise in autism rates. This shift will
empower parents and caregivers to take proactive steps, supporting the idea
that autism, for many children, is influenced by modifiable factors, thereby
giving power back to the family. It isn’t about shaming or blaming but
recognizing that our modern way of life is contributing to, and in some cases,
causing, the diagnosis.
By
understanding autism as multifactorial, with significant contributory factors
being modifiable, we can aim to decrease cases, remove diagnoses, and prevent
further increases in autism. There is significant potential for intervention
through lifestyle changes. This approach not only aligns with a holistic view
of health but also enhances our understanding and management of autism,
providing hope and actionable pathways for families affected by the condition.
Connecting
the Dots:
CDC Foundation is
a foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Robert Jeffrey was
a board member for the CDC Foundation and is a director at
the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank).
Open Society Foundations was a funder for
the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank).
George Soros is the founder
& chairman for the Open Society Foundations and was the
chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder
for the International Rescue Committee.
Andrew Robertson is
an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and a director
at Autism Speaks.
Susan Dentzer is
a director at the International Rescue Committee and a director
at Research!America.
Herbert Pardes is
a director at Research!America and a director at Autism
Speaks.
Resources:
Past Research
CDC
Director Announces Organization Changes for Faster Response to Health Threats
(Connecting the Dots: CDC & Soros Funded Think Tanks) (Past Research on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC))
Thursday,
August 18, 2022
https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2022/08/cdc-director-announces-organization.html
Planned
Giving? (Past Research on Autism Speaks)
Wednesday,
June 7, 2017
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