Autism - America's New War on Drugs

http://www.autismhelpforyou.com/TheNewWarOnDrugs.htm

Autism - America's New War on Drugs

There is a new “war on drugs” in America. This “war” is subtle. Yet, it is slowly devastating our country, more and more each year. Because it is an “unseen war” its effects are not clearly understood by the majority of Americans, our legislators, our insurance and healthcare providers and our school systems. Yet, this “war on drugs” is very real currently impacting 1 in 150 children - some estimate 1 in 53 children by 2005 - and the numbers get bleaker as the years go by and more and more children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (i.e., "autism", "P.D.D.", "A.D.H.D."). The losses to society as a whole and to families can not begin to be counted in dollars!

Let me explain this “war” to you and why we, as a nation, need parents and those in the highest offices of the land fighting this “war on drugs” because its victims are the most innocent of all: our infants, our toddlers, our young children and the countless adults who have been institutionalized because this “war” has not been recognized for what it is and the battle has not been fought – and it needs to be, now more than ever!

Approximately 10% of autistic children are said to be "born with autism". The rest "develop it over time". Many parents attribute autism in their children to vaccinations. Clearly, there is a genetic predisposition to an autism spectrum disorder as, in the majority of cases, it is believed victims had a weak immune system and that any "assault" to that system can be enough to trigger "autism". For far too many who have autism or an autism spectrum disorder (such as the label, “Pervasive Developmental Disorder”, and perhaps, countless other “labels” due to misdiagnoses) there were medical histories that included countless earaches. With the earaches came antibiotics. With the antibiotics came the destruction not only of what caused the earache, but also the destruction of the “healthy bacteria” in the intestinal wall. As a result, a yeast overgrowth occurs and “bores” holes through the intestinal wall. This allows undigested proteins to pass into the bloodstream...proteins that act like hallucinogens on the brain of these children....yes, HALLUCINOGENS!!!

What are these proteins? They are known in the research community as casein and gluten. Casein is a dairy protein. Gluten is a grain protein found in wheat, oats, barley, rye, bulgar, triticale, kamut, spelt. These innocent victims are impacted by these proteins at molecular level. Just a trace amount is enough to provide the “high” that sends these children “into their own world” and puts them, literally, in a drug-induced state. But, that is only half the story. You see, the other half is the fact that gluten, in addition to being found in our most popular grains, is also sprayed on everything we eat (to prevent things from sticking), down to salt, pepper, spices, fries...everything. As such, these children should not be eating 98% of what is in a “regular food store”. But, it gets worse, yet. Due to the impact on their senses, and their intense dislike of certain textures, many autistic children refuse to eat many of the foods they can eat. In addition, research is showing that foods high in phenols are also not good for autistic children. These foods include bananas, apples, tomatoes and grapes. Since autistic children can’t eat most of what is in a “regular food store”, they most certainly should not be “eating out” either! As such, all their foods/snacks should be packed, down to the salt and pepper, for any trip/family outing! But, it gets worse still.

A few vendors/manufacturers/ small family owned businesses have recognized the need for “special foods” for those who are casein and gluten intolerant (and that includes many who are simply allergic to these proteins). The problem is that these vendors are often small organizations and as such advertising budgets are pretty well non-existent. Thus, although they recognize the need in society, most of those who need their products don’t even know how to find them. As a result, they often go out of business. So, the vendors lose...and the families of those who need these products lose out, too. But, it gets worse, yet!

After innumerable hours just trying to find these vendors, parents then have to “get the food” to their house. For the most part, that means United Parcel Service and shipping costs can add another 20% to the food bill! And, "regular food stores", because they are "out of the loop" have yet to "recognize this huge unmet need". But, it gets worse, yet!

As limited as an autistic child’s diet can be, the concern then becomes: How do we ensure our children are at least getting the appropriate vitamins/minerals so that further complications do not occur? It is a well known fact that autistic children do not absorb Vitamin B. This vitamin is critical for neural development. Dr. Rimland, the founder of the Autism Research Institute, has worked with a company called Kirkman Labs to provide supplements to meet the needs of these children. The Vitamin B dose in these supplements can be up to 25,000 times the required daily value for a “normal person”. Yet, again, because of a lack of public awareness, most Americans, and indeed, most parents of autistic children are unaware of this fact simply because they are caught up in the “whirlwind” of daily life with an autistic child (and many families have two autistic children, some three). The exhaustion that sets in each day, unfortunately, doesn’t allow for much “research” on the part of most parents and as such, too many are still unaware of a great many of these issues. But, it gets worse, yet!

Health insurers see autistic children as a “big loss” generators. As such, many families end up losing their health insurance. A simple broken arm can now cost a family up to $5,500 due to a lack of insurance. The irony is that these children can be helped simply by dietary intervention. But, that doesn’t go over well with big pharmaceuticals or those who allocate funding for research grants. Yet, Dr. Rimland and many others, including parents, have shown that dietary intervention is critical for these children. Many autistic children recover almost fully with dietary intervention. Indeed, if you look at "where parents are aligning", overwhelmingly, you will find they are aligning on the side of "dietary intervention" because this is the one alternative that can definitely show "recovering children" whereas other "alternatives" can only show "children subdued by medication" or children who have mastered a "learned response" based on "reward" or, at times, "punishment" systems.

We, as a nation, need to increase autism awareness. We need to increase awareness as to the downside of "over-indulgence" or dependence on antibiotics as the "cure all" for many childhood problems. Doctors need to be trained in the recognition of warning signs, signs so easily missed or dismissed, but yet, when taken together, clearly expose those children who are most "at risk". Indeed, an infants first blood work, as research is now showing, may help screen for "at risk" children based on glucose and iron levels. Tests exist to screen for autism or developmental disorders by the age of 18 months. But, these tests are not mandatory, and thus, they are not given. They need to be mandatory for all children in order to begin early intervention as soon as possible. Parents, particularly, need to be made aware of the early warning signs of autism. Thus, expectant mothers need to be provided with information brochures on autism, outlining early warning signs, such as red ears and cheeks, diarrhea, history of earaches, etc., prior to the birth of their child. Parents need to be taught to take these signs seriously and not to dismiss them to "simple childhood ailments". All of these are potential signs of "food intolerances".

Pharmaceuticals need to provide single dose vaccines as opposed to the "triple shot MMR2" (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), for example. These single dose vaccines are available through the manufacturer, in the U.S., yet, perhaps not a single clinic provides them to the American public. Why is that? Single dose vaccine supplies appear to be "earmarked" for other nations. There is "no demand" for these single doses in the U.S. Perhaps the "lack of demand" is due to the fact that it is more costly to have three visits as opposed to one to have such vaccinations given. But, is it really more cost effective given the possible link of vaccines to autism for some children? Don't our children deserve this lower risk alternative also? Children with a weak immune system often can not tolerate the "attack" to their immune system by multiple dose vaccines.

In addition, food stores need to recognize the fact that there is a huge need that is yet unmet in the food industry. Casein and gluten free products need to be available in "regular food stores" for these children. School lunches need to provide casein and gluten free selections. Insurers must be prevented from dropping health insurance coverage due to an autism diagnosis. Financial relief must be provided for families of autistic children who bear huge additional expenses just to feed their children. Unfortunately, it is perhaps because of this added expense that so many choose to simply put their children on medication in order to "control behavior". Yet, new insights are gained with each passing day, each passing year and as such, understanding autism and the behaviors of these children is becoming more clear. Behavior therapy needs to be refocused and adapted to these new insights. Quality training centers need to be made available to all families, in a cost effective manner. A family should not have to go bankrupt or, as often happens, turn custody of their child over to the state, in order to get help. This is absolutely outrageous and it needs to stop!

We need to refocus research funding where it is most beneficial, to get the biggest "bang" for each dollar spent. Taking MRI scans is very intriguing from a technology perspective, but in actuality, even the world's best in MRI research will themselves admit that it is most difficult to obtain a base image of the "at rest" brain. As such, MRI technology, although most impressive, is in effect not contributing "that much" to actually "saving" these children since cause/effect relationships are pretty well out of the question. Also, the fact that such technology is often funded by large pharmaceuticals also helps propel the "pill" approach over the dietary intervention approach. For these children, a pill simply masks the problem, or makes it worse, yet - it doesn't address it. We, as a nation, need to get to the underlying source of the problem, and in many, many cases, parents are finding food intolerances to be the problem. Many parents report their children improved tremendously, with dietary intervention contributing 90%+ to their children's recovery, and behavior therapy, 10%. So, let the pharmaceuticals fund their projects, but at least reallocate public funds where parents of these children want to see them allocated, to further research in dietary factors as they relate to autism.

It is time for America to see this "new war on drugs" for what it truly is! Please, help us address these issues by writing to your state and federal representatives asking that America increase its awareness, financial relief, research fund allocation, legislation, etc., and help us save the every growing number of autistic children in America! This is a “war on drugs” we can, and must win! The "bombs" to defeat autism need to start dropping now!

INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.