Autism

Two recent reports, one conducted by the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA)1 and a second from the CDC,2 now estimate that the current prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children born in the United States has risen from 1:150 to around 1:100. The HRSA report was based on a telephone survey of 78,037 parents involved in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.1 However, for its study, the CDC used a rigorous identification and confirmation system called the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, which cross-references educational and health data in 11 states.2

I thoroughly enjoyed the articles "Anti-Vaccine Media: Its Impact-and Strategies to Combat It" by Linda Nield, MD, and "Vaccinations: Immunizations Do Not Cause Autism Spectrum Disorder . . . They Prevent Disease" by Golder Wilson, MD, PhD, and Miranda Ramirez, MD (both of which appeared in the Special Issue on Vaccines that accompanied the September 2008 issue of CONSULTANT FOR PEDIATRICIANS).

This 14-year-old boy with autism presented with sudden visual loss in the right eye. For a week, the eye had been red, irritated, and painful. Three days earlier, "a white bubble" had developed on the cornea and had begun to obscure his vision.

Parents are understandably concerned about vaccines and autism, a relationship publicized by lawsuits, alternative therapies, and claims of government cover-up.

The easiest way to explain what "people-first" language is might be to examine what it is not. We can do this by considering commonly accepted uses of titles that we may hear every day-usages such as "Coach Pat" or "Doctor Bob."

As the father of a child with classic autism and an academic pediatrician who cares for many affected families, I thought my perspective might be helpful to other physicians who deal with the conundrum of complementary or alternative therapies that parents of children with autism may choose.

As the father of a child with severe classic autism--and as a pediatrician--I understand how much parents want to try different treatment approaches to help their child. Many parents ask me about complementary (or alternative or holistic) therapies, such as restrictive diets, secretin, chelation, and omega-3 supplements. Some inquire after hearing claims that a particular diet or supplement or herb can work wonders. Others ask about these therapies after reading studies on the Internet, in magazines, or in newspapers.