A Pediatric Epidemic: Autism & Our Children By Dr. Katie Greeley B.S., D.C. Autism, the New Pediatric Epidemic:
Autism is the new pediatric epidemic in the United States. The CDC admits, "One American child in 166 has been diagnosed with autism
spectrum disorder." In 1970, autism affected four in 10,000 children. By 1991, 5,000 autistic children were in the public school system and by 2001 that number had grown to 94,000. Autism is characterized by three
distinctive behaviors, impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication, and characteristically unusual, repetitive or severely limited activities and interests. Parents are usually the
first to notice symptoms of autism typically before the child is three. Signs of Autism in Children: A child who is unresponsive to people, or who focuses intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time are common symptoms of impaired social
interaction. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social situations. Children with autism often have problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and
may fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with others. They lack empathy and have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they can't understand social cues, such as
tone of voice or facial expressions. They will refer to themselves in the third person, and they do not know how to play or interact with other children. It is not unusual for autistic children to exhibit repetitive or
unusual activities. For instance, some children will rock or twirl, or they may even bang their head or bite themselves. These children tend to begin speaking later than their peers and when they do begin to talk,
typically that speech is limited to their favorite topics without regard for the person with whom they are speaking.
Characteristic Behaviors of Autism: Some characteristic behaviors that doctors use to diagnose Autism are:
- Impaired ability to make friends with peers.
- Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.
- Absence or impairment of imaginative and social play skills.
- Stereotyped, repetitive or unusual use of language.
- Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus.
- Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects.
- Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals.
Autism and Syndromes: Research has suggested that males are four
times more likely to have autism than females. Autistic children may be hypersensitive to sounds and touch but not as sensitive to pain. They tend to have a higher predisposition to epilepsy, attention
deficit disorder, brain tumors, fragile X syndrome, and Tourette syndrome. Children who display autistic behaviors but who have well-developed language skills are often diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Children
who develop normally and then suddenly deteriorate between the ages of 3 to 10 years and show marked autistic behaviors may be diagnosed with childhood disintegrative disorder. Girls with autistic symptoms may be
suffering from Rett syndrome, a sex-linked genetic disorder characterized by social withdrawal, regressed language skills and hand wringing.
Factors that Potentially Cause Autism: There seems to be several different factors that cause autism. Genetics and
environmental factors appear to play a major role as does prenatal exposure to toxins. Autistic children frequently have food intolerances (commonly including casein and gluten), immune system abnormalities and other
impairments consistent with chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Frequent vaccinations with a live virus and toxic levels of mercury or thimerosal have also been consistent with Autism disorders. There are
thimerosal-free vaccines available but parents must request them. Aluminum is another additive in vaccines and is a known neuro-toxin (Alfrey, 1976). Some autistic children are found to have high levels of mercury
in their hair, as well as heavy metals such as aluminum and lead in their blood, and even copper-zinc imbalances. In a 2000 study by the CDC, it was discovered that there are statistically significant relationships
between increasing exposures to thimerosal and the following outcomes, so common now that we even have diagnostic billing codes for them. They include: at two months of age unspecified developmental delay, at 3
months of age tics, at 6 months of age language and speech delays (always check hearing as that too can lead to speech delays), and at any of these three age groups an entire category of neurodevelopmental delays which
also includes autism. Vaccinations and Autism: According
to a report by the California Department of Developmental Services, in California alone, the autism population has almost doubled since 1999. Parent's in 1980 reported that their once healthy, bright children regressed
mentally, emotionally and physically after reacting to DPT vaccine with fever, high pitched screaming, collapse/shock and seizures. Even today, according to NVIC, mothers describe how, within days of vaccination, their
babies run fevers and scream for hours then fall into a deep sleep only to wake up again screaming. They start twitching, jerking, or stare into space as if they can't hear or see. Their bodies are covered with skin
rashes; they can become restless and irritable or have a dramatic change in eating and/or sleeping habits. Signs of Autism: Some mothers also describe a gradual deterioration in overall health such as constant ear and respiratory infections and onset of allergies or asthma. Children can
have unexplained rashes, new sensitivity to foods such as milk, persistent diarrhea and sleep disturbances that turn night into day and day into night. They may lose developmental milestones such as the ability to roll
over or sit up, loss of speech, diminished eye contact and communication skills. They develop strange or violent behaviors that include hyperactivity, biting, hitting, social withdrawal and repetitive movements such as
flapping, rocking and head banging. Older children and adults complain of muscle weakness, joint pain, crippling headaches, disabling fatigue, loss of memory, or inability to concentrate and think clearly.
Alarming Increases in Learning Disabilities: The refusal two decades
ago by vaccine manufacturers, government health agencies and medical organizations to seriously investigate reports of vaccine-associated brain injury and immune system dysfunction, including autistic behaviors, is
reaping tragic consequences today. A disability survey of U.S. children under 17 years old in 1991 to 1992 published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (August 25, 1995) stated that the "6 to 14 year old
age group had the greatest number of disabled people." Learning disabilities led the way, occurring in nearly 30 percent of all disabled children. A total of 1,435,000 children were listed as learning disabled with
another 1,446,000 children reported as suffering from speech disorders, mental retardation, mental or emotional disorders, epilepsy and autism.
Can Autistic Behavior be Modified? Although autism is mostly genetic and due to a compromised immune system, some autistic behaviors
can be eliminated or modified through changes in diet and immune modulation therapies. Parents have reported improvement in health and behavior with chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathic and naturopathic care.
Behavioral modification therapies, such as those pioneered by Ivar Lovaas of the Psychology Department at UCLA, as well as auditory, speech, vision and sensory integration therapies and detoxification therapy to cleanse
the system of metals have all led to significant improvements in some children. According to the Journal of Chiropractic in 1987, a study showed that after chiropractic adjustments, behavior improvements occurred in
autistic children. Dietary restrictions, including removal of milk and other casein dairy products, wheat and other gluten sources, sugar, chocolate, preservatives and food coloring are beneficial. Probiotics and
supplements to help with the intestinal tract are also beneficial. Many other nutrient supplements can also be beneficial and well tolerated by children. These include dimethylglycine (DMG) and a combination of
vitamin B6 and magnesium, both of which benefit roughly half of ASD cases. Vitamins A, B3, C, and folic acid, the minerals calcium and zinc, cod liver oil or essential fatty acids, and digestive enzymes also offer
benefits. Searching for Autism's Cure: As this frightening
epidemic continues to spread throughout the United States, scientists, doctors and families continue to find ways to prevent autism from affecting generations of the future. Hopefully, with further education and
preventative measures, we will find the answers. Organizations You May Contact for More Information on Autism: Autism & Mercury Information
Organizations and Contacts:National Vaccine Information Center
Barbara Loe Fisher – Co-founder and President
Kathi Williams – Co-founder and Vice President
204 Mill St., Suite B1reet Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-0342 (phone) 703-938-5768 (fax)
Autism Research Institute (ARI)
Defeat Autism Now!
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, Ca 92116 About the Author: Dr. Katie Greeley is a board certified doctor of chiropractic and a mother of two. She has completed extended courses on pediatrics that go above and beyond the regular
doctorate degree. She is proficient in a variety of techniques including diversified, cranial sacral and activator. Her office, United Family Chiropractic Center, is located in Wood Ranch at 1070 Country Club Drive
West, Suite D in Simi Valley, CA. Dr. Greeley can be reached at (805) 522-2324.
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