Rising Concerns: The Growing Prevalence of Autism in Today's Society

johnfuller on 31/07/2024 - 16:43
Last edited 08/08/2024 - 08:31 by 2 other users

I'd like to discuss a serious and seemingly widespread issue: autism. When I speak with individuals aged 80 and above, they recall that there was typically one person in their village with Down syndrome, known by everyone, and they were treated just like everyone else, leading a normal life. Nowadays, a child born with autism has their life significantly adjusted to accommodate their needs.

I've observed that many families have at least one child on the autism spectrum, and some even have two, despite the parents being unrelated. This appears to be becoming increasingly common, raising concerns about the future and whether our children will be able to have their own children, given the prevalence of this issue.

In my opinion, this situation is more alarming than any pandemic because it is insidious and often goes unnoticed.

Is it pollution? The environment? Stress? The food we eat? Plastics?

As a new parent, this truly terrifies me.

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Comments

  • Gravy on 05/12/2024 - 09:15

    Not sure if this has been mentioned, but it's possible that a perceived increase in autism in one's circle of friends and acquaintances may be due in part to what I'd like to call the "birds of a feather flock together" effect.

    For instance, I'm in my 50s, possibly with undiagnosed ADHD or perhaps somewhere on the high functioning end of the spectrum. I tend to gravitate towards other people that have similar traits to me as I feel more comfortable in that group.

    I can see traits of autism in the children of some of my friends, likely also at the high functioning end.

    When I think back to my 80's school days I can also identify students who would likely be on the spectrum but were undiagnosed at that point in time.

    So from my own point of view I would probably see what I perceive as an increase, but this may be clouded by the other factors above.

    • mrdean on 05/12/2024 - 10:23

      When I think back to my 80's school days I can also identify students who would likely be on the spectrum but were undiagnosed at that point in time.

      That was the early days of mass immunization programs, just on the cusp of the massive increase in shots post 1990.

      The damage was already beginning at that time. Look back over your own immunization history.

      • Gravy on 05/12/2024 - 10:35

        But then I look at my own parents who are in their 80's and I see they share similar traits to me… and they are pre MMR by a long way.

        • mrdean on 05/12/2024 - 11:23
          -1

          Sure, immunization is just one way. If you looked at your parents generation & your generation, does it seem that your parents generation have a stronger constitution? They still were exposed to a lot of things that could weaken them. Polio & bcg shots for example were available before mass MMR. They would of grown up amongst the so called "green revolution", there were a lot of poisons back then (& even more now). It's fascinating talking to that generation & asking them questions along these lines about their early years & what they remember.

  • Lunchtime on 16/02/2025 - 15:09

    As a father and someone with a scientific background (medical physics) of a child with sever (level 3, non -verbal, less than 55 Iq) my speculation of autism is that it involves a damaged flight or fright response possibly from in-utero and related to stress levels of the mother. My ex was a stress head and worked a stressful job before my son was born. I dont believe the vaccine theory as my son showed symptoms of autism within a few weeks of birth. Family members thought my son would need glasses when he was a few weeks old we he would look away and not give eye contact. I didnt know about autism at that stage and its only looking back after his diagnosis that realised what that was about. To this day, I am the only one that my son will give eye contact too. (he is now 17years)

    From speaking to other families that I have met along the journey - it seems that in-utero stress has been present

    Looking into the flight or fight response in somewhat explains the meltdowns that occurs. When a true meltdown is happening, the child has no comprehension or understanding of what they are suppose to be doing which is why its so hard for them to regulate and bring themselves back down

    • johnfuller on 19/02/2025 - 09:17
      -1

      who knows? take your pick, is it stress? microplastics? medication? bpa? teflon coated pans? processed foods? or could it be too much exposure of one or more?

      • mrdean on 19/02/2025 - 10:40
        +1

        Interesting what was left out of that list.

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