Autism:  Autism does exist, and I suspect that a medical cause for the true and accurate diagnosis of autism will soon be forthcoming. However, the problem is that psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians are making the diagnosis when it is not justified. They stretch the milder forms of behaviors of attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) into autism or one of the autistic related disorders -- Rett’s Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (all of these a grouped under what are called pervasive childhood disintegrative disorders) in order to justify the use of a wide variety of powerful psychiatric drugs. 

 

Not only do I not believe that ADD, ADHD, and ODD are diseases, I know that they are not diseases. Where do these so-called diseases disappear to after I trained parents to work with their child, especially with an enormously high success rate? Autistic children are out of touch with reality. The condition is extreme. ADD, ADHD, and ODD do not come anywhere near the severity of the autistic types of disorders. However, I must admit that Professor Ivar Lovaas at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed some incredible behavioral treatments, reaching a success rate of one third complete amelioration, one third moderate to substantial amelioration, and one third with no improvement. It was his work that inspired my work with ADD, ADHD, and ODD.

 

The diagnoses of any of the autistic related disorders must be easily evident, clear, and unequivocal, and not based on some vague symptoms. If the symptoms are not evident do not fall for the diagnosis from one shrink or doctor, get other opinions before starting the use of any of the risky drugs. And remember that the risks of these drugs include heart attacks, liver failure, psychosis, tics, and many more. Don’t take my word for it; look up these risks in the Physician’s Desk Reference, or even better, in Moody’s Yearly Drug Guide.

 

I wish to add that I have concerns that some childhood inoculations may contribute to or even cause some of the autistic related disorders. I do not know this; I only express a concern, one that is growing within medical circles. My concern is over the use of mercury as a preserving agent in the inoculation suspensions, or even in giving three to six inoculations to a baby all at the same time, which may be overwhelming to the bodies of some children. I am not a physician; I am only expressing a concern that you, as parents, may wish to investigate further.