There may be a link, but from what I see, the "increase" in autism is at least partially the result of better autism detection techniques and knowledge of autism.
I was autistic from the date of my birth forty three years ago. For most of my life, the only ones that knew I was autistic was my immediate family. In the last 5 years, I have found more and more people were suspecting it. In fact, one of my friend's mother asked him if I was autistic. I never even mentioned it to him that I was autistic. Even though I had until the last 3 years kept my diagnosis to myself, I found it harder and harder to remain invisible. I decided to come out. I believe that it is not necessarily a good thing to be labelled autistic because autistic people are considered disabled when it come to getting jobs but not disabled when applying for government benefits (unless one has another disability such as an intellectual disability). Being autistic is also a bar for many private insurance policies in many states.
Vaccinations may play a part in the increase of the reported rate of autism, but it is nearly impossible to tell how much. Even if a link were found, the government nor the drug manufacturers would own up to the responsibility. The first thing the vaccine companies would do is claim that the government has relieved them of liability in order to keep them producing the vaccines (which the government did). The first thing the government would do is claim there is not enough money to pay for any of the injury. The only thing that might be accomplished is that the vaccine companies may change the way these vaccines are manufactured.
A better thing to do is to accept us for our differences and provide at least some services and support. Here in Florida, there are ZERO services available for autistic adults - ZILCH! We once had the use of a waiting room for the Panama City Asperger Support Group, but since yet more money was taken away from C.A.R.D. we have even lost that service. Unless society starts accepting us, there will be plenty of homeless autistic people on the street in the near future.
_________________
I am AUTISTIC - Always Unique, Totally Interesting, Straight Talking, Intelligently Conversational.
I am also the author of "Tech Tactics Money Saving Secrets" and "Tech Tactics Publishing and Production Secrets."
Last edited by cyberscan on 21 Jul 2011, 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
21 Jul 2011, 5:18 pm
