Autism - An Epidemic on the Rise

[Kristofph]

Autism is not a disease. Autism should be understood not cured. Many famous people from Eienstein to Mozart had very pronounced autistic features. Their autism was not a hinderance it was an aid to their success.

[CECIMENDO]

stop the resignation and start working to recover our children.

start biomedical intervention ASAP

[ischlopischlo]

Nice video, except I'm deeply disgusted when you reduce autistic people to an epidemic, it's not about the logical definition of the word, it is just the ethics: you do not call people an epidemic for being different, regardless of what difficulties they may have.

I don't buy it that this form of autism is an epidemic while that form is not, either.

[DanielaVideoProducti]

wow...same with me. my daughter was 2 months premature.

i made a video too...

my story a bit different... she was fine til she was about 18 months old

watch the footage  and you'll see

watch?v=mnG8THBf8PQ

[Jaime2830]

Very informative video, thank you so much for spreading the word. I too have some video's if you would like to check them out. I met your step mother at some meetings and heard all about Alex, so I had to check out your video. He is a beautiful little boy.

[trishak123]

Checked out your videos and they are awesome. Chad is beautiful and his brother is a cutie too. If Alex becomes half as comfortable outside as Chad, we will be in seventh heaven. Hope to talk to you again soon.

Pat K.

[AutisticsSurvive]

Very imformitive I feel and brings back what I saw in my little girl born premature and not walking until 19 months either she is verbal with severe speech and language issues but I have two girls on the spectrum and I am a mom as well ery high functioning but can relate. Great job on video!!!

[pocobird]

what a nice video.

[rubyhiste]

I thought it was wonderful. Your love for Alex and who he is shows.

[BenedictC]

Autism can not be an epidemic as:

A. Autism isn't pathogenic

B. Autism diagnouses are starting to peak

C. Thinking autism is an epidemic shows ignorance

[trishak123]

It really is a shame that all you got from the video was an incorrect use of the word 'epidemic' which we were not using literally but figuratively as in 'of epidemic proportions'. By the way, you spelled diagnoses incorrectly. As far as showing ignorance is concerned, I think you should take a look in the mirror before being so critical of others. Not being able to look past one word demonstrates a very narrow-minded viewpoint.

[trishak123]

I'm sorry that you were not able to enjoy the video, perhaps you will actually watch it and gain just a little understanding of what it is meant to portray.

[hallwaybee]

As you can see from the definition below the use of the word epidemic being relative to a pathogen or "transmitted" is only one of the possible uses of the word, one narrow portion of the full definition. It would appear however, that you are used to narrow definitions and your narrow mind can not fully encompass the world outside of yourself. Have you ever been tested for autism because you seem to live in YOUR own little, dare I say narrow? world.

[BenedictC]

Erm... EXCUSE ME

I am autistic hence the fact I commented on this video. Ok now i'm going to admit, I haven't watched it but the title of it put me straight off it, even if it may be a good video

[trishak123]

You may want to try watching it now and let us know what you think. Please keep in mind the spirit in which this video was made, both to raise awareness and to share Alex's personal journey to date. It comes straight from the heart.

[hallwaybee]

nice try! guilt is not an emotion I choose

[trishak123]

I really wasn't going for guilt, but now that I reread my last comment in this light, I guess it could be viewed from that angle. Apologies to anyone who was made to feel guilty.

[hallwaybee]

I wasnt refering to your post. Instead to BenedictC with his "I am autistic" remark.

There is absolutely nothing in any of your posts to precipitate guilt

[trishak123]

I didn't think so, but sometimes what is meant is not what is interpreted by others.

By the way, changing the subject slightly, any comments you might have on the video itself would be greatly appreciated, I sure.

[hallwaybee]

The video is amazing! A perfect balance of Alex and information. The information is extensive without being long-winded. Alex is beautiful, hard to believe he could cause a moment of frustration.

[wiscsuzski]

hallwaybee, you ASKED Benedict C if he had been tested, he said, Yes! I am autistic. What the heck does guilt have to do with it? You ARE guilty, of having asked (if facetiously) . What, you didn't like the answer? stupid.

[aspie182]

Don't worry, Benedict.

Some curebies, there is just no talking to.

The fact is that in university environments, technology-related workplaces, and creative industries, autism is statistically more common than the general population. Could this be evidence that people on the autistic spectrum *think* more?

Think about it. If autistic people do *think* more than normies, as I have often found to be the case, then we can only hope it is an "epidemic" on the rise.

[trishak123]

I am assuming that based on your login that you fall under the Aspergers portion of the Autism Spectrum. Fortunately for you, this gives you a huge advantage over others who are not so lucky.

Might I suggest that you do some indepth research into the other areas of the spectrum so that maybe you will gain a better understanding of the more severe forms of autism.

[aspie182]

In the words of Kevin Spacey: WRONG!

Division of autistic people into "high functioning so they have no problems" and "low functioning so we should just cure them all" is the most utterly wrong position regarding autism. Tell me, trishak, how is being unable to have a meaningful relationship with another adult human being a huge advantage? Answer that question in public, please, I am sure people want some of that "understanding" that you think you have.

[trishak123]

I'm not sure what your comment about 'curebies' is meant to imply, but having spent the better part of the past 2 years talking to, discussing with, and listening to everyone from concerned individuals to specialists in the field, I would hope that more people would embrace the term that you have used and join the fight to find a cure for those most severely affected.

Please share your statistics as I would like to follow up to verify your findings.

I'm sorry you missed the video's message.

[aspie182]

Concerned individuals are not autistic. They are just "concerned individuals". And which specialists in the field? Among autistic individuals and the specialists that they actually trust, opposition to Cure Autism Now is all but universal.

Did you stop to consider the possibility that I understood the video's message just fine, and that I do not want it sent out for me?

Are you willing to ask a real autism expert? I can put you in touch with a few.

[ischlopischlo]

It is a missconception that the autism acceptance movement is only made up of autistics in the asperger category, though obviously most are "high functioning" since the category make up 80% of the spectrum.

Neurodiversity is well represented by individuals across the whole spectrum.

[trishak123]

Excellent combination of personal experience and educational information. Alex is gorgeous!