Increasing incidence of autism

Genetics played an important role in causing autism! No doubt genetics do play an important role in some cases of autism. Neither is there any doubt, despite the strange skepticism of Leventhal and many others, that the prevalence of autism is increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere in the world (see graph).

The only open question is the role vaccines may play as a potential causal agent in the autism epidemic. There is no plausible alternative to vaccines as the most likely cause. I have never heard of a genetic epidemic disease.

Rising rates of autism in California (long curve) and in U.K. (short curve). Start of MMR vaccination shown by arrows (CA, 1978; U.K., 1988).
That said, let us look more closely at the vaccine issue, which has been presented to the public in a grossly distorted fashion. First note that the billion-dollar medical establishment, including the huge drug companies, powerful governmental agencies and medical schools, and most physicians, want us to believe that the vaccines are both perfectly safe and highly effective.

Those, like me, who question vaccine safety are said to be wild-eyed radicals who want to abolish vaccinations. Not true! What I believe is that:
Vaccines are by and large effective, although not nearly as effective as their proponents would have us believe. (ARRI, 12/1).

Because vaccines probably do more good than harm, vaccinations should not be abandoned.
Vaccines, as they are presently manufactured and used, do cause a great deal of underreported harm, including many cases of autism and other disabilities. Therefore, the production and use of vaccines should be conducted much more cautiously and rationally.

The link between vaccines and autism is far stronger than the medical establishment is willing to admit, and very careful and well-reasoned research is an urgent priority.

Extracted from: http://www.autism.com/ari/editorials/ed_explosion.htm

Extracted from: Autism Research Review International, 1999, Vol. 13, No. 2, page 3

Possible Causes of Autism

Autism is a complex disorder with many contributing factors.

While there are many theories as to the cause of the increase, ARI (Autism Research Institute) believes environmental factors—including unprecedented exposure to toxic substances and over-vaccination of infants and young children—are the key factors triggering this devastating epidemic. Emerging research supports this fact, making it clear that autism is a whole-body illness triggering a biological brain disorder and ARI continues investigating various possible causal factors.

While we don't have all the answers yet, you can decrease the risk to younger siblings and future pregnancies by protecting your family from known dangers like environmental toxins.

source: http://www.autism.com/triggers/index.htm

7 Facts about Autism

1 Features of autism usually appear during the first three years of life.

2 Autism affects 10 to 15 of every 10,000 births of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds.

3 Autism is four to five times more common in males than females.

4 Approximately 75% of autistic children are mentally retarded.

5 Females with autism exhibit more severe mental retardation.

6 About a third of all individuals with autism develop seizures – it can also occur with other conditions such as deafness, Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome.

7 People with autism vary widely in abilities, intelligence levels and behavioural characteristics.

source: http://lionsreach.net/autism.htm