(NaturalNews) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a new report showing that one out of every 110 children in America today have some form of autism. With an estimated three-quarters of a million children somewhere on the autism spectrum, child advocacy group Autism Speaks is calling on the federal government to increase research efforts to combat the disease.
The report, published in the
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report illustrates a 57-percent increase in autism cases between 2002 and 2006. A staggering
600-percent increase in the disease has occurred over the past two decades, plaguing boys more often than girls. Roughly one out of every 70 boys currently has some form of autism.
Scientists and researchers recognize that the autism rate is rising significantly and that something must be done to address the problem. A 2007 Harvard School of Public Health study notes that $35 billion is spent every year treating people who have autism and that children are the fastest growing segment of people being diagnosed with the disease.
Children are often diagnosed with autism between the ages of six and eight, an age that many believe is too late since the disease is usually observable in earlier years. As it stands, insurance companies typically do not cover autism treatment.
Autism Speaks has taken the conventional approach, urging increased funding for research at the federal level. Rather than investigate a preventive approach, advocates are begging the government to bolster funding so that children can be diagnosed earlier and receive treatment for their symptoms at an earlier age.
Comments by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
For every child that gets diagnosed with autism, there are parents who wonder, "Did vaccines cause this?"
Rates of autism have skyrocketed in the last two decades, causing increasing numbers of parents to wonder what's behind the disturbing trend. Autism clearly has something to do with neurological problems, and it's entirely reasonable to suspect that the inflammatory chemicals used in vaccines as
adjuvants may play a significant role in causing
autism.
There may be other causes, too, such as exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, chemical solvents and the toxic chemicals used in personal care products. I rarely see children that aren't bathed in toxic shampoos, skin lotions, sunscreens and soaps. The antibacterial ingredient in soap is a neurotoxic chemical, and even more neurotoxins are found in the food supply.
Autism could simply be the result of a cumulative burden of
neurotoxic chemicals from multiple sources: Vaccines, consumer products, foods, medicines, household cleaners and more.
Sources for this story include:http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/cdc_autism_prevalence_1_in_110.php
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he has published numerous courses on preparedness and survival, including financial preparedness, emergency food supplies, urban survival and tactical self-defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams launched TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a veteran of the software technology industry, having founded a personalized mass email software product used to deliver email newsletters to subscribers. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known as the 'Health Ranger,' Adams' personal health statistics and mission statements are located at www.HealthRanger.org
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Email this article to a friend
Now Available from 
