World Autism Day

[November]

I hope I can post here without personally offending anyone. Im looking for a wider discussion,to learn myself.

The numbers are staggering. I realise there is a spectrum, when I did my training, they suggested everyone was 'on the spectrum' of sorts.

Now there is a push for people to be diagnosed, Im not sure everyone else is as aware of people being diagnosed as adults. Which kinda goes against the diagnostic criteria some doctors use (diagnosis before 2 years of age) yet is being widely endorsed by #actuallyautistic.




Its known that medications used in pregnancy have caused autism and horrible birth defects before (1950's) and it is known that neuroleptics (marketed as mood stabilisers) cause birth defects. So why are people so resistant to the idea that antidepressants are also causing issues? Perhaps not even the use - newborn withdrawal is well documented. Withdrawal in adults takes years, but they still insist newborns are over it in weeks... I doubt that, i doubt anyone knows what these drugs are doing to a developing brain, and serotonin is a major factor in autism.

I went to the autism speaks website (if you have seen light it up blue, it is from this group) but cannot get access to their medication warnings.

I was met with strong opposition when sharing this elsewhere - which I expect, but I also expect to hear the reasons why SSRI's couldnt possibly be linked. Of course im not suggesting it is the only cause - but a factor we must consider.

Autism Awareness Day and the importance of public awareness

Today is Autism Awareness Day and we are in the midst of a growing epidemic of autism. While many factors are likely contributing to the epidemic, we can no longer ignore the role of the widespread use of the SSRI antidepressants by pregnant women.

The complications of SSRI use might be considered tolerable if there was solid evidence of benefit with the use of antidepressants by pregnant women. Sadly, in 25 years of study, not a single study has ever shown improvements in pregnancy outcomes in the antidepressant-treated group. And, in studies of nonpregnant populations, there is little evidence of clinically significant benefit with the use of antidepressants (when compared with placebo) by most patients with depression.

Today, on Autism Awareness Day, it is essential that we raise public awareness of the issues surrounding antidepressant exposure during pregnancy and the ever-growing evidence of harm that we see in the scientific studies. At this point, we do not know with 100% certainty that the SSRI antidepressants are causing autism, but several lines of evidence point strongly in that direction, and the evidence that these drugs can injure the developing brain is clear and consistent. Pregnant women suffering from depression need treatment and care. But, with good evidence that non-drug therapies, such as psychotherapy and exercise, provide at least as much benefit in the treatment of depression (if not more), it makes sense to first use these approaches in women of childbearing age — approaches that have not been linked to autism.

On World Autism Day: Why I Am Concerned About the Use of Antidepressants During Pregnancy - Mad In America

 

[thrasherpix]

If you try to interfere with both a long tradition of convenience combined with a long tradition of unethical capitalism, then yeah, your words won't be welcomed.

 

[Blair]

This is really interesting. I kinda hope that they do more studies looking into this.

 

[November]

This is really interesting. I kinda hope that they do more studies looking into this.

Me too - there have been studies done, but findings are inconsistent. Some say there is up to an 87% increased risk factor when children are born to mothers on SSRI's and others show no link (be aware of who funds the studies). Def need to be questioning this with such widespread use.


There are certainly people who display autistic traits while on SSRI's. And many in the #actuallyautistic group are medicated for depression before diagnosis. ive been watching the movement since a contact who was originally diagnosed with a personality disorder, is suddenly #actuallyautistic after a few years of SSRI use.

Ive been told to adjust the tin foil hat lol, but it wasnt so long ago people were called paranoid over things that are common now (ie cameras watching).

 

[thrasherpix]

Corporations have a long tradition of funding seemingly idealistic and innocent movements with the goal of furthering profits. One example is the Torches of Freedom in which a tobacco company paid women to march in suffragette marches while smoking to appear as a movement for liberation but was actually a marketing campaign to sell more cigarettes. You can find plenty of examples in The New Doublespeak (some of them incredibly diabolical, my "favorite" was how one corporation tricked a pro-environmental group into getting politicians to pass a law that would screw the environment, though the group were idealists who had no idea of a patent coming to an end, and that wasn't the only time) . Of course they also pay to insert their influence into shows and movies (sometimes ridiculously overt, other times cleverly subtle) and fake studies as well as the usual PR, spin doctors, and billions in ads. (Here in the USA we have a ton of "ask your doctor about" ads, because not only do those with little money or insurance unable to get a lot of treatment and care they need, but companies are also trying to sell treatments and meds to those who DON'T need it.)

It would not surprise me if World Autism Day and certain groups were nudged into existence and managed by certain pharmaceutical companies. Though that said, plenty of people involved in these days and promotions would actually be well-meaning and would not suspect corporate involvement at all. Some people know, but not all of them...and it makes sense to trick others into doing their work for them as that's cheaper while also making it seem more legite.

 

[Blaze]

I haven't heard before of SSRI causing birth defects or autism, that's something I will have to look into! I have heard a lot of anti-vaxxers say that autism is caused by vaccine though and that's completely false, so of course I am always skeptical when looking into the effect of drugs and autism.

One thing that I would like to point out though is that I would not trust the Autism Speaks website. That group is really problematic and they treat autistic people like they are ill or like there's a problem with being autistic, using phrases like "people who suffer from autism" and having campaign aim at "getting rid" of autism through awful means (they even advertised this woman who contemplated murdering her autistic child). This is completely false representation and those are some really damaging thoughts to be spreading, since there's absolutely nothing wrong with being autistic, or being on the spectrum. Not only that but they are all about trying to change autistic people so that they fit better with the society, instead of fixing the society so that we are more accepting of people who might have different needs.

Here's a link with some of the negative stuff surrounding Autism Speaks Why I am Against Autism Speaks (and you should be, too)

 

[thrasherpix]

^^

Thanks for that site!

Another thing I picked up about a lot of so-called disorders is that they're either trying to warp normal behavior into something they can sell a "cure" for (or make the life of adults managing children seem like it could be easier, which includes a mom I once knew who decided her 2-year-old going through the "terrible twos" had some syndrome on the autistic scale and somehow found a doctor to sell her pills to drug the normal toddler with), or that portray humanity as a product that comes out on a conveyor belt, and if it varies, then stigmatize it and find a treatment for it, or at least punish them for it (which to me is like punishing lefties for not using their right hand). It's a good thing for Gillian Lynne that she was taken to a doctor in I think the 1930s, because her fidgeting and lack of focus in school would've been treated very differently today, and Gillian probably would've grown to think of herself as sick and in need of help rather than the successful creative person she became.

 

[November]

@Blaze Im well aware of #actuallyautistic being actively against Austim Speaks. What I have observed has me questioning everything and I am thankful for @thrasherpix for the links of other times in history.

I will go back to work with children with autism after easter. And here lies my problem with #actuallyautistic - they seem to be a group who all have verbal and typing skills. And many diagnosed later in life. So their issues are not the same as the non verbal children. Many of the children I work with are non verbal. And there is no way they could start a group like #actuallyautistic to go against Austism Speaks.

I upset many families with autistic children by sharing this elsewhere - and they are large supporters of Autism Speaks/Light it up Blue for their diagnosed non verbal children. Children who are too young to yet find Tumblr.


Acceptance I agree is something we all need to work on as a society - but with that - what is the difference between someone being told they are mentally incapable due to depression and need medication, and someone who is autistic and embracing the traits?

I am also against the psychiatric abuse of people with Austism. But many parents cannot handle the children without antipsychotic medication, started at ages as young as 4 (where I worked). I never ever for one second want anyone to think there is "blame" in the parents - rather the whole medical system for these children.

I also have a bit of issue with #actuallyautistic pretending that it is all fun and games... truthfully there are some behaviours that people with autism need to be taught to be able to function in society. One I see often is girls starting their menstrual cycles at around 12 years, and having no idea what it is - and parents have no idea how to tell them or how to prepare them. One girl went from 12 - 16 years old putting her hand in her pants and smearing blood on people and animals. This is one example of needing to correct the behaviour.


I havent read the last links in the post above as I just woke up and wanted to write a bit more before the world goes to sleep. But thanks for posting them so I can read more.