Less folic acid in pregnancy tied to autism: study
A mother's response
If you read the newspaper stories and compare it to the actual journal, you will notice the difference in language, tone, and statistics. As a parent or teacher of children with Autism, it is important to look for the source on any of the media put out on Autism. Newspapers want to make money. They make money by creating catchy headlines that sell their papers. They have no need to adhere to a fidelity of reporting of what is actually significant. A 38% decrease in the likelihood of autism spectrum disorders in the birth of a child is hardly significant to me. What does concern me is the blame on the mother.
As mothers, we generally do whatever we can to help our children. I know women who stop eating sushi while pregnant to those who change what they wear, change where they live and only eat organic food while pregnant. Still I know mothers who put their children on the DAN diet to 'cure' autism. It is always on the mother. This pressure the media and culture put on mothers needs to stop.
When I had my own son back in 1993, the current thought was the refrigerator mother idea. The idea that I did not bond with my child caused his autism was ridiculous. It killed me inside. I did some very crazy things in an effort to 'cure' my son. I put him through all sorts of faith headings. Each time it didn't work, I blamed myself. I did not believe enough. I did not pay enough. I was bankrupting my family to put my son through things that did not work.
As a mother I say, "Stop the madness!" Research what exactly an autism spectrum disorder is. It is a neurological difference. Then look at the research as to what has been proven statistically to work with children that have autism spectrum disorders. Chances are if there is no statistical methodology on the strategy or cure, then it does not work. Do not trust things that are not transparent. If a strategy or cure tells you that you are not an important part of the process, then it is not effective. The best strategies either require parental involvement or see parents as resources to create the process. Never doubt your power in your child's life to help them adapt to the non-autism spectrum disorder world. Never doubt that you can help. If any therapist, healer, teacher or doctor tells you differently, run away from them. Do not give them your money.
If you have a child with an autism spectrum disorder and you worry that your next child will also be on the spectrum, then by all means take the folic acid to decrease your anxiety. The less anxiety your feel the better no matter what gives that to you.
I've liked to this document in the past, but I will do it again. This 2009 document is the most concise document to list the current treatments in autism spectrum disorders. I have this document loaded on my iPhone, personal iPod and portable hard drive for easy access. Every time someone tells me of a treatment for an autism spectrum disorder, I look it up in this document to see it if the treatment is efficient.
