Trump on autism

I was pregnant 32 years ago. Paracetamol was fine to take then.

What did they tell you to take instead? It’s been advised for several decades that acetaminophen is the safest med for pain and fever for pregnant women. Actually, for pretty much everybody except people who drink alcohol as it can cause liver issues at high doses and/or in conjunction with alcohol.

Other pain relievers like NSAIDs can cause gastritis and ulcers although they are better for inflammation.

I was born in 1960. Children with significant difficulties were not in mainstream schools in my childhood. Those who struggled in mainstream at my primary suddenly disappeared (to the 'special school').

At high school (Scotland, the 1970s) children who were deemed not to be coping were moved into the Remedial Department in 'the huts'. In Third Year, they were joined by those who were struggling academically and the 'R' class became the 'S' class - and those children left at 16 with no qualifications.

We definitely had autistic children. One of my schoolmates had an older autistic sister who was kept at home. One of our neighbours had an autistic non-verbal teenage daughter who was left to run around the block and chase after younger children. (The poor soul was just trying to play, but she was adult size and we were frightened of her.)

It's now clear to us that one of my mother's uncles and two of her cousins were 'high-functioning' and on the spectrum.

(Great-Uncle bought a field close to his brother's home. He built his 'hut' with a functioning fireplace. Whenever anyone came to the house, he sought refuge in his hut. His Shetland pony used to curl up in front of the fire.)

When my younger cousin's son was diagnosed with Asperger's, that helped us to understand a great deal about our family.

certainly not Tylenol 😂! I watched that and it was insane, he is so dangerous, mad and rambling. Looks as if he has had a fresh dye job too, the dead rodent on his head looks blonder, I am sure it was snowy white when he was doing his royal rubbish last week. Sorry to be so superficial, t is the only way I can cope with his ravings.

People are affected in so many different ways and of course I wish that my son (also currently without a school place) could have the support he deserves which would reduce a huge amount of stress and heartache (and allow him to make a real contribution to the world, without changing who he is, when he gets older). However, I dont believe that he is any way 'less' for being autistic, or that the world would be better without people like him.

Absolutely with regards to have autism rates just “increased” because doctors are recognising it better now. So better diagnosis. When I was a child at school in the 80s there were plenty of “naughty “ kids who were never sent to see anyone or get to the bottom of anything.

No, i don’t teach statistics, though I do do a session on quantitative research methods. Spend most sessions looking at how to critically analyse research, so lots of discussion on CASP tools and pulling apart specific studies.

is autism becoming rampant? I thought most experts say that the definition is broader with Asperger’s now called autism and hec they even bother to diagnose girls now so that doubles the numbers before you blink

ao even the assertion that autism is growing seems dubious never mind the assertion that it’s paracetamol that causes it

I really hope by “research methods” you don’t mean statistics @CameForAVacationStayedForTheRevolution

Of course thats not what it means. But surely you want other people to not have to go through the difficulties in life you have experienced? I have a niece who has autism and her mum is absolutely drained by the daily challenges she faces. Currently doesnt have a school place.

Teaching healthcare research methods at a university, no YouTube 😁😁

Trying to help children what, not be autistic?

I’ll stay polite. Just about. We shouldn’t look for ways to not have disabled people. That is ableist, and unethical.

When you say autism, what exactly do you mean?
Do you mean kids like dd, who is sparky and loving and a great athlete but struggles with organisation and a sudden change in routine? She doesn’t need PIP or benefits- she just needs a bit of recognition that if something is going to change she needs time to process that, and a bit of support with sorting herself out (in terms of having the right kit etc.) Hence getting a diagnosis, so she can thrive and be herself because people understand her a bit better.
As I said earlier, mum is almost certainly autistic but has had a great career and has many friends and an active social life.
Are these the people you want to cure? Why???
Or are you assuming everyone is on the more extreme end of the spectrum?

One reason for the rise in diagnosis is that traits that were labelled ‘quirky’ in my mum are autism in dd. It doesn’t mean there’s a problem.

What research?

Exactly. Trump doesn’t give a shiny shit about women. Odious man.

Shame on the women supporting him.

It’s probably not to shame women- but as a side effect that’s fine

its probably to make money - by selling as safe something that is made in America, more expensive than paracetamol- and probably no where near as well tested for safety as paracetamol

and they don’t have to convince everyone to be able to make a really handsome profit

They have a lot more money

What research? Find the evidence. They’ve done sweet fa research.

They haven't done research.

They are anti women

Just watched a summary of his speech to the UN on C4 news.
WTF is he on?

Perhaps its not about you, perhaps it's about trying to help children and future generations. Should this research not be done just in case some women feel 'shamed'?
You seriously think they've done all that research for the sole purpose of shaming women??

Do something about it

You mean better support?

When typing out posts like this, I wish people would stop and think what it feels like to read this as someone who is autistic with autistic children. Does society really wish that we just didn't exist?

I know. But it's almost as if they get to do what they say- find a cause of autism and control women's bodies.

@Livelovebehappy

The thing is, I don’t want a cure. We love our son, needs and all, and if he wasn’t autistic he wouldn’t be himself. Autism isn’t all he is, but his many quirks and habits at least partly come from it and I wouldn’t change any of them.

Living with a child with autism is obviously not without its challenges. But I wouldn’t describe our family as living in “misery.”

@Livelovebehappy do you trust the Trump adminstration to carry out thorough research? Or will we end end up with another Andrew Wakefield scenario and be in a bigger mess?

Obviously not good or responsible for trump to come out withbthis rubbish theory, but bi think we would all welcome an investigation into exactly what's causing Autism to be so rampant. I have my own theories. The upside would be that we could stop this happening to so many families causing so much misery. But also the welfare system having to accommodate a huge increase in claims - it could save billions if we found out why Autism is on the up. Then we could do something about it.