Re: LET’S JUST STOP CALLING IT “AUTISM�

[Guest guest]

Dr. Goldberg,

Thank you for all of your work in this field. I was wondering if the Whittemore

Institute have run tests on people that have been diagnosed with

" autism " and what are their findings. I know the articles state that they have

also found a link to " autism " , atypical MS and fibromylagia but do you know if

the findings are as significant as with CFS? What should we do to get the CDC,

NIH, Autism Speaks, etc. to put more money into the research into this area?

Thank you,

Jill

From: dr.michaeljgoldberg <office@...>

Subject: LET’S JUST STOP CALLING IT “AUTISMâ€

Date: Friday, October 9, 2009, 5:42 PM

 

LET'S JUST STOP CALLING IT " AUTISM "

What if the psychological affliction " Autism " had never existed? What if ever

increasing numbers children were showing up in schools without speech, lost in

their own worlds, and having unexplained seizures? Would we be diagnosing these

children with a " developmental disorder? " Or would we be looking for root causes

of their DISEASE and treating what they have medically? What if your children

have is not " Autism " at all, but a medical disease in most part caused by

viruses? According to a new study appearing in the October 2009 issue of

SCIENCE, the latest research supports this idea and it is exactly what I have

been advocating for twenty-seven years.

This study describes the detection of a virus called XMRV (xenotropic MLV

related virus) in about two-thirds of patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue

syndrome (CFS). It was conducted by researchers who collaborated from the

Whittemore Institute, the Cleveland Clinic, and the National Cancer

Institute and has tremendous implications for any family dealing with " Autism. "

Many of those diagnosed with " Autism " have blood work that contains these same

viruses. Autism (or should I say a " diagnosis " of Autism) has increased in

staggering numbers over the past ten years. One in every 91 children in the US

has what we refer to as " Autism " (read American Academy Pediatrics Report).

These statistics are endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, and other agencies. California reports a

273% increase, land 513%, and Florida 600%.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everyone understands the seriousness of

the disease and its treatment. Because of this, cancer research is funded

generously. " Autism " is now the third most prevalent childhood disease, but it

remains the least funded in terms of research dollars. And how much of these

research funds are devoted to the genetic causes of " Autism? " We are wasting

what precious funds we have on genetic research for a disease that is, in no

way, genetic in nature. In addition, the cost to local school districts in

special education expenses is astronomical and growing every year! We are

draining budgets and there are kids NOT getting better every day.

What we have is an epidemic. Developmental disorders do not increase by 600%

or occur in epidemic proportions. From a purely scientific perspective, an

epidemic of something that can't be spread by germs is NOT POSSIBLE. It also

should be impossible to medically treat and recover children with these various

disorders, but I have been doing exactly that for 27 years (CFS and ADHD) and

now 14 year ( " Autistic Spectrum " ).

We have lost too much time focusing our energies on the genetic and

" refrigerator mother " causes of this disease. The time to act is now. We must

refocus our resources and move in the right direction with hard science, hard

logic, and hard data and finally address this crisis medically.

It is time to create a new focus with ONE goal and ONE idea to help your

children. We must promote the medical treatment for this disease. We have

proven time and time again, kids can get better. We, along with the medical

community must come together, rally around the flag (or any other name you

all want except " Autism " ) and focus on the true medical crisis. This is a tough

disease, but as a disease, it is beatable. It more than past the time for

parents and the medical community to join hands and lead the charge and make

recovery possible for all children afflicted with the disease formally known as

Autism.

Goldberg, MD