Autism and Cell Phones, Pt. II

After writing the blog on Autism and Cell Phones I discovered the same title had been used for an entirely different purpose. To that end, I am writing a follow-up addressing the same topic but for a new reason, the reason being that I do not believe that cell phones are causing a rise in autism in our culture as proposed by many. The argument in favor of such posturing is that autism increased at approximately the same rate and at the same time we saw a rise in cell phone usage http://www.internalbalance.com/CELL%20PHONE%20USE%20AND%20AUTISM%20RESEARCH.htm

I am not a scientist and have little to substantiate my beliefs other than years of study of findings plus many years of searching for causes as well as cures for autism. We have examined pollutants, allergies, enzymes, food, weather, animals, vitamins and minerals, water, medicines and homeopathy, and experimented with all known forms of cures that are within our limited budget. Obviously there are other cures outside of our resources that we are still considering. Yet with the thousands of suggestions for causes and cures, and much research, and devotion to the problem, and absolute commitment to finding a cure, much of, but not all of, autism remains a mystery.

Not that I am suggesting we give up. No, in fact, I continue to hope and pray for the magic dust that will fix all of the problems with autism and autistic students. Some of the mystery, indeed, involves the proliferation of autism or at least the identification of children with that particular disability over the last ten years, matching that of the rise of the cell phone. During the last ten years we have also seen the decline of the base stealer in baseball, an awareness of steriod use in sports, the rise of the mp3 player, an increase in Starbucks coffee houses, an increase in body piercings, the stunning success of google, and the spectacular popularity of pre-teen idol Hannah Montana. All this to say that any extended period of time usually demonstrates a marked ebb and flow of ideas, people, objects, inventions, events, and circumstances. It is possible and in some cases likely that such growth in one is related to or even causes another or that a decline leads to a rise in something else. But it is also just as likely the events are totally unrelated.

I have no irrefutable proof for what I believe and only time with careful data will determine the truth, but for now I will stand firm that cell phones are not causing autism, and to think such a thing, detracts from where the truth will be found. The truth to the causes and cure for autism will be found in the DNA, from the millions of strands being studied at this very moment, in the thousands of laboratories across the country, by the scientists and mathematicians looking for the abnormality we know as autism. Meanwhile, parents and physicians continue to try different approaches to help--and virtually every technique is beneficial.

Good nutrition, vitamins, breathing, therapy, behavior techniques, more sleep, order, quiet, organization, and deliberation, are all appropriate and productive in helping the autistic. And no doubt allergies, pollutants, stress, disease, and various other problems have contributed to the increase in Autism. Yet there is also no doubt we are identifying the disability, which has become quite broad in scope, earlier and more accurately, in an effort to help these children adapt better in an educational environment.

Back to our issue: Is it possible cell phones with their electromagnetic radiation have added to the rise of autism? I suppose it is possible. Is it likely? I think not. Meanwhile, let's continue to help the disabled and let's continue to search for a cure. Until that time occurs, however, we should avoid blaming outside sources for this problem and focus our attentions on improvement.