"Time to change the focus..." Some thoughts on autism

(Preface: This blog is somewhat a mishmash of ideas and information. I was thinking that I should probably start another blog, in order to separate family stuff from other stuff, but what the heck...I already have quite a few people checking this blog, so for now I'll stick to just this one.)

I was researching OCD like behaviors for autism this morning when I stumbled upon an article (that is the great thing about the Internet, you never know what you're going to find!). I have never, in all of my reading and research, seen this idea written in words. But here it is! Someone has actually finally said it. Instead of trying to paraphrase it, I'm going to quote the article, with the link below to the full article, which I think everyone should read. The author, Dr. Michael Goldberg is an M.D -( I have included some information about him below, for those interested in his credentials). He says exactly what I have been thinking and seeing and believing ALL ALONG! In a nut shell, Autism is NOT a developmental disorder, it is a disease that is treatable if it is done soon enough and correctly. And, I don't mean ABA.....

"... the vast majority of the researchers in this country, the world, are still studying these children as if they truly had some undefined, unknown "developmental" disorder.

Instead of looking for the correct answers, instead of focusing on at this point what can ONLY be understood as a DISEASE (not developmental) process, the "system" continues to fund researcher's trying to figure out and understand "Autism" (as a developmental disorder). This is why so little progress has occurred in spite of millions of dollars being spent. Researchers are being funded to study what 99.9% of the children appearing today CANNOT have. IF this process continues, EVERYONE will lose (except the researchers and universities receiving mass amounts of funding and the "industry" of "alternative therapists" helping to try and "treat" these sadly dysfunctional, "special needs" children).


As noted, it is blatantly obvious to all but the "system," 99.9% of your children do not come close to meeting Kanner's definition of Autism. It has become absolutely safe to say, 99.9% of children being diagnosed as "Autistic" do not have Autism (as the term is understood or used), but rather reflect a disease state, a Central Nervous System dysfunction, manifested by many Autistic symptoms, but unlike a developmental disorder, treatable, changeable IF we act quickly enough. But, how many of the present "leaders," how many of the existing "Autistic" groups are questioning present funding, present efforts? How many are going before congress saying we have a large group of children that IF helped, IF treated might grow up to be productive citizens, might pay taxes (rather than utilize tax services) one day? Why NOT?"


http://curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=122&db=1&C0=49 (for the remainder of the article quoted above).

Dr. Michael J. Goldberg graduated from UCLA Medical School in 1972, after which he did his Pediatric Internship and Residency at LAC-USC MED. CTR. Entering Private Practice in the San Fernando Valley in 1975. Dr. Goldberg is on staff at Providence Tarzana Medical Center. Since the early 1980's, his interest has focused on the development and treatment of "Immune Dysregulation" / "Neuro-Cognitive" disorders including CFS/CFIDS and its particular connection to ADHD in children (& adults). This interest has extended into the neuro-cognitive dysfunctional link between many children with Autism / PDD and siblings / parents with ADHD, and "CFIDS". He is actively pursuing collaboration with researchers to accelerate identification and potential new therapeutic modalities for these children. Dr. Goldberg is currently the founder and director of the N.I.D.S. (Neuro-Immune Dysfunction Syndromes) medical advisory board and research institute. Dr. Goldberg testified at the congressional hearings in Washington, Autism - Present Challenges, Future Needs - Why the Increased Rates?

His publications include B.L. Miller, Hou, Goldberg, and Mena. Anterior Temporal Lobes: Social Brain, The Human Frontal Lobes, Functions and Disorders. First in the series The Science and Practice of Neuropsychology. Guilford Publications, Inc
Goldberg MJ. ADHD: Approaching the New Millenium: New Understandings, New technologies and New Therapeutic Interventions. Understanding Diagnosis and Treating the ADHD Child: An integrative approach edited by James A. Incorvia, Bonnie Mark, Donald Tessmer .
Goldberg, M. Frontal and Temporal Lobe Dysfunction in autism and Other Related Disorders: ADHD and OCD. Alasbimn Journal1 (4): July 1999. 

He also has a book out, The Myth of Autism, published about one year ago. I am definitely going to read it!

If we don't start spreading the word about this disease, and stop accepting that children have to live their lives like this, then we will never get anywhere! I have been in this field for 12 years, and we are not closer to finding a "cure." In fact, there have been NO effective advancements in the field, despite the millions of dollars of research. None. We have got to do something different, and I think Dr. Goldberg is absolutely on the right track. If you know a family who has a child with autism, I hope you will pass along this information.