How about a stimulus package that gives parents of autistic kids insurance, the child insurance AND the parents quality respite sorely needed so often as a caregiver?

That would be nice, so would a big chunk of money given to research brain damage in autistic children after psych med use. I can tell you what--Risperdal agitates autistic kids I teach--it's given for "behavior modification" (and some kids still have meltdowns)very often.

Brain damage from psych meds not needed for autistic spectrum kids is a huge interest to me, as it could apply to my own child.

This is a personal opinion/rant, not expecting any comment discussion back, or wanting it.

I have also been watching the stimulus package(s) for signs of any new jobs. The only sure bet-yet not approved- is a proposed increase in "volunteer jobs" at minimum wage.

The autism money, to which I could not morally object, only makes me wonder what it was the researchers were doing instead that might have had value to mental illness.

Unfortunately, "assessing risk from...early life exposures" sure sounds like it's directing more $$$ toward researching the already disproved vaccine-autism connection.

Another thing: psychiatry and autism just don't belong in the same sentence, and as a parent of a "duel-dx" child, unless the autism is predominant the mental illness part becomes focus from professionals, and neuro-docs are scared to practice on a child with any psych history, that happened to my daughter and she's stuck in a place all of the professionals call "complex".

Maybe this is the bitter side of me talking now, but yeah, this is not right, and what I see is a future for autistic kids that could be less than best outcomes if psych medication starts to be used as interventions! I've seen too many kids affected by this with bad outcomes at work and my own daughter.

It's very frustrating, and I am not against research for the cause of autism at all that's for sure.

"...testing diagnostic screening tools for different populations; assessing risk from prenatal or early life exposures;

Wow!
There they are! I wrote on the pharmacogenetics today with some links to Furious Seasons.
Autism is already so difficult to treat and they will now deal with this?
I really don't know how low they can go for money.

The whole idea is NOT to find that autism is generally mercury related.

Having worked with a lot of kids on the "spectrum", especially kids with Asperger's, I don't see drugs as the answer AT ALL. I hope the strong parent advocate groups get in there and monitor where the money's going.

And, whoever said autism and mental illness aren't in the same category is right, from my all-too-extensive experience with both groups.

First, The NIH should not fund anything with the objective to benefit the economy. Clinical trials are to gain knowledge. Secondly, some diseases, and their etiologies, are a mystery, and likely will continue to be:

Thoughts Regarding Autism Spectrum Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Of these rare neurological disorders, Autism is the most common. The autism spectrum reflects the broad range of symptoms in which the names of these autism disorders have been given their own name for their disorder.
Autism is a disability that is suspected to be caused possibly by a brain development disorder of unknown etiology. Others suspect the cause is some sort of neurological dysfunction- possibly with a genetic predisposition. Autism is about 3 times more common in males than females as well, and it is unclear as to why this occurs.
Usually, symptoms of the disease present themselves before the toddler reaches the age of three. Before Autism was more understood, others inaccurately labeled autistic people as childhood schizophrenia or as having a psychosis or mental retardation.
Symptoms of the autistic patient included limited or dysfunctional social and personal or intimate relationships with others, their intelligence is affected, and the autistic person typically is adverse to change. Also, the autistic person tends to be compulsive and prefers to be alone. They lack eye contact as much as physical contact with other people.
Out of over two dozen diagnostic criteria utilized for these disorders, eight must be present to be considered autistic, according to the DSM. As with all passive developmental disorders, the person expresses language, social, and behavioral difficulties.
Treatment includes what are called psychotropic medications that delay the progression of the disorder, as well as relieve some of the symptoms of one who is autistic. Behavioral therapy is common as a treatment regimen as well. Boys get Autism much more than girls.
Then there is the controversy between many who claim that thimerosal- a preservative containing mercury, which is a neurotoxin that was used in vaccines until 2001, was the catalyst for autism in children.
Over 5000 lawsuits have been filed because of this belief, and some have been successful for the plaintiff. Yet most agree the correlation between thimersal and autism is void of scientific merit. Furthermore, the cases of autism have not decreased since the preservative was discontinued in 2001.
Aside from Autism, the other four passive developmental disorders are known as autism spectrum disorders.
Asperger’s Syndrome is more common than autism, and the symptoms are milder, as there is minimal delay in language abilities, if at all. What is expressed with Asperger’s syndrome is mild autistic symptoms. In time, the patient may express atypical personality disorders, though.
While intelligence is within normal limits with the Asperger’s patient, social interactions and abilities preset difficulty for such a patient. As with Autism, medications and behavioral therapy are treatment regimens with one with this syndrome
Rett’s Syndrome or disorder presents with not only atypical behavior, but also suffers from restricted physical growth and movement. There is cognitive and social impairment as well. The disorder affects mostly girls, and the cause is due to a gene mutation.
Childhood Disintegrative disorder is rare, and is 10 times less common than autism. The disorder has a late onset with mild autistic symptoms. The disorder affects mostly boys, and regression is sudden and possible with this disorder. Skills lost with this disorder may be language, social, self-care, as well as play or motor skills. Decreased function or impairment with this disorder may include social skills and behavioral flaws. Central Nervous System pathology is a suspected cause of this disorder.
Finally, there are passive development disorders that are not otherwise specified. This may include atypical autism, for example. Yet as with the rest of types of these disorders, the symptoms vary in their frequency and intensity, as well as the range of abilities of these developmental disorders vary widely as well.
Medicinal treatment is believed to be not necessary for the management of all of those who may have autistic spectrum disorders. Depending on the patient’s health care provider, medications may be prescribed by their doctor to manage any affective disorders autistics may present in an acute or chronic nature. However, cognitive and behavioral therapy prove to be most beneficial for all the different types of Passive Development Disorders that exist for reasons yet to be defined.
www.autism-society.org
Dan Abshear

I am the mother of an autistic 6 year old daughter who did not respond well to the the "autistic diet" and whatever undeveloped programming in place at her public school. I don't believe the country is prepared at all to deal with this horrible epidemic. Money needs to be spent in prevention and providing free child care assistance to parents.

Philip Dawdy responds: spending money on this is fine but should be done in the context of the regular annual budget not inside emergency legislation to stimulate the economy.