Posts by Peggy
The theory of self-reference
I’ve often wondered why we don’t hear much about the possibility that artificial hormones play a role in the rise of autism rates.
I couldn’t tolerate birth control pills and wrote about the experience, in relation to Sam’s autism, in my book. To me, hormones could explain why, until recently, autism was in first-born males four out of five times. It could explain why the uptick in recent years. It could explain why more girls now, and not just boys. It could explain why a recent university study found more occurrences among the wealthy
Like being rich causes autism. No one believes any chicken laid that egg. But it is well-known that the wealthy have better access to birth control options.
Yet, people keeping beating that vaccination horse, even though it’s been looked at rigorously for the past decade and no one has found a solid link. And lately, Vitamin D deficiency is all the rage.
I’m skeptical any causation theory if the proponent follows their theory with a “treatment” protocol, or hopes to file a class action lawsuit. Yeah, right. I’m not buying it.
From the theory of self-reference — in other words, no scientific basis whatsoever — I still want to ask, why aren’t we looking at the effect of artificial hormones?
Overheard in the Wolfe House #10
Peggy (disappointed after reading her favorite grocer won’t expand to Texas): Trader Joe’s isn’t interested in being online either.
Sam: You can buy a plane ticket to Sacramento if you want to shop at Trader Joe’s.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #9
Sam (on manhood): I might have to start shaving every day. Boy, it’s hard to keep up with that.
Nature and Nurture
We’ve come a long way since Bernard Rimland shredded BrunoBettleheim’s theories that refrigerator moms caused the autism in their children. Or not far at all, depending on your point of view.
In this summer’s Columbia magazine, I read about a promising study in Norway that is tracking 110,000 people over their entire lives. A mother-and-child cohort will gather data that could be used to test dozens of theories for autism’s causes. In addition to chronicling every illness, immunization and medical treatment, they will be tracking gastrointestinal problems, too.
The world will likely get another pass at testing the persistent thought that autism is linked to vaccinations, although more than a decade of study has yet to link the two conclusively. In my opinion, very little work has been done to examine the stomach problems our kids have.
I’m not certain Sam’s gut problems, even though they began at about 18 months old, came first and the autism came second. He had autism problems from the start. But it’s about time some serious research got done in this area. With the last doctor I mentioned this concern about his gut I got — as usual — a blank stare.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #8
Sam: No more coal. No gas. Everyone needs a solar panel on their roof. The power companies should use wind. Maybe if I tell them, they will listen.
I need this support but don’t have it
If you’re the parent or caregiver for a young person, age 12 to 22, with a disability, you, too, can fill out this national survey about supports your family has and supports you need.
http://www.fastfamilysupport.org/
I just finished it. It will be a really easy survey for Texas parents, filling page after page by clicking the button that says, “I need this support but don’t have it.”
UPDATE: And Saiqa Akhter didn’t get any either. Godspeed to little Zain and Faryaal.
TMTA
This is my nomination for a new text message abbreviation: too much to ask. It’s what parents do to their children all the time. (Insert teenager rolling eyes here.)
I just asked Sam to drop an overdue library book in the drive-thru drop on his way to work today, or on the way home. I’ve asked him to do this sort of thing before — drop off the water bill, catch the mail, pick up a few groceries before coming home. He’s also made his own bank deposits on the way home. But he’s totally stressed out. I don’t get it.
TMTA
Overheard in the Wolfe House #7
Peggy: Sam, come out to the back porch and hear this frog sound.
Temple Grandin flies coach
On a Southwest Airlines flight from Amarillo to Denver recently, Sam and Dr. Grandin sat across the aisle from each other.
Michael was the only other person in our family who recognized her. Sam couldn’t make the connection between the photos and the real person. It took Michael a minute to realize why I didn’t want to stop and introduce ourselves. I have no idea whether Dr. Grandin would feel overwhelmed by strangers doing that, but Sam would.
Dr. Grandin spent the flight reading the Wall Street Journal. Sam liked looking past his sister and me to see out the window. Probably no one else on the flight noticed all the famous people on the plane.
As Sam says, “I’m a little bit famous.”
Overheard in the Wolfe House #6
Sam (turning off the electric razor): That’s it. I give up.