Mother of autistic son asks for walk participation

Becky Sullivan, Allentown
   On Apr. 20, 2006, our lives changed — our 24-month-old son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder — Not Otherwise Specified; he was “on the autism spectrum.” Like most parents, our knowledge of the disorder was little more than what we had seen in the movie Rain Main. While we were aware that autism rates were rising, we remained ignorant until that moment.
    Lots of theories exist regarding the increase in autism. Some folks claim the increase is simply over-diagnosis; out of the dozens of children I have met since our journey began, I have met one not easily identified as having some sort of deficit. Others feel that thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used in vaccines (which has been discontinued in all but flu vaccines), has induced the disorder in children — CDC sponsored studies have debunked that theory. Massachusetts pediatrician F. Edward Yazbak has a particularly interesting twist on the vaccine theory: it is not the vaccination of the child, but of the mother, which is the underlying environmental trigger. I find this disheartening as, if true, we will have at least one more generally profoundly affected by autism.
    Most autism researchers agree there seems to be some sort of environmental trigger. At a rate of greater than 1 in 150 children being diagnosed “on the autism spectrum,” based on a 2002 CDC study of 8-year-olds, society needs answers.
    Since our son’s diagnosis, we have participated in Autism Speaks’ Walk Now for Autism. In 2007, Autism Speaks committed an unprecedented $30 million in new research funding to uncover the cause (s), prevention, treatments and cure for autism, making it the nation’s top private fundraiser of autism research.
    My family and I will participate again this year on Oct. 19 in the Central New Jersey walk, being held at Mercer County Community College. Join us, “Ryan’s Rebels,” and show your support for the autistic community. More information is available at walknowforautism.org/cnj/team/ryansrebels or e- mailing me at [email protected].
    For more information on autism, visit autismspeaks.org or contact Autism Speaks at 2 Park Ave., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10016.