Editorial #244: Observation 11

Autism Politico observes that it is politically incorrect (and sometimes illegal) to mock a person for their religious beliefs, but that this social rule (and law) are vacated when we talk about such things as end times prophecies.

I this world, we can believe in any deity we want or no deity at all. Among these deities, there is one deity that has eight arms, another that has horns, another that is triune. All these things we must not mock, lest we violate some form of social etiquette or break a law.

But if someone prophesizes the end times, we can say anything we want about them apparently, before the day of judgement or afterwards. 

This is what is called an arbitrary social rule. Neurotypicals have many of them. But here is what’s even more funny: If you are autistic and violate ANY social rule, either established and firm, or arbitrary, you are criticized, persecuted, and punished.

Now why is that?

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #219: Observation #10

Autism Politico observes that anti-vaxers don’t seem to be panicking over the fact that Japan’s nuclear reactors are sending lots of radiation into the atmosphere and sea.

Could radiation cause autism? It’s not such a stretch to think so if one is ignorant of the effects of radiation exposure. After all, Hollywood made a lot of money in the fifties with the so-called big bug movies. The insects in most of the stories were either dosed with radiation or slurped up a lot of toxic sludge. Only a dozen of those movies would ever have been made if people did not buy into the false premises of the first couple of movies.

And let’s not forget that Spiderman became Spiderman because he was bit by a radioactive spider. There have been generations of comic books about Peter Parker because kids and adults either believe or want to believe that a radioactive spider can produce a superhero.

Too bad people don’t believe the same about autistics. It seems people are more interested in weeding them out of the human genome.

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #217: Observation #9

Autism Politico observes that parents of autistics are willing to default to any theory but one about what caused autism in their children.

They’ll say:

-Vaccines caused my child’s autism, or

-Mercury toxicity caused my child’s autism, or

-Heavy metal poisoning caused my child’s autism, or

-Gluten caused my child’s autism, or

-Food additives caused my child’s autism, or

-Conspirators caused my child’s autism, or

-Genetics caused my child’s autism, or

-Etc.

But to Autism Politico’s knowledge, there isn’t a group on the internet where a bunch of parents, especially mothers, have congregated together to say they are in agreement with Bruno Bettelheim’s theories. I’ve known of no mother who has said “My poor parenting caused my child’s autism!!!”

Isn’t that interesting? Everyone wants to finger something else as being the cause of autism in their loved ones, but no one wants to think about whether or not their own behavior might exacerbate autism in their loved ones.

How egotistical.

Now of course Autism Politico knows Bruno Bettelheim’s theory doesn’t hold water these days given that the genes which cause autism have been identified. These scientists have begun to (politely) discount other theories as being so much patter. But it’s funny how quick people are to dismiss their own parenting skills as being the cause of autism, but cling to the idea that vaccines cause autism, or that there is an international conspiracy to make people autistic, or that coffee enemas can cure autism, isn’t it? At the very least, their egos, and also their fear of self-examination are cause for concern. Perhaps by being so closed-minded, they are endangering their autistic children?

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #199: Observation #8

Autism Politico has observed that the proverbs Autism Politico posts make sense, but hardly anyone appears to listen to them, because they keep making the mistakes which proverbs warn against.

Now why is that?

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #166: Observation #7

Autism Politico observes that the number 166 used to be a figure that was important in the autism community. In other words, not too long ago, one in 166 people had an autism spectrum disorder.

Now that number is 1 in 150 or lower, depending which agency is reporting the figures.

Does it matter?

The fact is, more and more people are being identified as being special people, and now they will be better able to get the accommodations they need.

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #164: Observation #6

Autism Politico observes that there was a study a while back that concluded:

“Violent Television Viewing During Preschool Is Associated With Antisocial Behavior During School Age”

Could it be that violent television programs are causing autism? After all, in the minds of anti-vaxers, autism is anti-social behavior encapsulated.

Oddly, even though we have a study published by Pediatrics which says there is a definite causal link between violent television viewing and anti-social behavior, we don’t hear anything about anti-vaxers screaming to the world that it’s time for kids to quit watching violent shows on TV.

Heck, many times we read on some anti-vaxers’ Facebook pages that their kids are watching some violent TV show as mom or dad social network’s.

Amazing, isn’t it? Here anti-vaxers can take a solid step to prevent autism in their kids, and they are spending time raving about mercury causing autism, which no study has proven yet. They may subject their kids to chelation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, gluten-free diets, faith healers, coffee enemas. But some of them won’t switch off their TV sets will they?

Of course, no study has proven that violent TV viewing causes autism, but still, why will anti-vaxers believe something which no study can prove, and not take action on something which studies have already proven to be true? That’s Autism Politico’s observation of their behavior anyway.

The abstract of the study concludes:

“CONCLUSIONS. Viewing of violent programming by preschool boys is associated with subsequent aggressive behavior. Modifying the content that is viewed by young children may be warranted.”

Come on anti-vaxers! Why the hypocrisy?

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #160: Observation #5

Autism Politico observes that anti-vaxers disrespect their own children by giving them no say as to whether or not they may become vaccinated against potential fatal diseases.

This is interesting given that laws exist in some countries which allow children to make their own medical decisions if they are of sound mind and body.

Don’t these parents respect the law?  Don’t these parents want to mentor adherence of the law to their children?  Don’t they want to encourage their children to start thinking for themselves?

Just an observation.

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #159: Observation #4

Autism Politico observes that we seldom hear anti-vaxers complaining about the vaccinations their pets are required to have. Is this because anti-vaxers don’t have pets, or because they don’t care what kind of supposedly harmful ingredients are being injected into their pets?

Pets only live so long. Don’t these anti-vaxers notice that dogs and cats that are injected with the rabies vaccine DON’T display any autistic tendencies as time passes? You’d think it would happen instantly, as it supposedly does in humans, or in chimps.

Why aren’t these people subjecting their pets to chelation therapy, or gluten-free therapy, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Maybe they love their pets too much to treat them that cruelly. Or maybe they just don’t give a damn about “stupid animals.”

Just an observation.

Replies to this editorial are welcome.

Editorial #61: Observation #3

Autism Politico observes all 50 states are objecting to the passing of the healthcare bill. Some will sue the government. Some will petition the US Supreme Court. Polls suggest that the majority of the population opposes the passage of the bill.

Would anyone care to offer an opinion about why so many people and governments are suddenly vocal AFTER the bill’s passage?

Just an observation.

Replies to this editorial are welcome

Editorial #39: Observation #2

Autism Politico is letting its readers know that like the Quotes, these Observations will be a regular, if unpredictably posted feature.

Autism Politico has observed that in many school systems, a teacher who has taken a few classes or seminars in autism spectrum disorders is considered qualified to teach those with ASDs.  Autism Politico has also observed that people seem bent on getting their kids into “top notch” universities because the professors are thought to be better there. So why are parents of autistics willing to settle for poorly trained teachers for their autistic kids, and why do school districts insist that these teachers have sufficient training?

Autism Politico is interested in hearing from parents and teachers in particular.

Just an observation.

Replies to this editorial are welcome.