The CDC recently estimated that 1 in 68 children, 8 year olds in 2010, have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This estimate is roughly 30 percent higher than previous estimates reported in 2012 of 1 in 88 children at the age of 8 years old. That means the 1:68 rate does not include any children who are currently younger than twelve years of age. When we take the rate of increase that we have seen with each CDC estimate, a speculative estimate of 1:18 two year-olds will be diagnosed with autism in the next couple of years. An MIT researcher recently estimated that, with the increasing rates, 1 out of 2 children will be on the autism spectrum by 2025. Pretty scary.
I am one of 1.2 million moms who never expected to have an autistic child. I see new parents, every day, joining the support boards and groups that I belong to. I am tired of welcoming new parents. Everyone has heard the word “autism”, but many still don’t understand what it truly is…and many don’t realize, understand, or even believe that it can be prevented.
With all this being said, I wish someone would have opened my eyes prior to even conceiving my son, which is why I am here. I am of the belief that there is not any one thing that causes a child to develop autism, but I do believe that our toxic environment plays a role, particularly in those who may be genetically susceptible to toxin injury. As each autistic child is different, so is the trigger for each child. This is why some parents will tell you that their child was born with autism, while others say that their child regressed after a vaccination, antibiotics or anesthesia from a surgery.
No matter what your view on the matter, I hope that you will consider looking over some of the resources that I have provided on this website.
Auto-immune Disease
There is evidence that women with auto-immune related disorders have an increased risk for having an autistic child. Please also see here. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. It is unknown why the immune system can no longer tell the difference between healthy body tissue and unknown antigens, but it is believed that some microorganisms (such as bacteria/viruses) or drugs may trigger some of these changes, especially in people who have genes that make them more susceptible.
Autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million Americans and rates are on the rise. For example, the incidence of type 1 diabetes increased by 23% between 2001 and 2009. Studies are showing that genetics and environmental factors cause autoimmune diseases. Many doctors, scientists and researchers are beginning to classify autism as an autoimmune disorder.
There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. If you or a family member suffers from one of these, it is imperative that you pay attention to this information. A large scale study has shown that antibodies from the mother’s dysfunctioning immune system may be affecting the brain of the baby she is carrying.
Addison’s Disease
Celiac Disease
Crohn’s
Diabetes
Graves Disease
Hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s
Lupus
MS
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis
Here is a more detailed list.
Genetic Mutation
There has been some new found research that is finding that 40% of the population has an MTHFR mutation. This mutation means that 40% of us have bodies that have trouble breaking down synthetic folic acid, which is found in our vitamins and fortified in our foods. In fact, this folic acid can actually be bad for us…and bad for our babies. An individual with this mutation needs the active form of folate, which helps to create the body’s chief antioxidant, Glutathione. You can read more on the MTHFR mutation here.
This mutation predisposes people t
Here is more information on the relationship between the use of folic acid and autism: MTHFR.
Please see my information on pre and post conception.
Here are a few more websites that give you detailed information about preventing autism. Please stay tuned for the 2nd and third parts of my information on how to prevent autism during pregnancy, and after your baby is born.
Sources
The River to Recovery 
Hello, just found your website today and enjoying the reading. Thank you. I have autism and auto immune disease in my family – my nephew regressed into autism after receiving the MMR/h1n1/flu vaccines in one visit, his mother, my sister, suffers from ulcerative colitis and my mom has systemic mastocytosis. I had also began developing my own disease, but reversed it by seeing a naturopath who set me onto the right diet and supplements. I knew the risk of having an autistic child, especially with my health and family history, and I wanted to do anything to prevent it. So I got healthy first. Reversed my disease and was prescription free for a full year before conceiving. I was a pediatric nurse before my health forced me out of my profession. I spent 2 years reading every bit of research from across the globe on the immune system, diet and health, autism, and vaccines. In the end, I decided not to vaccinate my son, who is 11 months and has never been sick, and is super smart. The more I read, the more I am happy with my decision. You stated that there is no known reason why the immune system fails to recognize itself vs foreign particles. I have a theory on this. It is known that our cells are constantly being replaced in our bodies. In fact, the cells in you now are not the ones you were born with. Those are long gone and replaced with new cells. New cells are made from the raw materials we have in our bodies from the foods we eat. Which is why, good healthy food goes in, good healthy cells get made. Bad, GMO and chemical laden foods go in, and sick cells are made. The liver is responsible for clearing toxins, but when overloaded, it begins to store excess toxins in fat cells to be dealt with when the crisis is over. But in today’s world, the crisis is never over. We are bombarded with the air pollution, voc’s in our homes, bad food, medication, and personal products, in addition to drinking and or smoking. The liver never catches up. So slowly your body fills up with toxins in your fat cells, waiting to be cleared. With all this garbage being stored, and new cells being made are also unhealthy and contain traces of damage, the immune system reacts trying to contain the poison. It attacks the host because, at this point, the host has become poison. They need to detox, flush, get good real nutrients in and no chemicals, support the liver, drink water to flush. Which is what we see as effective therapy in autoimmune disorders. Just my thoughts. Keep up the good work.