Does Television Cause Autism?
 

you may find this as interesting as I.

quote:
A NEW study claims to have found ?strong support? for the theory that too much television for small children may trigger autism.

The study ? which has sparked an angry debate in America, where it was carried out ? found a correlation between the number of hours that children younger than three spend watching television and the rates of autism in a county-by-county analysis of four states.

The study provides the latest controversial theory to explain the estimated 10-fold rise in reported cases of autism over the past 30 years.

source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk

Since the evidence for a large part of autism being genetic is almost universally accepted (as observed from autistic parents reproducing) I'd have to say that watching TV wouldn't/couldn't cause autism.

Autism is genetic.. i'm sure you can develop it. The reason reported cases of autism have increased 10-fold is because people are starting to realise the symptoms of Autism rather than branded the child as retarded.

sure, it's root lies in gentics. however, enviromental factors can affect how a gene is expressed, which is what the research suggests.

I think you have a point. Environmental factor may also increased the possiblity or the gravity of the symptoms.

Thanks for the read, hadn't seen that one yet. I have a seven year old who is severely autistic and I can say I do not belive it. I belive one of the reasons we are seeing an increase in the rate of children with autism because it is actually being diganosed more. Years ago, we had many cases of autism but they were classified as "retards". Over the years with more study and awareness, we see more cases. I personally hate the whole, we do not know, it' is so crazy. As far as television, mine did not watch much television when he was 1-3, he does now as he is obsessed with his computer (youtube specifically) and television. Ok, the morning coffee made me ramble, lol. But, thanks I love reading everything I can find. Maybe one day, the REAL cause will be found.

Hugs,
Jen

it may just be the other way around, autistic children tend to bond with objects such as their computers, tv or video games. Thus that autistic children watch more TV than normal kids at a very young age shouldnt be surprising...

LOL that is the most dumbfuck report ever.

Don't forget kids..if you sit on public toilet seats you'll catch AIDS ;-)

Does GFY cause idiocy?

yes it does :1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

interesting reversal. i did not consider that.

that seems like a pretty silly study. using their logic and what seems to be the logic of the study,... you could make an argument that anything that autistic children do more than other children triggers autism.

agreed, autism is 100% genetic.

Quite not sure about this, but in my opinion I think yes because I had known a person with this kind of problem.. but I just ignored it because, though he is one. he's not that bad at all..

I thought of that too.. i mean for excessive idiot box fans... kids need social and emotional exercise...exposing them to friends, school sure help and gatherings or enggaing them to sport will help them improve not just self esteem but attachment to the word...:)

Not now...I'm playin' with my fingers!