What do you think the ramifications will be? I wonder.

http://news.yahoo.com/experts-weigh-changes-definition-autism-170206958.html

So mental health experts are messing with the definition of autism and the diagnostic criteria. My mind boggles with what that will mean to the future children being diagnosed, and the children already diagnosed today. How will we be able to accurately track the rise in autism rates and apply research on a potential environmental contributing factor if we throw this monkey wrench into the mix?! And down the road in a few years,  the news reports will  say that autism is on the decline and some government agency will take credit for it. Not because of changes made to our environment or perhaps improved treatment options…but because the diagnostic criteria has changed.

What will this mean to children already diagnosed and receiving services that no longer qualify based on the new criteria? Does it mean they no longer need services because on paper, they don’t have autism, just Aspergers.  What would have happened if this new criteria was around when my son was diagnosed? His diagnosis was high-functioning autism. Would he have received a diagnosis of autism and qualified for the much-needed services he has received over the years? I credit biomedical intervention AND behavioral therapy for his huge gains since his diagnosis.

I’m sure there is some good news in all of this somewhere.  Maybe for the insurance companies that would have to provide services in the states that have adopted insurance reform. I don’t know about this one. I’d love to hear from you and what your take on it is.

Fungicide in OJ? Now what are we to drink at breakfast?!

OK, so now we can’t drink commercial OJ anymore. First it was arsenic and lead in apple juice, now a bad fungicide in orange juice. What the hell is America supposed to drink at breakfast anymore?

This fungicide is linked to cancer and infertility. But the FDA assures us it’s only “trace” amounts, so we should be just fine. Well those “trace” amounts of chemicals and toxins in our food, water supply, and environment, start to add up and don’t leave your body so readily…thus the cancer risk.

I purchase Trader Joe’s Organic Florida OJ which I found relief in knowing this fungicide is banned in the U.S.  Brazil imported oranges and juice is what contains it and the commercial OJ providers like COKE uses it and found it. Wouldn’t tell us if it was in their Simply Orange or Minute Maid brand…and Pepsi won’t admit if they have found it in their OJ brands Tropicana and Dole. You can bet that Pepsi is buying it from Brazil where the OJ is cheaper than Florida grown orange juice.

Time to plant that apple and orange grove in your backyard folks. Squeeze it fresh everyday. Seems to be the only way we can be assured our food supply isn’t tainted. *heavy sigh*

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577154813627399478.html?mod=googlenews_wsj