Vaccination Debate

That is an argument that can cut both ways.  People against vaccination often site the autism statistic in defense of their position.  I do wonder sometimes if the term is too liberally applied.  Similarly I wonder how many children actually have ADHD.  I wonder though what the motivation would be in improperly labelling children as autistic?  Funding for research? Funding for school programs?  There are cases where it is better to have the dx than to not when it comes to therapy costs.  Check out the diagnosis criteria: http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-autism.html 

BTW: if there were a genetic test that could tell me if my children were at increased risk for autism I would take it. I can not say whether it would impact my decision to have children at all but it would certainly be nice to prepare for the possibility.  I had a chance of passing on MS and chose to conceive regardless.  Some people would fault me for that I am sure.

<<Similarly I wonder how many children actually have ADHD.>>

I wonder the same .. how many actually have ADHD .. and how many are just BORED in school?? Kids can come off their meds in the summer and not be little terrors .. because they are outdoors, using up all of that energy and being the little busy bodies they were meant to be.

It's a terrible thing that we have to drug up little kids to get them to learn their math and reading.

I have a daughter who I KNOW would be slapped with labels simply because she has an abundance of energy. Public education is great for children who learn in a traditional manner, unfortunately for kids who don't it can be detrimental. My little girl is very bright but I know she would suffer in a classroom setting. Homeschooling works very well for her.

My older two are in public school and are thriving. I wanted to mention that so no one thinks I am slamming public schools.