Autism Risk

Over the last few years, the number of children with autism has grown to epidemic proportions. The latest estimate from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the prevalance of au­tism at 1 in 150 children. What is the cause for this epidemic? Autism cannot simply be a genetic disease as previously thought--how can genes cause an epidemic? Autism cannot just be diagnosed better--why is the epidemic limited to children? Something in the environ­ment must be causing this increase. In a series of articles, this book explores the risk for autism with acetaminophen use, lack of breastfeeding, infant formula use, and mercury exposure. An in depth review of the history of aceta­minophen use and its correlation to autism is especially thought-provoking. This book should stimulate new thinking about the cause of autism and generate new research into possible treatment. The ideas pre­sented here should be especially useful to researchers, parents of children with autism, and anyone else with an interest in this puzzling disease.