What Happens When They Grow Up

Teenagers and young adults are the emerging face of autism as the disorder continues to challenge science and unite determined families.

By Barbara Kantrowitz and Julie Scelfo | NEWSWEEK
From the magazine issue dated Nov 27, 2006

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  • Posted By: momtotwo @ 02/28/2009 9:05:20 AM

    Seriously, I get so tired of the subtle lies laced throughout articles like this one. Overall this article was good, and brought up quite a few interesting points, but makes an attempt to propagate the myth that the rise in autism is solely due to broader diagnosis and awareness. If that were so, why wasn't there an equally dramatic drop in those diagnosed as "mentally retarded" or "emotionally disturbed"? I think most of us can SEE the difference, even without "scientific studies" (of dubious motivation). When I was growing up there was that one strange kid in my class, the one totally obsessed with Ninja Turtles, who probably would now be diagnosed with Asperger's. That was it. I can't think of a single other child I was in contact with who would fit today's diagnosis. Now I can't even walk into WalMart without seeing multiple children clearly and obviously on the spectrum. Time to wake up guys. There's more going on here than a change in diagnosis.

  • Posted By: One Idea @ 11/16/2008 3:54:03 PM

    I think it should be looked into if parents are causing this abnormality by their reproductive actions-- such as by having children late in life, the mother's prior use of birth control pills or other methods that might affect conditions in her body, by use of fertility drugs, or by extraordinary measures to continue a risky pregnancy. There seem to be way too many of these people out there.

    On another note, this Mrs. Bowers? This article tells of how her teenage son asked a girl to the movies, and then Bowers had him followed a a friend of hers, "a psychologist," who apparently listened to everything he said and reported it back to his mother. That psychologist should be investigated and lose his or her license for engaging in human subject experimentation without the knowledge or informed consent of the subject.

    On another note, any teen boy who has his mother spying on his every move is going to be "socially awkward."

    • Posted By: hexxa @ 02/27/2009 2:39:31 PM

      What makes you think reproductive choices have anything to do with it? If it became more and more prominent around 1943, there are a million other changes it could be. There have been enough other changes in food preparation and additives, in manufacturing, in prenatal medicine, and after all in DIAGNOSIS that ithere seems no reason to blame birth control unless you have an ulterior motive.

    • Posted By: parent of lisa @ 11/17/2008 8:09:59 AM

      I never used birth control, fertility drugs, and delivered by 27 years of age. The term used by you "these people" is a bit disturbing for parents of a beautiful 13 years girl that happens to have Autism.

      Before you make your observations and sit in judgement of Mrs. Bowers walk one day in her shoes. It seemed to me that she and her psychologist friend were just allowing her son to experience a "normal" activity such as dating; however, with the realization that her son has a disability she wanted to make sure it went smoothly and safely.

    • Posted By: parent of lisa @ 11/17/2008 8:03:07 AM

      I was never on birth control or fertility drugs and have a 13 year old daughter with Autism. If you walked one day in this ladies shoes, your critical judgement of her might be changed. She is obviously allowing her child to pursue "normal" activities but with the realization that he is disabled. She and her friend I'm sure were overseeing this date to make sure the children were safe and comfortable.

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