A Voice to be Heard

It’s a scorching day outside and you find yourself in need of a drink. You take a drink from your nice ice cold water. Or maybe you prefer to drink a nice cold soda. Many people don’t think about anything other than their cool beverage on a day like this, but let me open your eyes to one affect this seemingly innocent drink may have. Did you know that exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) found in that plastic bottle you’re holding could put your baby at risk for a neurobehavioral disability like autism? BPA just happens to be a commonly found chemical compound used in creating polycarbonate plastics.

The National Geographic article entitled Bisphenol A, by Stephen Musson, states “As concerns over the potential health effects of BPA exposure have become publicized, manufacturers, consumers, and governments have taken steps to reduce BPA use and exposure.” In other words, there is no reason to give your friend, that chilly bottled drink, the cold shoulder (pun intended). The fact of the matter is that not very much is known about autism or why it occurs. Biologists, psychologists, and doctors alike are still trying to figure out exactly what causes autism and how to treat it. It appears in several different forms and has several different so-called “causes,” most of which are speculations.

Another journal reports that “there is compelling evidence that many children with autism and gut symptoms have organic mucosal pathology” (Wakefield, A J., Molecular Psychiatry, Vol.7(s2), p.S44-S46). There was even a claim wildly accepted in the mid-1960’s “that vaccination, particularly with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, may be related to the development of autism” (DeStefano, F ; Chen, R T. CNS drugs, 2001, Vol.15 (11), p.831-7). As stated before many of these causes are speculation and some have even been debunked.

All these articles do is argue over what causes autism. I do not think our time is best spent in speculating what causes autism. It is quite obviously a biological issue that at this time is too complex for us to understand or explain. Autism is just that, a very complex biological or mental disorder, occurring at an increasing rate. I don’t think much can be done at this point for us to be able to explain why autism happens. However, I do believe that one thing remains easily explained.


Those classified under the autism spectrum are people. They are human just like everybody else. They have feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Awareness needs to be raised and I think that people need to understand these simple facts. Many are afraid or do not know how to deal with a person who has autism. Many shun them and tease them as well. Just because some with autism are socially awkward at times, or have slowed mental development in some areas, it doesn’t mean they are dumb or incapable. There is a wonderful online special edition article about a boy named Tito with autism. He is able to write poetry using very complex words, sentences, and ideas even though his ability to speak is severely impaired. Here is a link to that article: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0503/feature1/online_extra.html



In the world of sports there have been two teens with autism highlighted in the news. Jason McElwain who scored three-pointer after three-pointer when stuck in his high school basketball game because they had a good lead. They were expecting to lose their lead when sticking him in but he ended up being the high scorer of the night. Clay Marzo is the other autistic teen who is now a successfully sponsored surfer even though he lacks social skills.

I think that if awareness could be raised for autism it would increase the amount of funding researchers may need to study more into autism and possibly, eventually, lead to finding a cure. I think that increasing awareness and support for autism is what will begin to resolve this complex biological issue. When people understand a biological issue that is when results take place.

I have taken a step of my own to try to increase awareness. Though it may not be heard by millions, or even thousands, those who hear it will know that autism affects not only the individual, but their families, and their communities. One click at a time I hope to increase autism awareness. As a singer/songwriter I wrote a song and posted a slideshow video with it on the popular website youtube in order to increase the awareness in a way I best express myself, through song. I write this blog post and wrote that song for my older sister who is autistic. Autism deserves a voice, and though mine is small I plan to be heard. The song can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23gBFq0kZ2A

Works Cited:
Autism and measles-mumps-rubella vaccination: controversy laid to rest?
DeStefano, F ; Chen, R T
CNS drugs, 2001, Vol.15(11), p.831-7

Bisphenol A.
Musson, S., University of Florida
National Geographic ver. 1 - Thu, Sep 18, 2008

Enterocolitis, autism and measles virus.
Wakefield, A J
Molecular psychiatry, 2002, Vol.7 Suppl 2, p.S44-6