Autism: Health Story

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, November 11 and December 30, 2007
Show 426

"Screaming, tantrums, uncontrollable crying and uncontrollable outbursts" were all characteristics of Ricky Ouellette's son Jacob when he was diagnosed with autism at age three. Now, a combination of medication, speech and behavioral therapy has made a huge difference; so has the fact that this family constantly works to pull Jacob out of the autism tunnel. Better screening and more awareness means more kids are being diagnosed with autism, but there may be more to the dramatic increase in this disorder. "What appears to be happening is that there's some kind of an underlying genetic vulnerability; it may be a lot or a little. And then the problem gets helped along by the extra stress that comes from being exposed to substances or other kinds of stressors," says pediatric neurologist Martha Herbert. Those stressors may be hormonal, emotional or environmental. Even certain foods may trigger autistic symptoms. And there is no one therapy that works for all children, but one thing is clear: early intervention makes a huge difference in the lives of children like Jacob Ouellette.