AUTISM is the fastest growing developmental disability in the world.  In 1980, 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism in the United States.  Today, CDC statistics show the number to be 1 in 110.  Currently, over 1.5 million people have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the USA.

A new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes.  Although this is a staggering statistic, there is no consensus among the mainstream medical establishment on the cause or treatment of this disorder.  At PAA, we feel that this is unacceptable.  Where is the urgency in getting to the root causes of autism?  Why has the government not made this a top priority?  There are many theories as to the cause of autism: 

Genetics - Vaccines - Environmental Toxins - Immune Deficiencies

With the lack of consensus on the cause of autism comes a more serious disagreement on the methods of treatment for the disorder.   We feel that all treatment methods should be respected, because we respect parental observations.  If a parent observes that a particular treatment has helped their child, it stands to reason that it will help other children, as well.  PAA's resource listing has been compiled by parents, for parents.  We encourage parents to examine what other parents have done to improve the lives of their children with autism. 

PAA acknowledges that there are many different pathways that can lead to autism in a child.  What works to heal one child may not work for another.  We therefore support the brave doctors who go the extra mile to physically examine our children, and find the root medical causes of their issues.  Thousands of parents have reported that when the underlying medical issues are cleared up, their child's behavioral symptoms can improve dramatically.  

As the debate rages among our government and the mainstream medical establishment, we are losing our children.  We are dealing with misdiagnosis, a lack of understanding of the daily trials and tribulations we face, shortages of services and trained professionals, inadequate and understaffed special education services, and overstretched community based services.  Over and above this, the family unit where there is one or more member with autism is at risk of disintegrating.  Emotional stresses are taking parents and caregivers to the edge, families are facing financial ruin, and the psychological impact on the ailing children and siblings are immeasurable.  The safety of all members of the afflicted household is therefore at risk.

Parents United Against Autism is organizing and mobilizing families to meet the challenges of autism.  We train parents and caregivers on how to deal with autism.  We push for reforms in health care and human services so families who are dealing with this scourge are not discriminated against.  We educate families about their rights.  We empower them to seek services that they are by law entitled to.  We encourage them to learn about alternative treatments and therapies so as to expand their knowledge on basic wellness.  We encourage them to participate in meaningful research.  We connect them with local resources.

Hit particularly hard by autism are immigrant populations in many cities in North America.  The immigrant group that has attracted much attention recently is the Somali ethnic group with a large base in Minneapolis, MN.  Here the health and education authorities have confirmed that this group has been disproportionately diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders - admittedly at 2 to 7 times the rate of the general population!   Our experience while working within the community has confirmed to us that this observation is not only true, but that there exists a cluster of autism in Minneapolis and its suburbs.  More work needs to be done to scientifically determine the cause without fear of what the results will reveal.

In this journey we aim to inform the media, mobilize the community, and push the authorities to take action that we hope will find the true causes and cures for this crisis.  It may seem like an uphill battle, but when parents know that they are not alone, and that there are other parents out there who are recovering their children from autism, it gives us the strength we need as a community to fight the good fight.