Study Finds Link Between Wi-Fi and Autism
Autism, like nearly every other modern disease, has been on the rise of late, with far more children being called autistic today than 10 or 20 years ago. Some believe that it's simply being diagnosed more by doctors than before, but others are looking for environmental causes. The case of that latter group has some new backing with a study finding a link between autism and Wi-Fi.
The study, published in 'Australasian Journal of Clinical Environmental Medicine,' claims that the radiofrequency waves emitted by Wi-Fi routers isolate and trap metals in brain cells. These metals, according to the study, are the cause of the drastic increase in autism. This isn't the first time we've heard these claims, and in fact this isn't the first tech device that has been linked to autism (earlier this year it was electromagnetic radiation from cell phones), while vaccines have also been fingered.
It's natural for parents of autistic children to be looking for answers, but with all these findings indicating various causes, many getting summarily debunked, it's hard to feel too confident in the findings of this latest one without some further backing. The only fact we know is that the exact cause of autism is still unknown.
What do you think? Does being in the proximity of Wi-Fi make you nervous for your health or the health of your children?
From CrunchGear
Related Links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
Lee @ Nov 21st 2007 10:04AM
Why doesn't anyone find out if these parents were drug users in the past? The use of designer drugs and cocaine, etc. must linger in the body of the user and cause ill effects, yet no one wants to talk about this. Just find sometime that they can SUE over, rather than look inward.
Cheryl @ Nov 21st 2007 10:12AM
Lee:
Your comments show your lack of knowledge on the subject. I have a 6-year old granddaughter with autism and my brother has a 6-year old grandson with autism. There is NO FAMILY HISTORY. We live on opposite sides of the country and both children were born in the same year. His grandson's autism is much more severe than my little granddaughter. THERE IS NO DRUG USAGE IN OUR FAMILY. For you to suggest such a thing is outrageous and unthinking. Back in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's ... there were hardly any cases of autism. So think what's been going on since the beginning of the 90's with all the extra vaccinations kids are given and the "bundling" of the vaccines. Think environment and pollutants, as well.
By the way, don't you think that the studies have already eliminated that connection?
martin @ Nov 21st 2007 10:13AM
Lee says:
Why doesn't anyone find out if these parents were drug users in the past? The use of designer drugs and cocaine, etc. must linger in the body of the user and cause ill effects, yet no one wants to talk about this. Just find sometime that they can SUE over, rather than look inward.
11/21/07 10:04 AM
What a stupid comment... you're a very ignorant person
patricia @ Nov 21st 2007 10:16AM
Lee are you stupid!!!! that is the most insane thing I have ever heard, drugs!!!! Educate yourself before you start talking alot of crap!!
autismmom99 @ Nov 21st 2007 10:21AM
OBVIOUSLY IGNORANCE IS PLAYING HIGH HERE!!!!!!! HOW DARE ANYONE STATE THAT DRUG USE BY PARENTS COULD BE A CAUSE OF AUTISM?.
I AM A PARENT OF A 9 YEAR OLD BOY WHO HAS AUTISM. AND NOT ONE TIME IN MY LIFE HAVE I USED DRUGS, SMOKED, AND VERY RARELY DRINK AND DEFINATLY NOT DURING ANY OF MY PREGNANCIES.
PLEASE UNTIL YOU KNOW THE FACTS ON AUTISM AND HOW IT IS CAUSED..( NO ONE DOES STILL TO THIS DAY SO THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU ANY SMARTER OR CLOSER TO KNOWING WHAT CAUSES AUTISM) REFRAIN FROM SHOWING STUPIDITY AND GO MAKE THOSE USELESS BRAIN CELLS YOU WASTED ON THAT REDICULOUS POST AND READ AND LEARN ABOUT AUTISM.
IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO ANNOY THE CRAP OUT OF US THAT ARE PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, OR EVEN HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE AUTISM IN THEIR DAY TO DAY LIVES.
KLS @ Nov 21st 2007 10:23AM
As a parent of not one, but two children with autism, I find that 'drug' statement insulting. I did not smoke, drink, do ANY drug in my youth that could contribute to my children's autism. Just as with other developmental diagnosies, there rarely, if ever, is one concrete answer as to 'why'. Environmental? Heriditary? Just one of those things? Who knows. But until there is a breakthrough in curing autism, let's focus as to treatments, therapies and getting funds released to help the children and families who are living with the fastest diagnosed developmental disorder.
Autism is now diagnosed 1:150 children. 1:94 boys. Autism often follows siblings. If one has it, it is a higher probability that a younger sibling will, too. Autism is not contagious, but ignorance is. To learn what autism is, and what it is NOT: visit: www.autismspeaks.org
Sarah @ Nov 21st 2007 10:25AM
As the non-drug non-alcoholic non-smoking parent of two sons with autism, I find this article to summarily dismiss in a very trite flippant manner the FACT that autism has been linked to these things. To simply dismiss the findings and lump them together with other studies the writer of this article also appears to have dismissed is immature and ignorant. What one does not read is that it is vital to have children evaluated early and get the remedial help so that the impact of autism on a child's life is minimized. It is worth the years of therapy early on in the child's life. Their quality of life improves drastically when parents are educated. The studies being done are important. Any child sitting for hours in front of any screen is going to be negatively impacted--whether for autism or just plain old lethargy and lack of exercise. I am thankful for the research and the help our family has received. There is so much that can be done to help a child with autism and to support parents with autistic children.
Ron @ Nov 21st 2007 10:28AM
Prior drug use doesn't cause autism but it sure causes stupidity.
debbie ramsay @ Nov 21st 2007 10:32AM
I do not think it's the parents drug use, are you insinuating that all parents of autistic children were drug users?
If you have not used drugs and you have an autistic child, you would see how ignorant your comment truly is.
If your assumption held up, it would be real simple right?
Do you work for the government?
debbie ramsay @ Nov 21st 2007 10:33AM
I can not believe anyone would say such a foul thing. Not only are you ignorant, but obviously you never used drugs and have a perfect child. Do you also work for our government?
Please go back and sit in your box.....and stay there. People like you should not think or speak.
God bless the parents of children with Autism,as well as the children. I think people that say these kinds of things are simple minded and should be gagged.
gd @ Nov 21st 2007 10:34AM
Why don't people look at the age of women in the United States bearing children....There seems to be a trend with women having children in their 40's and 50's when their systems are worn out.
Mary JAne @ Nov 21st 2007 10:34AM
ARE YOU SERIOUS WITH THIS GARBAGE? AUTISM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MANY YEARS, AND IF YOUR THEORY IS CORRECT, WHY HASN'T IT BEEN FOUND AND PUBLISHED BEFORE NOW? WHY, BECAUSE IT IS B/S. DO NOT TRUST THIS REPORT, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR CHILD IS AUTISTIC, YOUR CHILD WILL NEVER GET BETTER IF YOU DO.
angelpooh72 @ Nov 21st 2007 10:36AM
Well, I never had a cell phone nor a computer when pregnant with my child 14 years ago so not sure about this WiFi connection theory. He was born perfectly healthy but then diagnosed as autistic at around age 2 only after recieving his booster vaccines.
Lee, I was not a drug user and never tried to find a reason to SUE anyone. What we need is research for a "cure" and not ignorant comments from people who have no clue what autism is or the effects is has on everyone involved. Educate yourself before you speak again.
Judy @ Nov 21st 2007 10:42AM
I often wonder if it has to do with microwave usage, say maybe from what ever mom and dad's usage was before,during, and then child's breastmilk or heated formula.....just a thought for the timing thing
I See Dumb People @ Nov 21st 2007 10:47AM
Idiocy, thy name is "Lee".
peachy @ Nov 21st 2007 10:50AM
Has anyone heard of or experienced a link w/an autistic child when the father is older? My husband is 43 and my dr told me the older the father the higher the odds of having an autistic child. Just curious if anyone has experienced this. Thanks
Jeff @ Nov 21st 2007 10:53AM
Regarding Lee's comments:
Way too simplistic, and even more problematic -- mass labeling. Autism runs the spectrum of all types and classes of people and affects both educated, uneducated, wealthy, poor, extremely healthy, younger and older parents, and those who haven't taken care of themselves. My wife and I NEVER used drugs beyond the normal occasional prescriptions everyone uses, and there was no family history of Autism in our family before our son was born.
As for the Wi-Fi report, I'm skeptical. After all, Autism began to be more and more prevalent long before widespread cell phone use or even the existence of the Internet and Wi-Fi. For me, that's way too simplistic as well.
We need much more reasonable and solidly grounded science.
Sally @ Nov 21st 2007 10:56AM
The title of this article is really terrible. Casual readers will conclude that it showed a link of autism with wi-fi, when it only conjectured that there is such a link. You could just as well have proposed that the higher level of the ocean is at fault. WOuld the article writer then write "study finds a link between ocean levels and autism"?
The worst aspect of research in autism is the gullibility of the media and the public. They should both spend more time and effort evaluating the evidence.
KLS @ Nov 21st 2007 10:57AM
Einstein, Jane Austen, Motzart, Bach, Beethoven, Van Gogh. All thought to have had been on the autism spectrum. Did they use Wi Fi's? Cell phones? No. Part of why autism is on the rise, is that we can spot the warning signs earlier, knowing what to look for makes a world of difference, when we used to be told, 'hey, he's a good baby, doesn't cry much, quiet, why worry?' Now we know it may be autism. Also, the public awareness of it. At one time, it was whispered in doctor's offices and we were lucky to have that. Now, PSA's, TV shows with parents (both celebrities and just 'plain folk') discussing autism, and more books on the subject, as well as the internet (you know, one of the things that supposedly lead to autism..yeah, right). We are more able to be informed (as well as misinformed) at a faster and more complete way.
Lee: I agree with a previous poster: Go back to your box and stay there. Judy: I don't know. I doubt it, though. Autism has been around for a very long time, and I do not think there are any reliable or conclusive studies that say autism and microwaved formula, breast milk, or any food is linked. I rarely microwaved anything for my kids as babies, so for me, that wouldn't apply. I am more apt to think that with 37 vaccinations given to our kids in the first 18 months of life is something to look at. We trust our doctors when they stick our kids with needles filled with who knows what, saying it'll help our kids. Sometimes, they double up or even triple up on shots, to save a trip in a few weeks...I think THAT should be researched, not if a cell phone or Wi Fi is responsible. Autism often makes itself known before 18 months of age, and so far, I do not know of any 18 month old babies (or younger) that regularly use Wi Fi's OR cell phones. JMHO.
ytiger @ Nov 21st 2007 10:59AM
My son also was born perfectly healthy and was not diagnosed until age 3 after his vaccines. He was only diagnosed because of the behavior difficulties and lack of speech development. I did not have any wi-fi connections when I was pregnant nor have I ever used drugs. Most parents of autistic children or any other children with disabilities are only looking for ways to help their children overcome their disorder. We are not looking to sue anyone. It is difficult enough as a parent to get help for your child for aid, education and basic needs let alone having to worry about a court case because life dealt you a difficult hand. I also have a 16 yr old who is normal. My son is 11. In my opinion the reason autism is on the rise is due to better diagnosis by doctors and the changes in the vaccines. Ignorance and stupidity are treatable conditions. Know your facts.