Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Precipitation and Autism

Now here's a connection I haven't heard!

From CNN: Could there be a correlation between rainfall and autism rates in children? That's what a new study suggests. Lead researcher and Cornell University Professor Michael Waldman says his team found that in California, Oregon and Washington, counties with a higher annual rainfall had higher autism rates in school-age children.

Their study also showed children who lived in rainy climates before the age of 3, were more prone to developing autism. Waldman says the findings suggest that autism may not be entirely genetic, as some scientists believe. He believes possible explanations could be that when rain forces children indoors, they may be deprived of vitamin D. Other scientists are dubious about the results but say more research is needed.

The study will be published in this month's issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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1 comments:

Anonymous said...

At first, I laughed almost hysterically when I heard about this on the news. I have an autistic teenager (19 years-old) who received plenty of sunlight. I remember because a part of our self-imposed therapy was to put him in his stroller (toddler-age) and go for long walks. It was therapeutic because the sound of low humming type noises (the wheels on the stroller turning) were relaxing to him. Then, as he grew into pre-school age, he would walk with me to feed the horses everyday that live down from us. Animals and the woods were therapeutic for him. As a matter-of-fact, any semblance of nature had a calming effect on my Alex.

I sure hope something good comes of this research. I for one, am still seeking answers and that is no laughing matter.

 
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