Age of Autism

Age of Autism is an online newspaper that focuses on autism, naming the pervasive developmental disorders as an "epidemic" that stems from environmental conditions. The online newspaper focuses on vaccines as a possible cause of autistic disorders.

Possible Causes of Autism

The heated debate of the possible link between vaccinations and autism continues, with many parents noting a drastic change in their children's behavior after receiving the MMR vaccines. The magazine holds the following beliefs about autism and related pervasive developmental disorders:

• They are environmentally induced conditions
• They are treatable
• Recovery is possible

Biomedical treatments for autism are major topics on the Age of Autism website. The newsletter explores various approaches to treating the disorders that go beyond the standard behavior-based techniques like applied behavioral analysis. Treatments explored include but are not limited to:

• Antioxidants that are fat soluble, reaching free radicals within the cells
• Enhansa curcumin, a supplement that is believed to remove heavy metals, and to reduce levels of inflammatory cytokine, typically elevated in cases of autism
• ReVitaPops that contain the vitamin MB12, a vitamin that is believed to support nerve functioning
• HBOT Prep supplement to help people prepare for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

Along with the biomedical treatments for pervasive developmental disorders are stories of recovery. "Hopeism" is a term peppered throughout the online newspaper, offering a new perspective on the prognosis for children diagnosed on the spectrum. The newsletter encourages readers to share their personal experiences with the interventions they have used as well as their successes.

The online newspaper covers other topics relating to the prevalence of autism as it may relate to environmental factors. Among the most well known topic in the autistic community is Jenny McCarthy, a celebrity who has a child diagnosed with autism. The online magazine has dedicated an entire section to McCarthy's experience as a parent who believes that vaccines triggered the condition in her child. Other topics include but are not limited to:

• People
  • Dr. Andrew Wakefield
  • David Kirby
  • Katie Wright
  • Anne Dachel
  • Parent warriors
• Current affairs
• Science
• Environment
• Vaccines

Yale College graduate Dan Olmsted is an investigative reporter who focuses his research on autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. His research includes investigations of the Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a community that has very few cases of autism. Dan is the coauthor of the book Mercury Rising: the Truth behind Our Global Health Emergency, due to be released in October of 2010.

Mercury Rising is a collaborative effort between Olmstad and Mark Blaxill, the Editor-at-Large for the Age of Autism. Blaxill is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School. He is the parent of a child with autism.

The Managing Editor for the online daily newspaper is Kim Stagliano, a writer and mother of three daughters diagnosed on the autism spectrum. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post, and her memoir (Kimorir) All I Can Handle is scheduled for publication in 2010.

Readers have an opportunity to share their views through submissions and comments. All comments are monitored by the editors and do not appear immediately. Submissions may be sent directly to the editors through their emails posted on the Comment and Submission Guidelines page.

The Age of Autism online newsletter offers a perspective that is not adopted by the mainstream. Parents can benefit from exploring different theories about why autism is on the rise. However, it is important to note that no conclusive scientific data currently supports a link between autism and vaccines according to the mainstream medical community.

• Preschool Activities for Autistic Children
• Possible Causes of Autism
• Tips for Raising Kids with Autism
• What Is Your Autism Empathy Rating?

• Lesson Plans for Autistic Children
• Adult Autism Symptoms
• Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism
• Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
• Famous Autistic People