Questions

[Guest guest]

Questions to ask:

1) Do you subscribe to the view that autism is NOT simply genetic in

origin, and may be due to various other factors (e.g., obstetric

complications; exposure to toxic agents; and prenatal, perinatal, and

postnatal infections, viral infections, etc.) and do you accept that there

has been an epidemic of autism which is not simply explicable in terms of

changing diagnostic criteria or genetic factors, and if so, what

environmental factors are you researching?

2) Does the word 'cure' simply imply treatment of symptoms, or do you

actually believe it is possible to really cure autism permanently, or are

you instead looking for a way of countering or preventing the development of

ASDs?

3) If you accept that autism is a pervasive developmental disorder,

leading to abnormal neurobiological/neurochemical functioning, do you

believe that the existence of co-morbid conditions is because they are

separate discreet entities or would you advocate a medical model that sees

so-called co-morbid conditions as being part and parcel of the

neurobiological/neurochemical dysfunction that causes autism, and thus

propose a fully integrated medical model in preference to a behavioral

model? (By co-morbid conditions is meant disturbances such as OCD, Bi-Polar

disorder, a seizure disorder, ADD/ADHD, NVLD, depression, anxiety, sensory

integration disorder, motor problems, et al.)

4) Have there been significant developments in neurofeedback research

and autism which suggest that by using such technology there is

the possibility of permanent change in neurological functioning?

5) Is it possible to arrive an integrated theoretical model which

simultaneously integrates the notions of autism as being the consequence of

an Executive Function Disorder, a Theory of Mind Deficit and a Central

(Global) Coherence deficit and would all three be necessary for a diagnosis

of autism?

6) Is it not a bit premature to look for a cure when the etiology of

autism is uncertain, or is you research also focusing on etiology?