Autism is the "IT" thing

Hey people. Are you aware of autism? What is happening to children these days? Today i watched the Larry King Live show in CNN, in the afternoon. The show was about the autism epidemic that is going on in United States.Also, Bill Cosby and others talked about autism.For people who do not what is autism, it is when a kid has speech delay , lost his language, lost his ability to potty-train and basically loses the social abilities. Living in their own "world," oblivious of the surrounding around them.

1 in 150 American kids are diagnosed with autism, 1 in 94 boys on autism spectrum and it is considered a national epidemic but most importantly a global one. Also, this disease is affecting more boys than girls. THE FIGURES WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE. It is frightening to know but this is reality. Who knows, when you people have a child in the future might be diagnosed with autism . What will you do then? Cry your heart out? And question god and yourself why me? Something has to be done NOW.

Bill Cosby the legendary comedian sets off to be in NYC on 9th of April this year, attending a concert namely "Autism Speaks," spreading awareness of autism to the public.The headlines for today was "Bill Cosby and Toni Braxton VS fastest growing serious developmental disability in US." What shocks me even more is that, with such an epidemic staring right at us, where kids presently are more prone to be diagnosed as autistic than categorized into diseases such as AIDS, CANCER or any other diseases.Also, autism is not taught in medical schools, no doubt it is another incurable disease that they should look into. That is unconscionable.It surprises me.

There is no medical detection at all other than the other diseases. However, mind you, if you think that autism spreads through contact with blood or through needles just like Aids.YOU'RE WRONG! However, does it spread genetically. Not confirmed yet, no doubt for a few cases. Even Pediatrician Dr Ricki who was there in the show, she talked about the effects and the symptoms of autism.How to detect it from your child? Basically, the lack in connection between the child and the parent. Be it eye-contact.

Thank god for the kids in America, there is an organisation called "AUTISM SPEAKS," which is a 2 year old operation and it is mainly reaching out to families who do not have any financial aids, for example to pay for the kid's speech therapy and also they're not being accepted by their communities who are unaware, who needs help and are being ignored by the public.Which is unacceptable.

This organisation is spending a billion dollar on mainly to work on the research for a cure and education for the next five years. And it is only the start. Most importantly, their goal is to get the government to wake up and say 'hey we have an epidemic here and we have to do something about it." The co- founder of this organisation is Mrs Suzanne Wright.She has a grandson who is diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. If you want to know more about autism and its effects please do go into this website: http://www.autismspeaks.com/.

Including Bill Cosby, there were Toni Braxton who is one of the famous and successful R & B singer and has won many awards.She has a son who has autism, she spoke out her thoughts about this issue too.Even Actor Gary Cole has a daughter, Mary, who is diagnosed with autism at 18 months and is doing great right now.

Now these are the questions, is there a cure? Is it genetic? Heredity? Environment? are there Vaccines? We do not know YET!

But what is my concern right now is that, when America has already put their finger on this issue. What is Singapore doing? Oh yeah, wasting A LOT of money on the development of casinos and plainly claim that " we're trying to attract foreigners into our country. And we estimate that it will definitely create a lot more jobs and the percentage of employment will increase.So we think that casinos and integrated resorts are essential for our economy."

COME ON! we have enough attractions already. Why waste the money on these things and not use this money wisely and smartly. Like using it on finding a cure for autism or atleast help these kids have a normal live here.FOR A START, Get the public to be aware. Singaporeans got to wake up! If you think just by posting "MINDS" advertisements in bus stops will do any good in educating this ignorant public then i say, YOU'RE WRONG!More has to be done. Should i record a 2 week video observation of an autistic child's life just to show and prove to you how many Singaporeans( young and old), giggle, tease, give disgusting stares and laugh at these innocent kids.While parents or guardians have to choose to either stay quietly and consume the embarrassment or exchange vulgarity and middle fingers at each other only to create even more commotion and stares from others. There is a lot more to learn here. We have to do something to wake our government up and get them to do something.

Why can't our government come up with an organization just like Autism Speaks and provide funds to these autistic kids.Why are you so concerned only on normal kids.Go get them to go through proper speech therapy and not waste precious money on casinos which eventually will only result to increasing in divorce rates ( mind you it is already increasing even more, before the casinos) and crimes.

Also, i saw the advertisement on having to end poverty by 2015. This reminds me of the time when my ex- social studies teacher, Mr Siva said in my ex-class in my secondary school, that "guys when you get out of this place then you will know how dirty it is. There is a COLD, COLD world out there!" Oh Boy , HE meant it. The amount of money spent on weapons alone, is billions! It is mainly just to kill innocent people even more than just saving lives.What has the world become today!!!Selfish? YEAH.

So think!!! Ask yourself then, am i wrong to say that our government is spending money so blindly? Do post me your comments in the cbox. Thank you for reading my blog though. Nites.