You're right we have a LOT of labeling in our society that some of I think is hogwash. And the "not otherwise specified" term---yeah, again, just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they know everything. None of us do and that's okay! And, yeah, I think a lot of autism cases may be from older maternal age, etc. I'm not saying all our problems are from vaccines. I'm just saying our vaccines are dirty, we could do better, and we really don't need them as much as we think we do.

I will totally agree to that, We need to do better with vaccines. It needs to be done less often and remain effective longer. I saw a baby on tv getting all these shots in her little chunka chunka legs and I wanted to cry.

I think (and I will probaby get slammed for saying it) that sometimes diagnosis of autims and ADD and ADHD can be excuses for normal childhood behavior. I mean some kids are painfully shy, some are picky, some need a routine, some are wild, some are just brats (but I love Nicky anyways, hehe). It makes life easier if you can kind of excuse a behavior by saying, "Oh little Bobby has ADHD, that is why he is running around and yelling at people" rather than giving the kid the smackdown.

Now, I do believe Autism exists, and ADD and ADHD are legitimate conditions, but they are both over diagnosed. I mean, back in the late 80's and early 90's everyones kid was getting ADD and needed Ritalin, now it is Autism.

I'm TOTALLY with Bexie on the ADD/ADHD thing! Just because a kid is a bit hyper does NOT mean they need medication! It's stupid. Sometimes, yeah, a kid is WAY the heck over the top, throwing fits and running around screaming 24/7, but having above-average energy isn't necesarily a bad thing. They are children, not adults, so we shouldn't expect them to have the same composure. We can encourage it, but forcing it on them with chemicals is NOT helping them. My dad thinks that all the chemicals we pumped into people when they were kids is effecting thier children, and just perpetuating the problem. I refuse to put my kids on medication like that unless I'm 100% positive that it is causing too many problems. They thought Erskine had ADD, but it turns out he was just BORED in school because the material was too easy. And my friend's little brother is 'mildly autistic', as she put it, and honestly he's EASIER to handle than a 'normal' child, because he has a longer attention span and is pretty quiet for his age. He learns a bit slower, but it's not all that significant.

I think people are taking behavior problems way too far. Just because a kid has different enrgy levels or focuses said energy in a different way than the majority is not a reason to put them on meds.

I was bored in school from day one because I went in to school reading and writing and counting waaaay beyond 100 and that was what kindergarten's focus is. I fixed it for myself by offering to do extra tasks, reading to other classrooms (by the way, sending a kindergartener around to third grade classes to show them up in rerading skills is not a way to maker her popular), and doing book reports and projects. I wasn't ADD, I was SFS (starving for stimulation).

lol. Erskine wasn't quite that proactive. His teachers weren't either, so he was just a kid who was too smart for the class and all the teachers wanted him held back. Now he's just a smart 16-year-old who spends too much money, lol.

Bexie and Celianne, I couldn't agree with you more! Shall we discuss the benefits of homeschooling? Just kidding, but there is so much going on in this crazy world that it can make your head spin. I bet if I put my oldest in school right now, they would offer to have him on Ritalin within the day. Not going there...he's a wonderful boy full of life and energy that is loving to learn! Anyway, I'm at my mom's and she just had a knee replacement. I may not be able to check my messages much this week.