I've just read a really interesting article by an Autism expert...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7736196.stm

It made me think and made me wonder what you would do if you found out when you were pregnant that your child might have autism .

Just because someone thinks and acts differently to so-called 'normal' people does it really mean that there's no place for them in society? As the man in the article above says, if we 'screen out' minds like this, then society risks losing great minds in many cases.

What do you think?

I read the article and some of the comments. Like one person pointed out that autism is a "spectrum" disorder meaning the severity will differ from one person to another.

I don't agree with this sort of testing at all, if this goes ahead where will it end?

I would never terminate a pregnancy because of there being a chance something was wrong, it would still be my child and I would still love him/her no matter what. Also what if the test was wrong?

All children are perfect, how can they not be?

There are such variying degrees of severity with many disorders that I could never abort a child who could have a possibly disorder. The other thing for me is while these tests are generally quite good there are times when they are proved wrong. I would always be wondering what if. I think they are good if you are using them in a way to prepare yourself and research the topic of whatever disorder but I could not abort based on these screening tests. It is one of the reasons I have always refused downs testing as I believe in fate and would deal with whatever hand was dealt to me no matter how painful or trying.

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There is a school of thought that says we are all on the spectrum somewhere.

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I know my floor isn't clean enough to eat off, but then.....why would you want to?

Sorry but in my opinion this is screening gone to far. It's getting closer to designer babies the more screening for this and screening for that that comes along. Autism has a vast spectrum of which Aspergers is included in and no-one on God's Earth is going to tell me that kids like Ryan and my mate in Australia's son shouldn't be here just because they are 'different' to the 'norm'

Hitler wanted the perfect race, why do some people think there should be a perfect way of being? The world would be a very boring place is everyone was 'normal', perfectly healthy without a problem. How far will people want pre-natal tests to go? Will woman be getting the 'bad news' that their unborn baby is going to be left-handed? That sounds very far-fetched, but if you think about it, is it really?

A positive result for autism could prepare the parents, but how many will decide to terminate? If there was a drug to help prevent it then that is a different arguement, but the way I read the article parents would have the option to terminate. Maybe it's just me being me, termination is something that will never enter my head no matter what. Maybe I'm just getting wound up over it all, but that's the way I am!

*Hands Janis back the soapbox*

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But so is Downs syndrome, some are barely affected others severely and they screen for that

(Just in an argumentative mood really as I wouldn't test for it - but I didn't test for Downs either - only had the scans because it meant I got to see them prior to birth)

I totally agree sis

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Hi, just spotted this and felt I have to comment.

I also refused all the tests for downs and spina bifida believing in what's for will not go by me. But also because I am aware of the other side of the coin. I am a special needs teacher and have seen all the conditions that children can develop - probably the worst case scenarios. I have worked with lots of Autistic, downs, cerebal palsy children, plus many many more with conditions that have rarely been heard of - including many which give the chidlren very short life spans. I still would not take a screen for any of these conditions, as I dont think many people would keep a baby with a lot of these conditions.

I agree with many of the comments made This is really making a designer "perfect" baby gone too far. Many of the kids I have worked with over the years, are some of the friendliest and caring children I have come accross - despite their condition.

I just want to finsih by saying I Love working with special needs. The kids are great, and the job is much more rewarding than anything else I know. Just to achieve that small milestone that comes so naturally for most children is huge, and the sheer pleasure SEN kids have in achieving it. Also the delight of the parents is second to none. We hold a record of achievement ceremony in June - what most schools would have as an award ceremony. All of the kids in the school will awarded with a prize in our ceremony. Tiger Tim - the Scottish mummies will know him - he is a radio DJ in Glasgow, very well known and unfortuantely has MS and is in a wheelchair, he hosts our ceremony and finds it such an emotional time. The staff are all crying, the parents are all crying and so does he. The kids are the only people in the whole place - although it is not really tears of sadness but sheer delight at what some of the children have managed - against all odds- to achieve.

Sorry I just wanted to add this. I will get off my soapbox now
xx

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