| Welcome
to SSAS-C
What
if ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is preventable? Wouldn't that
be wonderful? What if making a simple change in the surroundings
of babies, infants, and toddlers could make that difference?
What if it is that
simple? No medications, no special diets, and no expensive time-consuming
special programs, just a simple change in what we put in front
of our children's eyes during the formative early years of their
life. The Society for the Study of ASD and Social-Communication
(SSAS-C) thinks that is a real possibility.
Should we be surrounding
our young children with socially interactive eye-to-eye experiences
that encourage our children to react and respond to us or with
devices that capture their attention without giving them any possibility
of ever engaging in human social behavior? Social-time or screen-time,
does it matter? That is the key question for us in SSAS-C.
Enough is known about
the development of the human brain to say all these experiences,
social or non-social, will shape a young child's brain and form
his understanding of the social world he will be living in.
In short, is screen-time
a major factor in the cause of ASD? --- SSAS-C wants to know.
We do not have the
answer. We are trying to explore an area that so far has been
neglected by researchers. Certainly genetic predispositions are
important in the cause of ASD. Whether toxins will prove important,
too, remains to be seen. There are likely many paths that can
lead a child to ASD.
We do not judge or
blame anyone especially parents. These days nearly everyone thinks
that entertaining young children with screen-time devices makes
them smarter or at least gives them a step-up in their early education.
It is clear to the most casual observer that young children from
a early age almost always adore spending time in front of various
screens.
But is it good for
them? The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against any usage
of these devices during the first two years of life. This important
message seems to have been drowned out by big budget advertising
and marketing.
We
in SSAS-C know for certain there are answers to our questions
and they can and will be found. ASD is not some unsolvable mystery.
When it comes to ASD, we in SSAS-C will never surrender to denial,
skepticism or despair. But, we have a lot of work to do. Please
join us and help us in what ever way you can.
Leonard
Oestreicher MD
President
of SSAS-C
|
