Autism Technical Report
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY ANALYSIS
Heavy Metals as Environmental Factors on Autism
for
Professor Stephanie Powers
Technical Report Writing Instructor
Florida State College of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
by
Jessica L. Cobb
Biomedical Science Student
October 14, 2013
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY ANALYSIS
October 14, 2013
Stephanie Powers
Professor of English
Florida State College of Jacksonville
601 W. State Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Dear Professor Powers:
I want to thank you for the opportunity to research a topic in my field of scientific interest. My report, Heavy Metals as Environmental Factors on Autism, follows this letter. During the few short weeks of researching environmental causes of autism, I found a …show more content…
Autism has no one cause and seems to be triggered by both genetic and environmental factors. The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically in the last 40 years, occurring 1 in every 88 American children.6 Many scientific research projects have closely examined heavy metal toxicity in children with autism to determine a link between the two. Although no definitive correlation has been made, research is still being conducted to find an absolute answer.
There is no way to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals and metals. Heavy metals are enriched in the environment by human activities of different kinds.13 Pollution levels are becoming destructive to humans and we are paying the price with our health. We are seeing more diagnoses of cancers and neurological disorders as a result of polluting our air, soil, water and food supply.
The Environmental Protection Agency has implemented several different methods of extracting toxic levels of heavy metals. Phytoremediation appears to be the most environmentally …show more content…
The general consensus among professionals seems to be observation as the key to diagnose autism correctly. Observing the child 's milestones and behavioral skills are essential.
Mayo Clinic offers that autism specialists will observe the child and ask the parent about the child 's social skills, language skills, and about the behavior development and how its changed over time. They will also give the child developmental tests covering speech, language, developmental level, and social and behavioral issues. The specialist will also present structural social and communication interactions for the child and through observation will score the performance.4 The CDC lists on their website some popular screening tools used to help professionals diagnose autism: Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales
(CSBS), Parents ' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), Modified Checklist for Autism in
Toddlers (MCHAT), and Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT).6
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY ANALYSIS
4
In a candid interview with Dr. Barbara O 'Reilly, a highly regarded Pediatrician specializing in behavioral disorders like autism and ADHD, she provided me with her opinions on autism
Heavy Metals as Environmental Factors on Autism
for
Professor Stephanie Powers
Technical Report Writing Instructor
Florida State College of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
by
Jessica L. Cobb
Biomedical Science Student
October 14, 2013
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY ANALYSIS
October 14, 2013
Stephanie Powers
Professor of English
Florida State College of Jacksonville
601 W. State Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Dear Professor Powers:
I want to thank you for the opportunity to research a topic in my field of scientific interest. My report, Heavy Metals as Environmental Factors on Autism, follows this letter. During the few short weeks of researching environmental causes of autism, I found a …show more content…
Autism has no one cause and seems to be triggered by both genetic and environmental factors. The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically in the last 40 years, occurring 1 in every 88 American children.6 Many scientific research projects have closely examined heavy metal toxicity in children with autism to determine a link between the two. Although no definitive correlation has been made, research is still being conducted to find an absolute answer.
There is no way to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals and metals. Heavy metals are enriched in the environment by human activities of different kinds.13 Pollution levels are becoming destructive to humans and we are paying the price with our health. We are seeing more diagnoses of cancers and neurological disorders as a result of polluting our air, soil, water and food supply.
The Environmental Protection Agency has implemented several different methods of extracting toxic levels of heavy metals. Phytoremediation appears to be the most environmentally …show more content…
The general consensus among professionals seems to be observation as the key to diagnose autism correctly. Observing the child 's milestones and behavioral skills are essential.
Mayo Clinic offers that autism specialists will observe the child and ask the parent about the child 's social skills, language skills, and about the behavior development and how its changed over time. They will also give the child developmental tests covering speech, language, developmental level, and social and behavioral issues. The specialist will also present structural social and communication interactions for the child and through observation will score the performance.4 The CDC lists on their website some popular screening tools used to help professionals diagnose autism: Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales
(CSBS), Parents ' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), Modified Checklist for Autism in
Toddlers (MCHAT), and Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT).6
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY ANALYSIS
4
In a candid interview with Dr. Barbara O 'Reilly, a highly regarded Pediatrician specializing in behavioral disorders like autism and ADHD, she provided me with her opinions on autism