SALINAS, CA — Autism is a serious condition. And so it deserves a serious national dialogue about what causes it.
Unfortunately, a lot of what we hear about medical conditions from government officials in both parties is not very serious.
We often see autistic characters in movies and television, and the hope is that — as the condition gets more attention — the public will develop a better understanding of what autism is all about.
Americans are not there yet, and government isn’t helping us get there. That’s why we need a national discussion.
Autism spectrum disorder is a condition characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction. Individuals on the autism spectrum crave predictability and routine, often have difficulty with sensory processing, and sometimes display repetitive behaviors.
People with autism can be highly intelligent, but they also tend to be socially awkward. This might lead them to isolate themselves socially, and lead to depression or higher levels of stress.
As anyone who knows anything about Latinos can easily imagine, this poses a problem in a community full of extremely social people. This population is also susceptible to propaganda and other forms of misinformation, in both English and Spanish.
That’s why the current administration — which may mean well — has to be very careful with what it says about autism being caused by vaccines and medicine, including those sold over the counter.
Recently, those who advocate for people with autism have expressed frustration with the Trump administration publicly speculating that pregnant women who take Tylenol may increase the chances that their baby will have autism. The jury is still out on that.
Latino parents, like all parents, want to keep their children safe from harm. At our best, medical professionals, scientists and government officials help them do that. Step one is telling the truth.
Maximiliano Cuevas, MD is the CEO of Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas, a collective of non-profit community health care centers that serve patients in Monterey County.