Correlation and coincidence are not proof of causation
By John Counsel
We hear and read, constantly, about a so-called cure for Autism, and how research is being conducted into possible cures. Apart from the reality that so much of that research is conducted in a relative vacuum, and often for questionable reasons, the bottom line is quite simple, in reality.
Recent research shows the following…
1. Genetic transmission is the #1 factor in at least 95% of all cases of Autism.*
2. People with Autism have larger, denser brains than Neurotypical people (NTs).*
3. The primary cause of this is UNPRUNED, EXCESS NUMBERS OF AXONS, SYNAPSES AND DENDRITES along their neurons (nerve cells).*
4. Synaptic Pruning occurs naturally in NTs from birth. It prevents the neural system from transmitting too many simultaneous — and cumulative — sensory signals from sight, sound, smell, taste and touch sensors (eyes, ears, olfactory nerves and skin) which can overwhelm our ability to process those signals due to Neural Overload.*
5. This overload causes several possible reactions in our brains:
• FLIGHT — we flee from whatever we perceive to be the source. In children, this often causes them to blindly run erratically to escape the perceived source, which can be dangerous in crowds or near traffic.
• FIGHT — we react violently, attacking the perceived source/s. This is most commonly called Autistic Meltdown.
• FREEZE — we become immobilised, unable to react. This may also result in rendering us unconscious. This is most commonly called Autistic Shutdown.
• FAWN — we react submissively and with an apparent willingness to comply with whatever the other person demands of us, including compromising ourselves and our values, similar to people often referred to as “people pleasers”.
6. The uncontrolled (unpruned) growth of excess axons, synapses and dendrites in an Autistic child’s neural system continues until maturity — BUT it tends to reach a point of critical mass (where it suddenly becomes noticeable through the impact it has on their behaviour and sensory processing ability) at around 18 months or so…
About the same time as regular childhood inoculations take place.*
This is often misinterpreted as correlation (an apparent connection between events) being CAUSE — when, in fact, there is NO causation at all.
It’s just COINCIDENCE, nothing more.
It can also reach other points of critical mass at around ages 6-7, 9-11, puberty and late teens. It seems to slow down between age 20-30.*
Time for some logical, rational thinking
For any of the following — vaccines, seizures, brain injuries, etc — to suddenly cause a violent, immediate and MASSIVE RE-GROWTH of previously pruned synapses and dendrites to the point of critical mass OVERNIGHT (or instantly), the chances of ANY child surviving the sudden and dramatic INCREASE IN SIZE AND DENSITY of their neural system, especially their BRAIN, would be remote.
The outcome of such sudden regrowth of already-pruned tissues would be CATASTROPHIC — and almost certainly FATAL.
Such arguments are desperate, ignorant and reckless. They qualify as B.S. — Bogus Science, Bozo Statistics, Beguiling Sophistry, Bewildering Semantics, Blatant Salesmanship, Blarney Stoning, Blind Stupidity, Baiting Suckers or plain old Bovine Sediment. Take your pick… it’s all just the usual deceptive B.S. anyway.
Here’s an alternative theory that would be just as valid…
Click here to learn more!
*References
Please note that the studies listed below may relate to several of the references above.
Study: Genes dwarf environmental factors in Autism’s origins (95%+) — opens in a new browser window or tab
Study: People with autism have denser brains — opens in a new browser window or tab
Study: Children and adolescents with autism have a surplus of synapses in the brain, and this excess is due to a slowdown in a normal brain “pruning” process during development, according to a study by neuroscientists at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/children-autism-have-extra-synapses-brain/ — opens in a new browser window or tab
Correlation or causation?
Causation is the relationship between cause and effect. So, when a cause results in an effect, that’s a causation. When we say that correlation does not imply cause, we mean that just because you can see a connection or a mutual relationship between two variables, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the other.
https://tinyurl.com/yyzvc3qa — opens in a new browser window or tab
What are the differences between synapses, axons and dendrites?
https://tinyurl.com/y2hpkzqp — opens in a new browser window or tab
Unsure or confused about unfamiliar terminology or acronyms?
Don’t guess… check our Glossary of Autism Terms and Acronym
*Please note: This article is taken from a reply to a parent of an Aspie child seeking information on this topic in our Facebook groups.
© 2019 John Counsel. All rights reserved.
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