Theories abound about the increase in childhood disorders
and learning disabilities. Are there really more learning
disabled children than there used to be? Are there better
diagnostic methods? Is it because parents are much more
willing to discuss problems nowadays? In former days, a
handicapped child was "swept under the carpet." It didn't
exist, or was discussed in whispers. Many parents would
place the child in a home, and there were no religious ones
then, and often even the younger siblings were not told
about his existence. A severely handicapped child was
regarded as a stigma on the family.
But what about the numerous special needs children who are
around now? Children who are perfectly `normal' but who
cannot quite deal with a normal classroom situation, and who
fall behind very quickly unless they get skilled tuition?
Normal children in every way, who do not quite fit into the
norm, either because of their lack of academic achievement,
or because of their behavior. Are children indeed suffering
more from behavioral illness or are we, as a society, less
tolerant of disruptive behavior, and therefore, drug these
children in the hope that this will increase their learning
ability?
Scientists in many countries over the world have begun to
suspect various chemicals of causing the damage. They claim
that mothers are often exposed to enough harmful chemicals
to harm their unborn child, and that very young children are
also exposed to these same toxic substances. Lead is one of
the culprits. In 1904, the first article about childhood
lead poisoning appeared in an Australian medical journal.
France and Germany banned the interior use of lead paint as
early as 1909. But it was not banned in England or the U.S.
Matchbox cars and other good quality toy cars used to have a
warning on the wrapper "Not for children under three." Many
parents, nevertheless, let their babies play with these
toys, disregarding the frequency that the baby sucked the
toy car and licked the paint off. They did not realize that
the inherent danger was not the hazard of swallowing small
parts, but of the lead paint with its known effect of lead
poisoning on the developing brains of young children.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have long been linked to a
possible cause of cancer. But more recently, evidence has
come to light that they may also be the cause of lack of
coordination, poor memory and poor IQ among children. Some
families seem to have multigenerational problems. In normal
speech, we say "it runs in the family." But maybe the
problems are not the result of poor genes or low quality
parenting. Perhaps they were caused by chemicals in the
ground or traces on food? Experiments carried out on young
monkeys in Canada have shown that mercury and PCBs did not
just cause cancer and birth defects. The monkeys, when given
even very low doses, became impulsive, distracted and
couldn't learn.
Compounds called neurotoxicants may also be contributing to
the problem. Neurotoxicants are found in head lice shampoo,
lawn sprays, large fish, and even in some vaccines. There
are as many as 850 known neutrotoxicants and findings by the
House Committee on Science and Technology reported that they
may result in devastating neurological and psychiatric
disorders. Normal brain development begins before the child
is born.
It may be years before industry and researchers agree on
which substances should be tested, how tests should be
carried out and which substances should be banned. Lynn
Goodman, a pediatrician who teaches at the Johns Hopkins
University School of Hygiene and Public Health, offers the
following tips to parents:
To avoid the danger of lead poisoning, do painting before
you move in to a new home, or wait till the children are
older. Construction work which involves using new treated
wood should also be carried out before moving. As mentioned,
the developing brain is most vulnerable in the first three
years of life. If you live in an older neighborhood, have
your water tested, as it may contain lead from the water
pipes.
Put down poison -- in places which are inaccessible to
infants, of course -- instead of spraying, to control pests.
If infestation does occur, employ a professional
exterminator who is specially trained in applying
chemicals.
