February 13, 2013 (Norway) – A major study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that Norwegian researchers have found a strong link between folic acid and autism. Of 85,000 pregnancies studied, women who took folic acid supplements four weeks before conception and through the eighth week of pregnancy were 39% less likely give birth to children with autism.

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

December 27, 2012 (San Diego)--Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that children are sicker today than they were a generation ago and that pesticides have played a major role?                                             -- Maria Jenkins, Clewiston, FL

• Al Qaeda commander killed (BBC)
• Europe mulls major step toward “fiscal union” (Reuters)
• Plane crash in Nigeria kills all 147 on board (Reuters)
• Romney aversion to wind power is alienating some Republicans (Bloomberg)
• Diamond Jubilee Thames pageant for Queen Elizabeth cheered by crowd (BBC)

• Fever during pregnancy doubles autism risk, study finds (California Watch)
• Unions suffer blow in Wisconsin recall defeat (The Hill)
• In Wisconsin, reports of voter suppression (CBS)
• An Open Letter to President Obama from tribal leaders (Indigenous Reflections)

By Brian Lafferty

May 28, 2012 (San Diego) – In November of 2007, Dad called me. He informed me that he put our Rancho Peñasquitos house of twenty years on the market. I was surprised because it was so abrupt, but I understood that it was time for my parents to move on.

By Brian Lafferty

May 7, 2012 (San Diego) – I recently thought about my future. I contemplated my dreams and wrote them down. Some of them are easily achievable while others are quite grand. I may not have accomplished much as an adult other than graduating from college, being a film critic and Autism columnist, and acquiring paralegal certification. But it’s not too late to dare myself to do great things.

• ‘9-11 planners’ set for Guantanamo Bay trial (BBC)
• Stocks resume their strong ride (Wall Street Journal)
• Bankrupt meat processor cites “pink slime” uproar (Reuters)
• With autism rising, researchers step up search for a cause (USA Today)
• Romney sweeps Tuesday primary contests (CNN)
• Arizona bill would declare pregnancy begins two weeks before conception (RawStory)
• Does a chocolate habit help you learn? (NPR)

• Bombing shatters Mogadishu bid to showcase peace (Seattle Times)
• Like the U.S., Europe wrestles with healthcare (NPR)
• Invisible Children to release “Kony 2012” sequel today (10 News)
• Greek pensioner left suicide note of economic despair (VOA)
• U.N. spells out Syria peace plan deadline amid skepticism (LA Times) 

By Brian Lafferty

March 12, 2012 (San Diego) – Have any of you encountered the **** People Say Internet meme that recently flared up on the Internet? A great friend of mine introduced me to it weeks ago. Among them are **** Rich People Say or **** Guys Don’t Say Out Loud. I’m not one to get caught up in Internet memes, so I forgot all about it.

By Brian Lafferty

February 16, 2012 (San Diego) – A few years ago I wrote an essay that was published in the anthology book Voices of Autism. I was unaware of the significance until I saw how impressed my college professors, friends, and family were. Shortly after, I was featured in a piece by my alma mater.

By Brian Lafferty

February 2, 2012 (San Diego) – I recently read a New York Times article that every Autistic and Asperger’s person, and their families and friends, should read. It’s troubling to say the least. A panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association is looking to redefine Autism for its newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They propose lumping most Autistic people into one category, among other things.

Notice I said “most.” By their logic, high-functioning Autistic people would no longer be Autistic.

By Brian Lafferty

This is the last of a four-part series on loss and grief from an Autistic person’s point of view.

December 16, 2011 (San Diego) – It’s now been over a year since Mom died. It’s unbelievable how fast those 365 days have come and gone. As I sit and write this, I think a lot about what happened during those 365 days. More importantly, I think about what I’ve accomplished.

By Brian Lafferty

Last year I lost my mother to breast cancer. This column is the third of a four-part series about loss and grief from an Autistic’s perspective.

November 10, 2011 (San Diego) – I’m an optimist. I’m not a Lloyd Dobler optimist, but I rarely get pessimistic. When Mom fell ill it was emotionally hard for me to see her sick every day. But I didn’t dwell on the worst-case scenario. I refused to believe the worst-case scenario would even occur. Mom was strong. I believed she would beat it.

By Brian Lafferty

Last year I lost my mother to breast cancer. This column is the second of a four-part series about loss and grief from an Autistic’s perspective.

October 27, 2011 (San Diego) – At my alma mater, The Winston School, I was blessed to have a fine P.E. teacher and softball coach. On one of my toughest days he gave me a piece of sage advice. He told me, “If you worry that something bad is going to happen, chances are it’s not going to happen.”

By Brian Lafferty

October 13, 2011 (San Diego) – When I was little I would have an occasional paralyzing fear that my mom and dad were going to die too soon. I don’t know why I had this fear. All I know is it would keep me up at night and it made me cry.

By Brian Lafferty

August 17, 2011 (San Diego) -- I’m sure many of you are wondering about the absence of columns. I feel it’s required of me to explain.

As I’ve mentioned previously, I lost my mother last November from aggressive and invasive breast cancer. It was so aggressive that doctors believed that by the time she discovered something was wrong it was already too late.

By Brian Lafferty

June 19, 2011 (San Diego) – I was at a movie theater recently when a friend of the projectionist asked me if I knew any jokes. I leafed through the “books” of my mental library trying to find one but I couldn’t. I was content to let him rattle off a series of jokes and listen. Later that day I remembered a few jokes that I found funny. But even then I wouldn’t have told them.

By Brian Lafferty

May 31, 2011 (San Diego) – I have a fear. This fear trumps snakes, spiders, heights, even death. It occurs at parties, especially of the birthday variety. It makes its presence known at the grocery store’s floral department. Despite their light and rubbery nature, they instill trepidation greater than public speaking. I’m talking about globophobia.

By Brian Lafferty

May 17, 2011 (San Diego) – A couple of months ago someone e-mailed me an article. A team of scientists used gene mutation to create Autism in mice. The study, which was published in the science journal, Nature, could potentially lead to a cure for Autism or reverse it. But you know what?

By Brian Lafferty

May 3, 2011 (San Diego) – Today marks the debut of East County Magazine’s newest column. In addition to writing film criticism, I will pen a biweekly column about another subject I’m equally passionate about: Autism. I am qualified to talk about the subject for a good reason: I am Autistic myself.