In loving memory to my father, the late Prof. M.J. Toerien, who did ground breaking work in the field of Embryology before he passed away in 1977. His

research was aimed at establishing what defects in the embryo lead to what birth defects. Despite the more than three decades since he passed away, a very long period in terms of advances in medical research, researchers still often quote from his work when presenting papers. When preparing this paper it was an ideal to also be able to quote something from my father’s research, despite our study fields being light years removed. We did

have something in common, though, as my father was first trained as geologist, before specializing in Palaeontology, acquiring a doctorate, before focussing on Embryology, and I also majored in Physical Geography, thus sharing some geomorphology.

My quotes from his work are in the field of embryology, however. I also acknowledge the support of my wife, Joan, who apart from running a full time home business to look after our autistic son, Jandré, and also handles his home schooling. We also thank the Lord that Jandré has a supporting brother, Nic. We also thank the Lord that Jandré is so

good natured and has so much art talent, and for the progress made with his development.

Photo’s: The late Prof. (M.J.) Jan Toerien with his wife Johanna, Jandré who falls somewhere on the autistic spectrum, with his brother Nic, and an earlier family photo (Jandré is now taller than both his parents), Nic, mother Joan, Jandré and the compiler of this paper, Herman Toerien.

INDEX

Magnetic fields: Friend or foe for autism and genetic related conditions Autism, a cosmic alien visitor?

Summary 1. Introduction 2. Relevant definitions 2.1 Autism 2.2 Genes 2.3 Genetic mutation 2.4 Unexplained autism and mosaic aneuploidy 3. Electromagnetic fields 3. 1 Electromagnetic fields of electric appliances 3.2 Earth’s magnetic field – the Magnetosphere 4. Sources of cosmic rays 5. Ozone layer and cosmic rays 6. Genes and mutations 7. Genes and autism 8. Possible non-cosmic causes 9. Savantism 10. Conclusion !1. Planet Autism 12. Special kids, super sons 13. The awe of autism and the love for a special kid

Electromagnetic fields: Friend or foe for autism and genetic related

conditions Autism, a cosmic alien visitor?

1. Summary The occurrence of autism saw a dramatic increase in the past few decades, with more and more evidence that there is often a link between autism and gene mutations or defects. Simultaneously the earth’s magnetic field, forming the magnetosphere, is becoming weaker at an increasing pace. The magnetic field shields us from harmful cosmic rays, often associated with mutation abilities. Although the term “electromagnetic field” is often used to describe the force responsible for the magnetosphere, the term “magnetic field is used much more frequently and should be preferred for further reading purposes. Linking autism to cosmic radiation is not all that simple; firstly as autism is apparently a collective name for maybe as many as ten different conditions with probable different causes, also different gene variations, but with similar characteristics to be grouped in a broadly defined spectrum. The many probable causes complicate the complete understanding. According to some sources, the 90’s saw a massive escalation in the number of autism cases in the USA. Today it is believed that 1 in 150 USA births fall in the autism spectrum ( with some indicating less than one in hundred), with in Britain around 1 in a 100. Not long ago autism was a scarce condition. This seems to rule out the possibility that autism, in general, is caused by genetic mutations carried on from ancestors. As research indicates that autistic people do have gene mutations, it seems as though the field in many cases has to be narrowed down to a window period around fertilisation, when the genes in the reproduction cells acquire a mutation and then transmitted to the newly created life. Some studies tend to limit this to mutations or defects acquired by the mothers, and would thus highly unlikely be transmitted from a male astronaut who had been exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation to his children. It may be very difficult to prove any correlation between a depleted magnetosphere and increases in occurrences of autism or other genetic associated conditions such as Alzheimer’s as the periods of a weakened magnetosphere tend to be far removed, and modern man had only been on earth for approximately a 100 000 years. In fact, modern man’s appearance on earth coincides with a depletion period, with another some 30 000 years ago when Neanderthal – a parallel human species, disappeared. It will be extremely difficult to reconstruct any possible genetic mutations or defects to 30 000 years ago, as levels of civilisation differed far too much from the present. With the magnetosphere already severely depleted and depleting at an accelerated pace, it may prove to be more feasible is to link the approximate percentages of people born with de novo acquired mutations shortly after cosmic events such as major sun flares and cosmic explosions that were powerful enough to “dent” the magnetosphere despite being billions of light years

removed. Such massive explosions were for e.g. recorded on 27 Dec. 2004 ad 24 February 2009. Mutations are not new – in fact, they occur frequently and is also regarded as an important driver for evolution. On 1 January 2010 a research team of the Max Planck Institute an the University of Indiana issued a news release indicating results pointing to a finding that evolution through gene mutations take place at a far faster rate than previously thought. A child on average would have 40 new mutations not present in his or her mother. Virtually all conditions may eventually be traced to some form of genetic mutation, but finding these is like finding a needle in a hay stack. It is further complicated by the fact that at least some conditions, such as autism and dyslexia can be caused by more than one genetic mutation. What makes the study of autism interesting in terms of the decreasing Magnetosphere, is that it has spiralled “out of control” to the tune of 700 percent increase in a few decades, with only approximately 17 percent of the increase related to better “catching up” diagnostic practices and the expansion of the definition for autism. Other genetic conditions, except the occurrence of cancer, do not seem to have increased in similar fashion. Another interesting aspect coming to light recently is that it becomes more and more apparent that cosmic rays are also assisting in the depletion of another important shielding layer, the ozone layer. The increased levels of cosmic rays reaching the earth through a depleted ozone layer is mostly associated with skin and melanoma cancers, rather than genetic mutation, and therefore not discussed in much detail. If the causes of autism and other conditions can largely be attributed to increased occurrences of gene mutations as a result of more cosmic radiation exposure, mankind will have to find ingenious ways if the focus is on prevention, as it is unimaginable that mankind will ever be able to preserve the magnetic field. The possibilities of addressing the mutations or defects with gene therapy or stem cell treatment falls outside the frame of this study except that it indicates that the cost of living with increased levels of autism and the cost of the most promising early intervention programmes, demand that efforts for the development of gene therapy, stem cell treatment or combinations thereof should receive ultimate priority, but not replacing present day early intervention programmes.. This means that the development of early intervention programmes require ultimate development, as even where stem cell treatment by injecting stem cell in the spinal cord is already in usage, requires intensive therapy. The success of early intervention programmes on another genetic condition, dyslexia, is ample proof that educational early intervention programmes for many genetic conditions will continue to be developed in the foreseeable future. The possibility of some instances of autism caused by other factors than gene mutations or defects can at this stage also not be ruled out.

Electromagnetic fields: Friend or foe for autism and genetic related conditions

Autism, a cosmic alien visitor?

1. Introduction The Autism Knowledge Revolution, writes Newsday.com, is picking up the pace and seems at times to be adding to our knowledge of autism on a daily basis. A new study offers a genetic mutation model of autism acquisition which the scientists involved suggest may help unify some of the current disparate theories of autism. Although no consensus exists on the rate of the occurrence of autism, most scientists conclude that it is sharply increasing with only approximately 10 percent attributed to expanded definitions or improved diagnosis, and no plateau in sight. This increases concern for the rising cost implications (sources estimates the average life long cost per autistic person to be between $3 and $4 million. The following table attempts to give some indication of the average measured increase above what a normal increase would have been:

This graph must not be seen as accurate, as some publications published in corresponding periods differ largely, and it also does not reflect fine tuning such as that different population groups tend to give somewhat different readings and different varieties of autism at different ages. In some groups it seems as though

inheriting autism from ancestors are more frequent, and in other groups it seems to be more of a de novo nature. This is for e.g. demonstrated in a study for the California Legislature in which autistic groups born between 1983 -1985 were compared to a group born between 1993-1995. “Comparisons between the two age groups show many similarities and some differences. There are no significant differences in sex, race, and mater- nal and paternal education. Hispanic children are more likely to be included in the younger autistic group (28% in the 1983-85 group and 39% in the 1993-95 group). Parents of the older group were more likely to report that their autistic child also had mental retardation (41% vs. 21%).”1 That some conditions not limited to autism may be traced back to the gene defects had been known for decades. Prof. M.J. Toerien, my late father who was then professor in Anatomy at the Free State University, after studying the characteristic defects of the human Cyclops produced by a direct or indirect lesion of the anterior cranial neural crests, came to the following conclusion in a 1974 paper: “The real cause for Cyclopia is unknown, although genetic (chromosome) defects can be pointed out in a number of Cyclops. If the cause of Cyclops development is genetic in nature, the genetic effect must be sought in insufficient amnion developments.”2 Newsweek proceeds: “The theory involves mothers acquiring and passing on autism related genetic mutations to their children. The mutations are spontaneous, arising from assaults to chromosomes. The assaults can arise from a wide range of unspecified environmental facts including naturally occurring cosmic rays and environmental toxins and contaminants. In addition to maternal transmission of the autism related genetic mutation older moms are indicated as being more likely to have an autistic child according to this study by geneticists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Scientists from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx collaborated in the study. The data network developed by iancommunity.org also assisted the researchers in the study….. Environment versus genetics as competing and conflicting theories of autism causation seems to be giving way to environment and genetics as a unified theory of how autism develops.” Geneticists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have been on a genome-wide hunt to pinpoint the genes that cause autism.3

1 University of California’s Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute 2 SA Medical Journal, 7 December 1974, 2443 3 From Newsday.com: http://tinyurl.com/2mc92b

2. Relevant definitions 2.1 Autism Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 500 individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1997). Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resistance to changes in routines. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Over one million people in the U.S. today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder. Its prevalence rate makes autism one of the most common developmental disabilities. Yet most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism. Several related disorders are grouped under the broad heading "Pervasive Developmental Disorder" or PDD-a general category of disorders which are characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development (American Psychiatric Association 1994). A standard reference is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM),a diagnostic handbook now in its fourth edition. The DSM-IV lists criteria to be met for a specific diagnosis under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Diagnosis is made when a specified number of characteristics listed in the DSM-IV are present. Diagnostic evaluations are based on the presence of specific behaviors indicated by observation and through parent consultation, and should be made by an experienced, highly trained team. Thus, when professionals or parents are referring to different types of autism, often they are distinguishing autism from one of the other pervasive developmental disorders. Individuals who fall under the Pervasive Developmental Disorder category in the DSM-IV exhibit commonalties in communication and social deficits, but differ in terms of severity. Here are some major points, (from the Autism Society of America), that help distinguish the differences between the specific diagnoses used:

Autistic Disorder impairments in social interaction, communication, and imaginative play prior to age 3 years. Stereotyped behaviors, interests and activities.

Asperger's Disorder characterized by impairments in social interactions and the presence of restricted interests and activities, with no clinical significant general delay in language, and testing in the range of average to above average intelligence.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (commonly referred to as atypical autism)a diagnosis of PDD-NOS may be made when a child does not meet the criteria for a specified diagnosis, but there is a severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors.

Rett's Disorder a progressive disorder which, to date, has occurred only in girls. Period of normal development and then loss of previously acquired skills, loss of purposeful use of the hands replaced with repetitive hand movements beginning at the age of 1-4 years.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder characterized by normal development for at least the first 2 years, significant loss of previously acquired skills.4

Autism is a spectrum disorder. In other words, the symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills. Therefore, there is no standard "type" or "typical" person with autism. Parents may hear different terms used to describe children within this spectrum, such as: autistic-like, autistic tendencies, autism spectrum, high-functioning or low-functioning autism, more-abled or less-abled. More important to understand is, whatever the diagnosis, children can learn and function productively and show gains from appropriate education and treatment.5 2.2 Genes A gene is a sequence (a string) of bases. It is made up of combinations of A, T, C, and G. These unique combinations determine the gene's function, much as letters join together to form words. Each person has thousands of genes -- billions of base pairs of DNA or bits of information repeated in the nuclei of human cells --which determine individual chacteristics (genetic traits).6

4 American Psychiatric Association 1994 5 Ourspecialkids.org 6 MedicineNet.com

2.3 Genetic mutation A gene mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations range in size from a single DNA building block (DNA base) to a large segment of a chromosome. Gene mutations occur in two ways: they can be inherited from a parent or acquired during a person’s lifetime. Mutations that are passed from parent to child are called hereditary mutations or germline mutations (because they are present in the egg and sperm cells, which are also called germ cells). This type of mutation is present throughout a person’s life in virtually every cell in the body. Mutations that occur only in an egg or sperm cell, or those that occur just after fertilization, are called new (de novo) mutations. De novo mutations may explain genetic disorders in which an affected child has a mutation in every cell, but has no family history of the disorder. Acquired (or somatic) mutations occur in the DNA of individual cells at some time during a person’s life. These changes can be caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or can occur if a mistake is made as DNA copies itself during cell division. Acquired mutations in somatic cells (cells other than sperm and egg cells) cannot be passed on to the next generation. Mutations may also occur in a single cell within an early embryo. As all the cells divide during growth and development, the individual will have some cells with the mutation and some cells without the genetic change. This situation is called mosaicism. Some genetic changes are very rare; others are common in the population. Genetic changes that occur in more than 1 percent of the population are called polymorphisms. They are common enough to be considered a normal variation in the DNA. Polymorphisms are responsible for many of the normal differences between people such as eye color, hair color, and blood type. Although many polymorphisms have no negative effects on a person’s health, some of these variations may influence the risk of developing certain disorders. 2.4 Unexplained autism and mosaic aneuploidy The frequencies of chimaerism and mosaicism are unknown, but doctors might benefit from a better understanding of both conditions. In recent years, tantalizing hints have emerged that pockets of genetically mismatched cells may contribute to conditions as common as infertility, autism and Alzheimer's disease. "I think mosaicism has been neglected as an underlying cause of disease," says Huntington Potter, who works on the genetics of Alzheimer's at the University of South Florida in Tampa7. Autism is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder with a possible genetic background. About 5-10% of autism cases are associated with chromosomal abnormalities or monogenic disorders. However, the role of subtle genomic imbalances in autism has not been delineated. This study aimed to investigate a hypothesis suggesting autism to be associated with subtle genomic

7 University of Liverpool Online Online Master Programmes

imbalances presenting as low-level chromosomal mosaicism. … Our findings identify low-level aneuptoidy as a new genetic risk factor for autism. Therefore, molecular cytogenetic analysis of somatic mosaicism is warranted in children with unexplained autism.8 3. Electromagnetic fields When reading on electromagnetic fields, two major different types of fields crystallise – the earth’s magnetic field (mostly referred to only as the earth’s magnetic field), and the electromagnetic fields generated by electric appliances. Over four billion years ago, Mars had an atmosphere. It was a living planet with water and possibly even some manner of life. However, four billion years ago Mars lost its magnetosphere, the electromagnetic field that protects the planet from solar wind and other cosmic radiations. Without that electromagnetic field the planet slowly died. Now four billion years later the lush and thriving planet Earth is witnessing a drastic decrease in the strength of its own magnetosphere. According to some scientists it has dropped as much as 10% over the last 300 years.9 In literature on both versions – the earth’s magnetic field and electromagnetic fields of household appliances, autism frequently pop up – in the case of the earth’s electromagnetic field in a positive sense, and in the case of electric appliances – even those designed as electromagnetic therapeutical appliances, in an alarmist sense. It is common knowledge that the earth’s magnetic field, together with the ozone layer, plays a crucial role in protecting terra based life as we know it from harmful cosmic rays. Just an interesting sideline remark, Alpha waves are the home of the window frequency known as the Schuman Resonance, which is the-resonant frequency of the earth’s electromagnetic field. Alpha waves range between 7-12 HZ. The irony is that the electromagnetic fields of electric appliances are alleged to create similar effects as the harmful effects the earth’s electromagnetic field protect us from. Strahler writes on this as follows: “Since man is also a producer of ionising radiation at intensity levels potentially much higher than natural levels, the total production of ionising radiation is a subject of great importance in environment science.”10

8 From the Summary of: YUROV Y. B. ; VORSANOVA S. G. ; LOUROV I. Y. ) ; DEMIDOVA I. A. ; BERESHEVA A. K. ; KRAVETZ V. S. ; MONAKHOV V. V. ; KOLOTII A. D. ; VOINOVA-ULAS V. Y. ; GORBACHEVSKAYA N. L. : Unexplained autism is frequently associated with low-level mosaic aneuploidy 9 Charissa Starr, Which way does your compass point? 10 StrahlerA.N. Introduction to Physical Geography, p. 48

In short, the earth’s magnetic field and the ozone layer and the ozone layer protect us from harmful cosmic rays that may, amongst others, stimulate gene mutations, some of which may be associated with autism and other genetic conditions such as cancer. 3. 1 Electromagnetic fields of electric appliances Allegations are made that the electromagnetic fields of electric appliances cause similar conditions. On this, however, the debate is open with the manufacturers of electric appliances such as cell phones, radios and computers insisting that this is not true. Those sounding the alarm bells argue that even if the evidence is still inconclusive, they can not be dismissed either. The example of industry’s insistence that cigarette smoking was not harmful until eventually science eventually proved otherwise, and the damage already done, is often used. An argument thus of: “What if?” There is no arguing that electric appliances do generate electromagnetic fields. The following graph indicates the wave lengths of some appliances, as taken from a paper in 2000 of Dr. Nabeel Kouka:

The National Council of Radiation Protection Measurements (NCRP) draft report published in the July/August 1995 issue of Microwave News states the following 10 mG (1 micro Tesla) human exposure limit by Section 8.4.1.3 Option 3. An exposure guideline of 10 mG and 100V/m: A considerable body of observations has documented bioeffects of fields of fields at these strengths across the gamut from isolated cells to animals, and in man. Although the majority of these reported effects do not fall directly in the category of hazards, many may be regarded as potentially hazardous. Since epidemiological studies point to increased cancer risks at even lower levels, a case can be made for

recommending 10 mG and 100V/m as levels not to be exceeded in prolonged human exposures. Most homes and occupational environments are within these values, but it would be prudent to assume that higher levels may constitute a health risk. In the short term, a safety guideline set at this level would have significant consequences, particularly in occupational settings and close to high voltage transmission and distribution systems, but it is unlikely to disrupt the present pattern of electricity usage. These levels may be exceeded in homes close to transmission lines, distribution lines and transformer substations, in some occupational environments, and for users of devices that operate close to the body, such as hair dryers and electric blankets. From a different perspective, adoption of such a guideline would serve a dual purpose: first, as a vehicle for public instruction on potential health hazards of existing systems that generate fields above these levels, as a basis for “prudent avoidance”, and second, as a point of departure in planning for acceptable field levels in future developments in housing, schooling, and the workplace, and in transportation systems, both public and private, that will be increasingly dependent on electric propulsion.

Appliance 6” 1’ 2’ 4’

Hairdryer Lowest Highest

1 700

- 70

- 10

- 1

Microwave Oven Lowest Highest

100 300

1 200

1 30

- 20

Refrigerator Lowest Highest

- 40

- 20

- 10

- 10

Toaster Lowest Highest

5 10

- 7

- -

- -

Color TV Lowest Highest

- -

- 20

- 8

- 4

Washing Machine Lowest Highest

4 100

1 30

- 6

- -

Vacuum Cleaner Lowest Highest

100 700

20 200

4 50

- 10

Analog Clock Lowest Highest

- -

1 30

- 5

- 3

Window Air Conditioner

Lowest Highest

- -

20 -

6 -

4 -

Drill Lowest Highest

100 200

20 40

3 6

- -

Power Saw Lowest Highest

50 1000

9 300

1 40

- 4

Electric Blanket (Conventional) Avg. Peak

2” 21.8 39.4

- -

- -

- -

Electric Blanket (Low Mag Fld) Avg. Peak

0.9 2.7

- -

- -

- -

We thus ask again: “What if?” In the case of cigarette smoke people, in general, can protect or shield them form coming in contact with smoke. Countries, in general, are instituting stricter and stricter laws, assisting people to avert being exposed to smoke. But electromagnetic fields are more difficult to avert. They go through almost any material except iron plates. To shield one from the electromagnetic radiation of one’s computer offer a few problems. In fact, very often, one may find that you serve as antenna for electromagnetic radiation as the body is an excellent conductor. 3.2 Earth’s magnetic field – the Magnetosphere But the problems offered by electric appliance originated electromagnetic fields are insignificant to what happens to us when the earth’s magnetic field diminishes or disappears, especially with the ozone layer stretched and punctured. Yet, earlier catastrophic predictions such as near extinction of life seem to be over exaggerated. The magnetic field of the earth is created by convection streams in the molten, metallic core of the earth, and it is related to the fact that the earth is revolving around its axel. This is demonstrated by the magnetic poles wandering around not to far from the geographic poles. This is what makes compasses to point in a northerly direction. The effective limit of the external magnetic field lies probably 64 000 to 130 000 kilometres above the earths surface, and the region within this outer boundary is

called the magnetosphere. 11 Despite the reaching distance of the magnetosphere, the higher the altitude the higher the radiation intensity. At approximately 10 000 meter above the surface the radiation level is 30 times higher than at the surface. “The cosmic particles arriving from elsewhere in the universe, on entering the earth’s atmosphere impacts the nucleus of an atom of gas, giving rise to a complex chain of disintegration and energy dissipations, collectively called a cosmic shower. Products of a cosmic shower are neutrons, protons and gamma rays. The term ionising radiation is used for radiation capable of tearing off electrons from atoms that intercept that radiation. Gamma rays and X rays are sources of ionising radiation. Since cosmic particles penetrate the atmosphere with much greater energy than X-rays, the effects of cosmic radiation are important at the earth’s surface and make up an important part to the background ionising to which life forms are exposed. The biological effect of ionising radiation is to produce changes in genetic materials within cells or organisms.12 The strength of the magnetic field varies much over time, but as a rule only switches around when the levels are very low or depleted. The periods between flips also vary largely.

11 Strahler, A.N.: Introduction to Physical Geography, Third edition, p. 46, 1973 12 Ibib 47 - 48

The field last flipped over about 780 000 years ago (0,78 million years); previous reversals occurred about 0.99, 1.07, 1.19, 1.2, 1.77 and 1.95 million years ago. The following graph indicates the flips of the past two million years, to which this study is mostly limited.

The following graph, dating back to 150 million years, is to point out how much the periods between flips can vary. The period between about 85 and 125 million years ago are especially noteworthy.

Tot try and find some link between cosmic radiation and autism, the study needs to focus on the time span of human existence, especially Homo sapiens sapiens. Homo Sapiens sapiens appeared on the scene approximately a 100 000 years ago, well within the period of approximately 780 000 years of the present orientation. The earlier forefather, Homo Sapiens, backdates to approximately 500 000 to 130 000 years. A contemporary version, but not an ancestor as thought earlier, frequented earth between 90 000 to 35 000 years ago (but existed since approximately 200 000 years earlier)13 This is all covered in the period of the present orientation of the earth’s magnetic field. What is the current position with the earth’s electromagnetic field? Earth's magnetic field: 4 000 years ago = 2.5 Gauss Today it is . . . . = 0.5 Gauss (Varies by location and time) That is a decrease of 80% According to NASA, at the present time, Earth's field is declining in strength by 5% every century and other put it at 10 % over the past 150 years. Scientists say the Earth's magnetic field shows signs that it is about to flip upside-down. It is continuing to drop at an increasing rate. So the evidence would suggest that as

13 Van den Heever en G. Bunce, Prehistoriese lewe, Struik Uitgawers, 2000 and J. Jelínek, The Evolution of Man, Hamlyn, 1976.

our magnetic field continually decreases, that the Earth is preparing to make just such a reversal. At the current rate of decline it would take 1500 to 2000 years to disappear. Others point out that this switch around is long overdue. It is not all that simple however. Within a period of the same orientation, many fluctuations may occur, as is demonstrated in the following graph:

Apart from the present low (not reflected in this graph) there had been two periods of low magnetic field which could be compared to the present low level (o,5 Gauss), one just more than half a million years ago, and one approximately 200 000 years ago. Another interesting notion is that the earth’s magnetic field had on average been stronger than in the previous switch around periods. During this period, considering that cosmic radiation would normally have been well shielded, one would expect a more stable genetic history than during the period of more magnetic field switching and lower levels of magnetic fields as witnessed between 780 000 approximately 1,5 million years ago.14 Yet, without making any sound correlation, it seems as though early Homo Sapiens developed soon after the magnetic field dip of just more than 500 000 years ago. Homo Sapiens sapiens and Neanderthal came on the scene when there was another dip, but somewhat lesser than the previous, some 100 000 years ago. Approximately 300 000 years ago when the FOXP2 gene indicating possible speech was first present

14 Geoblogosphere latest, Chris Rowan, 5 February 2009.

within Homo Sapsiens and Neanderthal, there was also a significant dip. Much more data need be uncovered before a fixed correlation between human development and dips in the magnetic field can be established. Yet, at present it could not be ruled out. One needs to pint out some misconceptions about human development often heard, which may confuse the subject. Critics of evolution often argue in terms of the notion that evolution always implies development in ‘n positive inclined line replacing older forms. In reality, evolution may go in any direction if generated or assisted by cosmic radiation, but less successful of springs would unlikely have survived. Secondly, only the descendants of the person carrying the mutated or damaged gene will have the new characteristics, not an entire population. If the mutated version is in competition with the original version, and more successful, the older version may well in time be replaced. Jeremy Hsu, staff writer of Science Line, writes something beneath the surface is changing Earth's protective magnetic field, which may leave satellites and other space assets vulnerable to high-energy radiation. The gradual weakening of the overall magnetic field can take hundreds and even thousands of years. But smaller, more rapid fluctuations within months may leave satellites unprotected and catch scientists off guard, new research finds. A new model uses satellite data from the past nine years to show how sudden fluid motions within the Earth's core can alter the magnetic envelope around our planet. This represents the first time that researchers have been able to detect such rapid magnetic field changes taking place over just a few months. "There are these changes in the South Atlantic, an area where the magnetic field has the smallest envelope at one third [of what is] normal," said Mioara Mandea, a geophysicist at the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany. Even before the newly detected changes, the South Atlantic Anomaly represented a weak spot in the magnetic field — a dent in Earth's protective bubble. Bubble bobble The Earth's magnetic field generated from the spinning effect of the electrically-conductive core that acts something like a giant electromagnet. The field creates a tear-drop shaped bubble that has constantly shielded life on Earth against much of the high-energy radiation flowing from the sun. and the universe. A flip in the north and south poles typically involves a weakening in the magnetic field, followed by a period of rapid recovery and reorganization of opposite

polarity. Some studies in recent years have suggested the next reversal might be imminent, but the jury is out on that question. Measuring interactions between the magnetic field and the molten iron core 3 000 km down has proven difficult in the past, but the constant observations of satellites such as CHAMP and Orsted have begun to bring the picture into focus. Electric storm Mandea worked with Nils Olsen, a geophysicist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, to create a model of the fluid core that fits with the magnetic field changes detected by the satellites. However, the rapid weakening of the magnetic field in the South Atlantic Anomaly region could signal future troubles for such satellites. Radiation storms from the sun could fry electronic equipment on satellites that suddenly lacked the protective cover of a rapidly changing magnetic field. "For satellites, this could be a problem," Mandea told SPACE.com. "If there are magnetic storms and high-energy particles coming from the sun, the satellites could be affected and their connections could be lost." The constant radiation bombardment from the sun blows with the solar wind to Earth, where it flows against and around the magnetic field. The effect creates the tear-drop shaped magnetosphere bubble, but even the powerful field cannot keep out all the high-energy particles. Topsy-turvy history A large sunspot set off a major radiation storm in 2006 that temporarily blinded some sun-watching satellites. Astronauts on the International Space Station retreated to a protected area as a precaution to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure. The Earth's overall magnetic field has weakened at least 10 percent over the past 150 years, which could also point to an upcoming field reversal. Mandea and Olsen hope to continue refining their model with updated observations, and perhaps to eventually help predict future changes in the Earth's magnetic field.15 As the electromagnetic field fields orientate metal particles in newly formed rock, analysing the age of the rock and the orientation at that stage, one can make several useful deductions such as tracing the routes of continents during continental drifting.16

15 Sloshing Inside Earth Changes Protective Magnetic Field, Jeremy Hsu

Staff Writer, Science Line, posted: 18 August 2008

16 H. H. Read and J. Watson, Introduction to Geology, Volume 1, pp 646 – 647,

1970

Other sciences also make use of this data, such as the relatively new science of cosmoclimatology. Comparative studies between climatic changes and sun flares have revealed consistent interaction, to the extent that climatologists believe that the interaction between more, or less, sun activity with the earth’s electromagnetic field at least contributed to periods of climatic change such as

ice ages or hotter periods. Carissa Starr writes that scientists found that the electromagnetic switching has happened throughout the Earth's history approximately every 250 000 years (as opposed to the last 780 000 years ago). How do they know this? According to the NOVA Special "Magnetic Storm", scientists have been using Hawaii for decades to study the Earth's core and it's Electromagnetic Field. Hawaii's perpetual volcanic flow is a 5.5million year record of the Earth's Electromagnetic field. The lava from the core contains particles called Magnetite which, as the

lava cools, align themselves with 'Magnetic North.' By examining layers of lava, which date back hundreds of years, they have learned just how dramatically "Magnetic North" has changed over time. It was learned that the weakest records of the electromagnetic field always preceded one of the Magnetic Pole Reversals, a decline of as much as 80-90%. But what happens when the earth loses its electromagnetic field? The more responsible scientist shy away from an apocalyptic approach,

indicating that the real concern will be when the polar switch over occurs, and by then, it is argued, science will know haw to handle it. For all practical purposes our concern is not the switching of occurrence, but the declining level, coupled with unpredictable very strong bursts of cosmic

rays. Cosmic ray, by the way, is a misnomer as they are individual particles, not a ray or beam. (Graphic from a paper by Carissa Starr)

Dec. 16, 2008: NASA's five THEMIS spacecraft have discovered a breach in Earth's

magnetic field ten times larger than anything previously thought to exist. Solar wind

can flow in through the opening to "load up" the magnetosphere for powerful

geomagnetic storms. But the breach itself is not the biggest surprise. Researchers

are even more amazed at the strange and unexpected way it forms, overturning

long-held ideas of space physics.

"At first I didn't believe it," says THEMIS project scientist David Sibeck of the

Goddard Space Flight Center. "This finding fundamentally alters our understanding of

the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction."

Some play the horn of what they call Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome, but our interest lies with a possible link to autism. 4. Sources of cosmic rays Just as a side line note. Not all cosmic radiation effecting earth originates from the sun. A significant amount originates extra terrestrial from major events such as quasars. Nearly 100 years ago, scientists detected the first signs of cosmic rays -- subatomic particles (mostly protons) that zip through space at nearly the speed of light. The most energetic cosmic rays hit with the punch of a 98-mph fastball, even though they are smaller than an atom. Astronomers questioned what natural force could accelerate particles to such a speed. New evidence from the VERITAS telescope array shows that cosmic rays likely are powered by exploding stars and stellar "winds." The rarest cosmic rays carry over 100 billion times as much energy as generated by any particle accelerator on Earth. ("Cosmic ray" is a historical misnomer, since they are individual particles, not a ray or beam.) Astronomers have devised ingenious methods for detecting cosmic rays that hit Earth's atmosphere. Cosmic Explosion Among the Brightest in Recorded History - NASA Scientists have detected a flash of light from across the Galaxy so powerful that it bounced off the Moon and lit up the Earth's upper atmosphere. The flash was brighter than anything ever detected from beyond our Solar System and lasted over a tenth of a second. NASA and European satellites and many radio telescopes detected the flash and its aftermath on December 27, 2004. Two science teams report about this event at a special press event today at NASA headquarters. A multitude of papers are planned for publication.

Image/animation: Image 1: Artist conception of the December 27, 2004 gamma ray flare expanding from SGR 1806-20 and impacting Earth’s atmosphere. The scientists said the light came from a "giant flare" on the surface of an exotic neutron star, called a magnetar. The apparent magnitude was brighter than a full moon and all historical star explosions. The light was

brightest in the gamma-ray energy range, far more energetic than visible light or X-rays and invisible to our eyes.

Such a close and powerful eruption raises the question of whether an even larger influx of gamma rays, disturbing the atmosphere, was responsible for one of the mass extinctions known to have occurred on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. Also, if giant flares can be this powerful, then some gamma-ray bursts (thought to be very distant black-hole-forming star explosions) could actually be from

neutron star eruptions in nearby galaxies. Image/animation: Image 2: An artist conception of the SGR 1806-20 magnetar including magnetic field lines. After the initial flash, smaller pulsations in the data

suggest hot spots on the rotating magnetar’s surface. The data also shows no change in the magentar’s rotation after the initial flash. NASA's newly launched Swift satellite and the NSF-funded Very Large Array (VLA) were two of many observatories that observed the event, arising from neutron star SGR 1806-20, about 50 000 light years from Earth in the

constellation Sagittarius. "This might be a once-in-a-lifetime event for astronomers, as well as for the neutron star," said Dr. David Palmer of Los Alamos National Laboratory, lead author on a paper describing the Swift observation. "We know of only two other giant flares in the past 35 years, and this December event was one hundred times more powerful."

Image/animation: Image 3: Radio data shows a very active area around SGR1806-20. The Very Large Array radio telescope observed ejected material from this Magnetar as it flew out into interstellar space. These observations in the radio wavelength start about 7 days after the flare and continue for 20 days. They show SGR1806-20 dimming in the radio spectrum. Dr. Bryan Gaensler of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass., is lead author on a report describing the VLA observation, which tracked the ejected material as it flew out into interstellar space. Other key scientific teams are associated with radio telescopes in Australia, The

Netherlands, United Kingdom, India and the United States, as well as with NASA's High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). A neutron star is the core remains of a star once several times more massive than our Sun. When such stars deplete their nuclear fuel, they explode -- an event called a supernova. The remaining core is

dense, fast-spinning, highly magnetic, and only about 15 miles in diameter. Millions of neutron stars fill our Milky Way galaxy.

Image/animation: Image 4: SGR-1806 is an ultra-magnetic neutron star, called a magnetar, located about 50,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius.

Scientists have discovered about a dozen ultrahigh-magnetic neutron stars, called magnetars. The magnetic field around a magnetar is about 1,000 trillion gauss, strong enough to strip information from a credit card at a distance halfway to the moon. (Ordinary neutron stars measure a mere trillion gauss; the Earth's magnetic field is about 0.5 gauss.) Four of these magnetars are also called soft gamma repeaters, or SGRs, because they flare up randomly and release gamma rays. Such episodes release about 10^30 to 10^35 watts for about a second, or up to millions of times more energy than our Sun. For a tenth of a second, the giant flare on SGR 1806-20

unleashed energy at a rate of about 10^40 watts. The total energy produced was more than the Sun emits in 150,000 years.

Image/animation: Image 5: Swift is a first-of-its-kind multi-wavelength observatory dedicated to the study of gamma ray burst (GRB) science. Its three instruments will work together to observe GRBs and afterglows in the gamma ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical wavebands. Swift is designed to solve the 35-year-old mystery of the origin of gamma-ray bursts. Scientists believe GRB are the birth cries of black holes.

"The next biggest flare ever seen from any soft gamma repeater was peanuts compared to this incredible December 27 event," said Gaensler. "Had this happened within 10 light years of us, it would have severely damaged our atmosphere. Fortunately, all the magnetars we know of are much farther away than this." A scientific debate raged in the 1980s over whether gamma-ray

bursts were star explosions from beyond our Galaxy or eruptions on nearby neutron stars. By the late 1990s it became clear that gamma-ray bursts did indeed originate very far away and that SGRs were a different phenomenon. But the extraordinary giant flare on SGR 1806-20 reopens the debate, according to Dr. Chryssa Kouveliotou of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, who coordinated

the multiwavelength observations.

Image/animation: Image 6: NASA's Swift satellite was successfully launched Saturday, November 20, 2004 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. A sizeable percentage of "short" gamma-ray bursts, less than two seconds, could be SGR flares, she said. These would come from galaxies within about a 100 million light years from Earth. (Long

gamma-ray bursts appear to be black-hole-forming star explosions billions of light years away.) "An answer to the 'short' gamma-ray burst mystery could come any day now that

Swift is in orbit", said Swift lead scientist Neil Gehrels. "Swift saw this event after only about a month on the job."

Image left: High resolution, wide-field image of the area around SGR1806-20 as seen in radio wavelength, without a location arrow. Credit: University of Hawaii. Image right: A high resolution, wide-field image of the area around SGR1806-20 as seen in radio wavelength. SGR1806-20 can not be seen in this image generated from earlier radio data taken when SGR1806-20 was “radio quiet.” The arrow locates the position of SGR1806-20 within the image. Credit: University of Hawaii. Scientists around the world have been following the December 27 event. RHESSI detected gamma rays and X-rays from the flare. Drs. Kevin Hurley and Steven Boggs of the University of California, Berkeley, are leading the effort to analyze these data. Dr. Robert Duncan of the University of Texas at Austin and Dr. Christopher Thompson at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (University of Toronto) are the leading experts on magnetars, and they are investigating the "short duration" gamma-ray burst relationship. Brian Cameron, a graduate student at Caltech under the tutorage of Prof. Shri Kulkarni, leads a second scientific paper based on VLA data. Amateur astronomers detected the disturbance in the Earth's ionosphere and relayed this information through the American Association of Variable Star Observers (http://www.aavso.org).

Image: SGR 1806-20 is a "magnetar": a rapidly spinning neutron star that not only has an incredible density, trillions of times greater than than ordinary matter,

but an incredibly strong magnetic field. Tens of thousands of years ago, a "starquake" fractured the magnetar's surface. The result was an explosive release of energy, which sent a pulse of gamma rays racing across the cosmos at the speed of light. Behind them came the explosion's fireball, expanding in a lopsided fashion at roughly one-third the

speed of light. The gamma rays swept past the Earth on December 27, 2004, when they were detected by NASA's Swift satellite. That initial signal faded away within minutes. But then came a steady stream of radio waves from the fireball. Astronomers rushed to ground-based radio telescopes such as NSF's Very Large Array outside Socorro, New Mexico, where they have been studying the information-rich signal ever since. -17 A few years later an even more powerful explosion, 12 billion light years away, was reported Most Powerful Cosmic Explosion – Space Daily by Staff Writers Huntsville AL (SPX) Feb 24, 2009 Adam Goldstein's first day on the job tending the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) instrument on NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope was a doozy. A graduate physics student at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Goldstein was still learning the ropes the evening of Sept. 16, 2008, nearing the end of his 12-hour on-call shift when the GBM called his cell phone to signal that a burst had been detected. That in itself wasn't remarkable: GBM detects about one burst a day and it keeps Goldstein's cell phone number handy, along with those of the other GBM team members. This burst, however, lasted 23 minutes - almost 700 times as long as the two-second average for high-energy gamma-ray bursts. And that was just for starters. "I was in class the next morning when Alexander (van der Horst, a NASA post-doctoral fellow) called me up and told me the LAT (Fermi's Large Area Telescope) had found photons from that same burst," Goldstein recalls. "At the time, when you get a burst you oooh and aaah but it's not until you can sit down and do the spectral analysis that you know what you've found. And if another instrument looked at it, then you've got the chance to do some real science." The first significant gamma-ray burst detected by the LAT (Fermi was lifted into orbit in June), this burst bursts with superlatives. When the analysis of spectral data collected by a telescope on the ground was finished in November, the burst's "red shift" put its point of origin about 12 billion light years from Earth.

17 Nasa

The first significant gamma-ray burst detected by the LAT (Fermi was lifted into orbit in June), this burst bursts with superlatives. When the analysis of spectral data collected by a telescope on the ground was finished in November, the burst's "red shift" put its point of origin about 12 billion light years from Earth.

(Seen from Earth it came from just below the star Chi Carinae in the southern sky.) When that distance is factored with the burst's brightness at the Fermi sensors, it becomes the most powerful gamma-ray event ever detected - four times as powerful at the source as the second strongest burst ever detected, said Dr. Valerie Connaughton, a scientist in UAHuntsville's Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) and a member of the GBM team. "This is the most spectacular burst ever seen at high energy," she said. "If the event that caused this blew out in every direction instead of being a focused beam, it would be equivalent to 4.9 times the mass of the sun being converted to gamma rays in a matter of minutes." This theory-bruising burst is the subject of research published in "Science Express," the on-line scientific journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A collaborative effort by more than 250 scientists around the world, it is the first gamma-ray burst findings to be reported from the Fermi telescope. The day after the burst, when Goldstein learned that his first burst was noteworthy, he called his parents in Pineville, Missouri, to share the news that his dreams were coming to fruition. "The next day I talked to them when I found out what a big deal it was," said Goldstein, who is completing a catalogue of gamma-ray burst data from an earlier orbiting detector as part of his thesis research. "I have always wanted to work with NASA, so for me this is an ideal place to be." Goldstein's enthusiasm has spread to his family. One of the "honors" accorded a scientist when a burst is seen on his or her shift is the responsibility of writing a circular describing the burst's coordinates and characteristics for the Gamma-ray burst Coordinates Network (GCN). Since posting his description of the Sept. 16 burst, Goldstein said, his father Scott has taken to routinely checking the GCN to see if his son has posted anything new. The Sept. 16 burst is a theory bender because theories developed to explain gamma-ray bursts - believed to be the most powerful explosions since the Big Bang - don't "allow" some of the behaviors seen by the Fermi instruments. This includes the 23-minute duration. Roaring through space for 12 billion years tends to s-t-r-e-t-c-h waves of electromagnetic energy. Accounting for that stretching means the burst was a solid four minutes in duration when it was created.

"It is difficult to imagine keeping a central gamma-ray 'engine' active for that period of time," said Dr. Michael Briggs, a CSPAR scientist and GBM team member. Another problem is in the energy itself. Most gamma-ray bursts start hot with high-energy gamma rays, then fade to progressively weaker rays. The Sept. 16 burst started "cool," with the high-energy gamma rays showing up almost five seconds later. That wasn't expected. And the burst had both high and low energy photons at the same time for about 200 seconds (also not expected), said Briggs. "It means everything that created both sets of rays happened in the same space at the same time, which is very difficult to explain." After not quite three and a half minutes the cooler gamma rays became too weak to detect, but the high-energy rays continued for at least 20 more minutes. (It was still going when the burst moved out of the LAT's field of view.) If the cataclysmic cosmic event that caused the burst was fading away, why would the weaker gamma rays disappear while the strong ones stick around? Gamma rays are at the highest end of the energy spectrum, with as much as one million times as much energy per photon as X-rays. Gamma-ray bursts are believed to come from dying stars that explode or collapse, potentially releasing as much energy in a few seconds (or minutes) as our sun will generate in billions of years. Goldstein was the first (and is still the only) UAHuntsville graduate student to join the GBM team but several post-doctoral students have joined since the success of his first night, swelling the team to about ten. While the GBM instrument notifies team members and other scientists around the world when it detects a burst, someone has to be on-duty tending the instrument at all times. This responsibility is rotated in 12-hour shifts between the team in UAHuntsville's Cramer Hall and scientists at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. – 18 Palaeontologists studying life forms before and after switch off’s and on’s claim that life almost disappeared, and when becoming abundant again, look quite different. Naturally, subterranean and sea life, especially deep sea life, are less effected than surface life. For now, the question is whether the sharp increase of the past few decades in cases of autism, and also cancer, can be provably linked to the dwindling electromagnetic field?

18 Space Daily, 24 Feb 2009.

No one doubts that exposure to cosmic rays are harmful. In fact, to find more suitable yeasts that can do more comprehensive fermentation of sugars yeasts were exposed to fluorescent light to cause indiscriminate mutations. The more beneficial are then selected, and so on until a suitable yeast is developed to be economically viable to the ethanol industry. Whether the link can be drawn beyond a trace of doubt between a seven hundred percent increase in new cases of autism, of which apparently some 17 % can be attributed to better diagnostic methods and an expanded definition for conditions included on the autism spectrum, and the decreasing electromagnetic field falls outside the field of the geomorphologist. There are some questions that need to asked though. For instance, in Belgium the line to the south of which skin cancer occurs more frequently, had been gradually moving further north. The impact is that budgets, such as the budgets of hospitals, have to be constantly adjusted further north to accommodate the more cases of skin cancer requiring treatment. In the Netherlands skin cancer is also on the increase, and each summer it seems as though the number of days on which ultraviolet warnings are issued, are on the increase. Generally, the increased number of warning days are linked to global heating, but as we saw earlier cosmoclimatologists believe global heating is at least partially affected by the interaction of the electromagnetic field and sun activity. 5. Ozone layer and cosmic rays

As was mentioned earlier, the Ozone layer does a similar function to the magnetosphere in protection earth bound life from cosmic radiation. “ …another phenomenon, one of vital concern to man and other life forms on earth, is the presence of an ozone layer largely occurring in the region from 20 to 35 km elevation, but also extending upward to an elevation of 50 to 55 km. The ozone layer thus extends from the upper stratosphere into the mesosphrere. The ozone layer is a region of concentration of the form of oxygen molecules known as ozone, in which three oxygen atoms are combined in stead of the usual two atoms.

Ozone is produced by the action of ultraviolet rays upon ordinary oxygen atoms. The ozone layer thus serves as a shield, protecting the troposphere and earth’s surface from most of the ultraviolet radiation found in the sun’s radiation spectrum. If those ultraviolet rays were to reach the earth’s surface in full

intensity, all exposed bacteria would be destroyed and animal tissue severely burned.”19 Mankind has taken a keen interest in the soundness of the ozone layer, and in 1987 24 industrialised countries signed the Montreal accord. The ozone layer

absorbs some 99 % of the harmful short wave radiation, including ultra violet. The harmful short wave rays associated with being absorbed by the ozone layer are not usually associated with genetic mutations in life such as humans, but more associated with direct cancer development such as melanoma, non lethal skin cancers, decreased immunity and the destruction of microscopic life. It is also associated with climatic changes. Since there are no apparent linkages to the development or increase in cases of autism, the ozone layer will not be discussed

comprehensively. As cancer is also on the increase, and the depleted ozone layer is associated with at least some forms, the eye is not taken completely of the ball, however. In the late 80’s it was suggested that a 16 % decrease in the ozone layer would cause an additional 60 000 deaths per annum in 1990 as a result of melanoma cancer, and an additional 2,3 million people will be affected by skin cancer. 20 On 16 September 2009 Science Daily reported that pphysicists at the University of Toronto have discovered that changes in the Earth’s ozone layer due to climate change will reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in northern high latitude regions such as Siberia, Scandinavia and northern Canada. Other regions of the Earth, such as the tropics and Antarctica, will instead face increasing levels of UV radiation. “Using a sophisticated computer model, Hegglin and U of T physicist Theodore Shepherd determined that 21st-century climate change will alter atmospheric circulation, increasing the flux of ozone from the upper to the lower atmosphere and shifting the distribution of ozone within the upper atmosphere. The result will be a change in the amount of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface which varies dramatically between regions: e.g. up to a 20 per cent increase in UV radiation over southern high latitudes during spring and summer, and a nine per

19 Strahlker, A.N. Introduction to Physical Geography, p. 45

20 Aktueel 88, p, 55.

cent decrease in UV radiation over northern high latitudes, by the end of the century.”21 Again, one must be careful to draw fixed conclusions, as skin cancer is on the increase in the Netherlands, and each year the Belgium authorities need to shift the line for increased budgets for skin cancer treatment further northwards. It was known for quite some time that CFC’s harm the ozone layer, but since the 1930’s more and more people suggested that cosmic rays may also be detrimental to the Ozone layer. In August 2001 NASA added a note to a previous Internet posting in which the possibility of cosmic radiation in Ozone layer depletion was downplayed: “It is thought that man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), such as Freon, are the major destroyer of the ozone layer. The prevailing theory is that ultraviolet light breaks down CFCs, releasing active chlorine, which destroys ozone molecules. However, a recent study (http://focus.aps.org/story/v8/st8) suggests that cosmic rays may also break down CFCs. If this is correct, cosmic rays do play a part in creating ozone holes, but only because there are man-made CFC molecules for them to break down.” 22

Since, there had been an explosion in research suggesting that cosmic rays do play a major role, but also in 2001 Geoff Brumfiel wrote in Physical Review Focus as follows: “Leon Sanche and Qing-Bin Lu of the University of Sherbrooke in Canada now believe that cosmic rays--high-energy radiation from deep space--may be breaking down the CFCs buried in the polar clouds. The two studied ozone and cosmic ray data taken by ground stations, balloons, and satellites, and found some surprising relationships. Ozone depletion seemed to be greatest at altitudes and latitudes of high cosmic ray ionization intensity. What's more, they found a strong correlation between the variation of global ozone levels and the intensity of cosmic rays during the period from 1979 to 1992. This evidence motivated Sanche and Lu to look for a mechanism connecting cosmic rays with CFC breakdown. Atmospheric chemists have already studied the effects of cosmic ray ionization on CFCs, according to Sanche, but no one has looked at the effects of cosmic rays inside polar clouds. To simulate a dense, antarctic cloud, Sanche and Lu cooled a metal rod down to temperatures between 20 and 100 K and condensed water vapor and CFCs onto its surface. They then bombarded the condensate with low-energy electrons like those created by cosmic rays ionizing atoms in the atmosphere. The electrons reacted with the CFCs and made active chlorine, and the team determined the likelihood of this reaction by measuring the charge buildup on the end of the rod. The results suggest that electrons from cosmic rays are about a million times more likely to interact with CFCs inside polar clouds than anyone previously believed, says Sanche.

21 Nature Geoscience, 6 September 2009, researched sponsored by the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences through the C-SPARC project. The C-SPARC project is a national collaboration between Environment Canada and several Canadian universities. 22 NASA Goddard Flight Centre, 2001

Robert Compton of the University of Tennessee says that Sanche and Lu's revised estimations could help atmospheric scientists and meteorologists to improve their models of ozone loss. Sanche says these observations may also change the way we understand the ozone hole. A rise in global temperatures could cause an increase in polar cloud cover that would lead to more cosmic-ray-induced CFC reactions, he says. "So here you would predict some link between global warming and [the ozone hole]." 23 A link was also made to global heating. 6. Genes and mutations In the literature on the earth’s magnetic field, there are numerous references that cosmic rays also cause genetic mutations. Genes constantly mutate and is also regarded as a driver for ongoing evolution. Some acquired mutations are de novo, in other words acquired for the first time and some of these are not regarded to be transmittable to future generations, whilst some do reoccur. Since of the vast increase in number of autism cases with mostly no traceable family history, they are regarded as being mostly de novo. It happens, for e.g. that the one child from a twin may be autistic, and the other has no trace of the condition. The de novo characteristic of de novo mutations in autism had been studied, such as in Mutations in autism susceptibility candidate 2 ( AUTS2 ) in patients with mental retardation in 2007, with the following in the summary: “We report on three unrelated mentally disabled patients, each carrying a de novo balanced translocation that truncates the autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene at 7q11.2. One of our patients shows relatively mild mental retardation; the other two display more profound disorders. One patient is also physically disabled, exhibiting urogenital and limb malformations in addition to severe mental retardation. The function of AUTS2 is presently unknown, but it has been shown to be disrupted in monozygotic twins with autism and mental retardation, both carrying a translocation t(7;20)(q11.2;p11.2) (de la Barra et al. in Rev Chil Pediatr 57:549–554, 1986; Sultana et al. in Genomics 80:129–134, 2002). Given the overlap of this autism/mental retardation (MR) phenotype and the MR-associated disorders in our patients, together with the fact that mapping of the additional autosomal breakpoints involved did not disclose obvious candidate disease genes, we ascertain with this study that AUTS2 mutations are clearly linked to autosomal dominant mental retardation.”24 Yet, there are cases where autism, now better diagnosed, seems to “run in the family” but apparently not as significant as for e.g. dyslexia. The team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biology in Tuebingen and the University of Indiana studied genome mutation in a species of

23 Geoff Brumfiel , Physical Review Focus, 13 Aug 2001 24 Human Genetics, Volume 121, Numbers 3-4 / May, 2007, Kalscheuer, V. M.;

FitzPatrick, D.; Tommerup, N.; Bugge, M.; Niebuhr, E.; Neumann, L. M.; Tzschach, A.; Shoichet, S. A.; Menzel, C.; Erdogan, F.; Arkesteijn, G.; Ropers, H.-H.; Ullmann, R.;, Springer Berlin / Heidelberg

cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and found that each gene in the plant will mutate on average once in every 143 million generations. The team said that the same speed of genetic change could in theory be expected in human DNA, meaning that with six billion people on earth each form of human gene would be permanently mutating somewhere on the planet. It is routine today to compare the genomes of related animal or plant species. Such comparisons, however, ignore mutations that have been lost in the millions of years since two species separated. The teams therefore wanted to scrutinize the signature of evolution before selection occurs. "If you apply our findings to humans, then each of us will have in the order of 60 new mutations that were not present in our parents. Everything that is genetically possible is being tested in a very short period," said Indiana University's Michael Lynch. The discovery means that for many plant species, whose millions of individual members produce thousands of seeds with each generation, an entire genome mutation can occur within a relatively short space of time. "While the long-term effects of genome mutations are quite well understood, we did not know how often new mutations arise in the first place," project leader Detlef Weigel of the Max Planck Institute. "Evolution reveals itself only after thousands, not millions of years," Weigel said.25 In Science News of 3 September 2003 the discovery of a gene mutation associated with dyslexia, in DYXC.1. This was not completely satisfactory as not all with this defect had dyslexia, and the researchers indicated that this was probably not the only gene associated with dyslexia.26 Two years later a similar announcement was made as far as the DCDC2 gene was concerned. The researchers indicated this alteration, transmitted within families, may account for up to 20 % of the dyslexia cases.27 The relevancy of the dyslexia research to autism is to understand that despite the fact that 1 in 25 people may be affected by dyslexia, the importance of

25 Media release, Max Planck Institute, 1 January 2010, based on the original study: Stephan Ossowski, Korbinian Schneeberger, José Ingnacio Lucas-Lledó, Norman Warthmann, Richard M. Clark, Ruth G. Shaw, Detlef Weigel and Michael Lynch The rate and molecular spectrum of spontaneous mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana. Science, January 1, 2010 26 Bower, Bruce. 2003. Dyslexia's DNA clue: Gene takes stage in learning disorder. Science News 164(Aug. 30):131. 27 Red Orbit, 28 October 2005, lead author Jeffrey R. Gruen, Yale School of Medicine

addressing this through early intervention programmes, such as educational programmes must be grasped despite progress in identifying associated gene mutations and progress with gene or stem cell treatment. Gene therapy is, at this stage, not regarded as a viable alternative to other interventions.

1. Author’s youngest son, diagnosed with autism (all the features of 22 q deletion 13.3 but tested negative) with the clear presence of verbal dyslexia.

2. Author’s cousin (f) with features corresponding to 22 q deletion 12 B (deafness, heart defect etc) but not tested.

3. Cousin’s daughter with same features as her mother, but not a heart defect, and with signs of autism.

4. Author’s eldest son with a dyslexia related feature involving reflexes. Treated, and no known impact.

5. Author’s brother’s youngest daughter walking on her toes identical to author’s autistic son (1), but no other known sign of autism.

Note: The author’s father had dyslexia, but it is apparent that both the brother and sister of the author’s mother have sons with dyslexia. Other family members may also well have dyslexia, and in some cases it is suspected, but not tested and confirmed.

7. Genes and autism The reality of gene mutations is probably best illustrated with the rise and spreading of HIV / Aids. A mutation probably made the spreading of the virus from apes to man possible, and another mutation altering a fairly harmless virus in a deadly killer, and since variations and mutations making the combating of the pandemic very difficult.28 Mutations also played a role in the swine flue interlude experienced. Since 1978 when the first genetic “disease” had been identified by analysing DNS material, thousands of single gene ailments had been identified. To treat this by replacing the defect genes in single gene defects is called somatic gene therapy. Available literature, if combined, indicate a wide range of gene defects and mutations, as well as chromosome problems such as deletions, to be associated with conditions on the autistic spectrum. Some pop up in older literature, and others in later literature. “Gene mutations that cause human diseases usually occur randomly but are sometimes caused by environmental factors such as smoking, according to Medline Plus. Autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, hemophilia and Parkinson's disease are all human diseases caused by a gene mutation, according to the National Human Genome Institute. Approximately one out of 91 children is born with autism, according to the Autism Society of America. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many different types of gene mutations that can cause autism.“29 In the year 2000 it was reported that a mutation of the HOXA1 gene in the 7th chromosome was detected in 40 percent of those on the autistic spectrum who were tested. This gene plays an important role in the early phase of brain development. Researchers believe however that this mutation, on its own, does not cause autism. It is interesting that Chromosome 7 is also the home for Williams Syndrome, and that both autism and Williams have cases of Savantism reported. Cases, however, where the same person has Williams end autism seem to be extremely rare. In contrast to Rett’s Syndrome, more boys than girls are effected by autism than girls. In 2005 a genetic mutation was detected in the 17Q21 area of the 17th chromosome, causing autism with boys, but apparently not effecting girls. Two years later a group of scientists from the University of California in Los Angeles announced the identification of a group of genes associated with autism. The variations noted were slight genome variations and deletion. Neurexin 1 on

28 Aktueel 87, pp 56 – 65.

29 Frank Girard, eHow,

the 11th chromosome was amongst others implicated. Neurexin 1 is associated with the communication taking place between brain cells. In announcing the findings the hope was expressed that this may contribute to being addressed by gene therapy, noting successes with gene therapy on mousse with Rett’s Syndrome. In the report of 2000, the possibility of gene therapy for addressing the mutations of the HOXA1 was ruled out, unless some other conditions were met concerning the understanding of how this effects the functioning of the brain. The latest available research indicates that most genetic variations associated with autism are to be found in the 15th chromosome, but they are also found in the 5th, 11th and 16th. Earlier findings, such as those of the 17th and 22 q deletion 13.3 on the 22nd are not mentioned in this report. A gene associated with speech – as compared between humans, Neanderthal (not a direct ancestor of modern man but with a common origin) and chimpanzees, FOXP2, is also under investigation as a non autistic related cause for speech problems, but research is still in early stages. This may indicate that humans had the ability to speak s far back as 300 000 years, and not 50 000 years as previously thought. The following conditions are said to be associated with gene variations or mutations:

• Angelman syndrome • Fragile X syndrome • Isodicentric • Neurofibromatosis type 1 • Prader/Willi/Angelman syndrome • Rett-syndrome • Smith-Lemli-Optiz syndrome • Sotos syndrome • Subtelomere While we, as parents of autistic children are seeking answers, there are a host of parents who are looking for answers along similar lines. At this stage the news, as far as gene therapy as treatment for autism is not encouraging. This, as well as the stem cell treatment projects, however fall outside the ambit of this study and judgment on the process or prospects would be irresponsible.

8. Possible non-cosmic causes There may be host of other factors which influence gene mutations as well, and one should not blindly stare to the sun and cosmos to seek answers. At this stage not al answers are found in the genes as well, and one should not rule out that some other trauma, socio-economic factor or diet may combine with the gene defects to cause autism related conditions. Another possible source for genetic deviations may be traced back to pollution. “Radioactive substances in the atmosphere are a special form of environmental hazard because of the genetic damage to plant and animal tissues exposed to ionizing radiation. This radiation is also important in causing mutations.”30 Some time ago, a paper by Dr, Anthony Turton,31 then of the CSSIR in South Africa was banned. As he read this same paper at some occasions previously, it was already on the internet and widely circulated. Among his references was the occurrence of deformities of animals born in areas of severe water pollution. Turton lists problems such as heavy metal pollution, radionulclide and Endocrine chemicals, amongst others. More recently, it was reported that people with gender dualism were to be found in areas where malaria was combated by using DDT. The athlete around whose head a gender storm broke out after she won the World Championships 800 meter title for women also comes from such an area. For now, it seems, as though a cure for autism is some distance away, and nothing can be done to stop the earth’s electro magnetic field from stopping. We may compensate by doing our bit to keep the ozone layer intact, and we, as humankind, may stop pollution. With autism already having increased by 700 percent, and this increased generation now heading for adult care centers, most certainly. Which country can afford 1 in 150 or even, as in the case of Britain, 1 in less than a hundred, in adult care centers – only counting those on the autistic spectrum? But do we have leverage to somehow force the governments of the world to invest in cleaner air and water, to assist in developing early diagnostic measures and the funding of early intervention programs? On average the cost to a government of a person who had no early intervention is around $10 million, but one third with early intervention. But very few parents can afford the required $50 000 for early intervention.

30 Strahler, A.N.: Introduction to Physical Geography, p. 113.

31 Turton, A, :Three Strategic Water Quality Challenges that decision makers

need to know about and how the CSIR should respond, 18 Nov. 2008.

9. Savantism (Savant Syndrome) Savantism is often associated with autism and Williams Syndrome, but are not common in these conditions. While the exact cause and origin of Savant syndrome is not clear, many believe this phenomenal gift may be attributed to some form of brain damage or gene mutation that results in one aspect of the brain working significantly greater than another. 32 Although not necessarily the same, parents of autistic children with splint abilities or Savantism are encouraged to develop these special talents so as to try and close the gaps where abilities are shortcoming. Although also associated with gene mutations, the fact that Savantism is almost always associated with autism and physical anomalies, suggests that the “spreading” of this, despite positive aspects, are rather the result of developmental constraints than the “window period” of new life creation as suggested with gene mutations and autism. According to this hypothesis the developmental constraint is the result of the high interactivity among body parts in an early stage in embryological development, namely early organogenesis or the phylotypic stage. The interactivity during this stage involves all components of the embryo, and as a result mutations that affect one part of the embryo also affect other parts. It is hypothesised that a mutation, which gives rise to the development of the positive aspects of the Savant Syndrome (e.g., an impressive memory capacity), will virtually always have a deleterious effect on the development of other phenotypic traits (e.g., resulting in autism and/or impaired motor coordination). Thus, our hypothesis states that the Savant Syndrome cannot spread in the population because of this developmental constraint. The finding that children with Savant Syndrome often have autism and physical anomalies, which are known to be established during early organogenesis, supports this hypothesis.33 10. Conclusion If autism can not significantly be prevented and it can not be cured in the foreseeable future, surely the daunting costs justify massive state assistance for early diagnosis (if not at birth through genetic tests at least before the age of two) and affordable access to early intervention programs. Many governments will not be able to even remotely cover these costs, and a special UN fund should be considered.

32 Christine Cadena, Savant Syndrome & the Impact of Talent Upon the

Mental Health of a Child, August 10, 2007 33 A. Ploeger et al. / Psychiatry Research 166 (2009) 85–90,

www.elsevier.com/locate/psychres

11. Planet Autism (Fictional) In the year 2030 governments on earth realized that far too little planning had been done to accommodate the mass influx of the new adult generation of people living with autism. Systems could not cope with the 700 percent increase in just over a decade, and budgets were totally insufficient. In fact, the economies of governments on earth were on the verge of collapsing because of the increase. A heartless decision was taken, more expected from what is generally regarded a typical autistic person. A new inhabitable planet was discovered in ‘n nearby solar system, and all autistic people will be transported there with as much means to survive as possible. In total 20 million autistic people, ranging from two year old babies to aged people, were bundled into the space ships and dropped of on the lone planet. Three out of four were male, some were brothers, some were cousins, but mostly totally unrelated. Five years later the family and therapists could no longer bear the loneliness felt by the departure of their special children or brothers and sisters, and another expedition was sent. Would they find any relative still alive? If they are still alive, what will they find? Those sent away ranged from middle aged men and women still in nappies to auditors living a near normal life. Earth had been stripped of some of its most amazing people. Today the internet, computers and advanced search engines such as Google bring virtually all information one needs – on Planet Autism there are quite a few who have almost all that information in their heads, like one knowing the total contents of his country’s state archives by heart. One also knows that most family members and therapists would never leave Planet Autism again. Earth had been stripped of some of its best scientists, some of the best artists ranging from music to painting to sculpturing. But are these, mostly Aspergers, with Savantism enough to some how salvage some sustainable society so that there will be survivors? It is impossible to tell. But what one knows for sure: If there is society it will be near crime free. Buildings next to streets would probably have soft material at head height against the walls so that those who whish to, can bang their heads at will.

And there will be millions heartbroken with longing to family they are attached to… some will storm closer when the space ships land and hug their family, smiling from ear to ear, some will show little more than a flicker in the eye, as they find it impossible to express feelings the same way others do. But they will be just as happy as the rest. There will, despite autistic people generally having good memories, be a remarkable lack of resentment as the tantrums to express this had been numerous, but not now. Now is now. But where is this Planet Autism? It is hard to tell. With only a hand full of the probable 8 000 thousand cases in the Free State out in the open, Planet Autism may be in back yards, in dark rooms stripped of material that can be broken during tantrums. It may be institutions where wrong diagnosis and treatment created a living dead. Often the parents take the trip to Planet Autism with the children, sometimes taking the rest of the family along, and so totally withdraw from social life. Planet Autism may be the home or flat next door. It does not exist in another dimension invisible from our range of sight, but it is blocked by some mental condition called denialism. But it is real. And it is often visited by angels, if they are let in. Angels who take care of these people, care for them with their entire hearts, and build very, very strong relationships. They may be simple people angels offering only the most important: love, but they may be therapists, doctors, hairdressers, teachers…. They are all a very special kind of angel and they would so dearly like to live on or regularly visit Planet Autism. 11. Special kids, super sons

Darkness has set in, and the traffic on Johannesburg's western bypass has come to a virtual stand still. A car accident caused this pile up. Our hearts ache with pain for the youngster fast asleep on the back seat. We are on our way home in Bloemfontein after visiting several specialists in Pretoria, to try and find out what is wrong with our youngest. The specialists at the university and a private practice have been kind, have impressed us. In any normal situation we would have been relieved. But nothing about

this situation is normal. The boy's sleep for example. Earlier today he was given some potion to drink to drop him of to a deep sleep to have his hearing tested. One dosage did not do the trick, and he was given a second. It took some time before he went under, crying his heart out. He could not understand, being just older than a mere baby, why his brother was left behind in Bloemfontein, and he was given this strange treatment in this strange place. All day he had seen new faces. There was no way by which he could understand what is going on. Why was he given this strange treatment in this strange, faraway place? But even, when fast asleep, he still pulled the equipment from his ears. "See, typical of autism," the lady said. "These kids are often very sensitive to a certain body part." But eventually, he was in a deep enough sleep to have the tests done. By then we were probably ready to accept a diagnosis of autism. Or, as a professor in Bloemfontein later suggested, the Aspergers variation. At least, then we would have a name for what is wrong, and could direct our efforts at treating it as best we could. Yet, it would not be all that easy. Some things do not match.

Eventually he went to a special school, where real angels do the teaching, the Martie du Plessis School in Bloemfontein. The occupational and speech therapists are angels as well. This year, with the child reaching grade one at the age of nine, another angel was added to the team - the remedial teacher. He had been at the school for some years, taking approximately a year to adapt to a new class, before making significant headway in the next. Now, at age nine, he still has very limited speech. A diagnosis has come, in the mean time after for the

Jandré lighting a “space rocket assembled with the help of his brother at the Boyden Observatory. Photo, Hannes Pieterse, UFS

first time brain scans and an EEG were done; a diagnosis which for now, has stuck. Cognitive aphasia. This basically boils down to him having inherited a condition where the section of the brain handling speech, or communication, develops slowly. But not all agreed. But to get to the present was not all that easy. Chromosome tests had been done to see whether he did not belong to a rare group, called the fragile X-group. But his chromosomes are normal. Finding a problem with the genes is like finding a needle in a haystack. Doctors need clues, but where does one start when nothing matches? At the age of four, he was in a bad mood once when visiting one of the therapists. He crawled under a bench, where he was left alone for a while to cool of. When the therapist went down on her knees she was surprised. The boy had taken play blocks with numbers on, and arranged them in a straight line from one to ten. His mother tested him that same afternoon on a calculator, and found to her surprise that he could tick in numbers in the right sequence from one to 59. These splint abilities gave no indication that the earlier tentative diagnosis of autism might be of the mark. His absolute loving nature did, however. If once he started loving some one, he is very fond of that person. This circle of people, whom he loves, grows wider

gradually. Yet, he is not a group person. He prefers cross-country running to soccer, the other choice they have at sports participation. His fondness is also not limited to people. Animals seem to be very fond of him as well. The dog of relatives went absolutely crazy when he hears our car or bakkie coming. If the boy were not with us, this dog would be clearly shaken and unhappy.

But when, eventually the diagnosis of cognitive aphasia came, it brought very little relief. It is impossible to tell when, and if, the brain would ever click in place. The later in life this happens, the less are chances of catching up. Therefore we appreciate the care of the angels, painstakingly teaching him every bit of knowledge that would decrease the disadvantage, or at least place some brake

Max, the ceramic dog made by Jandré from photo’s. The real Max died soon after this photo was taken, leaving the owner and her family with this small “Max”..

on the pace at which the backlog develops. At that stage he more or less kept up with learning to read and write with his classmates. But his special features are what amazes. Once he's seen something, he makes a precise copy using waste paper and staplers. This all started when elder brother participated in a school concert where they wore clothes made from newspaper sheets. This was done at school under the careful supervision of the arts teacher. When on the way to the concert, elder brother put on his paper clothes, little brother also wanted his. In no time what so-ever he made himself a set of paper clothes, not as fancy as those of brother, but they were made. Since, this art has improved to an amazing level. The helmets of Asterix and Obelix, William Tell and many others were copied to a remarkable precision. Yet, despite progress, it is new and uncertain terrain. To give one an indication. Enter autism or Aspergers in an internet search engine, and one will be absolutely flooded with information and websites, especially from the USA. Now enter cognitive aphasia, and see what happens. Nothing. Not even from the USA. One does get some response on aphasia on its own, but this refers to lack of speech as a result of brain damage due to accidents or strokes. This has no application, however. Over the years we have noticed some differences form “normal” children. When being hurt bad in the normal young boy way, such as dropping something on his

foot, he would go and lie on his bed. Soon he would be fast asleep, almost as though in a coma. A clear indication that too much adrenaline had been released in his body. Eating brown chocolate or nick nacks also left him unruly about twelve hours after he had eaten it.

Jandré and his elder brother, Nic. Photo taken by Hannes Pieterse, UFS, at the Boyden Observatory near Bloemfontein

We had metabolic tests done. The results were not all that conclusive. Words such as unique and unknown appeared on the report, yet the conclusion was that nothing unusual was present. It seems however, that he had outgrown this problem. But when younger, it was quite another matter. It was not uncommon, after such a treat, to have to drag him from a cupboard to take him to school. This is where I would like to bring his elder brother into the picture. Elder brother is normal, but nothing around him is normal. Dad being at the short end of a long civil service career in 1994, and mom having a home business to give maximum attention to young brother. He could not always get what other kids his age usually take for granted, both because of finances, but also because initially little brother’s problems curtailed normal social interaction. It could not be easy for him when in a busy shop, Dad has to put a screaming little brother over the shoulder and walk out. Little brother can not understand that dad does simply not have the money to buy the sweets he sees. Or that dad can not, for little brother’s sake, buy the chocolate or nick nacks. Elder brother is tall for his age, sticking out, with an unruly brother drawing even more attention. Elder brother, only going to high school next year, had his feet already grown longer than those of his dad’s, and now wears a number eleven, fitting tightly as a result. Yet little brother could not have hoped for a better elder brother. Even now, at a sensitive age, elder brother is not shy to appear in public with his younger brother. Yes, as any pair of brothers, they also fight, and the elder one had been put in many difficult or awkward positions. Having a little brother at his age is difficult under the best of conditions, but having a little brother such as his, must be ten times more difficult. Yet, he has never resented. He did, from time to time,

say he wished little brother could understand. That would have probably made life much easier for him. This has improved a lot. At the age of nine, apart from limited speech, the things one can notice most clearly that something is not normal, is him often walking on his toes, and refusing to have his shirt, jersey or jacket’s sleeves covering his fore-

arm. This even goes for the icy cold Bloemfontein winters.

This was only Jandré’s second attempt at ceramic creation, clearly indicating the talent.

His prayers, in the evening with his family, are also rather unusual. He makes up most of the words, but one can make out that he prays for his dog, the cat and his genie. The latter he picked up from an Aladdin video. He makes the one impressive magical lamp from waste paper or other waste material, and has even made some ingenious genies going into those “lamps” he calls a kettle. As one of the psychologists at the school puts it: the kid is definitely not autistic, but his condition has some autistic characteristics. But a former colleague, some time ago, had his mind set quite clearly, after the present diagnosis was made by a neurologists, that the child is indeed autistic and should be sent to a school in Pretoria catering for autism. We, as parents, were shaken for not expecting this any longer. Not because we believe our child to be better than an autistic child,

but because that would mean placing a child, by then six or seven years old in a hostel far away, without being able to explain to this absolutely loving child why. The neurologist eventually making the present diagnosis read to us from a thick medical handbook, where it is stated that this condition is often confused with autism. Fortunately the angels fought their knuckles through for our child. For us it was difficult, not only because we knew that the far off school was not the correct one, but also because we

knew very well that Martie du Plessis isn’t either. The angels are, in fact, finding their way with this rarity the same as we as parents do. Yet, other parents had much more of a fright. In our position we heard from many parents that they had once been told by specialists to put their child in an institution and forget about them. One of these children is now married and has two children. Another was near completion of high school, never even attending a special school, and has a boy friend.

In 2009 Jandré was invited to contribute a painting to an art exhibition held to generate funds for a centre for autistic children in SA’s FS province, a province previously with no facilities for autism.

But we can only wonder and shudder – how many potentially bright kids ended up in the wrong institutions because of a wrong diagnosis? But meting all the angels we had, we believe that those children are probably also in the care of these earth bound angels, wherever they are. Eventually, he was not welcome at the school for cerebral disabled any longer, and his mother took up home schooling. Only after a while did we realise how stressed he had been at the school. He started with ceramics classes, and amazed. Later he took up flat screen art (drawing and painting) which did not come as easy and natural as his three dimensional creations. But also with this, eventually, there was some success. Then, one day, in my search for a precise diagnosis, I was advised to have him tested for 22 q deletion 13.3. I have never heard of the condition, but on reading on the internet we for the first time found something where everything fitted. Even suggestions of autism present were declared this way through the literature then available. I was even more positive that our search has ended when I read how a cousin of mine and her daughter fitted nicely in the descriptions of 22 q deletion 12B. But when the tests were done, they also came out negative. At the age of almost 16, he attended SNAP with his mother, and the long outstanding diagnosis of autism was made. Not a classic form of autism, and probably with many unique forms. This convinced me more and more that conditions within the autistic spectrum could be related to not one, but a number of genetic mutations, and I started reading on this. There is no way we would want to swop our children for others. The Lord has given them to us, and we love them dearly. The Lord knew that they would be the ideal children for us. 13. The awe of autism and the love for a special kid How should a parent first react when suspecting that his child has autism? The answer is: With haste. This pragmatic advice is based on the fact that early intervention, preferably at the age of younger than two, offers best chances of successful therapy. This does not mean that the parent should not be overcome by sorrow or shock, the point is that one’s emotional reaction should not impact in such a way that one falls down in a heap and expect of the world to feel sorry for one. Yes, one needs sympathy, and one needs understanding, and faith, but one also needs sound advice and, unfortunately, probably heaps of money. And the sympathy one needs, should not cloud the love one has for the autistic child, as,

after all, the best therapy and the most affordable, remains the love one has for, and expresses towards the child. Yes, the parents have a long and tiring journey ahead. Therefore, they need each other and should take care not to drift apart. They need to support each other, as soon they will realize they have no normal social life. They will no longer be welcome where it is unacceptable for their child to strip in public and take a “swim” in the fishing pond. They will fear taking the child for shopping, as the child may break down in ‘n fit of fury. They will not be able to take the child to parties, out of fear that the child may eat something adversely affecting his or her behavior. Therefore, take a grip of yourself, and focus on finding a diagnosis. And as long as the diagnosis is outstanding or inconclusive, act as though and treat as autism as time is of the essence. As yet, there is no cure, simply improvement possibilities. Gene therapy, it seems, will not bring a solution, at least not in the foreseeable future. Try your utmost to get your child to early intervention. In South Africa, contact SNAP in Bellville as soon as possible. If the eventual diagnosis is negative, do not feel distressed for the money “wasted.” The therapy would probably have benefited your child in any case. You will have learnt so much life and therapeutic skills that will somehow benefit you, even if only to advise another parent who may cross your path. But if the diagnosis is positive, join a support group. You will need this. Read and read. There are magnificent sources on the internet. There are academic courses that one can study, such as the University of Camberra in Australia. Love your child. This will assist in observing whether the child may have some special talents. Although scarce, some autistic people have extraordinary abilities and talents. This may offer a way to selfsustainability. The parents, will after all, not be able to look after the child for the rest of the child’s life. As autism is often, and maybe even always genetic related, the child may well be multi disabled. This makes the treatment even more complex. Be prepared that not two autistic children are alike. They are still individuals with individuality. Further, at this stage so many genetic deviations associated with characteristics on the autistic spectrum had been identified in different chromosomes, that one can not refer to a single cause. Therefore, what may be

effective treatment for one, may not work at all for another, and only the love of a loving parent will observe the little nuances. Your child is a special kid, not a mistake made by God. Therefore you are a special parent selected by God. And talk to parents of autistic children and you will understand why it is said there are special angels appointed to look after special kids. But understand, it will not be easy. You will probably have to sacrifice a career you love, to earn more money, or less money to spend more time with the child. You may have to need to lose weight to be able to keep up with a very active child. You will need to acquire skills. You may have to learn to ride a bicycle to be able to join the kid in cycle events. You may have to make special arrangements at work to go to his or her school a few times a week to join in when the kids do long distance running, as the kid may not cooperate when his dad or mom is not joining in. A special kid needs a super dad and super mom – you, and your prayers.