Letters: Jun. 5, 2006

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Individuals with Autism possess a wealth of trapped talent and ability and need our help to share their riches with the world. It is important and comforting to realize that just as there is no one proven cause for autism, there is no one foolproof treatment.

SHIFRA K. LEISER Passaic, N.J.

Your story gave a really helpful overview of the body of research on autism. I was pleasantly surprised to see TIME recognize that studying how mercury in vaccines might affect the body is a legitimate route of inquiry. Your even-handed comparison of ABA and Floortime was in that same vein. When parents hear a diagnosis of autism, they might assume that their children will never get better--but they do.

MARTIN BOUNDS Charlotte, N.C.

Whatever the cause, autism is treatable, and more and more people will come to understand that treating the whole patient and not merely the symptoms will produce the best results. A good rehabilitation program is a structured one that provides therapeutic stimulation to a nervous system that has failed to mature properly. Treatment should also offer advice on diet, nutrition and lifestyle issues, including sleep and behavior.

BASIL ZIV, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASSOCIATION FOR THE NEUROLOGICALLY DISABLED OF CANADA Etobicoke, Ont.

*You can read more of Claudia Wallis' reporting on treatments for autism at timearchive.com

Sugar-Free Schools

While some may criticize the deal that former President Bill Clinton made with soda companies to remove high-calorie, sugary drinks from school vending machines, at least he made a deal [May 15]. Parents, PTAs and school boards have apparently been unable to muster similar strength to teach kids and vendors that the availability of soda is not a right. Some people lament the loss of revenue from the drink machines, but since when did revenue rate higher than the health of our kids? Until we change our diets and teach our children how to make better eating choices, we will not solve our health problems.

JULIE WHITLOCK Richmond, Va.

I applaud Clinton and his allies for working to get sugar out of our schools. But as a parent who has served sodas and other treats to my kids following baseball, basketball and soccer games, I can tell you that the blame for childhood obesity resides not in our vending machines but in ourselves.

DAVID HOUSEWRIGHT Roseville, Minn.

At a time when sports and other extracurricular activities are being cut from schools throughout the U.S., solely getting rid of soda and other sugar-filled drinks is a Band-Aid for a bigger problem. Although I understand how those drinks help contribute to the problems of obesity and Type 2 diabetes faced by our youth, we must not forget that physical education and sports programs, which also prevent obesity and diabetes, are being trimmed from inner-city school budgets every year. I commend the Clinton Foundation for its efforts, but I suggest that its campaign be extended to highlight the importance of the health-essential programs that are being eliminated from U.S. school budgets.

MAWUSI KHADIJA WATSON Buffalo, N.Y.