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A furious debate over autism’s causes leaves US parents grasping for answers
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Mr LeVar Baxter (left) with his son Khalil, 21, who has autism, does not talk and cannot live independently.
PHOTO: RACHEL WISNIEWSKI/NYTIMES
Gina Kolata and Azeen Ghorayshi
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NEW YORK – The first time Bill heard the term “autism” applied to his little boy, “it felt like a curse word”, he said. Yes, little Billy was slow to learn language and did not seem to engage with people. But autism? What was in store for him? Would he be able to live independently? Drive a car? Get a job? Marry?
And why? Why did his beautiful, three-year-old toddler have this disorder, Bill, who asked that his last name not be used to protect Billy’s privacy, recalled wondering.
