Vaccines and Autism: My Response to J.B. Handley of Generation Rescue
I enjoy your column, although I can’t help when reading it to feel that you are biased away from the vaccine-autism hypothesis. Is that true? If so, would you please say so?I'll respond specifically to each of your points -- but also want to make it clear that I am neither a medical professional nor an advocate for a particular position relative to causes of (or cures for) autism. Like many parents and writers, I am an active participant in the journey.Generation Rescue has three alternative vaccines schedule on our website. Just click on the “On Vaccines” link and check them out for yourself.
With a vaccine schedule that is out of control,growing by 260% in the last 20 yrs, parents do need to take the schedule into their own hands.
It is my strong personal opinion that the only reasonable solution to the autism epidemic is a complete overhaul of the CDC recommended vaccine schedule that will reduce the total number of vaccines for kids, begin administering them later in life, never bunch the shots at a single appointment, decouple vaccines like the MMR, and reduce the number of toxins in our vaccines.
I’m please to see that this point of view, considered radical only a few weeks ago, is now being considered reasonable by a publication like Time Magazine.
That’s progress, and the Polings deserve all the credit for us. It has driven many of us parents crazy to hear “experts” claim that the timing of our children’s vaccines and their autism are coincidence. We were with them at the pediatrician! Like the polings, we saw what happened to them!
Finally, America is listening? Are you listening Lisa Jo?
JB Handley, Generation Rescue
As an informed member of the autism community, I know for an absolute fact that vaccines are not harmless -- and never have been. There are numerous documented cases of disability caused directly by vaccines, including polio induced by vaccines, etc. Heck, there would be no Vaccine Court if vaccines were harmless. By the same token, of course, vaccines have had an extraordinary positive impact on the public health -- and there is no doubt that more lives have been saved than lost or damaged as a result of vaccines overall.
Like many parents, I too question the necessity of some of the "usual" vaccines. And common sense suggests that injecting an infant with large quantities of live virus and/or mercury is a lousy idea. So, much as I support clean air, clean water, and plenty of exercise, I certainly support a careful review of the vaccine schedule as it's presently implemented.
All that said, though, Mr. Handley asks where I stand on the question of whether vaccines cause autism.
The truth is, I don't have a stand on this issue. What I do have is a huge collection of articles, blogs and research studies on a wide range of questions related to vaccines and autism.
Some look at the question of whether thimerosal (mercury) in vaccines was/is a major cause of autism. That theory seems to be less credible now, though of course many people still believe it holds water.
Some look at the question of whether the live virus vaccines (particularly the MMR) is a major cause of autism.
In the case of Hannah Poling, the question is raised of whether a combination of underlying mitochondrial disorder, coupled with an inordinate number of vaccines administered in a single day, could cause autism (or "autism-like" symptoms). Or perhaps the question is "can vaccines cause a mitochondrial disorder which, in turn, could cause autism-like symptoms?" Even if the answer to both of these question is "yes" (and there seems to be legitimate disagreement on this issue) we don't yet know just how this may have occured, or how common such an occurence might be.
Mr. Handley's present comment seems to suggest that the problem lies not in any specific vaccine, but in the actual quantity and order of vaccines administered. I'm not sure that there's much research supporting the idea that spacing vaccines out would lower the number of negative reactions, but it's certainly worth looking into.
In short, I don't know what causes autism. I don't know what, if anything, cures autism. But I do believe that many ideas are worth consideration and research -- particularly when such research is relatively simple to conduct. I would love to see the CDC conduct the research that Generation Rescue suggested -- comparing the rate of autism among vaccinated and unvaccinated children. I'd like to know whether a change in the present vaccine schedule makes a difference.
Most importantly, I'd like to know whether the disorder we call "autism" is actually a large collection of very different disorders that look similar. I often compare the symptoms of autism to a headache in this sense: headaches may feel similar, but they may be caused by anything from stress to a brain tumor. Similarly, I believe that "autism-like" symptoms may be caused by anything from brain injury to wheat allergies. Until we are able to make sense of what autism really IS, we will continue to disagree. When we have finally sorted out the different disorders we're looking at, I suspect we'll find that many of us had a piece of the puzzle in our hands.
Comments
Thank you for posting your balanced, reasonable opinion. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Written like a true politician. Wouldn’t want to offend anyone by taking a stand would you. When your kid descends into autism after their vaccinations one tends to drop the PC bull***t AND TAKE A STAND! Your inability to form an opinion just doesn’t speak well of you or what one may find at this site. As my great Aunt used to say- Poop-or get off the pot. JB Handley is a hero in my book-your just another politician.
I too believe that my son’s Autism was caused by vaccines. My son was typical until he received his MMR vaccine. Although, I am sure that the vaccines administered before the MMR actually set him up for his ultimate reaction to the MMR. I am sure that you know that the MMR does not contain (and never has contained) Thimerasol (Mercury)only because it is a live vaccine and does not require a preservative. However, the vaccines that contain Thimerasol were some administered before the MMR, thus debilitating the child’s brain and immune system every time he/she got a vaccine! As The Poling’s lawyer mentioned, we won’t know if Mercury is actually the culprit until 2010 because, although Thimerasol was recognized as being in certain vaccines and actually noted by The CDC, vaccines with Thimerasol were never recalled only noted and kept in circulation! So this means that not until around 2005 were we rid of Thimerasol. This an appalling fact and gross irresponsibility of our government. Not only are parents and children like us condemned for the rest of our lives, tax payers and society will ultimately pay the price collectively for the social and financial burden it is creating. I don’t understand why, swiftly changing the vaccine schedule, is not an option, especially when it can devastate someone’s life forever.
Shortly after my son’s MMR vaccine, he started vomiting right after every meal and had constant diarrhea. I turned to his pediatrician for guidance and what I got in response was that he had “reflux”. Being ignorant to the fact that a person can have reflux at almost any age, I dismissed the doctors comments because I felt my son was too old to have reflux and he had always had a great appetite and ate a variety of food so there was no reason for him to suddenly have these symptoms. Thank God for the internet (this was in 1997-so the internet was fairly young) I found the information regarding a special diet called the “Casein and Gluten-Free Diet”. Casein meaning protein from dairy (not lactose-this is the sugar from dairy) and Gluten (protein from wheat,barley,oats,rye). The instant I removed dairy from my son’s diet, the vomiting seized and he regained eye contact with us. The diarrhea was not cured for many years only because I had substituted soy milk for dairy and it too is not tolerated by my son. After several years of being on this diet, antibiotics and yeast fighting medicine is my son seemingly healed from this condition (meaning digestive not Autism). Not many mothers have had to cradle and rock their son in their arms all night because of extreme intestinal cramping. I can write endlessly about my son and all that we as a family (including his sister, dad and all around us) have endured searching for the happy little boy that lay beneath all the pain. Thank God for our DAN doctor and for our persistence in sticking with the diet and over all treatment, that Michael now laughs, sleeps at night, gives us kisses and recognizes the people he loves and actually can be affectionate. I am sorry if I sound irreverent, but I find it difficult to respect the opinion of someone who tries, even slightly, to distance vaccines from the Autism issue only because there are too many parents like me who are fighting this battle every day (leaving us very little resources in time, money and emotional strength) to respond to a column like this one !
My views on this issue are very similar to yours and, not surprisingly, I agree with Leila that your comment is very balanced and reasonable.
I also think it is important for posters like A@T and Marcia to share their views and perspectives on this matter. Although I am unconvinced at present it is entirely possible that further research could prove them right.
“Poop-or get off the pot.”
No, one does not have to enter the debate when the “jury is not in.” And your remarks are exactly why many of us remain silent and unconvicted on this issue.
Lisa gave a straight forward answer, you didn’t hear what you wanted, and so you attack her. Typical and expected of the mercury militia.
I have become wary of your type of *autism advocacy* b/c your hand waving, Chicken Little approach to what could be an informed exchange.
I think there is a clear and simple way to discover whether or not vaccines are implicated in autism. So simple its amazing that it has not been looked into by the CDC. Seek out the never-vaccinated population of the U.S. – there are hundreds of thousands of us, and see whether the autistic rate is 1 in 150 – as in the general population. This may not tell us what exactly is causing autism (MMR, preservatives, or just too many shots) – but it will certainly tell us whether or not vaccines have anything to do with it. Let’s find out shall we? Generation Rescue’s survey comparing the vaxed and never- vaxed seems like a good place to start.
The “mercury melitia” ???? Ok, so now I am to believe that my son was born with Autism and digestive problems ! Give me a break! My son didn’t even have colic before the MMR !
Hey Mekei, The science is in. The proof is there. You will never see it, the jury will always be out for you. Politicians that say nothing just don’t cut it for me. You can stay in your blameless fantasy world. I have a vaccine injured child to advocate for so expect more “hand waving” from the (insert any demeaning word you wish here) crowd. We are not going away.
Autism is treatable. reversible and preventable.
“Until we are able to make sense of what autism really IS, we will continue to disagree. When we have finally sorted out the different disorders we’re looking at, I suspect we’ll find that many of us had a piece of the puzzle in our hands.”
Come to my house and I will show you what Autism really is and almost all the pieces of the puzzle. Why isn’t there a concerted effort to hear the voices of those that are in the trenches. Our DAN doctor has loads of evidence, data, paper work, computer files and thousands of patients that are being treated by him as evidence.
“I don’t know what causes autism. I don’t know what, if anything, causes autism.”
I would add to the first sentence, “I don’t know what, if anything, causes autism.” In the western world, we’ve been conditioned to assume that everything has a cause, but that is not always the case. The concept of a non-causal system may be hard for us to comprehend, but not considering this possibility in our search for answers may keep us from finding those answers.
Your final paragraph pretty much sums up what I also see as the key issue in our search for answers. If we assume that there is a single autism – whatever the “cause” – I don’t think we’ll ever find an answer. Your comparison to headaches is great, I’ll keep that in mind when I’m trying to explain autism to others.
Thanks for another great article.
Also, actual cases of recovery from Autism, DO exist. Why isn’t the general public interested and the so called “scientist,investigators…etc.” in starting their research there. I just see too many smoke screens trying to hide the truth.
There is too much glossing over by all of you who are either detached from Autism because you do not live with it and by those of you who think that their autistic child is just different and that it is actually not an induced disease but just a new type of being ? The latter seems to glorify Autism. I do accept my child with her disease and she feels my love and my advocacy. I defend her and hers difference from the “typical” but I will not stop treating her. If I had never treated my daughter biologically (her biological symptoms-are evidence of induced harm)she would have never been potty trained and worse, she would be either in constant pain or not with us at all.
wow – great to hear from so many voices.
Marcia just so you know, we too have a son with autism. He did not have a strong reaction to his vaccines, nor did he regress.
The reality you speak of is certainly very real for some families — but it does not represent all of us.
Bottom line: I am morally certain that vaccines did not cause MY son’s autism. That doesn’t mean that they did not cause YOUR son’s autism. I stand by my statement that there are almost certainly many different disorders under the present “autism” umbrella — and many pieces of the puzzle.
Best,
Lisa (autism guide)
I do like your balanced take on the issue. However, an important point that most media get wrong over and over again is that Thimerosal was not removed from shots in the late 90s. It was “phased out” of shots. There was no recall of the millions of vaccines out there with Thimerosal. Another point, today’s vaccines may still contain “trace” amounts of mercury, along with aluminum, and Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. How much mercury is safe to inject into a baby? How about Formaldehyde? For me, the answer is NONE.
Oh, and the flu shots, currently pushed on pregnant women and infants still contain Thimerosal as a preservative, because they’re not considered children’s vaccines, even though many children receive them. I believe they do offer single dose shots without Thimerosal, but the majority of flu vaccines still have the full amount.
Oh, and my older son has autism. My younger unvaccinated son does not. I wasn’t willing to take a chance with all this, “Well, we don’t know what causes Autism, but we’ll continue to claim it’s not the vaccines, or even look at the difference in autism rates among the vaccinated or unvaccinate!” baloney.
Where was autism 20 years ago? How can it rationally be said “we have no clue what causes sutism nut we know it is not vaccines or mercury”?
Where are the safety studies on Thimerisol?
Why do all the hundreds of studies by major universities that support a thimerisol/neurological damage link never seem to get mentioned?
Why is mercury still in the flu shot after it was recommended to be removed by the CDC in 1999?
Who checks to make sure mercury has been removed from current vaccines?
Why is Pharma so blindly trusted when they have a history of putting profits ahead of safety?
My son was diagnosed with autism after his 18 month check up and the CDC has provided no answers and he was diagnosed 6 years ago!!!
Lisa, I understand that you morally do not believe that vaccines caused your son’s autism. However, you can not tell me that you know it to be a fact just as I know that my son was injured by a vaccine. However, there is more evidence from parents whose children were very bright, started speaking early, got a vaccine and all speech was gone, instantly. They have more proof than you and I. Every time someone like you distances vaccines from Autism, more children are harmed than helped because new parents feel comfortable in turning their babies over to their pediatricians (both unsuspecting and CERTAIN that no harm will come from the shots because the debate has proved it). I also understand that you can not advocate for no vaccines (that would also be irresponsible). However, there is enough evidence that a drastic change has to be made with the CDC’s vaccine schedule and there should be a deep investigation in to what goes in to the shots.
As a parent of an autistic child, I look for answers and new scientific developments daily. We are so far from discovering the cause(s), and the one thing I can’t stand is the bullying or hysteric rethoric that comes from people that declare they already know “the truth”. As much as we have to patient while raising an autistic kid, we need to learn that real scientific research can be slow and doesn’t allow immediate results.
Lisa doesn’t need to take sides, Mr. Handley. She talks from the standpoint of somebody who feels it’s too soon for a definite conclusion on this matter. It’s a much wiser approach than radically attaching to one theory that might be disproved in a matter of months.
spoken with true PC sense. unfortunately, those of us thathave vaccine damaged children don’t have the time for PC comments, let alone PC non action. for those of you that believe that the “mercury ,militia” is wrong…consider this; our children are already damaged, so what we are doing here is demanding justice AND working to make sure that YOUR future children aren’t damaged. I don’t find that wrong, I will continue to fight every step of the way to ensure that this poisoning stop, wether you like it or not!
Leila,
We are not hysterical and how do YOU know that “We are far from discovering the cause(s)? Then you know more than the rest of us. I imagine that if you look for “new scientific developments” that you have already interviewed, in person, someone who treats Autism biologically, right ?
I think using the term Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a much better term than Autism Spectrum Disorder. I think PDD-NOS makes a clear distinction between ASD (PDD-NOS) and “Classic Autism” and “Asperger’s Syndrome” which are both clearly 100% genetic and a occur at a much lower rate than ASD (PDD-NOS).
The one thing I can’t seem to figure out though is that if vaccines are the cause of the increases in PDD-NOS why are there differences in the rates that boys and girls get it. Why do boys get mild cases of PDD-NOS/ASD at a 4 to 1 rate to girls and for more severe cases of PDD-NOS/ASD boys are diagnosed at a 10 to 1 rate to girls?
http://tummysleepcentral.blogspot.com/
Marcia, if you want to win a debate, you have to do so using good reason, proven facts, and not emotion and anecdotes and laughable conspiracy theories. Also, you have to refrain from capitalizing words online because it is equivalent to *screaming* on internet etiquette.
It is obvious on websites such as Age of Autism that bullying tactics are applied against everyone who disagrees with their point of view. Personal information and e-mails are revealed, so the all the faithful followers can join forces to harrass whatever public person disagrees with the vaccination theory. Mr. Handley’s comment to Lisa Jo is another attempt of bullying and he’s already at Age of Autism asking his readers to come here for the fight.
The U.S. started innoculating 13% of children in the U.S. with the BTS VACCINE in 1992 and then ramped it up to 76% of infants in
2006? The negative effects
of the BTS VACCINE are the following on babies between the ages of 0 and 6
months:
- statistically significant social skills delays at 6 months
- statistically significant motor skills delays at 6 months
- decreased sleep duration by 6%-8% during the first 6 months of life
- increased rates of sleep apnea (lack of oxygent to the brain)
- 43% increase in sleep awakenings causing sleep stage fragmentation of the four NREM and 1 REM stages of sleep.
Why isn’t the BTS VACCINE investigated?
Actually, there is no BTS Vaccine. What I am actually referring to is the negative effects reported in Peer Reviewed Journals which are associated with the SIDS Prevention “Back to Sleep” (BTS) Campaign.
Lisa Jo- We are on the same wavelength. Nice article. For many years my view has also been that it is really “autisms” we are discussing and one size really doesn’t fit all. If more people accepted this, a lot less conflict would take place in our community.
Going more conservatively on the schedule like JB Handley, Dr. Poling and Van de Water advocate seems sensible to me ahead of more research to determine the safest schedule possible. Not only were many more shots recommended in the early 1990’s, they were moved a lot earlier, and in stronger, preserved multi-dose delivery systems for physician efficiency. I don’t know where the research will lead but, given the erosion of confidence that parents feel today, it is essential that the government take more action than PR spin and truly separate the vaccine safety and promotion functions. The current structure is fatally flawed and encourages doubt.
Leila-YOU MUST BE JOKING!!! We don’t need lecturing from you regarding the science of autism causation. You will never be convinced no matter how much “proof” you have presented to you. When you are confronted with facts and figures you simply shift the argument to typing etiquette-like that helps your position! It is not bullying to have a strong opinion. It is not bullying to use emotion in a debate. It is not bullying to present facts that support your argument. Bullying is when you attempt to diminish those you disagree with by using phrases like “faithful followers” implying that no sensible person, like yourself of course, could ever use their own mind a to come to the conclusion vaccines cause autism. It’s not harassment to contact public officials regarding your strong personnel beliefs in order to effect public policy. that is what many refer to as the right of the individual in a free society. I have read numerous books on the subject. I have read some of the studies that supposedly “exonerate” vaccines. I have read the opinions of hundreds of doctors, scientists and first person accounts of parents and I have come to the conclusion vaccines are causing developmental disorders in children and further I have come to the conclusion the united states government knows it and has attempted to hide it. We do not have to be quite because you don’t like what we have to say. The bully here is you.
Lisa Jo you’re telling me you have never met a child who has been cured of autism? I find this very hard to believe when there are so many. Where have you been the last few years?
Charlie
Charlie — it’s true, I have never personally seen a child cured of autism.
I have, on the other hand, seen many kids who are doing very well and also have an autism diagnosis.
What I’ve found is that many kids on the spectrum can appear “indistinguishable from their peers” in certain situations. My son probably appears even better than typical when he’s in an art museum or playing his clarinet.
But when the kids I know (and it’s important to note that I only really know a few dozen kids with autism) are placed in difficult or unfamiliar situations, they don’t appear nearly as typical. They may, for example, dissolve into tears… wander off and talk to themselves… or act out aggressively. Or they may “self calm” by pacing or otherwise self-stimulating.
That doesn’t mean these kids aren’t bright, creative, warm, interesting people with multiple talents. But they are ALSO autistic.
I’m not saying that “no child with autism has ever been cured.” But I have yet to meet a child who HAD an ASD diagnosis and no longer shows any signs of autism.
Lisa (autism guide)
Marcia – You said “However, there is enough evidence that a drastic change has to be made with the CDC’s vaccine schedule and there should be a deep investigation in to what goes in to the shots.”
I absolutely agree with your point about investigating vaccines — seems like we can all agree on that point. But since such an investigation has yet to be made, I think it’s premature to determine what the changes should be.
In the short run, my feeling is that parents can and should make their own determinations for their own children.
In the long run, I am hopeful that the present focus on vaccines will push the “powers that be” to really dig deep to find out what kind of impact our present vaccine schedule has on infants, children, and public health.
Lisa (autism guide)
Lisa here’s a child who no longer shows any signs of autism. He just happens to be mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnTBEHVmtTc
And there are whole bunch more like him thanks to Bernie Rimland.
Take care Lisa and thank you for responding so graciously to JB’s letter.
Charlie
Lisa,
Thanks for this very sensible, sincere and non-sensationalist statement.
Although my son has been diagnosed with autism, i’m beginning to think his condition must be something else entirely, because so many parents commenting here say they have “damaged” children, and mine doesn’t appear to be damaged at all.
He’s different, he has his difficulties, he requires a different kind of parenting. He’s also unique, funny, amazingly perceptive in his own way, and very lovable.
Maybe there’s some other label for those of us who don’t consider our kids to be broken or poisoned or some kind of plague? I think that’d be nice.
After reading these comments, It makes you wonder if some of these parents have some type of disability. You dont see parents of kids with Cancer going at each other throats like this. You all have a common interest…to get the best care and help for your children. Grow up. Push your differences aside and get with the real situation at hand. Its not about whose theory is the best or who’s right and who’s wrong. Its about your children and every child that’s affected by this or can be affected by this. I am parent. I havent dealt with half of the things that most of you have dealt with, but all my kids are young 2 under the age of 4, so yes I am concerned because they’ve had shots. So yes, I do pay attention to Autism articles and try to inform myself, because we never know what can happen. But the constant going back and forth gets nothing done. As an adult you must know how to AGREE to DISAGREE and RESPECT other ppl opinions, because we do not share the same mind. I know this is not a perfect world, but from the way some of you act it really makes you wonder how you can possibly teach your children? Just my opinion.
A@T, you took the words out of my fingers; my sentiments exactly,thank you.
Leila,
My intent was not to scream at you but to engage you in this debate and persuade you not to use generalities and absolutes without supporting them with facts. Please answer the question: Have you interviewed anyone who treats autism biologically ?
qchan63,
I take exception with you equating passion and emotion with sensationalism. I too love my son and I view his Autism as a mom would view their child who has Diabetes; a disease that must be treated. My son is a true gem; loving, mischievous, gregarious, playful and I mean the world to him. However, I would, in a heartbeat, remove all the symptoms that afflict him because of his Autism. I would love to hear him speak, I would love for him to be able to play ball in the yard while I watch him through the kitchen window. I would love for him to play with something appropriately. I would love for him not to cringe from hearing certain sounds. All in all I would love for him to someday not need me at all, to be an independent adult and pursue his dreams. We do not have the luxury of being sensible (as you have labeled it) or the time to wait for someone to get up from laxity and resolve our situation.
Charlie,
God bless you for sharing the story of your precious boy. It helps all of us to continue the fight.
I work with students of all types of the spectrum of the autistic definition. My school has had families that all their children have different intensity of the disorder and did not have the vaccine. The vaccine may either trigger cells or the “DNA” that causes the disorder. Sometimes generations can skip and suddenly show up with this disorder. Not all autism can be negative but sometimes a “gift” of how certain people are “wired” and think and see things very different than the general population. To blame vaccines for triggering maybe, but also there has to be DNA for this disorder to show up.
I have worked with gifted and severe autistic students. I understand most of the ways they thinks about things just by watching and looking into his facial movments, body language and expressions. I know when to work with them and when to give these students space when they become overloaded with too much intake of information.
There are books out there that are written by people who have this type of classification that are just facinating. Do not just blame a vaccine for making a child become autistic. The symptoms can “mimic” autistic behavior and may be something totally different that not yet has been discovered.
My autistic students and I learn from each other in an unending circle. This is good. If a person is autistic you can not cure him from that but just accept that he/she is different and love the ways he/she may become. Sometimes this can’t happen I understand, you do the best which is possible.
Some autistic people have multiple disorders or disablilities that is not only autistic but could be cognitive delay or gifted or what ever. Science just has begun to scratch the surface of all this and the media and communication in our world is that more intense than the earlier times of earth. This is why we notice it and see more of this spectrum.
Thank you Marcia for your very kind comments.
FYI – My son and I were on our local news the other night – http://www.cbs12.com/video/ and click on the Vaccines and Autism Video.
Take care.
Charlie
Marcia, I was not impressed with the DAN doctors that I’ve seen in person or whose articles I’ve read – including the ones that are very well regarded in the biomed community. Studies done by the likes of Holmes and Wakefield have been blown to smithereens by real scientists who were able to disprove their theories and methods. I also know the autistic kids of people who have done DAN protocol from day one, and none of them are recovered. So color me skeptical.
I do know that autistic kids need some type of biomedical intervention if they suffer from specific deficiencies, and by all means, I support diets or supplements on those situations. But that should not be applied to every autistic person.
And of course many autistic children get better, more verbal, less “stimy”, as they grow older. This can be a result of educational treatments, medications, allied with natural development/growth. For each anedoctal story of a child that got “better” with GFCF or chelation, you’ll see another kid who lost the diagnosis without ever being submitted to a biomed treatment.
Thank you, Leila.
I think the only fact that cannot be disputed is that because of parents like myself, who were considered radical, loud and sometimes bullies, Thimerasol may someday be a word of the past. If those parents had not kept the issue alive and had not been relentless in pressuring “the powers that be” to remove Thimerasol from children’s vaccines, it would have never come to pass.
Lisa
Thank you very much for giving you’re honest opinion. You have always been a great source of information to many people dealing with autism and I know it can always be easy to share your own opinion but by doing so, shows the integrity you always seem to shine our way. You have a almost magical way of writing that allows your reader (or at least me) to really connect with you, regardless if I agree or not. You also bring up very many good points.
THANKS
I loved your post Lisa. I feel exactly the same way.
I watched Charlie’s video. I didn’t see really too many autistic symptoms to begin with. Lots of toddlers spin, so that isn’t necessarily a sign of autism. Lots of preschoolers won’t talk to adults in a clinical setting, so that in of itself isn’t a sign of autism. He vary well could be autistic, but I don’t think it was established in that video enough for it to be used as evidence. Showing an autistic child doing something he enjoys is also likely to appear to a viewer of a 30 second clip as typical. Being in a mainstream class doesn’t mean your child isn’t autistic either. Most autistic children are in mainstream classes, with aids. Most children with Asperger’s are in mainstream classes without aids. What would convince me is to see repetitive behaviors that no longer exist (spinning as a toddler isn’t specific to autism), seeing the child in a spontaneous social conversation with a stranger or large groups of people. The tae kwan do would be typical for many children on the spectrum to participate in because it is an individual sport where one doesn’t have to form social relationships with teammates. The CBS video just regurgitated the youtube footage, but there was no interview of Lenny? I also noticed too that Lenny was able to use head gestures as a toddler which isn’t typical for a child with autism. He was pointing very early for an autistic child as well, and without a prompt.
I’ve rewatched the youtube video again. It states that at the age of 2, he had 25-30 words, which clinically would only be a slight delay of language at that age. While with the therapist, he is pointing unprompted (another sign of a communicative gesture which is atypical in AutisticDisorder at that age). On another video, Lenny is seen riding a bike at the age of 3. I don’t know of any child with an autistic disorder diagnosis that can ride a bike at the age of 3. I see a child that is very aware of others in the room. I would be interested in any videos showing any autistic child at the age of 3 riding a bike. That to me is the most troubling thing to view (as a sceptic) and the most damning evidence that this child may have been misdiagnosed.
The statement below from Leila is simply not accurate.
“Studies done by the likes of Holmes and Wakefield have been blown to smithereens by real scientists who were able to disprove their theories and methods.”
Wakefields findings have been duplicated independently. The “real” scientists she speaks of have absolutely no alternative therapies and have a huge vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Their income and their ego’s demand Wakefield be silenced and destroyed.
And this “For each anecdotal story of a child that got “better” with GFCF or chelation, you’ll see another kid who lost the diagnosis without ever being submitted to a biomed treatment”. How could you possibly know this? Pure conjecture.
No treatment for any disease works all the time. In allopathic medicine many accepted treatments work in only a small subset of those afflicted for any condition yet these treatments are not ridiculed and attacked. Part of the reason biomedical treatments are attacked is because they do not come from the mainstream medical establishment and are not produced by gigantic pharmaceutical companies-the most profitable companies on earth. Don’t kid yourself, money, ego, always plays a factor.
Virtually nobody in the biomed community that I have seen talked to or even read about says that vaccines are the only cause of autism but in many forums mentioning they are a factor causes people to go ballistic. I think this is because it suggests your doctor actually is not all knowing and things you thought were good for your child severely injured them. This is more than some can even contemplate and must be attacked.
When I read some of the posts here I wonder if we are even discussing the same subject. I see people write- Autism is a gift? Wired differently? Just accept they are different and can’t be cured?
Autism is a neurological disease with serous associated health problems. Not a gift for gods sake and many autistic kids can and are cured or “recovered” as I prefer every day.
A reoccurring theme I’ve noticed is that when the biomed community weighs in, some always post “can’t we all just get along” and “your bullies”. They don’t understand that as a whole the biomed community is MUCH more informed than most groups and are passionate because we are talking about our childrens future and we have a plan and hope and get results.
While other groups talk and study genetics we are “recovering” a growing number of children. Mine included. Do you not see how one may feel insulted when you make such ignorant sweeping generalizations like the ones above when many of our children are recovering. Do you not see that many do not consider a neurological disease as a “gift”. Do you not see how offensive that is? Go to a Parkinson’s blog and tell them how lucky they are to have the gift of Parkinson’s. You tell people vaccinations don’t cause autism when thousands of parents have seen it happen-in essence calling the liars or that they are stupid, and you wonder why they have a problem with you? I find many of the arguments of the “we have no idea what it is but it aint vaccines” crowd painfully simplistic and intellectually lacking. In many instances they are outright dishonest. It’s offensive!-especially when the most blatant falsehoods slip easily from the mouths of those in the mainstream medical community
I appreciate that posters have very disparate points of view, but hope that it is possible to discuss without flaming. I don’t want to remove any posts, or even edit — I think open debate is critically important — but by the same token want to avoid name-calling.
Thanks very much for your editorial efforts.
All the best,
Lisa (autism guide)
comment by A@T: “Virtually nobody in the biomed community that I have seen talked to or even read about says that vaccines are the only cause of autism ”
JB Handley, the subject of this post, said up until recently that “All autism is a misdiagnosis for mercury poison”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Hhgaf3Co0
My son was none verbal at the age of 3 and never span nor did he have any of the other stereo-typical movements often associated with autism. I watched Charlie’s video and was left wondering what I had missed? There was little if anything in the video which would suggest that the child was autistic. I asked my 11 year old autistic son to watch this with me and explained to him that it was a video of a child who had recovered from autism. His opening comment was that many babies spin but that they do not all have autism. I had thought this to. I have a friend whose now 20 something son would and could spin for hours as a child. He was not and never has been autistic. He wanted to know what the little boy was doing while his Mom was trying to get him to copy what she was saying. I also wondered what was going on out of view. He commented that many of the other things that the little boy was pictured doing he does and has done himself. My son plays football and is a very active member of St John’s Ambulance brigade. He has friends, sleeps over with them and only this week had an absolutely brilliant 11th Birthday bash with his friends. In short I could produce a video of my son showing much more autistic behaviour than the child in the video and then claim that he was rescued. My son is still autistic.
I actually do believe that vaccines can and do damage our kids. I to have seen the damage that vaccines do first hand. But I did not do any of the things that were done with Charlie and yet my son is now playing on the same field as him as it were.
I am sorry if this offends but I am still left wondering if I missed something.
Thanks to all for rediagnosing my son. It’s such a relief that we did all of this for nothing and that all those doctors and professionals didn’t have clue what they were doing. I’m getting my money back!
Just for the record:
My son was diagnosed by a team of professionals which including a developmental psychologist and speech pathologist. The diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist at the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center for Autism. He was also reevaluated three nearly three years ago (at our expense) by a neuropsychologist who performed an extensive evaluation including hours of interaction and testing and found no evidence of autism.
My son WAS interviewed for the recent TV report and did very well. I was perplexed why it wasn’t used and the only answer is that they had 3 hours to have the report ready and had an hour drive back to the station. I might add that the reporter, who I had never met before, interacted with my son for over an hour and do you really believe she would make a statement on air that he was a normal boy if she had any doubt? Additionally, Lenny has answered questions from a reporter previously which was aired on our local news.
It is not my intent to argue with anyone. If you don’t believe our story that’s okay and have a good day. It is our intent though to simply tell our story in the hope it could possibly help another family.
Take care!
Charlie
PS:Sorry I didn’t respond sooner as I had to fight to get time on the computer as my son is building a mansion on Webkinz.
Charlie I think that you are missing the point here. The point being that while the video on You Tube shows a wonderful little boy who certainly does come across as a typical child of his age – what it does not show is the autism which you are saying he has recovered from.
That is not to say that it was never there just that on that video it is not apparant, and while I apologise if I upset you I obviously could not see what I was meant to.
The fact that your son gives interviews now is brilliant – my son is also become quite well known for speaking out about his autism to the media, because as I have said he is still autistic no matter how it appears to other people, and being autistic is normal for him. Although personally I hate the word normal because I have yet to hear a definition of what normal means that I can identify with.
A@T, you can read the transcripts from the proceedings of the Autism Omnibus, you don’t need to go any further.
Charlie, it’s wonderful how your beautiful son has become so high functioning (or lost the diagnosis, I don’t know the whole story). I hope that my child can be as lucky. However, we have to keep in mind, there are different degrees of autism, and besides, different individuals have different potential. Even if given the exact same treatments, one child will develop faster/better than the other. I know lots of children who went GFCF, did chelation, the best ABA available, and are still severely affected. It’s really hard to predict who will “recover” when you see them as toddlers.
I hope Lenny knows that it is ok to be autistic, if he is/was. That its not just neurotypical children that are valued, but that we also value our autistic children too and our love isn’t contingent on ones neurology.
I’m afraid of how autistic adults who read comments like that were on that video will feel about themselves. If any of these “cures” were worth anything, why won’t these “doctors” take data and publish it for peer review? Afterall, none of what they are doing is new. Its been done for decades and if you want to search old New York Times articles, Leo Kanner gave lectures in the 50’s about alternative medicine doctors promising to “recover” autistic children. Kanner thought very little of them. Many today think Rimland started this movement, but he didn’t. It was around a long time before him.
I did a little research on Lenny’s story found on Generation Rescue. Charlie wrote there that within a year after diagnosis, Lenny had no developmental delays at the age of 3, other than an articulation issue which he was given speech therapy for. Once he entered kindergarten, Lenny no longer needed speech therapy at all and the school determined he had no special needs. Wow, from autistic at 2 to only a speech delay at 3! Dr. Berger should submit this case to a medical journal. He cured autism within 12 months of diagnosis. That is either a miracle, a huge scientific breakthrough for which he should want his peers to know about, or Lenny was perhaps misdiagnosed.
I noticed though that in the Generation Rescue piece, Charlie does not mention the lengthy neurologists evaluation to remove the diagnosis like he mentioned in the comment above. In the GR article, he said it was the school district that determined that Lenny wasn’t autistic/delayed. He even gives the quote that does appear to come from an evaluation from a school “The student demonstrates developmentally appropriate articulation skills and is eligible for kindergarten”. Articulation skills fixed in a year or so too.
Can autism be “cured” in a year? If so, then the Dr. that treated Charlie’s son should really be publishing his results.
Lisa,
Just curious about one thing, and am genuinely not asking this question in a hostile manner: Since the HepB shot is given on the first day of life, how can you be certain that vaccines did not play a role in your child’s autism?
Also, a comment to those who don’t want those with autism thought of as poisoned, plagued, in need of a cure, etc…you must not see the same autism I do. What I have seen are medically sick children with severe diarrhea and tummy pain, immune systems out of whack, etc. My own son was plagued with near constant infections for well over a year and was constantly unhappy and angry. With diet change & supplements, not only is he physically better, his behaviors are better as well. I love some of his quirkiness- it’s not the personality that needed fixing.
Not all babies get the Hepb at birth, so one cant assume they all do. Mine never did.
Autism criteria has nothing to do with other medical conditions. Even though my own child had chronic severe diarrhea and was sick all the time, it was mainly unrelated to autism and even if it was related to it, I’d still not think of my own child in that negative manner. I myself can see past the horrible autism, and see the actual cool kid.
All of those issues for my child, chronic severe diarrhea and was sick all the time, over time has gotten better without doing much at all. The IBS would still be there regardless of autism or not, and some believe it’s hereditary. Once my son stopped putting anything non food into his mouth, he never got sick.
Even though he is much healthier than he ever has been, he still has autism.
My son never had colic, had no digestive problems at all and ate all types of food before his MMR. However, right after the MMR, the vomiting and diarrhea started along with the autistic behavior. Of course I am certain it was the vaccine and just because I think my son was poisoned (which is a fact)it doesn’t diminish how I feel about him, these emotions are mutually exclusive. I am sure that a parent who has a child with cancer feels just as I do. My son’s pain was unbearable and I had no choice but to aggressively treat him. I wasn’t patient to wait for it to go away on its own. Another reason I am sure that his medical condition is related to his autism is because, not only did the vomiting disappear as soon as I removed Casein from his diet, but he regained eye contact which he had lost when the vomiting started.
Then maybe vaccines causes Celiac-like symptom’s or other related disorder’s. A child with Celiac not treated with diet change will be developmentally delayed and loose or not gain cognitive skills and actually appear very autistic-like with seizure appearance. Once diet change is introduced, the child with Celiac will almost instance see a change in bowel activity and behavior, although if left too long, they do need to catch up developmentally and cognitively.
Something to think about. This would explain why some on a diet change or vitamins seem to loose the autism-like behaviors where as other’s do not.
My child is lactose intolerant as well, which also has nothing to do with autism. Many people are lactose intolerant.
Autism itself does not include other such medical disorder’s although many kids seem to also be affected by these things. However they are treated as two or three different things, unrelated to the other.
If this is true, then, I am sure the vaccines brought on his Autism and his Celiac-like symptoms; both were not present before.
My son’s Celiac symptoms were treated immediately.
Marcia,
I’m a parent to an autistic child, I was also a parent to a child who died of cancer, the two are not even comparable and I’m sure you don’t mean to diminish the suffering of parents with children dying of cancer, by comparing them to having a child with a neurological disorder but I sometimes get sick to my stomach when I hear parents, and its usually those in the biomed community that makes this comparison between autism and cancer. Please, stop doing that. When you watch your child slowly die and in pain, when all they have left is the slow drip of morphine for comfort and all you have left is the memory of their pain and how powerless you felt as a parent, only then would you understand. Not only is the comparison insulting and hurtful to parents and children who are living with inoperable cancer, its insulting to autistic children and adults.
Robert,
I am sorry for your loss, I could never compare Autism to Cancer. You are right there is no comparison except that neither diminishes the child in their parents eyes, that is what I meant. However, your reaction to my comments is the way I have reacted to certain comments made to me by those that have not dealt with Autism. I am so very sorry and I just realize it is not worth trying to convince someone to accept my point of view when we all feel deeply for our children and that makes for a strong opinion that cannot be changed easily.
Robert,
We autistic adults, who are ignored or told to STFU, have been saying that REPEATEDLY-that the cancer analogy is both inaccurate and disrespectful to all parties involved. The loss of your child must have been the most awful thing, ever.
Someone asked what autistic adults think, about seventy comments ago. The cure stuff is pretty dehumanizing. Let’s cure everyone of being neuroracist, yeah? And for the record, being sick does not equal autism NO MATTER WHAT DAN! AND GENERATION RESCUE TRY TO PUT IN THEIR KOOLAID. It equals being sick. Accurate terminology is everyone’s friend.
Even though our story of recovery was published in the very conservative minded (http://tinyurl.com/2cfjla) Wall Street Journal by a Pulitzer Prize Winning Reporter, it’s not really a big deal. Infact, I didn’t have to look any further than where I worked to find a recovered child. A coworker (M.D. – a surgeon) recoverd his son from autism following an aggressive intervention which included the the DAN! Protocol.
Here are some other stories of recovery:
http://tinyurl.com/2lmxav
http://tinyurl.com/27e3d8
http://tinyurl.com/yuc6l9
I’m not trying to say that ABA etc. isn’t important. It’s ALL important! But for us, the GFCF Diet and chelation therapy were essential.
For the Record: We were advised very early on that we should routinely (every 3 years or so) have our son re-evaluated to see where he stands developmentally. Glad we did as the last one revealed he was falling behind in reading (which is pretty typical in NT boys as well). We gave him extra help and his lexile score is back in the normal range. The evaluation also revealed he was two grade levels ahead in math (which he could give me some help with – lol).
Here’s the link to the Wall Street Journal Report if interested (which I’m sure my good friend Robert has already dissected): http://www.generationrescue.org/pdf/marcus.pdf
Take care guys!
Charlie
PS: Yesterday my son competed in a large TaeKwonDo competition. In his age and belt category, he earned Silver in both forms and sparring. I was really awed by the courage he showed when he sparred a kid with much more talent and experience (father’s a TaeKwonDo instructor) and didn’t back down. He lost the match by a wide margin but wasn’t going to let anyone intimidate him. I’m proud as hell! I will try to post the match on YouTube next week. Anybody have the theme from Rocky I could borrow?
Before the MMR our son laughed and was in no pain. After the MMR our son was somber in pain and withdrawn. After biological treatment our son laughs, is very happy and is in no pain and BTW, very social. I’ll continue the treatment, it appears it makes him more human not dehumanized. If I am eliminating negative physical symptoms that keep our son from reaching out to us, I guess I will continue peeling off the layers that confine him. I hope some day my son could either express himself like Kassiane or practice TaeKwonDo like Charlie’s. However, I must be patient and wait to see what my son wants to do with his life I am just helping him to have the chance to someday communicate his wishes by treating him biologically.
“it appears it makes him more human”
I don’t think I’ve read a more ugly thing about a child.
No Tray, ugly is letting your child suffer in constant pain.
I am not dehumanizing my child by treating him – those are the words others use against someone like me who doesn’t want to see their child in constant pain. You can play with my words all you want, however that will not change the facts and the reality, I, personally have lived, (probably not exactly the same as anyone here). Everyone here does what they feel is best for their child, I am just sharing what has happened in our situation. Like I’ve said before it is not worth it to spend any energy in this exchange when no one will convince the other. I don’t vilify anyone who doesn’t biologically treat their child and I don’t understand why you vilify me. I wish you all the best.
Actually, educationally the public schools have to re-evaluate every 3 years. That is in fact educational law. We were recommended medically to re-evaluate every year but who needs to put a child through that yearly. We do the medical evaluations at the same time as the school does their 3 year, which I would recommend to all parents so you have that second opinion at that IEP.
No one really has the right to suggest upon a video of a child maybe not being diagnosed properly however autism is based on far more than just a language delay, it’s also how the child uses language among other things. What I seen in the video, is was that a therapist in the beginning? The one where you only seen her and not the child? I have seen a few video’s in the past of therapists and all I can say with no real intent to offend, is that my child’s speech therapist was much more effective than that.
My child does not consist of all autism, either. He is and always has been quite capable of smiling and laughing and I tend to takes those pictures than maybe ones during a meltdown or repetitive behaviors, or social conflicts. Although my son is doing quite well, he is not recovered from autism nor would I personally tell my child one day he may be. I tell my child he has autism, and he’s doing just fine by doing the best he can. Regardless as to how the outside world sees my child, my child actually does feel and realizes his own differences and if I was to suggest to him he was recovered, he’d grow up with these feelings he’s not the recovered child I expect him to be.
I would agree with Tray. Many children and people are afflicted with painful medical issues and it does not make them less human. Autism does not make my child less human and I surely hope my child never reads or hears such a thing.
“I don’t understand why you vilify me. ”
It’s not about you. I hope you will understand this at some point in your journey.
Marcia~ no one was slandering or defaming you. You need to re-read what you wrote. You wrote with continuing the treatment, it appears it makes him more human not dehumanized. It probably was a poor choice of words. No one is questioning your treatment choices, however many are going to take issue with the apparent reasons why you need to have the treatment, based on you feel your child was dehumanized in relationship to autism.
It is truly sad you feel that way and I hope you child continues to progress.
I’m gonna go ahead and guess that what Marcia meant by “more human” was probably “more engaged, and more typically social.”
Sometimes we type the words that spring to our minds without realizing how they may sound when read aloud.
Lisa (autism guide)
I agree that it was a truly ugly thing to say, though it pales in comparison to the bile that spews from JB Handley, his puppet JB Jr, and Allison Tepper Singer.
Those are all, however, criminals against humanity. So that doesn’t make it any better. Just “oh wow, people are truly sick.”
When I have kids, if anyone tells me they are anything less than human, at all damaged or broken, they’re going to be picking appendages off the floor…
Kassiane you have touched me deeply with your words. Someone in my family once told me I would have to accept the fact that my son would have to be institutionalized someday. It took all the energy in me not to hurt him physically for his comments.
My son is precious to me, just being him, I would not change him and our journey for anything different. He has taught my husband, our daughter and I more than anyone else I know. Our son is the most pure human being I know. There is no malice in him, there is just pure unconditional love. He sees the world differently and enjoys it to the fullest. I just want him to be able to communicate his wants and needs without becoming frustrated because I don’t understand him some times or don’t know what he is experiencing physically.
I want to keep him pain free (that is were I used the wrong words) so it is easier for him to reach out to us or just take in all things around him.
Carrie says:
Just curious about one thing, and am genuinely not asking this question in a hostile manner: Since the HepB shot is given on the first day of life, how can you be certain that vaccines did not play a role in your child’s autism?
Also, a comment to those who don’t want those with autism thought of as poisoned, plagued, in need of a cure, etc…you must not see the same autism I do. What I have seen are medically sick children with severe diarrhea and tummy pain, immune systems out of whack, etc. My own son was plagued with near constant infections for well over a year and was constantly unhappy and angry. With diet change & supplements, not only is he physically better, his behaviors are better as well. I love some of his quirkiness- it’s not the personality that needed fixing.
IN ANSWER:
Of course, I can’t prove that the HepB shot DIDN’T impact my son — that would be impossible to prove one way or another! What I CAN say is that (a) I can see that ASD’s (in milder form) run in my husband’s family and that (b) I saw no signs of regression in Tom at any point. He simply developed differently.
In addition, so far as I am aware, Tom has never had any GI or related issues, physical pain, or significant sleep or infection issues. He has (touch wood) been an exceptionally healthy kid!
That’s part of why I am so convinced that we will find multiple disorders gathered under the ASD umbrella, including disorders related to GI issues; seizure issues; brain damage; and so forth.
Our kids are clearly very, very different from one another!
Best,
Lisa (autism guide)
That’s part of why I am so convinced that we will find multiple disorders gathered under the ASD umbrella, including disorders related to GI issues; seizure issues; brain damage; and so forth.
Which is why I am inclined to agree with Donna Williams that autism is a fruit salad. How many combinations of a fruit salad is it possible to make?
We will one day find out that autism has a great deal more to answer to than a triad.
I’m not trying to start anything, but it seems to me that MAYBE…keyword being MAYBE…Marcia’s son was misdiagnosed. It sounds to me that he may have Crohn’s Disease and not suffer from Autism. It is very hard to diagnose and it does come and go. MAYBE, I’m wrong. But it does sound that way. I dont recall reading anywhere that you said that he was actually diagnosed with a form of Autism. The reason I say this is because as a child I experienced the same symptons. My diet was changed as well and I got better. It wasnt until I was older that they came back. I lost weight. Lost my appetite. Had all sorts of things to go terribly wrong with my body. I recently found out that I have Crohns and was born with it which explains why my digestive system was the way it was. Like I’ve stated, this is just my opinion. MAYBE I’m wrong.
Z
You might have a point. However, our son’s digestive problems did not start until after the MMR; he did not suffer from colic, diarrhea or vomiting before. He was diagnosed with Autism.
Marcia~ you may want to consider having blood work done and other tests. Autism is not consistent with other medical disorders and an autism diagnosis wont explain medical issues as such. My son’ GI doc said obstructions caused just by some birth defect can cause the symptom’s my son had. Some of these known causes can be life threatening. Without the tests we did, I’d have never known my child had reflux or a hyper gag reflex that caused all his throwing up.
Crohns, Celiac and Irritable Bowel are often genetic although I believe they don’t really know why they happen. They do happen with and without autism, with a vaccine or without.
“A@T, you can read the transcripts from the proceedings of the Autism Omnibus, you don’t need to go any further.”
You mean the 4,665 pages of this proceeding? Am I to believe you read this Leila? But, in fact, I have read some of it and the testimony is at least as damning to your side of this issue as mine. What I read sounds like the government establishment is using any name calling and character assassination they can invent to cover their butts. Regardless of the outcome the entire proceeding is just chipping away at the fantasy that vaccines don’t have a huge price tag called autism associated with them.
As a mother of an almost 2 year old son, who was showing severe signs within the autistic spectrum at a very early age (2 months), I believe all vaccines play some sort of roll in the many neurological disorders that children are being diagnosed with today.
I say this b/c with early intervention and changing his vaccine schedule when he was 6 months old (after researching that shots were a possible cause of autism), my son has made tremendous improvements. But it has not come easily and he still has sensory processing issues and speech concerns.
I firmly believe that the vaccines are being given at too early of an age and too close together.
I agree with the author that there are likely many sources of Autism, and believe that she presented her view both respectfully and succinctly. Thank you, for that, Lisa.
Actually, I believe they should separate “Autism” from “Autistic Symptoms” because Autism IMO is not to be cured, but if a condition has Autistic Symptoms that disappear after treatment, it was not TRULY Autism as we (the Autistic) know it.
I am an Autistic adult. My condition, Asperger’s Syndrome is argued by some to not be Autism, although listed as an ASD. My mother was likely Autistic and my grandfather as well… although they are deceased so it’s hard to tell. If they were, I would guess they were more HFA than AS but I seriously doubt their condition had anything to do with mercury or other toxins.
All of these separations and distinctions do nothing but tear us all apart. Why should we be fighting? The truth is WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN AND WANT WHAT (we think) IS BEST FOR THEM. We may not be able to agree on a number of things, but the bottom line is that IF the Autism in your child is NOT caused by Mercury or other environmental means, you are endangering their lives in some cases with these experimental treatments, and in other cases forcing them to be trained like dogs to ‘act normal’.
I am a supportive member of the Autistic Community… and in answer to Richard who asked where Autism was 20 years ago: “We were on the sidelines where the world wants us to be. We are the geeks, the nerds and the weirdos that you avoid and make fun of. We are the creative minds and daring trailblazers. Our condition was undiagnosed but that does not mean we did not know we were different. As a matter of fact, we grew up feeling as though we never fit in, like we were somehow dumped on the wrong planet.
What joy it brings us to meet each other and discover that we have so much in common… the way we think, the things we like/hate… the hopes and dreams for our brethren: which include YOUR AUTISTIC CHILDREN. You worry about what will happen to them when you are gone: we worry about what happens to them under your ‘care’. We have the testimony of a multitude of Autistic adults who have been put through these treatments… whose parents tried to CURE them. Autism is not a disease. It is a different way of being. Some of us were misdiagnosed with other conditions before Autism was RECOGNIZED. Autism is not new, but the clinical diagnosis, in English, is.
We have news for you all. Whether you like it or not, we LIKE being Autistic, and enjoy a side of life that you can not begin to imagine if you are not ‘one of us’. The majority of us do NOT want to be cured.”
I like what Sorsha says.
“Sorsha says:
I think there is a clear and simple way to discover whether or not vaccines are implicated in autism. So simple its amazing that it has not been looked into by the CDC. Seek out the never-vaccinated population of the U.S. – there are hundreds of thousands of us, and see whether the autistic rate is 1 in 150 – as in the general population. This may not tell us what exactly is causing autism (MMR, preservatives, or just too many shots) – but it will certainly tell us whether or not vaccines have anything to do with it. Let’s find out shall we? Generation Rescue’s survey comparing the vaxed and never- vaxed seems like a good place to start.”
If the results of that study PROVED that vaccines are NOT to blame for the majority of Autism cases, what then? Would Generation Recue lay off and believe the facts, or deride them as inaccurate and flawed? Will they ever believe the truth?
I feel sorry for the children whose parents characterize them as ‘damaged’. I hope their poor kids don’t hear them talk like that. Just because they’re nonverbal doesn’t mean they don’t hear and internalize every word you say.
Tom makes a good point too. Riddle me this:
“Tom says:
I think using the term Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a much better term than Autism Spectrum Disorder. I think PDD-NOS makes a clear distinction between ASD (PDD-NOS) and “Classic Autism” and “Asperger’s Syndrome” which are both clearly 100% genetic and a occur at a much lower rate than ASD (PDD-NOS).
The one thing I can’t seem to figure out though is that if vaccines are the cause of the increases in PDD-NOS why are there differences in the rates that boys and girls get it. Why do boys get mild cases of PDD-NOS/ASD at a 4 to 1 rate to girls and for more severe cases of PDD-NOS/ASD boys are diagnosed at a 10 to 1 rate to girls?”
So does someone want to have the audacity to say that girls aren’t affected by the vaccines for some reason? Only boys are?
Come on people. Be for real.
I feel for the kids, too, when their parents don’t accept them AND their autism spectrum “disorder.” As Donna Williams says they’re not broken oranges but shiney apples, and *I agree. I don’t like Generation Re-cue and their wanting to prevent autism. It’s sad for us. I’m gladly autistic: the genetic kind, and I’m proud of it.
GR acts like our calls are important then when you try to “preach” neurodiversity to/on them suddeny the call isn’t important. I know what they’re up to.
Autism ISN’T bad. We don’t need a genocide!
The vaccine court case that found vaccine link to autism, Hannah Poling, also found Hannah had mitochondrial problems. Research is difficult to do and difficult to make understandable for people outside mitochondrial cell biology. I heard a presentation about it at the July 15 IACC meeting. For reference: the title was “Report from the Workshop, “Mitochondrial Encephalopathies: Potential Relationships to Autism?”
by Walter Koroshetz
MD Deputy Director National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) one of NIH’s Institutes. The presentation was based on another presentation at a mitochondrial biology conference.
Web accessibility rules for websites make posting powerpt slides on IACC website because of requirement for audio description but if one calls Koroshetz at NINDS or in care of IACC they may be able to send out a dvd of the slides. Vaccine-causation theories may miss the link to mitochondria problems in individuals that cause bad vaccine reactions in a few people but not everyone vaccinated.