Jenny McCarthy and Autism Awareness

What’s interesting about this book is McCarthy nor Kartzinel know the medical backgrounds of the children whose parents might read this book. Many times kids with autism have other medical issues going on and not to suggest main stream doctors as an aide can be dangerous. Kind of sounds like Scientology, discrediting other doctors and main stream medicine. This isn’t the first to cover these issues, this book is just recapping and it also lumps all children with autism together assuming the intervention would all be the same with the same outcome.
No where have I found that the proceeds of this book goes any where but into McCarthy’s bank account.
The interview with McCarthy with Times was also distasteful and one wonders why an adult cant speak without having their words bleeped out. Besides the bad language, McCarthy made very interesting comments in that interview.

“Many times kids with autism have other medical issues going on and not to suggest main stream doctors as an aide can be dangerous”

How many mainstream doctors do you know that treat the other biomedical issues that typically come up with autism? Isn’t that the whole point of why biomed is considered alternative medicine?

“it also lumps all children with autism together assuming the intervention would all be the same with the same outcome.”

Have you read the book?

MJ – you say “How many mainstream doctors do you know that treat the other biomedical issues that typically come up with autism? Isn’t that the whole point of why biomed is considered alternative medicine?”

I think opinions will vary depending on WHICH issues you’re thinking of. Some kids with autism have seizures… bipolar disorder… mitochondrial dysfunction… tubular sclerosis… and all of these, I would argue, SHOULD be treated/managed by a mainstream physician.

I’m guessing, however, that you’re thinking of issues that are described by the DAN group: yeast, food intolerances, etc. Given that mainstream physicians don’t look for or treat many of these concerns, obviously they’d be the wrong choice if you’re looking for a practitioner who believes these are related to autism and should be treated as the book suggests.

Lisa (autism guide)

Jenny McCarthy’s son IS NOT CURED. Any child who constantly repeats movie lines, has poor eye contact and self posessed play HAS NOT LOST THEIR PLACE ON THE SPECTRUM!
Ms McCarthy is giving families false hope and giving misleading information.

MJ~ Did you read it? Yes, I did however right on the description of it says
“safe and easy to try at home”. That is a dangerous thing to state, since they do not know the medical history of any child. Yes, it lumps all children together.

I wasn’t talking about doctors treating Bio Med issues however I did find such a main stream doctor to address issues in my child. Some of those issues can have real medical causes. But I was talking about other medical issues aside from Bio Med. McCarthy often claimed GF/CF recovered her son. Most people begin that diet without a medical doctor or tests prior for allergies. Some kids are allergic to rice, corn and soy too.

I agree, Jenny’s son is not cured or recovered from Autism. I don’t know who labeled him or unlabeled him, but they are incorrect.
It is wonderful that he is getting better, but alot of children on the spectrum imporve without the need to biomedicate them.
Jenny loves the limelight. It is unfortunate she had to use her son for more than 15 minutes of fame.
She is doing autism a huge disservice and I personally would like her to GO AWAY.

First off, Jenny McCarthy used ABA and speech therapy, so OF COURSE it was the yeast and GFCF diet that did everything, right?

Her latest book also recommends chelation. There’s some evidence that chelation may cause brain damage, and we *know* it can cause death. That’s not a harmless little thing to try.

McCarthy in Time Online:

“I do believe sadly it’s going to take some diseases coming back to realize that we need to change and develop vaccines that are safe. If the vaccine companies are not listening to us, it’s their f___ing fault that the diseases are coming back. They’re making a product that’s s___. If you give us a safe vaccine, we’ll use it. It shouldn’t be polio versus autism.”

Got that? McCarthy is wishing polio on the American people.

I don’t know how she can live with herself.

McCarthy puts the blame on diseases coming back of the vaccine companies, and how she got that is really beyond my comprehension. It really makes no sense at all. The reason why these diseases were gone to begin with is because of the vaccines, and the reason why we’re seeing them come back is of those who did not vaccinate their children. Although McCarthy keeps saying she’s not anti vaccine, Times interview says otherwise, in her own bleeped out words.

I wonder if she watches her poor language around hr child.

McCarthy puts the blame on diseases coming back of the vaccine companies, and how she got that is really beyond my comprehension. It really makes no sense at all. The reason why these diseases were gone to begin with is because of the vaccines, and the reason why we’re seeing them come back is of those who did not vaccinate their children. Although McCarthy keeps saying she’s not anti vaccine, Times interview says otherwise, in her own bleeped out words.

I wonder if she watches her poor language around her child. She has no problem with it to the American public.

Lisa you said – “I think opinions will vary depending on WHICH issues you’re thinking of. Some kids with autism have seizures… bipolar disorder… mitochondrial dysfunction… tubular sclerosis… and all of these, I would argue, SHOULD be treated/managed by a mainstream physician.”

Since the book is presumably coming from a DAN point of view I assumed that the suggested treatments would be of the “alternative” sort so I (again) assumed that the comment was directed at those sorts of treatments rather than the more mainstream ones.

But I agree with you, if there is anything of the sort that you listed above then you should have an MD on board.

Sandy you said – “But I was talking about other medical issues aside from Bio Med. ”

Which specific non-biomed treatment in her book are you objecting to then?

“McCarthy often claimed GF/CF recovered her son. Most people begin that diet without a medical doctor or tests prior for allergies.”

There seems to be this misconception that the GFCF diet is some terribly risky thing to do. The trick is to make sure that your child is still getting a balance diet – but that is something you should be doing regardless. If you aren’t then you have a problem and it isn’t the diet.

I would also take exception to the statement that “most” people begin the diet without consulting with a medical professional. “Most” people I know who use the diet with their child do so under the direction of a medical doctor.

AutismNewsBeat you said “Got that? McCarthy is wishing polio on the American people.”

You seem to be hyperventilating there, maybe you need to take a deep breath and come back to reality?

Bio Med can have an impact on other things relating to a child. The suggestion of “safe and easy to try at home” does not consider the whole child, it only considers the child with solely having autism and nothing else. There are risks of GF/CF diet, and I can name a few and have already. There is no where near enough scientific evidence as to why GF/CF would work for some kids with autism, but not for others. Most people I have met just tried the diet with out the consult of anyone other than on line sites- and now this book which encourages it.

No one is hyperventilating. The remark Mccarthy stated is what needs a reality check. It’s unbelievable she made the statement to begin with.

“Bio Med can have an impact on other things relating to a child. The suggestion of “safe and easy to try at home” does not consider the whole child, it only considers the child with solely having autism and nothing else.”

And with that you have earned the ironic statement of the year award. The entire reason for biomed is the intent to treat the entire child and not just the symptoms of autism.

So again, you said “Many times kids with autism have other medical issues going on and not to suggest main stream doctors as an aide can be dangerous” and then clarified with “I wasn’t talking about doctors treating Bio Med issues”

So I ask you again, which specific non-biomed treatment that is being recommended in the book as “safe and easy” are you objecting to?

“There are risks of GF/CF diet, and I can name a few and have already.”

Name one.

MJ~ I’m not going to respond to you any more. Your sarcasm is uncalled for. You’re just going to have to accept other’s have different opinions.

Sandy – I am taking that to mean that, as before, you don’t have any specifics to back up your statements and are making claims you are unable to substantiate.

Perhaps you should have done your homework first?

It’s completely irresponsible for Ms. McCarthy to claim that her child has been “cured” of autism when it’s so plain that that isn’t the case. If he’s made great improvements then I’m happy for him and his entire family, but… he’s still autistic. There is no miracle cure. If there were, there would be no autistic children. It’s so sad that there are so many people like McCarthy who are willing to peddle false hope to desperate parents.

And MJ? There is no need for the attitude of snot. Sandy has written extensively on this forum with provided a tremendous amount of well-researched, well-thought-out information.

Actually, the entire reason for bio-med is to help DAN doctors and other quacks keep up on their boat payments. You keep doing your homework, MJ. And the next time I need a reality check, I’ll try quoting Jenny McCarthy, since it seems to work so well for you.

Well, that is a good point. If autism is so recoverable, what’s the big deal then? Improvements is one thing, “early intervention is key to a successful ‘recovery’ ” is another. I wonder just what symptom’s of autism McCarthy is talking about then?? The title of the book says it all, no one has to read what’s in it. Coincidently, I drove my son after to school to a play date with the only friend he has, another boy with autism who is about 13 who also goes to the same school. That boy was on the GF/CF diet, and as I was talking to his grand mother as she was inviting my son also to dinner, she said “so and so is not on that diet any more thank goll”. She did tell me the diet did help, when the boy at wheat products it was like a sugar hyper kid. However, the child still has autism (noticeable) and still is a child who requires special ed. Is the GF/CF bio med suppose to then be life-long? Or a child out grows it as our friend did?? Another coincident, our neighbor came over to borrow a tool and sat for while. He told me it was World Autism Day and talked about that lady in which he didn’t even want to turn on his TV. He only knows my child who has autism, yet he knew who McCarthy was, couldn’t remember her name though, and it gives you what a dad of general public get’s out of all of this. Yes, the recently SAHD watched the talk shows. Then of course we went on to more important issues, like school and his 5 year old starting Kindergarten in the Fall and why my child doesn’t attend this district.

I see this book as supplying the industry of GF/CF stores with customers, and of course, a bank account but that’s just my own personal opinion. I’d be guessing McCarthy owns a few stores. These things have been around for years prior to McCarthy’s son ever being born. Her book is no more special than any thing else prior except for the recovery and easy to do at home- not to mention her bad language of which it seems many can over-look. I cant. Some body who cant speak to a general audience without using poor street language is some one very hard to listen to.

Hi Sandy –

There is no where near enough scientific evidence as to why GF/CF would work for some kids with autism, but not for others.

We have at least five studies showing an increasingly robust immune response to the proteins in wheat and dairy for subsets of children on the spectrum compared to their non diagnosed peers. This site doesn’t play nicely with links, but I can provide the titles.

Possible immunological disorders in autism: concomitant autoimmunity and immune tolerance

IgA antibodies in Rett syndrome

Evaluation of an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and cytokine production against common dietary proteins in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Dysregulated innate immune responses in young children with autism spectrum disorders: their relationship to gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary intervention

Innate immunity associated with inflammatory responses and cytokine production against common dietary proteins in patients with autism spectrum disorder

Please consider the magnitude of the coincidence necessary for all of these studies to have found similar findings, and thousands of parents telling us their children behave differently when these proteins are included in their diet.

- pD

Pubmed is a pretty neat site, isn’t it? “may be” “indicates a role” “suggesting a possible link” “might be associated” and of course Retts is caused mutations in the gene of the X chromosome.
Behaving differently and recovered (not having autism) are two different things. Children also behave differently with certain food dyes, sugar and caffeine intake. So it’s not so far-fetched to accept that Gluten (and Casein) may have these same effects, and cause cognitive delays as it would in those with undiagnosed Celiac disease that were children. Maybe those subsets are Celiac. But to recover autism?? Very few reputable doctors or organizations ever state such a claim.

Hi Sandy –

But originally you stated:

There is no where near enough scientific evidence as to why GF/CF would work for some kids with autism, but not for others.

Now, suddenly, you don’t seem to feel the idea is farfetched:

Children also behave differently with certain food dyes, sugar and caffeine intake. So it’s not so far-fetched to accept that Gluten (and Casein) may have these same effects, and cause cognitive delays as it would in those with undiagnosed Celiac disease that were children. Maybe those subsets are Celiac.

You don’t seem to agree with yourself, it’s no wonder I don’t seem to agree with you sometimes.

If you have evidence that Jenny has specifically stated that GF recovered her son, lets have it. You seem to have a tendency to say things, and refuse to back them up when asked for an underlying source; the only casualty is your credibility.

I believe she has said that a variety of biomedical approaches have assisted in the eventual removal of his diagnosis.

- pD

I believe McCarthy made the statement on her first visit to Oprah. I wasn’t the only one who heard it and no, I wont provide a link. There’s no purpose to do so. After she made that comment, a few months later she said she was going to try chelation last summer, which contradicted her child being recovered. I have no doubt McCarthy has tried many otions for her child but she’s the one confused as to which one did the recover trick.

My statement “There is no where near enough scientific evidence as to why GF/CF would work for some kids with autism, but not for others” still hold true regardless of what pubmed you brought up. A child with Celiac of course is not autism.

You have a great day.

Sandy you said – “I’d be guessing McCarthy owns a few stores.”

You just make this stuff up, don’t you?

Knitty you said – “And MJ? There is no need for the attitude of snot. Sandy has written extensively on this forum with provided a tremendous amount of well-researched, well-thought-out information.”

And typically when you ask a follow up question or for the “well-researched” information you get an answer like this:

“no, I wont provide a link.”

I strongly suspect that she is not providing “well-researched” information but rather making stuff up. For example, see the first part of this comment.

ANB you said – “And the next time I need a reality check, I’ll try quoting Jenny McCarthy, since it seems to work so well for you.”

Where did I quote Jenny McCarthy?

To clarify:

I said “There are risks of GF/CF diet, and I can name a few and have already.”
Risk # One: It doesn’t work for all children. You’d have no idea if your child was part of that ’sub set’ since there is no test prior to diet change. The only way to know is fork out the money and see if it works.
Risk # Three: leads us to the expense of diet change and biomedical options.
Risk # Three: Some GI issues actually do have medical reasons for it that diet wouldn’t change, like an obstruction of the intestines.

I said “I’d be guessing McCarthy owns a few stores.”
It actually really was a pure guess and one that’s plausible. That’s why I siad “guess”.

Hi Sandy –

There is no where near enough scientific evidence as to why GF/CF would work for some kids with autism, but not for others” still hold true regardless of what pubmed you brought up.

Hm. Do you have any particular problems with the studies I cited showing increased immune responses to dietary proteins? I guess I’m curious as to what you’d need to convince you that your statement is not based on a sound understanding of the science. What would constitute ‘near enough science’ for you? Can you be specific?

Risk # One: It doesn’t work for all children. You’d have no idea if your child was part of that ’sub set’ since there is no test prior to diet change. The only way to know is fork out the money and see if it works.

The same is true for every possible treatment. How do you know if ABA or speech therapy will work for a child without forking over the money and seeing if it works?

In any case, you absolutely can have your child tested for an immunologic response to the proteins in wheat and dairy, so your belief that there are no available tests is, again, under researched. These tests, generally, however, are much more costly than simply removing the foods from the diet and making evaluations. However, they do have the ability to test for a variety of food allergens.

Risk # Three: leads us to the expense of diet change and biomedical options.

That’s not a risk. And if it works, it then becomes a cost / benifit analysis. Also, that’s ‘# Two’.

Some GI issues actually do have medical reasons for it that diet wouldn’t change, like an obstruction of the intestines.

That is true, but unless you have some evidence that changing diet will make this situation worse, it still isn’t a risk. You seem to be confusing trying a diet and not seeking advice on other potential issues.

- pD

The studies you provided say “may be” “indicates a role” “suggesting a possible link” “might be associated”. I’m sorry, those results of studies you provided isn’t enough for me.

The difference between any intervention, cost and let’s say this book, is the term ‘recovery’ used.

I never said there wasn’t available testing. Of course you can have your child tested for many things, however most parents do not prior to diet change nor does this book suggest that you do test prior. That was the point. How else does one know they are lactose intolerant? The book description says these are ‘easy and safe to do at home’. Sure, there may be no direct harm in removing dairy products, but why do it if the child doesn’t test positive? One of those doctors which are made fun of in the book can do any these tests. Also, some allergies can only be known by a gut biopsy and I would bet half the posters here have never had any of those tests done for their child. I on the other hand, am well aware of GI issues, the causes for them and the many tests out there, and yes my child did have a gut biopsy along with many other tests and there was no cost to me, not even a co-payment and it wasn’t provided by an alternative doctor encouraging the idea of ‘recovery’ of autism.

Again, have a great day.

Hi Sandy(s) –

I’m sorry, those results of studies you provided isn’t enough for me.

In that case, you aren’t going to use any therpies for anything related for autism until the cause of autism, all cases of autism are well ellucidated. Your child will likely be very, very old by that time.

I am seriously wondering if there are two people named Sandy posting to this thread.

Risk # One: It doesn’t work for all children. You’d have no idea if your child was part of that ’sub set’ since there is no test prior to diet change. The only way to know is fork out the money and see if it works.

Then, another post by Sandy that says:

I never said there wasn’t available testing.

Can one of you please start posting as Sandy#2 or something?

Sure, there may be no direct harm in removing dairy products, but why do it if the child doesn’t test positive?

Because for the cost of the copay and the test, you could try out the milk alternatives for a month, avoid drawing blood, and still come out way ahead dollar wise.

Good day to both of you too!

- pD

Funny. If you want to make fun of what I write, so be it. McCarthy isn’t even worth the effort of a conversation with you or any with such sarcasm. You totally reduce the point of making comments.

“I said “I’d be guessing McCarthy owns a few stores.”
It actually really was a pure guess and one that’s plausible. That’s why I siad “guess”.”

Hence the statement that you just made it up. If you have reason to think (other than “a pure guess”) that she owns stores then it could be considered possible. To get to plausible you should have some sort of evidence behind the statement other than just a random guess.

“How else does one know they are lactose intolerant?”

The CF part of the GFCF diet has to do with casein intolerance and not lactose intolerance. These two are very different.

passionlessDrone you said – “In any case, you absolutely can have your child tested for an immunologic response to the proteins in wheat and dairy”

Just out of curiosity do you have pointers or links to tests like these? I have seen some styles of these tests but I was interested in what other people have run across. Thanks.

Why can’t people just be glad that there is someone out there doing something? Talking about it? Bringing awareness to it? I might be wrong, but before Jenny McCarthy I never saw a celebrity talk about autism. Once she did, a lot of other public figures did too, which of course is great, but to my knowlege, she was the first. Why must people fight about this? Everyone wants the same outcome…to find a way to possibly heal and make a better life for thier child. So what if Jenny McCarthy says her son is “healed”? It worked for HER. She is putting it out there in the hopes that it might work for someone else. Every interview I have ever seen with her she has NEVER said that her word is gospel and that it will work for everyone. But if something works, why not try it? Why not give something a chance? Let’s just be happy that other therapy is coming to light and that there are options to try.

Hi MJ –

These guys have a very comprehensive test, but be sure it is covered by insurance before running it.

http://www.foodallergytest.com/

We didn’t run that one due to cost.

We ran tests from immunolabs (http://www.immunolabs.com/) that tested for about one hundred common foods. Any good DAN or DO ought to be able to recommend one, just be sure to discuss price beforehand. Your regular pediatrician should also be able to help, but likely will be very skeptical as to the possible benifits of such a test routine.

- pD

Just a little research on the Internet will show a strong link between DAN! doctors and scientology. The hard line McCarthy and her “austim whisperer” boyfriend take regarding autism NOT being a mental disorder is right up scientology’s alley. Regardless of their backtracking on Larry King they have had a huge influence on the misguided anti-vaxer movement. What I don’t get about scientologists – if they have so many answers to the problems in our society – why do they lie about who they are? And how interesting that McCarthy, whose claim to fame was picking her nose and passing gas at parties (this “party girl” persona followed her 15 minutes of fame posing naked), openly touts the wonders of Botox (a toxin) yet screams and yells at doctors for administering vaccines to children. But most interesting his how much money she and Jim Carey who is an unremarkable actor known for his difficult and narcissistic temperament, are making off their marketing of autism. While those evil doctors who scientologists warn us about would like nothing better than to eradicate autism, Jenny and Jimmy would be in big trouble if they succeeded. How else could these two make their money? And when did McCarthy go from “Indigo Mom with a Crystal child” to her new story of turning to God when her son was “diagnosed” with autism. Oh that’s right – she can sell more books if she brings God into the picture. For those of you who sing the praise of McCarthy’s non evidence based “research” keep in mind that she carries a big part of the responsibility for the recent increase in mumps and measles – and lots of little children have died and will die from complications related to these diseases.

Funny. If you want to make fun of what I write, so be it. McCarthy isn’t even worth the effort of a conversation with you or any with such sarcasm. You totally reduce the point of making comments.

There are entire libraries filled with the things pD doesn’t know about autism and purported quack cures. It’s best to ignore him/her. Anyone who still defends McCarthy is immune to reason, and blissfully ignorant of, well, just about everything.

The autism narrative has changed from “mean scientists are ignoring parents” to “greedy opportunists are victimizing parents”. McCarthy is as clear example of the latter. She deserves our contempt, and little else.

I saw Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey on Larry King this past weekend, when I was channel surfing. I tried to listen objectively to what she was saying and what the doctors/health providers were saying. The “debate” or as it was called by the show, was very disappointing. I expected both sides to be debating their points and instead Larry King had Jenny on first and then the doctors/healthcare providers.

Unfortunately, it was more of a debate about whether to vaccinate or not. I felt the show could have talked more about how autism is diagnosed, what the symptoms are, what treatments are available (including alternative methods) and the challenges of a child with autism growing into an adult.

Lastly, if Jenny is going to bring her son into the public spotlight and proclaim him “recovered” and herself a “mother warrior”, then why doesn’t she have him on Larry King sitting right alongside her and Jim Carrey?

McCarthy has made numerous unverified and conflicting claims about Evan. First he’s recovered. Then he isn’t. New he’s completely normal. How can anybody take her seriously?

Sandy,

Are you kidding me? As a parent of an autistic 3 year old you try everything under the son to help you child. I have been to doctors and all of the standerdized “stuff” you are suppose to do. All i can say is let people make their own descions and just to let you know this book does give hope. And i’ll just let you know that even the littliest glimps of hope can change your day. Im so thankfull that she wrote this book. Its like the old saying if you dont have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all.

Ben~ if you don’t like my opinion, then you don’t like it but that will not stop opinions. That’s not how open discussions works. Not everyone agree’s with McCarthy, and it’s my choice not to. No, I did not try everything under the sun. Maybe if he had cancer and was soon to die, but you don’t die from autism. My son is long past the age of 3 years old and I am sorry, I had hope before McCarthy and I don’t rely on the likes to find that hope. Not doing everything under the sun, my child did progress without McCarthy’s book and I might add, the protocol in her book has long been around prior to Evan ever being born but she acts as if it’s her own finding. And it’s true, depending on what talk show or interview she has, depends on what she says and it changes all the time. Also if you’re going to be a spokes person for the national public, then you shouldn’t use language which has to be bleeped out. She is a trash mouth and conducts herself very unprofessional in a public setting. She’s also irresponsible, she openly stated she took her own child’s seizure meds to see what it was like, then related it to being like Ozzy Osborne. A mother who illegally takes her child’s medication with no regards to the danger of that, is no one any one should trust. The person who does that does not make rational life choices, yet she writes a book to tell all how to care for their children with autism?

Those are my opinions. Take them or leave them but no where does this site state I have to agree with you nor you agree with me, but we all do need to be respectful.

pD – Thanks for the links.

Sandy you wrote – “if you don’t like my opinion, then you don’t like it but that will not stop opinions. [...] Not everyone agree’s with McCarthy, and it’s my choice not to.”

Do you try to write comedy or does it just happen naturally? First you say that it is your opinion but one short breath later you say it isn’t your choice.

What?

mj~ you’re completely rude, disrespectful and a good reason why people wouldn’t want to participate to an open (Unmoderated) forum. Anyone can clearly see what I wrote minus your continuing attempt to pick at every post of mine.

Happy Day To You

Dear Friends,

This thread has completely disintegrated to flames. Let’s end it here. There’s just SO MUCH else to talk about!

Thanks,

Lisa (autism guide)

The problem I have with Jenny McCarthy’s viewpoint is that she relies on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific evidence-based reasoning. She completely misunderstands the scientific method. Science does not provide definitive answers, rather science rules out incorrect hypotheses. It’s similar to the process people use to find missing car keys – is it under the sofa, no, so I will look in my pants pocket, not there, etc. Eventually one finds the keys. Science also works this way – theorize a connection and test to see if it can be verified. Scientists also actively work to test and retest accepted theories, applying new knowledge to see if the assumption or accepted theory was wrong. It’s about ruling out hypotheses, not “proving” them.

Here is the truth that McCarthy and the gang don’t tell you. The original study which linked autism and vaccines was done by Wakefield in Britain using a very small sample. The experiment was recently replicated, and the same results could not be reproduced. Science rejects the autism-vaccine link. Now look at Jenny’s statements. She “thinks” that giving her child alternative treatments cured her son, but why is there no published scientific study to back up her claim? Because she is assuming causation but ignoring other possible causes(another condition with symptoms similar to autism that can be cured through detoxification).

She touts a “cure” for autism but began her war on medicine with only a single test case – her son. She claims that the environment is full of toxins, yet goes around the talk show circuit telling about the wonders of Botox (made of the most toxic substance – botulism toxin). She uses vaguery, anecdotal evidence from emotionally-distraught parents, and offers no verifiable or replicable evidence to support her claims. Should anyone trust her enough to not immunize their children and put other kids at risk? I think not.

Remember that we have much evidence that immunizing children prevents outbreaks of disease, but we have yet to find evidence of the vaccine autism connection. So, is it so harmless to try alternative medicine or are parents putting their children and other children at risk of contracting measles, mumps or rubella based on claims from a tabloid?

Also, remember too that the rise of autism cases may also be because it is being diagnosed more frequently, not necessarily because the overall per capita number of kids with autism is increasing. Also consider the third variable – as the total number of children being born increases, the number of instances of any disorder also increases.

McCarthy and her supporters will “move the goalpost” by shifting the reasoning to fit the assumption they already have. They argued that thimerosal in MMR caused autism. Thimerosal was removed from MMR and the regularly scheduled childhood immunizations years ago, but autism cases are still increasing. Then the argument became that there are so many toxins building up that it is too much for the child to handle, but what toxins are they and what evidence do they present? Bottom line – people who believe that autism is caused by vaccines will believe it no matter what evidence contradicts what they already believe.

wow! found this site by acident. agruing doesn’t seem to help the cause. differant therapys help differant people. same as cancer. some respond some do not. life to short to fight over it.

does anyone know how we can get involved with autism
our company makes weighted vests for all sizes and shapes we want to get involved and our prices are very reasonable.
our adult vests fit so well and have been featured in Prevention mag and many others

ditto on Brenda’s comment “I just wish Jenny would go away”. I have a son with ASD, formal diagnosis is PDD-NOS. He was 2 yrs old when I really began worrying about his development. When he turned 3, he was eligible to be evaluated by our public school system for pre-school assistance. 30 days after the evaluation, we had him on his IEP and started in the preschool for children with developmental disabilities. Fast forward to this year, he is a totally different kid-cured, absolutely not, but making progess every day because we have applied the right kind of therapy for him and his unique challanges. I just wish Jenny would stop misleading the public, and, giving false hope to parents who so desparately wish that their child was not on the spectrum and looking for a quick fix. She is misleading them to believe that if they just do what Jenny says, their child will miraculously be cured. What’s even more annoying are the talk show hosts who feed her b.s. and the magazines who continue to fuel the fire with plastering her photo all over their covers as our self acclaimed spokes women. I just ignore her now and hope that some remarkable doctor will come forward and tell everyone just how full of “it” and herself she really is.

This is just another snake-oil treatment that parents are now going to run out and spend money on without fully taking the time to understand what true autism is. First, I don’t think her son ever had true autism. Kids with true autism do not respond to this kind of intensive treatment. ABA therapy, the one proven method that has helped many kids with autism increase functionality, does not work for all children with autism. Some kids with autism are able to develop specific life skills via ABA therapy and a handful even do well enough to have autism that is not detectable. I have worked with well over 100 kids with all degrees of autism in my career and just about all their parents tried any number of therapies for their children – gluten free diets, ABA therapy, special training programs in Japan, minerals, supplements, cleansing diets, sensory integration, and just about anything else they could get their hands on. In just about all the cases, these treatments were nothing more than money sucking scams. The parents were left with thousands or tens of thousands dollars of debts and their children were still severely disabled. By Ms. McCarthy taking this stance with autism as a “curable” condition, she is setting the stage for millions of families to be taken advantage of. Let’s figure out what is causing all types of severe autism, as these are the cases that are costing our government significantly in terms of long-term care requirements.

Too many are too worried about what caused our childrens’ autism, and often times not enough focus goes into preparing them for as productive a life as possible. I co-chair an autism support group and wrote a booklet for families of recently-diagnosed loved ones (Google: “Same Child, Different Day”). I have seen many children and adults who are so deep on the spectrum that many of Ms. McCarthy’s suggestions, recommendations and promises are on the verge of ‘dangerous’ false hope. And a diet change such as GF/CF can be cost prohibitive for many econo-typical families. Many of our families have given up that second income (and sometimes our homes) in order to provide what our children need. Suggesting we select $10.00 half-gallons of soy milk on the off-chance it will lead to ‘curing’ our child can make things worse. We don’t all have bottomless wallets. Instead, suggest ways you have made your child’s life more comfortable and convenient…that’s something I can use.

In the book, “Louder than Words: A Mother’s Journey Healing Autism,” it appears Jenny McCarthy and her publishing company or perhaps others involved with editing, writing and creating her book, STOLE lines and emotions and themes from the manuscript of another mother with a child with autism who had sent her manuscript to several publishers a few years before McCarthy had her book published…Amazing how this industry works. What scumbags. How ironic. Steal (allegedly) the work of a mother with a truly autistic child who wrote a very emotional and telling story and then use it in your book and pretend your child, who isn’t autistic, is autistic. Sick. Wonder how many other “regular moms and dads” have written things that have been stolen by ghost writers working for celebrities.

It seems her name is everywhere… be my guest to confirm this but there is a centre here in Sydney Australia that goes by the name “Jenny McCarthy
Naturopaths” – Maroubra, NSW Ph: (02) 9314 1255

I read Jenny’s “Louder than Words” and devoured it.

I would like to share some additional hope and inspiration …

Our beautiful 8 year old son, Colt, is challenged with Autism. Last month a study was published in Autism Speaks indicating a connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and Autism. I am a distributor for a company called Nu Skin Enterprises and our most recent supplement that came out in September is a product called ageLOC Vitality which specifically supports and rejuvenates our mitochondria. I immediately got in touch with the lead doctor to find out if this supplement would be beneficial for our son. Colt has been on the Vitality supplement for 34 days now and a HUGE window has opened for him … he is now “PRESENT”. He is playing with friends, eye to eye contact is back, engaging in family activites … a new world has opened for Colt and a blessing has touched this family :~)

If you or someone you know is touched by someone challenged with Autism, please feel free to contact us.

God Bless.

Dave and Stephanie Lambdin