Yet Another Study seeks to put to rest the correlation between vaccines and Autism

[lucysmom]

Having read the latest posting in Autism in the News, yet another study seems to point to "other environmental factors" as a possible cause for the increase in (the diagnosis of) Autism and excludes the thimerisol/vaccine link.

My friends in the medical community, particularly neurologists, tend to agree with this information. Families, therapisists and some friends seem to be a little more hesitant to accept this and continue to point to the vaccines as the culprit.

Has anyone read anything new recently to dispute this? Does anyone have a story they'd like to share detailing why they may or may not believe that the vaccine was the precursor to a diagnosis of Autism and finally, has anyone found a successful method to offset the damage done (other than chelation)?[

[melsmommy]

[QUOTE=lucysmom]Having read the latest posting in Autism in the News, yet another study seems to point to "other environmental factors" as a possible cause for the increase in (the diagnosis of) Autism and excludes the thimerisol/vaccine link.

My friends in the medical community, particularly neurologists, tend to agree with this information. Families, therapisists and some friends seem to be a little more hesitant to accept this and continue to point to the vaccines as the culprit.

Has anyone read anything new recently to dispute this? Does anyone have a story they'd like to share detailing why they may or may not believe that the vaccine was the precursor to a diagnosis of Autism and finally, has anyone found a successful method to offset the damage done (other than chelation)?[[/QUOTE]''

Like so many other parents, I can say that it was after my daughter's 15 month vaccines that she regressed. She had a cold and a slight temperature (99 degrees) the day she got her 15 month shots. My pediatrician assured me that it was okay for her to get her shots that day. If I knew then what I know now (and how many of us have said that, time and again?).
There are signs that my husband has undiagnosed developmental delay (needed speech therapy, has trouble or gets anxious when routines are interrupted, poor social skills, has OCD tendencies, is comfortable with a routine, needs directions/instructions repeated), whereas I would likely have been labeled an Aspie (was in the gifted program, loved school, excelled at academics, but was shy, had only a few close friends, realted better with adults, have OCD tendencies, etc.). This is why I believe there is a genetic component; however, I also believe in the "environmental assault" or "trigger" theory. My daughter was pointing at things, trying to say monosyllabic words, playing appropriately with toys, etc., then regressed to no babbling, only screaming, no pointing, putting toys in a pile and then refusing to let anyone move/touch them, all within a few weeks of her 15 month shots. Was it because of the vaccine preservative, or just the virus itself, assaulting an already compromised immune system? My child did not have the constant ear infections, the diarrhea, the staying awake all night, that I have heard so many other parents report, yet it was after those 15 month shots that my family noticed a difference in my daughter (which I denied for far too long, but hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it? And, of course, my pediatrician assured me that my child was just fine, and would eventually talk, dismissing my concerns about her screaming, lack of play, etc.).
I don't think that vaccines are the sole cause of autism, but I believe there is good reason to quesiton why autism, adhd and other learning disorders continue to increase as more and more shots are added to the vaccine schedule, and at earlier ages. I'm reading Dr. Cave's book for the second time, and it makes me shudder. Also, when I think about what a toxic environment we live in, and the continual weakening of our natural immune defenses with medications, antibacterial soaps, etc., and the number of preservatives we're exposed to in our foods...well, doesn't it make you wonder - and worry?

[lucysmom]

Your insights are fascinating. There was an article not too long ago in the New Yorker or Harpers (I think, I don't think it was a professional journal) that sought to explain an alarming increase in the diagnosis of Autism, PDD, Aspergers, etc in the Simi Valley in California in recent years.

It was put forth by both professionals and the parents themselves that it could be due to the fact that adults with the differences you describe in you and your husband were drawn to the industry in that area- computers, technology and the like, and were marrying and starting families.

That being said, I wholly agree that the toxic environment we have created is very, very troubling. When families talk to me about the DAN protocol and others of the like I feel like - how could that possibly be wrong? Whole foods and touched by as few hands as possible is best for any and all of us. (It's lovely that ingredients are listed but what in the world is all that stuff)?

Years ago, I ran into an old friend from college. He was a very successful lawyer, a criminal defense attorney at the federal level. He was articulate, talented and funny but it was clear to me at this meeting that things that I chalked up as quirky in college could be viewed in terms of ASD. He exhibited echolalia in times of stress, hated change, had very specific repertoires and such. So who knows.

[c.mulligan]

hi we have a 16 year old with autism and was a normal before she had the jabs. she reacted badly. to say that that the vacs were the cause ,would be a big law suit against the drug companies and big payouts. that would not happen because we would never know the truth about those vacinations. what we have to do is look after our kids and to keep them safe.