April is Autism Awareness month

[marytara]

Hi everyone,

If you read my last few reviews you read that I announced on the site about my son's mild autism diagnosis. Its something that some of you who know me well may have already known. I just finally reached the point where I needed and was ready to share it. I'm not asking for pity or anything, just want to spread awareness.

Which leads me to the topic of my posting. April is Autism Awareness (AAW) month. I've been talking to member bonniesayers about doing something on the site to help spread awareness. Neither of us want to do one of those full blown write-offs with lists on the bottom of members and disclaimers, etc etc . But we do want to write in honor of AAW and help raise awareness. Our idea is that during the month of April for as many people who are affected by Autism in any way - whether it be as a parent, other relative, friend, educator, what have you - to write on the site and put something at the bottom about AAW inviting other members to join in. We hope many will participate.

I hope others will help us write for Autism and our kids. If you know anyone on the site you think would like to write with us, please feel free to share my note and my email address

MaryTara
marytaraw@yahoo.com

[frazzledspice]

Recently I heard that autism has increased many times in the population since the introduction of the measles vaccine, and, in particular an additive in the measles vaccine and other vaccines. Most parents have not noticed any autistic symptoms in their children until after the administration of the measles vaccine at age 15 months or so.

Babies who have been shown to be susceptible to the DPT vaccine, for instance, have, in subsequent vaccines, been given several half and quarter doses.

Maybe it's time we treat all babies this way. I recognize the good vaccines do, but it's hard to tell which babies will have a reaction to a particular vaccine. If the vaccine is administered in several small doses, it is less likely to create a serious side effect such as autism.

Thanks for making parents aware of Autism Week, Mary Tara.

[jgibson2[$]]

Sorry for sidetracking the thread, but there are a few things I just can't let slide

frazzledspice said

Recently I heard that autism has increased many times in the population since the introduction of the measles vaccine, .

Just shows you can't believe everything you read on the internet. There's a lot of crap out there. This is a good example of crap. There has been an increase in DIAGNOSIS of autism spectrum disorders over the last 50 years (MMR was introduced 40+ years ago). This may well be related to improved diagnosis and the addition of several categories to the autism spectrum rather than an actual increase in the number of kids with autism spectrum disorders.

frazzledspice said

Most parents have not noticed any autistic symptoms in their children until after the administration of the measles vaccine at age 15 months or so.

However, a review of pediatrician records indicates that it is quite common for the pediatrician to have recorded some concerns prior to this in many infants eventually diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Another part of the picture is the nature of autism. Many of the symptoms are difficult to distinguish in infancy, because they relate to developmental issues which aren't apparent until kids start missing milestones.

frazzledspice said

Babies who have been shown to be susceptible to the DPT vaccine, for instance, have, in subsequent vaccines, been given several half and quarter doses..

Only by incompetent physicians. It has been demonstrated repeatedly that children who should not receive a full dose of the (no longer available) cellular pertussis vaccine should also not receive a half or quarter dose -- it doesn't provide the immune response that the full dose provides, but it does provide nearly the same risk -- but 2-4 times as often. The new acellular pertussis vaccine has eliminated that particular issue, by the way. There are far fewer reactions to the DTaP vaccine.

frazzledspice said

Maybe it's time we treat all babies this way. I recognize the good vaccines do, but it's hard to tell which babies will have a reaction to a particular vaccine. If the vaccine is administered in several small doses, it is less likely to create a serious side effect such as autism...

You're going to have to provide hard data for this statement. There is simply NO evidence that dividing vaccines is of any value at all.

[Joubert[$]]

As the parent of an autistic child who also has neurological issues, I am with Judy all the way. Years of study, multiple doctors, etc. have brought us to the conclusion that, like any medical issue, there is a ton of misinformation or unproven "facts" that circulate about autism.

One outstanding resource that everyone seems to agree on for Asperger's Syndrome is at http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/. I have used for OASIS for years and can't tell you the number of times it has proven helpful.

[lynnzop[$]]

George, thanks for that link. Someone very close to me has recently been diagnosed with Asperger's and I appreciate all the valid info I can find.

Mary Tara (and Bonnie, if you stop in ) best of luck on your awareness campaign. I think it's a wonderful idea to increase understanding and awareness. ((Hugs))

Lynn