AGE OF AUTISM

Olmsted on Autism: Tell Jon Stewart the Truth About "Denialist" Michael Specter

Tonight!

By Dan Olmsted    

Thursday, December 3, Jon Stewart will interview “Denialism” author Michael Specter on The Daily Show. The show, which helps shape the Zeitgeist, actively solicits comments from viewers, and I think we all ought to take them up on it, HERE. (Please also post your comments to this article and we’ll send them the whole thing.)

Michael Specter, you may recall, was the subject of my post in which I noted that he had plagiarized a significant passage from Paul Offit’s New England Journal of Medicine article making mincemeat of the Poling case, and had also committed several bad errors. The worst was saying that parent pressure – not the federal government – was behind the 1999 decision to ask drug companies to phase out thimerosal from infant vaccines. This, I said, is the sign of someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about and whose default mode is to blame the other side for everything – a rather major problem if your entire point is that OTHER PEOPLE don’t know what they’re talking about and are hurling accusations about with reckless abandon. (He also doesn’t know what encephalopathy means or when the MMR, the most controversial of any single vaccine, was approved.) It was once-over-lightly, hit-and-run, a journalistic drive-by shooting of the kind we are so familiar with now, but as I suggested the only target Specter managed to hit was his foot.

After our story ran, and to his credit, Specter apologized on his Web site under the headline: My Mistake and an Apology to Paul Offit. “There is nothing more important to me than accuracy, and there is no place in my book, ‘Denialism,’ where I tried harder to avoid careless mistakes than in the chapter called ‘Vaccines and the Great Denial.’  I didn't succeed, though, and I want to make sure readers are aware of that. ... It was an accidental oversight which I will correct as soon as new copies of the book are printed. I told Dr. Offit about the mistake as soon as I realized I had made it [in other words, as soon as WE told him he had made it!], and, as always, he was gracious. But I also wanted to make readers aware of the error, which I regret.”

Age of Autism Contest: Lori Bakes Gluten Free Cookbooks

Closing the contest tonight.  Leave a comment to enter!

Just in time for the holidays, we have two copies of two different cookbooks from Lori Karavolis. Check out her site Lori Bakes to see all of her cookbooks!

The first in our contest is: "Lori Bakes Gluten and Casein Free for Kids:" A collection of over 250 recipes geared towards children. All recipes are gluten and casein free bound into a soft cover kid friendly cookbook. All recipes taste tested and approved by Lori Bake's four children. Guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eater. Includes a BONUS recipe bookmarker for Twinkles and Filling

Gardasil Damage Stories Everywhere, When Will the FDA Act?

By J.B. Handley
 
Here is an except from my appearance on Larry King Live back in April of this year:
 
LARRY KING: J.B. Handley, they were saying earlier that they're not against you. They're open to listen to you. They just disagree with what you're saying. 


 
HANDLEY: The AAP doesn't listen at all, Larry. They never look at recovered children. They never look at recovered children. They rubber stamp every vaccine on the schedule. Dr. Fisher never answered why so few countries have picked up varicella, flu or rotavirus. Meantime, AAP rubber stamps every vaccine, like Gardasil, which is damaging teenaged girls right now, which will likely be pulled from the market very soon. There is the AAP rubber stamp on that vaccine.
 
My conviction to discuss Gardasil on Larry King came from THIS extremely disturbing report the NVIC had released in February 2009 sounding the alarm on the high number of VAERS reports of adverse events from Gardasil. Given FDA’s willingness to pull the RotaShield vaccine after far fewer adverse events, it reasoned to believe that Gardasil was destined to experience a similar fate. Right?
 
Unfortunately, every warning and prediction by NVIC appears to be coming true, and this is just from the cases actually making the news and being reported to VAERS, which we all know represent a tiny fraction of total cases. Below is just a small sample of reports that have been made public. Perhaps by seeing many stories in one place people will start to realize that these appear to be anything but rare events, and that Gardasil is creating lifetime disability or death for so many previously healthy girls.
 
What can you do to help? Just forward a link to this post to every parent of a daughter that you know, and beg them to read the articles. Below is just a brief summary of what has been reported in the press about the growing community of injured daughters known as the “Gardasil Girls”:
 
 
October 29, 2007, UK Telegraph:
Cervical cancer drug Gardasil linked to deaths
 
Fears have been raised over the safety of a cervical cancer vaccine which health officials plan to give all 12-year-old girls, after it was revealed that the drug has been linked to several deaths. Three young women are reported to have died days after the drug Gardasil was administered, while the jab is also suspected of triggering "adverse reactions" in 1,700 patients. The figures were uncovered by campaigners who made a freedom of information request in the US, where the vaccine was approved for use a year ago…
 

Support The National Autism Association Holiday Donation Drive

CLICK HERE to donate to NAA, whose work in research, direct assistance to families, wandering death and injury prevention and their conference is so important. (And this would make a nice brthday gift to their President, Warrior Mom Wendy Fournier. Happy Birthday, Wendy!) From Ann Brasher:

Dear Friends,
 
It’s that time of year when families, foundations and companies are making decisions about charitable giving. I encourage you to consider National Autism Association and if not able to give yourself, please pass this on to friends and family as well as your employer.

Whether autism directly affects your family or not, it is affecting 1 in 91 children in our country. There is much work to be done and great attention and awareness has been focused on the issue, but the existing families are drowning in debt because many services and medical interventions for this disorder are not covered. Families are falling apart due to the stress of 24 hour, 7 day a week care. Children are wandering away and being lost.

While NAA will continue to fund meaningful research and advocate for our children, our programs; Helping Hand (grants to cover medical care and therapies) Family First (intervention to help save marriages with emphasis on the impact of dealing with a disability) and FOUND (program with 100% recovery rate for those who wander through local police and fire) NAC, (our annual conference where parents can get the information they need to help their children) are all making a profound difference in lives NOW. Help NOW is what is needed while we wait for our government and state agencies to fully fund and service our children.

Call in for Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines 12/3 and 12/4

Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV)

December 3-4, 2009 Meeting Information
Dial-In:  1-888-323-2713  1-888-323-2713 
Passcode: ACCV
December 3rd:  1:00 - 5:30 pm ET
December 4th:  9:00 - 12:00 am ET 
AGENDA

The ACCV advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues relating to the operation of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). There are nine voting members who provide oversight of the VICP and recommend ways to improve the VICP.

2008 Draft Strategic National Vaccine Plan

The 2008 draft strategic National Vaccine Plan is the initial step in updating the 1994 National Vaccine Plan. The National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) coordinated the planning effort with (your Agency/Office), other HHS agencies, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The National Vaccine Program Office website (HERE) describes the process in more detail in the Introduction document, and the draft Plan can be reviewed there. NVPO is seeking comments about the draft Plan from interested stakeholders and the public. If you have comments, please email NVPO at nvpo@hhs.gov.

Katie Wright: Autism and Amanda Peet, By a Parasite

By Katie Wright

After reading the inane interview with Amanda Peet (who referred to parents who veer from the vaccination schedule as "parasites" in Cookie Magazine earlier this year) in this month’s “Self” magazine, I was compelled to satirize the piece in order to better reflect the full scope of Peet’s absurd and pompous proclamations about autism and vaccine safety.

Hmmm…. I am not a doctor, but I know one at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I am not the parent of a child with autism but I know all about what causes it and what doesn’t. I am not the parent of a child with a life threatening infectious disease but I have read about how prevalent this problem is in the THIRD WORLD. 

After hearing many scary stories about the prevalence of infectious diseases in the Third World I have decided to aggressively make the case for all American babies to be injected with 38 vaccines (healthy, unhealthy, premature- whatever!) by age 2.  I have “done my research” and “know the facts!” Sure I am the parent of one healthy, non special needs toddler but I am the expert here to tell all parents of autistic kids I know best. 

Some parents of autistic kids “say” they saw their kids regress, losing words, skills and their health after multiple vaccinations but I know better!   These parents “haven’t done their research” because I know multiple vaccinations are 100% safe! Those parents should be grateful their child does not have the measles! Did I tell you Paul Offit, multimillionaire, vaccine patent maker, is my mentor?

Dr. Offit and I firmly believe that there is no risk whatsoever to injecting babies with an unlimited number multiple vaccines.  Immune system, shummune system!  In fact Paul and I are initiating a new campaign for the company I represent. Sure, this organization is 90% funded by vaccine makers but we have no bias, I promise! Our new slogan is based on Dr. Offit’s proclamation that a baby could be vaccinated 100,000 times in one day. We are calling it: “Every Child 100,000 Vaccines by 2!” How is that for a time saver! Great, right?
Sure Offit and I are not clinicians. Offit and I never treated autistic children. Nor is either one of us the parent of an autistic child.  But we know better than all those sad parents “looking for something to blame!” The fact that Offit holds the patents for many of the vaccines he has shoehorned into the immunization schedule is not a conflict of interest!

Autism and Adulthood, the Looming Future

By Anne Dachel

Autism activist Julie Obradovic wrote An Autism Mom's Open Letter to Dr. Paul Offit in September of 2008. She wrote regarding his book, Autism's False Prophets and she made excellent points on the subject of vaccines and autism. 

I'm also publicly addressing Dr. Offit with an open letter.  My topic is the numbers.  For years whenever the media has covered autism, it's been about kids with autism.  Most of us never knew anyone with autism or who showed autistic traits when we were growing up but today everyone has a friend, relative, or acquaintance with an autistic child and no one can reasonably tell us why.  That will soon be changing.  We're starting to see news reports about the needs of adults with autism and the concerns of their parents.  Since Dr. Offit has been included in countless stories dismissing the claim that there's an epidemic of autism happening in our country, I'd like him to answer my questions on the subject. 
 
OPEN LETTER TO PAUL OFFIT
 
Dear Dr. Offit,
 
Since I follow the news coverage of autism on a daily basis and because I've read your book, Autism's False Prophets, quite thoroughly, I would like you to explain what we're seeing in the latest reports about the autism numbers.
 
I'm aware that you personally don't believe that there's been any real increase in the autism rate.  More kids don't really have autism, we're just diagnosing the disorder more often because of greater awareness on the part of doctors and because the definition of autism has been expanded to include less severe forms.  

Right at the beginning of Autism's False Prophets, you give us your reasons for the explosion in the autism rate.  "Two phenomena likely account for the increase.  First, the definition of autism has broadened to include children with milder, more subtle symptoms.  During the time of Leo Kranner and Bruno Bettelheim, children with mild symptoms of autism may have been described as 'quirky' or 'different' or 'unusual' but not autistic.  Today, these children are more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or Asperger's Syndrome or pervasive developmental delay.  Second, in the past children with severe symptoms of autism were often considered mentally retarded.  Today, as the number of children with severe autism has increased, the number with mental retardation has decreased." (p. 3-4 AFP)
 

Kim Stagliano on HuffPo: Paul Offit Pope of the Church of the Immaculate Vaccination

Please pop over to HuffPo (HERE) and comment, won't you?  Thanks.  Kim

I grew up in Boston, and am old enough to recall when the Catholic Church adamantly denied the sex scandal. Priests harming children? Sex abuse? No one wanted it to be true, and so it was easier to swallow the denials than to believe the children and adults whose lives were altered forever and who had the courage to speak out. That is, until the injured parties brought forth so much proof that the Church had to do its own digging and Catholics had to open their eyes and say, "My good God, the children and parents were right." The Church has survived and programs are in place to avoid going back to those dark times.

The November issue of Wired Magazine included a cover story titled, Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endangers Us All, about vaccination. Wired, "The magazine of the digital future" writing about vaccination? The only digit here is Dr. Offit waving his middle finger at the vaccine safety community...

Support Autism Research & Shop for the Holidays at the SafeMinds Auction!

Wow, check out the 97 items in the auction for SafeMinds.  We autism families might not be able to afford everything on the list, but we can share the link with family and friends who ask, "How can I help?"

Items include lunch with David Kirby, lunch with Katie Wright, an autographed baseball by NY Yankee Mariano Rivera, gift cards to your favorite retailer and many more!

Click HERE to go to the auction site now! Bidding ends on December 10.

Autism: The Roots of Comorbidity

By Teresa Conrick

The recent Chicago Tribune hit-and-run piece on autism treatments and those who support them was such an injustice to the true medical issues that our children have that it spurred me into an investigation about the recurring theme that many media outlets employ -- ignore the true medical issues of autism and just discuss treatment of the symptoms (and bash those who disobey). Those treatments, for symptoms only, often include powerful, sedating and off-label psychiatric drugs that have many dangerous side effects.

So again, a look back in time often uncovers some striking parallels and possibly sheds some light about the illness of autism and its behavioral symptoms. Investigating the incidence of medical issues in that population brought me to an AUG. 27, 1949 BMJ study called INCIDENCE OF PHYSICAL DISORDERS AMONG PSYCHIATRIC IN-PATIENTS A STUDY OF 175 CASES by H. E. S. MARSHALL , at Psychiatric Unit, St. George's Hospital in London. (HERE)

The conclusion:

The number of patients studied was 175, comprising 124 women and 51 men ."All were in need of psychiatric attention, and no purely physical criterion entered into their selection.  But in no fewer than 77 patients (44%) ... some physical condition needing attention was found." And this was equally interesting --  "In 39 patients (22%) the physical condition was considered to contribute to the development of the psychological illness."

That's an interesting conclusion - that a physical condition contributed to the development of a psychiatric condition.

In 1996, while my Megan was sick with mysterious viral illnesses, rashes, chronic ear infections, GI pain, diarrhea and vomiting, she received a diagnosis of "autism" which then began the detour of true medical help. Ironically, this journal article appeared that same year in "Health and Social Work, Vol. 21", "STUDIES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS."  (HERE)

The Science Behind HBOT For Autism Today on Voice America

On the VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Autism One: A Conversation of Hope

Tuesday, December 1
12 noon ET / 11 am CT / 9 am PT
www.health.voiceamerica.com

The Science behind the Use of Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Treatment Option for Children with Autism with Kyle Van Dyke, MD, Lauren Underwood, PhD, and Kelly Adams.

  Join Teri and her guests from the worlds of clinical practice, research, and parenting a child with autism as they answer the following questions:  What is hyperbaric oxygen?  What are the therapeutic principles of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?  How can mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy help underlying conditions of autism?  Is it safe?  And more. 

The treatment category is sponsored by Lee Silsby, the leader in quality compounded medications for autism.

It's Time for Our Age of Autism Awards Nominations

Editor's Note: Again this year, Age of Autism will name the year's winners and warriors (and a few sinners) -- and we want your nominations. Please send them by Dec. 10 to me at olmsted.dan@gmail.com. There are several obvious categories involving people, events, publications and media moments. But true to our reader-inspired spirit here at AOA, we'll let you decide.

2008 winners -- who are thus ineligible though much appreciated -- included Dr. Andrew Wakefield (The Gailieo Award), Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey (Couple of the Year), David Kirby (Journalist of the Year), Katie Wright (Mother of the Year), Hannah Poling (Child of the Year) and Dr. Bernadine Healy ((Person of the Year).

But think creatively -- what mattered most in '09 and who or what deserves to be honored? Tell us why, too, and we'll run many of your comments, along with winners and runners-up, over the year-end holidays. (Worst moments, lousiest books, newspaper or magazine article, dumbest quotes also are welcome! We wouldn't want to leave anyone off-it.) -- Dan Olmsted

From SafeMinds: Confusion Ensues as IACC Adopts Vaccine Research Objective

By Theresa Wrangham

As someone who regularly listens and/or attends meetings of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), I was stunned and confused by the statements made by IACC public member Alison Singer in the Autism Science Foundation’s recent press release regarding vaccine research adopted by the IACC on November 10th. While it is true that two vaccine objectives in the draft were rejected, it is more accurate to say that the two vaccine objectives were deleted and a new vaccine objective adopted. In terms of this research not being based on “good science” it is clear the Ms. Singer must have attended a different meeting from the one I attended.

The addition of language from the Institute’s of Medicine’s (IOM) 2004 report on vaccines and autism clarifies that the current body of epidemiological research is limited in detecting subpopulations genetic susceptibilities to vaccines. The focus of the new objective is to detect these subpopulations and identified vaccines as an area of possible investigation. This language also alludes to the same recommendations made by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC – an expert federal advisory committee) this past June with regard to investigation of subpopulations and conducting research via animal models and cell cultures. Ms. Singer would do well to familiarize herself with the recognized deficits in vaccine safety research noted by the IOM and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC – a federal advisory committee of experts) and the “good science” needed as it applies to autism. Below are additional salient quotes from IOM 2004 that hold implications for the IACC’s strategic plan:

“The committee notes several factors that limit acceptance at this time of the hypothesis that vaccines cause autism… However, the experiments showing effects of thimerosal on biochemical pathways in cell culture systems and showing abnormalities in the immune system or metal metabolism in people with autism are provocative; the autism research community should consider the appropriate composition of the autism research portfolio with some of these new findings in mind...”

Please click HERE to read the full post and watch a video at the SafeMinds site.

The Heroes of Autism Video

This is a beautiful way to end the holiday weekend. Thank you to AL for creating the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev8onanMtxc

The Original Wines For Autism Supports Autism Orgs and an Autism Family

We'd like to introduce you to Christine Roffi, founder of the online wine retailer, Wines for Autism.

By ordering your holiday spirits from Christine, you'll support a worthy autism organization and a family with an autistic child as well.  Each bottle arrives with a Ribbon Awareness label and features the websites of the current autism biomedical non-profit (NPO) partner. A third of the gross profits from all sales of WFA Inc. goes to the featured NPO, which is NAA  from now until the end of January, 2010.

Please, tell your co-workers, friends and family about Wines for Autism! Here's a note From Christine:

Dear Friend,

Wines for Autism was started by me, a stay-at-home mom, who is directly affected by autism. The goal of Wines for Autism is to promote awareness that there is hope for children suffering from an autism spectrum disorder and to help fund non-profit organizations that aid the families affected by autism.

From witnessing my son’s significant progress I have made it my goal to spread awareness of the effectiveness of biomedical interventions while supporting charities that share my beliefs. The vehicle I have created to do this is the Wines for Autism program.

Watch Autism In the Criminal Justice System by Dennis Debbaudt

Click HERE to watch Autism In the Criminal Justice System by Dennis Debbaudt of Autism Risk Management. Dennis Debbaudt is the leading global voice on autism training for law enforcement and emergency responders.  His work becomes ever more important as youngsters with autism grow into teens and adults who may interact with the justice system as a result of their communication and social impairments.

Autism In The Criminal Justice System produced by Debbaudt Legacy Productions for the State of North Carolina:

• illustrates verbal and non verbal communications difficulties experienced by persons with autism who may become victims, witnesses or offenders in the criminal justice system

• offers advice and information for criminal justice professionals they may interact with

• features persons with autism, criminal justice professionals and autism professionals through vignette and interviews 

Produced by Debbaudt Legacy Productions, LLC

Inquiries and feedback via: http://www.autismriskmanagement.com or ddpi@flash.net

Autism In The Criminal Justice System © 2009 State of North Carolina

Brief Background:

The North Carolina Joint Legislative Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and First Responders was established in 2005 and reappointed in 2007 by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The committee was authorized to study the availability and appropriateness of autism-specific training and education for law enforcement personnel, community colleges, public safety personnel, first responder units, judges, district attorneys, defense attorneys, magistrates, and related organizations.

An Autism Mom's Video Response to the Chicago Tribune Story

“This Too Shall Pass…..”

By Jacey Capurso

I sit here, banging away on my computer, as I continue to reverse the effects of my local hometown rag’s recent articles on biomedical interventions. Family, friends and foes have all emailed me the articles with “Have you seen this?” in the subject box. I have responded to each and every one of them. I reply with one line comprised of one link of one boy who conquered one disorder in the video below.

Living in the Chicago area last week had fired me up once again. Local biomed moms were more than prepared for the articles as emails and yahoo group posts flew around the Windy City. The news of the imminent publishing of, again, some crappy story on biomedical treatments for autism was the hot topic of the week. Honestly, I have resorted to not even justifying the articles as they are absolutely ludicrous. I believe some journal articles justify a healthy back and forth discussion about the treatments, but this series of reporting (if that is what they call it) was not even worth one breath.

A Quick Guide to the “Green Vaccines” Initiative

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

Okay, you’ve had time to digest the new direction I want to take our movement but let me go over the basics. (Please see our earlier posts, The Green Vaccines Initiative, Learn More and Kent's introduction to the Green Vaccines initiative.)

We’re not going to get anywhere with our current legal system because everything gets funneled into Vaccine Court.  We’re not going to get far with the current media because they’re so heavily funded by pharmaceutical drug ads.  We’re not going to get far with the medical community because they’re part of the machinery.

And don’t even get me started on the politicians.  On one hand you have pharma handing out millions of dollars to politicians, and on the other you have parents of children with autism who are slowly bankrupted by this disease.  Who do you think is going to have more money to “support” the politician of their choice?

And that brings me to the “Green Vaccines” initiative which simply seeks to do the same job the medical community should have been doing all these years.  We’re at the beginning of this process, but these are the ideas we want the political consultants to “poll-test” to determine support.  They told me specifically to go broad to see how people react to the various ideas. 

The time to winnow out ideas will come later.  Without recounting all the ideas at length, there were five general areas.

1.  Research/Testing – Oregon requests the federal government to return the records of the Vaccine Safety Data-Link from private industry and make them available to independent researchers, conduct a study of vaccinated and unvaccinated children, study the health effects of aluminum adjuvants, and other substances used in vaccines like hydrolyzed gelatin and sorbitol.

2.  Disclosure/Informed Consent – Comparison of Oregon schedules with that of the CDC and other first world countries and full disclosure of vaccine ingredients, as well as the level of safety testing on them.

Dr. Mercola Speaks to CBS Reporter Sharyl Attkisson on Reality of H1N1 "Epidemic"

(Managing Editor's Note: We have a contest with one of Dr.M's newest products coming up. Stay tuned!)

Dr. Mercola speaks to investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson of CBS on the H1N1 epidemic. Click Superstar CBS Reporter Blows the Lid Off the Swine Flu Media Hype and Hysteria to hear the interview.

From Dr. Mercola's site: Sharyl Attkisson is a CBS News correspondent and investigative reporter. She’s covered Capitol Hill since February 2006 and has been a Washington-based correspondent there since January 1995. She was also part of the CBS news team that received the Edward Murrow Award in 2005 for overall excellence. Additionally, she received an Outstanding Investigative Journalism Emmy in 2002 for a series on the Red Cross.

In case you didn't realize it, Sharyl Attkisson is the investigative reporter behind the groundbreaking CBS News study that found H1N1 flu cases are NOT as prevalent as feared.

In fact, they’re barely on the radar screen.

How did this startling information come about, and why is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) painting a different picture entirely? I spoke directly with Sharyl Attkisson to find out.

When Journalists Play the Telephone Game - Part 2

Read Part 1 HERE.

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

As somebody who regularly writes about autism issues, I feel a responsibility to the families of children with autism.  I feel a responsibility to those who search for an answer and also those who are on the very cutting edge of solving this problem.  Let there be no doubt. I believe this problem WILL be solved one day.  And it will be done safely.

I must confess it's confusing to me when journalists like Trine Tsouderos and Patricia Callahan in the November 23, 2009 article "Autism Treatment: Science Hijacked to Support Alternative Therapies" seem to have no such feelings of responsibility or even intellectual curiosity.

I'll begin with the first part of the article.  It describes how Dr. Carlos Pardo and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins found neuroinflammation in the brains of people with autism who had died in accidents.  This research was published in 2005, nearly five years ago.  Do they have any additional information since that time?  Is anything imminent?  Additionally, the article goes on to say "the scientists did not know whether the inflammation was good or bad, or even how it might relate to autism."

I understand in the scientific process you may not definitively know the relevance of a finding, but you should at least have a general opinion as to whether something is good or bad to spur further research.  How about this?  Since autism is not a normal state, the finding of something so abnormal as neuro-inflammation may indicate a clue as to the condition.  Would that be too great a leap to make?  Yes, we understand that a fever is a positive response of the body to an infection, but in and of itself it is not a good thing.  It is fighting off a bad thing.  Too high of a fever can damage the body.

Pediatric SuperSite's Paul Offit Article: High Praise and Two RotaqTeq Ads.

Pediatric SuperSite says Advertising Though PediatricSuperSite.com is supported by advertising, its acceptance of advertising in no way implies endorsement by the editors, publisher or editorial boards. All advertisements appearing on PediatricSuperSite.com are placed in fixed positions that are predetermined. The positioning of advertisements is not related to editorial content or known in advance of an article's publication; any appearance otherwise is simply coincidence. Like this RotaTeq ad in two locations on the screen along with an article about Dr. Paul Offit, who sold the patent for the vaccine. Ah, serendipity! Sometimes it really is better to be lucky than good!

Click the photo to increase size. To learn we find this ironic, read Voting Himself Rich: CDC Vaccine Adviser Made $29 Million Or More After Using Role to Create Market.

Voting Himself Rich: CDC Vaccine Adviser Made $29 Million Or More After Using Role to Create Market

Posted on the Pediatric SuperSite on November 21, 2009

Omnibus autism decision: ‘Good science wins out in the end’

Order a Whitney Original Christmas Wreath to Support Autism Research

Smell the fresh pine! Order an affordable Whitney Original Christmas Wreath and they will donate 20% of the proceeds to The National Autism Association. Order yours today! Type in NAA as your promotional code.

Happy Thanksgiving from Age of Autism

Happy Thanksgiving! We're grateful for you, our readers, for our organization sponsors TACA,  SafeMinds, ARI, NAA and Generation Rescue, and for our all of our advertisers and our sponsor Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy.

Tell us what or whom you're grateful for today in our comments.

Parent Testimonial for Lee Silsby's Enhansa Curcumin Supplement and Autism

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a post about gratitude from a Mom using Enhansa from our sponsor Lee Silsby.  Thank you to everyone who is dedicated to helping our loved ones lead the healthiest, most productive life possible.

On our journey through Autism, I've been told many times with intent to support and give me hope "this works great". I'm sure parents like myself can relate to the broken heart and pockets when the miracle doesn't ignite. Its the worst let down to spend already scarce money on something that after a few weeks of use is placed on the storage supplement shelf to collect dust along side of many other.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the great results with Enhansa. I did in the beginning have a problem getting my son, (*), to take the new flavored supplement. After mastering masking (more of a blending) the distinctive flavor, the obvious results encouraged me to up his dosage. A recommendation from a warrior mother of Autism that worked for me was to melt Xylitol in a spoon and add it to Enhansa. That and adding it to a little juice did the trick for Ish. 

2 months later @ 600 mg a day he is smiling and connecting in a way I haven't seen since he was a baby. The fear that normally holds him back is disappearing everyday before my eyes. His face is alive with warm color and ruby red lips. I never realized how pale he was until now. He's becoming more alive in every way. I am so excited and welcome the future again.

My 3 all time favorites fighting Autism are B-12 injections, HBOT and now Enhansa. Thank you Alan!!!! Keep up the miraculous products your company produces and the love for our children that keeps you inspired.

I will keep you updated on (*'s) progress. The journey is not so scary anymore because now there is a little light at the end of the tunnel.

The treatment category is sponsored by Lee Silsby, the leader in quality compounded medications for autism.

From SafeMinds: E-Waste, A Rapidly Growing Problem

10 Sources of Mercury You Can Do Something About

E-Waste, A Rapidly Growing Problem

Before you upgrade your computer, buy a new cell phone or indulge in that enormous HDTV, think twice. The current trend towards the shorter useful lifespan of electronic hardware with each generation of technological advances is creating a massive amount of waste and that waste is not always being handled responsibly. The average useful lifespan of a computer was once 5 years, but that lifespan is now down to about 2 years. Electronic waste can contain lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and mercury along with a host of other toxins so it is important that we all consider reusing, donating and recycling as part of our responsibility as owners and users of these products.

E-waste is defined as electronic waste and includes computers, televisions, cell phones, printers, PDAs, calculators, fax machines, DVD players, VCRs, radios, answering machines and similar products. The term EEE (electric and electronic equipment) overlaps with e-waste and includes larger appliances as well. While lead in e-waste has been much more carefully studied and the average amount of mercury per unit of e-waste may be “low” (2-10mg), the staggering demand for electronics worldwide makes mercury from e-waste a significant problem. In 1999, a report to the European Parliament estimated that 22% of mercury consumption worldwide is used in electronics.

Read the full post at the SafeMinds website HERE.

Boy Doomed to Institution Now Yearns to be President

As we posted earlier this week in Teri Arranga's article Cherry Picking Science, the Chicago Tribune reporter met and spoke with both Mark Macluskie and his mother, Cynthia, at the Autism One 2009 Conference.  The reporter had no interest in meeting a recovered child, one for whom a previous prognosis of institutionalization had been rendered.  The Chicago Tribune condemns biomedical treatments such as those that help children like Mark recover and have a better chance for a healthier, safer, happier life.  Now Mark has dreams of becoming the president and wanting to help children diagnosed with autism as his mission in office.  Biomedical treatments are restoring the dream that any little boy or girl can grow up to be president. 

What dreams is the Chicago Tribune restoring? 

We are posting below Mark's creative writing paper for school on what he would do if he were president for a day.


The Day I Became President
By Mark Macluskie

The day I became President . . . I should probably tell you about that day. So, I will. It all happened. It all happened one night when I was reading my book. I got up and got a glass of water, when I saw on the kitchen table the Sunday newspaper. It had an ad in it that said a there was a video game contest and the grand prize was a day as the President. In the next week, I sent in my masterpiece. Three weeks later I got a reply. It said “Dear Mark, you have won the grand prize: A free trip to Washington, D.C. and a day as President.” Oh my goodness!!!! I could not believe what I was reading. It said we were supposed to go in two days. This was awesome.

Trine Tsouderos Responds to Autism Article Email

By Teresa Conrick

Below is an email just freshly sent out to me and probably hundreds of others who wrote to Trine Tsouderos regarding her biased reporting about autism and the biomedical treatments that are saving our children.  I did not find it helpful as it seemed quite defensive and just reiterated her initial reporting - that she is right and we, thousands of parents, doctors, and researchers are wrong. My original email to Trine is below her email response.

I do agree that Dr. Martha Herbert is one of the best, credentialed autism experts yet her comments were mangled into a series of misquotes instead of what Dr. Herbert wanted, which was, "articulating physiological issues in autism."  That definitely was not the goal of this article.

If it were only you and I "disagreeing on an issue," Trine, that would be fine but do you not realize that there will be children who will not get medical help because of your bias and deceptive writing?   So , yes...have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Dear Teresa,

Thank you for your note.

I am sorry we cannot agree on the issue, but we stand by our conclusions, which  are based on exhaustive research and talking with some of the most highly regarded, best-credentialed experts in the field.

Best wishes and hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving, Trine

No Longer Autistic! Recovery is Possible.

We're happy to share a recovery story from The Autism File written by Lisa Mize of Arizona. Click HERE to read the full story.

...Ricky received strong antioxidants and an oral chelator for four months during kindergarten. With each round he made huge leaps in cognitive functions, social
awareness, and language. He began to interact with his peers. He wanted to play! He participated in class. At one point his teacher, a 30-year elementary school
veteran, pulled me aside and said, “I don’t know what you are doing, but whatever it is,
don’t stop!” Round after round, he dumped huge amounts of metals. And round by round, we began to see our son again.

(The holidays are here. The Autism File makes a great teacher, therapist, doctor or family member gift.)

The treatment category is sponsored by Lee Silsby, the leader in quality compounded medications for autism.

France 24's Face-off: Dramatic Debate on Swine Flu Vaccination

“In the medieval age, when there was an epidemic, people burned Jews. That was a way of doing something.”

From the English language service of French TV, Dr Marc Girard slugs it out with Dr Jean-Jacques Zambrowski, criticising the authorities for intervening in a primitive and senseless way to the swine flu threat. Click HERE to watch the debate on France 24's Face-Off.

Girard also reveals that in the preliminary tests for GSK’s Pandemrix vaccine (a mock-up using the H5N1 avian flu strain) there were seven unexplained deaths (p.57 HERE).

Marc Girard is a consultant in drug monitoring and pharmacoepidemiology. His book about the swine flu episode was published in October (HERE.)

Children's Of Boston Plays it Safe With Autism Research.

By Katie Wright

In writing about Dr. Hanson’s article for Children’s Hospital of Boston, “Is Autism Really on the Rise?" (HERE)  my intention was to draw attention to the serious disconnect between how researchers perceive autism and how our children experience autism.  Nowhere is this disconnect more apparent than in research priorities. All too often we see autism research centers conducting almost entirely genetic/ face processing orientated autism research which hugely diverges from the actual research and treatment needs of ASD children, many of whom are chronically ill and have no place to go for medical treatment.

Matt Cyr of CHB wrote that I implied that CHB conducts the research they do for financial gain. I never said that and do not believe that to be the case. I see no nefarious motivations behind the institution’s dated and irresponsible autism research agenda. I think CHB is simply doing research that is safe, noncontroversial and relatively easy to get funded and published. However, this strategy has not served our children.

Let’s look at research CHB is currently conducting:

• Spatial Processing, why autistic kids like electronic media
• Face Processing
• Let’s Face It (more face gazing)
• 88 Middle Eastern Families and their genetic clues to autism
• Tuberous Sclerosis face processing vs regular autism and face processing

CHB has received millions from the NIH and AS to study these subjects.  My point is not that all this research is worthless or that CHB doesn’t care about kids living today with autism. The problem is that these topics, such as facial gazing, are dated, grossly over funded, redundant and  offer little help, relevancy or hope to the families who secured these research funds in the first place.  Autism families all over the country have worked incredibly hard advocating for more research dollars for this disease. We have taken our children to Congress, to the Senate, campaigned relentlessly for the CAA, raised money from friends and families in the hope that we might finally achieve some causation and treatment breakthroughs that will help our children. Sadly, that has not been the case.  I challenge any autism researcher to find families clamoring for more eye gazing research or more research into Tuberous Sclerosis. What you will find are families whose children desperately need clinically applicable research into combating brain inflammation and regression,  PANDAS and autism, GI disease, dietary interventions, seizures and toxicity...