AGE OF AUTISM

ABC News Philadelphia Offers Fair Coverage

By Anne Dachel

Dr. Offit's hometown of Philadelphia's ABC 6 offered one of the more balanced presentations of his new book, Autism's False Prophets. Click HERE.

They should be congratulated.  They did their job.  Not only did they say that 'the controversy is far from over,' they also gave us parents who claimed that their children became autistic after receiving certain shots.  And ABC 6 cited Offit's ties to the vaccine industry.

ABC 6 included a doctor who uses biomedical treatment and is recovering kids.  They reported that Dr. Allan Magaziner "thinks vaccines may be one of many environmental triggers that can cause autism in genetically pre-disposed kids."  And the doctor got to make the eye-opening statement, 'When pharmaceutical companies test, they only test one vaccine at a time, but what happens when we're putting five, six, seven vaccines in a child at one time.'

That's balanced coverage. 

Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism.

Stealth Viruses - The Secret Face of Autism?

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

In November of 1995, Dr. W. John Martin, chief of the Immunology/Molecular Pathology Unit at the Los Angeles County Medical Center, as well as a Professor of Pathology at the University of Southern California,  presented findings to the Institute of Medicine suggesting that the polio vaccine had been contaminated with simian cytomegalovirus from African Green Monkeys.  (The polio vaccine was cultured in kidney tissue from African Green Monkeys.)

Stunning New Link Between Vaccines and Autism Rates

Editor's note: We received the following information and charts from someone who wishes to maintain a low profile. This very compelling data is well worth looking at and we welcome thoughts about its significance. Below are excerpts from several e-mails she exchanged with us. The charts and notes (HERE) are dy-noh-MITE! As we've said before, smart, concerned and informed citizen-scientist-parents are the CDC's worst nightmare -- and the best hope for getting to the bottom of the epidemic of autism and related disorders. We hope this low-key stay-at-home mom continues to match her very sharp wits against the vaccine apologists. We'll keep you posted. -- Dan Olmsted
--
I used the "Autism Rates by Birth Years" data from TACA Now and compared it to public records about vaccine histories.  I found that since the DTP vaccine in 1949 the ONLY time period with NO increase in autism cases is also the only time period with NO vaccines added to the CHILDHOOD schedule. The hep b was licensed during this time but it was not given to children until 1990.  Also, the Hib was reformulated for infants in 1987, but due to a shortage, it was not added to the schedule until 1990 (There was a HUGE jump in autism rates in 1990).  See for yourself.

The Illinois Autism Coverage that Almost Was

By Julie Obradovic

What do you do if you have a health crisis unparalleled to any other affecting children in your state that isn’t being properly covered by insurance?

Well, if you’re certain Illinois legislators, the answer is simple:  Put politics first.

Cystic Fibrosis, Autism and Flu Vaccine

Managing Editor's Note:  I received this email from the mom of a child with Cystic Fibrosis. I'm running it with her permission, although I've removed her name for privacy reasons. I'm hearing from parents in all walks of life that they are afraid of the ramifications of over-vaccinating their children. Paul Offit may have gone after us -- the autism community -- for lifting the wool that had been firmly tugged over health consumers' eyes - he's going to have to write several more books to cover all of the parents who now have very real questions about our national vaccination policy as it relates to each individual child. At least his agent will be happy.

My son is not a child with autism.  He is however a child with cystic fibrosis, sensory integration dysfunction, horrible allergies and a former preemie.  People with cystic fibrosis have their own gut issues, similar but not quite the same as people with autism.  In searching for help with his sensory issues I discovered the autism community.

Dan Olmsted's Monthly Radio Interview

Here's Dan's new interview with Coy Barefoot of NewsRadio 1070 WINA in Charlottesville, Va., which ranges from the fall election to the shingles epidemic triggered by the chickenpox vaccine. This is the start of a monthly presence on Coy's show -- thanks to Coy for all he does to keep this issue in the forefront and for saying Age of Autism is "the place to go on the Internet if you want the very latest on autism here in America."

Listen to the MP3 file here:

Podcast produced by Charlottesville Podcasting Network* Player by Odeo

Win $50 Free Autism Supplements from OurKidsASD!

The winner is KAREN FULLER. CONGRATS!

OurKidsASD is running a contest for $50 in free autism supplements (plus free ground shipping)! OurKidsASD is part of Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy and offers hundreds of the products you use to treat your children. Enter to win at www.ourkidsasd.com/contest.

Comments are closed for this post. You can only enter the contest at OurKidsASD. We'll announce the winner on Monday. Good luck!

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

Phalse Profits: Offit's Book Peaks At 8,173

By J.B. Handley

The autism organizations waiting for a donation from Paul Offit from the profits of his new book should re-calibrate their expectations. While I'm not a book publisher, I'm guessing that the profits are quickly approaching zero.

One of the many cool things about Amazon.com is that it publishes a real-time rank of every book sold on their site. Given that Offit got most of his PR over this weekend and some stories reported that today is the day his book hits the market, Amazon should be a decent proxy for sales performance.

Obama Campaign Accepts Autism Mom's Info

By Allison Chapman

Earlier this month, Claudine Liss posted of her encounter with Senator Barack Obama… “Last Friday evening, September 5, 2008, I had the opportunity to ask Senator Barack Obama about childhood vaccine safety/choice.  His response, “I am not for selective vaccination, I believe that it will bring back deadly diseases, like polio.”

I don’t think even Claudine knew what kind of reaction this would create in a community where so many of us watched our children regress immediately following vaccines.  I know when I read those words my heart sank.  I thought; we have failed to give him the proper amount of information, does he really know what the magnitude of this question was, etc.  As a personal lifelong lefty as well as an A-CHAMP/ACC non partisan district leader, I felt I had failed in some way to make sure he was receiving the information our community so desperately needed him to have. 

An Autism Mom's Open Letter to Dr. Paul Offit

By Julie Obradovic

Dear Dr. Offit,

I am writing in regard to your new book, Autism’s False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine and Finding a Cure.

It would be premature to say for sure, but I am willing to bet I would be considered a “False Prophet” in your eyes. I am a mother who witnessed her daughter regress into Autism, and I am a mother who believes it was because of her vaccines. I dedicate much of my time to helping other parents who experienced the same thing with their own children.

I also make it a point to encourage parents to research vaccine safety carefully before blindly subjecting their children to it. In fact, I can count at least 10 children under the age of 3 right now who have been spared the one-size-fits-all approach to administering vaccines because of my advice. They are undoubtedly part of any decrease in vaccination rates.

Some critics call me an irresponsible anti-vaccine zealot for this. Frankly, I am baffled by that; I am simply advocating for more independent and relevant research into their safety and administration. I am also simply telling parents to do their homework; any decision they make not to vaccinate is theirs.

Georgia on My Mind: But Not So Much Mercury In It?

From the Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle.com

ATLANTA --- It's going to be a little harder to get a flu shot at some Georgia pharmacies this season.

Several of the state's large pharmacy chains said Friday they'll require each customer to have a prescription from their doctor to get a shot. For years now, patients have been able to pay a fee and a pharmacist would administer the shot without the customer needing any paperwork.

But a complaint filed this year with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy prompted a surprising legal decision: the flu vaccine is classified as a dangerous drug in Georgia, which means a prescription has been needed all along.

Autism Insurance Bill Fails in Illinois

Managing Editor's Note:  An autism/insurance bill passed in my state of Connecticut this year, effective January, 2009. Since my husband's company's insurance is "self-funded" they are exempt from including my girls. So even with a law (touted here as a huge success) I can count three children with autism who will NOT get their services covered. 

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports that 5-year-old Brianna Di Cianni talks now. That is amazing to those who remember how silent she was when diagnosed two years ago with autism. Her mother and father have so far spent more than $70,000 to get Brianna the best treatment, none of it covered by insurance.

A proposal that would have mandated such insurance coverage was killed last night in the Illinois House.

"This was our fourth shot at getting this bill passed and I can't believe that we didn't get it," said Peter Di Cianni, Brianna's father. Click HERE to read more.

Olmsted on Autism: Paul Offit, False Prophet

By Dan Olmsted

Paul Offit is the Philadelphia cream cheese of the autism debate -- he smears so effortlessly. It was on page 149 that I finally had enough of his latest smear-fest, Autism’s False Prophets. I put the book down and thought of attorney Joseph Welch’s famous rejoinder to Sen. Joe McCarthy at the Army-McCarthy hearings:

“Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty, or your recklessness. … Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

Here is the passage that brought me to this point. Offit, chief of infectious diseases and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is talking about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was telling Don Imus how his concern about environmental mercury contamination led him to look into the mercury used in vaccines.

“In his explanation to Imus, Kennedy had omitted a few facts about how he had became an activist,” Offit writes.

The Autism File Magazine Now in Bookstores!

The Autism File: International Autism Magazine Now Available in Bookstores in US & Canada

A North American edition of The Autism File, the longest running international autism magazine, has been released for distribution to 2000 bookstores in the United States and Canada. The Autism File, published in the UK for over 10 years, is also available in Spain (in Spanish) and Australia. The Autism File’s Scientific and Editorial Advisory Boards are made up of leading autism experts and advocates from around the world.

The Best Year for our Kids

By J.B. Handley

On September 18, 2007, Jenny McCarthy appeared on Oprah to talk about her son's recovery from autism and her new book, Louder Than Words. Since that day, our world has never been the same.

Was it a great twelve months for our kids? You bet it was, and it's only beginning. Herewith, my Top 10 events of the last twelve months that are serving to revolutionize our movement, spread the truth about autism, and hopefully get us to a place very soon where new autism cases are being prevented and even more children are recovering.

1. Jenny

How do you ever measure what Jenny has done for our kids and our community? Before Jenny the connection between vaccines and autism and the notion of autism being recoverable were whispers. Now, they're shouts. Jenny has said so many great, important things. This simple line is perhaps my favorite: "It's so easy when you stand on truth. When you stand on truth, no one can knock you down."

Autism One Organizes Illinois Advocacy Program

THE ILLINOIS "STAY AT HOME" MOM MARCH: Bringing change home.

We are proud to announce the Illinois Stay at Home Mom March. This January, parents, grandparents, family members and friends will meet with state senators and representatives to enlist their support of legislation to help end the autism epidemic.   

While we might not be able to travel long distances, be away for more than a few hours, spend money that is needed on a thousand and one other expenses, or get ourselves arrested, we can still advocate locally and effectively. This "march," the marchers are "staying home" to bring the message to the Illinois State Legislature, one parent and one legislator at a time.

No politics today. Deal?

Governor Corzine Signs Bill to Assist Autism Community

From the New Jersey Star Ledger on two new bills, one devoted to autism safety. Our little boys and girls are growing into young men and women who will live and work in our communities. Best our safety forces know how to help them when they meet.

The other bill signed by Corzine yesterday requires the state to establish an autism awareness training course for emergency medical technicians, firefighters and police officers.

"Autism is an invisible disability one that is not always immediately recognized," Corzine said. "That's why it's important that we supply our emergency responders with accurate information on how to treat and work with these special needs individuals."

(Thanks to Ray for sending us the link.)

Katie Wright: Our Family Vacation was a Disaster

By Katie Wright

Our family vacation was a disaster.

Thanks to Dr. Boris, the autism and allergy king of New York, Christian's myriad allergies are normally under control here in New York City. The special nose spray Boris prescribed for Christian has alleviated the worst of his suffering in New York City. You name it, Christian is allergic to it: gluten, trees, grass, wheat, mold and so on.  Because Christian also has a severe case of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, whenever his allergies are triggered, his bowel disease rapidly worsens. As all autism parents of kids like mine know, the immune system and the gastrointestinal system are one.

American Medical Autism Board Launched

Dr. Phillip C. DeMio, Chairman of the American Medical Autism Board, announced the commencement of the newly founded American Medical Autism Board (www.asdboards.org) at the US Autism & Asperger Association annual conference this past week in Austin, Texas. “This is the first of its kind board / diplomate certification program for medical doctors specializing in biomedical treatment of autism and related disorders,” explained Dr. DeMio. 

Is Autism Speaks' Geri Dawson a Blithering Idiot?

By J.B. Handley

When Thomas Burbacher released a study in 2005 showing that Thimerosal, when injected into chimps, not only ended up in their brains but at levels much higher than other forms of mercury, it should have been a crippling blow to the medical establishment's claim that Thimerosal was "safe" to be injected into babies.

However, the mainstream press was able to turn Burbacher's findings upside-down and articles were written about the study that provided millions of parents with false reassurances.

I'm Not a One Issue Voter. Not Even For Autism.

Kim Stagliano

Boy, the posts and the comments about the candidates have been flying fast and furious here at Age of Autism. I'd thought I'd steer clear of commentary, but that's sort of what I do, isn't it? So here I am, putting my opinion out there for you to, er, enjoy.  I could say this in two sentences: I'm not a one issue voter.  Not even this time around. Of course, it's far more fun to expound.

SafeMinds Reminds: IACC Budget Meeting Wed., Sept. 10

NIH Seeks Public Comment on Strategic Plan for Autism Research Public Comment on Strategic Plan Ends September 30th, next Budget Meeting September 10th

Public commentary on the Strategic Plan has begun and budgetary materials are available on request (download 8/8/08 meeting slides HERE and cost estimates HERE.) SafeMinds will issue an analysis of the continued disparity regarding the continued heavy funding of genetic/genomic studies and the lack of funding for environmental factor X gene interaction, vaccine specific research and the associated lack of expertise in the strategic planning process early next week. It is important that the public is aware of the opportunity to provide feedback to NIH and SafeMinds strongly encourages participation in this crucial stage of the process.

Obama Leads the Pharma Donor Pack

Editor's note: Despite the sensitivities of some -- who seem to believe that offering aggressive and nonpartisan coverage of autism as an election issue will somehow confuse our fragile readers and cause them to vote The Wrong Way -- Age of Autism will continue to be the go-to place for blow-by-blow developments. Here is the latest tally of Big Pharma bucks and who they're flowing to. Hey, we don't write the checks, we just report the numbers. -- Dan Olmsted

Managing Editor's note: If you work for Merck and you donate more than $200 to a campaign, you are a "pharma" donor. This doesn't mean the check came from Merck itself: METHODOLOGY: The totals on these charts are calculated from PAC contributions and contributions from individuals giving more than $200, as reported to the Federal Election Commission. Individual contributions are generally categorized based on the donor's occupation/employer, although individuals may be classified instead as ideological donors if they've given more than $200 to an ideological PAC.

According to Open Secrets: Obama has received: $915,696 and McCain has received: $442,042.

Now that Palin has energized the McCain campaign, it will be interesting to watch donations from this point forward, to see if the smaller donations amount was a function of lack of confidence in McCain's chances in the election. Will pharma and its employees shift their dollars now that the race has picked up?

See the pretty chart from Open Secrets on all the candidates who were in the race HERE.

Olmsted on Autism: Is Kathleen Seidel Toxic?

By Dan Olmsted

I've just finished reading Autism's False Prophets by Paul Offit (more on the book in a later post). Offit showcases several parents of children with autism who do not believe vaccines had anything to do with it. One such parent is Kathleen Seidel, whom Offit says "has been a constant, unshakable thorn in the side of those who have hijacked the discussions about the cause of autism."

On Media: Paul Offit and the Right to Opt Out

By Anne Dachel

Late last month, Scripps news service put out a number of articles on the debate over vaccines.  It seems the controversy that shows no signs of going away is heating up.  As much as the press would love it if parents would accept the fact that "studies show no link," it just isn't happening.

These were the stories:

Fears of long-range side effects fuel vaccine debate  (HERE)

Thousands of unvaccinated children enter schools (HERE)

Poll: Americans see both need, potential dangers of vaccines (HERE.)

Vaccine poll highlights (HERE)

The unprotected among us (HERE)

There were good aspects in the pieces.  They make it clear that many parents don't believe officials and their distrust is getting worse. 

Alaska Autism Mom to Barack Obama: Will You Listen

Managing Editor's Note: You can call the Obama campaign at 866-675-2008. It might take two or three tries to reach a person. Tell them you read about Obama's "Vaccination Selection" opinion on Age of Autism. Or email them at http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2.

By Jill Nordtvedt Lenhard

After reading Claudine Liss' piece on Senator Obama's stance on selective vaccination, I was inspired to write to him as one more voice in this complex debate.  Posted here is the letter I just sent. 

September 9, 2008

Dear Senator Obama,

I am the mother of a 5 year old son with autism, and I am depending on you to be a leader in defeating this health crisis by finding out what is causing this terrible condition.  I am inspired by your stance on many issues, and especially your desire to end the divisive nature of politics in our country.  I have been registered as a nonpartisan voter in Alaska for 20 years, but this year I changed my party affiliation to Democrat in order to cast my vote for you in our statewide caucus last winter.  Alaskans supported you overwhelmingly in that vote. 

Is Obama Pro-Choice? And What if Autism Were Contagious?

By Kim Stagliano

We reported at Age of Autism that Senator Obama told Claudine Liss, "I am not in favor of selective vaccination. I believe that it will bring back deadly diseases, like Polio." (HERE) 

When I write or talk about vaccines and autism, I often get the same response from people: "Do you want Polio back?" My instinct is to slap them. Such a stupid question. Even from a Presidential candidate. No one wants Polio back. Nor should we have to trade one crippler for another.

But that question leads me to wonder, "What if autism were contagious?"

Obama: "I am not for selective vaccination."

By Claudine Liss

Last Friday evening, September 5, 2008, I had the opportunity to ask Senator Barack Obama about childhood vaccine safety/choice.  His response, “I am not for selective vaccination, I believe that it will bring back deadly diseases, like polio.” 

He went onto say in so many words that he is for more science and the funding of more science if it’s needed.  (His science response is fuzzy, as his first response stunned me for a second). I previously gave his staffer a folder of information on vaccines. The Senator promised me that he would take a look at it. 

NJ Obama Corzine Autism Vaccine Rally

By Louise Kuo Habakus

It was Friday before Labor Day weekend.  Desperate celebration was in the air as the end of summer loomed before us.  There was a thick envelope in my mailbox.  The flyers and contribution applications were accompanied by a kind note from my neighbors, inviting us to join them and apologizing in advance for any inconvenience their event might cause.

Corzine, Bon Jovi and DNC Finance Chair Phil Murphy were inviting me to a fundraising reception with Senator Obama, benefiting the Obama Victory Fund.  Reception and Photo Line - $2300 per person.

His historic, highly anticipated acceptance speech was that very evening.  And in one week, Obama was going to be two houses away.

Striking New Study -- Thimerosal Threatens Males More

Editor's Note -- Sometimes the most important information comes from people who aren't even looking for it. Here is a case in point, brought to our attention by Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier. Three Canadian researchers were experimenting with Thimerosal on mice for reasons having nothing to do with the vaccine mercury-autism debate. But they stumbled across the fact that Thimerosal was three times more toxic to male rats than female rats -- "the first report of gender-selective toxicity of thimerosal." Given the way it mirrors the gender differences in autism, this is a huge deal, even if preliminary. Below is the Geiers' discussion of the study's significance and HERE is a link to the study itself. As our AOA colleague Mark Blaxill says, "the facts tend to cluster around a good hypothesis." -- Dan Olmsted
--
In this new study, "Gender-Selective Toxicity of Thimerosal" published in the peer-reviewed journal of Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology by Dr. Donald R. Branch of the Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, the investigator examined the sex-specific toxicity of Thimerosal in a mice model system.

The Autism Vote

Managing Editor's Note: Sorry, Kent! I Couldn't find, "Mr. Popularity." 

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

Suddenly I feel like one of the popular kids.

In her speech at the Democratic Convention Hillary Clinton said, “I will always remember the single mom who had adopted two kids with autism.  She didn’t have any health insurance, and she discovered she had cancer.  But she greeted me with her bald head, painted with my name on it, and asked me to fight for health care for her and her children.”

Then there was John McCain at the Republican Convention.  “I fight for Jake and Toni Wimmer of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.  Jake works on a loading dock, coaches Little League, and raises money for the mentally and physically disabled.  Toni is a schoolteacher, working towards her master’s degree.  They have two sons; the youngest, Luke, has been diagnosed with autism.  Their lives should matter to the people they elect to office.  They matter to me.  And they matter to you.”

GOP Autism Dad: Biomedical Treatments Are Helping My Son

By David Kirby

Autism was the disorder heard 'round the world last Thursday at the Republican Convention, as John McCain singled out a young father from Pennsylvania for special recognition from 39 million viewers.

"I fight for Jake and Toni Wimmer of Franklin County, Pennsylvania," McCain said. "They have two sons. The youngest, Luke, has been diagnosed with autism. Their lives should matter to the people they elect to office. And they matter to me."

It was a powerful moment, and it could help place autism squarely in the forefront of the national political discussion, where it belongs.

This weekend, Jake Wimmer's trip to St. Paul was retold by a local news outlet (HERE). I was intrigued enough to pick up the phone and call him for his opinions on the campaign,  and on the state of autism in America today.

UK's Cry Shame on New MMR Autism Study

ON BEHALF OF PARENTS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN RESPONDING TO NEW STUDY REFUTING WAKEFIELD FINDINGS OF MEASLES VIRUS IN GUT OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN WITH BOWEL DISEASE

A new study by Hornig et al, which revisits the MMR – autism controversy, has failed to find measles virus in the bowel of autistic children, so contradicting Wakefield and O'Leary's earlier finding of measles virus in autistic children. The latest study fails to find a link between MMR vaccine and autism.

However the study inadvertently gives credence to Wakefield and O'Leary's previous work on measles virus and validates their earlier findings. It also substantiates the link between autistic regression and gastrointestinal disorder reported by Wakefield in his 1998 Lancet article.

Boomer Wins Blessed With Autism

Congratulations to our contest winner, "BOOMER." 

Boomer, please email me your home address!   If you didn't win (and we're sorry!) you can buy a copy of this book on how to get reimbursement for autism treatments from your insurance company at Christina's site: Blessed with Autism.

Kim

Talk About Curing Autism Family Scholarships Available

Managing Editor's Note: I'm so proud that TACA sponsors Age of Autism. Started as a "kitchen table" organization by parents, they've grown to being a powerhouse of tangible support for families facing the challenges of autism. Thank you, TACA.

TACA is pleased to announce a new program for TACA families – the Family Scholarship Grants. Raising a child with autism is expensive - TACA would like to help. Purpose: The TACA Family Scholarship Fund was developed to help families who are pursuing treatment for their children with autism, but are struggling to find the funding. We understand how difficult it is to stretch the family budget to include things like, DAN doctors, independent evaluations or conference registration. It is our desire to provide limited financial assistance to qualified families.

Click HERE to learn more.

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

Obama and Corzine Listen To New Jersey Coalition for Vaccination Choice

 By Kim Stagliano

New Jersey Coalition for Vaccine Choice members greeted Barack Obama and Governor Corzine as they approached a campaign event in New Jersey on Thursday night. And they got to speak with both men, explaining the importance of vaccine safety as a bi-partisan issue.  Governor Corzine said, "We get more e-mails and letters on this than any other issue other than tolls."  We'll run a post on what Obama said later this weekend. In the meantime, here's a clip from The Star Ledger Newspaper on the event.  Read the full article HERE.

As Obama's motorcade drove up to Murphy's house, he waved from his car to a group of about 50 people rallying on a nearby lawn to express their concern about what they consider excessive vaccination of school children.

Ron and Louise Habakus, former investment bankers and neighbors of Murphy, organized the rally in hopes that Obama would meet with them briefly. The couple described themselves as friends of Murphy and said their demonstration was not aimed at either party.

"This is bipartisan. People don't realize how little research is done on vaccines," said Ron Habakus. "There's an epidemic going on."

Things Come Around

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

I didn’t want to go to the wine party.

For starters, it was being thrown by my wife’s brother and sister-in-law, the members of our family who have been most vocal in their belief that vaccines have nothing to do with our daughters’ autism.

At Christmas, the conversation got so heated that my wife came home in tears.  I guess it’s not helped by the fact that her sister-in-law has been her friend since they were both teenagers, and now there is such a chasm between them.  How can you claim intimacy with a friend and family member when you can’t even discuss the factors which you believe have so devastated your child’s life?

CBS News' Sharyl Attkisson on the Vaccine Debate

Managing Editor's Note: I'm not implying anything about Ms. Attkisson by that photo. Just thought I'd mention that.

With the increase in number of vaccinations offered to parents for their children, and mandated by states not only for toddlers but for older children as well, there has been a strong public push to maintain a robust national immunization program while also ensuring vaccines are as safe as they can possibly be. The great majority of public health officials and scientists have long argued that hundreds of scientific studies done to date have answered all the relevant questions, and they imply there is no need for additional, special research because vaccines have been proven so safe.

McCain Mentions Autism in Acceptance Speech

From John McCain's speech last night.

"I fight for Jake and Toni Wimmer of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Jake works on a loading dock, coaches Little League, and raises money for the mentally and physically disabled. Toni is a schoolteacher, working toward her master's degree. They have two sons; the youngest, Luke, has been diagnosed with autism. Their lives should matter to the people they elect to office. They matter to me. And they matter to you."

Is 38 Children a Study or a Classroom in New York City?

From TampaBay10.com: St. Petersburg, Florida—A local pediatrician, who treats many young patients with autism, is speaking out against a new government study on childhood MMR vaccinations.

The Centers for Disease Control released a new, study, claiming there is no link between the combination Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism nor gastrointestinal disorders.

While several researchers said this study is "conclusive" proof that there is no link, Tampa pediatrician, Dr. David Berger says the study is too small (38 children) to make that claim and not comprehensive enough to give parents 100 percent assurance.

Read the full article HERE.

Why the Panic over Parents Who Don't Vaccinate?

Welcome to Oz.

Living with Asperger's

Managing Editor's Note: This post was sent to us by a college student with Asperger's syndrome. We're happy to have Jake Crosby join us as a contributor.

By Jake Crosby

While there is little debate that severe Autism is a disability, there is an ongoing war about the effects of a milder variant of the disorder known as Asperger Syndrome (AS).

Naturally, anything that causes a person to be in self-contained classes for a decade, keeps him from having many friends, and causes him to have a history of anxiety, would appear to be a disability to most people. These are the ways I have been impacted by my AS; I can't think of anything positive it has done other than my sense of accomplishment after overcoming some of its challenges. However, a small, new camp is emerging from within the Autistic community of Aspies who believe AS and even Autism in general is a great thing.

This politically correct group of people says that Autism is not a disorder, but a "way of life." They deny that any environmental factors such as mercury and vaccines could have caused Autism and they claim they were meant to be Autistic. Most of all, they rail against any potential for a "cure," and see wiping out Autism as synonymous with wiping out the people themselves. While there are many mildly Autistic people like me who are busy trying to overcome our challenges as much as we can and severely Autistic people who are struggling to even speak a word, this crowd is getting more and more vocal about their staunchly pro-Autism views.

Thoughtful House Comments on MMR Study and Welcomes Affirmation of Previous Measles Findings

Managing Editor's Note: The following is a statement from the doctors at Thoughtful House.

A study published yesterday in the Public Library of Science One (PLOS1), an on-line journal, failed to find evidence of measles virus in the intestinal tissue of 24 children with autistic regression and gastrointestinal symptoms. The findings contrast with those published in 2002 in which researchers from Ireland and the UK found measles in 75 of 91 biopsies from autistic children with GI inflammation, and in only 5 of 70 samples from non-autistic children . The children with autism in the 2002 study developed gastrointestinal symptoms and autistic regression after the MMR vaccine.

Jenny McCarthy and Lance Armstrong Ante Up for Autism

 

Our Sponsor TACA announces "Ante Up for Autism" on October 3, 2008 at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach/Dana Point, CA. Co-hosts are Jenny McCarthyand Lance Armstrong. Purchase tickets here HERE.

Sponsorship opportunities for this star-studded event to benefit TACA are available. Please contact Lisa Ackerman at 949-640-4401.

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

NYT Health Blog: Blaming the Media for Gardasil Hype?

“I think the company did a very effective job of glossing over these questions in its marketing campaign and convincing the public that this vaccine would indeed prevent cervical cancer,'’ said Dr. Timothy Johnson, ABC’s medical editor, last week.

Now, a pro-business media watchdog group has a new take on the issue. The hype about Gardasil isn’t the result of over-the-top marketing by Merck, it claims, but is instead the result of heavy promotion by the American news media.

Click HERE to read Tara Parker Pope's full blog entry.

NAA ON MMR STUDY: Wrong Question Asked. Wrong Children Studied. Wrong Conclusions Reached.

CDC Misses Target With Flawed MMR/Autism Study
NAA says:  Wrong Question Asked. Wrong Children Studied. Wrong Conclusions Reached.

Nixa, MO – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released today (Click HERE) claims there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The National Autism Association (NAA) says this study does nothing to dispel the growing public concern over a vaccine-autism connection and raises several questions concerning design and methodology.

For years, parents have claimed that MMR triggered their child’s subsequent GI (gastrointestinal) disease and autism. In a 2002 paper where the majority of autistic children were found to have measles in their intestines, the children examined showed a clear temporal link between MMR exposure and regression. The CDC’s attempt to replicate the 2002 study fell far short of proving the safety of the MMR vaccine.

Tricare Provider Forced to Drop Patients

Managing Editor's Note: This post is an excerpt from Angela Warner's blog Autism Salutes. She's a military wife who has taken on the challenge of fighting for services for children with autism whose parents are serving this nation. Are you listening Obama and McCain?

I love Eva. The kids love Eva. Angie who is Eva’s Medical Assistant is very efficient, full of kindness, and she is just plain great at what she does. After checking Isaac over and looking at a couple observations done recently by therapists in our home, Eva was filling out the EFMP paperwork for Isaac. At the end of our visit, Eva handed me an envelope, and I am still devastated. And still seeing red… red, red, RED!

The envelope… I told her that I “think I know what this is”… one of those surreal moments. She is letting us go because of TRICARE’s re-imbursement rates.

FluMist Selling Point? "...does not contain Thimerosal"

By Kim Stagliano

I got a flyer covered with photos of healthy young children smiling away at me on it in today's mail.  "Important information that may affect your child" was written on the front. Uh huh. I had an inkling of what was inside. Sure enough - it's an ad for Medimmune's FluMist nasal flu vaccine.

I was in advertising for a number of years. Think AMC's "Mad Men" circa 1985.  Bigger hair. Smaller skirts. You have to hit on a key product attribute that will resonate with your target audience. So what is the benefit that Medimmune uses to convince you to ask your child's doctor for the FluMist vaccine? "FluMist does not contain thimerosal or other preservative."  Now why would a company advertise the lack of an ingredient if there weren't a negative assocation with that ingredient? It's almost like McDonald's saying, "Our hamburgers don't have salmonella!" You can see where the flyer ended up.

Kim Stagliano is Managing Editor of Age of Autism.

Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy Sponsors Age of Autism

Please join us in welcoming our new advertising sponsor, Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy.  LS is also sponsoring our "treatment" category. Alan Israel and Robert Wright, the pharmacists of Lee Silsby, work tirelessly to create safe, innovative and effective products for our loved ones with autism.

They also launched OurKidsASD to give us one-stop shopping for their products and hundreds of the brands you trust.

Lee Silsby is full service compounding pharmacy for all of your medicine needs. No matter where you live, you can trust them to fill your prescriptions. Please visit their site HERE to learn more about them.

Ask your DAN! doctor if he/she is using Lee Silsby.  Look for advertisements and offers from both Lee Silsby and OurKidsASD on our advertising sidebar. Over there. To the right. 

Contact me at KimStagliano@gmail.com to learn about category sponsorship opportunities. To advertise, go to Blogads.com on at the bottom of the right-hand sidebar.