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The AAP and Dr. Tayloe: Ignoring a generation of sick kids

Rome_burnsBy Anne Dachel

It was recently announced that Dr. David Tayloe is taking over as the active president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  (HERE)

In an article by Phyllis Moore there was a lot of talk about what Tayloe will be doing in the coming year.  Readers were told that most of his work will include "speaking engagements, administrative duties and, after the election, lobbying legislators and Congress."

Tayloe said that he intends to focus on 5 main areas this coming year -- "Medicaid payments, vaccine financing issues, fair payment of pediatricians, retail-based health clinics and funding medical students' education." 

While Tayloe didn't actually name any health concerns he has regarding America's children, he did say, 'We have absolutely got to convince the government to educate the public that vaccines are good.  Vaccines do not cause autism and we're not afraid of the truth -- if something's wrong with a vaccine, we would pull it. It's ridiculous to argue with a bunch of Hollywood actors about this.'

'We're not afraid of the truth'? 

This comes from someone who's been in the midst of the autism-vaccine debate yet has adamantly refused to acknowledge that autism is now an epidemic of unprecedented proportions.  He's continued the mantra of "vaccines are safe...vaccines save lives," despite the growing number of parents everywhere who attribute their child's autism to the vaccinations they received.  The comments of former NIH head, Dr. Bernadine Healy, on both NBC and CBS about the lack of good studies have been ignored by the new AAP head.

I can't imagine an organization more out of touch with reality.  In case Tayloe hasn't been following the news lately, there's a lot for the president of the AAP to be concerned about. 

Science Daily just reported on the alarming increase in the use of drugs to control diabetes among our children. (HERE) telling us, "America's tweens and teens more than doubled their use of type 2 diabetes medications between 2002 and 2005, with girls between 10 and 14 years of age showing a 166 percent increase." 

The increase in diabetes is directly related to rise in obesity among kids.  Emily R. Cox, Ph.D., RPh, senior director of research at Express Scripts told readers that if not addressed, 'many of these children will carry these chronic conditions into adulthood.'

The article by Anna Boyd, Drug Prescriptions For US Children Rising At Alarming Rates, (HERE) based on one from the latest edition of the AAP journal, Pediatrics, certainly sounds scary.  Here Emily Cox was quoted again, this time saying, 'We've got a lot of sick children. What we've been seeing in adults, we're also now seeing in kids.'

"About 176,500 children and adolescents younger than 20 have diabetes, and 2 million teenagers have blood glucose levels higher than normal, a condition called pre-diabetes, according to the latest statistics of the American Diabetes Association."
USA Today reported on the latest health findings too. (HERE)

In Number of kids on medication jumps alarmingly, reporter Liz Szabo wrote, "Doctors also saw big increases in prescriptions for high cholesterol, asthma and attention deficit and hyperactivity. There was smaller growth for drugs for depression and high blood pressure."

The reason all these increases are making the news is because of information about prescription records.  Boyd wrote, "The findings were based on insurance claims for 3.2 million children aged 5 to 19. According to them, use of drugs for type-2 diabetes doubled in children, while cholesterol-lowering medications rose by 15 percent between 2002 and 2005. More exactly, six out of 10,000 children are suffering from diabetes, a condition closely linked to obesity. That suggests that at least 23,000 privately insured children in the US are now taking diabetes medications, the researchers said. And the bad news doesn't end here, as the obesity rate is on the rise both in adults and children. According to recent statistics, about 17 percent are obese and the future does not look promising."
It's incredible that the new AAP president seems unaware of all this.  The business of writing prescriptions for kids might be booming, but this is a looming disaster.  Tayloe claims the AAP is not afraid of the truth.  Really?  The truth is we're well on our way to becoming a nation of the chronically ill and disabled. 

If the outdated rate of one in 150 for autism (based on studies of eight year olds back in 2000 and 2002) isn't a crisis for Tayloe, at least the alarming number of kids with additional health problems should be.  Pediatrics also said (HERE), "Prescriptions for asthma increased 46.5 percent, while those for attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity leapt 40 percent and were three times more prevalent among boys than girls. Cholesterol treatments rose 15 percent."

In Food Allergies Rising Dramatically for American Kids, (HERE), the latest from the CDC reveals, "More American children than ever are developing allergies to some of the most common items in the nation's food supply. According to their latest report, the number of children with food allergies has jumped by 18% in the last ten years. And they fear this is more than likely an underestimation of the real situation."

How much worse can our kids' health get?

Golly, you'd think the premier medical organization for children would be sounding an alarm over so many sick children.  We have the most medicated, vaccinated kids in the world and some of the sickest. 

The AAP moves slowly however.  The autism rate started to explode at least fifteen years ago and at the annual meeting of the AAP in Oct. 2007, they came up with a plan to address the epidemic that they attribute to "better diagnosing."  The AAP told their pediatricians that they should be looking for the signs of autism at well-baby checks. They even went so far as to list the five symptoms to look for.

I guess we can expect that Tayloe and the AAP will remind doctors to do more testing for diabetes and food allergies as a way to combat these new health problems.
--
Anne Dachel is Media Editor of Age of Autism.

Comments

jzea

If it's "ridiculous" for Hollywood actors to speak to this issue, why is it 'ok' for Sally Field to tout Boniva?

YG

RE: Twyla's comment

"Doctors who conclude that the risks of the government's immunization schedule outweigh its benefits are placed in a difficult position. If they counsel parents not to have their children follow it, health care plans, which track vaccine compliance as a measure of "quality," will find them wanting. And if their patient should contract and develope complications from the disease the vaccine would have prevented they may find themselves confronting a lawsuit. If a child becomes autistic following a vaccination, however, the doctor is protected from any liability because the government requires it and the child's parents, it they had chosen to do so, could have obtained an exemption."
--Dr.Donald Miller -

I read Tanner's dad's writing that Tanner's pediatrician commited suicide last year.

Kelli Ann Davis

“You could see the utter absurdity of having innocent pediatricians spend thousands of hours making an Autism toolkit, when ,in fact, you could more easily put a stop to most cases of autism.”

Cherry,

Soon they may be making *some money* on putting those kits together if the current legislation from President-elect Obama is submitted without major modifications:

SEC. 7. MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in order to enhance existing awareness campaigns provide for the implementation of new campaigns, shall award grants to public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out multimedia campaigns to increase public education and awareness concerning healthy developmental milestones for infants and children that may assist in the early identification of the signs and symptoms of ASD.

(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(c) REQUIREMENTS.—To be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), an entity subsection (a) shall provide assurance in the application submitted under subsection (b) that the multimedia campaign implemented under such grant will—

(1) provide information that is tailored to a diverse public audience, including health professionals, concerning normal developmental milestones for infants and children; and

(2) identify national and State organizations that can facilitate the provision of ASD-related services regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Thankfully, it looks like the bill will *NOT* be introduced in the lame-duck session (according to my contact in Obama’s office) and Durbin (co-sponsor) is open for input from us which we are currently addressing.

Kelli

PS...Craig, you can hold my purse as long as you don't delegate it to 1) a trash can lid or 2) the floor like *scary smart guy* did cuz I don't think I could go through that torture again.

Chris

Amen to that, Julie. That's what this is all about really, is ego.

I am so sick unto death of being painted by the medical profession as an overly emotional whiner who does not "love her daughter as she is" and cannot accept that she is genetically flawed (there is no history of autism or PDD in either side of our families; our daughter is a surprising and pretty severe case).

My three-month-old baby's four month well visit is coming up at the military clinic (I have been fighting tooth and nail to be seen at a civilian clinic out in town that can better meet my family's needs) and I am really dreading it. I am thinking of just finding a baby scale and weighing him and a tape measure and measuring him myself because quite frankly I do not want to put up with the bullcrap that I know I am probably going to get at that appointment because he will be at least two years old before I allow him to have any shots, and then only the few that I deem to be of most importance to his well-being. I quit doing well-checks with my other two children because I was ridiculed by the pediatrician for wanting Natalie tested for celiac disease and he told me to "go see a therapist".

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that American pediatricians in general give a crap about our autistic children or figuring out what is going on in their bodies. I see it all the time on parenting forums - I have seen more than one doctor or nurse speak horribly to a parent whose child has had an obvious vaccine regression - the one I see the most is the snotty "Oh, so you'd rather have a dead kid than an autistic kid?" when a parent wants to delay vaccines for a subsequent sibling.

That comment is like salt on this mother's wounded heart. And do you want to know why? While it is true that if I had to choose between my Natalie being alive and autistic and being dead I would choose her being alive, but basically that comment says to a parent "If it isn't going to kill your child, then it isn't worth looking at by us and so quit your whining you selfish brat of a parent and take your child home." That statement reveals to me exactly how people see parents like me who are fighting to simply sometimes stay alive and keep our heads above water every day caring for our kids.

And as far as some of your colleagues lecturing parents like us about "putting society at risk" by delaying a sibling's vaccinations, I have personally had enough of the "you are selfish immoral citizens" sentiments. Where was "society" at two years ago when my daughter was only sleeping 2-3 hours a night for TWO YEARS STRAIGHT? "Society" did not offer to help watch my daughter when she was up screaming at two in the morning and I had no clue why. "Society" wasn't there lending a helping hand when my daughter threw her baby brother out of his crib and fractured his skull (with me right there in the room, I might add) and he spent the night in the hospital for observation, all the while my husband is out at sea and my in-laws are not very helpful, "society" wasn't there for the aftermath when I had to endure a humiliating CPS investigation for the incident because the hospital called them, not because they ever suspected that I abused my baby, but for "neglect" and having "too many kids in the house with no husband". Thank God they unsubstantiated everything and threw out the case within a month, but you do not have a single clue what that is like to have that over your head for a whole month and everyone looking at you like you are an unfit parent. (I also learned a few things about CPS from that little incident; if anyone else wants a few tips on dealing with THOSE people and what NOT to do I can give you some help). I found social workers are a lot like doctors - you want to believe that they are out to do the best by the kids they run across but that isn't always true either.

Julie Swenson

"The AAP president means well, and I'm sorry if he did not come across that way during his interview. But please don't think that because Dave Tayloe did not list Autism and obesity, etc. as top priorities that they are not top priorities for thousands of pediatricians working with you all in the trenches."

I refuse to believe that Tayloe means well if he chooses to ignore an entire population of children who are responding poorly to the routine schedule of well-baby vaccines. By labeling vaccines as "good", he is doing a tremendous disservice to all parents who question the safety of vaccines. It is quite clear that there is a definite subset of children, like my son, who not only respond poorly to vaccines, they often regress into autism, asthma, learning disabilities, etc.

I would have had so much more respect for the man had he said " Vaccines, for most people, do what they are intended to do, however there are certain cases where vaccines should not be administered." EVEN THE CDC ADMITS THIS!!! Why can’t Tayloe? To throw out such a blanket statement that vaccines are “good” and the public must be convinced only leads me to further believe that this man does not have the best interests of children at heart.

Regardless of whether or not others pediatricians do see vaccines and autism as something to fight for, the fact is that the head of the AAP is someone that most pediatricians will look to for advice and guidance, as they should. I believe that like so many other in positions of authority concerning the autism 'debate', Tayloe's ego will not allow him to concede the very, very obvious data pouring in: vaccines ARE harmful.

Ego has no place in this fight for our children.

Pamela

Back in May AoA ran a post called "The Bruno's" which was a take-off on the Darwin Awards and asked for nominations. I niminated Dr. Tayloe, highlighting some of his best comments. http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/05/the-brunos.html

Here's my nomination/comment to that post...seems so fitting to this article as well.

I have three nominations;

1. Dr. David Tayloe, President Elect of the AAP for stating in a recent article titled, *Doctor says finger-pointing isn't an answer to the 'whys' of autism* that “One of the biggest misperceptions, the physician said, centers around the belief that vaccines cause autism. Studies being done in other countries, however, are not showing a linkage between the two,” he added.

He then goes on to say, “Other connections have been drawn between autism and the environment. Specifically, lead and mercury issues as well as aluminum and pesticides. Those are not easy to study or draw conclusions from, Tayloe said.

He wraps with, "Our job as physicians is making sure we consider all possibilities, particularly on a condition as baffling as autism," he said. "I think we have all got to work together, share ideas and come together on what is the best medical evidence for dealing with this."

What? Other connections have been drawn...like mercury and aluminum in the environment yet we don’t need to point the finger at vaccines, which contain both. Huh? Never mind the "studies being done in other countries" comment. Where are the studies that have been done IN THIS COUNTRY?

2. Again, I nominate Dr. David Tayloe for recently stating on the Today Show, that all vaccines are safe for all children. Dr. Tayloe, have you recently read the pharm insert for any given vaccine? And why does the Vaccine Adverse Reactions Reporting System exist if all vaccines are safe for all children?

3. Oh…again Dr. David Tayloe for stating on Larry King’s Vaccine Debate that he has never reported a case to VARS, as though this is evidence that adverse reactions don’t occur. Yet his own father lost the largest vaccine injury law suit levied against a physician for over three million dollars.

Maybe like you said about Offit, I nonimtate Dr. David Tayloe for simply being David Tayloe.

Craig Willoughby

"No wonder you got kicked out of *the club* by Craig – I’m guessing that spilling the beans on what *really* takes place behind closed doors in all those high-level, big-wig, pow-wow meetings probably won’t score you any additional brownie points with the guys and it may even extend your banishment from the "Man's Club"."

Kelli....Ouch!!! I'm not a member of the big-wig pow-wow meetings! Does being a member of the man club means that I have to be like one of THEM?

Quick, Kelli! Let me hold your purse!!!!

Cherry Sperlin Misra

To Pediatrician Stephen, Thankyou for your opinion, so well stated which does convey to us the good intentions of many pediatricians. However, please tune in to Age of Autism more frequently, so that you can realize how the AAP dupes well intentioned people like yourself.
You could see the utter absurdity of having innocent pediatricians spend thousands of hours making an Autism toolkit, when ,in fact, you could more easily put a stop to most cases of autism.
Ive been watching the autism discussion since 1998 and one fact has become painfully clear: Over the years, on issue after issue, mainstream medicine and public health have been wrong, and the parents of the autistic kids have been right. With that kind of history- isn't it now realistic to listen to what the parents are
telling you ?
NO, Im not a parent ,deranged by the strain of having an autistic child. I run a nursery school in New Delhi and I have had to watch helplessly as the flood of autism began after many new doses of mercury containing vaccines were added to the pediatric schedule here in about year 2000.
Its difficult for people at Age of Autism to understand why doctors have not even campaigned for removal of mercury from all vaccines and medical products. Why is that not a priority for Dr. Tayloe? And why does the AAP mislead pediatricians about the mercury in vaccines (such as flu vaccine) and in fish?

Stagmom

This doesn't translate well in this format, but it's a letter that details reimbursements for vaccines and how peds can get MORE money by administering the shots themselves versus using a health aid. Here's the mantra:

"Vaccines are a critical part of the daily practice of preventive medicine; the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites vaccination as one of the ten most notable public health achievements of the last century. Vaccines improve the quality of health of patients and the public at large by eradicating or controlling the spread of vaccine-preventable infectious disease. We hope you find this information useful."

And here's the "moneyshot" (disgusting image intended..)

"Please distribute this notice to physicians in your state as we hope that this state-specific information will result in higher reimbursement, providing an added incentive to immunize patients."

December 8, 2004 Peter Joseph Morris, MD MPH, FAAP Chapter President North Carolina Chapter 3224 Doulton Ln Fuquay Varina, NC 27526-8617 Dear Dr Morris: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is informing chapters of impending changes affecting immunization administration codes and their relative values. Please share this information with your chapter members.

Pediatric immunization administration codesEffective January 1, 2005 there will be four (4) new pediatric-specific immunization administration CPT codes, reportable under the following circumstances: 1) When the patient is under 8 years of age And2) When the physician performs the vaccine-related counseling. If both of these conditions are not met (eg, a 4-year old who receives vaccines where the nurse does the counseling), physicians will be instructed to report the appropriate existing immunization administration code(s) (CPT 90471-90474). The new codes are: 90465 Immunization administration under 8 years of age (includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections) when the physician counsels the patient/family; first injection (single or combination vaccine/toxoid), per day (90465 should not be reported in conjunction with 90467)90466 each additional injection (single or combination vaccine/toxoid), per day (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)(Use 90466 in conjunction with 90465 or 90467)
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Peter Morris, MD MPH, FAAP December 8, 2004 Page 2 90467 Immunization administration under age 8 years (includes intranasal or oral routes of administration) when the physician counsels the patient/family; first administration (single or combination vaccine/toxoid), per day (90467 should not be reported in conjunction with 90465)90468 each additional administration (single or combination vaccine/toxoid), per day (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)(Use 90468 in conjunction with 90465 or 90467)These codes (90465-90468) are reported only when the physician provides face-to-face counseling of the patient and family during the administration of a vaccine. For immunization administration of any vaccine that is not accompanied by face-to-face physician counseling to the patient/family, report codes 90471-90474.The effective date for the new codes is January 1, 2005. Since the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that "the version of the medical data code sets specified in the implementation specifications must be the version that is valid at the time the health care is furnished", covered entities must incorporate the new codes into their claims processing systems by January 1, 2005. New RVUs for administration of injectable vaccinesEffective January 1, 2005, Medicare has significantly increased the Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) values for the service of administering injectable vaccines.

For the first time in the history of immunization administration codes, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized the physician work involved in administering vaccines. This exemplifies the Academy’s advocacy efforts for recognition of the physician work component as well as CMS’s commitment to increase immunization rates by more appropriately reflecting the cost of performing this service. [CMS has not yet valued intranasal or oral vaccine administration codes].

The 2005 Medicare RBRVS values for injectable immunization administration codes are: CPT®*Code Work Value Practice Expense Value Malpractice Value Total 90465 .17 .31 .01 .49 90466 .15 .13 .01 .29 90471 .17 .31 .01 .49 90472 .15 .13 .01 .29
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Peter Morris, MD MPH, FAAP December 8, 2004 Page 3 The geographically adjusted Medicare payment amount for your area for the calendar years 2004 and 2005 are:

Area 90465§and 90471 90466§and 90472 2005 Fee Schedule¥2004 Fee Schedule¥2005 Fee Schedule 2004 Fee Schedule North Carolina $17.55 $7.53 $10.48 $5.10 ¥G0008, G0009, and G0010 are also paid at this rate by Medicare Private Carriers The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is issuing this special notice to help ensure physicians are aware of the new immunization administration codes and the change in RVUs.

Please distribute this notice to physicians in your state as we hope that this state-specific information will result in higher reimbursement, providing an added incentive to immunize patients. The AAP will be notifying carriers of the new pediatric immunization administration codes and the RVUs for injectable immunization administration. AAP chapters are encouraged to inform local carriers as well so private carriers that use RBRVS to determine their fee schedule can incorporate the updated RVUs into their claims systems. Also, carriers that currently do not use RBRVS should still be informed of the recognized work value of immunization administration. MedicaidThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires state Medicaid programs to recognize current CPT codes, but states are not required to reimburse for those codes. Medicaid programs also may or may not be using some formof RBRVS in determining Medicaid payment, even if the state reimburses for the new and existing immunization administration codes. Therefore, state Medicaid payment for new and existing immunization administration codes may be less than the amount Medicare will pay in your state. States are limited by federal rules under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program as to how much they can reimburse for the administration of VFC vaccine (please see Peter Morris, MD MPH, FAAP December 8, 2004 Page 4 http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vfc/Parent/fee_fedreg.htm#feetable for the maximum fees under VFC in your state).
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However, AAP chapters can use the data on Medicare reimbursement to argue for increases in Medicaid reimbursement for the immunization administration codes. AAP chapters can show that Medicare recognizes the work value inherent in the administration of immunizations (both in the new and existing codes) and reimburses at a level that reflects this. Chapters can use this information to seek the goal of reaching at least VFC-allowable maximumcharges for vaccines administered to children in VFC, and higher reimbursement if applicable and allowable. AAP chapters are encouraged to work with state Medicaid officials to ensure coverage of these administration codes and proper reimbursement for them.

Please contact Dan Walter, Sr. Health Policy Analyst at [email protected] or 800/433-9016 ext 4086 for questions on Medicaid advocacy.

Vaccines are a critical part of the daily practice of preventive medicine; the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites vaccination as one of the ten most notable public health achievements of the last century. Vaccines improve the quality of health of patients and the public at large by eradicating or controlling the spread of vaccine-preventable infectious disease. We hope you find this information useful.

If there are any questions, please contact Linda Walsh, Sr. Health Policy Analyst at [email protected] or 800/433-9016 ext 7931. Sincerely, Carol D. Berkowitz, MD, FAAP President CDB/lt *CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association §CPT codes 90465 and 90466 are new codes effective 1/1/05 and consequently have not been previouslyvalued cc: Steve Shore, MSW, Executive Director, North Carolina Chapter

Mark Blaxill

"The majority of pediatricians do not make any money off giving vaccines, and many actually lose money. Physicians also do not earn any income from writing prescriptions, and we pediatricians would love it if children did not need any medicine."

This is a commonly repeated fallacy. It's important to remember that, by definition, pediatricians make money when children visit their office. A significant portion of the typical pediatrician's income comes from the "well baby" visit. The main purpose of this visit is vaccine administration: without the vaccines, no visit; without the visit, no money. The practice of pediatrics therefore has a direct economic interest in the vaccine program. To suggest otherwise is either naive or dishonest.

Pediatrician Stephen

I am a pediatrician and have nephew with PDD. I know that many physicians and other practitioners have treated children and families of children with ASDs poorly and without sufficient respect or empathy and for that I apologize. But please do not pass judgement on a group such as the AAP or a group of professionals such as pediatricians, who generally are fighting hard to improve the health of ALL of America's children.

The AAP president means well, and I'm sorry if he did not come across that way during his interveiw. But please don't think that because Dave Tahloe did not list Autism and obesity, etc. as top priorities that they are not top priorities for thousands of pediatricians working with you all in the trenches. The AAP and pediatricians care dearly about all children and especially about those with Autism/ASD. I'm sorry to hear that the AAP is being so poorly received by the author. An Autism Toolkit was released about a year ago by the AAP with the goal of diagnosing children as early as possible and to get them into services, such as ABA therapy as quickly as possible. Toolkits such as these take many years to develop and involve hundreds of volunteer pediatrician hours to develop and produce.

Obesity is also an extrememly important issue for pediatricians, as is asthma, diabetes and any other illness or disease. And there are large active groups within the AAP working on all of these topics daily.

The majority of pediatricians do not make any money off giving vaccines, and many actually lose money. Physicians also do not earn any income from writing prescriptions, and we pediatricians would love it if children did not need any medicine. That being said I know that many meds are overprescribed. And that is another area where we need a lot of improvement.

Parents are the best advocates for children, so I applaud your passion, but please know that the majority of pediatricians are your allies and care dearly about your children.

Randy

"It's a sad day when I respect attorneys more than doctors (sorry to you lawyers reading this)."

The lawyer who notarized my exemption forms smiled at me and told me he was glad to see parents expressing the "courage of their convictions". When I pulled out my wallet to pay the fee, he also told me "no charge - good luck with your son".

I've had several discussions with another lawyer when fighting with school board and local union over the "collateral damage" they were inflicting upon my son. Many emails, visits, discussions, and all the legwork on his part - no charge - nada. He also had a son with same name, same age - a perfectly typical kid - I think our story broke his heart - "there but by the grace of God go I" - he was genuinely pissed about what was happening to our son at the hands of bureaucrats and politicians. "Anything I can do to help - you let me know...."

On another visit, to another lawyer (discussing a possible constructive dismissal action against my wife's employer, a hospital, when they were seriously f$cking her around) the discussion came around to what doctors will say in private about their peers, vs what they will say on record. To be fair to the doctors, this rock-and-a-hard-place scenario is not unique to their profession. The point is that they are (understandably) not super-human in that regard - and you generally will not hear one doc say anything bad - out loud - about his or her colleagues, even if their colleagues are incompetent. Ironically, one of the reasons given is the fear over litigation.

I do have tremendous respect for some of the doctors I've met in our journey. I kinda cringe when I see them all painted with the same brush. But those that want us to believe they are simply above reproach when it comes to personal and / or conflicting interests, and other human weaknesses or shortcomings, are (as one other brilliant post recently stated about Dr. Offit) simply not that extraordinary.

Alamo Joe

Regressive autism

Bottle feeding is a risk for diarrhea (colitis), reflux, ear infections, respiratory problems, diabetes, sleep apnea and enuresis; disorders accompanying regressive autism. Refrigeration prevents spoilage, and Kanner’s observations on autistic children in homes with refrigerators supports bottle feeding as a factor in regressive autism.

Parental reports that their child regressed following vaccination are supported by information from the Internet: “The cause is of ulcerative colitis is unknown. … Attacks may be provoked by many factors, including respiratory infections ….” Vaccine components, pertussis, mumps and measles, are respiratory infections. Therefore, either DpT or MMR can trigger a colitis attack.

Regressive autism is the result of environmental factors.

Some details
Actually, the vaccines trigger obstructive sleep apnea which underlies gout (No bottle feeding paper on gout was found)and all the above ailments. Apneas reduce the amount of oxygen available to the body and to the brain.

Colitis, diabetes and gout are caused by the diaphragm’s action during an apnea. The diaphragm executes its version of the ‘stuck jelly jar lid maneuver’. It tries harder. It tries 10 to 15 times harder, severely pounding the intestines, pancreas and kidneys hundreds of times a night. Subsequently these organs don’t function properly resulting in colitis, diabetes and gout.

Regressive autism is still the result of environmental factors.

Amy in Idaho

It's a sad day when I respect attorneys more than doctors (sorry to you lawyers reading this). When you see an attorney with a problem, they WORK FOR YOU. They RESEARCH all avenues as to HOW THEY CAN HELP YOU. They FIGHT AS YOUR ADVOCATE. My last visit with a pediatrician was horrific. We waited an hour for him to enter the exam room. He kept telling me that my obviously asd child was quite 'normal' in many aspects (bowel movements, picky eater, not brushing his own teeth etc.). Then there was the icy stare when we told him no thank you to any more vaccinations. All this for $175.00! He was an A-hole but apparently, that's how they're training them these days. Blech.

Twyla

Regarding Garbo's & Jeff R's comments -- I also often wonder, don't pediatricians see what is going on? Didn't some pediatricians choose their profession because they love children? What do pediatricians say to each other about vaccines when behind closed doors?

I'm sure that even the best pediatricians fear unleashing a wave of anger against themselves. And many still believe that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks and that they must not cause panic and fear of vaccines. And I imagine there must also be fear of repercussions from their colleagues and medical establishment.

But, still, surely some pediaticians can see how serious these health issues are and how important it is for the vaccine program's problems to be addressed?!?!? When will these pediatricians start speaking out?!?!? Yes we have one non-DAN! pediatrician speaking out -- Dr. Jay Gordon (yay!) -- anyone else?

Julie Swenson

"The AAP told their pediatricians that they should be looking for the signs of autism at well-baby checks. They even went so far as to list the five symptoms to look for. "

Hey, here's five symptoms:
1. Adverse reaction to vaccines
2. Adverse reaction to vaccines
3. Adverse reaction to vaccines
4. Adverse reaction to vaccines
5. Adverse reaction to vaccines

Should your child display an Adverse Reaction to a vaccine, call your pediatrician immediately for instant ridicule and mockery. Don't forget: Adverse Reactions to vaccines are normal!

Julie Swenson

""Prescriptions for asthma increased 46.5 percent, while those for attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity leapt 40 percent and were three times more prevalent among boys than girls. Cholesterol treatments rose 15 percent.""

Big Pharma is doing well for themselves, eh?

Jeff R.

My question is, WHY,,, isn't the AAP & Pediatricians from all over America marching on Washington D.C. demanding more research money for autism research, and demanding that the vaccinated & unvaccinated study be done, if they really love children seems, they (more then almost anyone), would want to know if vaccines/they where harming children.

Has there been 1 Pediatrician even so much as wrote a letter to Washington D.C. wanting to know if they were harming children through vaccines.

Maybe we should give all Pediatricians of America the opportunity to sign a petition demanding this answer.

The sad, very sad truth is, their silence is deafening, this silence should answer a lot of questions. Do they know the answer already?

Or, is their mind set that vaccines do more good than harm, means 51% are not harmed, and this is their end goal.

dan olmsted

You folks probably know this but I have always been one of Anne's biggest fans -- back at UPI I named her person of the year in my annual awards and am so glad she writes for Age of Autism. She's putting her finger on the key issue here -- why are so many kids sick? And she nails Tayloe for his bureucratic agenda which shows no real interest in the declining health of America's kids. Also, Garbo, you are sure right that most mainstream pediatrician are making us (our kids) sick, but in answer to this,
"What I always wonder is why all the AAP doctors are so blindly obedient when they are being led over the cliff like lemmings. You would think that there are members out there who know/see/acknowledge the truth."
I would say, they're out there, they are called DAN doctors, and more parents are listening to them and not factotums like Tayloe.
And as ever, the comments from readers on this story give the lie to the palaver he's spewing. Thanks again, readers!

Randy

Yeah Kelli - I got a feeling I'll be standing outside the clubhouse for a while yet - but I can't help taking a shot at these idiotic labels.

I don't want to be part of THAT club (however I still grovel to Craig - occasionally - like, as in, right now.... :-)

Stagmom

Lisa, what about Smarmy Krap - was he in trouble too??? David Tayloe's father lost the LARGEST MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE in the state of NC because of a vaccine injury. It was his NURSE who adminstered the vaccine though, not he. It's googleable, I'm not telling tales out of school. Not Jr. - SENIOR.

Lisa

Meeting him briefly at Larry King in April 08', I really don't see the new AAP as a do-er. He is a figure head for the pupeteer to guide the message that is scripted.

The best part was watching him hold his cell phone, cower in a corner and hear garbled yelling at him after his appearance on Larry King. I guess they did not like his performance.

L Land

5 main areas - Money, money, money, Money and Money. Easy to remember.

I wonder where all those cigarette ad execs work now? Pharma?

Kelli Ann Davis for Craig -- Randy's Spilling the Beans -- Again

“btw - just saw an ad for Treximet - take Imitrex, add a dash of Naproxen, and voila - "Treximet" - sheeeesh - wonder what they paid for that clever new moniker (picturing 2 guys in the back room at the ad agency with a bunch of scrabble pieces and a pop-o-matic...)”

Randy,

No wonder you got kicked out of *the club* by Craig – I’m guessing that spilling the beans on what *really* takes place behind closed doors in all those high-level, big-wig, pow-wow meetings probably won’t score you any additional brownie points with the guys and it may even extend your banishment from the "Man's Club".

But thanks for the info. Always wondered how those nifty names were selected ;-)

Garbo

What I always wonder is why all the AAP doctors are so blindly obedient when they are being led over the cliff like lemmings. You would think that there are members out there who know/see/acknowledge the truth. Where are they? If a bunch of physicians got together and revoked their memberships en masse, would it have any impact? Do they think they have a prayer of reforming the AAP from the inside when their dues are a tiny part of the budget? Are they all just dim bulbs, or are they greedmeisters happy to look the other way in order to make even more money of kids that they've made sick in the first place? After all, they gotta pay those med school loans, right? 'Screw first do no harm, I need a new Benz, so you need some shots! No? Well the AAP told me to tell you to take a hike, loser.'

Gatogorra

I wonder what the Obama administration is going to make of Tayloe's selective blindness? Time will tell.

Weighing the cow doesn't make it fatter, as they say. That a plan at address the epidemics in child health issues should center on testing (so a doctor can say, "Zounds! I was right! This kid IS toast!"?) is tragic. I guess they're just rubbing their hands together for the kickbacks on antipsychotics they're going to rake in (except in Massachusetts, where there's a stronger gift ban) for each child triaged, since this is the only "treatment" the average pediatrician will dispense.

Twyla

In addition to teaching about early signs of autism, I wish the AAP would educate pediatricians on early signs of vaccine sensitivity. I have been reading Barbara Loe Fisher & Harris Coulter's book "A Shot in the Dark" and there are hearbreaking accounts of babies who had increasingly severe reactions to each DPT shot (severe swelling/redness at the vaccine site, inconsolable screaming for hours, very high fevers etc.) culminating in an even worse reaction to the third or fourth DPT vaccine followed by permanent brain damage and disability.

This is just one example of how our medical organizations do not adequately focus on vaccine safety. Even when the manufacturer's materials list certain reactions as precluding further vaccines, the pediatricians would continue on obliviously, saying, "Oh, that's just a normal reaction. Don't worry about it."

When the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was passed in 1986, manufacturers and doctors were shielded from normal tort liability and instead claims are paid through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, limited to $250,000 instead of millions, and funded by a surcharge on vaccines. The decreased fear of liability should have enabled admission of problems so that the problems could be corrected. Instead, the lack of tort liability seems to have resulted in increased denial and less incentive to address problems.

Dr. Tayloe's outlook is sickening. Thank you for this article and links, Anne.

Randy

"And lipitor is going to be injected into Skittles soon, I'm told! They'll call it Skittltor."

Kim that was priceless. Coffee almost did an "out-the-nose"

On that note, for anyone who's interested, the EnglishMojo site has a short series of articles about the amount of time and money spent "designing" a drug's trade name (though none of the names mentioned are as good as Kim's)

http://englishmojo.com/?p=106

btw - just saw an ad for Treximet - take Imitrex, add a dash of Naproxen, and voila - "Treximet" - sheeeesh - wonder what they paid for that clever new moniker (picturing 2 guys in the back room at the ad agency with a bunch of scrabble pieces and a pop-o-matic...)

Michlyn

Very nice Anne! It is disturbing and furthermore, it makes me a bit crazy that the pediatricians see it every day but just do not get it. I do not have a physician for my children here, but did have to book a "well" (nice name... your child is well and you know it and then you leave the office and they are sick)visit for general check-ups for school (exemption in place, but needed general height, weight stuff). He was so harsh and his statements were violent but SO contradictory... He really had no idea who he had unleashed on until I opened up my big binder of biochemical and genetic tests and informed him of the facts. He stated how many patients he had in his practice and the considerably low incidence of autism. I happen to be friends with many many people who have their children exclusively in his care (we are part of an organization where he is the "official" pediatrician), so as a compromise- I offered to him that if he would sign my physical, then I would give him a report as to what I see when I am surrounded by all of these kids who are in his care (who don't have AUTISM, per se or autistic Sx)... well let's see... There is a 75 pound 5 year old who has horrid shiners- looks like he has been punched, he flaps his hands when he runs, he drools and is that kid that no one wants their children around (mom has NO clue, just says he makes her insane), family of 3- son with tons of inflammation in his face and Dx- ODD, severe agression, sleep disorder- on meds, daughter just Dx type 1 diabetes (just turned 6)and 2 and 1/2 year old in private speech therapy/has no language/parents didn't want early intervention. Family of 3- two have eczema and one Dx ADHD- the other throws tantrums every time I see him- and all three have tubes in their ears and one just had tonsils out. And it goes on and on and on... one 5 month old just spent several nights in the hospital with severe respiratory infection... another child has cystic fibrosis (and if you have read Jill James' papers on glutathione depletion in CF, then the same elements that apply to our children may apply here as well)... but it's not "autism"- so there is no vaccine injury, because that is the only buzz that you hear. The Dr. did sign my physical but told me that I was going to feel horrible as a mother if one of my unvacc'd children dies of one of these diseases, because I was misinformed on the safety and efficacy... and that he couldn't see any of my children again until they were up-to-date and the office had it on file. I smiled the biggest smile, stated that we practice wellness and there would never be a situation where I would need to see him again. Refused the blow-pops for the kids, took them in and scrubbed their hands good in the bathroom! What an approach! My two year (unvaccinated) has never had a runny nose or an ear infection BUT did get the MEASLES (all the MMR kids shedding the virus) this week. Early Sx started on Sunday-mouth sores and red/swollen convunctiva (I thought maybe hand/foot/mouth at first)... fever spike and cranky cranky on Monday- rash came that night and slowly progressed Tuesday and Wednesday... today she is feeling much better and is more herself and the rash is fading in the same order it presented itself. Lots of liquids, love and a little homeopathy and she already looks healthier today than ever (important milestone in immune health... what a novel idea). While, like many of you, we have spent a TON of money and even more time and effort to reverse the effects of the MMR on my 6 year old. The recovery of this measles bit has made me feel stronger and even more confident that I have given the best gift possible to my little one. And hey, she's two... she won't even remember feeling yucky for a few days!

Ben's Dad

Questions for Dr.Tayloe
We all know that vaccines have saved lives, and have had some problems.
What is the biggest problem that can occur with vaccine manufacture and delivery?
Can vaccine safety be improved right now?
How are vaccine manufacture lots distributed and reported against?
What are the big cost factors in vaccines?
If patients were willing to pay more, could they get a safer product?
Are doctors encouraged to give the safest vaccines available?
Could you discuss the results of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated studies?
Is mercury a neurotoxin, and are its affects reversible?
Do kids with GI or other issues expel mercury at the same rate as kids who do not have these issue?
What percent of pediatricians warn their patient’s parents about the risks associated with vaccines that are on the warning label?
What sort of screening do doctors do now for mitochondrial issues prior to vaccination?
Why are we vaccinated against a set of likely flu viruses and not all flu viruses?
Should advocates of vaccines and all medicines be required to disclose their direct and indirect financial stake in the products they recommend?
Who would this affect?

Kristin

They aren't looking because they already have the answers--just read the Simpsonwood Transcript. They knew, they covered it up and now they act like that never happened. If they really didn't know what was disabling a generation of children in the country they would be acting like this was an emergency. This would be the absolute top priority. But they already know and if they shared that publicly there would be such a financial loss to these people and not to mention probably jail time for many that they just pretend to keep on trying to find the cause. There may be other contributing factors but vaccines are what put almost every one of these kids over the edge. They will never admit this. They have too much to lose.

Peter

"...prescriptions for high cholesterol, asthma and attention deficit and hyperactivity."

Hey aren't those the same people that advertise in Pediatrics?


nhokkanen

Just what IS the AAP's mission? All five of Tayloe's agenda items serve its dues-paying members, not the children used by that trade group like little human shields.

Google "Teamsters" "union" and "autism" and you'll find many articles on that union's charity drives and awareness education.

Which would you rather have looking out for your children's welfare?

CJ's Mommy

yeah... ya really shouldnt argue w/hollywood actors (like jenny mccarthy) on national television shows (like larry king) where you might look like you have no clue... or that maybe you just dont WANT to have a clue!

i really just dont understand how the health of our children, our future, isn't THE biggest thing the most URGENTLY addressed situation. it's not even talked about.. i just really dont understand.

Maggie

Don't forget the obese children with the bad arteries that was all over the news yesterday.

What could be causing such problems? Perhaps, mercury is damaging the arteries as has already been established by research. Sorry, folks, nobody who got those mercury laden vaccines is coming out undamaged.

biomedmom

Isn't this the son of a man whose practice was sued because of vaccine injury?

AnneS

Anne, great great piece! AAP is so out of touch.

"vaccine financing issues"...
Vaccines are already at an all-time high, according to CDC, so why focus on vaccines?
Or does he mean he wants the big ticket items (gardasil) covered and in the schedule?

MinorityView

http://www.aap.org/donate/fcfhonorroll.htm

this says it all!

So True

Anne, great piece.

Claudine Liss

And we all know how the children in the HomeFirst practice are doing...HEALTHY...no diabetes, no arthritis, no asthma etc...and NO VACCINES
www.HomeFirst.com

Great article!
Claudine

Stagmom

Anne, don't forget the PINK glucose meters and ashtma inhalers! Kids love 'em! Makes them feel "normal!" And lipitor is going to be injected into Skittles soon, I'm told! They'll call it Skittltor.

John Stone

Anne

We need a new slogan for these people "STOP LECTURING: START LISTENING!!!"

Regards,

John

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