Neptune, NJ, Asbury Park Press

As the mother of a 22-year-old son with autism, I am not surprised by the latest autism statistics (1 in 68 children).

Every year the autism epidemic has gotten worse. The professionals wring their hands in despair and profess not to have any idea of what is causing this increase.

I believe my son's autism was caused by a genetic predisposition to autism and the two dozen vaccines he received as a baby. I believe that onslaught of vaccines triggered his autism.

I believe that thimerosal, a mercury preservative used in vaccines at that time and also in flu shots, is especially to blame. The symptoms of autism and mercury poisoning are frighteningly similar.

Vaccines are needed to prevent potentially fatal diseases, but there needs to be a safer way to administer them to babies - perhaps waiting until they are older and their immune systems are stronger or perhaps administering them singly so the immune system is not so bombarded.

I am so tired of the trite response that "vaccines do not cause autism," which is always backed up by some supposed study. I will never be convinced that they are not a culprit in this autism outrage.

The Asbury Park Press is to be congratulated for allowing a mother to voice her opinion.  I posted comments.

WTHI TV TERRE HAUTE, IN:

The number of American children with autism has gone up 30% in just two years, that's according to a new study by the CDC.

One in 68, that's the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2010.

A disability almost unheard of a decade ago now seems to be exploding.

Despite the spike in statistics, is autism really on the rise? . . .

What's still unknown is the driver of that increase.

Many experts believe the rise is largely due to better awareness and diagnosis rather than a true increase in the number of children being born with the condition.

Why are we still asking this question when the rate is ONE IN 68 CHILDREN?

They can't show us ONE IN 68 ADULTS. It's that simple. What else can you say except, AUTISM IS ON THE RISE?

The truth is, the rate can never be a TRUE INCREASE. It raises too many questions.

No one in charge of health care will ever be worried about the numbers.

Officials will deny this before all else because it lets vaccines off the hook. If autism has been around like this, even at a time when kids weren't vaccinated, then the dramatic increase in the vaccine schedule couldn't be a factor.

WMAZ Altanta, GA

The anti-vaccination movement has picked up steam in the past decade with support from celebrities such as actress Jenny McCarthy, actor Aidan Quinn and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari, who last month said not vaccinating was "the best decision" for her children. Many continue to believe the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism, while others don't trust the federal government or the pharmaceutical companies responsible for these vaccines.

Only actors think vaccines cause autism. I'm sick of Jenny McCarthy being the "fall mom" for the whole vaccine controversy. I posted comments.

WI Rapids Tribune

Autism rates climbed nearly 30 percent between 2008 and 2010 and have more than doubled since the turn of the century, according to the study released last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . . .

The statistics don't surprise central Wisconsin professionals who evaluate children for developmental disorders.

"It think there is much greater public awareness about autism spectrum disorders now than there was just 10 years ago," said Dr. Traci Swink, a pediatric neurologist at the Marshfield Clinic's Child Development Center.

It's all just greater awareness and not vaccines.  Nice photos of smiling boy.  Nothing to worry about.  I posted comments.  They were removed.

AMERICAblog

Increasingly, evidence from neurologic research is pointing to the fact that autism is inherited, and that children with autism have abnormalities in brain architecture that start before birth. . . .

Genetics seems to play a large role. Siblings of autistic children may have as much as a 30-times greater risk of developing autism as other children in the general population. Also, there is a much higher rate of autism occurring in monozygotic twins (twins who developed from a single fertilized egg) than in dizygotic twins (twins who developed from two eggs.) Though there doesn't seem to be a single gene that codes for autism. Autism may come about from the interaction of several genes.

There are also other risk factors that seem to predispose children to developing autism. There is a higher incidence of autistic children in children who have "older" parents (over about age 30), mothers who develop diabetes while pregnant, meconium in the amniotic fluid, some maternal medications and, possibly some other factors.

No good evidence that vaccinations cause autism

There is no good evidence from reputable researchers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals that vaccinations, or thimerosal (a mercury derivative that used to be found in vaccines in small quantities) causes autism. . . .

The Dachel Media Update is sponsored by Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy and their OurKidsASD brand.  Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy is one of the largest and most respected compounding pharmacies in the country. They use only the finest quality chemicals and equipment to prepare our patients’ compounded medications and nutritional supplements. Customizing medication and nutritional supplements for our customers allows them to achieve their unique health goals.

Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism and author of  The Big Autism Cover-Up: How and Why the Media Is Lying to the American Public, which goes on sale this Fall from Skyhorse Publishing.