NPR Boston

Many parents of children on the autism spectrum are celebrating passage of a bill that is among dozens already on Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk.

The bill would create a tax-free savings account for autism and disability care; would require Medicaid coverage for autism behavioral treatment; and would give thousands of residents with autism access to state disability services. Currently only those whose IQ is under 70 qualify.

It seems that when we talk about autism it's never a crisis on the federal level.  THERE, it's just a mysterious disorder that many officials think has been unrecognized until recent decades.  The feds aren't upset that there's no known cause or cure for something affecting almost two percent of U.S. children.  This piece gives us that chilling reality about autism on the state level.  The rates for autism as said here to have skyrocketed and that these kids need services.  Currently Medicaid doesn't cover help for these children.  A representative from MA ARC calls autism "a public health crisis," something we would never hear from a CDC official.  No word on whether the governor of Massachusetts will sign the bill.  Maybe Patrick is thinking about the cost increases rather than the needs of disabled children.  If he doesn't sign, he's postponing the inevitable.  Regardless, theses children aren't going away and they're going to cost and cost and cost the state for the rest of their lives.

Comment:

Why is autism called "a public health crisis," yet there's no assurances from the governor that he'll sign this bill?  One in every 68 U.S. children now has an autism diagnosis.  That's one in every 42 among boys alone.  Officially, there's no known cause or cure for autism.  There's no way a new mother can prevent her baby that was born healthy and is developing normally from also ending up on the autism spectrum by age two.  STILL, U.S. officials have never called autism a crisis like Barbara L'Italien does here.  They still aren't sure if more children really have autism, or if it's just better diagnosing of a disorder that's always been here.  The scary truth is that a once rare disorder is now so common that everyone knows someone with an affected child and doctors can't tell us why.  The rate is based on studies of eight year olds, not eighty year olds.  No one has ever shown us a comparable rate among adults, especially adults with severe autism---where individuals can't speak, flap their hands endlessly and require constant care.  The governor of MA should really be concerned about the future cost of autism when all these children are adults and his state is footing the bill for their support and care.

WRAL, Raleigh, NC

A bill that would require insurers to cover applied behavioral therapy for children with autism is likely dead for the year, according to the Senate's top leader.

The measure has twice passed the House, where Speaker Thom Tillis has been a champion. But it has languished in the Senate, and lawmakers are hoping to end their summer session this weekend.

Look at the mothers and their sons in the photo in this story.  Now imagine we were reading about blind children that the state of North Carolina refused to help.  There would be outrage and calls for reform.  Why is there never this same compassion when we're talking about autism?  I can answer that.  It's because every April we dress up the planet in blue and celebrate autism with walks and rallies.  Autism isn't a bad thing.  It isn't a crisis.  People like having autism.  Autism's always been here; we just need acceptance.  Given that mindset, why should the state government have to do anything?

American Council on Science and Health (ACSH)

Kennedy, in his book, states that "dangerous quantities of Thimerosal continue to be used [in vaccines], posing a significant threat to public health and leading to a crisis of faith in vaccine safety." However, ACSH trustee, Dr. Paul Offit, says, "This hypothesis . about thimerosal was raised 15 years ago and answered 5 years ago - it's done. It doesn't matter what Bobby Kennedy, Jr. does - the only thing is what the data show. The question is, are the levels [of mercury] contained in vaccines shown to be harmful? And the answer is no.

The pharma front known as the American Council on Science and Health is going after Robert Kennedy Jr's claim that mercury in vaccines is harmful. 

(Paul Offit is on the board of this organization.) 

This piece is incorrect.  WHO doesn't only agree that the trace amounts are safe, they say that 25 mcg of mercury in a single vaccine is safe too.  That's why the World Health Organization has refused to call for the elimination of mercury in vaccines given to children in the poorest countries where.  It's also deceptive to ignore the flu vaccine in the U.S. which has full doses of mercury in the majority of the vaccine available.  This is the standard at the ACSH.  The science isn't important. 


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.