The third lie is that the link between vaccines and autism has been debunked. I have in my wallet a list of peer-reviewed studies that show the connection. It was compiled by Sharyl Attkisson, former investigative reporter for CBS News. “Former” because CBS wouldn’t let her talk about the connection on TV. And here’s something else you won’t hear on TV. Dr. William Thompson, senior research scientist at the CDC, confessed that he and his colleagues covered up evidence linking the MMR vaccine, when given before 36 months, to increased risk for autism in African-American boys. Dr. Thompson said his team took the troublesome data that revealed the link into a room and literally tossed it into a big garbage can. They wrote a paper claiming there was no link. That paper evolved into the 2004 Pediatrics article that fed the lie, Vaccines don’t Cause Autism. Dr. Thompson says, “I feel great shame for what we did.”

So what can you do to reduce the risk? First, when your baby is born, skip the Hepatitis B shot. If your partner isn’t Hep-B positive, your baby doesn’t need it, because hepatitis is a sexually transmitted disease or it’s spread through dirty needles. Stay the hand of the nurse. She may call the doctor, who will lecture you. Listen politely and say no. At well-baby checkup, your pediatrician will offer the shot again. If she won’t take no for an answer, fire her.

Second, do your research.  Read Vaccines 2.0.  Vaccinate selectively.  No flu shot during pregnancy.  Space the vaccines.  Delay the MMR – that’s the mumps, measles, rubella shot – until your child is at least three years old.

What if your child has autism? When Ben was diagnosed, we were told, “There is no medical treatment. Save your money for his institutionalization when he turns twenty-one.” That was twenty five years ago.  Autism wasn’t taught in school. Today, integrative doctors and can help. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy), nutrition, biomedical and physical therapies can move your child toward greater independence. Start now. There’s hope.

I’ll turn this over to Ben’s mom, Susan, who will tell you about how far Ben has come, and the latest work we’re doing with our brave, handsome son."

Dan E. Burns, Ph.D., is the father of a 25-year-old son on the autism spectrum and the author of Saving Ben: A Father’s Story of Autism.  Dr. Burns is a Contributing Editor to Age of Autism  and Executive Leadership Team, Health Choice. Through Appleseed Ventures, Dan empowers parents to organize communities where their adult ASD children and friends can live, work, play, and heal.