Hearing Gives Burton a Last Shot at Autism Issue
Source: By Melissa Attias, Roll Call Staff
Indiana Republican plans to focus on environmental factors that could have effects on children’s neurological systems
By Melissa Attias
Roll Call Staff
Nov. 27, 2012, 3:24 p.m.
[img]
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Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo
Burton said his grandson in one day received seven shots containing mercury before he was diagnosed with autism.
For more than a decade, Indiana Republican Dan Burton has been a leading House voice on autism and a proponent of the theory that mercury in vaccines contributes to the disorder. He held at least 20 hearings examining the potential link between the two during three terms as chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and one as head of the panel’s subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness, according to his office.
With about a month left before he retires, Burton will have one last chance to pursue the issue from his seat on the Oversight panel Thursday, when the panel holds a hearing on autism spectrum disorders. Burton said he plans to focus his questions on environmental factors — such as mercury or other contaminants in water — that have the potential to affect children’s neurological systems, as well as the vaccine issue.
“I’m very confident that the mercury in vaccinations is a contributing factor,” said Burton, whose teenage grandson has autism. “It may not be the only one — that’s why I talked about environmental issues as well — but certainly anything that you inject into your body that has mercury in it is a contaminant.”
But while Burton requested the hearing and expects to preside over part of it, the testimony lined up by the Oversight panel is expected to take a wider look at the autism spectrum rather than zeroing in on the controversy over vaccines. In an invitation to the National Institutes of Health, Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said the hearing would look at “the federal response to the recent rise in ASD diagnoses,” the distribution of government resources, and research and treatment options.
“Rising ASD diagnosis rates present a challenge to federal agencies charged with coordinating response efforts,” Oversight spokesman Ali Ahmad said. “The committee will hear testimony from a broad array of voices, including parent advocates, self advocates, educational specialists and scientists.”
More.
Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/hearing_gives_burton_a_last_shot_at_autism_issue-219418-1.html?pos=oplyh
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proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Oversight panel plans autism hearing
By Sam Baker - 11/16/12 12:29 PM ET
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is planning a hearing later this month on rising autism rates and the federal government's response.
The panel, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa (D-Calif.), has invited witnesses from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as Autism Speaks and other advocacy groups.
Autism rates are rising quickly. One in 88 children has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by age 8, the CDC reported in March, a dramatic increase from its previous estimates.
<>
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
1 in 88 Children: A Look Into the Federal Response to Rising Rates of Autism
November 29, 2012
Details: Panels 1 and 2 (~4 hours testimony)
Landmark Autism Hearing: "The Troops Have Landed on Normandy Beach"
By Dan Olmsted
Posted November 30, 2012 at 5:48 AM
Thursday's hearing before the House oversight committee (view the autism hearing here) will surely be remembered as a landmark. By the end of the day, the government spokesmen from the NIH and the CDC seemed to be the ones people were looking at funny, while those who raised concerns about autism and vaccines seemed positively mainstream.
It didn't help that the CDC's Coleen Boyle testified under oath that fraudster Poul Thorsen had only been involved in a couple of studies with the CDC. Shortly thereafter, a congressman introduced into evidence a list of more than 20 he had worked on. I feel like calling the CDC and asking: "Has Ms. Boyle retained counsel in anticipation of a possible perjury charge?"
The questions were tough and bipartisan -- from Republicans like longtime thimerosal foe Dan Burton to Chairman Darrell Issa, who said no topic would be out of bounds as the committee continues to probe. Democrat Carolyn Maloney, who has tried to get a vax-unvax study through the House for years, gave 'em the what-for once again. And while I have seen Democratic Congressman Elijah Cummings on TV, I wasn't prepared for the common-sense and deeply troubled approach he brought to the proceedings. The look on his expressive face was priceless. His comment, "There's something wrong with this picture," may go down in history with gems like Jim Carey's "The problem is the problem."
Cummings pointed out the animated, frustrated faces of the audience, many of whom I know quite well. Their collective eye-rolling served as a great backdrop for the in-credible defense of the federal response to autism and vaccine safety worries. And while CDC-types consider individuals as little more than walking anecdoctal evidence, to elected officials they are the voters who put them there and can kick 'em out.
As a general proposition, it is fair to say that the people responsible for running the country do not like hearing that we have double any other nation's vaccine schedule, with a miserable infant mortality rate and an autism epidemic to show for it.
<>
freshwest
(53,661 posts)I was looking for an empathy breakthrough. The only reason the hidebound elephant was seeing the light, was what was going on in his own family with his grandson. The man's face had a look I'd never seen on a Republican. But I've seen that face on a lot of people's faces IRL.
He was freaked at what his grandson's future would be. His son was attempting to take care of the young man at home. it didn't appear that they'd applied for social services, after all GOP folks don't need that, huh?
The grandson was keeping everyone up and beating his father down in the home. I have no other words to describe the look on Burton's face but bewildernment and terror, when he said he wasn't full grown yet.
What the grandson's diagnosis was, other than autism of some level, I don't remember. And that wasn't the primary issue for me, as I've seen many varieities of disabilities that exceed family care.
But the way he was thunderstruck, I thought, this man is finally learning something about how others live in the America the GOP and Libertarians gave to us, a collapse social safety net and shaming families and the disabled. I wondered how many times he'd voted against healthcare.
It was ironic, but touching to see Burton, who I'd seen as a blustering blowhard, humbled by what many have had to face. A loved one needing a lifetime of care, more than their best intentions or hard work could provide.
Through the miles in our almost meeting, I was welcoming him to come off his high horse and join the rest of humanity.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)SafeMinds' Mark Blaxill Testimony at Autism Hearing
November 29, 2012
Testimony of Mark Blaxill Board Member, SafeMinds before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform US House of Representatives
VIDEO, PREPARED REMARKS, ATTACHMENTS
Comments by Anne Dachel also recommended (chronologically first pair posted).
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)
Honest_Abe
(155 posts)And when it was, it was not elemental mercury and in extremely small quantities. The original study linking autism to vaccines was done by an admitted fraud, and has been thoroughly and completely debunked.
Honest_Abe
(155 posts)proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)eg. Mark Blaxill, JB Handley, Louise Kuo Habakus - a highly credentialed trio, by the way, Princeton/Harvard MBA, Stanford and Stanford, respectively (see linkedin and http://www.amazon.com/Louise-Kuo-Habakus/e/B004MYKO3S ). I regard them as fully vetted and conflict-of-interest free (as a counterexample, see http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/11/making-out-with-merck.html#more ) and I find their collective judgement inherently trustworthy. Jake Crosby, too (see http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/11/dr-david-gorski-admits-thimerosal-might-cause-autism.html ). Also Ginger Taylor, Anne Dachel, Dan Olmsted, John Stone, multiple other individual parent bloggers - see contributors http://www.ageofautism.com/ .
Start here.
My Conversation with IACC Chair Dr. Tom Insel
By Jake Crosby
August 01, 2012
...Dr. Insel then brought up Mark Blaxill’s testimony (BELOW):
“If there is anybody’s public comment to emulate, it would be Mark’s. He did not attack anybody in particular; he just made his point about how the committee was not doing a good job. I respect Mark, I don’t agree with him, but I respect him.”
<>
Posted by Age of Autism at July 10, 2012
When Science and Health Policy Trumps Inconvenient Evidence
Below are Mark Blaxill's public comments to the IACC.
My name is Mark Blaxill. I am the co-author of the book, The Age of Autism and recently helped to launch a movement called The Canary Party, which was created to stand up for the victims of medical injury, environmental toxins and industrial foods. Unfortunately, we need to stand up for these victims, the proverbial “canaries in the coal mine,” because so many of them cannot speak for themselves. I am also the father of a 16 year old daughter diagnosed with autism. Thanks to biomedical interventions and therapy, Michaela is more verbal, social and flexible than most affected children, but sadly, she will not live independently. She most certainly does not have a capacity for self-advocacy, so (like most affected individuals) her parents must speak for her.
Unfortunately, the climate for parent advocates, never favorable in autism, has grown progressively more hostile. We have gone from being bad parents whose contempt for their infant children caused them to withdraw into autism, to raving lunatics who are a danger to the public health and whose opinions must be suppressed.
Why? Because the autism parent community refuses to stand down in offering inconvenient evidence to the makers of science and health policy. This evidence is simple. Before 1930, the rate of autism was effectively zero. Before 1990, autism in the United States was exceedingly rare, as low as 1 in 10,000. Three months ago, we learned that 1 in 88 children born in the year 2000 were autistic, 1 in 54 boys. The conclusion is inescapable: autism is manmade.
The health policy implications of this evidence are obvious. The only rational policy for autism would:Declare a public health emergency as our country did with poliomyelitis (a much smaller epidemic) and AIDS.
Urgently gather good numbers on the nature and extent of the epidemic.
Objectively and without financial conflict, consider the short list of candidates for such an unusual and massive scourge.
Collaborate closely with affected families to develop answers: prevention, treatments and resources throughout the lifespan.
Sadly, the policy response of the health agencies of our government has been precisely the opposite.The NIH has funded research to concoct arguments that the crisis is an artifact of better diagnosing. Instead of mobilizing for the epidemic, science policy has promoted denial.
The CDC has organized surveillance to measure autism rates that are at least a decade old and trend evidence that starts just a few short years after the epidemic started. Instead of urgently gaining insight, health policy has promoted ignorance and delay.
The agencies of HHS act in unison to promote vaccination, a candidate exposure of great concern to parents, while agency leaders rotate out of their government positions to take lucrative jobs at pharmaceutical companies. Instead of objectivity, the investigation of cause has become fraught with conflicts.
The IACC, newly reconstituted after the explosive 1 in 88 report, appears to have been recruited to rubber stamp this policy of epidemic denial. Instead of collaboration with parent leaders, public servants have turned their backs on us.
Autism parents spend a lot of time debating how the science and health policies surrounding autism have gotten to this place. Is it because autism is merely fodder to help recover and extend the massive research investment in the human genome? Is it because psychiatry grabbed hold of autism with Leo Kanner and refuses to release its grip? Is it because pediatricians are afraid to confront the idea that they may be harming more children than they are helping? Is it because the massive resources of the pharmaceutical industry have so tilted science and medicine in the direction of their financial goals that policy is now driven by money rather than reason? Is it because government officials are too busy worrying about their retirement, too afraid to rock the boat and confront inconvenient truths? Is it because the idea that there are human costs to some aspects of technical progress is too difficult for intelligent people to accept?
Or, more hopefully, is it because some people have simply made bad decisions that we have the freedom to unmake?
I don’t propose to answer all of these questions today. Instead I want to offer you all a challenge. Unmake your bad decisions. Treat autism as an emergency and not as something to celebrate. Approach the problem of prevention with the intellectual and moral urgency that an epidemic requires. Treat the canaries in the coalmine as signals of a crisis of public health not as a public relations problem. Offer respect and standing to those who speak for the injured, don’t handpick more convenient representatives to speak against us.
Most of all, I challenge you to do the right thing. Until you do, we will keep making you feel uncomfortable.
Tumbulu
(6,291 posts)what a nightmare!
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)A great big dollop of 'appeal to authority'.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Career advancement, current and future funding, financial gain are all irrelevant to these parents, although scientists may be unduly influenced by these factors more frequently than imagined. Blaxill also touched on the existence of third rail research topics during his testimony and blacklisted scientists.
Here's an example of interference:
http://www.ageofautism.com/2011/10/dr-sin-hang-lee-a-case-study-in-ethics-dont-pay.html
http://www.ageofautism.com/2011/09/lab-finds-hpv-dna-in-blood-of-gardasil-recipient-2-years-post-vaccination.html
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)You just can't make an argument without appealing to authority, can you?
sense
(1,219 posts)It was ever only taken out of four vaccines. It's still in all the rest.
barbaraj
(80 posts)Mercury is in measurable amounts in some vaccines, most all flu vaccines and in trace amounts in all vaccines that are not "live". The MMR/ Wakefield incident, was a Murdoch take down of an educated and honest doctor , it was political and time will explain this. However, the thimerosal (mercury in vaccines) played NO part in that "debunking lie", as mercury was NEVER present in the MMR vaccine. The issue was the crohn's like disease that was hitting children shortly after their mmr's and these children in some numbers went on to develop regressive autism. My own pediatrician told me this story of fraud and thimerosal, and yes, he is sorry, sorry that he told ME, and embarrassed that he was duped by the trickle down pharmaceutical propaganda.
elleng
(130,974 posts)
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)AUTISM HEARING IN CONGRESS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29th AT 2:00 PM
RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING - ROOM 2154
PARENTS AND ADVOCATES:
PLEASE ATTEND, GET YOUR CONGRESSMAN TO ATTEND AND SPREAD THE WORD. COME TO WASHINGTON. BRING YOUR CHILDREN.
On Thursday, November 29th at 2:00 pm, The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing regarding the federal response to autism over the past decade. EBCALA, SafeMinds and many individual parents have worked hard to make this happen. Our understanding is that two panels are scheduled - one of government witnesses and one of public witnesses, including SafeMinds.Do you think the federal government is doing enough about autism?
Do you think the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has helped your family?
Do you think federal policies have prevented new cases of autism?
Have you seen results from the government's hundreds of millions of dollars in research spending?
If you answered "No" to these questions, here's what you can do to help:More at link.
http://safeminds.org/
http://ebcala.com/
http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2005/12/liz-birt-1956-2005.html
http://www.ageofautism.com/
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)Odin2005
(53,521 posts)
KT2000
(20,584 posts)for his committment to this issue. We have to figure out what is causing this because too many children are having their lives stolen from them. There is already a lot of research pointing to environmental triggers and that needs much more research.
Feron
(2,063 posts)You won't get any truthful answers if the people on your panel are frauds selling quack remedies to desperate parents. And then there is Autism Speaks which openly despises autistic people.
For those of us who are autistic and follow this issue, it's the same cast of characters peddling the same garbage.
There's ongoing research about autism having a genetic component. Certainly the environment can play a factor as well. It will be interesting to see where the science leads.
Regardless autism is a part of me. You can't steal away something that never existed to begin with. It's simply how I think and who I am.
I'm happy with who I am. So why can't other people accept that?
Tumbulu
(6,291 posts)harms more than it helps.
We do not know what is causing this- why aren't there more resources dedicated to sorting this out rather than DEFENDING policies/practices put into place without adequate testing.
I am talking about a whole range of things, fire retardants in furniture etc. The list goes on and on.
KT2000
(20,584 posts)but there are people who are in extremely bad condition who will need special care for their entire lives. After the caring parent passes they will be vulnerable to all kinds of exploitation - some of it quite hideous. Some are not even lucky enough to have a caring parent.
I think it is a mistake to use people who are at your end of the scale as a reason to not address the issues that are devastating to those at the other end of the scale. This is a serious problem that deserves attention, investigation, and research.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)What a sickeningly offensive post.
KT2000
(20,584 posts)You are at the opposite end of the scale that I am concerned about. You are happy and that is good. Unfortunately there are many who are in very bad shape and will need constant care and as I said in another post - will spend most of their lives very vulnerable to exploitation.
Not everyone has caring parents and even if they do - what happens when they are gone?
Environmental triggers for illness is well known but much more research is needed. It is difficult to get funding for environmental/health research. Please check out the environmental health literature that is available and you will see that much is known but it just sits there, never proceeding to affect public health or mainstream medicine.
(Start with Environmental Health Perspectives and search the literature from Sweden, Finland, Japan and more)
I personally feel that not caring enough (or being too fearful) to further the existing research is indeed stealing lives.
Odin - not all concerning autism is about you. I hope you will be concerned for those who are less well off than you. Would you want to trade your life for those at the other end of the scale who are severely impacted, dependent, without resources and vulnerable to exploitation?
Mosby
(16,319 posts)People are having kids at a much older age than in the past - how do you "fix" that?
KT2000
(20,584 posts)links fetal and first year exposure to high traffic exhaust to a risk for autism.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-traffic-pollution-autism-idUSBRE8AP16020121126
The fact is that we are in new territory and it will take many pieces to fall into place. Until very recently the only role that toxic environmental exposures play in human health is the old adage "the dose makes the poison."
With genetic research we are beginning to see how DNA can be altered from certain exposures. Certainly an older parent would have DNA damage that a younger parent would not have.
There is a lot of work to do and most of it will likely focus on the interplay of environment and DNA.
NickB79
(19,253 posts)But idiots like this keep re-visiting a discredited argument and in so doing 1) take away valuable funding to repeat the same studies ad nasueum that show vaccines are safe, and 2) scare parents into not getting their toddlers valuable vaccines that keep them safe from infectious diseases.
He deserves none of your thanks. Thank the researchers that are actually DOING something about this, using real science, instead.
KT2000
(20,584 posts)Bernadine Healey MD, past Director of the CDC said that there is more to learn about the possible role of vaccines in the development of autism. She proposed that the vaccines may not be causing but may be triggering reactions in the body that result in autism. It is a worthy area of research.
The outdated idea that "the dose makes the poison" has directed past research with regard to toxic metals and chemicals in all illnesses. There was only supposed to be a state of being poisoned. We are learning that certain exposures damage DNA, cause some to switch on and off, some exposures may promote inflammatory response, mimic hormones and more.
Another clue can be found in veterans with Gulf War Illness. Rep. Shays worked years to get somewhere with the researchers but all they could do is repeat that there is no evidence in the literature that the veterans were poisoned by their exposures. Robert Haley MD is finding that exposures triggered "something" to cause some to develop ALS, MS and alterations in their autonomic nervous system.
This is not just a challenge for autism but for a whole host of illnesses that may represent a new paradigm in medicine.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)Time to give it a rest. Good grief.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)
UpInArms
(51,284 posts)It's been a mystery in Washington for weeks. Just before President Bush signed the homeland security bill into law an unknown member of Congress inserted a provision into the legislation that blocks lawsuits against the maker of a controversial vaccine preservative called "thimerosal," used in vaccines that are given to children.
Drug giant Eli Lilly and Company makes thimerosal. It's the mercury in the preservative that many parents say causes autism in thousands of children – like Mary Kate Kilpatrick.
Asked if she thinks her daughter is a victim of thimerosal, Mary Kate's mother, Kathy Kilpatrick, says, "I think autism is mercury poisoning."
But nobody in Congress would admit to adding the provision, reports CBS News Correspondent Jim Acosta – until now.
House Majority Leader Dick Armey tells CBS News he did it to keep vaccine-makers from going out of business under the weight of mounting lawsuits.
"I did it and I'm proud of it," says Armey, R-Texas.
"It's a matter of national security," Armey says. "We need their vaccines if the country is attacked with germ weapons."
Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., isn't buying it. The grandfather of an autistic child, Burton says Armey slipped the provision in at the last minute, too late for debate.
Response to proverbialwisdom (Original post)
sakabatou This message was self-deleted by its author.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Here's a recent overview. (I wish it had a different title. How many will use that as an excuse to stop reading? Also irrelevant to the points detailed is the appeal to help fund a study.)
By J.B. Handley
“In a complex system, however, mistakes are not measured in degrees but in whole orders of magnitude.”
- Nate Silver, The Signal and the Noise
In the above quote, author Nate Silver is discussing the fact that Moody’s and S&P--the pre-eminent financial ratings agencies in the world-- underestimated the default risk of CDO funds by a factor of over 200, facilitating the implosion of the housing bubble and a worldwide recession.
Put another way, the financial experts at S&P and Moody’s predicted that certain financial instruments would have a default rate of just 0.12 percent (just over one tenth of one percent), when the actual default rate turned out to be 28%.
How could so many smart people be so stupid?
This question lies at the heart of a battle and debate that so many of us are currently fighting—is it possible that our health authorities, in an attempt to prevent every infectious disease they could through the use of vaccines, ended up creating a whole different set of problematic health outcomes in our children?
Here are the facts we know to be true: Please see link.
Response to proverbialwisdom (Reply #22)
sakabatou This message was self-deleted by its author.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Wakefield's co-author referenced above (and the person credited with being the co-founder of the field of pediatric gastroenterology, incidentally) WAS COMPLETELY EXONERATED. This thread is not the place for me to repeat previous posts on the subject.
Response to proverbialwisdom (Reply #33)
sakabatou This message was self-deleted by its author.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)so the poor(and especially the poor who don't look like Republicans from Indiana)will do their duty to the White Christian God and die as young as possible?
but barely...) 
Myrina
(12,296 posts)n/t
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)Did he say anything when Michael The Savage was dissing the moms of kids with autism?
Myrina
(12,296 posts)... but when that story hit the local news (right about the same time as the out-of-wedlock was revealed) a few years ago, there wasn't much avoiding it.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Congressional Hearing on Autism Broadcast Live
The congressional hearing on autism will be broadcast live today - Thursday, November 29th at 2:00 p.m. eastern.
Please watch live, by clicking here or copying and pasting the link below:
http://thomas.loc.gov/video/house-committee/hsgo/26990917
And don't forget to catch SafeMinds board member and AofA Editor At Large Mark Blaxill tomorrow morning on Imus in the Morning on Fox Business.
Posted by Age of Autism at November 29, 2012 at 5:47 AM
My guess is that Blaxill would appear on ANY early morning program that would invite him. Damn shame no others do.
AlexSatan
(535 posts)Unless you look at goofy things like facts, science and common sense.
What a doofus.
For the record, I have a 17 year-old who was diagnosed as autistic when he was 2. I attribute it almost entirely to genetics. And the reason ASD diagnoses are rising is because in the past we just saw the kids as oddballs or nerds, especially the Aspys. Now we are realizing it is a condition with similar characteristics.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)However, look at the scientific links (peer reviewed studies) just recently collected here:
http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2012/11/empirical-data-confirm-autism-symptoms.html
Or embedded in the essay here (ignore comments): http://thinkingmomsrevolution.com/the-birth-of-a-warrior/
Informed consent and parental choice are at issue, although never relevant in the case of your son as you describe.
Despite all of that, your final two sentences are regarded as patently false by many experts. (I don't have the time to dig up links at the moment.)
AlexSatan
(535 posts)"It can now no longer be denied that the incidence of ASD is alarmingly on the rise in the U.S. [6]."
And what did their source really say?
http://dspace.library.drexel.edu/bitstream/1860/2632/1/2006175339.pdf
"Nonetheless, the question of whether this historical increase can be fully accounted for by these and other changes in diagnosis and classification remains open to debate,"
With that "mistake" in conclusions, the integrity of their methodology and conclusions is completely compromised. If I have been reviewing that paper submission, I would have destroyed it and certainly not accepted it.
The abstract foes on to say:
"We propose that children with the autism diagnosis are especially vulnerable to toxic metals such as
aluminum and mercury due to insufficient serum sulfate and glutathione." They later point out that "The cover page emphasizes that the data report only an association rather than a confirmed causal relationship."
They also claim "A strong correlation between autism and the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is also
observed, which may be partially explained via an increased sensitivity to acetaminophen
administered to control fever."
However they later caveat it with "We have not examined the records in detail to determine what percentage had autism before receiving the vaccine, and, in fact, in many cases this information is not available from the VAERS record, which may simply list autism as a feature....
If the MMR vaccine is administered simultaneously with DTaP, an aluminum-containing vaccine (as is often the case), then the acetaminophen would likely interfere with the child’s ability to dispose of the aluminum."
Again, not a causal effect.
That source also said
"The prevalence of autistic disorder among siblings of individuals with autistic disorder ranges from 2% to 6% (6), with estimates as high as 14% for siblings of females with autistic disorder (138). Even at the lower end of this range, prevalence in siblings is many times higher than is contemporaneous population prevalence estimates, providing additional support for the heritability of autism.
Family studies have also shown that ?20% of siblings of probands with autistic disorder may have more subtle variants of the core features of ASDs such as aloofness, lack of tact, limited friendships, poor pragmatic and reciprocal language, and preference for predictable routine, which are collectively referred to as the broad autism phenotype (129)."
This matches what I have seen anecdotally. I can clearly see ASD traits in the parents of the Aspys we know, even though they have no diagnosis. When my son was diagnosed I received the news. However, they apparently were concerned about my response , or lack therefof ("OK, thanks for the diagnosis, I'll research it further to see what the best way to deal with and mitigate the effects are"--no wailing or gnashing of teeth) and had a home visit to discusses it with my wife as well. There, the confided that they suspected I was also on the spectrum (we both agree) since most parents have emotional reactions.
I appreciate your civility in your response but the data simply do not support a causal relationship. We have been using acetaminophen for almost 100 years and although the occurrence of aluminum and aluminum hydroxide has risen over the past century there is no strong evidence the incidence of ASD has been rising.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Again, a peer-reviewed journal accepted an MIT study with the findings described. Take your complaints up with them, please.
Moreover, Johns Hopkins grad, blogger and autism parent Ginger Taylor complied the list of scientific publications studying the link between the immune system dysfunction and autism, in response to the challenge from a poster who dismissed that association. Her blog is EXCELLENT.
AlexSatan
(535 posts)And I not only read about it but also quoted it and pointed out its deficiencies.
Evaluate that criticism or reject it--your choice. Blindly accepting something because it is in a peer-reviewed journal is not wise. My first publication with IEEE was an article proving how one of their previous peer-reviewed articles was completely wrong.
And I apologize for calling it "your source". I thought that since the link was in your post, you had provided it. I would discuss it with the admins if you think your post was hijacked and someone else put that source/article in your post.
Note that with the Entropy Journal, the authors recommend reviewers.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)-ed study. I apologize for replying as defensively as I did, my mistake.
I wish for you to please apply the same degree of scrutiny to the so-called '14 studies' used by the CDC to 'prove' safety of the status quo,
[/img]
http://www.fourteenstudies.org/index.html
http://www.fourteenstudies.org/ourstudies.html
and to please consider this:
CDCs Dr. Coleen Boyle Suggested Manipulating Autism Dx Age in 2000
Posted by Age of Autism at November 29, 2012 at 4:43 PM
CDC's Dr. Coleen Boyle who presented at the autism hearing today is one of the major architects of the the perpetuation of the autism epidemic. In April 2000, 6 weeks before the Simpsonwood meeting, Boyle suggested manipulating the data by adding 1 and 2 year olds to the data set - kids too young to have an ASD diagnosis - in order to dilute the danger. She belongs in prison. See the full email below (esp. #2).
Tuesday, April 25, 2000 3:55 PM
E-mail by Coleen Boyle to Frank DeStefano Cc to Tom Sinks.
Subject: comments of analysis
... "2. Since most of the dx's are generally not picked up until the 2nd or 3rd year of life had you considered eligibility criteria of at least 18 months or 2 years?? What happens if you do this?" ....
See link above for reproduction of full email or http://www.rescuepost.com/.a/6a00d8357f3f2969e2017d3e4a747f970c-pi
This isn't my field, I haven't personally mastered the material with the rigor of the parents I quote, but they have developed incredible expertise about autism and to me have been fully vetted by virtue of their life stories. I predict their assessments will hold up to your scrutiny. Oh, and you can read about Poul Thorsen by using the site search at AoA.
TrogL
(32,822 posts)"It can now no longer be denied" ... "open to debate"
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Your link lists a lot of proposed studies and gobbleygook, but running a google search, and discussing valid scientific query are not the same thing.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)are referencing, and what you think it means.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)That's the disgraceful flippant remark I was responding to (post 21). Foolish me, I was in a rush and just grabbed a link to the most recent compliation of peer-reviewed journal articles on autism research I'd seen exploring the immune system, environmental factors, and more. You want to debate someone on the validity of the studies, I suggest Ginger Taylor. I'm guessing she's assimilated them and synthesized their findings, because she wants answers for her son.
She deserves a Pulitizer for her work.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)about how chelation with this substance should be studied because a child somewhere was treated with gold salts for his arthritis, and gold has an affinity for pulling out mercury.
I'm not linking to Breibart's hate site, but you've got to be kidding us---Dan Burton, Darrell Issa, and Breitbart all in one day?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)What a tangent. I think it falls into the category 'grasping at straws' in an effort to discredit an incredibly brilliant and tenacious original researcher. Taylor does drill down into events in the most disconcerting way and comes up with detailed factual findings which draw lots of heat. Apparently, she has written about 'gold salts,' but not in a way which discredits her work. BTW, Olmsted's a Yale grad, Ginger Taylor is from Johns Hopkins.
September 21, 2010
Rediscovering “Donald T.”: John Donvan and Caren Zucker Steal a Story
Last Tuesday, John Donvan and Caren Zucker wrote a beautiful article for The Atlantic, entitled, “Autism’s First Child” ( http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/autisms-first-child/308227/ ), accompanied by a video packet that ran on Good Morning America and followed by a lengthy interview on NPR, about the first patient ever diagnosed with autism. Donald Triplett. These intrepid reporters, share how they searched and found this man who had been lost to history, and share with the world what a successful life he turned out to have. Donald was raised in a small town, by parents who stuck by him despite the recommendation of professionals to institutionalize him, and alongside neighbors who loved, accepted and supported him. He went to college, joined a fraternity, worked at a bank, drives a car and plays golf. It is a story that, as a mother of an 8 year old boy with autism, gives me hope.
But the problem is that it is not their story, the whole story, and the most newsworthy part of the story.
You see, in 1943, Leo Kanner, a Johns Hopkins Child Psychologist, wrote a paper in which he described a rare disorder he found in 11 children. The disorder became known as “Autism” and Kanner referred to the first case he found as “Donald T.”, a boy who was indeed lost to history. And it was intrepid journalistic investigating that found that Donald was still alive and living well in Mississippi. But it wasn’t ABC’s Donvan and Zucker who found him in 2010. It was a UPI’s Dan Olmsted who found him in 2005.
That year, Olmsted began a series for UPI called, “The Age of Autism”, which investigated the relationship between vaccines and autism. While reading Kanner’s paper to look for clues to any toxic exposures or physical symptoms the first children with autism may have had, Olmsted discovered that Kanner’s patient zero lived in an area where a water soluble form of mercury was first used in forestry. Potentially clinically significant as mercury was the component in vaccines suspected by many of being a causal factor in autism. So Dan Olmsted decided to try to find Donald T. And he found him living a full life in Mississippi.
While Kanner’s other cases had poor outcomes, Donald did not. It turns out Donald received a medical treatment that Kanner never recorded when, as a boy, he fell victim to crippling juvenile arthritis. Donald was treated with gold salts and his brother reported that as a result, Donald not only recovered from the arthritis, but "The proclivity to excitability and extreme nervousness had all but cleared up”.
Donald began to recover from “autism”.
<>
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Not my interest to waste time following bogus smear campaigns.
September 27, 2010
Breitbart Blog Runs My Story on The Atlantic Hijacking The Age of Autism
You may regard 'Breitbart Blog Runs My Story...' as sacrilege, but it's nothing compared to demanding other subjects be regarded as utterly sacrosanct.
November 20, 2010
Why Conservatives Don’t Get Autism
GREAT GRAPHIC - RECOMMENDED
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)
alarimer
(16,245 posts)There is no evidence AT ALL that vaccines cause autism unless you are an idiot and believe other unscientific illiterates.
Anti-vaxxers are idiots, period. And they kill. A number of children have died recently because they got whooping cough but were too young to be vaccinated. But, because anti-vaccines IDIOTS didn't vaccinate their kids, they got the disease and DIED.
There is nothing that makes me angrier than unscientific idiocy and anti-vaccine idiocy is the top of the list.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)For audio of interviews with Dr. Zahorodny and Dr. Dawson, please see post #35; see post #29 for letter by Dr. Poling: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014148376
See Dr. Gerberding here: http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/julie-gerberding-admits-on-cnn-that.html
Autism and What the Experts are Saying, Part Two: Dawson, Zahorodny, and Amaral
By Anne Dachel
June 04, 2012 at 5:45 AM
If you’re like me, you’re sick to death of reporters telling you that all the science shows no link between vaccines and autism. Members of the press don’t hesitate to remind the public on a daily basis that only misguided parents believe vaccinations can cause autism. It’s usually a one sentence dismissal in a news report--more evidence that no one really wants to look into a controversy that could implicate the government and the medical community in an unprecedented health care scandal.
There are some huge chinks in the armor of the no link claim, however. I’m referring to the public acknowledgement by some top medical experts that yes, vaccinations do sometimes cause children to become autistic.
There are more and more independent doctors out there saying there is a link, but I’m talking about doctors who are often cited in news stories denying any causal relationship, yet who will also admit that, yes, sometimes vaccines are responsible.
<...>
In April, 2011, Dr. David Amaral, Director of Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis MIND Institute, was interviewed for PBS by Robert MacNeil.
He was asked if vaccines can cause autism and he said this:
“And so, you know, I think it probably is a waste of effort at this time to try and understand vaccines as a major culprit for, or a major cause of, autism. It's not to say, however, that there isn't a small subset of children who may be particularly vulnerable to vaccines.
“And in their case, having the vaccines, or particular vaccines, particularly in certain kinds of situations -- if the child was ill, if the child had a precondition, like a mitochondrial defect. Vaccinations for those children actually may be the environmental factor that tipped them over the edge of autism. And I think it is incredibly important, still, to try and figure out what, if any, vulnerabilities, in a small subset of children, might make them at risk for having certain vaccinations."
It was the late Dr. Bernadine Healy, former head of the National Institutes of Health, who was on CBS News in 2008 calling for such a study. She said,
<...>
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Burton's lengthy career -- the right-wing Hoosier is currently in his 15th term -- has at least been memorable. The lawmaker has been accused of some highly suspicious fundraising and ties to unsavory international thugs, as well as having a scandalous personal life. He's also known for having odd habits, including avoiding soup in restaurants because of a fear of AIDS.
SNIP
Burton was at his most famous in the 1990's, when he led many of the investigations against President Bill Clinton. "If I could prove 10 percent of what I believe happened, he'd [Clinton] be gone," Burton declared in 1998. "This guy's a scumbag. That's why I'm after him."
Over the last six years of Bill Clinton's presidency, Burton led the House Government Reform Committee and unilaterally issued 1,089 subpoenas to investigate allegations of misconduct.
Burton handed out subpoenas like candy, targeting 141 different Clinton administration officials. He once held hearings -- for 10 days -- on the Clintons' Christmas card list. In one instance, Burton was so reckless, he subpoenaed the wrong man (looking for someone with a similar name).
In the most famous instance, Burton fired a bullet into a "head-like object" -- reportedly a melon -- in his backyard to test the theory that former White House counsel Vincent Foster was murdered.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/01/31/10280340-dan-burton-exits-stage-right
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Happy Thanksgiving from SafeMinds: TACA Families Visit Congressman Issa
All of us at SafeMinds are thankful for our community of wonderful fellow parents who love and support our children every day.
These TACA famillies took the time to visit Chairman, Darrell Issa's office this week. They wanted to thank him for paying attention to autism by holding the hearing next Thursday. We really appreciate their extra effort on behalf of all of our kids. (Learn more about the Autism hearing in DC on 11/29 HERE.)
Best wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving to you and yours.
SafeMinds
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)You might want to read up on your 'hero.'
http://blog.pfaw.org/search/node/issa
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)You know what, Dan? I'd like to sit down and discuss this with you over a hot, steaming mug of...
[font size=7]STFU![/font]
TrogL
(32,822 posts)When did I become a burden?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Did you catch Blaxill describing that the CDC data does not permit analysis of the composition of the ASD population by severity? He speculated that Asperger's comprised around 10% of the diagnosed children. Did you hear that Harvard conducted a study concluding the lifetime special care cost averaged ~ $3 million/child? Equivalent to $(do not recall) billion/year nationally?
Think how much help can be provided if we all fight for these children. Make it about them, not you.
TrogL
(32,822 posts)My point was is that not all Aspies are a drain on society.
With proper support I probably could have avoided some really nasty career and personal life choices.
TrogL
(32,822 posts)I've wasted enough time on you. Consider yourself ignored.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)I'm very sorry to be misunderstood, but hugely optimistic after recently reading about the following news from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Yesterday's 'woo' may not actually all be woo. Stay posted, please.
Pediatrics leader talks about biggest issues facing kids
By Karen Weintraub | GLOBE CORRESPONDENT NOVEMBER 05, 2012
AAP Calls Autism an Epidemic
November 05, 2012
By Anne Dachel
The new head of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. James Perrin, calls autism an epidemic. He really does. Perrin was the focus in an interview just out from the Boston Globe: Pediatrics leader talks about biggest issues facing kids.
Link: http://bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2012/11/05/james-perrin-president-elect-american-academy-pediatrics/6yZDSLCyBBWHuIaQSsxy9O/story.html
“Perrin is particularly interested in addressing chronic childhood illness during his three years of leadership at the academy.”
Perrin had this to say about “chronic childhood illness.”
“Childhood obesity and other chronic health conditions: the continuing growth in childhood asthma, and the tremendous growth in mental health conditions and developmental conditions like autism. We’ve got three or four major epidemics really growing among children and adolescents in America.”
I couldn’t believe he talked like this because in the past the AAP has been leading the way calling autism a mysterious disorder with no known cause or cure. I have never seen anyone connected to the AAP ever sound worried or use the word crisis in the same sentence with the word autism, let alone epidemic. Most of the time, the AAP is right there in the news declaring solemnly that, regardless of the latest rate increase, they’re still not sure how much is real and how much is more better diagnosing. When the rate went to one in every 88 children, one in every 54 boys, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Thomas Frieden, still wasn’t sure if more children really have autism. In the same story, Dr. Susan Hyman, chairperson of the Autism Subcommittee of the AAP, could only say that early intervention helps a lot.
Still, no one at the AAP has even been alarmed about the numbers continually climbing with no end in sight—until now.
1995 1:500, 2001 1:250, 2004 1:166, 2007 1:150, 2009 1:110, 2012 1:88.
FYI prior to 1960 1:10,000.
<>
SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE - Gastrointestinal Conditions in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Developing a Research Agenda
Gut-Brain Connection? Leaky Gut? No longer “Crazy Talk” says AAP
November 8, 2012
by Dr. Bob Sears
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has just taken a giant leap toward recognizing the association between gastrointestinal problems and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD.) The November 2012 issue of their journal, Pediatrics, has a 200-page supplement entitled Improving Health Care for Children and Youth With Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Note: this guide was not currently available online.) As I perused the various articles to see what the AAP was up to, one particular gem caught my eye: Gastrointestinal (GI) Conditions in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Developing a Research Agenda. Curiously optimistic, I decided to pause the Saturday-afternoon college football game and read the article. After a mere three sentences, my jaw dropped. “Many individuals with ASDs have symptoms of associated medical conditions, including seizures, sleep problems, metabolic conditions, and gastrointestinal disorders (the italics are mine), which have significant health, developmental, social, and educational impacts.” A few lines later I found there is a “lack of recognition by clinicians that certain behavioral manifestations in children with ASDs are indicators of GI problems (eg, pain, discomfort, or nausea).”
My first thought was that someone from ARI or MAPS had snuck into the AAP and switched a few words in the article before it went to press, and no one had noticed. But as I read the entire piece, I was shocked to see other crazy ideas such as:
“Clinical practice and research to date indicate the important role of GI conditions in ASDs and their impact on children as well as their parents and clinicians.”
“Gut-brain connection, immune function, and genome-microbiome interaction.” Yes, it actually said gut-brain connection!
“Increasingly, evidence supports a combination of changes in gut microflora, intestinal permeability (intestinal what?), inappropriate immune response, activation of specific metabolic pathways, and behavioral changes.”
“Endoscopic analyses of children with ASD and GI symptoms have revealed the presence of a subtle, diffuse inflammation of the intestinal tract.”
“Autoimmune responses in children with ASDs and a familial history of autoimmunity have been reported.”
“Autoantibodies could indicate the presence of inflammatory processes and/or an autoimmune component that could affect the integrity of the mucosal barrier and contribute to decreased mucosal barrier integrity.”
“Leaky gut.” Yes! It actually used those two foreign words that have been scoffed at for so long, and explains the research supporting this theory so that we general pediatricians can understand and begin to believe it.
“Nutritional status and nutrient intake are inextricably related in children with autism.”
A table on “Biomarkers as potential outcome measures” includes testing for: intestinal permeability to assess leaky gut, calprotectin for intestinal inflammation, celiac disease serology tests to assess gluten sensitivity, food allergy panels (not sure what for . . . maybe food allergies play some sort of role in all this?), organic acid testing for B12 or folate deficiency, and analysis of gut microbiota.
The article ends with a discussion on the lack of accepted treatments for GI problems specific to children with ASD and outlines six key research objectives:
1.Determine the pathology of GI conditions in ASD.
2.Increase animal research in this area.
3.Identify biomarkers to guide treatment.
4.Better evaluate nutritional status.
5.Identify behavioral phenotypes related to poor nutritional status.
6.Develop evidence-based algorithms to help guide clinicians in the evaluation and treatment of GI problems in ASD.
By the time I finished reading, the cynical frame of mind with which I usually read mainstream articles about autism treatment was replaced with optimism. Finally, mainstream research is planning to look at the gastrointestinal and nutritional aspects of biomedical treatment for autism. For twenty years or more, biomedical physicians have been treating GI problems in autism without much support from thorough mainstream research, and we’ve endured much criticism for doing so. Even worse, parents of children with autism have been begging pediatricians for help, with little acknowledgement that there is any possibility of a gut-brain connection in autism. The tide began to turn in January 2010 with Dr. Tim Buie’s consensus report on GI problems in autism (Pediatrics. 2010;125(suppl 1):S1-S18). And now the tide is actually surging in our favor.
This article doesn’t actually support any particular treatments for GI problems in autism, and we are many years away from mainstream medical research coming to fruition in this area. But it is nice to know that mainstream help is on the way, and that if any doctor tries to ridicule parents for asking for help with their child’s GI problems, you now have the AAP on your side. You can waive this article in the doctor’s face. We pediatricians love that. But seriously, the full text of this article will likely become available online soon. You can view the first part of it here: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/Supplement_2/S160.extract?cited-by=yes&legid=pediatrics;130/Supplement_2/S160 . If you have an open-minded pediatrician, and need help, hand he or she this article, and you may be able to get your doctor to test and treat some of your child’s GI problems.
As a side note, this same edition of the journal has an article on the importance of evaluating and treating constipation in ASDs. Definitely a good read for your pediatrician if your child struggles with this, and it even suggests testing such kids for thyroid disease, lead overload, and, get this . . . celiac disease! Here’s a link: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/Supplement_2/S98.abstract
Thank you AAP!!!
Dr. Bob Sears
ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)You are serious?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Read it. That's all the article by Dr. Sears described.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)American Academy of Pediatrics is Gearing Up For War Against Autism!
by Jerry Kartzinel, MD on 13 November 2012
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has joined our fight against Autism. This months’ edition of PEDIATRICS®, the official journal of the AAP, has a major article entitled, “Gastrointestinial Conditions In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Developing a Research Agenda” (the article is available online here: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/Supplement_2/S160.full.html ) acknowledges many of the gastrointestinal problems our children on the spectrum face each day.
The first paragraph of the article cuts deeply into issues our children face daily: “Many individuals with ASDs have symptoms of associated medical conditions, including seizures, sleep problems, metabolic conditions, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, which have significant health, developmental, social, and education impacts.” Later in the same paragraph, “Despite the magnitude [italics mine] of these issues, potential GI problems are not routinely considered in ASD evaluations.” This is huge in many ways. Did I say HUGE? First of all, it moves ASD from a “psychiatric” diagnosis (you know, the “Prozac” people) to a medical one. This change immediately validates what moms and dads have been witnessing medically: that their children are indeed, FEELING miserable. Second of all, it empowers pediatricians to look BEYOND the word “autism” and not only inquire about other medical concerns but to implement treatment. Yes, you are witnessing the transition of mindset from an “untreatable” diagnosis to one that is TREATABLE.
Following this wonderful introduction, we get into the nitty-gritty of the article: outlining problems that have been documented in previous peer reviewed articles and suggestions where further research should go, all with the purpose of enabling physicians to diagnose and treat. Let me illustrate how this works in a medical article. First, the authors of the article review previous publications as they relate to GI concerns: Abdominal pain/discomfort, constipation, diarrhea and persistent diarrhea, and establish that they collectively indicate, “unusually high rates of GI disorders or certain GI symptoms in children with ASDs.” Next, they outline studies that may further help with key elements such as identification of risk factors, unusual presentation of GI disease, identification of special populations that missed GI disease, and development of any biomarkers (lab tests) that can help further guide the physician in treatment. If that was where this article ended, that in itself, would be huge. But as they say, “but wait, there’s more!” I would also like to share with you more of their “findings.”
<>
Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is a Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Jerry Kartzinel, a nationally recognized pediatrician, shares special news and thoughts, and answers your questions about biomedical treatment exclusively on this blog.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)One of my dearest friends is nonverbal. Using augmented communication, she attained a degree from the prestigious University of Denver (known as DU!).
Another close friend is verbal most of the time, but sometimes loses the ability to speak when stressed. Is she only "mildly ill"?
And yes, I have often heard the $3 million figure. To which I reply, "Show me the money!" I could take care of myself quite well with $3 million, thank you very much. 
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)This entire subject does. When I first found AoA in Dec '08, I read through wet eyes and cognitive dissonance. Many here reflexively loathe the site, but you know what I think? Nobody needs to agree with everything printed at AoA in order to help. Read, imagine how you can help, and do it, PLEASE! Read, talk, post, defend, encourage, mentor. Again, nobody needs to agree with the parents in order to help the children, including those technically adults. Now go (Some General Instructions by poet Kenneth Koch).
http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=nonverbal&domains=ageofautism.com&sitesearch=ageofautism.com&btnG=+Google+Search+
SITE GOOGLE SEARCH: nonverbal
oh reiki ur so fine
(12 posts)My God, there is a spectrum to autism and some of it is quite severe. I am sure this board is lousy with shills but for someone to argue against causes for autism, I just don't get why they are offended by it.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Lawmakers Look into Federal Response to Rising Rates of Autism
VIDEO (~ 4 hours, 2 panels)
Washington, DC
Thursday, November 29, 2012
House lawmakers have called on officials from domestic and advocacy groups to testify Thursday about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).?Among the topics they discuss are efforts to increase awareness and understanding of the disease, limited public health resources and public health policy.
According to studies, autism in children appears to be on the rise. "About 0.74 percent of kids had received in autism diagnosis in 2006-2008, up from 0.19 percent in 1997-1999," said Coleen Boyle, director of the U.S. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. The goal, she said, "is raising awareness of the importance of this as a health problem and one we need to address."
Other witnesses that testify before the House Oversight Committee include Alan Guttmacher, Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Bob Wright, Co-Founder of Autism Speaks; Scott Badesch, President of the Autism Society; Bradley McGarry, Coordinator of the Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst University; Ari Ne'eman, President of Autistic Self Advocacy Network; and other health professionals.
Archae
(46,337 posts)Two parents. Had all their shots, including back in the 40's and 50's.
Had 5 kids, all 5 had shots, mostly during the 60's.
7 grand-kids. All of them had all their shots. From the 70's until the 80's.
7 great-grandkids. All of them had all their shots, mostly during the 90's until now.
Know how many have autism?
ZERO.
Not one.
This is my family.
"Autism is caused by vaccinations" is pure bullshit, being promoted by a greedy quack, a former Playboy model, and conspiracy theorists.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/18567384/index.html (pulled)
Martha Herbert MD PhD, "It frustrates me that we are not focusing a massive quantity of energy like a Manhattan Project type of energy on what is going on in an entire generation." Herbert, a child neurologist at Mass General Hospital, says nothing in her training prepared her for the number of kids coming in with autism, ADD, ADHD and other developmental disorders..." (part 1, minute 5:54)
Excerpt from ABC's Chronicle: Toxic Kids (4 parts)
What is making American children sick? Cancer rates are climbing. Cases of autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and asthma are through the roof. Is the answer all around us " in the food our kids eat, the air they breathe, and the clothes they wear?" Tonight, Chronicle investigates a provocative thesis about the American lifestyle and its effects on children's health
In her book, The Autism Revolution, Martha Herbert states that she:
'strongly encourages vaccination. That said, we need more data on how children who have autism and perhaps other known or unseen vulnerabilities respond to the current vaccination protocol.'
See post #40: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014148376
Also see: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gerganakoleva/2012/05/11/revised-recommendations-for-vaccines-are-being-phased-in-cdc-report-says/
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)FACT: The recommended schedule (switched in ~1990) has not undergone rigorous testing. Adverse reactions appear to many to be denied or regarded as necessary for 'the common good.'
FACT: The CDC advises against vaccination during febrile illness (look it up) due to an increased risk of adverse reaction (empirical observation, I don't know whether the mechanism is known).
FACT: 'Peripheral immune system' found to be 'activated' in weaning and elderly mice consuming specific GMO corn tested, according to Italian study published in peer reviewed journal. (link available)
FACT: GMOs were introduced during period of rapid rise of ASD and are found in infant formula via GMO soy and corn ingredients, as well as processed foods consumed by nursing mothers. Relevance unknown, insufficient testing.
Read this, too, written in 2000 and found unexpectedly recently: http://www.biotech-info.net/exposed.html
The definitive op-ed on GMOs speaking truth to power in 2000 prior to the passage of any food disparagement laws. And then, as far as I can tell, the author went dark on the subject.
A LOT IS GOIN' ON. THE SCIENCE IS STILL OUT. RESEARCH NEEDED.
Only your great-grandkids are relevant here. It's wonderful your family enjoys good health. A little compassion maybe for others with different situations?
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Last edited Mon Dec 3, 2012, 12:53 AM - Edit history (1)
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-09-03/news/0009030374_1_genetically-modified-new-proteins
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)This article has led me to believe that not only has the diagnosis expanded to accommodate people who have some previously unexplained differences.
I also think that our culture has become one that demands more conformity. The strategy for the unnerving outliers has been to rope nonconformists into a diagnosis.
The belief that there is an epidemic discounts too many other factors. Instead of willingness to provide resources they are using these hearings to identify a cause. Other than funding research, congress has no business wasting their time searching for a cause when there are real people who need early intervention and services that allow them to live independently.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/autisms-child-donald-gray-triplett-person-diagnosed/story?id=11632605#.ULmV8tuF8ec
There are so many interesting strategies and therapies for people with disabilities. I believe the focus shouldn't be about how to get them more "normal," but to teach them how to effectively communicate with people at large. You know, that would require us, people without intellectual disabilities, to learn how to communicate with them as well.
The thing I have found is that in order for people with disabilities to be successful, they need community support (ah hell, we all need community support--just in different ways). But our community and sense of community is so broken, that we can only see how people with disabilities are a burden or take away from the overall goal of making money. We have forgotten that we are building a fabric with each other. What are we building this great civilization for it isn't to be able to take care of and learn from each other?
The baseline belief that I see though, is that the lives of people with disabilities are worthless. That they have no contribution to make. That if they have been born with a condition something has been taken from them, not given. So it must be researched so that it can be prevented. I am certainly interested in the scientific reason for the difference in the development of different kinds of human beings. But not as a means of prevention. I'm just a nerd that way. Using science to prevent disability just seems a bit much on the eugenics-side for me. That imperfection must be prevented or removed because the imperfection is bad or takes more effort from other people. Maybe imperfection is an opportunity to seek and learn a deeper understanding about our own humanity and each other. A way to connect and empathize with each other.
Perhaps we have not seen this many people with autism because this earth has never seen this many people.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)The earth definitely has not seen this many people. And our society has never seen this many people with disabilities out of the closet.
The goal is to "fix" us so that nondisabled people are not inconvenienced with taking a few minutes to put out some work into communicating (stroke, autism, deafness, CP, etc..). Or business owners be inconvenienced with the installation of a ramp or lighter weight door.
I am 100% with you on the prevention efforts. Many, if not most people with disabilities who I interact with think they are fine the way we are. We just want to have the supports we need to live a satisfying life as we exist.
KT2000
(20,584 posts)if we lived in Paradise, but we do not. Prevention as eugenics? Oh my.
Please live with people with serious disabilities to see what it is really like.
My cousin who has some cognitive deficits and palsy has lived on his own (with help from SSDI) since he was 18. He lived on Seattle's Skid Row for years, being taken advantage of by many. He moved to a small town where he was abused by some and fleeced by others. But he never complains. This is the only life he knows and he insists on remaining independent.
His neighbor wanted him to move away and left him in the snow with a broken pelvis to freeze to death. The neighbor is a policeman in the town. Luckily someone decent found him in time.
Now that he is no longer able to walk he lives in a nursing home.
Please do not romanticize disabilities. Most live lives that you would not wish for your loved ones.
KatyMan
(4,198 posts)Most people with disabilities can lead quality lives. They obviously need assistance from communities and FAMILY support. It is the lack of family support more often than not, that leads to poor outcomes.
KT2000
(20,584 posts)does not help when a person declares themselves independent. In my cousin's case, his mother spent her life trying to see that her son was OK but she could not legally take control of his life.
A local family gave their daughter years of support and love only to have her murdered by some "old friends" who were also disabled.
It is not uncommon to have reports of young adults with disabilities who have left their group home only to be found in the worst part of town in the nearest cities.
Family support usually lasts as long as the parents are alive. And we have to accept the fact that not all people are equipped to take care of seriously disabled children.
Sure, people with disabilities can live quality lives - and there are all levels of disability. But to not make an effort to prevent those disabilities where possible to me seems unconscionable.
KatyMan
(4,198 posts)you state that most people with disabilities lead poor quality lives. I believe this to be a gross generalization. There are millions of people with disabilites who lead quality lives. Sure, there are those who cannot be helped by anyone, but they are not in the majority. Even individuals in group homes should be visited by family. I stand by my view that families can make all the difference.
alarimer
(16,245 posts)This anti-vaccine nonsense has been responsible foe the increasing number of infant deaths due to whooping cough.
Being anti-vaccine is not some harmless woo-woo like believing in UFOs; it actually kills.
You are not anti-vaccine; you are PRO-INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
This is not a question of agreeing to disagree. This is one more case where one side (the anti-vaxxers) are incontrovertibly WRONG. Wrong and dangerous.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)In her book, The Autism Revolution, Martha Herbert states that she:
'strongly encourages vaccination. That said, we need more data on how children who have autism and perhaps other known or unseen vulnerabilities respond to the current vaccination protocol.'
Also see:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gerganakoleva/2012/05/11/revised-recommendations-for-vaccines-are-being-phased-in-cdc-report-says/
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/12/david-kirby-on-congressional-autism-hearing.html#more
Posted: 12/06/2012
By David Kirby
You probably didn't know it, but Congress recently held a major hearing on the government's response to autism, grilling two key federal officials on everything from prevalence studies to services for adults with the disorder...
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Critics of the committee will say its members are mere politicians and we must listen to scientists. But when it comes to autism's causation, the scientists in the room that day had little to say.
Guttmacher didn't "know all the studies in the autism literature," but said he'd "be happy to look into them."
Below are 30 recent studies that support a potential role for environmental factors, including mercury and vaccines, that Guttmacher and the committee might want to read.
Please see link.
Kirby has been a professional journalist for over 18 years, and wote extensively for The New York Times. He was also a foreign correspondent in Mexico and Central America from 1986-1990, where he covered the wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua, and covered politics, corruption and natural disasters in Mexico. From Latin America, he reported for UPI, the San Francisco Examiner, Newsday, The Arizona Republic, Houston Chronicle and the NBC Radio Network.
Kirby also worked in politics, medical research and public relations. He worked for New York City Council President Carol Bellamy as a special assistant for healthcare, cultural affairs and civil rights, followed by employment as chief scheduler to Manhattan Borough President David N. Dinkins. He also was a senior staff adviser to Dinkins’ successful 1989 run for Mayor of New York City. From 1990-1993, Kirby was Director of Public Information at the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR), where he acted as press spokesman for Chairwoman Elizabeth Taylor. He also ran his own public relations agency in New York from 1993 through 1996.
David Kirby's book, "Animal Factory: The Looming Threat of Industrial Pig, Dairy and Poutlry Farms on Humans and the Environment," was released by St. Martins Press on March 2, 2010. His first book, "Evidence of Harm," (St, Martins Press 2005) was a New York Times bestseller and won the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award for Best Book. He is also a field producer for several cable network television productions.
ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)Too many of your sources are liars,cheats, or confirmed idiots.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Last edited Sat Dec 8, 2012, 02:40 PM - Edit history (1)
Here's a brief post written today with levity offering a counter perception. Aso, please see first 6 GREAT comments (ending with last @10:55 a.m.).
Age of Autism Weekly Wrap Up: Arrogant, Ignorant "Experts"
By Dan Olmsted
One of the guilty pleasures of covering the autism story lo these many years is to witness the spectacle of arrogant, ignorant "experts" weighing in on the issue -- supposedly on the side of science, or, as they often think of it, Science -- and making absolute blithering fools of themselves.
It's even more fun to contemplate the blot this will eventually be on their permanent record, because we're not talking here about trivialities, the kind of feature-y stuff where a lot of these folks spend most of their intellectual energy, such as it is. No, when they opine about things like mercury, vaccines and autism, and declare it to be a proven fact that none of those could possibly be related, they are Wrong When It Really Matters.
That's why I call them Wwirms. The newest Wwirm to come crawling our way is one Alexandra Petri, a Washington Post blogger who says she "puts the pun in punditry."
"Consider the Congressional hearing today on the dangerous link between vaccines and autism – again, not a real problem that exists, as countless studies have demonstrated. It is abundantly clear that vaccines save lives. Meanwhile, scientists can show no connection whatever vaccines and autism. This is a fictional problem."
She goes on to say, "next there will be a hearing about how to keep the Dragon Smaug from ravaging your village."
While it is perversely satisfying to read this kind of thing, the truth is it disrepects thousands of parents and contributes directly to the suffering of millions of human beings worldwide. That, Ms. Petri and fellow Wwirms, goes on your permanent record.
Posted by Age of Autism at December 08, 2012 at 5:45 AM
barbaraj
(80 posts)for years. Regressive autism, is the autism most think of when using the term. There is enough convincing scientific evidence to confirm the relationship between vaccines and this "sub group" of regressive autism. There is an increase of autism, as well, in children born with genetic predispositions and mitochondrial dysfunction, children, who decades ago would suffer from Downs, Fragile X and so on, without the added burden of autism that has imposed itself on to them as an added morbidity. Yes the science "was" in, I'm not saying the science "is" in, an interesting twist, involving politics, corporations, money and power has put our children last in line ..by priority.
proverbialwisdom
(4,959 posts)Prof Stephen Salzberg and the Congressional Autism Hearing: Why Can’t He Answer or Correct
By John Stone
December 10, 2012
One of the few public responses to the Congressional hearing into autism by a vaccine programme advocate was from Stephen Salzberg, professor of medicine and biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University Medical School on Forbes.com. While Prof Salzberg’s blog was open to comment he has unfortunately not only ignored serious criticism but most disturbingly - for a senior scientist and academic - correction of basic facts. Here are a few points, some taken or adapted from my comments.
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