I have four sisters.

[Archae]

Two older, and two younger. (Youngest one just turned 40.)

I have 7 nephews and nieces.

I have 6 grand-nephews and nieces.

All of us, including myself, have been vaccinated.

Two parents, both still alive.

You know how many of all of us show any signs of Autism?

Zero.

None.

This latest court case (listed in LBN) about parents who have autism, blaming vaccinations for their kids' autism, is a total load of crapola.

Decades ago, psychologists blamed the Mother for autitstic kids, saying the Mother wasn't nurturing enough.
We now know that theory is a full load of crap.

But parents with an autistic kid, are desperate to blame anyone, or anything, for the problem.
So the latest "trendy" theory for autism is that vaccinations cause it.

And lawyers, seeing big settlement $$$, encourage this hysteria.
Despite *NO* real scientific evidence for the hysteria.

[cynatnite]

1. My grandson has autism...

My daughter and I think it's a combination of factors, including environmental, but probably not vaccinations.

He's the only one in our family.

[Schema Thing]

2. You may very well be right, but your argument is so wrong

that I'd be loathe to consider your thoughts on that matter, or any matter that touches science.

[question everything]

3. I agree with your points

however it is clear that the incidence of autism has increased rapidly.

I wonder whether it has to do with processed food. I know that my mother prepared everything from scratch. Look at the list of ingredients on most grocery items and you will have to wonder.

[cynatnite]

5. My daughter changed my grandson's diet...

A gluten free/casein free diet has helped him a lot. We think environmental factors have played a big role.

[griffi94]

14. i have an autistic son

age 13. we used the gluten free diet and cut out diary. it seemd to help for a while but it didn't last. he would show improvement and then regress.

[cynatnite]

15. Stephen is three and a half...

She started him about six months ago.

[Archae]

12. Has the actual numbers of autistic kids actually increased?

Or what is more likely, are the numbers of kids being correctly diagnosed as autistic increased?

[canucksawbones]

18. a little of both

certainly a lot of people with autism and asperger's in the past have been diagnosed as developmentally delayed/mentally retarded/psychosis NOS. But there is some evidence that rates may be somewhat higher now than before, but it is truly difficult to tease it all out.

As for the link to vaccinations...A large British study conclusively showed that autism rates in those vaccinated and those not vaccinated are the same, this was the largest study ever comparing rates in the 2 groups. There is no link between the two.

Doctor GK

[Iris]

4. Maybe your family is just lucky.

The rate of autism has increased substantially in the past 20 years. What's wrong with trying to figure out if there's something causing this increase?

[cynatnite]

6. Also, the definition of autism has changed...

It covers a greater number of people than it did before.

The OP isn't saying that research shouldn't stop...just voicing the opinion that it's not vaccinations contributing to autism.

[deadmessengers]

8. Nothing's wrong with trying to figure it out...

but there are WAY too many people jumping to conclusions on this one, and placing their children at grave risk in the process.

[MercutioATC]

7. Nobody is claiming that vaccinations cause autism in ever y child.

There is a case to be made, however, that no reasonable clinical trial can adequately account for every genetic diversity.

Is vaccination a good idea for the vast majority or children? Yes.

Is their clear proof that childhood vaccinations are, even at times, causal to autism? No.

Is there some evidence that they might be? Yes.


It seems to me that the only responsible course of action is to examine the ties between the vaccines and autism and determine the vectors, if any.

[Gato Moteado]

9. and there are cigarette smokers that live to be 90

i guess that proves that cigarettes don't cause cancer!

who knew?

[suninvited]

10. I even recently heard of a possible link between

induced labor (pitocin) and autism.

One thing we have to agree is, something is causing it to be here in the numbers that it is today. I hope they find out the factors !

[Iris]

17. That's interesting.

I haven't heard about that, but would not be surprised.

Better living through chemicals....

[The River]

11. I Grew Up Without Any Vaccinations

as did my 3 younger sisters and only 1 of
us became a Republican.
Coincidence? I think not.

[Breeze54]

13. I have 3 sisters and three brothers....

All older, one younger brother.

I have 5 nephews and 3 nieces (1 is adopted)

I have 3 son's myself.

I have 1 grand nephew.

Both my parents are deceased.

All my brothers and sisters are alive and sort of well.

You know how many of all of us show any signs of Autism Spectrum?

ALL MY NEPHEWS AND MY SONS!!!

ALL have been vaccinated.

--------------------------------

I suspect I am ADD or ADHD and my sister thinks she is also effected.

My little brother also had 'issues' but not sure if it's ADD or anything
like that but he had Learning Disabilities, as does my youngest son.

ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorders

http://www.retrainthebrain.com/autism.html

snip-->

Diane Kennedy, author of the The ADHD Autism Connection, makes a strong case for the distinct similarities between the symptoms of ADHD and autism. While her journey began as an effort to help her sons, it became a mission to increase awareness about the similarities between ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders, especially Asperger's. Having the uncommon experience of having three textbook cases of ADHD in her home, she found that her third son had been misdiagnosed as having ADHD with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) at three years old. Doctors consider ODD as intentional and willful. However, the only solution offered for ADHD was medication that proved ineffective. Boys are four times more likely to have ADHD and also four times likely to have autism than girls.

snip-->

A list of the behaviors common to autism and ADHD are below.

Autism Behavioral Checklist

* Difficulty mixing with other children;
* No real fear of danger;
* Tantrums: displays extreme distress for no apparent reason,
* Inappropriate giggling or laughing,
* May not want cuddling or act cuddly,
* Noticeable physical overactivity or extreme underactivity;
* Little or no eye contact,
* Works impulsively; often makes careless mistakes: work is sloppy,
* Uneven gross/fine motor skills

ADHD Behavioral Checklist

* Cannot talk or play quietly; disrupts others with talk or actions,
* Difficult awaiting turn in games or activities,
* Engages in potentially dangerous activities,
* Plays without normal caution or consideration of consequences,
* Severe temper tantrums,
* Interrupts, disrupts, talks and acts inappropriately,
* When younger, difficulty accepting soothing or holding,
* Always on the move, overactive, even during sleep,
* Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly,
* Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school work or other activities,
* Uneven gross/fine motor skills.

More.....

So, because you think your family isn't effected, then no other families are effected?

:silly:

Yes, there could be other mitigating factors involved.

Isn't that the reason for this investigation?

[Archae]

16. Except it's not an investigation.

It's a "blame the vaccinations" lawsuit.

[Breeze54]

21. Well; I think the jury is still out, so

hence the word "investigation." It's obvious to me, as a layperson, that there needs to be more testing and investigations. But I don't and won't rule out any possibilities... not yet. So far, I've been told it's genetic/biological and runs in families. It seems that way to me but the jury is still out. :shrug: At any rate, all my family is doing fine, some struggle but are making their way through life. ;)

[RedCappedBandit]

22. That seems to imply that there is a genetic link

I'm not sure I get what you're saying.. sorry.. But wouldn't your post imply that there is a genetic link? (Not saying there aren't environmental factors.. but i'm not sure that your post really implicated vaccines as the cause)

[Bettie]

23. Most kids show at least some of the "checklist" symptoms

I have two boys. They both show some of those "symptoms" at times, because they are kids.

Young children often show the symptoms particularly of ADHD just by BEING children! It is part of our job as parents to raise them to be able to step back and control their own behavior.

I do believe that there are kids with ADHD, but I also think that far too many kids are labeled as such and medicated when they are simply spirited or immature.

[ljm2002]

19. Not only that...

...I and my extended family have all eaten peanuts for YEARS.

You know how many of all of us have had any adverse reactions?

Zero.

None.

This theory that peanuts cause anaphylactic shock, is a total load of crapola.

[Bettie]

20. My DH is the youngest of six kids

Each of his brothers and sisters have kids, so his parents, 6 kids (he's the youngest at 45), 18 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Zero autism, zero life threatening allergies.

My family is much smaller, but the same.

I don't buy the vaccination theory either. Both of my kids are vaccinated and they are loud, but normal!