Last Night's Autism Debate -- Who Will Win the Special Needs Vote?

The media may be transfixed on "Joe the Plumber" today, but the real winner of last night's debate was autism.

I cannot recall a single disorder ever becoming so prominent in a national election as autism has been in 2008: Not cancer, not AIDS, not heart disease.

Autism was raised on the campaign trail (when Obama, McCain and Hillary Clinton all said it was increasing, and the potential vaccine connection must be researched), it was raised at both conventions, it was raised duing a FOX News interview with McCain and Sarah Palin, and it certainly came up last night at Hofstra University.

Tellingly, autism was brought up, unprompted and somewhat unexpectedly, by one of the candidates: John McCain, who was answering a question about why Sarah Palin would be qualified to step up to the Oval Office, should something terrible happen to him:

She'll be my partner. She understands reform. And, by the way, she also understands special-needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise, that we've got to find out what's causing it, and we've got to reach out to these families, and help them, and give them the help they need as they raise these very special needs children.

"Autism is on the rise, and we've got to find out what's causing it." To most parents of affected children, that was more than music to their ears -- it was a symphony. If autism is on the rise, then its cause is more than genetic. Something has gone terribly wrong, and we need to find out what it is. Now.

McCain's autism remark did not come from nowhere (and he was not confusing autism with Down Syndrome, as many believed).

He brought up autism because it is ubiquitous -- and it never was before.

Autism in the United States today is, simply, everywhere -- even in Sarah Palin's family. Her sister has a son with the disorder.

McCain did not have to be asked about autism to speak about it. All over the country, parents have been reaching out to him and to Sarah Palin (and to the Democrats as well) -- behind the scenes and in public -- telling their stories, pleading for research, begging for help at home and in the classroom. As Senator McCain said:

Town hall meeting after town hall meeting, parents come with kids, children -- precious children who have autism. Sarah Palin knows about that better than most. And we'll find and we'll spend the money, research, to find the cause of autism. And we'll care for these young children. And all Americans will open their wallets and their hearts to do so.

Now, it is certainly debatable that Sarah Palin knows about autism "better than most," and Barack Obama wisely chose to steer clear of that rhetorical iceberg. Instead, he clobbered McCain, who had just publicly vowed to spend taxpayer money on autism research and care (unless he meant that our rapidly emptying American wallets are supposed to cover the whole thing):

I think it's very commendable the work she's done on behalf of special needs. I agree with that, John. I do want to just point out that autism, for example, or other special needs will require some additional funding, if we're going to get serious in terms of research. That is something that every family that advocates on behalf of disabled children talk about. And if we have an across-the-board spending freeze, we're not going to be able to do it.

Ouch. Obama is right, of course. No one is going to cure autism (or anything) while a mandatory federal spending freeze is in place.

Reaction from autism parents that I know has been mixed, and quite pointed.

Mostly, people were thrilled to see autism placed front and center -- at last -- in the national political dialogue. (I do not recall autism ever coming up in the 2004 or 2000 race, though I could be wrong, and it was certainly never mentioned in elections before then).

There was this, from a father on Long Island:

Autism is now officially included among the major issues of the campaign and the day. The strategy of pushing each campaign to escalate the issue worked and played out in the debate. It reveals a respect that both campaigns have for the autism constituency. The ripple effects downstream in the political world will be interesting to watch. No politician will ignore or dismiss autism.

And this, from a mom in Wisconsin:

The ordinary viewer back home must be asking ...Why do we keep hearing about autism? Why does this disorder get mentioned in the presidential debate if it's nothing new? Especially, if doctors are just finally recognizing something that's always been around. More and more questions about autism are everywhere -.but no one has answers.

And a father in Oregon:

The CDC doesn't even acknowledge the number of autism cases is truly rising. Contrasting that to the way McCain talks is a story in of itself.

Skepticism, however, was keeping close company with appreciation last night. A mother in Manhattan wrote:

"Getting to the bottom of this" means being unafraid of asking tough questions. Are they prepared to DO this? They cannot work on what is causing autism without talking about vaccines, or else we continue to run in place. The government MUST support independent vaccine research now. No more millions down the drain for studies on genetics. That money would be so much better spent supporting autism families in crisis

And this from a mom in New Jersey:

These politicians just woke up and realized that half the country is affected by autism and they better say something? Call the World Wrestling Foundation and get the choreographer on the phone, he may be the only one who can explain this latest development.

Some people thought the Republican team would be better suited to tackle autism head on, like this Democratic dad from Massachusetts:

I'll probably vote for Obama, but I think McCain is the better autism candidate. Why?
He asked for our vote and he promised to get to the bottom of the epidemic. He seems to get it. Obama lumps autism in with the general category of developmental disability, rather than focusing a targeted effort to solve the autism problem and make it disappear. But the issue came up multiple times in a presidential debate, for God's sake!! McCain put the issue on the table and said all the right things -Obama steered away from it and has dodged the issue every time it's been raised. If I were a single issue voter, the choice would be pretty clear.

But a mother from Long Island begged to differ:

They bring up issues when they don't have anything else to say. Palin has VERY little expertise. That fact that her family is in the special needs community is all I have heard. I haven't heard any detailed stories or facts from her or McCain. I haven't seen any proof that she knows crap about autism other than 'I know autism'. Oh, Ok, I'm just supposed to trust that.

There has been quite a bit of debate over Palin's record on special needs children in Alaska. Early reports erroneously stated that she had cut special education funding (she hadn't, the money was moved to another line in the budget).

But skepticism abounds. For example, this attorney (also a Democrat) from Connecticut, who works with special needs children, recently posted the following on her blog:

Gov. Palin's views on this are far outdated. I have traveled to Alaska to give a speech to parents and professionals on the subject of the rights of children with special needs. I was stunned by how far behind the State was from the vast majority of the rest of the country on the education of children with disabilities... I am in regular contact with a colleague of mine who is a Parents' attorney in Alaska, who has had to fight tooth and nail for children with special needs in Alaska simply to secure them the most basic of services that we take for granted here. I for one do not want the rest of the country to use Alaska's system of educating our most vulnerable children as a paradigm.

I also know of autism parents who are suing the Palin administration to get services for their children. But Palin's record is more complex than that.

In fact, in this year's budget, Governor Palin authorized a major increase in funds for "intensive needs" children, (the official Alaska term). When she came to office in 2006, according to the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska was spending just $27,000 a year per child. This year, the budget she signed increased that amount to $49,000, and in three years it will reach $74,000. (So much for spending freezes, but them again, unlike the US, Alaska is awash in cash).

The subject of "intensive needs" and autism came up in another debate as well, back when Palin was running for Governor. And it shed some light on both her ideological, as well as personal motivations. As the Anchorage Daily News reported:

Palin said she wanted to diminish the oppressive hand of government while still providing needed help. Services, the Republican candidate said, shouldn't be dictated by government; ideas should come from the bottom up. Topping her list of social and health priorities: housing, a trained work force and containing costs. She glanced at sheets of notes as she spoke. She also talked about her young nephew, who has autism, describing him as a "red-headed angel."

Most autism parents I know, including Republicans, believe that autism services should most certainly be "dictated" by government, (though they might use a more moderate word, like "mandated," or "required.") So, that statement is sure to cause a certain amount of consternation among "autism voters," if there is such a thing.

Then again, the ADN article included another quote from Palin that might raise some eyebrows among all voters.

During a gubernatorial debate in Wasilla, her hometown in the heart of the Mat-Su Valley, she had this to say:

You will have an advocate down there in Juneau, of course. Certainly people will assume that I am biased toward the Valley in the decisions I make. So be it, because I will be.

Now, some voters might interpret this to mean that Sarah Palin's decisions in Washington -- should she get there -- would be equally biased toward Alaska.

But I know a lot of parents who would be perfectly happy to see a little bias towards autism, as well.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Presidential Debate from HuffPost bloggers

Comments

[sleeplessmom]

I am just glad that autism was mentioned in the debates. Maybe (I'm not holding my breath) something is going to be done about it. Maybe the big pharma co.'s will have some explaining to do.

[cheeriogirl]

Please take note that Gov Palin increased funding for children with special needs only AFTER Trigs diagnosis.

Seems rather self serving to me.

[Annanoni]

Her sister's child has Autism, however, she didn't see fit to raise the budget until she had a child with a problem. Please give me a break. Also, my daughter has worked for 30 years with people of all ages with special needs and even started a school, one of the first 4 in the country where these children were allowed to be cared for in the same school as children with no special needs. She was even featured on Tom Brokaw show at one time, so we know a lot of what is required for special needs people. Money is very important, however, so is early intervention, tons of family support, research, and most of all, these people and families need our caring help and support each and every day.

[CriticalDune]

David - Trying to strike a balance between the disability polices of an Obama v. McCain Administration based on a few sound bytes is wrongheaded. It is so lopsided in favor of Obama that it's almost laughable (if it didn't highlight the tragedy that Republican leadership offers the disability community).
A non-partisan group did a side by side comparison here:
http://www.olrs.ohio.gov/prescompare.htm

Obama supports or cosponsored the Community Choice Act, CLASS Act, Vocational Rehab, will fully fund IDEA, opposes privatizing social security (a main funding source for disabled adults), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, supports the EEOC, and will appoint an autism czar. McCain? Nope on the above. You're on you own. pals. PS your "Democratic Dad from CT" sounded more like a Joe Lieberman Republican to me...

[CalBearinIllinois]

McCain did pledge to fully fund IDEA at one point. He also had made a promise on autism funding, mainly with Lieberman's prompting. That's why the only developmental disability issue he raised was autism - he can't say anything else without violating his limited government pledge. And even on that, Obama kicked him in the teeth with his spending freeze.

[mfb]

Mr Mozart demonstrates that he reads CDC propaganda. The sad fact is that there is plenty of science calling vaccine safety into question and more to come. But if you stick your fingers in your ears, shout loudly enough and never stop to reflect on what is going wrong here, you can convince yourself that the true problem we need to face is just the parents and not the bureaucrats and the manufacturers. That certainly would make life a whole lot easier for some.

And please, let's get real. Do infectious diseases (with a few days away from school as the main consequence for the vast majority of cases) as an American childhood health problem even remotely compare with autism (with a lifetime of disability)? It's not even close.

[leopoldmozart]

CDC propaganda? So, are peer reviewed scientific studies propaganda to you? Then where do you get your information? How can you support anything you believe and think?

Read the 2004 NIH report, and read some of the articles that they summarize and critique, then we can talk about the non-existent connection between autism and vaccines.

Also, your comparison of 19th century infectious diseases ("a few days away from school") with autism was shocking in it's ignorance. Autism, depending on the severity, is extremely difficult and sometimes tragic for the person and his/her family, I totally agree, but haven't you read any history, or talked to anyone over the age of 70? Polio, if it doesn't kill you, leads to a lifetime of disability. Many of the diseases we vaccinate against are fatal, or lead to retardation if the brain is involved. The flu epidemic of 1919 (the "hemophilus influenza b" that we vaccinate against) killed 10% of the world's population.

Please, read some history, read some scientific articles. Educate yourself on these issues.

[mathme]

The vaccination explanation is almost wholly unsupported. It SEEMS like there is a link in the minds of laypeople because many of the symptoms of autism appear right around the time that vaccinations occur. It's totally illusory, and I've never seen or heard a valid explanation of the mechanism by which a vaccination is supposed to "cause" autism. If it's the mercury preservative that does it, well, then the last 8 years should have been marked by an exponential rise in autism cases because of the increased amount of mercury in the atmosphere and water (not that mercury doesn't cause its own set of developmental problems, as teratogens do), at least a rise that can't be explained more readily by and, most importantly, through replicable testing of new screening procedures.

The number of diagnosed cases is NOT the same as the number of children born with diagnosable symptoms.

[mfb]

With respect, I've probably read more health and science history in the last year than you've read in your life-- and published and been a peer reviewer of numerous scientific articles. But the issue is not the volume of reading, but rather the flexibility and originality of one's mental processes when confronting deep issues that challenge the status quo. Arguing with people like you is a waste of time, because you will always escalate the ad hominem attacks.

But you should get your facts straight, friend, the 1918 influenze epidemic had nothing to do with Hib (and probably didn't kill directly, but made its victims susceptibel to treatable pneumonia), it was the H1N1 influenza virus. The Hib vaccine of today is targeted at a common bacterium that in rare cases can cause bacterial meningitis, not the flu. More to the point, polio, even in its worst period and outcomes, never even came close to the disability toll we're seeing with autism. And if you read your history critically, you'll learn that the polio virus story has much more complexity than the current fairy tale now told by the medical profession about Sabin and Salk. But that's another story.

[Blakkwolfe]

Peer reviewed scientific studies are only as good as the scientists who do them. The outcome most often depends on who is paying the bill.

[poomplet]

Over the last 40 years, autism rates have risen sharply...­.picture a chart with a steeply-climbing line.

During that same period, mercury levels in vaccines have dropped to zero, and environmental exposure has gone down as well (better pollution controls). That chart's line goes down like a ski-slope.

So why on earth can any sane person try to draw a connection between mercury exposure and autism?

[bluevalentine]

Oka, how about the other metal salt used...alu­minum...or maybe teh synergistic effect of these tow meatk sakts being administered. You know placebos in the gardisil studies actually had aluminum in them.

http://www.ahrp.org/cms/content/view/263/28/

[access2narnia]

Citing Palin as an "Expert" is INSULTING to everyone with knowledge and experience in this highly complex field! How dare McCain compare her happenstance of having an extended family member with autism, to the in-depth education, knowledge and experience of the Numerous Disability Advocates, Self-Advocates, Parent Advocates, Personal Assistants, Medical, Rehabilitative, Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals and Non-Profit Disability Specific and Cross-Disability Organizations who have been actively working together on behalf of youth and adults with disabilities for decades.

NO, Sarah Palin and John McCain DO NOT KNOW just how we feel and have NOT earned the right to say so! NO SHE IS NOT "one of the best people in the country on this issue" and IF SHE REALLY IS the "most knowledgeable person in the country" he knows about special needs issues, GOD HELP OUR DISABLED CHILDREN AND ADULTS because after 26 YEARS in the US Senate (including such landmark legislation as Sect 504 of te RehabilitationAct, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Civil Rights Acts and Americans With Disabilities Act, etc) ANYONE should KNOW at least by reputation if not on a first name basis, many of the numerous far more highly qualified individuals and organizations ready, willing and able to provide UNBIASED and Highest Quality expertise to advise and offer leadership on Disability Rights and Special Needs issues.

[teddyquin]

Very well put, outstanding commentary and post,, thank you

[access2narnia]

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.

[Peggy0224]

You took the words right out of my mouth!! I was furious last night and still am! Thank you !!

[access2narnia]

THANK YOU!

[access2narnia]

As life long disability advocates, my husband and I strongly support more attention for disability access issues, special education and the tragedy of children with disabilities trapped in institutional foster care because of bureaucratic barriers to their adoption into loving families ---BUT, we are also aware that the "Autism" problem has many factors involved with its perceived increase in society ---including better diagnosis and early intervention and great expansion of the classic diagnosis of "autism" to include an entire spectrum of autistic tendencies and Asperger's Syndrome, as well as some level of over and/or misdiagnosis in order to obtain special education services for children whose learning, developmental, intellectual, or behavioral disabilities defy exact categorization.

It is discouraging to see "autism" being raised above other equally compelling URGENT NEEDS of the the numerous other medical and/or disability concerns that desperately need attention!

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

Better diagnosis has been completely debunked by anyone who listens to reason. But I'll help you out a little: the current incidence of autism is 1:150. Four times as many of these children are boys. That means that more than 1% of the male children in this country are autistic. If this "perceived" increase is just that, then there would be a huge number of adults coming out of the woodwork with autism... But they haven't, because they don't exist.

[PaulL2]

I'm a bit confused. Are you then saying that autism is overdiagnosed,as access2narnia also indicates?

[RCMoore]

Your logic is faulty. Is assumes adult males are being tested for autism using the criteria currently in place for young males. It also assumes the current criteria for diagnosis of autism in young males is valid for adult males.

To debunk something, you have to first establish your assumptions as fact. Otherwise, it is just your unsupported opinion.

[CalBearinIllinois]

Actually, my father and my brother would both be classified as on the spectrum today, but were just considered a little odd growing up. I have been diagnosed as falling on the spectrum too, albeit at the very high functioning end of Asperger's. I had no idea why I had so many problems with social interactions and emotional control growing up, and I still deal with issues daily, but at least now I know I'm not just "crazy" or "different". So we are coming out of the woodwork, to some extent.

Still, my son is more severe than anyone in my family's history, and we can't point to a reason, so I do think "better diagnosis" is not a full explanation. Also, the idea that anyone is "gaming the system" to get special ed is a joke. Most parents I know are greatly relieved if they can claim any label other than autism, such as PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified) because of how stigmatized the term autism is.

[rjgwood]

I agree! We need solidarity in the special needs community and more resources for all of our children! As a parent of a child with autism, I also support those other families who are dealing with their own version of childhood special needs!

[PenelopeS]

This presidential race has been surprising to say the least. Who could have predicted that with an African-American and a woman in the race, learning disabilities would have become such a hot topic! As the mother of a young adult with Down Syndrome, this has been an exciting time for long-ignored vulnerable populations, like those with Down Syndrome or autism, to finally get some long-awaited, long-hoped-for media attention.

Whatever anyone thinks about Sarah Palin, the introduction of discussions on special needs - purely a result of her nomination -we were totally ignored before then! - can only be beneficial.

Though our daughter does not have autism, the poster who commented that Trig Palin does have a greatly increased chance of having autism, too, is right. Kids with Down's and kids with autism frequently follow similar therapy and school programs and parents (and kids) get to know each other and have traditionally been allies in fighting for progress and acceptance of their difference.

I disagree strongly with claims that the government will be the solution. Families, not the medical community or government authorities, have always been the advocates for change and led the fight - and probably always will.

[access2narnia]

While I agree with the great work done by families, I am compelled to point out that Youth and Adults with Disabilities are also outstanding self-advocates in their own right and have often been personally responsible for systems change toward disability rights and improved services.

Also, while the Obama-Biden ticket has not showcased this issue due to our disastrous economic crisis and their busy-ness defending themselves from attacks, Joe Biden just quietly introduced yet another much needed disability rights initiative for Crime Victims with Disabilities, in the hope that it may be considered in the expected November congressional session.

Yes, MUCH CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED without government assistance, so long as individuals with diabilities are insured equal protections under the law, protection of their civil rights, and the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of our society as they choose for themselves. All most are asking is a FAIR CHANCE.

[access2narnia]

Unfortunately, Mr. McCain's concern about youth and adults with disabilities is noticeable ONLY when vote-seeking or when, in this case, trying to find something ---anything-- redeeming about his choice of Sarah Palin for VP.

Careful side by side analysis of Both Campaigns positions on Disability Issues ---per their platforms and responses to Surveys by Advocacy Groups (available from the American Association of Persons with Disabiliti­es/Justice for All)---reveals substantial deficits in the McCain-Palin answers AND VOTES compared to that of the Democratic party.

At least the Obama Campaign has an ACTIVE Disability Advisor who actually bothered to Show Up for the National Disability Debate in Ohio this summer while McCain, after months of high pressure demands by Advocates representing the constituency of 50 MILLION US CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES (increasing daily by returning Disabled Veterans ---notably the DAV just came out with an 80% favorable for Obama on veterans disability issues compared to 20% for McCain) finally deigned to "phone-in" a few talking points to defuse the insult of ignoring these issues entirely.

[kimmoses]

As a parent of an autistic child, I was offended that McCain decided to use autism as a pander last night. If autism was so important to him, why is this the first time we're hearing about it? Further, to echo Obama, how does he plan to dedicate resources to research when there's a spending freeze? What an idiot!

If either candidate really cared about autism and wanted to take a progressive step, they would announce the immediate appointment of Autism Czar, whose sole responsibilities are (1) advocate/educate about early detection and intervention (2) assist families affected by autism with social services and financial resources and (3) fund research----and they'd include a mandate in their health care plan to require commercial insurance carriers to cover autism related services, which most don't do right now.

[rjgwood]

You should read Obama's position paper on autism, it echos precisely your sentiments of what is needed!

[Joan2Madison]

Are people not aware that Gov. Palin cut Special Olympics funding in Alaska?

[access2narnia]

Of course not, because the massive cuts she made were lost in all the turmoil of the economy and election attack tactics.

[JulieSA]

Besides the autism issue, McCain adopted a baby with special needs seventeen years ago. Several surgeries corrected her condition, so it's not an incurable problem like autism, but the McCains have devoted large parts of their lives to helping children with severe medical problems, and they know the adoption process very well, too. McCain's two older sons were adopted by him.

[access2narnia]

While it is true that I honor the MCCain's for their adoption of a medically fragile child from Bangladesh many, many years ago, ADOPTION ---both international and domestic---has changed greatly as well as expanded over the last 10-15 years ---while our foster children have grown to 500,000 with at least 140-150,000 of them ADOPTABLE, most special needs.

We are in GREAT NEED of federal reforms to expedite and make more affordable INTERSTATE US ADOPTIONS (both private and foster care) and INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS.

Numerous children with disabilities stranded/warehoused in foster care group homes, facilities and residential treatment centers also need to be helped to find their Forever Families!!!

[foe2Hg]

leopoldmozart says-

"Something is causing neurological damage: perhaps chemical pollution, or pesticides, flame retardants in our furniture, a new virus or bacterium, or plastics in our food and water packaging. But it is NOT VACCINES."

There have been no studies on vaccinated vs unvaccinated childen. Rep Caroly Maloney wants this done. That is what Obama and McCain (has Palin ever discussed her views on autism...a­nd vaccines?) need to be commenting on.

and leopold-

You mention chemicals, pesticides, flame retardants, a virus, a bacterium.­...but then completely dismiss vaccines yet they have the most "chemicals, bacteria, viruses"..­(.and you forgot mercury--thimerosal esp via the flu vaccines,) that a fetus, baby, child can receive. Safer vaccination was done 20 years ago...and the autism rate was RARE. How about you wanting a safe vaccine program AND children not getting injured from those same vaccines? Is that a possibility?

just wondering-

Teresa

[RCMoore]

Toxic mercury was prevalent in the environment 20+ years ago, and yet autism rates were low. Why blame the small amounts of non-toxic mercury in vaccines?

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

Two different kinds of mercury -- methyl-mercury vs ethyl-merc­ury... And, while one is ingested, mostly from fish, and passes through the digestive system the other is injected bypassing the bodies ability to process the heavy metals and other toxins. In addition to bypassing the front end of the immune system recent studies show that ethyl-mercury more readily converts to inorganic mercury in the brain.

[leopoldmozart]

Dear Teresa:

You wrote, "There have been no studies on vaccinated vs unvaccinated children." Actually, there have been. The best is probably

Taylor B et. al., Autism and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: no epidemiological evidence for a causal association. The Lancet, Volume 353, Issue 9169, 12 June 1999, Pages 2026-2029.

Brittain didn't start giving the MMR until 1987. So, this study compared the incidence of autism in children from 1979 to 1998. If MMR (or the gross number of vaccines) was a contributing factor to the incidence of autistic spectrum disorders, then there should have been a step increase at 1987 in the number of cases. In fact, there was none. The incidence of autism just grew steadily over the years, as if the cause was not a vaccine that suddenly started in 1987 but rather an environmental toxin that slowly grew in concentration over the years.

[AutismNewsBeat]

A Danish study looked at 500,000+ kids born in the 90s and also found no correlation between MMR and autism.

[mmiller20910]

As a blogger and a father of a 4-year-old girl with autism, I've been following these issues closely at http://specialneeds08.blogspot.com. I've been waiting, waiting, waiting for McCain or Palin to express any level of understanding of what families dealing with these issues need -- and they have no plan to do ANYTHING. Look at their websites. Look at Obama's plan for autism, developed long before most of us had heard of Gov. Palin and crafted with the input of senior advisors who are raising children with autism and other conditions. And compare that to the empty rhetoric of McCain and Palin. "I'll be your friend. I'm one of you." "We should put children with special needs first....e­xcept for that pesky spending freeze we're recommendi­ng." Palin is "'uniquely qualified" to cure autism. (McCain said that last week.) Palin knows more about special needs than "any American that I know." (McCain last night.) Enough with the pandering. Look at their records, read their positions, and if you care about children and adults with disabilities, vote for the team YOU think will do the most for education, health care, and medical research. http://specialneeds08.blogspot.com

[sleeplessmom]

I am just glad that autism was mentioned! It is about time! Maybe now we will actually get somewhere. Maybe now the agencies that put so much effort in covering up, will have to fess up to the truth.

[noneIn2008]

We want the government to do everything for everyone. Comrades unite. Free health care, education, energy, food. Comrades it is yours with either of the big 2 candidates.

[leopoldmozart]

One of the parents was quoted above saying, "They cannot work on what is causing autism without talking about vaccines, or else we continue to run in place. The government MUST support independent vaccine research now. " In fact, there have been many independent studies on the connection between vaccines and autism, and the data is in. There is NO CONNECTION between vaccines and autism. Read the 2004 Immunization Safety Review Committee Report from the National Institutes of Health. Something is causing the explosion of autism in our young (as well as the explosion of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease in our middle aged and elderly), and it is NOT VACCINES. Something is causing neurological damage: perhaps chemical pollution, or pesticides, flame retardants in our furniture, a new virus or bacterium, or plastics in our food and water packaging. But it is NOT VACCINES.

Please please please, if you have young children, please vaccinate them. Polio is still in the world, as are diptheria, measles, mumps, and whooping cough. We don't have tens of thousands of our children die of those diseases only because we vaccinate while other countries don't. Since international travel has never been easier, we are all the more vulnerable to diseases from overseas. Please protect your children.

[RCMoore]

You are absolutely right. I don't know why this is considered a skeptical comment -- it is the exact opposite of a skeptical mindset.

Shifting funding from genetics to vaccines would be a big mistake.

[Blakkwolfe]

HuffPost's Pick

My opinion is this; I think it is a combination of the two factors- It is a genetic factor that is triggered by the introduction of mercury (thimerisol) through vaccines..­.(still in flu shots-check to make sure it is thimerisol free). I'd like to them to thoroughly and fairly study all possible combinations. It is not a coincidence. Something causes the rapid changes in our kids. Why is the vaccine link impossible? Because the CDC said so? Because Merck lobbyists said so? Because a flawed study by scientists on the payroll said so? Sure. And Iraq was directly responsible for 9/11 and cigarette smoking is perfectly safe for pregnant women, too. Vaccines are important and nessecary, but they must be safe for every child.

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

Blah, blah, blah, blah... Same inaccurate statement that we've heard over and over before. The studies I assume you are referring to do not say there is "NO CONNECTION" -- that is not a possible result from an epidemiological study. These studies did not find a connection; which is an entirely different thing. You can't possibly know that it is NOT VACCINES -- unless you know precisely what it is; and, of course you don't.

Also, the 2004 IOM report was primarily based on the CDC's admittedly flawed Vaccine Safety Database (VSD).

And, there are numerous empirical studies that show significant destruction of neurons from the compounds that are found in the vaccines..­. And, we know that there is subset of people(children) who are not able to excrete heavy metals. If some childrens' bodies can't get rid of these things some of it ends up in the brain... And then, well the rest is obvious. 2+2=4.

[discerningcitizen]

Most of us with children with autism are not anti-vaccine. We do, however, have reservations about the number or vaccines given to children at one time, the lack of information about when not to vaccinate(­i.e., the child has a cold or flu), and the sometimes cavalier attitude of our pediatricians when we ask questions. The vaccine assault begins the day they are born (Hep B).

Also, we make flu shots for the elderly an annual event and employers encourage all employees to be immunized. Could this be a factor in the increase of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?

Pertussis is probably the most important vaccine followed by Diptheria. Most of us survived measles, mumps and chicken pox. Hep B should not be given to infants unless their Moms are Hep B positive. In short, we need to look at the vaccine schedule and revise it in a fashion which uses common sense and not fear and panic.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Measles killed about 300,000 people in 2006. I wouldn't call it harmless.

[dylana]

The vaccine debate rages. My adult son did NOT receive all of his childhood vaccinations. He is truly autistic, as in the classic autism diagnosis. I have read, researched for over 3 decades. I believe the 'causes' of autism (and perhaps all disorders mistakenly placed under the umbrella of 'autism spectrum' maladies) are multiple. I gravitate to the cause being environmental issues. Too little research performed on the long-term use of the chemicals, man-made chemicals which are utilized and are present in our daily lives.