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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
I work in the field with children on all points on the spectrum, I do not believe in the correlation between autism and vaccinations and plan on following my pediatricians schedule. I will not, however, have my children vaccinated if they are not well at the time of the visit - if their immune systems are compromised in any way.
My opinions are not common and not shared by most. I think the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks. JMO.
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Posted 4/2/08 4:51 PM  |
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
I am in the autism field - I wouldn't say you are crazy, unfortunately there are a lot of scare tactics lately regarding vaccines. There is nothing scientifically that links autism to vaccines. Its genetic. I worried everyday because I am surrounded by autism, but i never worried regarding the vaccines... please try and ease your mind and do whats right for your baby!!!! 
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| Posted 4/2/08 5:51 PM |
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lolabean08
LIF Zygote
Member since 1/08 48 total posts
Name:
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
I strongly recommend that you read "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave and Deborah Mitchell. While I am not AGAINST vaccinations, I do believe that there is not enough research to definitively say that there is no correlation to Autism. If no one is 100% sure, why risk it? I will be separating the MMR, delaying Hepatitis B, and using a delayed immunization schedule in general. I will only give one shot at a time. I have also heard a lot of people like the Dr. Sears book on vaccinations, but I have not read that yet.
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| Posted 4/2/08 6:39 PM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
Name:
I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
WE have broken up DD's shots after her reaction to all 4 shots at her 4 month well visit. I will continue to break up the shots until she is at least a year old.
I know it's within your rights to break up the schedule, but talk to your ped first, they have the most information.
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| Posted 4/2/08 7:18 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by Goldi0218
...I do not believe in the correlation between autism and vaccinations and plan on following my pediatricians schedule. I will not, however, have my children vaccinated if they are not well at the time of the visit - if their immune systems are compromised in any way.
My opinions are not common and not shared by most. I think the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks. JMO.
i completely agree. i don't believe in the correlation and will have my child vaccinated according to the schedule UNLESS he is sick. these are scary illnesses and IMO our country has forgotten just how bad they really were.
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| Posted 4/2/08 7:39 PM |
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mamasita27
OHANA
Member since 8/07 5974 total posts
Name:
MB
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
I was told by a pediatrician that if he WANTED to find a vaccine with mercury in it, he couldn't these days, so apparently that is not even an issue. The link between autism and vaccinations is definitely something to be on top of, but there really does not appear to be much conclusive evidence that there actually is a connection between the two. There is so much convincing "information" at our fingertips these days that can overwhelm us and scare us, but we have to remember to not believe everything we read and really examine where the information is coming from and how the sources get their information.
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| Posted 4/2/08 7:49 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by mamasita27
I was told by a pediatrician that if he WANTED to find a vaccine with mercury in it, he couldn't these days, so apparently that is not even an issue. The link between autism and vaccinations is definitely something to be on top of, but there really does not appear to be much conclusive evidence that there actually is a connection between the two. There is so much convincing "information" at our fingertips these days that can overwhelm us and scare us, but we have to remember to not believe everything we read and really examine where the information is coming from and how the sources get their information.
I agree. There is so much in the way of scare tactics out there. I cannot fall prey to it - especially after having an extensive background and experience in the field. I would also NEVER take ANYTHING I read on the net as gospel.
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| Posted 4/2/08 8:29 PM |
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CmC720
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 868 total posts
Name:
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
i forget what shot it was but my mom said when i was an infant i got some shots and then got very very sick...i even needed a spinal tap. the doctor swore it wasnt the shots but my mom said i was fine beforehand...so scary!!!
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| Posted 4/2/08 8:33 PM |
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bella
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1871 total posts
Name:
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by lolabean08
While I am not AGAINST vaccinations, I do believe that there is not enough research to definitively say that there is no correlation to Autism. If no one is 100% sure, why risk it?
This is my feeling.. if there was absolutely no correlation it would not be discussed, no one knows definitely and can show any hard evidence..... While there are many scare tactics on the delayed vaccination side, there are also many scare tactics on the side of those that claim you are hurting your child by delaying, which in most cases simply is not true. In fact, in some cases ,certainly not all, the vaccine has more of a likelihood of causing a reaction to your child than your child getting the disease.....It is a hot topic but if you do research it can begin making educated decisions for YOUR child. At the end of the day that's what matters. What may be right for someone else may not be right for you. I struggled with decisions on this and it did make my head spin but at the end of the day I beleive I am making the right choices for my fmaily...also please keep in mind, autism is certainly NOT the only potential issue with vaccines....there can be serious reactions as well....its a topic worth researching because after all, doctors have been wrong before....not saying either side is right but look at both sides....I agree with above poster, Dr. Sears book is excellent and unbiased and he has a wonderful website with a discussion forum I have found very insightful.
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| Posted 4/2/08 8:46 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Although I understand the feelings of those who don't believe the correlation between vaccinations and autism and feel others may be unduly avoiding vaccinations in general due to misleading or general information,but still...
I am not against vaccinations.
I am not sure of the vigor in which they are given.. make sense?
I think having more options should be encouraged.
I appreciate all those willing to share pediatrician info for the rest of us.
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| Posted 4/2/08 9:20 PM |
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
I agree with those that have commented on the mecury issue - it is no longer in any vaccines given to babies so this issue no longer exists.
I have a friend who's father is the head of pediatric neurosurgery in a hospital and he treats children with autism and has studied babies' brains and vaccines extensively. He believes there is no link. My friend has a 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old. She follows the vaccination schedules suggested by her doctor. This is what her father told her to do.
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| Posted 4/2/08 9:31 PM |
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by SeptemberBride03
I agree with those that have commented on the mecury issue - it is no longer in any vaccines given to babies so this issue no longer exists.
I have a friend who's father is the head of pediatric neurosurgery in a hospital and he treats children with autism and has studied babies' brains and vaccines extensively. He believes there is no link. My friend has a 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old. She follows the vaccination schedules suggested by her doctor. This is what her father told her to do.
I agree.
i think its hard for people to understand this if they are not in the field. Those of us in the field have done so much research and have had do much experience with multiple family members diagnosed with autism in our careers that the evidence is glaring for us. For those who just hear the stories have a hard time being objective about it. Thats the point of media - to get people to subscribe to a way of thinking. Science is always the "bad" guy! 
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| Posted 4/2/08 9:40 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
I also think there is a tremendous amount of difference in diagnoses. Children who are now labeled on the spectrum were not labeled as such years back. They were simply tossed in the special ed classes, called "retarded" and never given appropriate programs so they could reach their maximum potential. There are kids misdiagnosed ALL THE TIME. I see it every day!
The misdiagnoses of years past, makes it seem as more of an outbreak or epidemic now. Standards and criteria and MAJORLY different now.
Message edited 4/2/2008 9:54:35 PM.
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| Posted 4/2/08 9:53 PM |
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by Goldi0218
I also think there is a tremendous amount of difference in diagnoses. Children who are now labeled on the spectrum were not labeled as such years back. They were simply tossed in the special ed classes, called "retarded" and never given appropriate programs so they could reach their maximum potential. There are kids misdiagnosed ALL THE TIME. I see it every day!
Tell me about it 
Kids diagnosed when they do NOT have autism. That is still counted in the 1 in 150. I can name 150 kids who were diagnosed who did not have autism!!!!
Then, there are the kids with Asperger's Syndrome, who before 1994, was not a diagnosis. Since it is still considered on the autism spectrum, that means that kids who before would have just been on the chess club now have a diagnosis that also gets counted in the 1 in 150!
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| Posted 4/2/08 9:56 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by lipglossjunky73
Posted by Goldi0218
I also think there is a tremendous amount of difference in diagnoses. Children who are now labeled on the spectrum were not labeled as such years back. They were simply tossed in the special ed classes, called "retarded" and never given appropriate programs so they could reach their maximum potential. There are kids misdiagnosed ALL THE TIME. I see it every day!
Tell me about it
Kids diagnosed when they do NOT have autism. That is still counted in the 1 in 150. I can name 150 kids who were diagnosed who did not have autism!!!!
Then, there are the kids with Asperger's Syndrome, who before 1994, was not a diagnosis. Since it is still considered on the autism spectrum, that means that kids who before would have just been on the chess club now have a diagnosis that also gets counted in the 1 in 150!
When I look back on the eccentric non-social kids I grew up with who had few friends but pockets of knowledge in specific areas and little in others I see now, that had they grown up today, they may have been diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome - that is on the spectrum.
I knew a former student who is a national chess champion, math scholar, made multiple trips to the White House in two different administrations who has ZERO social skills and cannot communicate well with others outside of his comfort zone. Most people would say he is "weird." He isn't weird. He has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
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| Posted 4/2/08 10:23 PM |
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Izzy
LIF Infant
Member since 3/08 171 total posts
Name:
Isabella
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
that's too bad  idk it's a very iffy thing to me. it's so scary...autism is on an extreme high lately.
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| Posted 4/3/08 10:09 AM |
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ann814
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 203 total posts
Name:
Andrea
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by lipglossjunky73
I agree.
i think its hard for people to understand this if they are not in the field. Those of us in the field have done so much research and have had do much experience with multiple family members diagnosed with autism in our careers that the evidence is glaring for us. For those who just hear the stories have a hard time being objective about it. Thats the point of media - to get people to subscribe to a way of thinking. Science is always the "bad" guy!
I don't want to start a debate here because this is one topic that we all know will never die down but I do have to say that I think your statment is unfair. I may not be in the field but I'm sure I've done my fair share of research and am just as informed as you are, if not more, because I had to live it 24/7. And as much as anyone can say vaccines had nothing to do with my son getting sick and then getting lost in a world I'll never understand, I'll forever say it does. I wasn't subscribed to any way of thinking, I made my own deductions.
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| Posted 4/3/08 10:30 AM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by Goldi0218
Posted by lipglossjunky73
Posted by Goldi0218
I also think there is a tremendous amount of difference in diagnoses. Children who are now labeled on the spectrum were not labeled as such years back. They were simply tossed in the special ed classes, called "retarded" and never given appropriate programs so they could reach their maximum potential. There are kids misdiagnosed ALL THE TIME. I see it every day!
Tell me about it
Kids diagnosed when they do NOT have autism. That is still counted in the 1 in 150. I can name 150 kids who were diagnosed who did not have autism!!!!
Then, there are the kids with Asperger's Syndrome, who before 1994, was not a diagnosis. Since it is still considered on the autism spectrum, that means that kids who before would have just been on the chess club now have a diagnosis that also gets counted in the 1 in 150!
When I look back on the eccentric non-social kids I grew up with who had few friends but pockets of knowledge in specific areas and little in others I see now, that had they grown up today, they may have been diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome - that is on the spectrum.
I knew a former student who is a national chess champion, math scholar, made multiple trips to the White House in two different administrations who has ZERO social skills and cannot communicate well with others outside of his comfort zone. Most people would say he is "weird." He isn't weird. He has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
This is so true!!
It is the same with ADD/ADHD there are a ton of kids diagnosed with that today. much more than when we were young.
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| Posted 4/3/08 6:00 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by lipglossjunky73
I am in the autism field - I wouldn't say you are crazy, unfortunately there are a lot of scare tactics lately regarding vaccines. There is nothing scientifically that links autism to vaccines. Its genetic. I worried everyday because I am surrounded by autism, but i never worried regarding the vaccines... please try and ease your mind and do whats right for your baby!!!!
yeah, that's not completely true.... it's not solely genetic, and the studies.... well..... 
this is why I read up on it on PubMed. You know how there's always a new study that says XXX is bad for you, and the following week XXX is good for you in another study? that is usually not becuase the data is all over the place, it's becuase of the study design and analysis.
I was NOT impressed at all with the epidemiological studies that are out there that 'prove there is no link between vaccines and autism'. the study designs and the small # of kids included in most studies (usually under 200...) made me basically discount the vast majority of manuscripts out there. I was frankly shocked by the lack of large population studies... and the fact that I couldn't find one study that asked the general question 'Is there a link between receiving a vaccine and the onset of autistic symptoms?'. they all asked very specific questions like 'did the removal of thimerisol reduce the incidence of autism' or 'do children with autism have a reduced immune response to the measles vaccine relative to non-autistic children'. well, you can easily answer 'no' to both of those questions and still have some vaccine, or a combination of multiple immunizations at a specific age increasing the development of autism.... and I haven't seen one paper that directly asks that $10,000 question.
After reading a couple dozen papers and skimming many more abstracts, I frankly don't trust most of those quoted studies. I mainly trust the studies doing MRIs/imaging of autistic brains, and the genetic studies showing polymorphisms/mutations in some children.
Those genetic markers don't make you autistic, so it's not like the 'disease is genetic'.... it's like having a gene mutation that increases a risk of having cancer. doesn't mean you'll get cancer... it just increases the odds a bit. you still need the trigger, and I can't help but think that vaccinations MAY play a role.
after all, in the last 20 years, the # of vaccines given has increased over 3 fold. If overstimulation of the immune system at such a young age is a trigger, the high # of vaccinations COULD explain the increased incidence.
I'm frankly scared of autism.... who knows what contributes to it.... a household cleaner? A pesticide? Vaccinations? food additive? nutritional deficiency? A magic/evil combo of these things?
I just think the Dr's are speaking rather authoritatively that vaccines are not to blame when the many studies that have been performed are almost all flawed, too small, or don't actually address the issue directly.
very worrisome to this neuorpharmacologist/mom-to-be 
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| Posted 4/3/08 7:12 PM |
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by wannabemom
Posted by lipglossjunky73
I am in the autism field - I wouldn't say you are crazy, unfortunately there are a lot of scare tactics lately regarding vaccines. There is nothing scientifically that links autism to vaccines. Its genetic. I worried everyday because I am surrounded by autism, but i never worried regarding the vaccines... please try and ease your mind and do whats right for your baby!!!!
yeah, that's not completely true.... it's not solely genetic, and the studies.... well.....
this is why I read up on it on PubMed. You know how there's always a new study that says XXX is bad for you, and the following week XXX is good for you in another study? that is usually not becuase the data is all over the place, it's becuase of the study design and analysis.
I was NOT impressed at all with the epidemiological studies that are out there that 'prove there is no link between vaccines and autism'. the study designs and the small # of kids included in most studies (usually under 200...) made me basically discount the vast majority of manuscripts out there. I was frankly shocked by the lack of large population studies... and the fact that I couldn't find one study that asked the general question 'Is there a link between receiving a vaccine and the onset of autistic symptoms?'. they all asked very specific questions like 'did the removal of thimerisol reduce the incidence of autism' or 'do children with autism have a reduced immune response to the measles vaccine relative to non-autistic children'. well, you can easily answer 'no' to both of those questions and still have some vaccine, or a combination of multiple immunizations at a specific age increasing the development of autism.... and I haven't seen one paper that directly asks that $10,000 question.
After reading a couple dozen papers and skimming many more abstracts, I frankly don't trust most of those quoted studies. I mainly trust the studies doing MRIs/imaging of autistic brains, and the genetic studies showing polymorphisms/mutations in some children.
Those genetic markers don't make you autistic, so it's not like the 'disease is genetic'.... it's like having a gene mutation that increases a risk of having cancer. doesn't mean you'll get cancer... it just increases the odds a bit. you still need the trigger, and I can't help but think that vaccinations MAY play a role.
after all, in the last 20 years, the # of vaccines given has increased over 3 fold. If overstimulation of the immune system at such a young age is a trigger, the high # of vaccinations COULD explain the increased incidence.
I'm frankly scared of autism.... who knows what contributes to it.... a household cleaner? A pesticide? Vaccinations? food additive? nutritional deficiency? A magic/evil combo of these things?
I just think the Dr's are speaking rather authoritatively that vaccines are not to blame when the many studies that have been performed are almost all flawed, too small, or don't actually address the issue directly.
very worrisome to this neuorpharmacologist/mom-to-be
KUDOS to you for doing all that research!!!! 
I have seen too many identical twins, triplets, siblings, cousins, and parents with autism having kids with autism to think it has anything to do with vaccines.....
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| Posted 4/3/08 7:14 PM |
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My4GirlsMyLife
My 4 girlies
Member since 2/08 9702 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Im worried also
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| Posted 4/3/08 7:25 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
heh, thanks... but researching the brain / drug effects / pathology is in my job requisite  and as a mom-to-be, this thread made me realize I had a major homework assignment to perform!
well, if they have an increased genetic predisposition and are relatives (similar environmental exposure / nurture), you still can't seperate out the genetics from the vaccines or environment.
you literally have to dig around to find several sets of ID twins seperated at birth, with only one being vaccinated.... talking about a study that will take 50 years!
sigh. I found the whole autism research field rather frustrating. It really could be due to any combo of things, and they literally only scratched the surface.... and not in an efficient / systematic manner at all.
after reading what was out there, I was rather dismayed, and more frightened of that condition than ever
Of course Leslie's point is well taken, that the disorder was not recognized or diagnosed until fairly recently, so who knows what the incidence rate was 30 years ago.... was it as high? or did it really jump up radically in the last 20 years?
very disturbing.....
I'd also like to thank all of you who work with autistic children Cognitive therapy seems to be the only thing that will help them recover!
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| Posted 4/3/08 7:31 PM |
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
They only offer one shot to you in the hospital, hep B. It is not pushed strongly on you because some pediatricians prefer to do it later on. Do your research and decide for yourself, but you won't have to decide much until after the baby is born.
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| Posted 4/3/08 9:08 PM |
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bayla
Love my two kiddos :)
Member since 8/06 7178 total posts
Name:
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
Posted by ann814
Posted by lipglossjunky73
I agree.
i think its hard for people to understand this if they are not in the field. Those of us in the field have done so much research and have had do much experience with multiple family members diagnosed with autism in our careers that the evidence is glaring for us. For those who just hear the stories have a hard time being objective about it. Thats the point of media - to get people to subscribe to a way of thinking. Science is always the "bad" guy!
I don't want to start a debate here because this is one topic that we all know will never die down but I do have to say that I think your statment is unfair. I may not be in the field but I'm sure I've done my fair share of research and am just as informed as you are, if not more, because I had to live it 24/7. And as much as anyone can say vaccines had nothing to do with my son getting sick and then getting lost in a world I'll never understand, I'll forever say it does. I wasn't subscribed to any way of thinking, I made my own deductions.
well said I also work with children who have autism and have met many many parents who swear that there child was typically developing until they had the MMR or other vaccinations. To me, so many parents have lived it and it is no ones place to tell them that it was not vaccinations, etc. i even had one parent till me how her neighbor was a scientist and dumped mercury into the water behind his house. Well it got into the whole neighborhood's water supply and her child ended up with autism, as well as 3 other families on the block. So it really bothers me when people,tell me its not the mercury, its not the vaccinations, i tend to just nod my head and then follow my instincts and my gut on whats best for my child with regards to the vaccinations
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| Posted 4/3/08 9:19 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Am I crazy? Vaccinations/Autism
For the record, I speak for myself and my own opinions based on my research and background. I dont make generalizations for all.
I believe what I want. Everyone else can believe what they want. That is what makes the world go 'round
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| Posted 4/3/08 9:26 PM |
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