Autism - Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, Resources, Support for Autism

Unlike the flu vaccine and a number of other childhood immunizations, the mumps/measles/rubella vaccine does not and did not contain thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative). MMR is one of several live viral vaccines (chicken pox vaccine and the nasal flu vaccine are two others). It is routinely given at 12 to 15 months of age, which is the age when autism is first likely to become evident.    The concern over MMR began when Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist, tested 12 youngsters with and without autism and found a possible link between measles virus in the gut and autism. The theory presented was that certain children have a genetic predisposition to immune issues -- and that a variety of environmental toxins begin to attack the child's immune system early on.  Researcher's at Wakefield's Texas-based foundation called Thoughtful House, claim that "The child develops a leaky gut, tissue damage gets worse, the immune system grows...

 Autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include a milder form known as Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).  Although ASD varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group.  Experts estimate that six children out of every 1,000 will have an ASD.  Males are four times more likely to have an ASD than females. The hallmark feature of ASD is impaired social interaction.  As early as infancy, a baby with ASD may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one ...

In 1997, at the request of Congress, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) formed its Autism Coordinating Committee (NIH/ACC) to enhance the quality, pace and coordination of efforts at the NIH to find a cure for autism ( http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/nih-initiatives/nih-autism-coordinating-committee.shtml ). The NIH/ACC involves the participation of seven NIH Institutes and Centers: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders,  the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Nationa...

There is no cure for ASDs.  Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement.  The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children.  Most health care professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better. Educational/behavioral interventions :  Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis.  Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with an ASD often helps families cope with the ...

ASD varies widely in severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps.  Very early indicators that require evaluation by an expert include: no babbling or pointing by age 1 no single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2 no response to name loss of language or social skills poor eye contact excessive lining up of toys or objects no smiling or social responsiveness. Later indicators include: impaired ability to make friends with peers impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others absence or impairment of imaginative and social play stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity o...

 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.   Autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include a milder form known as Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).  Although ASD varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group.  Experts estimate that six children out of every 1,000 will have an ASD.  Males are four ...

Question: What Do Doctors Say About Autism Diets?   What do doctors say about autism diets? Can they really make a difference?   Answer: While some practitioners (Defeat Autism Now doctors in particular) recommend special autism diets for their patients, most mainstream practitioners do not. This is most likely because many of the theories behind these diets (most of which eliminate wheat and dairy) appear to be incorrect - and others are not fully researched. The bottom line, however, is that Gluten Free Cassein Free (GFCF) diets can make a difference for some children with autism. This is probably not because they heal or cure underlying symptoms of autism, but because they treat gastrointestinal problems which are surprisingly common among children with autism (about 12% to 19% of children with autism have chronic diarrhea, constipation, reflux and other issues). Dr. Cynthia Molloy is a researcher at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinn...

Can gluten or casein (wheat or dairy) actually cause autism? Books and websites galore recommend that people with autism eliminate wheat and dairy from their diets. Some therapists, parents, doctors and writers swear they know a child who, as a result of this diet, has completely "recovered" from autism, and the child no longer qualifies for an autism spectrum label. Mainstream doctors and researchers, however, tend to be skeptical about claims of "cures" as a result of dietary change. Could wheat and dairy actually be the culprits for at least some cases of autism? Do Gluten and Cassein Cause Autism? The Opiate Theory A popular theory follows this logic: Wheat gluten and cassein contain proteins which break down into molecules that resemble opium-like drugs. Children with autism have compromised digestive systems, including "leaky guts." Leaky gut syndrome is a somewhat controversial diagnosis; in essence, it means that a person's i...

While mainstream doctors are unlikely to recommend special diets for children with autism, alternative doctors and practitioners may suggest gluten-free, casein-free and other restricted diets. To get more information about just why these diets are recommended, I contacted the Autism Research Institute (ARI). ARI, one of the first autism organizations in America, is the developer of the Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) protocol. DAN! is a highly controversial biomedical approach to autism treatment. There are many anecdotal stories of children "recovering" from autism as a result of the diets, supplements and other treatments recommended by ARI, and ARI itself has conducted research on its protocols. Mainstream medical professionals, however, feel that aspects of the approach are likely to be ineffective or even potentially dangerous. The following questions came directly from the About.com Guide to Autism, while the answers were provided by Maureen H. McDonnell, ...

A study from the National Institutes of Health and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center states: "...dairy-free diets and unconventional food preferences could put boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at higher than normal risk for thinner, less dense bones when compared to a group of boys the same age who do not have autism." The researchers believe that boys with autism and ASD are at risk for poor bone development for a number of reasons. These factors are lack of exercise, a reluctance to eat a varied diet, lack of vitamin D, digestive problems, and diets that exclude casein (a protein found in milk and milk products). Dairy products are a significant source of calcium and vitamin D. Casein-free diets are a controversial treatment thought by some to lessen the symptoms of autism. According to the study: "Our results suggest that children with autism and autism spectrum disorder may be at risk for calcium and vitamin D deficienci...

Nearly all of the leading health organizations including the CDC and the NIH say that there is no relationship between vaccines and autism. Yet many parents are convinced there is more to the story, and doubts about the safety of vaccines linger in their minds. How did this controversy get started -- and why is it still such a concern? Before launching into the issues surrounding vaccines and autism, it's important to note that, with very rare exceptions, no one on either side of the vaccine issues is "anti-vaccine." Every doctor and researcher with any real credentials acknowledges that vaccinations have saved thousands and possibly millions of lives -- and even those doctors who are most vocal in their concerns about vaccines offer recommendations for what they consider to be "safe" vaccines.

Thimerosal Content in Currently Manufactured U.S. Licensed Vaccines Vaccine Trade Name Manufacturer Thimerosal Concentration 1 Mercury Anthrax Anthrax vaccine Emergent BioDefense Operations Lansing Inc. 0 0 DTaP Tripedia 2 Sanofi Pasteur, Inc ≤ 0.00012% ≤ 0.3 µg/0.5 mL dose Infanrix GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals 0 0 Daptacel Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd 0 0 DTaP-HepB-IPV Pediarix GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals 0 0 DT No Trade Name Sanofi Pasteur, Inc < 0.00012% (single dose) < 0.3 µg/0.5mL dose Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd 3 0.01% 25 µg/0.5 mL dose Td No Trade Name MassBiologics ≤ 0.00012% ≤ 0.3 µg mercury/0.5 ml dose Decavac Sanofi Pasteur, Inc ≤ 0.00012% ≤ 0.3 µg mercury/0.5 ml dose No Trade Name Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd 0 0 Tdap Adacel Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd 0 0 Boostrix GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals 0 0 TT No Trade Name Sanofi Pasteur, Inc 0.01% 25 µg/0.5 mL dose Hib ActHIB/OmniHIB 4 Sanofi Pasteur, SA 0 0 ...

Sensitivity to Mercury varies widely from person to person, as does the body's natural ability to detoxify. Some children can get rid of the Mercury quickly, while in others, the toxin remains in the body longer, allowing it time to bind tightly in the brain and other organs. Before six months of age, infants do not produce bile, which is necessary to excrete Mercury. Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on earth, second only to Plutonium. The amount of Mercury found in one Mercury thermometer is enough to pollute a small 20 acre lake. This metal is available in three basic forms, organic, ionic, heavy metal, and is known to form very tight bonds within the bodies sulfur-hydro groups. The enzymes, which our immune system relies on for chemical reactions to occur, become disrupted as a result of the mercury binding to these sulfur-hydro groups. Sulfur is used as a binding compound within these groups and without them, or if any are absent, the body cannot make connective tissue...

Guidelines for safe exposure to methylmercury are based on the analysis of unintended environmental exposures resulting in overt toxicity. Such guidelines have been developed by three federal agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Organization recommends a limit of 3.3 micrograms of methylmercury/ kilogram of body weight/ week (0.47 micrograms/ kg/ day). Three U.S. federal agencies have set lower guidelines for methylmercury exposure:     Environmental Protection Agency: 0.1 micrograms/ kg/ day     Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry: 0.3 micrograms/ kg/ day     Food and Drug Administration: 0.4 micrograms/ kg/ day Although these guidelines are each slightly different, but each leaves a large margin for safety, and exposure to amounts that exceed these guidelines does not mean that the developing infant is exposed to toxic levels of mercury. A concentration of 1:10,000     = 0.01% concentr...

Currently, all pediatric vaccines in the routine infant immunization schedule are manufactured without thimerosal as a preservative. As of January 14, 2003, the final lots of vaccines containing thimerosal as a preservative expired. Other vaccines (for example, influenza vaccine; tetanus and diphtheria vaccine for older children and adults) continue to be manufactured with thimerosal as a preservative—although influenza vaccine without thimerosal preservative is also available. Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) has recently been recommended for all children 6-23 months of age, in addition to the long-standing recommendations to give TIV to children and adults with certain medical conditions as well as older adults. Thimerosal-free TIV is not available in the United States. However, TIV is available both with trace amounts of thimerosal and with thimerosal as a preservative. The amount of thimerosal in current influenza vaccines is so low that it should not raise concern. Th...

When pregnant women eat foods or take medicines that contain mercury, the mercury can be transferred to the developing fetus through the placenta. Infants can be exposed to mercury through foods, including breast milk, or medicines. Developing fetuses and young children are believed to be more susceptible to mercury exposure than adults because mercury can interfere with the developing nervous system. Guidelines for safe exposure to methylmercury, based on the analysis of cases where people were accidentally exposed to toxic levels of mercury, have been developed by three federal agencies1. Although the three agencies’ guidelines are each slightly different, each leaves a large margin for safety, and exposure to amounts that exceed these guidelines does not mean that the individual has been exposed to toxic levels of mercury. Additionally, it should be noted that, some studies show that ethylmercury (the kind to which thimerosal is metabolized) may be less toxic than methylmercury (the...

Thimerosal is a compound that is 49.6% mercury by weight. Although it is not used in all vaccines (for example, it is not used in measles-mumps-rubella or chickenpox vaccines), it has been part of the manufacture of many vaccines since the 1930s. Thimerosal has been used: to kill the bacteria that make the vaccine itself (e.g., whole cell pertussis vaccine) to kill bacteria that might enter the vaccine during the production process (e.g., influenza vaccine) as a preservative to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination of vaccines during their clinical use. In this case, thimerosal is added at the end of the production process either to the liquid vaccine itself or — in the case of dry powder vaccines — to the liquid used to dilute the vaccine Unless used as a preservative, thimerosal contributes little to the final concentration of thimerosal in vaccine (at most 2 to 3 micrograms of thimerosal per milliliter of vaccine), so the chief concern ha...

Thimerosal is a Mercury compound. Thimerosal is also known as ethyl Mercury.  Mercury is a known neuro-toxin. It can cross the placenta and blood brain barrier then, concentrate in the blood and brain.  This alone would have made me think twice, had I known. I also found out, the dose given to a forty pound five year old is the same as given to an eight pound two month old. These are known carcinogens and there are no “safe amounts” allowed in the human body. The U.S. Public Health Service and the American Academy of Pediatrics found that some children could be exposed to cumulative levels of Mercury over the first six months of life that exceed federal guidelines. By age two, American children have received 237 micrograms of Mercury though vaccines. This far exceeds the EPA’s current safe level of 1/10th of 1 microgram per kilogram a day. Thirty-five micrograms will kill a rabbit. This amount would be equivalent to injecting a 100lb adult with 40 vaccines in one day.  ...

Thimerosal is the preservative of choice for vaccine manufacturers. First introduced by Eli Lilly and Company in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the company began selling it as a preservative in vaccines in the 1940s. Thimerosal contains 49.6 percent mercury by weight and is metabolized or degraded into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. Mercury, or more precisely, ethylmercury, is the principle agent that kills contaminants. Unfortunately, mercury also kills much more than that. The Department of Defense classifies mercury as a hazardous material that could cause death if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Studies indicate that mercury tends to accumulate in the brains of primates and other animals after they are injected with vaccines. Mercury poisoning has been linked to cardiovascular disease, autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia and many other nervous system conditions. That's why the FDA rigorously limits exposure to mercury in foods and d...

Thimerosal is the preservative of choice for vaccine manufacturers. First introduced by Eli Lilly and Company in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the company began selling it as a preservative in vaccines in the 1940s. Thimerosal contains 49.6 percent mercury by weight and is metabolized or degraded into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. Mercury, or more precisely, ethylmercury, is the principle agent that kills contaminants. Unfortunately, mercury also kills much more than that. The Department of Defense classifies mercury as a hazardous material that could cause death if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Studies indicate that mercury tends to accumulate in the brains of primates and other animals after they are injected with vaccines. Mercury poisoning has been linked to cardiovascular disease, autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia and many other nervous system conditions. That's why the FDA rigorously limits exposure to mercury in foods and d...