By: Dr. Bob Sears – Pediatrician and TACA Physician Advisory Member
Before you yell at me for the title, pause and sense the sarcasm. I do care; I care deeply. As a full-time practicing pediatrician, I have continued to witness an alarming increase in the number of healthy babies in my practice who regress into autism during the second year of life. And it’s been rising every year; I feel as if I’m having the “your baby may have autism” talk with more and more of my patients now compared to 14 years ago when I started.
Here’s what I’m mad about: Most of the headlines, commentaries, and comments I’ve seen since the CDC announced the new autism rate of 1 in 88 kids yesterday say DON’T PANIC, IT’S NOT REALLY RISING, SO IT’S OKAY – THERE’S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
I’d like to know why the freaking heck the autism rate is 1 in 88 in the first place? WHY ON EARTH ARE WE, AS A SPECIES, CREATING SUCH A HIGH RATE OF OFFSPRING THAT HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS? All I see are people breathing a sigh of relief that it “isn’t really” on the rise. But keep in mind that this latest number is for children born in 2000. And it’s a 23% rise over those born in 1998. And it’s 78% higher than those born in 1994. If that doesn’t scare you, then I don’t know what will. So, how about the babies born today? What will their rate be? 1 in 20? 1 in 10? We only have about 10 years to wait until we find out (since the CDC waits until kids are 8 years old in order to study them). What does the rate have to climb to for people to finally wake up and smell the epidemic?
Let’s stop pretending autism isn’t a skyrocketing problem and do something about it. Ok, I know we are making some effort to determine the cause and find effective treatments, but the reactions to this study make it seem like people are purposely trying to keep the FACT that autism IS truly rising a secret in order to avoid a panic. That way, they can keep doing their research at a snail’s pace instead of treating this as the epidemiological emergency that it really is.
What I see that many in the media don’t see is the families. They come in my office for help every day. The families are struggling. The kids affected are struggling. We need to respond to help these families and their children.
Instead of seeing the CDC conclude in their study “ASDs continue to be an important public health concern . . . underscoring the need for continued resources,” but let’s not worry in the meantime because it’s “not really rising,” I’d like to see someone from the CDC write, “OM-freakin-G, autism affects 1 in 54 boys! What the heck is going on! Let’s figure this out!” MORE RESOURCES, MORE RESEARCH, MORE HELP NOW!
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Pediatrician and author of The Autism Book: What Every Parent Need to Know About Early Detection, Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention
Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA 
Thank you Dr. Sears! It is great to know the apple did not fall far from the tree 🙂
Why it matters; Married 20 years with 4 kids, 2 of which deal with the devestating effects of Infantile Autism. As we did not have the best role models, we learned to be great attached parents by attending local LLLI meetings, talking with LLLI Leaders and meeting their families, and from the books “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding”, “The Baby Book”, “The Fussy Baby Book”.
Our 2 sons live in a world that does not understand why Autism is such a big deal, but that doesn’t matter…
…just like we learned to respond compassionately to their needs as infants, we persistently continue to listen and understand what they are communicating to us today.
It is time for the CDC to listen and react with compassion.
Great read! The CDC wants to push this under the rug and make it seem less than it is because they KNOW vaccines are the largest contributing environmental factor. And once the rest of America wakes up the number will continue to rise.
I would love to see the scientific studies you have based your reply on. As far as I know there have been numerous studies done to negate the ONE study that suggested a link between vaccines and autism.
Here are many studies not just the one… Check out my blog for research. There was even 2 congressional hearing when a panel of 20 doctors who testified that there is a strong link btwn the metal in vaccines and autism…
Keep in mind your numerous studies are mostly funded by Big Pharma who has a stake in misinformation. The manipulation of data and bias choosing of parameters in studies is truely scary. And if you think that the governmental agencies that are supposed to protect us have our interest in mind, you should do some research into what goes on at the CDC and the FDA. The corruption is through and through. They are hounding whistleblowers and the mainstream media just ignores the stink cause they know who pays their bills. And of course they aren’t going to trumpet the many studies that aren’t funded by the industry and therefore do not agree with the conclusions they want them to come to. We need to stop believing the “experts” and propaganda just because they dominate the political arena and misinformation that is repeated until we believe.
You have GOT to be kidding.
how about get on an autism board or an autism yahoo group and witness the overwhelming number of parents who had typical normal kids until after certain vaccines……i have one of those kids. Don’t knock it until you have lived it sister.!!! I witnessed the dterioration of my child before my own eyes! And I know ALOT of other autism Moms with similar stories!
Case studies have been crap to date. The Link is very much the same where a large portion see the same onset at 15-24 months. Could be many factors, but Vaccines seems to be the most common link. Wait, could the other one be water and Air? Window is short and you need to act quickly because you can receover your child! We did and our family doing well because of it.Thank you to those who helped.
As a special educator I have seen first hand the effects of vaccinations!! I have had many parents come to me and explain to me a very similar story about their child receiving the MMR vaccination and never being the same! Do I think ALL children when vaccinated will be affected in this way NO!
I have 4 children, my 2 boys have autism. After my older son was diagnosed with ASD i made decision not to vaccinate my younger one, but he also got the diagnose….
Thank you Dr. Bob Sears. You are a pediatrician that cares and listens to parents. We appreciate your heart felt concern and desire to find answers for each patient you see. We also appreciate your voice drawing concern to an epidemic. Thank you for being such a strong advocate for families living with autism.
The biggest part of the problem as I see it is that society as a whole doesn’t understand Autism…and that includes people who really need to like teachers, first responders (fire fighters, paramedics, police officers) and yes, even many doctors. My son, now 15, has high functioning autism–not aspergers–but missed out on early intervention opportunities that would have helped him greatly because our pediatrician said, “he’s too high functioning to have autism” only to change his mind several years later. I can’t help but wonder if the “real” rate is even higher than 1 in 88.
Hi Kathryn, early intervention is a great investment. I agree with you – kids that are labeled “high functioning” need help too. I know hundreds of families with the high functioning label that did not receive early intervention and have many serious issues they are addressing today that should have been addressed prior. This is NOT an issue of parent involvement or lack of advocating. IT is lack of understanding and emphasis to the individuals needs by the professionals in our community. This is a serious problem.
I also agree that the 1 in 88 number is most likely under represented. After all it is four years old. Please “What constitutes an emergency” on TACAnowblog.com.
All my best, Lisa
I have a 28 month old daughter dx’d with motraede autism, global delays, non-verbal and will be dx’d with dyspraxia when she turns 3. She started mild SIB about 9 months ago and so far we do the chewy tube and vibrating toothbrush to redirect her. I have watched some of your videos since I first suspected autism and you have shown so much courage and strength. I think you are the most awesome mom and you are so beyond calm, Jamey is such a handsome young man.I truly thank you for sharing.VA:F [1.9.15_1155]please wait…VA:F [1.9.15_1155](from 0 votes)
The real rate of Austism as of 2012 is 1 in 29. The rate of 1 in 88 was from 2008. I work with an adult who is austic and I believe that he like your son could have benefited from early help, but then it ws not as “common” as it is today. I have a friend whos son is “not autistic enough” to get the help that they need either. It upsets me and hurts me that there are so many people being affected by this and very few cases are actually being helped. It is so sad
Thank you Dr. Sears for the sane and reasonable words that so many other so-called professionals just cannot seem to say. To anyone in the CDC, media or in other government agency reading today, please HELP, HELP US NOW! Please do multiple in-depth investigative reports that play on mainstream networks, then call for congressional hearings on the out right coverup of this issue. Just think, someone in the media field could be the hero in this unbelievable, historical coverup of the destruction of so many young lives.
Thank you! I’m speechless and can’t think. I posted to my fb page hoping others read your professional, articulate and meaningful article.
I love it…about time someone in the health field gets on the parents side and start asking questions of the CDC…
The CDC and the rest of the world better wake up and realize that Autism is still on the rise and see what they can do to help support those parents that are dealing with it. I have a 19 yr. old grandson that is an acceptionaly high functioning young man that started college this year and making all A’s & 1 B+. He is the acception because most Autistic kiddos don’t end up doing as well. The sad thing in all this is that they are really geniouses but have something in their brain that doesn’t work completely the way it should. Thank God that my daughter figured out how to work with him to get him to where he is today. It has been a 24/7 thing for year upon year of training (yes, I said training) him with no outside help…it just wasn’t there 19 yrs. ago. Now you can get help but it is going to (COST) you a lot of money. Insurance doesn’t cover and there is no organization that helps to pay for teaching either. Somebody needs to step in with the finances to help these families.
Dr. Sears, thank you for having the courage to stand up for the truth.. thank you. We need you.
Thank you Dr. Sears for being one of the few doctors that really care about our kids!
You took the words out of my mouth Dr. Bob. I too want to know why? Thank you for all you do in the ASD community. I enjoyed your books and chatting at TACA events. Keep up all the great work you do.
Suzette
My son missed out on early detection as well. He was diagnosed with anxiety and even though I knew there was something more serious going on NO ONE would listen. My son was only recently diagnosed at the age of 15!!! He is now 18.A specialist FINALLY agreed with me. Thankfully he is doing well and is high enough functioning,but what if I hadn’t been there or let it go as is. Thank you for standing up for the families. We need help and to get more results in research.
Your statement Dr. Sears, “As a full-time practicing pediatrician, I have continued to witness an alarming increase in the number of healthy babies in my practice who regress into autism during the second year of life. And it’s been rising every year…” is the ALARM that should have been sounded by my child’s pediatrician many years ago. And I know from conversations with even more mothers that I have lost count that it should have been sounded by their pediatricians too. Thank you for having the courage to speak the unspeakable and no longer act in the concerted behavior of silence of your peers. You are a HERO. You have taken a courageous and rare stand for children who have suffered grievous physical harm as well as a grave injustice. Your name will resonate among parents now and forever as one of only a few great medical humanitarians for children during this time.
By random chance of genetic counseling, we discovered that I am a carrier of the Fragile X gene, which affects 1 in 250 women. Oh and by the way, Fragile X can be exhibited as autism. Why is that link to mom and son being addressed? 1 in 250 is not that big of odds! My son was lucky enough not to get my “bad” x, but my daughter did and is now a carrier. I will recommend she does the same tests in her child bearing years.
Hi Susan, Fragile X was one of the first tests done on my guy. It is a TACA best practice right at the beginning of your journey 🙂
We agree with you as it needs to be detected early on. Sending you a hug – Lisa
Just because you have the gene, doesn’t mean it will be expressed. Genes do not turn on and off by random chance. A gene is expressed due to its environment. You can have the hangover gene, but you will only get a hangover if you drink in excess the night before…
We all should care – and fast! I appreciate your candid post, as it echoes my own experience and frustration. I work with individuals with autism and their families daily, and it doesn’t matter whether the numbers are 1 in 1,000 or 1 in 10 – they deserve some honest answers about their child’s condition. It is beyond time for us to get to the bottom of why so many of our children are developing autism (and a host of related neurodevelopmental conditions). People should be alarmed! Unfortuantely I think it may take some high level people at the CDC to have children or grandchildren with autism for this issue to get the immediate attention it deserves.
Nicole Beurkens, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
http://www.HorizonsDRC.com
Dr Sears thanks for the positive outlook for us parents! My general comment is untill the medical community embraces this and starts educating the new doctors and nurses not to be bias to the cause or at least be open minded to it, things won’t change. We as parents also have to start educating our selves and not be dependent on our government telling us what is good and bad. We also got to start supporting these people who are trying to step out and make a difference. This don’t always have to be with money but sharing and trying to get other people involved, especially your local congressman. And to all the people that have experience with autism please be mentors to the one’s that just found out they have an autistic child as you know they are desparet for help. Remember that autism is not the end of the world, the Lord show me what unconditional love was thru this experience. God is the only reason I was able to get thru it. may the Lord bless and give wisdom to all that are going thru the experience!
Twenty five plus years ago, I didn’t know any children that were flapping their hands.
Twenty five plus years ago, I didn’t know any children walking on tip-toes.
Twenty five plus years ago, I didn’t know children with serious gastrointestinal inflamation
Twenty five plus years ago, special education was rare. Not any more. IEP’s were mostly
novel, now their routine.
Waiting for the CDC to get serious is like waiting for the tobacco companies to stop making cigarettes. IT AIN’T Going to Happen.
Thank you so much, Dr. Sears. After reading many articles in the past few days about how the numbers aren’t really as bad as they look, it is so validating to read your article! You are seeing it first-hand & I so appreciate your speaking out!!!
I’m amazed at how fellow so-called medical professionals cannot realize what’s causing brain damage (autism). It’s vaccines. Stop relying soley on your biased sources of medical information for answers and think for yourself. It’s blatently obvious.
I agree that vaccines are a piece of the puzzle, and one that should not be ignored any longer. But as the mother of 2 completely unvaccinated autistic girls, I can attest to the fact that they are not the only factor in this puzzle. I haven’t received any boosters since childhood, and neither of my daughters have been vaxed – including HepB – I don’t even have any fillings! Yet we are an autism family too. We need comprehensive research looking at all triggers, from vaccines to genetics to environment!
Simsek – I agreed with you. Not every child with autism has the exact same symptoms or diagnosis process. Many new research is pointing to subtypes of autism. We know that each child is unique and every family story is something we should evaluate for answers. All areas needs to be reviewed.
All my best, Lisa
Thank you Dr. Sears. I have read your book and it has greatly guided my decisions in caring for my 2 year old autistic son. You are such a strong, influential voice in the fight against autism, and as a mother, I deeply appreciate your efforts to bring awareness to this epidemic. Please, please continue boldly speaking out! It is doctors like you that really break down biases and affect change. I can only hope and pray that your efforts will bring the help we are so desperate for.
Honest Confusion:
Are Autism case growing or is the definition of Autism being expanded? Or is it a little bit of both..?
Dear Ohio Conservative
There are several more blogs posted here on TACANow that talk about this very important topic.
Here is a recent UC Mind study that states there is just MORE AUTISM: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/20090218_autism_environment/index.html
Please read the other posts in March and April with other references. Sadly, there is just more autism.
Take care, Lisa @ TACA
I have read your Vaccine Book and Autism Book many times, as well as all of your father’s books. My daughter was given the hep-B vaccine at the hospital when she was born, even though I had tested negative and I had told her pediatrician I absolutely didn’t want her to get it, as I had read it often caused autism. They gave it to her her first day of life without even asking permission. She reacted with four days and nights of endless screaming, vaccine-induced encephalitis, and was later diagnosed with autism. I have cited in many places your research finding that only 360 kids a year were diagnosed with it before the shot program began in 1991, but the researchers artificially inflated the numbers to 30,000 to get the program started, resulting in permanent damage to hundreds of thousands of babies.
If even in your office you are finding that more and more kids have autism, I’d like to respectfully suggest that you consider whether it’s a good idea to give young babies, or even older one, the DTaP, Hib, Prevnar, and rotavirus vaccines several times each in their first six months. I believe that they are often to blame for causing autism. I understand that these are diseases which sometimes occur in young babies, and can be devastating. But it may be that it’s time to do a new risk/benefit analysis, and present it to the parents for their ultimate decision, including the quite high risk of autism probably caused by vaccines in the analysis. As well as the others, varicella, hepatitis A, flu, and especially the MMR. The hep-B should not be considered for children born to healthy mothers at any time. The pertussis vaccine causes asthma at a rate of one in nine (Manitoba study 1998), as well as allergies, SIDS, seizure disorders, and sometimes autism. The pertussis vaccine is not even that effective: my daughter had gotten the DTaP at 2, 4, and 6 months, and still caught it at a La Leche League meeting when she was 9 months old, and gave it to me. 91% of those who caught pertussis two years ago in California had been appropriately vaccinated for it. Maybe it would be better to promote the quarantine at home of babies less than four months old, the only group at much risk from it.
I know several families wirh autistic children. I understand how hard it can be. I wonder if the stats are similar in Australia. Eye-opening article.
It scares me to death. My husband already has one autistic child with his Ex. SHe has such a rough time with him some times and I do what I can to help her out. We have two children together and I am afraid they may develop some sort of level of autism. It is such a large spectrum and I hope my boys aren’t on it. My step son is a loving guy but he is non verbal and autistic and some times he gets violent. Now that he is bigger than I am and close to bigger than his mom melt downs can get frightning.
Interestingly, allergies are also on the rise in children. I find it interesting that the media is now trying to blame obese women for the increase in autism. C’mon what’s next people?
I can’t say with any scientific certainty that I know what is causing this increase, but as a parent I decided to delay vaccinations for my son and also did my best to avoid chemicals during my pregnancy. In my gut, I do believe chemical exposure (via pollution, pesticides, everyday products, and vaccines) is the culprit of this epidemic. You can’t buy stuff at the grocery store without BPH all over it.
The thing is there’s too much money involved for industry to change and the FDA to be honest with us. Who knows? Really as a parent all you can do is trust your gut.
“Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies” by Dr Kenneth Bock explains how the toxic overload you mention is causing the rise in all these problems. (I do think there might be a link between gestational diabetes and autism, but these are the women in adrenal fatigue from this environmental toxic overload.while they are pregnant. Then we add more toxic insults after the babies are born. Articles
trying to make it the mothers’ fault and also refusing to connect the real dots angers me as well.)
If you haven’t already, please learn about GAPS (look for Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride). It is a dietary measure to heal and seal the gut and has recovered soo very many autistic children. My son is not autistic, but it has resolved his eczema (that started with vaccines), and ridded him of soo many food sensitivities. Too many families say it’s too hard to follow this diet, but I can’t see how eating real food for two-three years to give your child a lifetime of normalcy could ever be considered a bad tradeoff. We’ve been on over two years now and are both so healthy, I’ll never go back to eating a normal American diet again.
This sounds like my story. I agree!
Its my understanding that the rate of reported autism cases are going up because pediatritians have recently been required by the CDC to ramp up their screening process, which I think might be a problem. I think most of the new cases uping the statistics are cases so mild that they are on the cusp. My son was diagnosed with very mild PDD-NOS, but it took three seperate evaluations by the same behaavioral pediatrician for her to come to the diagnosis. I think she may have given the diagnosis simply so that he could get EI and advanced special services just in case he really did have PDD. After a year of jumping through all the “just in case” special services my son seems still seems just as healthy, well adjusted and developmentally fine as he did before the evaluations. Once a diagnosis of autism is made there is no way for a parent to say “I know my child best, have made all efforts to check myself for denial and I disagree”. That diagnosis gets passed along to the CDC anyways, second opinion or not. I think doctors have just gotten very good at diagnosing not only autism, but a personality very close to autism.
That said, even if the rate still is really only 1 in 100, I too think that the CDC is sitting on their thumbs while they need to seriously be investigating causes with more effort.
Hi Debbie,
A recent study demonstrates there is just more autism http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/20090218_autism_environment/index.html
You will be one of the first stories that said I got early intervention and my son really didn’t need it. You are a first! I am so glad about your outcome.
For many families at TACA that receive a diagnosis of autism, the evaluations took months. The wait period took months. Their families needed help.
Only today did I hear that a family got a diagnosis and didn’t need the help!
Take care, Lisa @ TACA
Thank you! Finally a pediatrician who takes this seriously and cares about these children and their families.
I have no autistic child myself, but I’m very interested in what the cause to the increased rate in ASD could be..
What are your thoughts on the following:
There is a correlation between iron deficiency and autism:
“Ferritin and iron levels in children with autistic disorder”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21643649
and there is a correlation between premature umbilical cord clamping and iron defciency:
“Effect of delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping on neonatal outcomes and iron status at 4 months: a randomised controlled trial”
http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7157
Could the increase in cord blood banking/donation (which requires immediate cord clamping) during the last decades explain the increased rate in autism ?
My perfectly normal daughter developed autism at 2. Nonverbal at 3 1/2, she started therapy with immunosuppressants, and now she can talk. And make eye contact. We need to stop treating this like a non-medical illness. This is medical and treatable, not necessarily curable, but treatable.
I would like to hear what you, Dr. Sears, think about the study linking obese mothers to autistic off-spring. Do you think the study was thorough and should be considered or were they grasping for straws in an attempt to stop obesity and/or give mothers the feeling that this is something they can control. Perhaps they are taking the focus off Mercury. I am just wondering…
What I would like to know is who is looking at
MONSANTO’S frankenfood to see if there is a connection to the alarming increase in Autism!
I was thinking exactly the same thing! There are so many contaminants in our food supply – I don’t know exactly why my daughter has developmental delays and is considered to be on ‘the spectrum’ at 2 years of age and why my son 3 1/2 is fine, if not advanced. There are too many unanswered questions and not enough unbiased sources of information. My daughter is in early intervention (for the past 4 months) and it seems to be helping, but I can’t help but think there is more that can be done.
Report cites prevalence of high-fructose corn syrup in US diet as possible contributor to alarming epidemic:
http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/2012/04/11/study-autism-linked-to-industrial-food-environment/
As a Practicing Doctor and working towards a fellowship in pediatrics, I completely agree!!! It’s a MAJOR issue and the rates are constantly rising!!! So what has changed? Why is it we have more cases today then ever before in the history of mankind? CDC and many many medical doctors along with the Big Pharma will tell you “Its because of better diagnosis testing…” Bullshit! They use the same criteria today as they did 60 years ago…
Something has changed! I give you the answer… Our Lifestyles!!! Mom’s and Dad’s are more toxic today then ever before. How can a two unhealthy people come together and create an healthy offspring? Mom’s diets and lifestyle during pregnancy for the most part is full to toxins and chemicals… Devote of great nutrition! Baby is born and lacks the proper nutrition for a few reasons: Babies are sucking back sugars by eating/drinking Formula! Moms dont breastfeed, or dont breastfeed long enough… Parents move them to solid foods to early (and those choices are rice or cherrios – garbage!)
Then we have Pediatricians forcing vaccines into the children. When in nature did a species have multiple viral infections at the same time coupled with the heavy metals, preservatives and other crap they add to the vaccines to help preserve them for years to come. Studies have shown that vaccines are not effective and you hardly ever see an outbreak of these childhood viruses in un-vaccinated children…
I can keep going on and on and on… We are lazy as a species, we sit more, we have more physical, chemical and emotional stress then every before…
I dont see anything changing until the population as a whole finally says ENOUGH!!!!!!!!
My 2 cents are in.. I wish I could throw in a few million dollars worth but I now have patients waiting on me and thats not acceptable in my office!
Natural parenting boards are unfortunately filled with holistic mothers devoted to natural birthing, extended breastfeeding, non-toxic living, and whole foods who have… kids on the spectrum. Our society is toxic to be sure but you seem to basically just shift the blame to mothers. The burden to get basically a homeschooled degree in avoiding legalized toxins in food and every product out there should not be a burden on the people.
Hi there.
I don’t this the above post is blaming parents. I don’t think ANY parents like toxins gets and get pregnant to have a toxic kid.
For a subset of ASD cases toxins play a role. The environment is much more toxic today. Our food supply is different. There are issues with Vitamin D. There are many other possible issues too.
It also varies by family. By kid.
I don’t want anyone thinking the blame is on parents. It isn’t.
Respectfully
Lisa @ TACA
You are a great, strong moehtr .I feel and understand you and your family .I also have a 14yr old Autistic brother Its not easy but we will never give up .thank you for posting your videos .ChanelVA:F [1.9.14_1148]please wait…VA:F [1.9.14_1148](from 0 votes)
Great post Dr. Sears! Thank you for being a true advocate for children’s health. I wish that other pediatricians were like you! And I wish that the CDC would sound the alarm and really look into what is causing this rise (it’s not just better diagnosing).
This is scarey. I have four granddaughters and three have problems. None diagnosed with autism at this time, but I wonder about the youngest two.Is it really from the vaccines, or environmental?
Sandra, its a bit of both! look at my post a few spots above yours… Vaccines have severely contributed to the problem, but I dont believe it is the 100% root of the problem… I have a few patients dx with autism that have never had a vaccine. But in those cases, I look at mother and fathers health and diet before conception and mom’s lifestyle during pregnancy. All cases, the lifestyles where not very favorable… Junk and fast foods, sodas, alcohol, preservatives, heavy metals, heavy chemical exposure, tv/pc junkies, overweight and the list can go on and on… Long story is that the majority of children and adults with autism have had all there +39 vaccines and the parents told me they started seeing behavior changes soon after the first rounds of vaccines. Their pediatricians told them it was a normal developmental pattern and they will grow out of it… Those same peds then diagnosed the condition and said it had nothing to do with the vaccines and reconmended more vaccines… Its a crying shame!!! and it makes me sick to my stomach…
drjonwise – yes, we are living in a toxic society, but I think that your tone seems to put an unfair burden of responsibility on the mothers. I am the mother of 2 girls on the spectrum: one with Aspergers Syndrome and and one with ASD and our story is the opposite of the one you describe. We eat organic as much as possible, no processed foods or junk, and we were especially careful before getting pregnant and while I was carrying. My girls are not vaccinated, and were breastfed – the youngest (with ASD) actually BF exclusively until 1 and continued to BF until she was three. So, no early foods or formula to blame, no vaccines to blame, no junkfood diet, either. I am not obese: I’m a 120lb swimmer in fairly good shape. The only health or lifestyle issue that either of us had was my husband’s un-diagnosed Celiac Disease – something missed by his doctors until we insisted on having him tested. I appreciate that, unlike many doctors, you are looking at the bigger picture, but please be careful about drawing conclusions about the culpability of parents in this epidemic. If I were a patient of yours, such an approach would certainly put me on the defensive after all the thought and care my husband and I put into having healthy children, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. That said, I hope that more doctors such as yourself and Dr. Sears will continue to push for an answer to the ballooning problem of autism in our children. Thanks.
Both neuro-spect brain scan and blood work showed neuro-imflammation and high HV6 titlers in our son labeled as autistic. We are treating our child bio-medially and he is improving. Check out the NIDS.org website. Unfortunally only a handfull of doctors in the U.S. are treating out children bio-medically and the treatment and cause needs more research. The CDC needs to outline a treatment protocol for all psysicians to treat our children effectively. This is a disease and we need to STOP CALLING IT AuTisM!
Hi Anne, YUP. A sub set of children on the spectrum are viral kids. And with this subset treating viruses is great. But not all kids on the spectrum are viral kids.
I am so glad you found someone to help your child. That is awesome. Is Dr Goldberg the ONLY PHYISICIAN in the US or are there others treating?
Thanks, Lisa
Reblogged this on Proud to be a Filthy Liberal Scum and commented:
Yes, let’s all keep pretending nothing is wrong.
Just ordered the book from Amazon. Thanks for sharing another book that most physicians don’t dare to touch on. Joy Davis
Thank You for putting this out there! My child had all of the signs of autism when she was about 18 months old. I stayed up all hours reading, researching and talking with whomever I could to help my child. I would like people to know that I truely believe that in some cases that this can be reversed. I found out my child not only had food allergies but also food sensitivities which I believe lead to the oncomings of autism. My child also had the MMR shot at the same time which I believe was just too much on her immune system. I’m not a doctor but parents please research, research, research! Your young child is depending on you for him/her to get better!! I also believe just like Jenny McCarthy that there is such a small time frame to reverse the symptoms. My child went from her eyes not able to engage to a typical energized 4 yr old!!! Do IgG and IgE testing on your kids if they show symptoms! I know other people that has had amazing results just bychanginging their children’s diet. I know that every child is different, but every child at least deserves a chance of change. FIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD! If you don’t no one will!
My daughter is six and non verbal.Talk about struggling. I don’t know what is going on half the time with her.We are not so well off so we donot have the resourses to help her.Autism has stopped our lives cold.Please do someting to help us.
I consider Dr. Sears approach pablum. The research will continue going farther and farther afield from the vaccine issue, and will get us nowhere, when there is a bevvy of studies corroborating the Royal Free’s findings vis-a-vis the Lancet kids, there are succinct, poignant videos of parental response such as this one:
http(colon)//www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=OsnL9yHApIA ,
and it is blatantly obvious that there are many thousands more who will similarly testify. Dr. Sears is correct in his projections, and I”m glad to see them – we will, indeed, be looking at 1 in 10 on the spectrum within the next decade, barreling toward 1 in 1 – but it is a situation so critical as to demand tumultuous change in approach, and as long as there is any evidence whatsoever linking vaccines to autism – and there is evidence aplenty – it is crucial to cease vaccinating for a period of three years, to determine the result on the cascading regression of the nation’s youth. The diseases ostensibly vaccine-preventable all can be treated successfully relatively easily, and are not akin to the plague, as the portrait painted of them would suggest. Moreover, it is clear from the record of serious adverse reactions reported to VAERS – which is notoriously dysfunctional, in that most are never recorded – and the litany of parental anecdote that vaccines, too, can seriously damage and kill.
We’re beyond the point of demanding a vax vs unvax study, or years of more research, when the last two decades have yielded no plans of action. There’s no time left.
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