Saturday, September 26, 2009

Visit www.ethinkingautism.com

New Web Site: "Guess what: Science shows VACCINES DON'T CAUSE AUTISM!"

The "about" page of RethinkingAutism.com says:

"I am the mother of an autistic boy. I have had enough of the pseudo-science quackery that certain celebrities are pitching to parents of kids with autism. The media is concentrating on the pseudo-science and there needs to be a forum for more tried and tested information. It is virtually impossible for an individual to deliver a counter-message, but I may have found a way with RethinkingAutism.com. I am in no way affiliated with RethinkAutism.com or any other autism group, pharmaceutical company or part of any government conspiracy....."

And from there we get some great videos. Some I agree with, some I don't. But no one is yelling so loud that science can't be heard.

Another section starts:
"Vaccines and autism:
Many parents claim that vaccines caused their child's autism. There are no reputable studies to substantiate this claim. There are many reputable studies that have failed to find a link between vaccines and autism. Do some research at the following links: TIME, Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, Common Sense About Vaccines and Autism.

What a wonderful surprise to find calm minds that express themselves with facts instead of fiction, science instead of scary stories, and knowledge instead of wishes. Check out the page. It's time these celebrities stopped expoliting these children and their families.

Every day the airwaves are polluted with pseudo-science practitioners who spread false information, false hope and drain the energy of individuals and families from the hard task of obtaining scientifically supported and proven treatments. Instead they exploit and victimize. Today I was again shocked to find a conference being offered about the truth of vaccines. A rehash of disproved ideas, poor science and straight out lies. (Sponsored by a Chiropractic organization.) Yes, you can even find chiropractors who tell you they provide services that address "issues relating to autism." Shouldn't parent's be encouraged to spend their limited funds on treatments that directly address the problems of autism (communications deficits, social-pragmatic difficulties and so on?). I suppose a podiatrist could offer a parent service for their child also, kids with sore feet are going to act out...right? But is it ethical? Does it make sense?

Rather than realigning spines our politicians and medical associations need to find one and directly confront these treatments that either lack scientific support or have already been disproven. At times like these, with flu season coming soon, and the possibility of pandemics, celebrities who urge people to avoid medicine and medical treatments and interventions based upon their own conspiracy theories need to be confronted.

It's good to see another web page and source of reliable information join the conversation.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Flu vaccine rekindles debate over connection to autism

Flu vaccine rekindles debate over connection to autism

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Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, has repeatedly said that vaccines have a long history of being safe and effective. Weighing in on the autism debate, he noted in a recent interview with Canwest News Service that vaccines are given to children at around the same age as when neurological disorders can surface.

"You can have a close time frame," he said. "Just because something's associated in time does not mean it's causal."

Butler-Jones said he recognizes that parents are searching for answers about autism's cause, but added claims that vaccines are the culprit have not been proven.

"The studies have been pretty clear and consistent that vaccination is not the cause of many of the things that have been claimed around the vaccine," he said.

The benefits of immunization far outweigh the risks, said Butler-Jones, but he understands people need to think carefully about it.

"It's important that they get the facts — not the theory, not the conjecture, not the claims — but the actual facts about what we know about the vaccine and the disease and I think . . . virtually everybody would choose the vaccine," he said.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Just a good read on science and science based evidence

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Dr. Mark Hyman mangles autism science on--where else?--The Huffington Post

Dr. Mark Hyman mangles autism science on--where else?--The Huffington Post
August was National Immunization Month in the US. Did you know?

American Academy of Pediatrics to fight back against the anti-vaccine misinformation scare-mongering machine. On Steven Novella's Neurologica Blog you will find more details. AAP's statement starts: "We, the undersigned, support immunizations as the safest, most effective way to control and eradicate infectious diseases. This August, as another National Immunization Awareness Month comes to a close, we are reminded that diseases such as smallpox and polio were once commonplace in the United States. Thanks to vaccinations, we have not seen or experienced many of the infectious diseases that gripped past generations, but other countries have not been so fortunate and outbreaks continue in the United States."

Read the article, and be thankful that for the most part we have moved away from the dark ages when the biology of life was thought to be unknowable. Sometime soon, I hope, there will be some common sense on the part of all involved. Sense based upon science, data, facts.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

E:60: Surfing Is Life For Clay Marzo - ESPN VIDEO



Great story to share with friends, family and students.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

District sends boy with autism and service dog to another school - Related Stories - CEC SmartBrief

This is an ongoing story of a 5 year old boy whose parents are suing to allow a service dog into the school. The service dog, they claim, is necessary to relieve his anxiety (a symptom of his autism). The school has claimed there is no scientific evidence that the dog is necessary, and may even be used by the boy as an avoidance device. It is an interesting case, especially now that another child in the class is said to have allergies to dogs. There is no evidence, no research, that such dogs help children with autism. In spite of that the school has agreed to provide an alternative placement in a special education setting. A difficult balance.

District sends boy with autism and service dog to another school - Related Stories - CEC SmartBrief

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