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Autism/Autism and Childhood Vaccines

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Expert: - 3/29/2006


Question
Do you believe that vaccines have any cause on autism, particularly ones given in early childhood and some known to have concentrated amounts of mercury?

Do you believe that vaccines which mix and match numerous diseases together have any cause on autism?

If vaccines are proven to cause autism, should they still be mandatory?

Thank you very much.
Byron.

Answer
Hi Byron,

I do not believe the link between vaccines and autism.  For one thing, the thimersol was removed from childrens' vaccines some time ago yet there are still autistic babies who've never had thimersol.

I don't think mixed vaccines do it either.

IF it is proven, a risk/benefit analysis would have to be done just as it was for small pox.  Up until we eradicated the disease, the small risk was worth it.  Polio, tetanus diphthyria, and measles can all be devastating, if not deadly, diseases.  I vaccinated all my children and I would do it again.

By the way, anyone willing to claim a religious exemption can skip vaccination.  No "proof" is required.

Best wishes,
Catherine  

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Catherine Ridenour

Expertise

I can answer your questions about parenting your High Functioning Autisic or Asperger`s Syndrome child. In particular, questions about family life, discipline, siblings, finding resources, and working with (sometimes opposing) the educational system are welcome.

Experience

I am the parent of an Asperger's Syndrome child who is now 22 years old. She went undiagnosed for 14 years of her life, so I have done extensive reading and Internet research into the possible cause of her difficulties. Even a short 8 years ago, A.S. was practically unheard of by the public educational system.

We fumbled our way through her childhood and early adolescence without any effective outside support. In some ways, that may have been a blessing as we were focused on her abilities rather than a label for her disability. However, I can think of many times when knowing WHY would have been comforting.

Had we known very early on, some social skills interventions might have made her life in school easier. At this point, I like her for who she is so I do not regret how things have turned out. More importantly, she likes herself.

Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Science in Education.

I have worked to educate myself about Autism in general and HFA/AS in particular.

NOTE:

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