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Autism/The autism-vaccine case.

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Expert: - 7/12/2007


Question
Hi, Catherine,

This is not really a question, so you don't have to answer.

I am sure you know that a trial in US Court of Claims has been held.  I have been reading the testimony up to Day 7 and the trial is now concluded.  You can get the materials at:

ftp://autism.uscfc.uscourts.gov/autism/index.html

There are audio recordings (as humungously large downloads) and PDF transcripts that you can read on your computer.  The PDFs are 'secure', so you can't print them, just read them on your computer.  I think they make great reading.

I have my own opinions(*), but I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

(*) I can't resist.  A compelling note in Day 7 -- the witness, Dr. Wiznitzer, makes the distinction between having a belief and having an opinion.  Fascinating, as Spock would say.


Answer
Hi Paul,

Just for what it's worth, I don't believe or opine that autism is caused by vaccines. We have broadened the parameters by which we diagnose it and we are getting better at identifying it in younger and younger children.

The "sudden" appearance of autism in countries where vaccinations have been recently introduced coincides with the entry of modern medicine and the concurrent diagnostic criteria for autism. Of course we are finding more of it in third world countries, we just now started looking for it!

Best wishes,
Catherine

Autism

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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.

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