Autism myth lives on (USA Today)

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Mercury was banned in UK child vaccines in 2004. No sign of autism rates dropping.

That's probably because it's unlikely thimerosal (or at least, thimerosal alone) would be the trigger [assuming there is one] in vaccines. There are plenty of potential causes in them - either on their own or in tandem - that cause neurological problems. Free glutamates, aluminium, formeldehyde, various animal proteins and cells to name just a few. Focussing on just one neurotoxic ingredient amongst many is a bit counterproductive really; the focus should be on the effects all of them have individually, together, and in the high doses they're often given in these days.

Also, that's only 3 years ago, and stocks still containing it would have taken around a year, if not longer, to run out. So is there really enough time to see a significant difference in autism rates, given that a lot of children aren't diagnosed until school age (at the higher end of the spectrum, anyway)?

I disagree, in hospitals, infants are given vaccines to prevent them from disease. It's when their immune systems are too young to take the chemical that's in the vaccine. So, wouldn't that affect someone's sensitivity when they get older?

I wasn't talking about the flu shot, which has a mercury-free alternative, or the DTaP.

You keep twisting my words. I do not appreciate that one bit.

Thanks for the answer you two. But this gave way to new questions.

I originally questioned because I was sure Germany didn't have flu shots on the vaccine schedule for anyone below 60 years of age. So I just compared our schedule with that of the US.

This one says flu shots can be recommended for anyone 6 months+? Did I read that wrong?

There are plenty of potential causes in pretty much everything else. Bottom line is, in the developed world vaccination rates are stable or dropping, and have been for a while, so vaccines can't be responsible for the 'autism epidemic.' Water, in sufficient amounts, is also neurotoxic. The autism-vaccines scare is just pathological science.
There is research showing that many autistics would have been diagnosed just a few decades ago in the developed world with something else - it isn't at all clear that the true incidence of autism, as opposed to the rate of diagnosis, is rising.

In fact, many of us dino-aspies wound up with diagnoses like "infantile schizophrenia", or "borderline personality disorder", or even (for some of the real oldsters) "cretinism". In the modern world, our symptoms are now interpreted as Asperger's or HFA. (Remember, it was once thought that if you could communicate at all, you couldn't possibly be autistic - Autism Speaks didn't invent that one all on their own.)

As for the "epidemic", I like to point out (and have to keep doing so, apparently) that most such studies are comparing diagnosis rates in 1980 or 1990 with 2005 or 2006. The first publication with diagnostic criteria for AS, the ICD-10, was published in 1991 - a year later than the latest baseline. The most commonly accepted publication in the US, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, didn't have AS criteria, or HFA, or even PDD-NOS, until DSM-IV, in 1994. And, of course, after a book is published, it still has to diffuse through the psychiatric community - I'm told that in Brazil, Asperger's Syndrome is still not recognized. Is it any wonder that rates of diagnosis change after the diagnostic criteria change?

Mythic proportions topic

Still lives on. Here.

There is not much one can do if a person chooses not to vaccinate and does not work or go to school in a public environment. My children must be vaccinated or they are not allowed to attend publicly funded schools, If I have not been vaccinated I cannot work in certain places. A home worker with home schooled children could avoid vaccinations, but they are at risk if they travel overseas or even venture out in public. Perhaps a mask, like one I used in a hospital during the SARS epidemic, is a good idea for those who are unvaccinated. Better safe than sorry.

Cretinism?! That's genius!!

I actually agree completely here - I doubt the rates are rising; more likely awareness amongst doctors/psychologists/parents/teachers/etc is rising and so diagnosis is growing. It was barely heard of in even the 80s, and only identified 50 years or so ago, so of course the rates will be going up as diagnosis does too. I also don't really agree with the world 'epidemic', because it's not like it's the flu or SARS or something, it's a genetic difference the very vast majority are born with.

Of course! People are always shocked when I say I won't be vaccinating my kids - I guess they assume that means I won't be doing other stuff. I then go on to explain that I eat an organic, natural diet with no processed anything in it, that I'll be using natural immune-boosters to bolster their systems without drugs, perhaps look into homoeopathic vaccines (as I've had far more success with homoeopathy than anything a doctor has ever given me), and if there's anything going around they can stay home from school, wear masks, not go out anywhere too crowded, etc etc.

It's not that I don't want to keep them safe or won't be doing what I can to keep their immune systems strong and them healthy and happy and strong, it's just that I don't think vaccines are safe enough yet and I don't trust the trials or research the drug companies come out with. I also spend my life avoiding anything with half the chemicals in the vaccines, so why would I want to inject them into my children when I won't even put them on their skin?

Wrong.

Age 6 months is the earliest you can get one for your child, and most insurances, even state medical, will pay for them in full until the child is 5 years old.

So when'd they change it?

Not too long ago, you had to be at least 2 years to get one.

I believe it was in the last few months, Beau. Now they're wanting all children to have it yearly, from 6 months.

Fortunately for those on the spectrum who can communicate adequately, it doesn't seem to be a problem, just a difference. The lack of instruction regarding social behavior otoh, is something of an issue since it could benefit those who are interested. But aside from that causation has not been shown to be the case regarding AS and Mercury in vaccines, or any other environmental influences. Correlation otoh, sure... But there's a lot more than just Mercury and/or vaccines if someone thinks that these things trigger AS behavior. Take, for instance, humans. Not a single individual who hasn't been exposed to other humans has been diagnosed as on the spectrum. Clearly, in order to stop this is we can simply eliminate the human vector.

While it was certainly good to see a debunking of the vaccine nonsense and hysteria, I'm still a bit disturbed about his essay. He still talks about the need for prevention and cure, and that bugs the s**t out of me whenever I see that.