Desperation, Science, Charlatans and Alternative Treatments

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The seekers: Why parents try fringe therapies for autism

It is a lengthy and att times tough article to read but I really liked the end.

Michael Fitzgerald said this about the promoters of "vaccines cause autism myth":

Its supporters are strident in their demands for trials of the safety of vaccines [but] when it comes to biomedical treatments they reject any suggestion that these should be subjected to proper evaluation. They are outraged by the presence of infinitesimal quantities of mercury in vaccines (which prevent bacterial contamination without ever being associated with any adverse effect), yet they seem quite happy to inject children with a product like secretin, a crude extract of pig pancreas that was developed for the purpose of testing pancreatic function but has never been tested in any way for therapeutic use.'

There are such parents who blithely subject their children to dangerous "cures" and whether those children are ever able in later life to reach self-acceptance is very concerning. If your parents can't or won't accept you as the person you are, it must be terribly difficult to form positive self awareness all by yourself later on.

There is no real vaccines/autism controversy. The evidence is in. The scientific community has reached a clear consensus that vaccines don’t cause autism. There is, however, a manufactured controversy created by junk science, dishonest researchers, professional misconduct, outright fraud, lies, misrepresentations, irresponsible reporting, unfortunate media publicity, poor judgment, misguided celebrities who think they are wiser than the whole of medical science, and a few maverick doctors who ought to know better.

Thousands of parents have been frightened into rejecting or delaying immunizations for their children. The immunization rate has dropped, resulting in the return of endemic measles in the U.K. and various outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. Herd immunity has been lost. The public health consequences are serious
and are likely to get worse before they get better -- a load of unscientific nonsense has put us all at risk.

Well, that's liberty: people have a right to embrace irrationality, preach it, not give a crap about collective problems and ardently profess their rebellion against those who try to curtail their freedom in the name of science or the common good (like herd immunity).

Alternative medicine treatment put four-year-old boy in A&E

Autistic Toddler Hospitalized After Receiving Holistic Autism ‘Medicine': Silver & Epsom Bath Salts

Thanks for this thread, APOM. Grim and terribly sad reading though they make, - those poor children - I think it would be valuable to have an ongoing record of these atrocities, for reference by concerned members who may find the information posted by yourself here very useful for targeted lobbying to raise awareness and stop this form of parental abuse.

UK Petition:

https://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=323816

You can still sign it.

In the USA the FDA has already addressed this particular kind of cruel abuse.

The beast treatment for higher-functioning autism probably isn't medicine or odd therapy treatments; it would probably be therapeutic exercises or education to improve the mental deficits.

For example, having people watch live-action videos on youtube of social interaction, or realistic TV shows and understanding the 'logic' behind it; as well as relaxation exercises or meditation.

Likewise reading books on human psychology or sociology. I think that higher-functioning autistics and improve their ability if they understand the logic behind human interaction; the problem is that it doesn't come as naturally and a lot of them are obstinate about doing things that don't make logical sense.

Parents warned of bogus autism aid - The West Australian

Parents are insisting on doctors who insist on vaccinations - Washington Post

Study Alleging A Connection Between Vaccines and Autism 'Unpublished' By Journal The study, published in a controversial journal, was removed after widespread criticism of its methods, motives, and overall validity. - Snopes

Andrew Wakefield Keynote Speaker at International Chiropractors Conference