Autism Q & A
Q: What is autism?
A: Autism spectrum disorders are a range of developmental disabilities — from mild to severe — characterized by communication problems, an inability to have normal social interactions and unusual behaviors.
Q: What causes autism?
A: Scientists don't know but are exploring what role genetics may play, as well as possible environmental factors.
Q: Why is this Georgia child's case drawing so much attention?
A: A leaked federal vaccine court document, posted on the Internet and widely circulated among advocates, shows the government has agreed to compensate her. Federal health officials have conceded that the five shots she received in July 2000 "significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder," which manifested as a brain disease with features of autism. Autism family advocates say this shows the government is conceding — after years of blanket denials — that vaccines play a role in at least some autism cases.
Q: What do federal health officials say about the case?
A: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services branch that administers the vaccine injury program says the government "continues to maintain the position that vaccines do not cause autism and has never concluded in any case that autism was caused by vaccination."
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"The cordial quality of pear or plum
Rises as gladly in the single tree
As in the whole orchards resonant with bees."
- Emerson
06 Mar 2008, 10:15 am
