My opinion is, and has always been, that while there may be some sort of link, there is more of an underlying genetic factor that "causes" autism. If we were to totally blame vaccines, all kids would be diagnosed with autism. And there has to be something to be said for the thousands of families with more than one child with the diagnosis. In fact, I do know one family who chose not to vaccinate their 2nd child because their 1st "got" autism. And, at just about the same age, even without vaccines, #2 has been dx as well.
Sadly, I think autism has become this wastebasket term for what I believe are several unidentified, or under-identified social integration and communication disorders. I think there are a lot of kiddos dx as autistic who really are not. I see far too many of them in my office.
I worked at the Monroe County Mental Health Authority and it was a term that was CONSTANTLY thrown around. One of the cases I had, I'm pretty sure he was just a product of his rotten environment with shattered nerves and poor communication.
I really, really think that if there IS something in the vaccine that triggers it, there's got to be some sort of predisposition for it.
I was nervous to write that earlier, because I don't want to make light of what some people feel very strongly about...but I'm glad I did!
It's definitely a scary thing. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about the repercussions of vaccines - including that possible link with autism - when I think about my baby. But I also think about the repercussion of NOT getting vaccines.
Like I have said in the past I Vaccinate my children. There could or could not be a link between the two, but I have 2 other children that are fine. The bigger fear for me is for all these mothers who are not vaccinating and what might happen if ONE of them gets a preventable disease which can spread like wild fire due to all the kids with no vaccines. I do feel that the time line that the government has set for them is OUTRAGEOUS, but I think if you make more frequent trips to the Doctors office you can have them spaced out a bit!~
Oh, this topic. I'm glad that there's finally a bit more clarity.
I've never been a believer that vaccines cause autism and I strongly believe in vaccinations. That said, my heart goes out to any family that's been affected by this disorder. (Or any other disease or condition, for that matter.) Bottom line? We ALL want our babies to be healthy.
And indeed, I've recently read that they're doing away with diagnosing asperger's and are adding it to the autism spectrum. They say that the spectrum is so vast that it's next to impossible to accurately pinpoint just how "autistic" one's child is.
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My opinion is, and has always been, that while there may be some sort of link, there is more of an underlying genetic factor that "causes" autism. If we were to totally blame vaccines, all kids would be diagnosed with autism. And there has to be something to be said for the thousands of families with more than one child with the diagnosis. In fact, I do know one family who chose not to vaccinate their 2nd child because their 1st "got" autism. And, at just about the same age, even without vaccines, #2 has been dx as well.
Sadly, I think autism has become this wastebasket term for what I believe are several unidentified, or under-identified social integration and communication disorders. I think there are a lot of kiddos dx as autistic who really are not. I see far too many of them in my office.
I worked at the Monroe County Mental Health Authority and it was a term that was CONSTANTLY thrown around. One of the cases I had, I'm pretty sure he was just a product of his rotten environment with shattered nerves and poor communication.
I really, really think that if there IS something in the vaccine that triggers it, there's got to be some sort of predisposition for it.
I wasn't sure what to say about this but I thought I'd check back and see what others had to say- Sarah, you nailed it! Ditto.
I was nervous to write that earlier, because I don't want to make light of what some people feel very strongly about...but I'm glad I did!
It's definitely a scary thing. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about the repercussions of vaccines - including that possible link with autism - when I think about my baby. But I also think about the repercussion of NOT getting vaccines.
It's an interesting debate, to say the least.
Like I have said in the past I Vaccinate my children. There could or could not be a link between the two, but I have 2 other children that are fine. The bigger fear for me is for all these mothers who are not vaccinating and what might happen if ONE of them gets a preventable disease which can spread like wild fire due to all the kids with no vaccines.
I do feel that the time line that the government has set for them is OUTRAGEOUS, but I think if you make more frequent trips to the Doctors office you can have them spaced out a bit!~
Did you guys see on the news that they're going to review and change the criteria for diagnosing someone as "Autistic"?
Funny that we were just talking about that. The powers that be must read my blog :)
Oh, this topic. I'm glad that there's finally a bit more clarity.
I've never been a believer that vaccines cause autism and I strongly believe in vaccinations. That said, my heart goes out to any family that's been affected by this disorder. (Or any other disease or condition, for that matter.) Bottom line? We ALL want our babies to be healthy.
And indeed, I've recently read that they're doing away with diagnosing asperger's and are adding it to the autism spectrum. They say that the spectrum is so vast that it's next to impossible to accurately pinpoint just how "autistic" one's child is.
(I'm so glad you're still blogging.)
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