Autism
Autism
Protecting our Children’s Brain Health from Environmental Toxins
Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are both common terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are all categorized, in different degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Typically there is a rapid onset of symptoms in a child that had been normally developing. All Autism disorders were combined into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were known as specific subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome.
Autism facts and statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that around 1 in 80 American children are in the autistic spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Accurate and careful research shows that this escalation is only partly addressed by enhanced analysis and recognition. Research also shows that Autism is four to five times more commonly found among boys than girls. Interestingly, experimental studies have shown that when mercury is added to a Petri dish with neurons (brain cells), the mercury destroys most of the tubulin of the neuron and causes nerve cell death in many of those neurons. When aluminum is added (mercury and aluminum are both used as vaccine components) the percentage of dying cells is increased. When testosterone is added the death of the neurons is virtually complete, thus adding one more clue to the increased brain damage among males.
As expected, there is always a pathological denial by industries that might have contributed to the toxins that are possibly damaging these kids’ brain function. They will not and cannot acknowledge accountability. It is not the corporate way, so acceptance of whatever information that mainstream media outlets and regulatory agencies churn out may not truly give you the information you need as a parent to make an informed decision.
What causes Autism?
Not very long ago, the answer to this question would be “We have no idea.”
As Autism awareness grows, studies are now providing answers. First and foremost, we now understand that there is no one cause of Autism, just as there is no one type of Autism. Yet there is some pretty compelling evidence in connection with ASD children who developed full blown Autism shortly after one or more Thimerosal (ethyl mercury – a potent neurotoxin) containing vaccines.
Here are some rather alarming statistics taken from the National Vaccine Information Center that was also published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents decide on the vaccine issue.
- 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) mercury = Kills human neuroblastoma cells (Parran et al., Toxicol Sci 2005; 86: 132-140).
- 2 ppb mercury = U.S. EPA limit for drinking water.
- 20 ppb mercury = Neurite membrane structure destroyed (Leong et al., Neuroreport 2001; 12: 733-37).
- 200 ppb mercury = level in liquid the EPA classifies as hazardous waste.
- 25,000 ppb mercury = Concentration of mercury in the Hepatitis B vaccine, administered at birth in the U.S., from 1990-2001.
- 50,000 ppb Mercury = Concentration of mercury in multi-dose DTaP and Haemophilus B vaccine vials, administered 4 times each in the 1990’s to children at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age.
- 50,000 ppb Mercury = Current “preservative” level mercury in multi-dose flu (94% of supply), meningococcal and tetanus (7 and older) vaccines. This can be confirmed by simply analyzing the multi- dose vials.
Please note that the EPA considers 200 Parts per Billion to be hazardous waste. But vaccines commonly given to small children and BABIES contained dramatically higher levels. Yet anyone in mainstream media who even considers the possibility that perhaps this matter deserves a little further discussion instead of blind obedience to vaccine schedules is practically crucified. (See Katie Couric/vaccines)
So should we avoid all of vaccines? Are they pretty much the sole cause of Autism? The answer to both questions is likely no. For one thing, if all vaccines are avoided by everyone there of course could be consequences. No one can deny that. Parents should review data such as that given above and make an informed choice. Some are choosing no vaccines of any kind…… period!! To be honest, one can hardly blame them if you really discover the deceit, propaganda, and manipulation of drug companies in covering up the truth regarding vaccine injury to Autistic kids. The deception may fool the public in general but serves only to enrage parents further. Other parents may to choose to seek out vaccines that they know are free of mercury and other toxic additives, but this is not as easy as one might think. The ones promoting vaccinations often themselves don’t know what is in shots. If you ask “Is there mercury in that shot?” the default answer will be “no” regardless of the truth.
Other Environmental factors that have increased the risk of Autism
There is more overall toxic metal and chemical exposure now, than in times past:
- Over 100,000 chemicals have been patented and put into use in this past century. Our foods are routinely sprayed with neuro-toxic pesticides. Newborns all have pesticides in them. Without exception.
- Several centuries of industrialization has also contaminated our food supply with cadmium, nickel, lead, arsenic, and tungsten.
- The oceans are suffering from drastically increasing amounts of mercury accumulation in seafood and the anti-vaccine groups sometimes forget this. What if a pregnant or breast feeding mother eats tuna every day? It’s something to consider.
- There is also sound evidence that the mercury in a mother’s silver amalgam fillings invades the placenta and crosses over into her growing fetus.
Pharmaceutical related causes
What about other drugs? Any parent of an Autistic child will tell you, their child has a gut that is a wreck. One M.D. who presented at an A.C.I.M. conference and was dealing with an autistic son who became symptomatic right after several vaccines stated that explosive diarrhea is the norm, and even included pictures in his PowerPoint. He said if you have an autistic child you better get used to poop. These digestive problems present as food allergies, gluten and dairy intolerance, overgrowth of numerous toxin producing intestinal microbes, and so on. Many of these children had repeated infections and were given antibiotics over and over prior to succumbing to Autism. To what extent did the destruction of the delicate balance of intestinal bacteria have a role in their ASD?What are the symptoms of Autism?
A number of the early signs of Autism in toddlers and babies are as follows:
- Doesn’t respond to his or her name or to the sound of a familiar voice.
- Doesn’t follow objects visually.
- Doesn’t point or wave goodbye or use other gestures to communicate.
- Doesn’t follow the gesture when you point things out.
- Doesn’t make noises to get your attention.
Symptoms of Autism in older children
As children get older, the red flags for Autism become more diverse. There are many warning signs and symptoms, but they typically revolve around impaired social skills, speech and language difficulties, non-verbal communication difficulties, and inflexible behavior. You can request an Autism test with a trained specialist if any of the previous symptoms begin to occur in your child.
Conventional Treatment Options
Conventional Autism treatment options often include things designed to manage the child day to day, possibly allow parents to work, and to train and develop the ASD child as much as possible. This is very necessary of course, but not aimed at reversal of physiological root causes. Really conventional medical treatments (patented, chemical based, pharmaceutical meds) that address root causes of Autism are essentially nonexistent. Thus practical management as follows is needed.
- The child receives structured, therapeutic activities for at least 25 hours per week.
- Highly trained therapists and/or teachers deliver the intervention. Well-trained paraprofessionals may assist with the intervention under the supervision of an experienced professional with expertise in Autism therapy.
- The therapy is guided by specific and well-defined learning objectives, and the child’s progress in meeting these objectives is regularly evaluated and recorded.
- The intervention focuses on the core areas affected by Autism. These include social skills, language and communication, imitation, play skills, daily living and motor skills.
- The program provides the child with opportunities to interact with typically developing peers.
- The program actively engages parents in the intervention, both in decision making and the delivery of treatment.
- The therapists make clear their respect for the unique needs, values and perspectives of the child and his or her family.
- The program involves a multi-disciplinary team that includes, as needed, a physician, speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist.
These professionals deserve praise for their efforts. It is not easy work.
Autism is reversible. There is hope.
As noted though, many of the treatment options listed above are based on working with something that is thought to be irreversible. But is that true? Is one in denial if they refuse to believe their child can’t recover? Some would say so, but then we also have examples of children whose parents have brought them out of the ASD haze using holistic methods. Tami Duncan who is an associate of mine and founded the L.I.A. (Lyme Induced Autism) foundation is one example. She diligently explored the Lyme disease and co-infection aspect as a cause of chronic brain inflammation and brought some of the best holistic doctors in the country on board. Her son recovered and was able to return to a normal school and do well. Was she in denial when she refused to accept that her child was just a statistic? There are undeniable success stories out there.
