I am doing a paper for college about the MMR shot and if it does cause Autism.

Leslie - posted on 03/25/2010

Washington, DC - In its pursuit of banning all use of mercury in medicine., Health care providers seemed to be largely unaware of the continuing presence of mercury in vaccines and that these providers often failed to accurately disclose the known risks to the patient from these Thimerosal-containing vaccines, which ar...e specifically recommended for pregnant women and children.

Amy - posted on 03/25/2010

NO, NO. And NO. Genetics, maternal age, and low levels of the hormone pitocin (which probably is caused in utero) are the major players. My daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 12, but I could see the signs before she was 6 months old.

Mary - posted on 03/25/2010

The MMR was a major trigger factor contributing to my son's autism. The question you ask however is based on premises that are fundamentally flawed, as we now understand that genes are not static. They can be turned on and off by environmental factors--such as vaccines and other toxic exposures.

In the course of working to recover my son from autism (a 6 year journey) and working with many other families of children with autism and doing enormous research on this subject, I have learned that the underlying premise of vaccines is fundamentally flawed. The immune system does not work by simply producing antibodies in response to foreign bodies. Vaccines only harm our immune system. The diseases said to be done away with my them were already dying their due course anyway (as all diseases like that have done over the course of history).

Autism is fundamentally an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation. That skewed immune response can be provoked in any child with a genetic propensity by introducing toxins and foreign bodies (such as live viruses like the MMR).

Fortunately just as toxic exposures can turn on and turn off genes, we can take measures to reverse the damage.

Lisa - posted on 03/25/2010

I completely agree that some schools correctly diagnose a child. My son was diagnosed by a Neurologist, and that diagnosis was backed up by the school.

What really troubled me about my son's "School Diagnosis" is that my son's school, Warren Consolidated Schools, (Warren, MI and I am not scared to say it because we are talking about the 3rd largest city in the state) told me strait out that they don't care what a Neurologist, Pediatrician, or Psychiatrist says about your child. They make their own diagnosis. Basically, if my son's Neuro said No ASD, the school would still go against the Doc and Diagnose ASD. They wont even look at Doctor's Reports or recomendations. This really opens up a can of worms for some parents who's children may be denied special services or forced into special services.

I have a friend who lives in my area. Her son was diagnosed by Warren Con as Autistic and was put into special classrooms due to his "needs". When she moved to a neighboring City and attemped to get her son into the same type classroom the school insisted on retesting the child. The new school said no special servies. The child was then taken to a Neuro and the Neuro said no ASD. It turns out the child was extreamly withdrawn because of other personal factors. (the child had a speach issue which caused him to be made fun of so he withdrew from his peers)

It is this type of over zelous diagnosis that really leads me to question if we are over diagnosing our children. When I was in school the "Fad" diagnosis was ADD and ADHD. (anyone remember this) we medicated a whole generation of lively children because teachers didn't want to be bothered with spirited children. Now we have issues with the quiet children.

Jessica - posted on 03/25/2010

Interesting point about the schools, Lisa. Our son was diagnosed by his school, but reading the list of associated behaviors was like reading a book called "All the Odd Things Your Kid Does That You've Never Known How To Explain." My own research confirmed the diagnosis beyond any doubt. But you're right that a lot of schools have diagnosed children with different kinds of intelligence or social skills as "special needs," whether for funding or to explain why they can't handle them. The first school our son went to, for kindergarten, completely failed him. They thought he was a discipline problem with anger issues, and they felt it was our fault and our responsibility to "fix him." Within a month at the new school for 1st grade, they called us in and gave us the diagnosis. So it was obviously evident for what it was before; the other school just completely failed to catch it or try to help.

Lisa - posted on 03/25/2010

You are correct, the mercury based preservative was removed in 2001 from all vaccines except the multi dose vials of the Flu Vaccine. That vaccine is rarely given to children and only children who recieve the vaccines in large clinic or Vaccination event. (like at a public library or Department of Health)

Also, if people would bother to look it up. The Doctor that originally linked the MMR to Autism has been discredited in the Medical research community for using faulty research methods and altering results to meet his theories. His original paper on the subject of Vaccinations and Autism has been withdrawn from the Medical Journal in which it was originally published.

I am the mother of a 6 year old boy with Autism, he was diagnosed in 2007. He recieved no vacs with Thermidasol nor had he ever recieved a Flu Vac until this very year. I saw no change in him after he recieved the MMR.

Also please remember that the increase in Autism occured after the clinical definition of ASD was expanded to include PDD and Aspergers in 1991. Additionally, so many children are being diagnosed by school psycologists today. Not Psychiatrists nor Neuros. I believe in many cases Neurotypical children who think a little diffrently than their peers, the quiet child who prefers to play by himself, is being misdiagnosed as Autistic by an overzelous school system that wants the additional funds offered for Special Needs children by the states and Federal Government.

Jessica - posted on 03/25/2010

I have a 7 year old son with Asperger's and a nearly-4 year old who's been showing signs that he'll probably be on the spectrum too for over a year now. I don't believe that vaccinations cause autism. I think that the main reason people associate the MMR with autism is that it's administered at about the age where autism spectrum symptoms start to become apparent, so it's a false correlation folks have made, of causality instead of proximity.

I know that autism runs in my family. I'm most likely an Aspie myself; as I did a lot of research when my son was diagnosed, I recognized so many behaviors and sensory issues from my own life. My brother and my cousin's son also probably fit somewhere on the spectrum, too. My cousin believes it was the MMR that caused her son's autism, and his is a more severe case than my own children, but she's also more predisposed to associate environmental causes with lots of different issues. I think part of it is a personality type. I certainly believe that environmental factors influence our health, because our technology and environmental impact are expanding so fast that we can't track the impact of them on our bodies and our world. But I think there are just too many different factors for us to be certain that any one is directly responsible for a specific condition.

Good luck with your paper!!

Rhonda - posted on 03/25/2010

It does not CAUSE the autism, but it does affect the severity of the autism. I think the pharmacy companies are winning the suits due to that little change in wording. Yes, I do believe that there is a genetic factor involved, but the shots definitely affect a child who might be prone to it. All three of my children have autism and the first two got the shots. Youngest did not get them all clumped together, but spaced out and does not have any of the sensory problems the older two do.

Aimee - posted on 03/25/2010

check out the CDC website, NIH website, Generation Rescue, Autism Society, FDA and Pediatric Association of America websites. You may see some conflicting statements, but those are good for data. and also be aware that the inactivated flu shot contains thimerosal. I am writing an article on autism right now, so I have those resources fresh in my mind.

Bonnie Jean - posted on 03/25/2010

Your paper is only about the MMR shot correct...."well one of my sons cried 19 hours continuously after that shot series and it was like he checked out...no eye contact and very anxious....
He even stopped wanting to eat.After 42 years of working with and advocating for persons with ASD. .I do believe Autism is caused by "whatever" removes the filter one needs to keep out unwanted stimuli, what ever the final straw is that pushes you in that ASD direction."-(How Big is the Fly? Asking the Right Questions - 2007)
Imagine the story many of us were told about removing a butterfly out of it's cocoon before it is time, that's how I look at the Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a spectrum disorder like a rainbow it has many ways to get there not just one.....

Hope you don't mind my two cents...

Valerie - posted on 03/25/2010

http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2010/03/12/...

this article might help you. I do not believe it causes Autism. I see Autism in our family heavily. Not everyone in our family got this shot 85 years ago.

Hope it helps you with your paper.

Lori - posted on 03/24/2010

Some useful information for you.
Texas Administrative Code
Next Rule>>

TITLE 25 HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1 DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 97 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
SUBCHAPTER B IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS IN TEXAS ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
RULE §97.62 Exclusions from Compliance

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Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, and active duty with the armed forces of the United States. Children and students in these categories must submit evidence for exclusion from compliance as specified in the Health and Safety Code, §161.004(d), Health and Safety Code, §161.0041, Education Code, Chapter 38, Education Code, Chapter 51, and the Human Resources Code, Chapter 42.

(1) To claim an exclusion for medical reasons, the child or student must present a statement signed by the child's physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States who has examined the child, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the child or any member of the child's household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.

(2) To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, a signed affidavit must be presented by the child's parent or legal guardian, stating that the child's parent or legal guardian declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person's religious beliefs. The affidavit will be valid for a two-year period. The child, who has not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.

(A) A person claiming exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, from a required immunization may only obtain the affidavit form by submitting a written request to the department. The request must include the following:

(i) full name of child; and

(ii) child's date of birth (month/day/year).

(B) Requests for affidavit forms must be submitted to the department through one of the following methods:

(i) written request through the United States Postal Service (or other commercial carrier) to the department at: DSHS Immunization Branch, Mail code 1946, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347;

(ii) by facsimile at (512) 458-7544;

(iii) by hand-delivery at the department's physical address at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756; or

(iv) via the department's Immunization program Internet website (go to www.ImmunizeTexas.org).

(C) Upon request, one affidavit form for each child will be mailed unless otherwise specified (shall not exceed a maximum of five forms per child).

(D) The department shall not maintain a record of the names of individuals who request an affidavit and shall return the original request (where applicable) with the forms requested.

(3) To claim an exclusion for armed forces, persons who can prove that they are serving on active duty with the armed forces of the United States are exempted from the requirements in these sections.


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Source Note: The provisions of this §97.62 adopted to be effective April 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 3188; amended to be effective December 16, 2007, 32 TexReg 9125

Dawn - posted on 03/24/2010

I have always worried about the MMR vaccination and have followed the research all the way during the past 11 years. I have understood from the research that the MMR itself does not cause autism it simply accelerates the rate it progresses. so i perceived it that my son had autism when he was developing in the womb hence the genetic link and the MMR just brought the condition to the fore.
both my boys have had the MMR and my eldest son is developmentally "normal" and my youngest was diagnosed with ASD in January 2010.
i was fearing the MMR but i also fear what could happen if either child developed measles, mumps ir rubella as can be fatal.

Nicole - posted on 03/24/2010

Here's another link http://factsnotfantasy.com/vaccines.html

Carolan - posted on 03/24/2010

im a mum of a 16 year old girl and i have always believed this and have followed david wakefeilds trials who also tried to prove it in my news there is a paper about it from america good luck i personally believe there has been a cover up to stop personal comphension , i remember when my daughter starting to change afterwards( she was my only child so i was constantly with her )nobody in either families have any link genetically

Sheena - posted on 03/24/2010

I am mom to an autistic son and I dont believe it was MMR. I get my kids vaccinated still and will continue to do so. My sons Autism started before the shot was ever given, I firmly believe his 'switch" was flipped by another variable, and is genetic.

Nicole - posted on 03/24/2010

I do not believe immunizations specifically the MMR are the cause of the rise in Autism.



Mumps, Rubella and Measels. are all three diseases that can cause far more severe impairments, brain damage and death on their own.



Theories on the rise in autism? Well we are seeing parents having children at much later ages then was the norm 20-30 years ago (ie the average used to be early 20's and now the average is more towards late 20's to early 30's). Face it our eggs are the ones we start with from the time we enter this world. Perhaps we need to study closer the degradation of our genetic code within our eggs the older we get.



And then, in my opinion the biggest cause in the rise of autism is the fact that many many children and adults were not being diagnosed correctly. Changes in the testing as well as the definition of what falls under the Autism Spectrum Disorder has changed several times in the past 3 decades.

Especially with additions like Asperger's syndrome being added has increased the statistics of how many people fall into the ASD category.



Since Wakefield's 1998 "study" that has since been retracted as of January 2010. There have been numerous studies done and seriously if they were to have found a direct link with the MMR and autism they would have stopped administering it or found a different method of delivering it by now.



If and BIG if the MMR is some how remotely plausibly causing autism. I would rather take that chance then have my child possibly die, suffer severe brain damage or go deaf.



Some links of use:

http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca/...



http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health...



http://www.immunize.cpha.ca/en/publicati...



http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr...



http://www.canada.com/health/family-chil...

Hillary - posted on 03/24/2010

I have a two year old on the autism spectrum.She had little to no issues before she started getting ear infections.They put her on penicllin which she had a allergic reaction to and then they put her on amoxcillin which she also had a allergic reaction to.She started acting different after those allergic reactions so we took her to a neurologist and she got diagnosed with autism

Gigi - posted on 03/23/2010

There is not a direct link, however, in children that are genetically pre-disposed, getting 3 shots at once is too taxing on their immune systems and thus will bring on the autism and they will start to regress. Unfortunatley there is no medical 'proof' of this so it is a big debate. The proof is with the parents who have watched this happen to their children. If parents feel strongly about having their children vaccinated, try to have them broken up and not all at once....

Connie - posted on 03/23/2010

I feel that Autism is enviromental and genetic combined my son exibited symptoms from the very first day he was born he cried more when held then when left in infint seat there was no change in him after MMR shot. I also have a Daughter who is older than my son and she is average my children are now in there 20s.

Jennifer - posted on 03/23/2010

I completely agree Sarah. Personally my son behavior completely changed after his MMR shot. So I know that was his trigger. There are no other family members on either side of ours that have such syptoms. I am not against immunizations just not sure at the schedule doctors go by. I trusted my doctor and let them give my son three shots in one visit. Never do that two is the very most. That very night my husband saw a change in our son. He looked like he was drugged and also had a fever. From then on he change. He stopped talking and we actually thought he may have hearing issues. I should add this was when he was 2. Our doctor was not very familiar with Autism so we had a challenge finding help. I too would say Immunizations can trigger it but not necessarally be the cause. However we are very careful of them especially with our son. I believe too many too soon is what is being done. The baby's body is not physically ready to take on all the immunizations they are wanting to give. It is overload for their little systems. I pray the best for your research as there is alot of controvercy out there. I think you are awesome for taking this research on.

Sarah - posted on 03/23/2010

Autism is a very complex thing. There is no one cause that causes autism. Sometimes it can be genetic, sometimes it can be from the mercery in the vacinactions (most vacinations today don't contain the mercery that was once in them). Sometimes autism can be caused by the environment in which we live in (toxians in the air), sometimes it can be the toxians the baby was exposed to in the womb. What they have found is that kids with autism tend to have a fragile x chrom. Autism tends to be more common is boys than girls, not to say that girls can't get it. Girls have two x chrom. so if there is a defect in one they have the other to take over and help "correct" the defect. Boys only have one x chrom. so if there is something wrong they have no back-up to help out. Just because you have a fragile x does not mean you have autism. It does mean that you are more sensitive for it to develop. This is what makes autism hard to figure out. There are many factors that can trigger the autism and the triggers can be different for each person. Just because you had the MMR shot does not mean you will get autism, but for some kids that might be their trigger. For others the trigger might be in air they breathe or the food they eat. For some that trigger may never come. So I don't think you can state that one thing does or does not cause autism it all depends on that individual and what their body reacts to and what it does not.

Amanda - posted on 03/23/2010

You can find an article on my opinion at the following link:

http://www.amandabroadfoot.com/Spinning-...

Kimberly - posted on 03/23/2010

I have three kids from 2 different marriages, and I believe it is genetic. My daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at 4, My middle daughter is average, my son, from my second marriage is in the process of being diagnosed. It also runs on my side of the family. All of my kids and extended family have had all their shots. No one can tell me that its not genetic.

Lesley - posted on 03/23/2010

Hi shemia I have 3 kids 2 boys both autistic one has adhd also, and a girl who is not showing any signs of asd . My eldest was asd from the day he was born! It took a bit longer with my second son to realise he was asd as he was so prem we put all his behaviour down to that and copying his brother. I do not believe that vaccines cause asd, at least with my children I am positive it is genetic.

Dayspring - posted on 03/23/2010

First of all, autism has more than one cause. Yes, many exposures, including environmental, may cause autism. However, I believe the most common cause of autism in America today is childhood vaccines. I do not believe that the MMR, in itself causes autism, but I believe it is the thimerosol (ethyl mercury) often used as a preservative in the MMR, that sometimes triggers autism.
My middle son is on the spectrum, and I strongly believe that it was the thimerosol-containing flu shot I recieved while pregnant that caused his symptoms. He was different from birth--lack of crying, later he babbled less, talked later, and was extremely shy, even as a young infant. He also has some muscle weakness and a slight hand tremor (sign of a possible neurological issue). It is very interesting to note that these symptoms are identical to symptoms of prenatal mercury exposure, such as was noted in Congenital Minamata Disease. My son's symptoms are more subtle than some of the case studies in Minamata, but they are certainly the same type of symptoms. Also, in Minamata, Japan, only one in 500 people/children/pregnancies that were exposed to high levels of mercury exibited noticable symptoms, and it took 30 years to prove the link between the mercury in the food source (contaminated fish) and "Minamata Disease", which they labeled Cerebral Palsy in most early cases.
BTW, my other two sons are neurotypical, and have not been exposed to mercury (thimerosol-free shots only).

Animal studies of mice show autistic-like behaviors of offspring when the gestating female is given comparable doses of thimerosol. These behaviors are subtle, but very unusual statistically, such as not being able to swim instinctively, and going backward in maze situations (only 1 in 20 control mice exibited this behavior, whereas most thimerosol-exposed mice did). I encourage you to research this for yourself.

Rebecca - posted on 03/22/2010

Alisha i have nevr heard of the pitocin before of being a factor...now i'm worrying again because both of my kids were induced and i had quick labors...with my son however i was in labor at 33w for 4 days and they kept stopping it and then at 39w4d they induced me and it was 8 hours...my daughter was 2 hours. I'm going to look in to the pitocin now lol. Thanks for the tidbit:)

Alisha - posted on 03/22/2010

I have a 3 yr old on the spectrum and I do not believe it was from his MMR shot..I believe he was born this way and god gave him to me cause he knew I could handle it..I had a gut feeling that my son had something going on at the early age of 6 months even though of course 6 months is much to young to be diagnosed I just had that felling and I was right a mother knows her child the best and I personally dont think it is genetics either...no one in my family or his fathers family has anything near being on the spectrum ..I do not know how he got it...but some people seem to think pitocin ( the drug to speed up contractions) could be a cause of Autism ..I did have that during labor ...good luck on your paper!

Rebecca - posted on 03/22/2010

I personally feel autism is genetic and so do friends of mine. My nephew is autistic and my sister wasn't a healthy mom...she was in to drugs and drinking and had a very long labor which i hear some believe to be linked to autism. When our son was due for his MMR shots we talked to our Dr about the risks and benefits and she cleared my mind by saying the things i already believed. She did however offer to do them separate but we opted to do them all at once and it has now been a year since he's had them and is showing no signs. I am a worry wart for sure lol. I used to watch 3 kids from the same family and none of them were vaccinated, 2 girls and 1 boy, the boy being the same age as my son. I found out after my son became deadly ill that they didn't vaccinate and they thought it cause autism...i let the family go as my daughter was only 2 months old and didn't have the option to get any of the vaccines they were offered so i didn't feel i should risk her life to make some money. A few months ago their son was diagnosed with autism and i feel bad that they risked their kids, and the kids at the schools where the 2 girls went for something they couldn't control but thought they could.
If it cause autism...wouldn't we all be autistic?
If something happened to your child would you forgive yourself knowing it could have been prevented but you decided not to?
If you child got sick from Rubella and was never the same in intellect how would you feel?
The risks i feel are much lower and if my son had the chance to live life, even if not like everyone else or wonder every day of his life if he would get sick and die from something i would not even think about it and the shots would be given. I am actually shocked at how many still feel it causes autism and opt out of shots but i guess people have their reasons. I just hope everyone's kids stay healthy and i pray to God they don't sit next to my kids and get my kids sick as they can still get MMR even if they have the shots to prevent. It's just to reduce risk of transmition so really it's risking everyone. Even you and me as adults.
Good luck with your paper. You will get lots of debate on here for sure so be ready fro an earful lol.

Colleen - posted on 03/22/2010

Hi Shemia

I have an Autistic 4yo son and a neurotypical 1yo son.

this issue is hotly debated as I'm sure you are aware but personally i feel the MMR was the trigger for my son's autistic behaviours. that said I also firmly believe that there is a genetic factor, perhaps my son was genetically predisposed to autism and the MMR was a trigger for this, i also wonder if the MMR should be given later as it is quite a toxic load for a little body to deal with. I should also add that both my husband and I exhibited some autistic traits as children lending credibilty from my perspective to the genetic theory. my oldest son had all his shots on time my younger son had his 2 month old shot and since has had issues with headgrowth - not sure if its just a coincidence but i havent had him immunised further tho with my 4yo starting kindy its been on my mind.

perhaps my kids are just sensitive to the immunisations, i dont know but yes i do believe the MMR triggered autistic traits in my son.

I really hope more research can be done in this field

good luck with the paper