Snake Oil may have cured the Autism Speaks kid

Autism Speaks inspiration and grandson of NBC mogul Bob Wright has started to "recover" from autism. Read the article after the jump below, BUT FIRST...

Was it Secretin that did the trick? No...

Was it facilitated communication? No...

Um, auditory integration? Irlen lenses? No and No...

Was it "other, still-unproven treatments like dietary changes (no wheat or dairy) chelation therapy (removal of heavy metals from the body) and methyl B-12, which could help restore a critical process called methylation - a needed tool for detoxification and proper nerve function that is apparently deficient in some autistic children." Well, the kid did receive that intervention. So maybe.

What the article doesn't mention is that the child received intensive behavioral therapy like nobodies business. World class ABA and plenty of it. So could that have been where we got the improvement? Couldn't be or the article would say something about it, right?
Oh wait, the article was written by David Kirby, author of Evidence of Harm. So the improvement (if there really is any) had to be the result of chemicals strategically introduced into the young body of the child. You know, to counter the effects of those other chemicals in the vaccines.

Vaccines may have caused the problem but lets be fair in reporting the possible factors in the improvement. Behavioral therapies need to accompany any hocus pocus fads JUST IN CASE YOU ARE WRONG about the snake oil of the day. Because we KNOW that sound behavioral interventions work. They don't cure autism but they can make it one heck of a lot better while you're on the internet looking for the next magic bullet.

Autism Speaks may be very good for the autism community. Let's see how they handle this and whether or not the various conspiracy theorists and fad factions can deal with the hype.

Read the article here

The Autism Community Loses a Great Friend

Audrey Horne, immediate past President of the Autism Society of America passed away March 21, 2007. She served two terms as National President and was currently serving on the Board of Directors of the society. Audrey was well known for helping refocus the agency a decade ago, transforming it into a stronger and more effective organization. She was also known as a politically adept lobbyist on behalf of people with autism on both the national stage and on the local level in her home state of South Carolina.

Mrs. Horne was perhaps most proud of her son, Olin Horne, who received the Autism Society of America's Wendy. F. Miller award for Outstanding Person with Autism in 2005. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina in an autism group home run by the non-profit organization Carolina Autism Supported Living Services. "Mrs. Horne was tireless and fearless when fighting for people with autism," the agencies director, Phil Blevins said.

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford named Mrs. Horne to the South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs in 2004 where she continued to dedicate her life to the protection and advocacy of people with special needs. According to Robert Harrell, chairman of the Commission, "Audrey Horne was a woman of great integrity." He went on to say, "She had the heart of an advocate and a gift for leadership." Working with the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs she helped the agency expand choices in South Carolina for people with autism and other disabilities.

She was a graduate of Columbia College and received her Master's degree from the University of South Carolina. She taught in public schools before moving to Washington, D.C. where she worked in Senator Olin Johnston's office. She also served on the school board in her hometown of St. George, South Carolina. Mrs. Horne was instrumental in the formation of the Autism Society of South Carolina where she was a past president.

Memorials may be made online to CarolinaAutism.org, or by mail to Carolina Autism, 4 Carriage Lane, Suite 302, Charleston, SC 29407

Shock Treatment Sought for Autistic Man

This isn't too controversial is it? A family wants to use a cattle prod to keep their (autistic) son from hurting himself. It's the oldest argument around and it's so sad that parents can't find anyone able to do better for their child. Read on for more...

NEWS FLASH: People with autism can think!

If you haven't yet, you should check out this young woman with autism. She is the same person who created a parody website to mock the Autism Society of America's dire website, www.gettingthewordout.org.

We at AutismSense.com want to hear all about how she's not really autistic. Well if she's not, no-one is! Or is she just doing a really good Dustin Hoffman? Hmmm...

Thimerosal to be discussed at Wednesday's CDC meeting

For those of you with Nothing Better to Do (like work with your kid in the next room who already has autism)

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet this week at the CDC in Atlanta. Thimerosal, a controversial mercury-based vaccine preservative, is scheduled to be discussed Wednesday morning at 10:55 am.

While thimerosal has been phased out of some vaccines, it is still present in flu shots recommended for pregnant women, infants and young children. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines indicate that the 25 micrograms of mercury contained in flu shots is unsafe for anyone weighing less than 550 pounds.

Two weeks ago, the CDC released a report citing 1 in 150 children are now diagnosed with autism. Many parents and scientists believe the increased use of mercury-containing vaccines starting in the late 1980's has led to the rise in cases.

"Children and fetuses are still being exposed unnecessarily to this neurotoxin," says father Christian McIlwain of Cary, North Carolina. "With the recently added recommendations that influenza vaccines be given to women during any stage of pregnancy and children from age six months and up, the amount of early-age thimerosal exposure through recommended vaccines has increased drastically in the last two years-it's time for the committee to advise that only thimerosal-free vaccines be used for pregnant women and children."

read the full story here

Big TV night for autism, Extreme Home Makeover follows 60 Minutes

Ty Pennington may be able to cure autism with his smile. Has the same success rate as Chiropractic Treatment and Secretin

Sunday, February 18, 8/6c "Extreme Home Makeover" ABC

"O'Donnell Family" The only documented family in the U.S. with five autistic children will receive a much needed home. Country music star Trace Adkins performs at a benefit for the family.

When we watch television now, we expect to see families with children who have autism. How about you? Does it suprise you anymore to see children with autism on shows like "Extreme Home Makeover" or "Nanny 911?"

60 Minutes February 18, DIAGNOSIS AUTISM

DIAGNOSIS AUTISM: Latest Weapons are Early Detection and Treatment

Finally, a prime time news story about autism. No, wait, I think there was one on 20-20. And 48 Hours. And Dateline. And the View. And...

The difference may be that this story has the potential to get it right. Instead of focusing on how much it sucks to have a child with a pervasive developmental disorder. Instead of touting the latest cure or theory about how your child got autism in the first place.

Let's see if the program lives up to its tagline. "Early Detection and Treatment" are the best weapons.

UPDATE:

It's only Saturday (before the show airs) but if you visit the 60 Minutes site above, you will see that the "comments" are already bogged down in the vaccine debate. One comment bemoans that the show spends too much time on the reality of having a child with autism and not enough time on the theory that some kids with autism may have it as the result of poison in vaccines.

Autism agencies merge. May acquire Chrysler next.

Autism Speaks and Cure Autism Now Complete Merger

If you needed any more proof that it is big business to claim to speak for your child. What was once a parent led grassroots movement to get services for their kids is now a cut-throat business of one-upsmanship. Who will get the best celebrity spokesperson? Who will garner the most press mentions? Mostly these agencies claim to be seeking a cure. But guess what? There is no cure and even if there was, it's too late for your child. Why do we give these agencies money for "prevention" and giggle with glee when they show up on TV?

Chelation Kills 3 Children

http://www.chelationwatch.org/safety/mmwr2006.shtml

It's going to seem like we have something against chelation. But no, we just have something against making money by preying on the desperation of parents. Especially when the quacks involved don't know what they are doing and kill innocent children.

Thimerisol is Gone...Autism Rates Rise. Now What?

From Rick Rollens, California..................According to information recently released by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) during calendar year 2006, California added 3,385 new cases of professionally diagnosed, full syndrome autism to it's developmental services system...the most new cases ever added to the system in a one year period, and a 16% increase over calendar year 2005. Also, DDS reports that an all time record number of new intakes came into the system during one quarter in the 38 year history of California's DD system during the fourth quarter of 2006 (October through December) when 956 new cases entered the system. The previous record was 846.(Keep in mind, that all of the data reported by DDS, ONLY includes persons with professionally diagnosed full syndrome DSM IV autism, and DOES NOT include persons with PDD, NOS, Asperger's Syndrome or any other autism spectrum disorder.)

California is now averaging over 9 new cases of full syndrome autism entering California's DD system a day, seven days a week.78% of the autism population in the system is under the age of 18, with 84% under the age of 22 years old.We currently have 1,223 more 3 to 5 year olds in the system then we have for ALL ages from 22 years old to 62 years old and beyond.20 years ago in 1987 there were 2,273 persons with autism in California's system. Today, 20 years later, there are 32,809.By the end of 2002, 39% of all new intakes were full syndrome autism cases. Four years later at the end of 2006, autism now accounts for 64% of all new intakes. Therefore, today over 6 out of 10 persons entering California's DD system have full syndrome autism, and less then four persons entering the system have mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy COMBINED!

Chelation therapy cures all! Makes money for quacks.

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chelation.html

It's not so much that it doesn't work. The big problem is nobody knows how do it safely, let alone effectively. Please pick another placebo, parents.

There is no autism!

By now many of you know the big secret. It's a conspiracy to end all conspiracies! The truth about autism is slowly starting to dawn on the public. Let it be clear that this was the first site to declare that there is no such thing as autism! Where's the blood test, huh? Where's the MRI? Show me one piece of evidence that autism even exists! What's that you say? "I'll show you proof. Just look at my child!"

Your child is messed up, there's no doubt. But slow down while I break it too you. It ain't autism.

In the 19th century (the 1800's to the centurially challenged) there was a terrible malady called consumption. If you "got the consumption" it was well known that you would wither and die. We now know there is no consumption. those poor bumpkins lumped all types of cancers, leukemia and other blood or cellular disorders together and called them consumption. they didn't know any better.

That's the way science will view us in 50 years. All those seperate disorders (immune, allergic, genetic, traumatic injury, etc.) that will be treatable, or at least identifiable, will be known and understood. Those poor bumpkins used to lump them all together and call them autism.

So forget about everyone who says they have the cure (or the cause) for autism! There is no autism!

500th Autism Advocacy Group Now Online

Is it just us or does it it seem like every time you turn around there's a new Autism Advocacy Agency? There's plenty of families to go around but we wish families would get wise. The theory of divide and conquer is applying to the field of autism/pdd as we speak. The more agencies we support the less unified we are. It used to be that we had the Autism Society and that was it. Now there are countless "Rainman Come Latelys" vying for your attention. Choose carefully!

Chiropractic Cures Autism! One less thing to worry about.

http://www.jvsr.com/abstracts/index.asp?id=264

We like backrubs. Maybe we can be cured of our skepticism if you rub just the right spot. Yes! Right there! Oooh, yeah!

Follow the link to read the study. But mostly, chiropractic did not cure autism.