http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/autism-and-vaccinations Wisdom to thrive by Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:15:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/autism-and-vaccinations#comment-2394 Amanda Tulloch-Hoskins Wed, 16 May 2007 04:15:25 +0000 http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/autism-and-vaccinations#comment-2394 I am a mother of a child with high-functioning autism. Much of the information in this article was incorrect and out of date. For a start, the incidence of autism is actually 1 in 160, much higher than stated. Secondly, there is no proof that the MMR vaccine is responsible for the so-called explosion in diagnoses of autism. What is responsible is much better diagnosis and early intervention. The genetic links of autism cannot be ignored, and trying to blame outside factors is unhelpful and wastes time in helping our children. That being said, there is a place for dietary intervention in treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Our child benefited greatly from being taken off dairy, gluten and soy. I wish she did not have to be taken off dairy, but unfortunately, we had not choice. Soy is the worst food she can have as it greatly increases her behavioural challenges and causes her to be very unfocussed. Casein and gluten act in a similar way to opiates in the brain of autistic people and should be removed from their diets. Other forms of dietary interventions have not been helpful for our child because we have been very strict with her diet, following many of Sally Fallon's principles and ensuring she has a very balanced diet. Many kids with autism refuse to eat a balanced diet, and if this is the case, dietary supplements may help. In our case, they made things worse because they upset her very finely balanced system. I have no problem with helping our kids with natural solutions and balanced nutrition - nutrition is fundamental in helping the autistic brain grow and develop. I do think it's unhelpful to blame things like vaccines, when there is no real proof that there is any link. Just accept and love your child for who they are. I could not be more proud of my little girl and the fascinating person she is. I am a mother of a child with high-functioning autism. Much of the information in this article was incorrect and out of date. For a start, the incidence of autism is actually 1 in 160, much higher than stated. Secondly, there is no proof that the MMR vaccine is responsible for the so-called explosion in diagnoses of autism. What is responsible is much better diagnosis and early intervention. The genetic links of autism cannot be ignored, and trying to blame outside factors is unhelpful and wastes time in helping our children. That being said, there is a place for dietary intervention in treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Our child benefited greatly from being taken off dairy, gluten and soy. I wish she did not have to be taken off dairy, but unfortunately, we had not choice. Soy is the worst food she can have as it greatly increases her behavioural challenges and causes her to be very unfocussed. Casein and gluten act in a similar way to opiates in the brain of autistic people and should be removed from their diets. Other forms of dietary interventions have not been helpful for our child because we have been very strict with her diet, following many of Sally Fallon’s principles and ensuring she has a very balanced diet. Many kids with autism refuse to eat a balanced diet, and if this is the case, dietary supplements may help. In our case, they made things worse because they upset her very finely balanced system.
I have no problem with helping our kids with natural solutions and balanced nutrition - nutrition is fundamental in helping the autistic brain grow and develop. I do think it’s unhelpful to blame things like vaccines, when there is no real proof that there is any link. Just accept and love your child for who they are. I could not be more proud of my little girl and the fascinating person she is.

]]> http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/autism-and-vaccinations#comment-2017 Karen Thu, 03 May 2007 19:04:25 +0000 http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/autism-and-vaccinations#comment-2017 Wow!! Thank you, Mary, for summing up what must be hundreds of studies into a relatively short piece on vaccinations and autism! How valuable! I'm told that, in California, if you turn over the vaccination paper, that you can refuse it on most any grounds these days. It's not encouraged or acknowledged though and it's still hard to buck a trend even with all the evidence. The power of big pharma raises its ugly head. Thanks again for such a concrete and direct article. I must go back and read it again and then send the link to all my friends. There's no excuse not to be "up" on this information. It's not cutting -edge anymore to most of us...let's get it out there! Best! Wow!! Thank you, Mary, for summing up what must be hundreds of studies into a relatively short piece on vaccinations and autism! How valuable! I’m told that, in California, if you turn over the vaccination paper, that you can refuse it on most any grounds these days. It’s not encouraged or acknowledged though and it’s still hard to buck a trend even with all the evidence. The power of big pharma raises its ugly head.
Thanks again for such a concrete and direct article. I must go back and read it again and then send the link to all my friends. There’s no excuse not to be “up” on this information. It’s not cutting -edge anymore to most of us…let’s get it out there!
Best!

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