I have ADD which is considered a distant cousin to autism.My brain anomalies are easily seen on a brain scan and Autism is much more severe concerning brain anomalies. Since when has their ever been a cure for any brain anomaly? If people follow they need to ask personal questions like-why? I believe mental illness is almost always passed genetically; if it doesn't reproduce itself, it manifests in another form. Shall we say an Evolution not in our favor. Sincerely,David

....has there ever

Not a bad article - especially in contrast to the kind of "information" that currently dominates popular opinion on the topic of autism.

Unfortunately, it does not go nearly far enough into the question of harm, because it proceeds solely from the narrow "deficit model" of autism. Lacking what is often referred to in academia as "the sociological perspective," such discussions cannot approach the issues that have, by far, the most devastating impact on quality of life, not only for children, but for all Autistics.

There is no question that some the medical and developmental issues often associated with autism can be debilitating in and of themselves. Nevertheless, this is only one part of the picture. What is being almost universally overlooked is the seemingly obvious fact that misinformation, stereotypes, stigma, and widespread cultural prejudice against human diversity are not "symptoms" of autism. These phenomena, which operate in the much wider medium of society at large, obviously taint autism science and make parents and Autistics victims of fear and exploitation, but that's not all. The culture-wide propagation of misinformation and the social construction of anti-Autistic prejudice loops back around to impact on the day-to-day lives of all Autistics in deeply pernicious and suffocating ways that even "experts" are ill-prepared to recognize. Day after day, at the hands of the general public, Autistics face direct expressions of fear, pity, dehumanization, manipulation, bullying, abuse, and denial of any or every form of opportunity, no matter how well earned. These are all constant hazards to every Autistic citizen on the planet.

But none of this is in any way intrinsic to autism itself. This does not "come with" autism. This is what is done to Autistics. And, for the vast bulk of Autistic citizens, the effects of widespread misinformation and prejudice are far more genuinely debilitating than anything that is actually part of autism itself.

Like it or not, professionals and researchers are at the forefront of this problem. Proceeding almost exclusively from the "deficit model," they have few tools with which to contribute to the solution -- indeed, they may well lack the conceptual vocabulary necessary to even begin to recognize the depth and scope of the problem. Without the benefit of a "sociological perspective" -- without a grasp of the much more devastating impact of socially constructed prejudice -- professionals are scarcely even in a position to prevent themselves for harming Autistics, to say nothing of helping.

I think the Autistic community deserves better.

Can not some of the behavioral problems be reduced with medicine? Sincerely,David

On what basis does the good doctor decide that from 500 million vaccines there is little harm?

I looked at one proposal for a vaccine where a small trial produced more than a dozen deaths, immediately denied as being connected to the vaccine.

Harry clark received a vaccine at 4.30pm and died at 10.30pm.

His mother was put in prison with the family persuaded that vaccines were not a factor.

The world looks in other directions and ignores harm that for me is self evident.

One child in three in USA with neurological long term illness and on the medication that David so badly wants for himself.

I pinch myself daily to make sure I am still in the REAL WORLD.

Double Oh So Sick - the doctors ability to kill and get away with it by ignoring one death in a thousand to every over-injected infant.

Over 26,000 different parent reports on the Autism.com web site would seem to say that this guy is out of touch with reality or does he contend that all 26,000 of these parents are incapable of recognizing improvement in their children. I have personally witnessed many children not only improve, but go from severe autism to normal using biomedical methods. Lets look a few ratings: Chelation 3% got worse. no help 23%, got better 74% ratio of those who improved to those who got worse 24:1 number of reports 803. There are not many things in life that offer a 24:1 advantage. Looks like a pretty good bet to me.

If autism is not a biological problem, what does he think it is? A spell, an evil spirit, poor parenting or perhaps cold mothers?

A child that was severely autistic and now is normal, does not seem to register to him. The proof is in the pudding, if a child who didn't talk now does using biomedical, that seems like pretty strong evidence.

Chelation is useless in "treating" autism. It has killed at least one autistic child, and has killed dozens who received it unnecessarily. It may also cause the same LONG TERM symptoms as heavy metal poisoning when given to those without an already serious leval of heavy metal. The most fundamental problem is that, whatever its merit or lack thereof, in practice its use is dominated by irresponsible, unethical and/or incompetent individuals and organizations.

Give birth to healthy child. Child develops normally to fifteen months. Child talks. Go to the pediatrician's. Tells her not to give vaccines containing thimerosal. Dr. lies and gives three vaccines containing thimerosal to child plus one live virus vaccine anyway. Child screams and begins to regress immediately. Child does not say another word for three and a half years. Child also now has chronic infections, bronchitis, asthma, ear infections, perforated eardrums, OCD, SID, S-P disorder, non-specified metabolic disorder, and APD. Doctor admits thimerosal was in vaccines and laughs about it! Can't sue the doctor. Can't sue the drug companies. Still waiting (eight years) to be heard by NVICF. Parents spend life savings to help child. Mainstream doctors say "hopeless" and "Accept it." Parents decline the gloom and doom and treat with DAN! Protocol, including chelation and ABA philosophy. Child gets better and better every day.

He is now about to be a very vocal, independent, high-functioning, very imaginative ten year old! What do you know? It wasn't "hopeless" after all. But I am PO'd the child poisoners get off Scott free!!!