What Caused Your Child’s Autism?

Date: Thursday July 10, 2008
Posted in: General

I will wait to voice my thoughts on this, I want to hear yours! What do you think caused your child’s autism? Post a comment!

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66 Comments

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99.99% sure it was the MMR shot.

Comment by Rikko on July 10th, 2008 @ 7:26 pm

Mercury poisoning and vaccine assault.

Comment by Mike on July 10th, 2008 @ 8:27 pm

Flu shot I received while pregnant, plus Hep B at birth, both containing mercury.

Comment by Cathy on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:16 pm

A combination of genetics, a destroyed gut flora (8 courses of antibiotics in the first 8 months of his live) and a viral overload from vaccinations.

Comment by Christiane on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:24 pm

Immunizations, no doubt caused my child to develop Autism.

Comment by Heather on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:38 pm

Possibly complications of prematurity-antibiotic course, head bleed and gut issue combined with vaccinations may have created the perfect storm in her tiny body. She has had no other antibiotics in her lifetime though. We always rode illnesses out.

Comment by Tracey on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:51 pm

Flu shot while pregnant, Hep B at birth, flu shots each year most definitely pulled the trigger.

Comment by Amy on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:52 pm

Vaccinations, giving Tylenol before and after vaccinations per doctors instructions (this depletes glutathione and impedes the bodies detoxification capabilities) and frequent use of antibiotics which wiped out his beneficial flora needed for proper immune function (especially needed for dealing with toxins from vaccines).

Comment by Sylvia on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:54 pm

Hmmmm… easy enough question :-) I have a mouth full of mercury fillings, was given the Rogam/flu shot while pregnant, had emergency dental work done at 7 months, son was given a Hep B vaccine within his first 60 minutes of life, then assaulted regularly with other poisonous vaccines until he was 25 months old, had chronic ear infections and eczema and was prescribed antibiotics, some as early as 5 months old.

All of which = a u t i s m

Comment by Jessica on July 10th, 2008 @ 9:57 pm

the 7 shots he got at his 12 month check up. One happens to be the MMR shot. He started regressing after these. I am sure it didn’t help that I have nine mercury fillings in my mouth.I also allowed them to give me the flu shot while pregnant and also to my son at 6 months and 18 months. If only I knew what I know now! GREEN OUR VACCINES!!!!

Comment by Tami on July 10th, 2008 @ 10:11 pm

First child - vaccines caused encephalopathy, he now has tremendous difficulty with auditory processing, would be considered an “aspie”.

Second child - combo of susceptibility (type a blood, mother with allergies, streb b pos. mother at birth + antibiotics) followed by Hep B birth vaccine that caused thrombocytopenia, ER visit a few days later where further insulted with (antibiotic) Rocephin, followed by several ear infections (and antibiotics), prolonged gut infection, insult after insult of vaccines until he was in a state of autoimmunity…

Stupid doctors who injected him with poison and didn’t recognize reactions to the vaccines, recommending them over and over even after we thought he might have autism, that’s what caused it - and that’s why it’s so bad.

Comment by Elizabeth on July 10th, 2008 @ 10:18 pm

The 2 RhoGam shots that I had while I was pregnant and all of the vaccines that he received during his first year of life. And I’m sure that all of the antibiotics he had to take for repeat ear infections during his first 12 months didn’t help his system either.

Comment by Laurie on July 10th, 2008 @ 10:28 pm

Flu shot while I was pregnant and I am pretty sure I had hypothyroidism while I was pregnant, I gained 70lbs. The weight came on very easily. Very difficult labour that ended in a c-section. From there I think every vaccine just added more injury.

Comment by Michelle on July 10th, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

I am sure it was lack of attention from me and my wife..From 8 months till she turned 24 months, my mother in law (who is the stupidest creature on the universe) and then a dumb baby sitter took care of her, neither knew how to interact with a kid, and she went from a happy social kid to living her own world..she withdrew completely…at 24 months she was Dx as ASD, i moved to PT job, my wife quit her job, and we lavished ABA (so 45 hrs, yes 45 hrs) of 1:1 + floor time + RDA,a nd literally in 16 months, she has recovered..she still has a bit of speech delay, but 2 weeks back, we got a “clean sheet” from Uof Chicago hospital…I am convinced it was not ASD, by SMVS (Stupid Motherin law visit syndrome)..who cares? I am happy that this kid is now a regular kid driving me nuts!!!

Comment by I hate autism on July 10th, 2008 @ 11:23 pm

My son’s autism was caused by his vaccinations. We are currently treating him for mercury poisoning and are winning the war one small battle at a time!

Comment by Michelle on July 10th, 2008 @ 11:53 pm

Genetics. My son is not vaccinated.

Comment by Kathy on July 11th, 2008 @ 12:25 am

My son isn’t vaxed either but still has mercury poisoning according to his lab tests. We live in an area that is heavily contaminated with mercury from industry. We gave my son TONS of Motrin for teething (following the dosing instructions on the box) which preceded his regression. He has severe gut issues and ibuprofen is notorious for causing gut damage. My son’s ASD is extremely mild (he is not diagnosed) and we attribute this to his not being vaccinated. I have no doubt that he’d be severely affected if we’d vaxed.

Comment by Sierra on July 11th, 2008 @ 2:12 am

I know that it was the vac and my fillings that caused it no doubt.

Comment by Robin on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:16 am

My son came home from the hospital with a yeast infection. He was given the customary vaccines at birth along with a circumcision. Born with hypoglycemia. He was breast fed while I was being given antibiotics intravenously for his 1st 7 days of life. He received multiple antibiotics during his 1st 3 years for ear infections and strep. At 4 years he received his kindergarten boosters, ran 105 temp and began a regression spiral that continued for 5 years. Before every vaccine I gave Tylenol to contain fever and discomfort, according to doc’s instruction.

Comment by Drissia Wright on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:29 am

vaccines - my son had a reaction to vaccines when he received 9 immunizations on one day, and he was sick for several weeks, then he regressed. Ultimately he was diagnosed with verbal apraxia, hearing loss, autism. We started treating him for vaccine injury in October 07, he is now almost recovered with an ATEC score of “only” 31!!!

Comment by AutieMommie on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:34 am

Wow that is wonderful! What was the most effective treatment?

Comment by Sarah on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:37 am

Most effective treatment = cutler protocol

Comment by Mike on July 11th, 2008 @ 10:24 am

Yes we used the Cutler protocol, with supplementation of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, GSE, biotin, lysine, melatonin, organic products, no artificial colors, flavors, Organic cotton no chemical mattress, GFCF Soy free diet, low sugar… along with speech and OT therapy. MB12 was HUGE for us. As were Digest Enzymes in high doses, and VSL3. We did opt for ear tubes. Behavioral modifications (still working on this though, its a hard battle). Now we have added pectasol, liver life.

Comment by AutieMommie on July 11th, 2008 @ 10:41 am

Elizabeth, you might want to try Fast ForWord for your son’s auditory processing problems. It has worked wonders for a lot of people.

Comment by Jo on July 11th, 2008 @ 12:29 pm

boy, reading all these posts brought on the tears!
for me, vaccine ingredients, following the vac schedule, too much too soon. repeated courses of antibiotics. exposure to our increasingly toxic envirionment (my 8 year old son tested positive for unacceptably high levels of 9 toxic elements and about to begin chelation). My 3 year old son, same thing except I don’t know his metal levls yet. I’ll start on him once I learn more about what I’m doing. His twin sister was lucky, she’s NT>

Comment by lisa on July 11th, 2008 @ 2:22 pm

2 days after giving birth to my son, I was injected with Live Rubella virus in the hostpital. I was breastfeeding but was told it was safe. That was not true. The virus gets secreted into the breastmilk. My son was perfect for 2 days and then went downhill with a host of symptoms and ailments. Then eventually, daignosed with autism. I’m sure his vaccines in the first years of his life only aggravated his already weakened immune system. My situation has been proven by a doctor who has seen this before in about 300 cases.

Comment by linda on July 11th, 2008 @ 2:43 pm

Abnormal gut flora, too many medical interventions with no study or checks. Susceptible child following mass protocols. I’m sure you can have toxic exposure with out vaccinations. Toxic exposures and abnormal gut flora in our case vaccines/antibiodics. Flu shot pregnancy, infant, toddeler flu shots, fillings, ate seafood, tylenol, poor food supply, vaccines when ill. Weakened immune system…..eventual collapse at 15 months. Autism dissapearing and asthma gone too as we establish gut flora, detox, and play catch up with therapies.

Comment by Shannon on July 11th, 2008 @ 4:58 pm

I have no idea. He had a serious infection as a baby and was given lots of antibiotic (he was hospitalized). He was immunized on schedule. He had colic and was a difficult, unhappy, baby, but seemed fine generally (almost advanced) until at age 7 he began to regress. Forgot how to get ready, tie his shoes, got uncomfortable in his own skin, started hand flapping at school, hyper, etc. He is now almost 15 and we are just starting the bio-medical avenues of treatment.

I have not been able to tie it to one thing in particular. I have always suspected that it is a combination of things. Food additives/preservatives, pollution, vaccines . . .

Comment by Survivalmode on July 11th, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

vaccine, amalgam filling put in while pregnant,food additives, soy formula,environmental mercury exposure via living near papermills, seafood,tylenol, and antibiotics, excitotoxins, etc.,

Comment by Hope on July 11th, 2008 @ 6:12 pm

There is myraid of possibilities - which is the REAL reason, I’m not sure… I had a flu shot while pregnant, my son was fully vaccinated up until age 2, he also received flu shots, I have a mouthful of amalgam fillings and we live in a toxic world. I’d say we noticed lack of eye contact and some social withdrawal after the MMR at 15 months. He also stopped saying the few words he had at that point for about 4-6 months.

Comment by Darlene on July 11th, 2008 @ 6:24 pm

We feel it was a combination of the vaccines and our stupid doctor that didn’t tell us his flu shot had mercury in it.

My son started spinning in circles and completely stopped talking right after that flu shot.

Comment by Phillip Holmes on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:15 pm

Rhogam Shot while PG. (Back in early 2003–the co. stopped producing w/ thimerosal back in 2002, but no recall of existing ones)

Comment by Anne G. on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:17 pm

Forgot to mention…Rhogam in combo w/ genetic predisposition and additional viral/mercury overload from vaccinations.

Comment by Anne G. on July 11th, 2008 @ 9:18 pm

I believe it was a combination of DTP and Flu shots. I had flu shot while pregnant, and he had at least 3 before age 2.
Also had several infections treated with antibiotics. But I feel too many vax too soon left his system open to attack from antibiotics, pollutants, and the horrible ingredients in our foods - why are artificial colors and flavors, and perservatives in everything? It’s disgusting!!!

Comment by Janet on July 11th, 2008 @ 10:29 pm

amalgam filling, genetic predisposition, Rhogram, gestational diabetes and sick first 2 yrs of life. Never Vac(thank GOD) GFCFSF diet intervention, supps and a little speech and behavior therapy for a year with great results.

Comment by Cheryl B. on July 11th, 2008 @ 10:46 pm

I believe my twin ASD boys have autism because of several factors. 1) I received TWO sets of vax’s in my life, 2) I had a mouthful of OLD mercury fillings when I was pg with them 3) I ate a LOT of processed foods with MSG when I was pg. I believe these factors PREDISPOSED them to a compromised immune and brain systems. Then when they were born, I did NOT immunize them, but at 18 months when they started regressing is when they started eating “table foods”. Thankfully, we were whole foods and natural foods by then, but they severe food allergies we did not know the whole story of. They also had several ear infections and antibiotics by this point that damaged their guts. I think ALL of these things combined have created their autism. Thankfully, I have been led and been in contact with GREAT information from many sources to help direct my children to healing.

Comment by LeAnnaLP on July 12th, 2008 @ 12:11 am

100% genetic…from both sides of the family…he was on the spectrum inutero…didn’t move once during the entire pregnancy, and he is like that to this day…in his own head…on the computer…I noticed stimming as early as 6 months…didn’t have a clue what it was…

Of course I joke that he was going to be born with a nutrasweet swirl on his behind…I drank so much snapple diet iced tea during my pregnancy…but seriously…I am pretty sure he is an Aspy by genetics alone.

Comment by Brenda Oelbaum on July 12th, 2008 @ 8:07 am

I actually believe that autism and the spectrum are much more evolved people than the majority. While I won’t disagree that the world is full of various toxins and that in itself can affect people in different ways, I don’t believe that “causes” autism. I think thayautism and the spectrum comes from the source, creator, universe, god, call it whatever, but i think it is there from the start.
I believe that children with Autism are born into two types of families, Ones that are aware of the subtle realities in this world, or ones that really need to become aware.
I believe that autism is a different way of being, and by the time the majority of these kids reach the age where their generation is in power, they will bring a different way of being to the world through their actions, and thought process. the world is in need of changes and through nurturing the differences they will allow the changes to come into effect.
I believe that these kids are at a higher energy vibration than most of their parents. I believe autism is going within themselves. Have you ever tried to talk to someone, deep in meditation? They either respond with one word at the end of you talking to let you know they heards you or they don’t respond at all, even if they heard you. They are inside themselves at that time, looking at peace!

Comment by Cori on July 12th, 2008 @ 8:15 am

My son is 24. I think it was genetic ( I have an Autistic cousin), the vaccines, and I had pre- Eclampsia. I knew something was wrong way before I had him, and when he looked perfect, I was still suspicious. He was starting to talk, then he got the vaccines. Then it was textbook Autism.

Comment by Wanda Argo on July 12th, 2008 @ 9:06 am

I have a 4 yr old son being evaluated but not a dx yet. I suspect SPD and aspergers. He has never had a single vaccine but my dr. gave me pitocin during delivery so i would deliver the placenta faster ( found this out when i received my hosp. bill…grrr). I have heard there is mercury in pitocin and i breast fed. Also i have a mouth full of amalgam fillings ( i’m 45 yrs old so my fillings are very old and i grind my teeth at night, i try to always wear my mouth piece but back then i’m not sure i always did.) And during my pregnancy i had been eating alot of tuna fish until late in my pregnancy when i heard you should limit the amount of tuna because of mercury content. And last but not least i took st. johns wort (herbal supplement for mood enhancement), i had heard SSRI were safe to take during pregnancies, so i thought the natural brand would be okay too.

Comment by Cindi on July 12th, 2008 @ 10:42 am

i think his is congenital. I took a lot of antidepressant, mood stabilizing and sleep medications (i am bipolar) until i found out i was pregnant (i was eight weeks along when i found out), even being weaned quickly i was still on it for a significant portion of my first trimester, in addition to smoking (again, until i found out i was pregnant)

Comment by Donna on July 12th, 2008 @ 11:57 am

I believe that it is genetic. My husband’s side of the family has variations of neurologic and mental health issues–from seizures to ADD and ADHD to Bi-polar and everything in between and beyond. Science is showing links between all of these things and autism. My daughter was born prematurely and has had developmental delays throughout her early years. I can’t say that vaccines had anything to do with her ASD–but genetic factors certainly look suspicious.

Comment by Jackie on July 12th, 2008 @ 12:42 pm

I would say a variety of different factors. I got the flu shot while pregnant with my son (the morely affected ASD child), both had traumatic births, both were immunized. I believe the BIGGEST contribution was vaccinations. My son regressed within 24 hours of the DTaP and Polio shots (I believe it started with the MMR but total regression with DTaP and Polio). My daughter is less severe and she had all vaccinations until MMR. She and my son developed chicken skin after MMR. No more vaccines for her and she shows less symptoms than my son did at 3.

Comment by Eileen on July 12th, 2008 @ 11:55 pm

My mercury teeth fillings, overuse of antbiotics and vaccinations are what I believe caused my son’s Autism.

Comment by Kathy on July 13th, 2008 @ 6:24 pm

I believe a combination of getting a flu shot around conception and perhaps a genetic weakness that made his body more suscepible to the dangers of vaccines AND other environmental triggers like chemicals in cleaners, and foods as well as lead in toys.
My son did not genetically have autism. It was without a doubt triggered.

Comment by Jamie on July 13th, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

My little guy i feel was born with Autism …right from get go ….starting from the very faint positive on my pregnancy test …i knew some thing wasnt righ’t . At this point i really dont care any more where he got it ….i just want it gone !
Linda

Comment by Linda on July 13th, 2008 @ 7:05 pm

I think my son was born healthy, 4 weeks early though. We gave him HepB at birth, flu shot at 2 1/2 months and then the endless vaccines. He got progressively sicker and so we gave him loads of anti-biotics. My motto now is “I broke him - I’m gonna fix him!” Oh, what to do with the guilt and rage!!!!

Comment by alison MacNeil on July 13th, 2008 @ 9:02 pm

I’m not sure what caused my sons’ PDD, but I know it was not vaccines. Both of my boys have relatively mild, atypical autism (PDD), and I believe they have both had it from conception. I have read numerous epidemiological studies that show a significant correlation between autoimmune disease and/or hypothyroidism in the mother and autism in the child. Since I have an autoimmune disease that required my thyroid to be destroyed before I had children, I believe both of these could be factors in my sons’ brain development in utero.

Comment by Yersinia on July 13th, 2008 @ 11:50 pm

I have no idea. He was not vaccinated, I have no fillings, we didn’t live in a heavy industrial area, nor did I eat a lot of fish.

Comment by Sue on July 14th, 2008 @ 9:08 pm

Looking back, Ryan had issues from very early…weeks old. Especially with the sound sensitivity. I never blamed the MMR. I didn’t know what went wrong until about 15 months after his diagnosis I remembered all the antibiotics I had around the time of his birth. The IV for group B strep while I was in labor. Then at 3 or 4 days of age, I had another antibiotic for a bladder infection. Then when he was 10 days old, another for mastitis. We started with a DAN! and sure enough…my kid has a leaky gut. He has responded so well to the gluten free diet and we’re SCD now. Hoping for some intestinal healing. I am on it too because my intestinal problems (after all those antibiotics) were getting terrible. I’m hoping that gut healing will equal full recovery for us :)

Comment by Kari on July 14th, 2008 @ 9:38 pm

Jade had gut problems from birth. She also always had yeast issues (rash, thrush, etc). She was also a shy baby, only had a few words, and seemed more tired than other toddlers.. But after she received the mmr/ varicella, she had a seizure, rash, high fever, etc. The next week, she stopped looking at us, starting spinning, teeth grinding.

2 mos later, she received the dtap and prevnar. 3 days later, she arched her back and screamed for an entire day straight! Then came the facial tics and strange hand patting on her chest the next day.

She also stopped growing for 10 months after the mmr reaction. (we later learned she has pituitary damage, caused by encephalitis)

Once we started having her tested, we discovered she has primary immunodeficiency, a condition that is contraindicated for live virus vaccination. She has nuetropenia, (a chronic low nuetrophil count, neutrohils are important parts of the white blood cells). Funny that I didn’t know I had it, until her dx. I thought I just got sick, ALOT.

She also did not create a response to some vaccines, and barely any to others.

She has a permanent medical exemption to ALL vaccines, as the immunologist thinks she had an over-active immune response to the vaccines (doubt the aluminum helped).

Upon recent testing, she is also showing markers for mito dysfunction.

But I think she was born autistic, and the vaccines aggravated it, or worsened her symptoms. See, our family is FULL of odd and eccentric artists, mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Hard to deny the signs.

Either way, the vax caused encephalopathy, and we have a claim with the NVICP and our atty is filing it as a straight claim, not the omnibus, as Jade NEVER had a thimerosal containing vaccine.

Comment by Monica on July 15th, 2008 @ 12:48 am

I my son Matthew recieved his MMR shot at twelve months old,that same night we rushed him to the emergency room. After that the damage had been done!He is now 8 years old and a High Functioning Autistic.

Comment by daphne on July 15th, 2008 @ 3:28 pm

Hi,
I am a mom of 5 kids.
3 of my kids are on the spectrum, 2 with Aspergers. I have Aspergers. 2 of my children (all 5 received the same vaccines) are neurotypical. The two are my oldest 19 and youngest 3 years.

I know for a fact that the mercury didn’t cause my or my children’s autism. Aspergers is genetic and the vaccines in question weren’t even around when I was a kid. In fact MMR wasn’t even available until the late 1980s.

I have listened to people insist, berate, judge and be really inappropriate in their debates as they insist that vaccines caused their child’s autism. I am into the facts. So I called different agencies including the CDC. All I wanted to know was WHEN these vaccines were available. They gave me that information. Now I have facts, though I knew in my heart and mind that it was not possible.

I am not looking to blame something for the challenges our family has due to 4 family members with autism. It’s really hard some days.

But you know what, I bet all of you are wonderful caring moms who love their kids and so appreciate all they CAN do. Isn’t that what we do with our neurotypical kids? We celebrate success.

In our family we celebrate every little success. Everyone in my family is a gift who has beautiful amazing gifts. I choose to live this way.
I don’t and my children don’t need a cure we need understanding and support.
Thank you so much for posting this question. It is a good one that should bring about heated debate until everyone has done ALL the research to know the facts.

God Bless everyone! Have a wonderful day!

Cathy

Comment by Cathy on July 17th, 2008 @ 9:31 am

What did I do or allow somebody else to do to my child to cause him to be autistic? What decision did we as parents make that has caused our children to now have to deal with autism. Hmmm… If I obsess about that question, I will go insane. The fact of the matter is he has it and needs to get the best treatment we can get provided for him in order for him to become as independent and capable as he possibly can be. To me, these types of questions do nothing but send parents on a guilt trip and add to their feelings of depression and inadequacy. I don’t know why my son has autism.

Comment by Jennifer on July 17th, 2008 @ 9:42 am

Born @ 36 wks. (full term naturally concieved twin), contracted RSV at 3. mos. hospitalized with loads of antibiotics, continued vax (ugggh). Had MMR, got measles the next day with a 103 temp. You can see my child disapearing in photos right after that.

MMR was the last domino.

Comment by Willsmom (from Dr. Neu's forum) on July 23rd, 2008 @ 1:54 pm

Braedon our beautiful, precious blessing from God our Father was developing perfectly and then (BOOM) 15 month immunization shot later found to have contained themerasol and backwards we all went. So yes the LEGAL DRUG DEALERS have made their dime and my family is now doing the time!

Comment by Lexie on October 23rd, 2008 @ 10:40 am

To the Asperger mom who says that the vaccines in question weren’t around when you were a kid.

I believe you are wrong. Yes, the MMR was not around when you were a kid, but thimerosal was first used in childhood vaccines in the 1930’s–and Autism (including “milder” cases like Asperger’s) was defined and described in the 1940’s–WITH CHILDREN WHO WERE BORN/INOCULATED IN THE 1930’s.

Mercury poisoning was around before our generation. Just look up acrodynia, which was caused by mercury in teething powders given to babies in the early 20th century.

And vaccines were introduced in the early NINETEENTH century, and in Prussia, they were made mandatory in 1874. In the US, vaccines (though a fraction of the number used today) were routine in the 1930’s.

The MMR, which, as you pointed out, wasn’t around 50 years ago, is not THE cause of autism, but I believe it is a huge co-factor in the massive increase of autism cases today.

Comment by Alison on November 3rd, 2008 @ 9:05 am

All 3 of my kids had severe reactions to vaccines. At least 2 of them (we’re not sure about #3) have gluten intolerance as well.

My oldest, who is the one with the Autism diagnosis, had so many problems even before birth, it’s a miracle he’s here.

I had pre-eclampsia AND hyperemisis, he had intrauterine growth restriction and was only 4 1/2 pounds at 37 weeks gestation, he had 2 ventricular septal defects (holes in his heart), one of which was quite large, he had open-heart surgery at age 2, and he had a truckload of thimerosal-containing vaccines starting at 4 hours old, even though he was half the weight of most babies.

In his development, there were many red flags for autism (which neither we nor our ped picked up), but the instant regression was immediately after his open-heart surgery. We were never able to find out what preservatives were in the many, many medications that were put through his IV.

However, we gave him a TON of 1-on-1, face-to-face interaction, I breast-fed him for 2 1/2 years, we got a lot of help (PT, OT, speech therapy), and we also went our own route when we disagreed with the “experts.”

We signed him up for Suzuki violin lessons, drama classes (a non-competitive, church-run group), and Tae Kwon Do. We also have him on a gluten-free diet, and he spends at least an hour outside exercising (walking the dog, playing basketball, shoveling snow, whatever) every day, which is something I think is important, but is not typical in this country.

He has lost the autism diagnosis.

I hope this info is helpful to someone! A word about the Suzuki violin method: it is geared to “neuro-normal” kids, but it PERFECT for ASD kids: it involves lots and lots of repetition and parental involvement. It also functions very similarly to auditory processing therapy–BUT the kids come out of it knowing a skill (playing violin), plus there are a lot of socialization skills TAUGHT in the group class (proper Suzuki method instruction includes both private and group instruction each week).

I’m convinced that the Suzuki method was what finally taught my child to be able to listen/hear and to understand the concept of fitting his violin playing with others’.

Comment by Alison on November 3rd, 2008 @ 9:24 am

I have three children. My youngest was diagnosed with moderate to severe Autism at the age of 2, we noticed symptoms from about 14 months onward. I have two other children, my oldest who has many traits of aspergers syndrome but would not receive a diagnosis. My middle child is typical. Looking back I have started to question the possibility of group b strep being a possible trigger, of which I am a carrier. Reading on several blogs and web sites I have noticed the same questions from other parents with children with autism.
With my first pregnancy I did not know I was positive for group b strep due to a lab error. I started to develop fever symptoms and was placed on an iv drip part way through labor. My son was also placed on a drip for a week after he was born due to fear he had been exposed. He is 10 years old know and while not severe does display traits of aspergers syndrome. My second pregnancy I was placed on the iv drip as soon as I got to the hospital. My daughter is completely typical.
When I arrived to the hospital to have my third child I requested several times to be placed on the drip for my labor but was told it was not necessary unless I showed symptoms of fever. I was never placed on the drip. My daughter at 2 years old received a moderate to severe autism diagnosis.
Once she received her diagnosis we stopped giving her the rest of her vaccines.
My daughter is 6 years old today, and is what some would call “recovered”. I have been told by experts that it is likely she would lose her diagnosis if reassessed. There are many factors that led to her success early intervention being one.
However I wonder if her not receiving her full schedule of vaccines also contributed to her success.
Most importantly I have began to question the possibility of a link between the transmission of group b strep in mothers who are carriers and their newborns. Group b strep has already proven to be devastating in some newborns resulting in some cases death.
My questions arise due to looking at all three of my labors.
The one labor in which I received full treatment is also the only one of my children of whom there are absolutely no symptoms. In the first labor I received partial treatment and my son has mild autistic symptoms. In the third labor there was full exposure and my daughter received an autism diagnosis.
I am not saying that I absolutely believe for sure that this is the cause of my daughters autism, but am merely telling my story with the hopes of further discussion and finding out if any one else with a child with autism was a carrier of group b strep.

Comment by Tricia Tiessen on April 29th, 2009 @ 3:29 am

Myself and my wife are are the parents of two autistic sons, now 8 & 11. After finding out the oldest was autistic at age 4, I recognized a lot of the symptoms as thing I also did as a child. So we though it just came from my side genetically.

Recently, she has discovered that she has a low thyroid level. Hypothyroidism. She is pretty much on the high limit of what most docs consider normal. She had a hard time because of this even getting treatment for this condition. She also takes a medication for seizures that is known to have suppressive effects on the thyroid. With low thyroid comes other difficulties including weight gain, which she has struggled with for years. Upon doing further research into her thyroid condition, she found that having hypothyroidism untreated during pregnancy can cause autism like symptoms in the child. Many women may not be fully aware if they even have a thyroid condition, as there is much debate as to what is the appropriate testing standard. Thus women are sometimes being mistakenly told that they are ok and don’t have any thyroid issues.

I recommend thyroid testing for all new mothers to be. And get the actual number levels from your doc. Compare them to recommended standards online for yourself. These standards have recently been changed and most docs are behind the times. Don’t just take your docs word for it.

Ultimately we believe that my wife most likely has had this thyroid condition for years. Even back when she was pregnant. So, was it genetic predisposition? My wife’s thyroid condition? Or the meds she takes for the seizures that may have contributed to the thyroid problem? It’s really hard to say. We never noticed a recession with either child after vaccinations. But we believe something must have caused us to have two boys with autism.

Comment by Keith on July 7th, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

Keith, you might be interested to learn that thyroid problems and autism are both associated with celiac disease, which is one of the most-often overlooked autoimmune disorders–and is probably the easiest to treat. It’s treated by removing all foods with gluten–the protein in wheat, barley, and rye–from the diet.

Most people think of it as an allergy to wheat, but it’s not an allergy. It’s an autoimmune response, where the gluten triggers the person’s immune system to attack the intestines, or the thyroid, or the skin, or the joints, etc. Leaky gut is the hallmark, and because of the resulting malabsorption, vitamin deficiencies are very common, and toxins–such as the mercury in vaccines–are not excreted.

Most doctors mistakenly think that all people with celiac ought to be wasting away because of the malabsorption, but studies show that over 40% of those with celiac are actually overweight, in spite of (or because of) the malabsorption.

There was just a study published this week concluding that moms with celiac have a higher rate of children with autism.

The average amount of time that it takes to get correctly diagnosed with celiac in the US: ELEVEN YEARS, according to the University of Chicago, 2006. (This is spite of the fact that there is an easy blood test, and even easier dietary response test.)

Comment by Alison on July 7th, 2009 @ 5:16 pm

As i sit here tonite waiting for my granson to be born I worry. I do not know why my second son is autistic. I have 3 sons and tomorrow my oldest will be a dad. I am scared. I am a believer in the fact we are dealt the hand we are given and I never tried to understand why it happened, but tonite I am scared, because my boy is having a boy and I know the risk goes up. I pray for my granson and want the best for him. This does not take away from my son and I an so blessed to have him in my life. However, I do not want this for my son. He is the brother of an autistic brother and I do not want him to be the father of an autistic son, but if he is we will love and support him as we did his brother.

Comment by kathy on September 28th, 2009 @ 10:21 pm

This may sound stupid but I ate alot of tuna salads while pregnant maybe that had mercury who knows now days.My son had alot of shots when he was born and while in delivery i had a few.I think this whole world we live in is one giant toxic ball.Why if genes had alot to do with it ,are more and more kids getting this.Maybe shots maybe all the toxins .Maybe while pregnant the babies genes are exposed to all the crap put into us.

Comment by gypsy on January 23rd, 2010 @ 5:34 am

This may sound stupid but I ate alot of tuna salads while pregnant maybe that had mercury who knows now days.My son had alot of shots when he was born and while in delivery i had a few.I think this whole world we live in is one giant toxic ball.Why if genes had alot to do with it ,are more and more kids getting this.Maybe shots maybe all the toxins .

Comment by gypsy on January 23rd, 2010 @ 5:35 am

it think it was a combination of the mmrshot, me taking antibiotics for lung infection while pregnat and also high lead contents in my body due to fillings.
all i know is that my child was norma until he was 18 months,if anything he was more developed than most kids,his 1st words were at 7 months, he was running my the age of 10 months and he was counting when he was 14 months.
as all here i feel really guilty for my lack of information but almost 9 years ago in the uk there was no imformation regarding the dangers of mmr and metal poisoning

Comment by fili on February 3rd, 2010 @ 8:33 am

I agree,my son said baby at 6 months old did everything earlier than other kids now he will be 3 yrs and has the speech of an 11 month old just babble

Comment by tonya mckevitt on February 14th, 2010 @ 10:32 am

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