Posts Tagged ‘Vaccine’
Sunday, March 24th, 2013
This past weekend marked the third Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs Conference, which was held in Costa Mesa, CA. I have made sure to attend every one. This time, I had the added challenge of traveling on my damaged and recently repaired left foot. But, thanks to the help of my beautiful and patient wife, Jackie, I managed to fly, hop, crutch and wheel across the country.
What started out as the “Defeat Autism Now!”(DAN!) movement, then morphed into the Autism Research Institute (which continues to support autism research and provide needed information and support for families and individuals with autism spectrum disorders), has finally become a full-fledged medical society “for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and chronic special needs.”
These courses provide the required CMEContinuing Medical Education - formal, documented courses reviewing scientific knowledge credits to attain a MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. fellowship certification. This educational experience prepares practitioners from all over the world to deliver state-of-the-art care. Qualified and experienced doctors and other professionals offer detailed scientific evidence and clinical information in order to further understanding and treatment. We review older therapies, some of which may still have value, the most common protocols that the participants presently utilize, and the emerging technologies that could lead to better treatment.
The advanced courses that I attended included the following discussions:
(Day 1): Hormones & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, led by Dr. Anju Usman. Covered subjects included the CNSCentral nervous system - including the brain and spinal cord, HBOTHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - extra O2 plus extra Pressure and treatments such as galantamine, phosphatidyl serene, propanolol, cortisol, oxytocin, secretin, the endocrine system, calcium, the adrenals, and hormones. We also learned about remedies from plants, foods and other cultures.
Evaluation & Treatment of Older Children was presented by Dr. Dan Rossignol, who gave one of his stellar presentations thoroughly reviewing the scientific literature that helps support our various treatment protocols. Case presentations with enthusiastic audience participation rounded out the afternoon.
(Day 2): Gastrointestinal & Nutrition. Dana Laake (Dietician-Nutritionist) reviewed Advanced Nutritional Assessment including labs, signs and symptoms, and special diets (all of them, I think). Dr. Elizabeth Mumper immersed us in G-IGastro-intestinal (stomach, small intestine; large bowel) testing and discussed “clinical pearls” – what practitioners should look for to help patients with symptoms due to an unhealthy gut. Dr. Rossignol reviewed the pertinent literature and more clinical cases. Dr. Jeffrey Bradstreet taught us about testing and treatment options for autistic gastrointestinal disturbances. He concluded his talk with a thorough discourse about fecal transplants. No shit.
(Day 3): Cutting Edge & Novel Treatments. There were lots of experts, lots of treatment possibilities, and lots of opinions. Need I write more?
The MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. conferences are no boondoggle. Classes go from 8-to-6 for three days, with formal testing at the end of those long sessions. The most important functions include networking with doctors from all over and discussing cases – just like your children – from the youngest, to the most challenging and complicated. This information adds immeasurably to our individual clinical experience.
What’s new is that your children – young and old, disruptive or spaced, apraxiacharacterized by loss of the ability to execute or carry out learned purposeful movements, despite having the desire and the physical ability to perform the movements (wiki) or echolalic, unfocused and anxious, suffering from seizures or repeated infections – are being discussed, reviewed and considered as patients who deserve appropriate medical attention.
MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. participation grew by a third this meeting, but that is still not enough personnel to address the burgeoning patient load. It’s a great feeling to know that each year we are getting closer to the causes and cures for this ever-increasing epidemic.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, Attention deficit, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism puzzle, doctors curing autism, HBOT, heavy metals, hyperbaric chamber, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, remove toxins, safety, Vaccine, vitamin b12, vitamins and ASD, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, AD/HD, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Conferences, Diets, Earliest Red Flags, HBOT for ASD, Patient experiences | No Comments »
Sunday, November 25th, 2012
This blog is about what we don’t know about pregnancy and the flu as it relates to the epidemic of ASDAutism spectrum disorder. The popular press recently re-reported one specific finding from an article in the medical journal Pediatrics, entitled Autism after Infection, Febrile Episodes, and Antibiotic Use During Pregnancy: An Exploratory Study. Does that title make it look like the flu during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in the offspring?
ABC News, ABC News, Reuters, The Huffington Post, and just about every other news agency loudly declared this small, incidental finding as if it were some solid medical fact. I doubt that most readers went farther than the title, and so now there is another confusing piece of information in the quagmire of ignorance that presently surrounds this enigmatic condition.
What article really said:
The Danish researchers looked at the records of ~100,000 8-14 year-olds who were in the national registry from 1996-2002, of which < 100 fit the ASDAutism spectrum disorder diagnosis. The key variables – ASDAutism spectrum disorder, Fever, and Antibiotic use – were reported by (very non-specific) telephone interviews during the pregnancy or shortly thereafter.
1. Mild common infections and fevers were not associated with autism
2. Evidence “suggested” that there was a 2X increase in ASDAutism spectrum disorder when there was a maternal influenza infection
3. Prolonged fever “caused” a 3X increase of ASDAutism spectrum disorder
4. The use of various antibiotics during pregnancy was potential risk factors for ASDAutism spectrum disorder (BTW, did any of the popular press report this one?)
5. The final conclusion was “the few positive findings are potential chance findings.” (I didn’t see this reported, either.)
What is known about this situation:
There is surprisingly little information about the flu and autism. An earlier study (1990) questioned viral-type illness during gestation as a possible cause of ASDAutism spectrum disorder. Also, there are models which seem to correlate brain abnormalities in the offspring of infected pregnant animals. The evidence is not strong in humans, however, so more studies are required.
Maternal fever from other causes has also been implicated as leading to ASDAutism spectrum disorder in children. There are even concerns about whether fever-reducing medications are a culprit in this epidemic.
The CDC continues to recommend flu shots during pregnancy. There is very little information about which part of the pregnancy is more important or risky (that should matter), or specifically searching for ASDAutism spectrum disorder as an outcome measure.
What should your family do about this latest information:
Well, some good consequences of this VERY WEAK science is that it does tie autism to inflammation, highlights the epidemic, and gives readers pause about whether the flu shots could be related to autism as well. As in most of the other studies which show increases in ASDAutism spectrum disorder tied to other common occurrences such as the use of oxytocin for delivery, increased maternal weight, increased paternal and maternal age, smoking, drinking alcohol, hot tubs, and women who attend sporting events (that’s just a joke), it doesn’t really explain anything.
In the blurb where the Pediatrics journal documents “What this study adds“, the editors should have written “Very Little“.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, Vaccine
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, News-Maybe-Worthy, Vaccines | No Comments »
Friday, June 8th, 2012
I can’t make this stuff up. One day after I pointed out that the CDC caused/found a ‘pseudo-epidemic‘, this report popped up on my Pediatric Radar Screen:
CDC vaccines for children might have been improperly stored
The Office of the Inspector General analyzed a sample of programs with the highest volume of vaccines ordered in 2010 and found that vaccines stored by 76% of providers were exposed to inappropriate temperatures for at least 5 cumulative hours over the 2 weeks. (No word on how many OVER that number of hours).
Medical News reporter Kristina Fiori story wrote, “Childhood vaccines administered via a free federal program may be inappropriately stored, which could affect their potency and efficacyHow well a treatment works, according to government inspectors… The American Academy of Pediatrics, which wasn’t involved in the study, said in a statement that it ‘encourages all practices to continue monitoring vaccine storage and handling… The AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics noted that despite these issues, the vaccines “were not found to be unsafe, and revaccination of children is not needed.”
So, the Academy, which wasn’t involved in the study, knows that the vaccines are safe. How do they know that?! The story went on to explain that although the potency could have been affected, the poor kids who got the stuff won’t have to get an extra shot. Hooray for those children. I wonder, though, if the shots were incorrectly stored and administered to a more affluent community, if the CDC would have made the same recommendations. I mean, they said the inoculation might not work. If the children need them so much, why wouldn’t they need the missing dose? Maybe it’s the $3.6 billion that is paid to those public programs.
Then, there is this statement: “The report also revealed that 13 providers stored expired vaccines together with unexpired ones, increasing the risk of handing out the wrong vaccine.” Are you kidding me? Has anyone gone out and looked at the outcome of those children who received the expired or incorrect products? We’re in the middle of an autism epidemic now, and this could be very important information. Does anyone think that the “studies that have shown vaccine safety” used old or incorrect product?
I won’t belabor this point any longer other than to officially complain that, as a pediatrician and as a citizen, I find this stuff appalling. As an advocate of sensible vaccination protocols, these kinds of revelations make it really difficult to convince the public that they are protected or safe.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, safety, Vaccine
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, News-Maybe-Worthy, Patient experiences, Vaccines | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
Having a special child requires more patience, time and love than most people can imagine. With ASDAutism spectrum disorder, it’s not just the grandparents who don’t understand, or the neighbors’ kids who taunt, or the schools that don’t seem to have the services, it even extends to the ignorance and insensitivity of doctors and medicine in general. Parents are told “your kid’s got PDD-NOSPervasive (or Persistent) Developmental Delay, not otherwise specified – you’re going to need OTOccupational therapy... enables people to participate in the activities of everyday life, PTPhysical therapy, S&LSpeech and language therapy, ABAApplied behavior analysis... the science of controlling and predicting human behavior, ESEs… so you need to go get tested at the CDTC.” The child neurologist makes a diagnosis, but offers little hope and no medical intervention. Allergists, gastroenterologists and dermatologists only consult about their area of concern. Even pediatricians are rarely knowledgeable enough to give advice and counsel. Worse, many physicians warn that you are wasting your time and money if you even consider an alternative treatment. So, families seek information and community on the web.
As a physician taking care of so many patients with autism, I often feel the same lonliness, isolation and even scorn as the parents whom I help. I became prompted to write this when I read an article in this month’s AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics newsletter, which is published by my professional Society, and paid for by the self-serving pharma, formula and other companies who wish to appear official by advertising in this supposedly impartial scientific periodical.
Pseudo-outbreak of pertussis linked to specimen contamination
That’s the headline of a small story tucked inside the second page of our obscure pediatric newsletter. Ummm… where did this appear in the mainstream media??? I mean, when the outbreak was considered to be due to those irresponsible, horrible parents that won’t vaccinate their kids, it was all over the news. But, you know what they found out? They found that the germ was coming from the people at CDC who were trying to grow the specimen. THEY created the problem! It wasn’t a ‘pseudo” anything, because there was NO outbreak. Isn’t this important enough to have appeared on TV? YoExcuse me-Wake Up-Hello!
(Phila-Dictionary), Anderson, Drs. Gupta & Oz - where were you on this story?
“Staff reported not wearing gloves routinely when collecting specimens or preparing vaccines, which were done in the same rooms.” I’m sorry, I have to comment here; they were testing the “cases” of whooping cough in the same place they were making the pertussis product. “In addition, sinks were not always available in exam rooms, and surfaces were not cleaned regularly with bleach… <the whooping cough germ they were using to make vaccine> was detected on many surfaces, including nurses’ laptops and exam room areas. “
It is not merely the observation that such shoddy practices could take place in our so-called state-of-the-art, highly evolved public health infrastructure that should make the reader less-than-confident that we are all protected and safe from bad cootiesgerms; including viri, bacteria, and fungi. It is not only that there seems to be a disconnect when such a finding comes to light and the general public is not really informed about such a grievous error. The greatest problem that I have with this information is in the concluding statement, “The investigation and other data prompted the CDC to publish best practices for the use of PCR for pertussis diagnosis.”
That’s it? No one was fired, no managers were reprimanded? There was no retraction put out in the general media, that’s for sure. Who would that help? Then, vaccine makers and testers might be required to have unnecessary scrutiny from possible outside sources who couldn’t really understand the gravity of a real epidemic. Heaven forbid, people might not trust the system.
There are roosters guarding us chickens and explaining their actions using ‘newspeak’. Where are the right people to take notice? That’s why we feel so alone.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, Attention deficit, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, diagnosis, food allergy, medical doctor, remove toxins, Vaccine
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, News-Maybe-Worthy, Patient experiences | 4 Comments »
Sunday, June 3rd, 2012
Every week, it seems, another media report surfaces about a newly-discovered association between some variable and autism. Often, that research represents non-randomized, retrospective, and computer-analyzed information that is neither insightful about the epidemic nor representative of the present situation. Furthermore, there are particular unsubstantiated relationships that might unnecessarily serve to make a parent feel increased guilt and concern about possible involvement in their child’s condition. This is what the medical landscape looks like from the public’s perspective:
All of the listed associations represent studies that have been published claiming a relationship. As a practicing neonatologist for most of my medical career, I can assure you that I have attended to thousands of newborns who were subject to very harsh pregnancies, labors and deliveries that were fraught with multiple complications. Our NICUNeonatal Intensive Care Unit follow-up care through the end of the last century did not include the recognition that autism was becoming more prevalent, even though we were specifically checking for developmental delay, among other outcomes.
Lately, there is something going on – over and above these listed conditions – that sends susceptible fetuses and infants over the edge so that they experience ASDAutism spectrum disorder symptoms and signs. More attention to purpose and humanity is needed, even in research, not merely machine meta-analyses of mined data.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, Vaccine, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Patient experiences, Vaccines | 1 Comment »
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Previously, I discussed the potential that stem cells can exhibit to differentiate into useful tissue. Families interested in curing, reversing or overcoming symptoms of their child’s autism with this technology ought to be knowledgeable about whether the process works for other medical conditions. Unarguably, even by those who perform the procedure for autism, the evidence is in it’s earliest stages.
Current Stem Cell transplantation that is medically utilized (United States):
Stem cells are useful when bone marrow requires rejuvenation after chemotherapy or radiation to wipe out cancer cells.
Pretty close to acceptance:
Heart attacks with cardiac damage
Ongoing investigations include:
Bladder repair / replacement
Retina repair
Cornea replacement
Strokes
Spinal cord repair. FDA approval for a study. A recent citation entitled, Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Infusion in Spinal Cord Injury: Engraftment and Beneficial Influence on Behavior actually refers to rodent recipients.
Central Nervous System Conditions such as Multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease
Evidence (not necessarily experience) lacking:
Autism Spectrum
Cerebral palsy
Brain injury
Other Central Nervous System Conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s)
The information will advance at a rapid rate, so my advice is to discuss the information as it pertains to your child, with a knowledgeable, independent and trusted practitioner.
1. Only consider human trials. We’re talking about a loved one here. A recent Cancer Research article was entitled, Human Neural Stem Cell Transplantation Ameliorates Radiation-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction. Although it looks very promising, the procedure was performed on rats. I can’t help thinking how easily someone with a vested interest in influencing a particular outcome might use that headline in order to justify or provide evidence of stem cells’ efficacyHow well a treatment works.
2. Surf wisely. Do your own research. Since much of that involves the ‘net, you are observing edited presentations of patients who are only like your child in their families’ desire to help heal their child. Are the images you watch of male or female children? What are their ages, and other co-morbid medical conditions? Did they present after vaccination (as always, an impossibility according to the AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics), like your kids, or were the children atypical since birth? Did they have GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease-a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus, or frequent antibiotic usage, or abnormal stooling since they came home from the hospital? What other treatments, such as antibiotics or steroids, were given with the transplant? Anecdotal evidence is very difficult to evaluate from youtube.com or parental testimonials. Editing is the whipped cream that can convince hopeful parents to take the plunge (and often, music is the cherry-on-top).
3. Learn when Stem Cell Treatment didn’t work. The first questions I ask when presented with any autism protocol are, “Who didn’t get better?”, and of course, “Who got worse?” These procedures are being performed in foreign countries. Even if, as is the usual contention, the criteria for certification or cleanliness are as stringent as they are in the US, the reporting agencies may not be. Centers should provide well documented outcomes and transparent (and reproducible) statistics. Follow up studies are scant. Since I know that many parents have grave concerns over administering oral melatonin to assist sleep, I can’t imagine how those families deal with this level of investigation.
I am always interested to learn from patients who have had the procedure performed on their children, some multiple times, and some who are looking to do it again. In the limited population that I have examined, the children appear to respond the same as with most biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions treatments in that the more affected the child, the more treatment(s) is required. I have not yet noted more improvement than in those children who were treated with less complicated biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions interventions.
Next up: Choosing a Stem Cell Center
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD etiology, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, HBOT, medical doctor, remove toxins, safety, Stem Cell Therapy, Vaccine
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Sunday, April 8th, 2012
Before I settle back down to work on this month’s major feature, Stem Cell Transplants for ASDAutism spectrum disorder, I am posting this addendum to my April blog about autism awareness. I wish to comment on the April Issue of the AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics news. The lead piece was entitled, ‘If not vaccination, then what?’ The second headline was, ‘How to end physician-patient relationship legally’.
In the first article, a respected University of Alabama professor, Dr. David Kimberlin, presented the beneficial outcomes that childhood vaccinations have yielded. He detailed the reduction in childhood deaths before the age of 5, improved health for all, and the proven stuff that the present schedule is perfectly safe for everyone. Oh, that’s right, he didn’t mention the fear of high fevers, seizures, diarrhea, or the specter of autism. As I have written previously, I am old enough (61) to have had a childhood friend with paralysis from polio. I had an uncle who was blinded by measles as a child. And, as I practitioner, I experienced babies suffering the ravages of congenitalof or pertaining to a condition present at birth, whether inherited or caused by the environment rubellaAlso known as "German Measles", caused by the rubella virus. I’m not sure what part of the membership Dr. K was addressing in the article, but it wasn’t me. Was he giving younger doctors more verbal ammunition? It would probably be a good idea for the practitioner to be able to answer those additional questions, as well.
In fact, the magazine never said a word about Autism Awareness Month, or even autism for that matter. This is in the same month when the CDC has pronounced that 1/88 children suffer from the disorder. There is this disconnect between what my Society is espousing and what my patients are experiencing. If there is an autism activist on the Editorial Board, it wasn’t evident. Apparently, April is also ‘Child Abuse Prevention Month’. I know this because there was an entire page devoted to that tragedy.
The other thing that irked me about this month’s magazine was the second lead article, entitled, ‘How to end physician-patient relationship legally’, written by the Committee on Medical Liability and Risk Management. It was ostensibly about patients who continually miss appointments. What’s the problem, doc, you will only see 5 instead of 6 patients that hour? Instead of writing about ways to gain patient confidence, educate and encourage good health (as the AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics recommends), and do a great job of taking care of children, the article explains how to safely get out from under an unreasonable or demanding family. ”Perhaps the patient is non-compliant… does not share fundamental health care principles such as the need for… immunizations…”
Now, maybe I’m the only one to see a conspiracy here; one article was about vaccine efficacyHow well a treatment works and the other about how to fire your patients. Who could they be talking about, huh?
There is confusion on the part of the patients which is, perhaps, being fueled by the dogma that exists on the part of conventional medicine. There must be some common ground where we all can meet to 1) help patients feel confident that the doctors understand what it is like to be a parent in today’s world and 2) have physicians who respect that modern parents are reading the Internet and are better educated than ever before. In the first post on this topic I was concerned that ‘awareness’ wasn’t enough. Certainly, for the AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, it would be a start.
Got that off my chest.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, DAN doctors, diet for autism, doctors curing autism, remove toxins, Vaccine, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, News-Maybe-Worthy, Patient experiences | 1 Comment »
Friday, March 30th, 2012
Professor Art Caplan, from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, blogged the other day about what doctors should do about the alarming number of patients who refuse vaccination for their child. Since I will probably not be debating the noted medical ethicist in person any time soon, I want to post my reply to his arguments.
The vast majority of pediatricians feel that allowing non-vaccinated patients in their office puts the other children at risk for infectious diseases. Also, when such a child becomes ill, the doctor cannot ascertain whether the problem is minor or one of the major preventable diseases and so medical decisions become more difficult. Finally, the rest of the population is at risk because of the reckless choices made by such parents. Dr. Caplan stated his position, the same as that of the AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, which is that pediatricians should not dismiss patients for this lack of compliance.
“With respect to the safety issue, it isn’t a bad thing for a parent to worry about safety. It’s that they are listening to inappropriate sources.”
As I have written previously in this forum, there are no randomized, prospective, controlled studies (the gold standard of research) that demonstrate the safety of the present vaccine schedule. Heck, that’s what most researchers complain about with alternative medical protocols, yet they do not hold themselves to the same standard. What parent would allow their child to be part of a study in which half of the participants get a thorough evaluation, detailed history including previous vaccination intolerance, fewer vaccines each time and longer periods between the ‘shots’, while the control group gets the present protocol? Um… I pick the study group for my children!
What institutional review board would say that, yes, we should test titers (how immune the child already is, from previous vaccinations) before giving the next doses, so that children only get that which is necessary? I mean, who has the money for that schedule? So, we just do what is ‘safe’ for everybody even if it may not be so for the individual. The ‘herd’ is protected and the good of the one (or of the few) takes a back seat to the good of the many.
From my perspective, which is that of an older, experienced pediatrician, what I have witnessed is a schedule that keeps increasing as far as the number of vaccines and asks that children get vaccinated at younger and younger ages than that which I had been used to. And, evidence is lacking that such a schedule is safe or any more effective than a slower, more conservative protocol. That “there are no studies to show that vaccines cause autism” is merely a truism…there are no studies to show that the way the vaccines are given is safe for every infant and child.
So, I have some advice for Professor Caplan and the rest of the traditional medical community that is much more helpful than merely insisting that concerned parents are misguided or ignorant of the situation.
Listen to why the parents feel that way and address those specific issues. If the child had a significant fever from a previous vaccine or a sibling (or the infant to be vaccinated) has developmental issues, it should be a red flag that causes the pediatrician to be concerned as well.
The office staff has no right to raise their voices in anger or roll their eyes with disbelief when a parent expresses their concern about vaccine safety. I assure you, if they were parenting an autistic child, they would display a much more sympathetic tone.
The pediatrician should take a look at which vaccines are the most important for the reluctant parent and treat the individual infant. The doctor should try to convince parents about the risks of a child getting those diseases which are preventable and cause significant long-term disabilities. A hepatitis negative mother who is going to choose to keep her child at home for the first years of life has a pretty low chance of having a child who develops either Hepatitis A or B. When presented in this manner, I have found even the most resistant parent gives a great deal more thought to giving some vaccines, at least.
Ask about the reaction from previous ‘shots’; whether the child needed a great deal of Tylenol or if they seemed to have other problems such as vomiting, diarrhea or feeding problems. In fact, doctors don’t give vaccinations – the office nurse does – so don’t be so sure that particular base is covered. And, filling out a pre-printed form is basically meaningless when the family has real concerns.
Reluctant parents can sometimes be aided by doing ‘titers’ – that is, finding out how resistant the child already is to a disease, and work with the family to address the most important and high risk conditions. In a similar manner, checking the child’s blood count is sometimes helpful. I had one local pediatrician delay giving ‘shots’ because of a markedly decreased white blood cell count in the sibling of an autistic patient. By the way, the package insert on many live-virus products states that it shouldn’t be used if the patient is allergic to eggs. Ever get your kid tested for egg allergy??
Finally, I want to be clear about my personal position. It is not the vaccinations themselves that I find objectionable, it’s the schedule, lack of evidence for safety, and the intractable opinions of most medical personnel.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, remove toxins, Vaccine
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
TheAutismDoctor cannot help but weigh in on the recent judge’s reversal of the expulsion of Dr. Walker-Smith, a co-author of the controversial 1998 paper in the British Journal The Lancet, entitled Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children [Early Report]. The popular press has been quick to point out another author, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, as the quack who unnecessarily alarmed the civilized world about vaccine safety. Heck, the media has made British journalist Brian Deer, who spent over 7 years of his life ‘researching’ the story, a hero for uncovering the ‘conspiracy’ and ‘unethical’ goings-on by Dr.W.
Anderson Cooper believes Deer; and pretty much, didn’t let Dr. Wakefield complete one entire sentence during their interview.
No ‘DAN!’ practitioner is immune from this controversy. I rarely explain my Special Needs Pediatric Practice to lay people or even professionals without being asked the question, “What do you think about that guy in England who got kicked out because he said that the MMRMeasles, mumps and rubellaAlso known as "German Measles", caused by the rubella virus vaccine causes autism?” “Have you read the original paper?” I ask. “Are you aware that the title does not even contain the ’A’ word!”
As part of a panel discussion at the University of Miami recently, my attempts to point out the absurd events which followed this research paper were merely dismissed by the professors, who pointed out: 1) “…that the paper incorrectly described a sequential series of patients” and 2) “… it was followed by studies which have countered Dr. Wakefield’s later findings.” In case anyone cares, the answer to #1 is that it was called a “consecutive series” of patients who happened to visit the medical clinic, not to be confused with mathematical, scientific nomenclature that denotes a stronger causative association. And, anyway, who cares about that? A doc doesn’t get kicked out of the country for that lapse in language. Secondly, the numerous papers that have not found molecular ‘pieces’ of measles virus in ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients provide helpful information. I’m glad that it’s been studied. Is this the Middle Ages? Being wrong does not warrant expulsion, right?
In spite of the British reversal, there will probably be little change in the general public’s present view about Dr. Wakefield. At the time of this posting, a Google Search reveals the most up-to-date outcome of the issue as tenth on the list for “Andrew Wakefield.” The first nine results make him look like either a kook or a criminal. I’ve watched Andrew Wakefield give several medical presentations and he seems sincere, smart, and determined to help ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients.
I guess that the reason why I continue to rail about this issue is the time that is being wasted debating the topic. Discussion is one thing; people talk about the facts of a subject and, hopefully, one or both sides develops a more learned theory. This polarization of opinions obscures work on the really necessary steps; to find a cause(s), therapies, cures, and possibly preventions.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, medical doctor, Vaccine, vitamins autism
Posted in >ALL<, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for ASD, Chelation, Diets, News-Maybe-Worthy, Vaccines | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012
At the time of this post, there were over 80 million Google pages which answered to a Search request for “Autism”. There were 9 million pages for “Autism Cure”. We can’t cure autism yet; we can treat it, however, quite successfully. Such a point-of-view confers this site a lower listing on that search topic. However, there were 18 million pages for “Autism Doctor” and TheAutismDoctor.com appeared as the first result. I am very proud of that, because it means that people are reading and starting to trust my opinion about this childhood epidemic. My Google rating comes from my readership, not Search Engine Optimization Services.
Somehow, conventional medicine and pediatricians have dropped the ball on this important condition. Where else is a parent going to find information about their child’s condition, especially when professionals appear so clueless?” I just read about … fill in the topic… on the Internet and I wanted to know what you think,” is one of the most commonly asked questions in my practice at The Child Development Center of America. This article will cover what I consider to be the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to the ‘net and ASDAutism spectrum disorder:
The Good:
I get to treat patients from all over the world. Are you kidding me? This is the greatest honor that any doc could ever have. So, that’s a plus.
Getting important information out to the public so efficiently couldn’t be accomplished before the Internet. There’d be no ‘TheAutismDoctor.com’!
The web contains a great deal of important and correct information about ASDAutism spectrum disorder. Especially when confronted by pediatricians who continue to exclaim, “He’s a boy (premie, like-his-Dad, only-child, spoiled-by-grandma, etc.)… they talk late,” the www helps parents who remain concerned about their child’s development. The diagnosis of autism is often reached by searching for answers about why your child lacks eye contact, or has lost words, or “doesn’t play like the other kids.”
Also, this is my way of venting my frustration about ASDAutism spectrum disorder (have I said ‘epidemic’ too many times?); a modern medical condition which has profound effects upon families, patients, and our educational and healthcare resources – present and future. This method of communication adds to the body of clinical experience by reporting how children change and develop with various interventions. Evaluating those 80 million of pages can best be done by a real doctor, however.
The Bad:
Misinformation is rampant. There are treatment protocols that could harm your child, have not been adequately evaluated, or lack reliable data. There are therapies that could deplete your resources at the expense of treatments that have been proven to help your affected child.
All information appears equal at this i-level. Just ’cause a person learns about architecture doesn’t make them an architect. I have previously admitted that the traditional pediatric community seems to share a large part of the blame by not listening to parents and exhibiting a lack of intellectual curiosity that this problem demands. Once a parent finds a trusted physician, protocols are best handled at that level of expertise. “Can’t you do treatments every 3 weeks instead of every 2?” seems a silly question for a cancer specialist, right? ASDAutism spectrum disorder is a mystery that has only a few really successful interventions. If a patient is going through several therapeutic interventions at the same time, it is really rolling the dice as far as what outcomes you should expect.
All parents want more. Just like for neuro-typical kids, you want more communication, academic achievement, maturity, friends, etc. Amid a myriad of valid, but conflicting information that awaits more thorough research, there are many websites promising miraculous and instantaneous symptom reversal with nearly-scientific explanations and elaborate video testimonials from actual parents. Furthermore, the more that the treatment seems to cost, from thousands-to-tens of thousands per treatment – the more it entices serious consideration by some couples. OK, doctors have been wrong about some stuff. But we’re not all ignorant about childhood development and physiology.
The Ugly
I got hacked recently! Even my little blog that is just trying to disseminate the truth. The user doesn’t need to provide an email address or fill in a survey, and no money is exchanged. There are no advertisements. Who would want to disturb this outlet? Anyway, I purchased a virus checker and an infection cleaner and changed all of my passwords to encrypted terms that I’ll never remember… so that I will have to keep hitting “forgot password” and wait for that email that tells me that it’s OK to access my own information. Which, apparently, someone in Russia is able to do! But, I’ve digressed…
On the ‘www’, therapies that are unwarranted because of risk, cost, or efficacyHow well a treatment works appear equal to more sustainable treatment protocols. If I may offer a bit of old-pediatrician advice: that risk thing… you gotta take it into account, and not just say, “I’ll do anything for my child!” The ability for the dishonest to seek out desperate families is greatly aided by web capabilities. People who are maybe even well meaning, or have helped another child with some other treatment protocol. Plus, perhaps it worked or perhaps it didn’t because you didn’t see / examine that child when a diagnosis was made. So, that’s basically the lowest level of information (scientifically) that you want to evaluate. It’s not invalid, it’s just not YOUR kid.
The scrutiny with which a parent considers the information that is presented by multiple sources of information, including their (regular) pediatrician, their (conventional) specialist, therapists, the child’s grandparents, teachers, books, publications, conferences, research and the web need to be included in order to arrive at the most helpful experience for your child.
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