"But Officer I'm a Good Boy" - Severe Autism Reality Hits Home in Oklahoma as the APA Prepares to Substitute Aspergers for Autistic Disorder in the DSM-5

While many major news outlets, Holllywood and the American Psychiatric Association  (in the DSM-5)  are doing their best to convince the world that autism disorders are really just a different way of thinking, that autistic persons are all socially awkward but brilliant success stories waiting to be profiled,  reality hits home for those who are severely affected by autism disorders and the parents who care for them as it did last week in Oklahoma for Stephen B. Puckett, a 28 year old severely autistic man, and his family.

Credit is due to NewsOK (The Oklahoman online) and Age of Autism for reporting the story of Stephen B. Puckett whose autism disorder induced violent behavior at an Oklahoma hospital (OU  Medical Center)  resulted in him being arrested and  taken in handcuffs to an Oklahoma City Jail where his lawyer states that he spent three days in a straight jacket on suicide watch. NewsOK reports that Age of Autism readers responded to that site's coverage with messages of support for the family. A video of Mr. Puckett's mother talking about the situation and changes needed can be found at the NewsOK web site.

The hospital had refused to admit Mr. Puckett after he suffered seizures as a result of his autism. When Mr. Puckett kicked and scratched hospital police officers he was hauled away in handcuffs by police and spent three days in jail in a straightjacket on suicide watch.  As he was being taken away the Oklahoman reports that  Mr. Puckett was heard to say to one of the arresting officers "but officer I'm a good boy". 

Ultimately charges were not laid against Mr. Puckett.  Oklahoma County first assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland refused a police request to file charges recognizing that there were mental health issues involved and not wanting to have Mr. Puckett placed in the general prison population. Stephen Puckett's mother has called for legislative policy changes so that hospitals can not refuse to admit people suffering from autism induced seizures. 

What is also needed is recognition by  the American Psychiatric Association that intellectual disability and cognitive impairment, seizures and other issues are often part of autism disorders.  It is wrong headed and dangerous for the APA to remove any mention of intellectual disability from the description of autistic disorder in the DSM5.  The APA currently plans to separate Intellectual Disability from Autistic Disorder and replace it with  the high functioning form of autism now known as Aspergers.  This will not help society or hospitals in Oklahoma understand that as many as 75-80% of persons diagnosed with what is today known as Autistic Disorder are also intellectually disabled or cognitively impaired or that many suffer from seizures and meltdowns such as those that occurred in the OU Medical Center.   

Autism reality is being replaced in the DSM-5 by psychiatric profession convenience (clinical utility) to the detriment of those most severely affected by autism disorders whether they live in Oklahoma in the US or Fredericton, New Brunswick here in Canada. The APA whitewashing of autism realities is well underway and will continue with the APA substitution of  Aspergers for Autistic Disorder in the DSM-5.

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Obama Disability Nominee Questioned About His Views that Autism Disorders are Not Medical Disorders and Should Not be Cured

President Barack Obama's disability nominee Ari Ne'eman is facing questioning concerning his view that autism is a  socially created disability  not a medical disorder or  disability and his well known opposition to curing autism disorders and to investing in cure oriented autism research. His representative character as an autism spokesperson is also questioned in light of the fact that he has an Aspergers diagnosis, was only diagnosed at age 12,  and is very high functioning:

" According to your website you received a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of twelve, you also appear to be a very articulate young man attending college and launching a successful career. Please explain how your circumstances equip you to understand and represent low-functioning people with autism and their caregivers?"

Age of Autism sets out the letter from John Gilmore of the Autism Action Network, formerly A-Champ, requesting clarification on Mr. Ne'emans views. Age of Autism also reports Mr. Ne'eman's statement that he  is at present unable to address these concerns as he is following White House orders not to speak publicly on these important issues pending completion of the confirmation process:

"  I was asked recently by the White House to avoid any further public appearances and speaking to the media until after my confirmation process is complete and I was checking with them as to whether or not it would be acceptable for me to respond to the questions you have sent. Regrettably, they've asked that I avoid answering any questionnaires not provided to me by Senate offices as part of the confirmation process. As a result, I cannot submit my responses right now."

I am not sure why a well educated young man of obvious high intelligence, excellent communication skills and advanced social skills that enable him to function so well in Washington World even has an Asperger's diagnosis let alone feels entitled to speak as a representative of those severely disabled by Autistic Disorder deficits, those who can barely communicate, with or without any assistive technology, those who injure themselves seriously out of frustration,  perish as a result of being lost in a snow storm or live out their lives in institutional care.  The New Yorker Magazine's face of autism is doing well hanging out with his Washington buddies but he does not resemble in any way people with severe Autistic Disorder.

President Obama's appointment of a media star, anti autism cure, very high functioning university student with Aspergers does not auger well for future research aimed at understanding the causes of autism and future treatments and cures.  When it comes to hoping for some real autism science, some cause and treatment oriented autism research President Obama has spoken loud and clear by nominating as a disability representative a  creation of the media elite.  He has clearly told parents hoping for cures for their children "NO YOU CAN'T".

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Autism Blog Disgrace: lbrb Continues Hypocritical Mudslinging

lbrb is a disgrace.

The blog site which defines mudslinging in the autism blogosphere is continuing its disgraceful hypocrisy by slinging more mud while howling about alleged mudslinging by what it calls the "vaccines cause autism consortium" ... SafeMinds, Generation Rescue, the National Autism Association, Talk About Curing Autism (TACA.)

In The war on Tom Insel and the IACC lbrb throws mud at these groups because they criticize Dr. Tom Insel and the IACC. This is the same Dr. Insel who has has, amongst other gems, informed Senator Harkin's committee that an observational study of autism rates amongst existing vaccinated and unvaccinated populations could not be done. Dr. Insel's testimony is contradicted by public statements by former NIH head Dr. Bernadine Healy and former CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding, both of whom have stated that such an observational study could and should be done. Even Dr. Duane Alexander, a member of the IACC, has stated publicly that such a study could be done.

In the topsy turvy world of lbrb criticizing Dr. Insel for his dubious testimony before Senator Harkin's committee, for his flippant dismissal of increased estimates of autism diagnoses, his machinations on the IACC to shelve the proposed comparative study amounts to mudslinging. But all the name calling by lbrb is not?

Somewhere in the minds of the lbrb crew there is probably some logic, some consistency, some principle to be found but the world will need a very complex road map to find them.

lbrb is fully engaged in its own war .... a war on reality.

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Neurodiversity Nonsense: lbrb Just Gets Weirder and Weirder

lbrb is one of the best known Neurodiversity sites in the blogosphere. The site fully embraces the social model nonsense of the ND ideology to which its authors subscribe. The lbrb authors, the "team", never fail to put their ideological spin on any autism issue, cause, treatment or cure that surfaces. And they can be counted on to attack any parent or professional that does not share their ND ideology. With their latest howls about intimidation by the Age of Autism and various pro-cure organizations though they have just gotten weirder and weirder.

The lbrb authors criticize any parent or organization that speaks truth about the harsher realities of autism disorders. They are all for organized protests and campaigns that demand that such free expression be stifled. And yet they get their knickers in a twisted bunch of knots because Age of Autism and some organizations protest the questionable actions of some IACC members. Most recently one IACC member left a note on the floor of a meeting which questioned the motives of a participant in IACC proceedings. That type of conduct deserves criticism which is what occurred. In the fevered imagination of the lbrb writers such criticism amounted to intimidation.

lbrb gave no examples in their article that constitute evidence of intimidation. As for lbrb's own comments, they were not intimidating. They were, however, ill founded, illogical and over the top. Yet again.

The writers at lbrb should take a deep breath, push themselves away from their computers and step out into the world. Take a badly needed reality check.

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Vaccine-Autism War Will Never End Unless Comparative Autism Research Is Done

The performance by Dr. Thomas Insel before US Senator Harkin's Senate committee recently did nothing to end the vaccine-autism war. The head of the IACC took absolute, black and white positions on the key issues which mark the vaccine-autism war. His performance has been critiqued by Katie Wright at Age of Autism. What I found most startling was Dr. Insel's assertion that a comparative study of vaccinated and unvaccinated populations could not be done for ethical reasons.

That is obviously true with respect to experimental studies but observational studies of existing unvaccinated and vaccinated populations could be done and autism rates compared. Dr. Bernadine Healy, Dr. Julie Gerberding and Dr. Duane Alexander have all said that such studies could be done. It is time to fund the comparative study and help bring the vaccine-autism war to an end.

The argument is made though that it would be difficult to conduct such a study because of the logistics involved as well as challenges presented by the lack of controls present in such a study. Personally I don't believe that such a study would actually be that difficult. It is essentially a survey method not substantially different than the epidemiological studies involving completely vaccinated populations relied upon by Dr Insel and others in their at times emotional assertions that a vaccine autism link has been disproved.

Even if it would be difficult to conduct an observational study comparing autism rates amongst existing vaccinated and unvaccinated populations ... so what? Dr. Paul Offit and the mainstream media have been involved in an unrelenting campaign to end the vaccine autism war, by marginalizing, browbeating and intimidating concerned parents into vaccinating their children. The bullying method has not worked. There is still suspicion, given the anecdotal evidence, which is still evidence whether any one wishes to admit it or not, of many parents who testify that their children regressed into autism after being vaccinated.

To say that such anecdotal evidence does not prove causation is fine but observational, anecdotal evidence is still evidence even if it is not conclusive evidence. The real issue is that public health authorities have not proved to the satisfaction of concerned parents that the numbers of children showing regression into autism after vaccinations is in fact just a coincidence. Many concerned parents, and some reputable health care professionals have called for the observational studies comparing autism rates between unvaccinated and vaccinated populations to be done.

If Dr. Insel and the IACC do not fund an observational, comparative study of unvaccinated and vaccinated populations they will fail to persuade those who do not subscribe to their religious like faith in the safety of vaccines. Their continued opposition to conducting such a study will itself create more suspicion around the possible role of vaccines in causing autism disorders. If Dr. Insel and the IACC do not fund such a study they will fail to persuade the very people they are seeking to persuade.

It is time to study, without pharmaceutical industry ties, the autism rates amongst existing vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. If this is not done there will be no end to the vaccine-autism war and Dr. Insel and others on the IACC can accept their fair share of blame for that result ... for the continued reluctance of some parents to vaccinate their children.

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Swine Flu Vaccines, Autism and Public Health Gamblers in the US

In Swine Flu Vaccines, Autism and Public Health Gamblers I commented on the gamble underway in Europe where the the European Medicines Agency is allowing companies to skip testing in large numbers of people before the vaccine is approved, a step that was admitted to be a gamble by Europeon Officials.

Now comes word, as reported on Bloomberg.com, that US officials are considering their own gamble permitting vaccine manufacturers to to use experimental, untested, additives to increase supply of swine flu vaccine shots.

These authorities may be making a decision they have to make to prevent swine flu deaths. And they may be causing other types of damage.

What the public health authorities should stop doing is trying to pretend that vaccines are inherently safe and that they can not cause neurological damage including autism. They should stop maligning parents who question vaccine safety and who argue that their child's regression into autism immediately after vaccine shots is more than a simple coincidence. They should start addressing their concerns seriously and stop playing cheap games such as occurred when , as reported at Age of Autism, parents were excluded from IACC hearings after several hours waiting, in some cases with their autistic children.

Vaccine programs are vitally important public health tools. But they should not become golden calves worshipped and placed high on an alter above and beyond public criticism and free expression.

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Autism Reporting: Mainstream Media's Incompetent Handling of Autism Issues

One point that has become crystal clear in the recent discussion of the vaccine-autism war. The mainstream media, as a general rule, is not competent in its coverage of autism issues. The New York Times and the Globe & Mail (self promoted as "Canada's National Newspaper") have been brutally one-sided in their misrepresentation of vaccine-autism issues. They have largely abandoned their journalists' hats to promote the views of public health authorities and the vaccine industry.

CNN's Campbell Brown has also weighed in with a largely ignorant, mostly bull and lots of bias, attack on those who express concerns about vaccine safety and autism disorders. Contrary to Brown's ill informed opinion there is evidence in support of a vaccine autism link. Science has not "decided" the issue. The question, according to at least 3 very senior and credible health authorities, doctors Healy, Gerberding and Alexander, is still very much open and should be studied further. On other autism issues Canada's CBC, the New Yorker, and many other major media outlets have pandered to the Neurodiversity movement's misrepresentation of autism and persons with autism.

There have been exceptions. The Vancouver Sun did an excellent series, Faces of Autism, on the diversity of autism spectrum disorders and was not afraid to show and describe the realities of life for a severely autistic girl and her vamily. Faces of Autism, with its balanced, honest portrayl of autism was everything in terms of responsible journalism that the CBC's Positively Autistic series was not. Likewise CBS (and US News and World Report) have done some excellent work on the vaccine-autism war presenting the very learned, well informed views of Dr. Healy that the existing studies are not specific enough to address population subsets that might be more vulnerable to autism exposure.

The reality today is that those actively informed about autism issues and seeking more perspective on autism issues are more likely to find them on the blogosphere. The Huffington Post has featured the autism vaccine issues on its Autism News page. It has provided an outlook for both sides of the debate, with David Kirby and Robert F. Kennedy featured on the same page as vaccine patent holder and industry spokesperson Dr Paul Offit. The Age of Autism is not as balanced as the Huffington Post but is an excellent site for information from the perspective of those who believe that vaccines cause or contribute to autism disorders.

Informed, balanced blogs are now being written by academics and professionals interested in autism issues. One of my favorites is Autism Research Blog: Translating Autism authored by Nestor L. Lopez-Duran Ph.D. a clinical child psychologist and neuroscience researcher working at a large Midwest university-based child psychiatric institute. The Lovaas Institute and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders also have blogs.

There are many fine parent blogs of which this blog is the best (just kidding). Many are listed on the side bar of this blog. There are also blogs by autistic persons, including Jonathan Mitchell's autism's gadfly and a blog by autistic artist Stephanie Lynn Keil.

The Neurodiversity movement with its anti-treatment, anti-cure, social construct model of autism has many blogs including the neurodiversity page at change.org authored by Dora Raymaker and Kristina Chew and Kevin Leitch's LB/RB. The latter site can offer provocative discussion on important issues at times but often degenerates into smears, name calling and insults of those who do not share a neurodiversity perspective. About.com Autism by Lisa Jo Rudy is a corporate blog written by a parent who shares a neurodiversity perspective but tries honestly to present all sides of autism issues objectively and with impeccable courtesy.

The mainstream corporate media really showed its colors with its grossly unbalanced reporting of the Autism Omnibus hearings jumping up and down in the air and declaring that science has spoken and that vaccines do not cause autism. The same media ignored the 2007 decision in Bank v HHS for which compensation was announced recently for a decision in which the Special Master accepted a claim that vaccines led to ADEM in a child which resulted in PDD-NOS, an autism spectrum disorder. The same corporate media, in announcing that vaccines did not cause autism also ignored the Poling case in which government acknowledged that vaccines caused "autism like" symptoms (autism currently is diagnosed by symptoms there being no accepted biological test). As stated above, the mainstream media largely ignored the views of former NIH head Dr. Bernadine Healy, recent CDC head Dr. Julie Gerberding and Dr. Duane Alexander an NIH agency head that more research on vaccine autism issues could and should be done preferring instead to regurgitate pejorative descriptions of parents who describe their own first hand observations of their children's regression after vaccine treatment.

Autism reports in the mainstream media should be taken with a huge grain of salt not because of the existence of a conspiracy, although conspiracies a la Madoff and Enron do exist, but because of the widespread ignorance of many in the media and their increasingly ill informed, imbalanced, and unobjective journalism.

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Gerberding: Those Kinds of Studies Could Be Done and Should Be Done

In Unvaccinated Children Madness J.B. Handley at the Age of Autism focuses on the failure by government and public health authorities to conduct studies of unvaccinated children. He illustrates clearly , using the words of prominent health authorities and vaccine defenders, the research that should be done and the failure by those same vaccine defenders to provide a coherent rationalizaton for the failure to do research involving unvaccinated children to see if there are differences in autism rates from groups of vaccinated children.

The story line sold by vaccine program defenders to the public is that concerns about vaccines causing autism are perpetrated by irrational, hysterical parents whose observations of the timing of autism onset after vaccinations can not be trusted. Doctors and researchers who question vaccine safety are quacks. The story line continues by promoting vaccine supporters including vaccine patent holder Dr. Paul Offit as spokespersons for true science. and defenders of public health and safety. The story line sold by vaccine program defenders omits any reference to settlements reached over the years with families of children injured by vaccines. The story line omits any reference to the active suppression of research that might determine the issues surrounding vaccines and autism.


Handley's article provides some stunning comments from leading vaccine defenders Dr. Paul Offit and Dr. Julie Gerberding. The first is found in Dr. Gerberding's response to Dan Olmsted's question: Has the government ever looked at the autism rate in an unvaccinated U.S. population, and if not, why not?

Dr. Gerberding gave a very long answer but stated in the course of that answer:

I think those kind of studies could be done and should be done.

The second is vaccine patent holder Dr. Offit's admission that unvaccinated children studies have not been done although he explains that in his view such studies should not be done:

No studies have compared the incidence of autism in vaccinated, unvaccinated, or alternatively vaccinated children (i.e., schedules that spread out vaccines, avoid combination vaccines, or include only select vaccines). These studies would be difficult to perform because of the likely differences among these 3 groups in health care seeking behavior and the ethics of experimentally studying children who have not received vaccines."

If there already exist increasingly large pools of children who are not vaccinated Dr. Offit's ethical rationalization for refusing to do studies that could actually explore possible vaccine-autism connections makes no sense.

As for the difficulty of conducting such studies, SO WHAT? 1 in 150 children are estimated to have an autism spectrum disorder. Surely, that is a serious subject worthy of study even if it involves "some difficulty"? I can understand vaccine patent holder Dr. Paul Offit not having the energy and inclination to be involved in such studies but what about other researchers and what about the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee? Why haven't they authorized funding for such studies even if they are "difficult"?

When important research of the issue is not done, and is in fact discouraged, it becomes increasingly difficult to believe that public health authorities really want to fully study possible vaccine-autism connections. It seems increasingly clear they do not want to know if such connections exist and more importantly they do not want the world to know . As Teresa Binstock reported in 1999 public health authorities would rather push the "its gotta be genetic" model of autism.

With respect to studies of unvaccinated populations I agree with Dr. Gerberding that:

Those kinds of studies could be done and should be done.

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Vaccine-Autism War: The Empire Strikes Back

Whatever one's views about autism, vaccines and alleged government-"pharma" conspiracies it is clear that the recent IACC vote and surrounding events evidence an orchestrated, if panic stricken, attempt by the empire to quell dissent, to quash a simmering rebellion against official vaccine policies and prevent public inquiry into a possible vaccine-autism connection.

The clandestine IACC vote (the vote was not on the agenda and public members had no prior notice) reversed its own decision of the previous month authorizing vaccine-autism studies. In the earlier vote, as reported by David Kirby on the Huffington Post on January 5, 2009:

"In fact, two vaccine-autism studies have been approved by the IACC, which has proposed spending $16 million to:

1) "Study the effect of vaccines, vaccine components, and multiple vaccine administration in autism causation and severity through a variety of approaches, including cell and animal studies, and understand whether and how certain subpopulations in humans may be more susceptible to adverse effects of vaccines by 2011. Proposed costs: $6,000,000

2) Determine the feasibility and design an epidemiological study to determine if the health outcomes, including ASD, among various populations with vaccinated, unvaccinated, and alternatively vaccinated groups by 2011. Proposed costs: $10,000,000

Additionally, under "Research Opportunities," the panel also endorsed this objective:

"Monitor the scientific literature regarding possible associations of vaccines and other environmental factors (e.g., ultrasound, pesticides, pollutants) with ASD to identify emerging opportunities for research and indicated studies."

For proponents of vaccine-autism research, this is a resounding victory. It covers much of what these advocates have been supporting for a number of years. It is also sure to enrage those who are opposed to such research."

Kirby's words were prophetic. On January 13, 2009 the New York Times published a one-sided promotion of Dr. Paul Offit's book Autism’s False Prophets, a pro-vaccine critique of those who argue that vaccines trigger autism disorders. The article portrays Dr. Offit as a pediatrician, ... a mild, funny and somewhat rumpled 57-year-old who carrys on a heroic struggle to protect children around the world despite anger, even death threats, from irrational parents. He is "a lightning rod, a figure who goes charging into the fray.”

Selective quoting is used to present anti-vaccine parents as parasites who should be disregarded by reporters in the same fashion as holocaust deniers, AIDS deniers and those claiming that the moon landing was faked. No reference is made to the position of Dr. Bernadine Healy (former NIH and American Red Cross head) that more research of a possible autism-vaccine connection should be conducted. (Fighting the Vaccine-Autism War, Leading Dr.: Vaccines-Autism Worth Study).

Still on January 13, 2009, the Age of Autism, a rebel stronghold in the vaccine-autism war, sensing something is amiss, questions the NYT puff piece on Offit and the timing of the article:

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get the NYT to mention your book? Let alone a book that came out over five months ago. Why the mollycoddling of Dr. Offit and his book? Why now?


Then, on the evening of January 13, 2009, a public representative on the IACC, Alison Singer, resigns from Autism Speaks "based on her intention to vote on certain Strategic Plan vaccine safety matters in a way that diverged from Autism Speaks' position on this issue." The timing of her resignation suggests that she knew the vote to reverse the IACC December decision to fund vaccine-autism research would be scheduled and would not allow for any media or internet examination of her resignation prior to the vote.

On January 14, 2009 the IACC votes to reverse its decision of a few weeks earlier:

to approve objectives relating to vaccine safety research as part of its deliberations for the Strategic Plan for Autism Research. The decision to debate removing these objectives was not posted on the meeting's agenda, nor were the public members given any forewarning that this section of the plan – which was resolved at the previous IACC meeting in December -- would be revisited. [ Autism Speaks Press Notice]

On January 16, 2009 Newsweek.com publishes an interview with Alison Singer in which Ms Singer declares in respect of a vaccine autism connection that "This Question Has Been Asked And Answered’. She states that dozens of studies have exonerated vaccines as a cause of autism. The dissidents who assert a vaccine autism connection are portrayed as a small number of people with very loud voices. As with the NYT and Dr. Offit, neither Ms Singer nor Newsweek make any reference to the critique of the epidemiological studies by Dr. Bernadine Healy or her view that more research of the vaccine-autism question is needed. Dr. Healy's comments about the limits of epidemiological studies or the continued presence of thimerosal in vaccines are not mentioned.

On January 20, 2009 President-Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as President of the United States. The mainstream media which co-operated with the empire's campaign to quash dissidence on the vaccine-autism issue will be busy with that historic occasion. There will be little time, space or attention for a bunch of looney, irrational, anti-science parents led by an actress.

The empire has struck back. Will that end the matter? In the Lucas movies it did not. In the very real vaccine-autism war it is difficult to see how those who believe in, suspect, or have an open mind on the vaccine-autism issue will be persuaded by this orchestrated series of events.

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Jake Crosby A Person with Asperger's Tells His Story At The Age of Autism

Jake Crosby, a person with Asperger's, tells his story at the Age of Autism. Jake is a history student and good writer. And he is not riding the Neurodiversity Express.

I encourage everyone to read Jake's story, Discovering I Was Toxic, at the Age of Autism.

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Public Discussion of Vaccine Issues

I encourage parents and members of the public interested in autism and vaccine safety issues to visit Age of Autism and read The Vaccine Hard Sell at Pediatrics. That comment includes a letter by Michael Wagnitz, a chemist with 27 years experience, and self described father of a "vaccine injured child", in which Mr Wagnitz challenges Pediatrics and Dr. Paul Offit for alleged misinformation regarding the use of neurotoxic metals in vaccines.

Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, apparently refused to publish Mr. Wagnitz letter, despite his chemistry background, and despite the sourcing for the points made in his letter. The Age of Autism, to its credit did publish the Wagnitz letter.

Vaccination programs are an important part of public health strategies and have been very successful in reducing or eliminating serious illnesses, some of which have taken the lives of many children. Claims regarding vaccine injuries should not be made lightly. But neither should democratic discussion, particularly well informed, rational discussion of possible vaccine induced injuries, including possibly autism, be shut down.

If the research which Dr. Bernardine Healy has called for into possible vaccine connections to autism is not done, if public discussion of such connection is shut down, if dissenting voices like Mr. Wagnitz with his chemistry background are not heard, then the public concerns about vaccines and autism or brain injuries will continue to grow.

It may also be the case that some of the claims about vaccine induced autism and other brain injuries are true. Without proper research and public discussion we may end up missing out on opportunities to prevent neurological damage to children.

Let us do the research, let us have the discussion. Let us hear from parents, doctors, chemists anyone with information and a perspective to offer. That is the ONLY way confidence in the vaccine programs will be strengthened. And we may learn of ways to prevent autism disorders and neurological damage.

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An Information Request To Kent Heckenlively At Age of Autism About His ACE Pathway Investigation

Kent Heckenlively
Age of Autism

Dear Mr. Heckenlively

How is your investigation of the ACE Pathway "Investigational" Study of stealth adapted/monkey viruses going? You had indicated that you hoped to give your own personal report by Thanksgiving.

Have your expectations been confirmed? You had stated:

I wonder what the odds ratio would be for the finding of Dr. Martin’s simian cytomegalovirus in our children with autism. I expect it would be similarly high.

Have you been able to locate any articles by researchers - other than Dr W John Martin and Reverend BJ McKelvie - (1) which confirm the existence of stealth adapted viruses and (2) which indicate that these SAV's cause, or contribute to, autism?

Have you been able to confirm that the ACE Pathway Investigational Study has been approved by Health Canada and the FDA as stated by some persons involved with the study? If so can you provide a link to the protocol established by these agencies for the conduct of the study?

I look forward to your answers to these questions and to the results of your investigation.

Respectfully,


Harold L Doherty, Esq.
Fredericton New Brunswick Canada

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The CDC and the Autism Research Paradigm Shift

David Kirby has published, at the Age of Autism, a letter from an official in the Office of CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding in which it is stated that:

While it is important to understand if autism is affecting any group of children disproportionately, it is also important to keep in mind that there are likely multiple causes of the autism spectrum of disorders. Most scientists agree that today's research will show that a person's genetic profile may make them more or less susceptible to ASDs as a result of any number of factors such as infections, the physical environment, chemical exposures, or psychosocial components.

It is not clear from Mr. Kirby's article who the official in the office of Dr. Gerberding was that sent the email or whether that official's view represents the official view of the CDC. But it seems consistent with the autism research paradigm shift proposed by the University of Minnesota:

Autism research is poised for another paradigm shift, from an irreversible condition to a treatable disease. In the revolutionary paradigm, autism is not a rare disorder with a constant rate but frequent condition with a rising incidence. It is a combination of environmental influence and genetic vulnerabilities. It is both preventable and treatable, not by any one method but by a combination of behavioral and biomedical approaches. Autistic kids are not defective, they are sick but otherwise normal kids, and thus, recoverable.

Creating a premier center for effective treatment of autism is not as simple as adding a new wing on a hospital, purchasing the latest medical technology or creating another diagnostic center.

What is needed is a revolutionary clinical effort premised on the paradigm that autism may well be a treatable and preventable disease.

The Autism Knowledge Revolution has been marked by dramatic advances in our understanding of the structural and genetic bases of autism. The autism research paradigm shift, a shift toward investigation of the interaction of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers may well speed the pace of that knowledge revolution.

Reactionary bloggers at the Autism Hub and Neurodiversity ideological movements will not be happy with the autism research paradigm shift but the maturing of scientific inquiry into autism, the movement past official defensiveness, may someday result in more effective treatment and cures. And those are autism realities that will be happily embraced by most parents of autistic children.

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