The study by Cambridge University’s Autism Research Unit confirming
that one child in 60 in the UK has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum
disorder, (regarded as a lifelong and incurable condition), is a wake-up
call to everyone in public health. A once very rare childhood
developmental condition has become common in the space of 20 years. Autism
is now more prevalent than Spina Bifida, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy
and childhood Leukaemia, combined! In fact we have more children with
neurological problems than ever in our history and yet there has been no
drive by the medical hierarchy to highlight this tragedy or to properly
investigate it.
For parents who have watched their child degenerate into autism
following MMR it is a powerful first-hand experience. Comparing notes
results in finding that other parents have undergone extremely similar
experiences. Unfortunately, such experiences are not part of a
scientifically-controlled study, so are routinely dismissed as anecdotal.
One anecdote is just that: an anecdote. However a consistent pattern of
anecdotes is much more powerful. What we have is a consistent detailed
pattern of reports from parents. The scientific and investigative
importance of this pattern has been unaccountably ignored by the
Department of Health.
Recent developments in the USA where a child (Hannah Poling 1) was
awarded compensation by the US government in recognition that her autism
was as a result of multiple vaccination, including MMR, is surely
confirmation that those charged with the guardianship of public health
have been too quick to dismiss the evidence of parents in favour of
government and pharmaceutical funded epidemiological studies. In another,
more recent case in the United States Court of Federal claims, a child
(Bailey Banks 2) was compensated following the development of Acute
Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) after MMR vaccination. It was
concluded from the evidence provided by a full neurological examination of
the child 16 days after his MMR vaccination that the jab had caused ADEM
which in turn had led to Pervasive Developmental Delay, a disorder on the
autistic spectrum. The ruling was unequivocal.
No one wishes to see the return of the three diseases MMR is designed
to eliminate but the evidence of many parents that their child was
developing normally, meeting all the milestones set for children these
days, only to withdraw into autism following the administration of the MMR
is overwhelming and compelling.
Claims from Professor Simon Baron-Cohen that reported increases in
autism are due to ‘better recognition’ or ‘widening diagnostic criteria’
are baloney.
Health officials have invested up to £10 million on MMR promotion
including a campaign of spin and mis-information. That money and more
should have gone into independent clinical research into an MMR/Autism
link, after the alarm was first raised by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998.
Bill Welsh
President
Autism Treatment Trust
29A Stafford Street,
Edinburgh.
EH3 7BJ
1) Hannah Poling v United States, Department of Justice, Health &
Human Services division. Nov. 9, 2007.
2) Bailey Banks v United States, Department of Justice, Health &
Human Services division. (02-0738V)
Competing interests:
Grandfather to an autistic boy.
Rapid Response:
Explanations please.
The study by Cambridge University’s Autism Research Unit confirming
that one child in 60 in the UK has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum
disorder, (regarded as a lifelong and incurable condition), is a wake-up
call to everyone in public health. A once very rare childhood
developmental condition has become common in the space of 20 years. Autism
is now more prevalent than Spina Bifida, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy
and childhood Leukaemia, combined! In fact we have more children with
neurological problems than ever in our history and yet there has been no
drive by the medical hierarchy to highlight this tragedy or to properly
investigate it.
For parents who have watched their child degenerate into autism
following MMR it is a powerful first-hand experience. Comparing notes
results in finding that other parents have undergone extremely similar
experiences. Unfortunately, such experiences are not part of a
scientifically-controlled study, so are routinely dismissed as anecdotal.
One anecdote is just that: an anecdote. However a consistent pattern of
anecdotes is much more powerful. What we have is a consistent detailed
pattern of reports from parents. The scientific and investigative
importance of this pattern has been unaccountably ignored by the
Department of Health.
Recent developments in the USA where a child (Hannah Poling 1) was
awarded compensation by the US government in recognition that her autism
was as a result of multiple vaccination, including MMR, is surely
confirmation that those charged with the guardianship of public health
have been too quick to dismiss the evidence of parents in favour of
government and pharmaceutical funded epidemiological studies. In another,
more recent case in the United States Court of Federal claims, a child
(Bailey Banks 2) was compensated following the development of Acute
Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) after MMR vaccination. It was
concluded from the evidence provided by a full neurological examination of
the child 16 days after his MMR vaccination that the jab had caused ADEM
which in turn had led to Pervasive Developmental Delay, a disorder on the
autistic spectrum. The ruling was unequivocal.
No one wishes to see the return of the three diseases MMR is designed
to eliminate but the evidence of many parents that their child was
developing normally, meeting all the milestones set for children these
days, only to withdraw into autism following the administration of the MMR
is overwhelming and compelling.
Claims from Professor Simon Baron-Cohen that reported increases in
autism are due to ‘better recognition’ or ‘widening diagnostic criteria’
are baloney.
Health officials have invested up to £10 million on MMR promotion
including a campaign of spin and mis-information. That money and more
should have gone into independent clinical research into an MMR/Autism
link, after the alarm was first raised by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998.
Bill Welsh
President
Autism Treatment Trust
29A Stafford Street,
Edinburgh.
EH3 7BJ
1) Hannah Poling v United States, Department of Justice, Health &
Human Services division. Nov. 9, 2007.
2) Bailey Banks v United States, Department of Justice, Health &
Human Services division. (02-0738V)
Competing interests:
Grandfather to an autistic boy.
Competing interests: No competing interests