SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The number of autistic children in California has
nearly doubled in the last four years, a new state report shows.
The report found that 20,377 children ages 3 and older were receiving
state services for ``classic'' autism, a developmental disorder
characterized by difficulties communicating and repetitive actions, as of
December 2002. That was a 97 percent increase over the 1998 number.
An earlier study had found the state's autism rate increased 237
percent from 1987 to 1998.
Ron Huff, a psychologist who conducted both studies for the California
Department of Developmental Services, said the latest numbers reflect an
actual increase, not just changes in the diagnosis.
Despite greater awareness and more research in recent years, the report
said scientists still do not know what causes the developmental disorder.
State researchers are investigating potential genetic and environmental
toxins for links to autism. They are also exploring the debated theory
that childhood vaccines may be at the root of the problem.
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On the Net:
http://www.dds.ca.gov
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LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
Sandy's Scandals Column
Past and current Scandals
- columns by Sandy Gottstein (aka Mintz)*
* ►March
18, 2010 - Probe
ordered into tainted vaccines - Report: Nearly 100 children died or
fell ill in Shanxi after shots - China Daily - "The four who died after
being administered tainted vaccines were 9-month-old Wang Xiao'er and
8-month-old Liu Ziyang from Luliang city; and 3-year-old Wang Shichao
and Liu Yi from Yangquan city, the report said. Children from 74
families were crippled or developed serious diseases such as
encephalitis after being vaccinated against hepatitis B, rabies, and
type-B encephalitis, it said."
* ►March 18, 2010
- The
Autism-Vaccine Controversy Continues - Age of Autism -
"There is no doubt that vaccines do injure some babies. Encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) is a known effect of some vaccines for some
children (even listed on some of the vaccine labels, and in the
government's list of accepted adverse reactions HERE). Studies have found inflammation in
the brains of people with autism (HERE).
But the vaccine court routinely turns down cases where autism is
alleged to be caused by vaccines."
* ►March
17, 2010 - No More
Fear by Dawn Richardson - PROVE via VaccineInfo.net - "Those trying
to discredit parents who have legitimate vaccine safety concerns
mischaracterize parents as “being afraid” of vaccines. They use the
term "fear" to try and mislead the public into thinking that these
parental concerns are somehow irrational, trivial, or not based on
credible information."
* ►March 17, 2010
- Are
we liable if we can't give a vaccine to a child whose parent can't
physically restrain that child? - Nurse.com - "A consent form
developed and used by staff that is clear and inclusive of what is
needed for the immunization to take place is a good tool that can be
used by all staff to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of
informed consent by the parent or other legally authorized consent
giver and to avoid battery allegations. Sharing your concerns with the
clinic CNO, medical director and risk manager would be a start in
helping staff feel more comfortable with their role in the
administration of immunizations."
