AUTISM FIRST STEPS
AUTISM DAILY NEWSLETTER     
Sunday January 13, 2002  

INDEX:
*  Temple Grandin in Iowa
*  CHILDREN'S DAY
*   Autism Symposium
*  Family Opportunity Act Update
*  Illinois Gubernatorial Forum on Special Education
*  Public Health - VOSI Standard Guide V50.2STANDARD GUIDE FOR   
    ELIMINATING MERCURY (THIMEROSAL) FROM VACCINES
*   Public Health - VOSI Research Report RR8-V50.2 Removal of Mercury
    (Thimerosal) as a Preservative in Vaccines
*  Announcing: gala tickets available for sale on-line
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Temple Grandin in Iowa

Autism Society of Iowa's fall conference plans to have Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker scheduled for October 4, 2002.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND PLAN TO ATTEND!

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CHILDREN'S DAY

A little love and understanding Society should make a special effort to accept and nurture autistic children

ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA

This Children's Day, most youngsters would be happy to receive fun  
toys, nice clothes or chocolates. But for autistic children, no present is
more precious than the love and understanding of the people around  
them.

``I want people to stop laughing at autistic children,'' said Nat, a
15-year-old autistic boy who wrote a book called I am autistic.

``When I attended kindergarten and music class, my friends often
laughed
at me. They said they didn't understand what I said and I felt sorry
when I overheard them.''.

In the 100-page book, which took him eight months to write with the
help of his mother, Nat wrote about his life from childhood to his teenage years.

Written in simple language, the book clearly reflects how Nat feels
about everything around him.

``I don't want other autistic children to be treated like me. I am
human. An autistic child is also human like others. We are not clowns. I
want people not to get bored or angry with us,'' he wrote.

``Autistic children need love and sympathy from parents, relatives,
friends and other people around them.''

Nat's autism became apparent when he was one. He stopped speaking and
hardly smiled. Sometimes he would utter sounds with no meaning. He  
loved playing alone, rarely interacted with people and became a restless
child, running around all day.

His mother took him to a few psychiatrists before he was finally
diagnosed with autism.

But Nat is luckier than most other autistic children because his parents
understand him and would never give up on him.

They have given Nat everything an autistic needs _ medical care, speech
training, education and, above all, care and love.

Mrs Nuch, Nat's mother, said she used all her instincts in raising Nat.
Other parents may choose to isolate their autistic children from
society, or keep them with other autistic people, but Mrs Nuch thinks
differently.

``Autistic children generally learn from what they hear and see. If they
are left within their group without communicating with ordinary people,
they would just imitate each other and be unable to lead a normal
life,'' she said.

So, Nat's parents have always treated their son like an ordinary child.
From kindergarten to primary education, Nat went to regular schools  
and learned with ordinary children.

Even though he was slower than his classmates, Nat eventually managed  
to get through many learning difficulties.

His development gradually improved and he is now at Mattayom 2 level.  
He can communicate with simple sentences and is able to explain or
understand more complicated things.

At age 10, Nat became interested in music. He started with Thai and
progressed to Western musical instruments. Now he is taking courses in
four instruments: electone, guitar, flute, and piano.

His skills have been so well-developed he can even compose his own
melodies and plans to become a professional musician.

But Nat's mother is still worried about her son's ability to survive in
the outside world.

Nat receives plenty of attention from teachers and classmates but he
still finds it hard to communicate with them.

``His teenage friends may pity my son but they are still reluctant to
accept him into their group. He is too slow to catch up with their
conversation,'' Nat's mother said.

This is a common problem for many autistic children and she realises he
is likely to have a lonely life. ``That's why I teach him to stand on
his own two feet. Now he can do many things by himself, including
getting around by bus.''

Mrs Nuch asked society to open its heart to all autistic children and
their families.

``Love and care are basic elements to shape the life of autistic
children. But the next step requires society to give them a chance,''
she said.

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Autism Symposium

"The Continuum of Asperger's Syndrome / Autism / Non-Verbal Learning
Disabilities -  Clinical Features, Diagnoses & Treatment"

Faculty:
   Margaret Bauman, MD - Boston, MA
   Martha Burns, PhD - Chicago, IL
   Rosemary White, OTR - Seattle, WA
   Jerry Newport - Author & Adult with Asperger's Syndrome

When & Where?
   Oak Brook, Illinois - March 15 & 16, 2002
   

Who Will Benefit:
   This program is designed for practicing clinicians who are working with
these children in school, home & clinic.  This program will also be of
interest to parents.

Course Overview:

   This program will provide the latest information on the neurobiology &
biochemistry of these disorders as well point out the similarities and
differences .         

Practical  tips & techniques that can be immediately
applied to the clinicians work setting will be provided along with a detailed
course Syllabus. Participants will also learn first hand from an adult with
Asperger's Syndrome who will discuss his life experiences..what therapists
worked and what didn't.

Additional Information Contact:

   Linda S. Neilson, PhD
   C/o Continuing Education Programs of America
   PO Box 52
   Peoria, Illinois 61650
   Telephone - 309-263-0310
   E-Mail - CEPA@DPC.NET

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Family Opportunity Act Update

Hill staffers have told Family Voices that it is likely that Family Opportunity Act will get marked up early in this new session. Now is the time to contact the Hill
staffers in your Senator's offices to encourage them to speak to the Senator
about making the FOA one of his/her top five priorities for this session.
This is key to assuring passage this year.

Medicaid Alert
Many states are experiencing revenue shortfalls
and are considering cuts in Medicaid services. The National Governors'
Association is asking Congress to support a temporary increase in the
federal match for Medicaid funding. This would make it less likely that a
state would cut services, and would also serve as an economic stimulus to
states.

Please contact members of your Congressional delegation, asking them to
include an increase in the federal match in any economic stimulus packages
under consideration. Such a plan would have an immediate effect: funding
would flow directly to states and be spent without any delay.  Urge them to
include a temporary increase in the Medicaid federal medical assistance
percentage (FMAP) as a top priority in any stimulus package this year. The
proposal should include at least the following:

.A hold-harmless provision for any state that would receive a decrease in
its Medicaid FMAP this year;
.An across-the-board one and one-half percent increase in the  Medicaid FMPA
for every state; and
.A one and one-half percent increase in the Medicaid FMAP for states with
higher than average unemployment rates.
To find your members of Congress, go to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov or
call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
www.familyvoices.org

From the Family Voices e-newsletter "Friday's Child":
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Illinois Gubernatorial Forum on Special Education

Sponsored by Parents' Alliance for Compliance in special Education (P.A.C.E.)
Saturday, February 23rd at 6 p.m.
(following the Wrightslaw Conference)
Benedictine University, Krasa Center
5700 College Rd., Lisle, IL 60532

Directions:

Use the Campus Delivery Entrance
The Krasa Center is located on the East end of the Parking Lot
For a map of the campus, please visit: http://www.ben.edu/Pages/aboutBenedictine/D4.html

From ChicagoTake I-294 or I-290 to I-88. Go west on I-88 to I-355 south. Take the Maple Avenue exit west (right turn) on Maple Avenue for about two miles. The campus is on the left side. From the north or south suburbsTake the I-355 North-South Tollway to the Maple Avenue exit. The University is about two miles west of the Tollway.From the southTake I-55 to the I-355 exit. Take the Maple Avenue exit west to the University.By trainThe Amtrack and commuter trains stop in downtown Lisle. Cab service is available for the two-mile trip from the station to campus.

Questions?  Please Contact:
Carol McCullough
Education Organizer, NTIC
work: 312.243.3035
cell:   773.636.8252
carol@ntic-us.org
www.ntic-us.org

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Public Health - VOSI Standard Guide V50.2STANDARD GUIDE FOR
STANDARD GUIDE FOR ELIMINATING MERCURY (THIMEROSAL) FROM VACCINES
& PROVIDING “FREEDOM OF CHOICE�
AS THE BASIS FOR VACCINATION DECISIONS

1. SCOPE
1.1 Mercury is a toxic material that should not be used as a preservative
in vaccines that are injected into young children who do not have a fully
developed immune system.1.2 To provide the "freedom of choice" in
choosing whether to vaccinate or not.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1 "Autism: a Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning" by Sallie Bernard,
Albert Enayati, etc., ARC Research, Cranford, NJ.2.2 "Vaccines: Are
They Really Safe and Effective?" Miller, Neil. New Atlantean Press, Santa
Fe, N.M.2.3 VOSI Research Report RR8-V50.2 "Removal of Mercury
(Thimerosal) as a Preservative in Vaccines & "Freedom of Choice" Based on
Whether Vaccines are Really "Safe and Effective" ".

3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1 Thimerosal – Sodium Ethylmercurathione Silicate (Mercury Sodium
Salt) used as a preservative in vaccines, containing mercury (50% by
weight); a known toxic agent.3.2 "Freedom of Choice" – The right of an
individual, other than governmental authorities, to make decisions based
the health and safety of themselves or their children.3.3 Immune System
– The infection fighting system in the body.

4. SIGNIFICANCE & USE
4.1 A known toxic material, mercury, should not be injected into the
developing immune system of a child. (Ref. 2.1).4.2 The FDA and CDC
should recall and immediately ban the use of Thimerosal in vaccines based
on Ref 2.3 and recall existing vaccines containing Thimerosal.4.3 The FDA
and CDC should immediately ban and recall the use of DPT and MMR triple
vaccines based on the ineffectiveness of the Measles and Mumps vaccines
and the very low incidents of Diphtheria & Tetanus and the high
probability of the occurrence of learning disabilities and/or autism. (Ref

2.3).4.4 The FDA and CDC should immediately ban and recall the use of
Hepatitis B Vaccine on children because the Hepatitis B disease is sexually
transmitted.4.5 The Department of Education (DOEd) should immediately
permit "Freedom-of-Choice" based on the high incidence in learning
disabilities of vaccinated compared with unvaccinated children (14 to 1)
per Ref 2.3.4.6.Ref. 2.3 proves that vaccinating children significantly
increases the number of learning disabled and autistic children.4.7 Ref.
2.3 proves that vaccination increases the probability of contracting both
measles and chicken pox.4.8 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
should eliminate both the measles, mump, diphtheria, tetanus and chicken
pox vaccines from their vaccination schedule.4.9 Ref. 2.3 proves that
vaccination increase the probability of contracting allergies and increases
hyperactivity in children.4.10 Refs. 2.2 and 2.3 prove that vaccinating
young children is neither safe nor effective.4.11 Governments, including
the DOEd, must allow parents to have "freedom of choice" when making
decisions on vaccination.4.12 Educators should stop mandating the
requirement that children be vaccinated in order to reverse the soaring
population of learning disabled children who require "special education".

5. KEYWORDS

5.1 Thimerosal, "Freedom of Choice", Immune System, Learning Disabled,
Autistic, Vaccination, DPT, MMR.

This Standard Guide is under the jurisdiction of VOSI committee V50 on "Public Health", Task Group V50.2 on "Vaccination Safety".

http://www.voicesofsafety.com/t1-ph-v50-2-standard.htm

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Public Health - VOSI Research Report RR8-V50.2
10/27/00 Addendum: 03/05/01

Removal of Mercury (Thimerosal) as a Preservative in Vaccines
& Freedom of Choice Based on Whether Vaccines Are Really Safe and Effective"

REFERENCES

"Autism: a Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning" by Sallie Bernard, Albert Enayati, etc., ARC Research, Cranford, NJ.
Fig. 1 "Autism Cases in California 1980 - 2000", Graph by D. Meserlian
Fig. 2 Rimland, Bernard, "E2 Study Reports from Parents on Initial Indication of Autism", Graph by D. Meserlian
"Congregation of Universal Wisdom" member's Survey", Form by D. Meserlian PE
"Congregation of Universal Wisdom - Survey Data", Schilling Walter, D.C. Director.
"Vaccines: Are they Really Safe and Effective?" Miller, Neil, New Atlantean Press, Santa Fe NM.
Testimony of Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. before House Committee on Government Reform 4/6/2000; "The Autism Increase: Research Needed on the Vaccine Connection".
Thimerosal
Ref. 1, p. 40 states: "The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates

t

contains 50% (by weight) of mercury. "Mercury studies have consistently
shown a greater effect on males than females (EPA, 1977). There is a
ratio of approximately 4:1 in the rate of autism in boys compared with
girls. Prior to 1970 the autism rate was one in 2000, after 1970 the
rate was 1 in 1000. In 1991, two vaccines, HIB and Hepatitis B, both
of which generally contain Thimerosal, were added to the recommended
vaccine schedule".The FDA, as of March 2000, has only encouraged rather than required the vaccine manufacturers to remove Thimerosal from their vaccines immediately.Figs 1. & 2. show the sharp increase in the autism rate from 1988 to the present.

Conclusion: Thimerosal should be banned immediately by the FDA.

Fig 2. provides proof that the initial indication of autism at birth was less
than the initial indication at 18 months until approximately1985 when the
initial indication was the same. From 1985-1993 both rates increased with
the initial indication of autism at 18 months increasing at a much greater
rate than that at birth. The number of vaccines also increased during this period. Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American
Association of Pediatrics (AAP) deny that vaccines are the cause of this
alarming rate of autism. Many parents of autistic children believe that the
triple vaccines, DPT (Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus) and MMR (Measles,
Mumps, Rubella), caused their children's' autism (Refs 2 &
3).Vaccination is mandatory for a child to attend school. Parents can
circumvent this requirement by obtaining an exemption for personal,
religious or philosophical grounds (Ref. 6). One such group, the
Congregation for Universal Wisdom (Ref. 5),has provided parents with
the freedom of choice to make their own decisions concerning whether to
vaccinate their children.The Ref. 4 Vaccination Study survey form was
designed in order to survey the members of the Congregation for
Universal Wisdom in cooperation with its director, Walter Schilling,
DC.Ref. 4 lists the vaccination records of up to 8 children per family into
3 categories: whether the child received none, some, or all of the
scheduled vaccination requirements set by the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP). In addition to the following "behavior" categories:
"Normal", "Learning Disabled" and "Autistic", Dr. Schilling added
"Hyperactive", "Downs Syndrome" and "ADHD". These "None",
"Some" and "All" categories were also applied to the following
contagious diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken
Pox, Pertusis (Whooping Cough), Diphtheria, Tetanus and Allergies which
were acquired by the children surveyed.The Ref. 5 "Survey Data" is
based on the following number of children in each vaccination category:
"None" - 466, "Some" - 208, "All" - 43. The total sample size of 719
children provides a sufficient number of children for valid conclusions.The
following tables for "Behavior" and "Childhood Diseases" list the
number of children and percent (%) of children in each of the three
vaccination groups.Table 1.

View table at:
http://www.voicesofsafety.com/t1-ph-v50-2-research-addendum.htm

Conclusions:

Vaccinating children significantly reduces the percent of normal, healthy children in proportion to the number of "shots" received.


Vaccinations significantly increase the percentage of both learning disabled and autistic children.


Educators should review their mandated vaccination policies based on the large rate of increase of learning disabled and autistic children who require large increases in funding for special education.


Vaccinations increases hyperactivity and ADHD.


Vaccination is not a causal factor in Downs Syndrome.


Vaccination increases the probability of contracting both measles and chicken pox compared with not being vaccinated.


Vaccination increases the probability of contracting allergies.


Refs. 5 and 6, and this study all support my vaccination conclusions that vaccines are neither safe nor effective and therefore parents should be given "Freedom of Choice" by governmental and other authorities.


A humanistic capitalism must replace the present profit based capitalistic system of medicine-industry and government cooperation to the detriment of people. Government of, by and for the people has never existed in any society. The Internet and Internet based standards writing organizations, such as VOSI, can make humanistic capitalism a reality.
Donald C. Meserlian PE, Chairman ADDENDUM

Dr. Walter Schilling's survey is based on the following number of children
in each vaccination category: "None" - 890, "Some" - 415, "All" - 82.
The total sample size of 1387 children provides a sufficient number of
children for valid conclusions.The following tables for "Behavior" and
"Childhood Diseases" list the number of children and percent (%) of
children in each of the three vaccination groups.

C

SURVEY DATA 625 - Date 01/10/01 - Respondents 1387Table 4
To view tables go to:

http://www.voicesofsafety.com/t1-ph-v50-2-research-addendum.htm

Conclusions

The None, Some, All and Total populations of the updated survey were approx 2 times that of the original survey , however the autistic population was 20% greater than the original.


All of the original conclusions were verified in the updated survey.


A parent must make the choice whether they are willing to accept the possibility of their child becoming learning disabled or autistic based on the children who are vaccinated being approximately 14 times more likely to become learning disabled and 8 times more likely to become autistic, than if they had never vaccinated their child.


The Department of Education (DOEd) is responsible for enforcing the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA) and therefore should carefully review this research report based on the implications that the high population of learning disabled children in the United State's educational system is a direct result of the DOEd's policy of forcing parents to have their children vaccinated in order for them to enter school.


The DOEd should immediately rescind its forced vaccine policy and allow parents the "Freedom-of-Choice" to decide whether they are willing to take the high risk of having their child become learning disabled as a direct result of misunderstanding of the possible bad effects of vaccination which have dramatically increased the dollars spent on special education.


None of the children in either study contracted diphtheria or tetanus. The diphtheria, Pertusis, tetanus ( DPT ) combined vaccine has been implicated as a direct cause of autism by parents who had completely normal children until they were vaccinated with the triple vaccine.


Hepatitis B is a sexually, not contagious, transmitted disease. Since infants and young children are not sexually active, the vaccine should be banned.


The FDA should ban the Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus ( DPT ) combined vaccine.


Vaccinated children are almost 2 times as likely to contract measles and mumps compared to children who have never been vaccinated.


Parents have also implicated the Mumps, Measles & Rubella shot (MMR) as a direct cause of their children's autism.


Since children who are vaccinated are more likely to contract measles and mumps than those who are never vaccinated, only the rubella vaccine is required based on its effectiveness in preventing rubella.


The FDA should ban the Mumps, Measles & Rubella shot (MMR).

 

http://www.voicesofsafety.com/t1-ph-v50-2-research-addendum.htm

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Announcing: gala tickets available for sale on-line.

Be among the first to experience the 2002 Chicago Auto Show at the

First Look for Charity
black-tie affair on
Thursday, February 7, 2002
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois.

Tickets, at a cost of $150 each, are available through Cure Autism
Now.  A variety of corporate packages are also available.

For details about this exciting fundraising event and to purchase
tickets on-line, link directly to our web-site at
http://www.cureautismnow.org/aboutcan/first_look.cfm

Karen E. Lippold
Development Associate
klippold@cureautismnow.org
www.cureautismnow.org
Phone: 323-549-0500, ext. 23  -  Fax: 323-549-0547

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR 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.