SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism:

No Finer a Cause on the Planet"

________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 15, 2002

ADVOCACY

* Controversial Provisions Like Thimerosal Could Delay Senate Homeland Vote

COMMENTARY

* Autism Expert: Time Quote "MMR Doesn't Cause Autism" Misrepresents Him,

Issues

RESEARCH

* Could Playing With A Doll Be The New Cure For Autism?

* Retrospective Open Trial Of Adjunctive Donepezil in Autistic Youth

* Effect Of Pentavac And MMR Vaccination On The Intestine

* The Effects Of Neonatal Lesions In The Amygdala

EDUCATION

* NY Parents Sue District For $5.5 Million Over Autistic Child's Special

Educational Needs

LETTERS

* Non-Causal Link Deserves More Study

* Clean Research Appears Impossible

* Mother Blamer Speaks in Ignorance

* Errata

* Readers' Posts

ADVOCACY

Controversial Provisions Could Delay Senate Homeland Vote Senator Frist says he did not press House GOP leaders to include the Thimerosal provision in the homeland bill

While senators remain focused on debate over personnel rules for the new Homeland Security Department, that issue is far from the only controversial matter remaining in the bill. From vaccine liability protections to a delay in an airport baggage-screening deadline, the GOP-drafted bill that passed the House Wednesday and heads to the Senate Thursday includes contentious measures quietly written into the bill as the congressional session draws to a close.

Senate leaders, determined to create the Homeland Security Department before the year's end, are likely to accept most of the provisions. Still, the new debates could push a final vote on the underlying bill into next week.

Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., who wrote the Democrats' version of the bill, said he is "especially concerned" about the latest GOP bill, because it contains "a number of special-interest provisions that are being sprung on the Senate without prior warning or consideration. This is really not the time for that."

"We all ought to be focusing on the terrorist threat, the need to create a Department of Homeland Security to meet that threat, and not on using a vehicle that is moving, probably to passage, to put into it a host of pet personal projects," Lieberman said.

Chief among the concerns of Lieberman and others are provisions to eliminate or reduce a manufacturer's product liability, two of which relate to vaccines. According to the new bill, a broad range of items, from drugs to life preservers, could escape liability lawsuits if the head of the homeland security department designated them as "necessary for security purposes."

Limited liability protections already in place for vaccines would be expanded to include vaccine components, such as the preservative Thimerosal, manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co. and already the subject of several class-action lawsuits by parents who claim the product's high mercury levels have caused their children's autism.

An aide to Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who had included a similar provision in a vaccine bill he introduced earlier in the year, said the senator did not press House GOP leaders to include the Thimerosal provision in the homeland bill.

The aide said the language essentially codifies a recommendation an independent vaccine advisory committee made to the Clinton administration.

"There is a concern about liability destabilizing the vaccine system," he said.

But Democratic aides point out that Thimerosal is a preservative unnecessary for the production of the vaccines and suggest that the language is an effort to cut back on the lawsuits.

Yet another provision in the bill would require liability claims against smallpox vaccine manufacturers to go through the federal tort system. The federal government would pay the damages, and punitive damages would be banned.

* * *

COMMENTARY

Autism Expert: Time Quote "MMR Doesn't Cause Autism" Misrepresents Him, Issues

the magazine quotes Dr. Jeff Bradstreet, a leading Florida clinician treating children with autism as denying a MMR vaccine and autism link. The magazine covers the controversial 'Danish Study' in the New England Journal of Medicine, November 7, 2002 publication regarding MMR and Autism that claims there is no connection. Here is the passage with the quote:

. . . The accumulated evidence is strong enough to convince

even onetime proponents of the MMR-autism link, like

Dr. Jeff Bradstreet, director of the International Child

Development Resource Center in Palm Bay, Fla. "MMR does not

appear to cause autism," Bradstreet concedes. "If it did,

it would be a godsend because we could change the vaccine

and that would be it." Still, he suspects that the MMR

vaccine might worsen a preexisting autistic condition.

Bradstreet says the national magazine has misrepresented both his words and the surrounding issues. Here is his response and commentary on the Danish Study, vaccines and autism.

____________________________

Jeff Bradstreet, MD

I spent about 30 minutes talking to Christine Gorman from TIME magazine about this difficult subject. Obviously, what was printed represents a very small piece of that interview, and is highly edited by TIME to reinforce their perspective. Everyone who knows me, also knows the very public life led by my son Matthew. His laboratory findings are part of the Congressional Records of the Reform Committee Hearings from both 2001 and 2002. No one has more reason for concern about the MMR than I do, having found vaccine strain MV in my son’s bowel, blood and spinal fluid. Simultaneously, I know he developed seizures shortly after his second MMR vaccine, and that he lost precious developmental ground after each vaccine containing MMR. But MMR was never given to Matthew in isolation. He always had other vaccines – mercury containing vaccines given at the same or nearly the same time. How is it then that I am quoted as stating the MMR vaccine does not cause autism?

Before getting into details about my position regarding the NEJM “Danish MMR” study, I would first like to discuss the misrepresentations inherent in the TIME piece.

The caption and title imply all vaccines were study and that all vaccines have always been safe as in their caption, “Childhood shots get a clean bill of health.” This is decidedly not my position. I told the reporter it is clear that MMR is not the main cause of autism in Denmark. The in Denmark portion didn’t find its way into the article. But I am not that uncomfortable saying MMR cannot be supported as a major cause of autism with the epidemiological data available to us today. Simultaneously, as I will discuss, MMR is unquestionably associated with autism. The difference occurs in the meaning of first causes (primary causality) and co-occurrence, which by definition would represent an association.

Here’s an analogy. If I let the air out my tire it goes flat – in this example letting the air out is casual to the flat tire – and everybody accepts it as truth. But in another example, if I go the beach I always get sand in my shoes, and if I go without sunscreen I get sunburned if it is a sunny day. Sand in my shoes does not cause sunburn and not using sunscreen doesn’t cause sunburn – exposure to the sun causes sunburn. Sand in my shoes is associated with my sunburn, but not causally. Not using sunscreen seems logically associated with my sunburn, but if I was well tanned, or the day was cloudy, or I was of African decent, I wouldn’t need sunscreen, and likely still wouldn’t get burned, but I would still have sand in my shoes.

This second example became a little more complicated and parts of it were less obvious. Some of you would be arguing that lack of sunscreen, caused, my sunburn. Scientifically, you would be wrong, even though there is a clear association. And lack of sunscreen is not always associated with sunburn or with sand in my shoes. These are what we call conditional variables. Amount of shade, time of year, weather and lots of other things are also variables in my sunburning or not. But ultimately, we cannot get away form the simple first cause which is exposure to sun in a vulnerable person (pale-skinned). Those of you who are thinking I need to get out more – are right, and I will take my sunscreen if it is a sunny day.

So, logic and science tell us that when we find vaccine strain measles virus years after exposure almost exclusively in children with autism, that there is an association. There must be an association, but it need not be causal to autism and it may not be causal to bowel or brain symptoms, although it likely plays an important role in symptoms. So, if the epidemiologists tell us MMR is not the cause of autism (and remember we are not talking about autistic entercolitis), we can accept that until new, better or different data refute these observations. But equally it is a tremendous injustice to the children suffering with persistent measles virus and autism to claim there is no association. How is this true? The best way to understand this is through the hypothesis that an underlying immune disorder which would permit MV to persist if exposed through the injected pathway, also directly or through other pathogens allows the development of autism. And this immune disorder likely has many manifestations.

Remember for a moment that a wide array of pathogens have been proposed, published and associated with autism. These include yeast, anerobic bacteria, borna viruses, influenza in pregnancy, as well as other viruses and toxins, including mercury. How do we explain all of these and MV at the same time? Given the large body of immunological and immunogenetic literature in autism, it is appealing to assume a foundational immune disorder is the actual first cause, or that toxins like mercury are directly involved. But even in the case of mercury we still have to account for gender differences and variable expression of toxic effects despite equal exposures. All of these exposures could start at any point in the child’s development.

Unlike the comments in the TIME article and many others like it, primary genetic disorders are not the cause of autism. This fact was driven home by the recent MIND Institute California study which clearly and rightly concluded environmental factors had to account for the rapid rise in autism rates in that state.

Mercury, aluminum and the inherent immune skewing of vaccines are still under intense scrutiny and research. All of these directly influence the immune system as does the MMR vaccine itself. So MMR in its current form is certainly not my choice way to protect children from these diseases.

Neal Halsey MD from Johns Hopkins, who is decidedly in favor of the MMR vaccine and believes it has no association with autism whatsoever, admitted before the Institute of Medicine in July of 2001 and in a New York Times story, Sunday November 10th, 2002, he had never calculated the dose of thimerosal (mercury) in micrograms and that the dose in the vaccines greatly exceeded all Federal guidelines. He has repeatedly apologized publicly for this obvious toxicological error.

In 1991, the NIH (Vaccine 1991 Oct;9(10):699-702) reported that the aluminum in vaccines was of toxic concern and could be replaced with safer adjuvants (things that make the vaccine more potent). They also recommended the removal of aluminum from vaccines. To date no action by the FDA or CDC has been taken to heed the NIH recommendations.

Recently, Imani and Kehoe (Infection of Human B Lymphocytes with MMR Vaccine Induces IgE Class Switching. Clinical Immunology, Vol. 100, No. 3, September, pp. 355–361, 2001) also from Johns Hopkins, reported that MMR vaccine induced a change in human immune cells consistent with the induction of allergy and asthma.

They stated this: “Vaccination provides great protection against the mortality and morbidity associated with many childhood diseases and should not be discouraged, but it is possible that a side effect of viral vaccination constitutes an increase in the incidence of IgE-mediated disorders. A better understanding of the mechanism underlying this event may yield improved vaccines in the future.”

And the Danish study in question in no way investigated the occurrence of bowel disease in children with autism (vaccinated or otherwise). Recently, Professor O’Leary and his team of molecular pathologists did in fact identify vaccine strain measles virus in the gut of children with developmental disorders, but not in healthy controls (V Uhlmann, C M Martin, I Silva, A Killalea, O Sheils, S B Murch, A J Wakefield, J J O’Leary. Potential viral pathogenic mechanism for new variant inflammatory bowel disease. J Clin Pathol: Mol Pathol 2002;55:0–6).

In the well reviewed article they state this: “Conclusions: The data confirm an association between the presence of measles virus and gut pathology in children with developmental disorder.”

In July of 2002 they presented their additional data which clearly identifies vaccine specificity for the type of measles virus, and so they have continued to enhance our understanding of MMR in this disorder.

Let me be very clear, I in no way believe a live attenuated MMR vaccine is safe for a subset of children. How large that subset is remains a mystery to me at this time. But equally, these concerns are different from placing a causal relationship for autism at the vaccine’s doorstep. I know I can find persistent measles in the blood, bowel, cerebral spinal fluid and brain (through recent biopsy findings), and that gives me no reassurances of safety. My belief is hinted at in the TIME article when they share my comment about worsening pre-existing conditions (I never limited my concerns to autistic conditions as inflammatory bowel disease is not an autistic

condition) and I assume this is a simple misunderstanding by the reporter.

So, with regard to the TIME article I find it cleverly deceptive and far from conveying a balanced view of the debate. My view of the Danish study is much the same.

I believe the authors greatly overstep the bounds of their data and make general comments about MMR vaccine safety while sweeping the molecular biology aside with barely a thought. As an example, the authors sometimes claim a lack of association of MMR with autism, when in fact they mean to state a lack causality of MMR for autism. While they usually do limit their discussion to causality this slip is no subtle difference. It is by no means trivial to the science at hand or to the children afflicted. Here is an example of how the line gets blured: “Studies designed to evaluate the suggested link between MMR vaccination and autism do not support an association, but the evidence is weak and based on case-series, cross-sectional, and ecologic studies.” For the reasons already stated, I do not believe this is a true reflection of the state of the science. “Studies” in this sentence actually should say “epidemiological studies” and “association” should say “casual association”.

Why am I being so particular in this situation? We are not dealing with something as simple as the letting air out of tire example. And it is far more complex than the sunburn example too. Ignoring the immunological weakness or peculiarity of the children who cannot rid themselves of the measles virus is a huge error in scientific reasoning. There is an un-refuted association of MV with autism, because children with autism are much more likely than controls to still possess the virus for years after exposure. The epidemiology may be giving us accurate data about causation at the same time. In the early 1990s the Institute of Medicine rightly concluded vaccines could do three things: 1) nothing harmful, 2) exacerbate

(worsen) an existing condition, or 3) cause a disease de novo. The Danish study provides an additional piece of evidence that MMR does not participate in number three - ONLY for autism, not for all the other issues (like bowel disease or allergies) which we have discussed regarding the vaccine. Why? Because they didn’t have those data, nor did they seek to find the data for a cohort of children with autism.

The reality is that we are still a long way from the truth despite the joyful proclamations of the public heath officials and the epidemiologists. The Danish study is still important in several ways. The number of children on a percent basis is much less than the US and England. What is protecting them from our rates of autism? We do not know why, but it would be a great place to start looking. Further, it is a small country with unique genetics which may preclude easy comparison to other populations, a point which is lacking from the article as the authors attempt to use their findings to generalize to all autism in the entire World. Finally the authors admit measles virus causes an autoimmune reaction to myelin proteins, and yet they neglect the large body of research by Warren and Singh on this subject with regards to autism.

From the study:

"However, wild-type measles can infect the central

nervous system and even cause postinfectious

encephalomyclitis, probably as a result of an

immune-mediated response to myclin proteins."

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* * *

RESEARCH

Could Playing With A Doll Be The New Cure For Autism?

page_id=169 <- - Address ends here.

New research shows that playing with dolls could help autistic children learn the social skills they lack.

Research published in this week's New Scientist reveals that autistic children who played with a specially designed robotic doll could learn communication skills, play games and even develop language.

If larger trials are successful, robotic dolls and other toys could soon become a crucial tool in helping children with the disorder. As there is no cure for autism, the doll could provide a breakthrough in treatment.

Autism, a common condition, estimated to affect one or two children in every 1,000, is a disability of the brain which affects a child's ability to communicate with other people.

Sufferers often don't like to mix with others and lack basic social skills, such as being able to play with other children. Instead they often obsessively focus their attention on one interest.

Scientists believe the robotic toys work because autistic children constantly need structure and fixed rules in their lives - and so respond well to the robotic, structured nature of the toys. It's thought because the robots behave in a predictable way, the chidren start to feel in control of the situation and therefore more comfortable and able to interact.

In a study led by Dr Kerstin Dautenhahn and Iain Werry of the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, 15 autistic children aged between five and 15 were encouraged to play with a robotic doll over a two-week period.

The computerised doll, called Robota, is programmed to copy what a child does with its arms, legs and head.

During the trial children were encouraged to play with Robota and try some games involving imitation, taking turns to play and making eye contact with the doll - a skill that most autistic children lack. Results show most of the children successfully engaged in some kind of interaction with the doll.

Earlier trials from the same researchers using a robot truck, also showed promising results for children with autism. In a study involving 18 youngsters, half the children were encouraged to play with a robot truck, while the other half played with a non-robotic toy truck.

Researchers found that those children playing with the robot played chasing games and started to communicate with each other.

The hope now is that the robots will be able to help teach autistic children to discover social skills for themselves, rather than being taught by adults - a method which has met with only limited success.

'It seems that robots act as a tool to engage children in a play context, helping them to communicate with others,' says Dr Kerstin Dautenhahn. 'This is a very important step in understanding what triggers an autistic child's development.' The doll was originally developed for non-autistic children, but Dr Dautenhahn is currently designing a robotic doll specifically for autistic children - a product that could be available within the next three years.

'Once we can develop a robot that is designed with autism in mind, I have great hope that robots could help autistic children in the future,' she says.

A spokesman from the National Autistic Society welcomed the research as a potentially significant development for the treatment of the condition, but said further research was needed before it was clear how important it could be.

* * *

ABSTRACTS

[Contains technical language.]

Retrospective Open Trial Of Adjunctive Donepezil in Autistic Youth 'A retrospective open trial of adjunctive donepezil in children and adolescents with autistic disorder.'

ds=12427297&dopt=Abstract <- - Address ends here.

Hardan AY, Handen BL.

Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In light of the recently reported neuropathologic and neurochemical abnormalities of the cholinergic pathways in autism, donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is a potentially useful agent in the treatment of cognitive and behavioral symptoms observed in this disorder.

A retrospective pilot study was conducted to determine whether donepezil is effective in the treatment of children and adolescents with autism.

Eight patients (mean age = 11.0 +/- 4.1 years; range 7-19 years) who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) criteria for autistic disorder were openly treated with donepezil.

All patients were on concomitant psychoactive medications.

Four of these patients (50%) demonstrated significant improvement as assessed by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and the Clinical Global Impression Scale.

Decreases in the Irritability and Hyperactivity subscales were observed, but no changes in the Inappropriate Speech, Lethargy, and Stereotypies subscales were noted.

Limited and transient side effects were reported, with one patient experiencing gastrointestinal disturbances and another reporting mild irritability.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled investigations are needed to provide further evidence of the potential benefits of donepezil to patients with autistic disorder.

PMID: 12427297 [PubMed - in process]

* * *

Effect Of Pentavac And Mmr Vaccination On The Intestine.

ds=12427783&dopt=Abstract <- - Address ends here.

Thjodleifsson B, Davidsdottir K, Agnarsson U, Sigthorsson G, Kjeld M, Bjarnason I. Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Hringbraut, Reykjavik, Iceland; Center for Children Health Services, Reykjavik, Iceland Center for Children; Health Services, Reykjavik, and Sudurnes Health Institute, Keflavik, Iceland Department of Medicine, GKT Medical School, London, UK.

BACKGROUND: The safety of infant vaccination has been questioned in recent years.

In particular it has been suggested that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination leads to brain damage manifesting as autism consequent to the development of an "enterocolitis" in the immediate post-vaccination period.

Aim: To assess if MMR vaccination is associated with subclinical intestinal inflammation, which is central to the autistic "enterocolitis" theory.

METHODS: We studied 109/58 infants, before and two and four weeks after immunisation with Pentavac and MMR vaccines, for the presence of intestinal inflammation (faecal calprotectin).

RESULTS: Neither vaccination was associated with any significant increase in faecal calprotectin concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS: The failure of the MMR vaccination to cause an intestinal inflammatory response provides evidence against the proposed gut-brain interaction that is central to the autistic "enterocolitis" hypothesis.

PMID: 12427783 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

* * *

The Effects Of Neonatal Lesions In The Amygdala

Or ventral hippocampus on social behaviour later in life.

ds=12429419&dopt=Abstract <- - Address ends here.

Daenen EW, Wolterink G, Gerrits MA, Van Ree JM.

Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O.

Box 85060, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Disruption of normal social behaviour is seen in psychiatric neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia or autism.

In a rat model of neurodevelopmental disorders we investigated the social behavioural changes after damage of limbic brain areas, at two early stages of life.

The effects of ibotenic acid lesions made on day 7 or 21 of life in the amygdala (AM) ((baso)lateral/medical) or ventral hippocampal area on social play behaviour, social behaviour unrelated to social play behaviour early in life, and social behaviour in adulthood were assessed.

Lesions of the AM, but not lesions of the ventral hippocampal area, resulted in decreased social play behaviour, and no differences were found between lesions made on day 7 or 21 of life.

Social behaviour unrelated to social play behaviour early in life and in adulthood was decreased in animals lesioned in the AM on day 7 but not in animals lesioned on day 21 of life.

This effect was particularly present in animals with an additional lesion in the medial nuclei of the AM.

Lesions in the ventral hippocampal area did not affect social behaviour.

It is concluded that the AM is an important structure for social play behaviour.

The effects on social behaviour that are dependent on the day of lesioning (day 7 vs. 21) are an indication of a neurodevelopmental deficit of structures connected to the (medial part) of the AM.

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EDUCATION

NY Parents Sue District For $5.5 Million Over Autistic Child's Special Ed Needs

The Springville School District and special education parent advocates are back in court, and this time there's a $5.5 million price tag attached. Parents Ed and Sally Kramer have charged the district with failing to abide by hearing officers' rulings, which they say violates Springville's 1999 agreement with the New York Office of Civil Rights.

"We're trying to get the hearing officer's decisions implemented, and asking for damages," said Andrew Cuddy, the attorney representing the Kramers.

The lawsuit calls for an injunction to place Jonathan Kramer, the couple's 9-year-old son, in a classroom as determined by the rulings of two hearing officers in August and October.

Springville Superintendent Thomas Markle said, "If and when this does proceed, we'll be found to be in compliance and doing what we're supposed to be doing. We work very hard to provide appropriate services for our children."

Cuddy filed the suit in U.S. District Court, naming the New York State Education Department as a codefendent.

The suit is the latest in a series of battles between parents of special education students and Springville over approximately five years, during which disagreements over students' educational plans have frequently gone to hearings with impartial hearing officers.

It's one of the first to ask for damages, though.

The Kramers said they decided to seek the damages because they believed the district had violated an agreement that resulted from an earlier dispute regarding Jonathan when he started school.

The 1999 agreement called for quick resolution of disputes over whether a student is receiving a "free appropriate public education," and Cuddy and the Kramers say it requires the school to abide by hearing officers' rulings.

The current dispute is over whether Jonathan, who is autistic, should be in a district classroom taught by a special education teacher in cooperation with a regular classroom teacher or whether he should be in a BOCES classroom, which is what the district's Committee on Special Education has recommended.

The Kramers have won two hearings, but still haven't seen their son in the kind of classroom the rulings called for.

The district appealed the major ruling and then requested the state review officer receive a time extension to render the decision, according to court papers.

Cuddy and the Kramers claim the request wasn't made within the 30-day period during which the review officer was required to be made.

And since the decision wasn't made within the 30 days allowed by law, the state was added to the lawsuit.

"We wanted to get him in the right program, where he belongs, right away," said Ed Kramer. "We took the stance, we're going to do what the hearing officer says and what the law says he's entitled to."

Others disagree. Cuddy and Sheila Barr, the Springville parent advocate who works with him, have been taking increasing criticism at School Board meetings and in letters to the local weekly newspaper about the effects the series of hearings for other parents have had on the school budget.

The district, meanwhile, hasn't consulted with the state on how it will respond to the suit. It's an awkward situation, Markle said.

"The notice of injunction attempts to prevent the district from even appealing the hearing officer's decision," the superintendent said. "I understand the parents' contention the time lines are difficult, but I think when the opportunity presents itself we'll be able to have a valid response to those concerns."

* * *

LETTERS

Non-Causal Link Deserves More Study

I appreciate hearing from Karen London of NAAR regarding their reasons for helping to fund the Danish research into a possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism. I believe that NAAR is sincere in its desires to support unbiased, quality research into the causes of autism. While the Danish study is far from definitive, it adds a valuable piece to the million piece jigsaw puzzle that is autism. It shows that the MMR vaccine alone cannot be responsible for the dramatic rise in autism over the last 10 years.

At the same time, it would be illogical to use the Danish study as a reason for ignoring other disturbing facts about the MMR jab or other vaccines. For example, what about the studies that found vaccine strain measles virus in the guts and brains of children with autism. If the MMR jab does not cause autism then something about autism allows the measles virus to find its way into the brain.

Even such a non-causal link deserves more study. Understanding the biological mechanism of this "link" may put many more pieces into the puzzle.

- David Eland

Clean Research Appears Impossible

I just read the report on Rep Armey and his "payback" to Eli Lilly. Why should we be surprised? The pharmaceutical industry paid for exactly this type of legislation. The lawmakers preach to us about personal responsibility and proceed to hold their largest contributors blameless.

I do not know if Thimerosal is to blame for my son's autism. But I believe that good research is more than necessary, especially after reading the article in Sunday's New Your Times Magazine about the work of Dr. Neal Halsey. Research free of political influence and potential liability appears to be impossible in this country, but I can hope for it, as much as I hope that someday Eric will speak to me.

- Harry Hofherr, Barrington, IL., hhofher@aol.com

Mother Blamer Speaks in Ignorance

The little boy had wandered from his home while in the care of other family members. Even if this precious child had been under the care of his mother many autistic children are escape artists and all the locks, fences and alarms cannot 100% of the time keep these children from wandering. Unfortunately, sometimes the parents cannot always stay awake 24 hours per day and they must get their rest.

I think it just shows we can't judge a situation until we've walked a mile in someone else's shoes.

- Debi Haney

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* * *

ERRATA

Not Kansas, Not Andrew, but Wakefield, Rhode Island

David Eland of Lenexa, Kansas writes to us to correct the title for the article "Kansas Minister Charged With Sex Assaults" as it puts the alleged antihero in the wrong state. This is a local story from a Wakefield, Rhode Island newspaper. There is a Wakefield, Kansas but it has nothing to do with the events described in this story. And while we're speaking (or

misspeaking) of Kansas, this has nothing to do with the gastrointestinal Wizard of Os, Andrew Wakefield, either.

Not the Opinion of the New York Times

Mark J. Krinsky writes to correct that contrary to the item in our report of November 12, 2002, the New York Times did not have an editorial entitled "Few Options for Treating Autism." The article appeared on the Op-ed page of the Times, and accordingly does not necessarily reflect the views and editorial policy of the New York Times.

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Readers' Posts

Need ABA therapist for 2-year-old autistic boy with some language in Haverill, MA area. Must be reliable, energetic, and dedicated. lagunamurphy@cox.net

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Note that 80% of the mothers exposure to dental mercury is transferred to the developing fetus at a time when this fetus has little if any defense against it. Apoe-4 proteins also play a significant part and since this is a genetic protein, most people do not know if they have this protein or not. Mercury passed from mother to child destroys beta tubelein on a gram for gram basis. Thimerosal is just an additional trigger for those most susceptible. It is not the major damaging agent, selenium, glutathione & estrogen in the female fetus protects from mercury damage in the fetus stage, testosterone exacerbates the process of beta-tublein destruction, hence the 4 to 1 ratio of males to females in autism rates, You cannot overlook the damage from dental mercury. NOR can you overlook the fact that Fluorides inhibit the uptake of selenium by the mother. bjones@cavitat.com

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Can anybody tell me if they had obtained good/bad results with Dr. Goldberg treatment, he is from California. I have a 7-year-old autistic child, and my husband is desperate looking for options, I am scared. Carolina Eberstadt, from Mexico City, please contact me at ceberstadt@nafin.gob.mx

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Does anyone know when and where the Dr. Gutstein conference is in Pittsburgh and who is hosting it? megaludis@attbi.com

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Our 5 yr high functioning son attends kindergarten. Any suggestions on how to explain to his classmates why he is different? They have a hard time understanding. Thanks! Karen jkpontevedra@yahoo.com

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I recently read an excerpt on the autism report out of Finland stating there were no increased "hospitalizations" for autism after the MMR. This was their conclusion for stating the MMR was safe. Maybe I read that wrong, but most of us never hospitalized our children for autism, so what does that study prove? HughStreep@aol.com

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United Cerebral Palsy-Utica (central New York state) seeks Autism Director to expand services to growing population. Masters Degree required plus direct experience working with individuals with ASD. Well-funded visionary organization; strong community support. Generous compensation; outstanding opportunity. veronica@autismdigest.com.

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Twas the night

- by Michelle Guppy

Twas another night before Christmas, and all through Merk's house, -- "They" still insist vaccines are safe, despite their Autistic-like mouse.... Too many vaccines still injected, hastily and without care, In hopes that the mothers, are vaccine-safety un-aware.....

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