SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism:

No Finer a Cause on the Planet"

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September 18, 2002 CALENDAR LISTING: EVENTS@doitnow.com

TREATMENTS

* Light At The End Of The Tunnel - A Story Of Hope And Recovery (Part

Two)

* More on that 'Major Breakthrough' In Treating Autism from the UK

* Early Intervention For Pre-School Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder

* Novel Therapeutics of Neurological Disorders Goal of Collaborators

CARE

* The Age Of Violence

* UK Doctors Earn £15,000 (US$23,000) By Recruiting Patients To Drug Trials

ADVOCACY

* Autism Campaigners Petition Welsh Assembly

* Measles Damaged Children With Autism Seek Medical Diagnosis

RESOURCES

New Book

* When Your Doctor is Wrong, Hepatitis B Vaccine and Autism

TREATMENTS

Light At The End Of The Tunnel - A Story Of Hope And Recovery (Part Two)

[By George And Tory Mead. This is provided for our readers's information only and not intended as medical advice.]

Part I (published September 13, 2002.)

Part II

We decided to have William tested and this is what turned up:

Seven times the allowable reference range for mercury (the reference range is 1-3, William had 22)

Myelin basic protein antibodies (William’s immune system was attacking his own brain tissue)

Immune dysfunction

Yeast (Candida) overgrowth

Elevated Measles titer

Dramatically low Magnesium and Zinc

Elevated Copper

Extremely low IGg antibodies (plasma)

Malnutrition

All of these findings are "classic" markers for the autistic child. In children with ADHD/ADD or Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) the clinical findings may be less dramatic. They are, nonetheless, likely to be present in one degree or another. Recent findings have demonstrated deficiencies in essential metabolic processes in 99% of children on the spectrum (all neurobehavioral disorders). Despite these findings, very few clinicians have even bothered to ask why the autistic children seem to have these dramatic and similar lab presentations.

Ockem’s Razor

William of Ockem was an English medieval scientist who first observed that, in weighing competing causes for a scientific phenomenon, the hypothesis with the least amount of variables was usually the correct one. He described cutting off extraneous theories and ultimately arriving at the core solution. Put another way, the scientific theory, which has multiple factors, is less likely to be truly causative than a theory, which has, at its root, one simple explanation. This process has been called "Ockem’s Razor." Thus, in analyzing any scientific phenomenon, it may be of value to look for the solution that has the least amount of variables.

In the case of autism spectrum, recent developments suggest a simple

theory: a group of children are predisposed, either genetically or through environmental insult, with a lack of defense mechanisms to deal with heavy metals and other environmental insults, in particular mercury. All but one of the childhood vaccines until recently contained a preservative known as Thimerosal, which is 49% mercury, by weight. Thimerosal has been listed for years as a pesticide with the EPA. Mercury is the second most toxic substance on the planet after Uranium. The children were exposed via the vaccine schedule to 237.5 mcg . This amount greatly exceeds the EPA allowable amount.

Recent studies by the Pfeiffer Clinic, led by Dr. Bill Walsh, indicate that 99% of affected children show significant deficiencies of Metallathionein (MT). MT is a protein, along with glutathione, responsible for detoxification, especially mercury. It is also the principle transporter of zinc throughout the body. MT is present in the gut and in the blood brain barrier. A number of studies have been conducted on genetically altered mice, whose MT factor has been removed. These studies are significant in many different respects. Perhaps, most significant is the inability of these mice to process heavy metals and the complete deterioration of their immune response.

The good news is that there appears to be the possibility of restoring the MT system. This therapy, along with enzymes, and glycoproteins, has shown dramatic effect in reversing the effects of the exposure and to improve immune functioning.

In short, it appears that some children have a predisposition to reduced levels of MT. Whether this is genetic or the result of some intrauterine insult is still unclear. What is clear is that, despite representations to the contrary, both industry and the government have known for years that thimerosal is extraordinarily toxic. As the controversy continues more light will be shed on the role of industry and government in covering up this information and in seeking accountability. As the late Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said, "sunlight is the best disinfectant".

William’s Treatment

The Gut

Piece by piece, we began to treat each of the issues, peeling away the skin of the onion. First, we had to get the gut "in order." The conventional wisdom is that any serious effort in treating the mercury or immune issues should begin with the gut. Unfortunately, many of the gut issues are difficult to resolve without removing the mercury and getting the immune system intact. A leaky swollen gut cannot effectively remove heavy metals. Similarly, a compromised immune system cannot effectively combat serious gut bugs. Given the persistence of the "bugs" (like Clostridia Difficile and Candida Albicans) it is unlikely you will get complete resolution of the issues right away. We placed William on anti-fungals ( Diflucan, Ketokonazole, Nizoral, and Nystatin) We also placed William on Yeast Control, grapefruit seed extract, and garlic oil. No one treatment is completely effective. The most important aspect of treating gut bugs is rotating the treatment.

We also use probiotics. These are beneficial microbes, which combat overgrowth of "bad" bugs. Although it is somewhat controversial, using Sacchromyces Boulardi, a form of yeast, which excretes toxins to other yeasts, has been reported as effective. The trick is not to use it exclusively for a long period of time.

Most important, yeast and gut bugs will respond very favorably if you starve them. Indeed, it appears that the most effective long-term solution to killing gut bugs is to address the diet. For William, this meant that, in addition to limiting Casein and Gluten, William is on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. We avoid potatoes, white rice, all sugar, fruit juices and dried fruit. We have chicken, beef, beans (green, pinto, black, garbanzo, white and all legumes). We also have started to use alternative flours such as Amaranth, Quinoa and Tapioca. These excellent flours are bean, not grain flours and are extremely high in amino acids and protein. Finally, we have substituted Stevia for sweetener. Stevia is an herb from South America, which has been used for centuries. It is many tens of times more sweet than sugar (a little goes a long way!) and is not metabolized as sugar.

A final note on diet. One good signal your child may be suffering from yeast is a craving for sweets or carbohydrates. If they throw fits because they are not getting fries, or if they have tantrums because they are not getting a fruit punch drink, rest assured, it is because they are, in the words of the street "Jonesing" for some sugar. The yeast is telling them it needs to be fed, and it is making them feel uncomfortable. Anyone who has tried quitting cigarettes has had a pretty good taste of this experience.

Finally, we have supplemented with a concentrated fish protein which has been used very effectively to heal gut lesions and decubitus ulcers. As the yeast is removed from the gut, the fish protein promotes healing and growth of new intestinal tissue.

NEXT: DEEPER INTO THERAPIES

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* * *

More on that 'Major Breakthrough' In Treating Autism from the UK

Results of a new programme for treating young children with autism have shown that even the most disabled made outstanding progress. Ninety-four percent of those completing the programme so far are now able to attend a mainstream school.

The South West Autism Project (SWAP), directed by Professor Alec Webster of Bristol University and funded by Bristol City Council, was started in September 2000, following a marked rise in the number of children in Bristol being diagnosed with autism. Data from 26 families are now available and show remarkable results.

The children were initially assessed using a baseline test, expressed as an overall developmental quotient – DQ. Baseline assessments ranged from a DQ of 24 – a child with severe learning difficulties – to more able children with a DQ of 100. An Individual Education Plan was then written for each child. The overall objective was to enable the autistic child to make sense of what is to them a bewildering environment, and begin to make active, spontaneous, engagement with it.

Trained tutors worked alongside families in home settings and in playgroups/nurseries on programmes geared to develop children’s social interaction, play, communication skills and flexible thinking. Progress was reviewed weekly. On average, families received 10 hours per week intensive provision. All programmes were characterised by small learning steps with a high degree of structure and repetition.

For example, a child with no eye contact and poor social skills is taught turn-taking and how to make requests using a bubble-blowing game; a child who withdraws into a trance-like state, even on short car journeys, is given an ‘I-spy’ card to keep him alert; children who are unable to accept change are taught by a ‘surprise’ card so they can anticipate a change in routine; children who are afraid of specific places or activities – for example going to the toilet – are helped by placing pictures associated with their favourite obsessions, such as Harry Potter, aliens, tractors, etc.

Key findings show that all children on the programme made significant progress and that it was effective for children across a wide range of ability. In the best case a child with a DQ of 24 gained more than 60 points in 18 months. One third of the group showed DQ gains of more than 45 points and half showed DQ gains of 20 points or more. Children who made the greatest progress received a combination of intervention strategies, including support in mainstream nurseries. To date, 16 out of 17 SWAP ‘graduates’ have gone to mainstream school. Professor Alec Webster at Bristol University said that the results were ‘dramatic – children made huge gains in academic skills, but more significantly, acquired the social skills to take part in group activities and follow everyday school routines’.

Up to now many parents of children with autism have had to fight legal battles to fund early intervention programmes. As a result, local education authorities (LEAs) were made to fund expensive programmes they were not happy with and which they had no control over. This research points the way forward for LEAs working in partnership with families.

THE RESEARCH

Early Intervention For Pre-School Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder: The South West Autism Project (SWAP) University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education Research Summary

Authors: Professor Alec Webster (Research Director) Dr Anthony Feiler (Research Associate) Valerie Webster (Programme Director)

Sponsor: Bristol City Council (£300, 000)

Background: Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is much more common than previously thought, estimated by the National Autistic Society to affect at least 1 % of children. Bristol has seen a rapid rise in diagnoses with an increase of 30% per year to figures approaching 200 children newly diagnosed each year. Growing awareness in parents and professionals accounts for some of these increases, as well as a broadening of the criteria for diagnosis.

ASD severely affects the development of individuals from infancy onwards, with a potentially catastrophic impact on social, emotional and intellectual growth. Children with ASD typically show delayed or abnormal development, particularly in social interaction and communication and may never mature to independence in adult life. More extreme features include ritualistic behaviour, exaggerated emotional reactions, aggression and self-injury.

Clinical assessment and diagnosis of ASD has improved in accuracy and reliability and many more children are now being diagnosed at ages 2 to 3 years. However, apart from a consensus that intensive early intervention can modify the child’s pattern of learning, it is still not clear which methods are most effective for which children in teaching key skills for communication, social understanding, flexible thinking and behaviour.

Controversial issues: Arguments have been set out for the benefits of one kind of intervention versus another. Behavioural approaches (Applied Behavioural Analysis or ABA) view ASD in terms of learned excesses or deficits. Through intensive systematic drills, new target behaviours are taught, prompted and rewarded, for example, by praise or food. In the Lovaas version of ABA developed in Los Angeles, children who made most progress were given 1:1 training for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. In the original 1987 study by Lovaas most often cited, it is claimed that 9 out of 19 children ‘recovered’ from ASD as measured by IQ gains and teacher judgements. These findings have not been replicated and there are large question marks about the research methods used and the conclusions drawn.

Other approaches (such as TEACCH) see ASD in terms of a distinct culture or way of perceiving and processing the world. TEACCH programmes build on existing skills and interests without intending to ‘recover’ individuals from their ASD, preferring adjustment to the host culture. TEACCH has been criticised for lowering expectations for people with ASD and rejecting the experimental ‘hard’ science approach of ABA in favour of ‘soft ’ evidence such as parental satisfaction.

According to some recently published figures, 250 ABA programmes had been established in the UK by August 1999, based on the approach of Lovaas. Of these, 109 had involved a court case with the families’ local education authority and in 100 of these cases the courts required that the LEA provide funds (£10,000 plus per year, per child) for the child’s programme. This was unlikely to happen where an LEA had developed its own pre-school service for ASD.

The National Autistic Society helpline advises parents that: ‘Different children respond to different approaches…what is important is some form of early intervention’.

What we know: Early intensive intervention leads to a reduction in abnormal behaviour patterns, improved communication and social skills Individuals with ASD benefit from structure, routine, predictability, repetition Children given help early are more likely to be included in mainstream schools later Coping with a child with ASD is extremely stressful for families Parents and siblings have an important role in helping to deliver an ASD programme There is a wide range of possible interventions, but there are no panaceas and no guarantees of success for all children In any treatment programme outcomes will vary greatly: some children improve markedly, others not

What we do not know: Which child characteristics lead to success in different approaches Which family characteristics and preferences indicate what kind of intervention The relative benefits of using a ‘one size fits all’ approach compared with tailoring intervention to the needs of children and families Whether only those children given the most intensive help (most hours per week) make the most progress Optimal levels of intensity (5, 15, 25 hours per week) Whether intervention is most effective on a continuous basis with no breaks The particular problems faced by parents managing their own ABA programmes compared with an LEA-managed ASD service How best to manage transitions, for example, into nursery or school settings How LEAs can design, deliver and evaluate an ASD service ensuring ‘best-value’ and the most effective provision for children and families

Investigating the problem:The SWAP research was funded by Bristol City Council over a three-year period and started in September 2000, with data now available from 26 families. Directed by a Senior Specialist Educational Psychologist and working in collaboration with University researchers, the project is staffed by graduates and learning support assistants who are trained to implement and monitor a range of intensive interventions. Any Bristol pre-school child with an ASD diagnosis can be referred to SWAP.

Children are given a baseline assessment battery using the Psycho-Educational Profile – Revised (PEP-R), a developmental test devised specifically for young children with ASD. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is written to reflect the parents’ main concerns and preferences for intervention, together with priorities evident from the assessment. Contact hours are negotiated with the family, up to a maximum of 25 hours per week (set by the LEA to reflect the maximum time any pre-school child is allocated educational provision). Programmes are delivered in school terms with guidance provided to parents regarding holiday activities.

Family tutors work towards targets set on IEPs and review progress weekly with parents. Teaching includes behavioural approaches as well as methods from speech therapy eg, intensive interaction, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and other strategies such as visual timetables, social scripts. Individual programmes will emphasise communication, play, social interaction and independence.

Research outcomes include measures of each child’s developmental progress using repeat PEP-R testing; micro-analysis of child-adult interactions using repeat video recordings; stress impact on families using standardised questionnaires. Researchers have interviewed most families involved in SWAP, together with families managing their own ABA programmes.

Key findings: All children made progress as measured by formal assessment and expressed in an overall developmental quotient (DQ = Developmental age (DA) divided by Chronological age (CA) x 100) The programme was effective for children across a wide range of ability: baseline assessments ranged from a development quotient of 24 (a child with severe learning difficulties and ASD) to more able children with a DQ of 100 In the best cases children made DQ gains of more than 60 points in 18 months (one child’s DA of 16 months at CA 39 months, increased by 43 months to a DA of 59 months at CA 57 months in a programme lasting a year and a half) For children where full data have now been collated, half the sample showed gains in DQ of 20 points or more, one third showed DQ gains of more than 45 points On average, families requested and received 10 hours per week intensive provision (range 2.5 hours to 25 hours per week) Breaks in programme delivery did not impede – and may have facilitated - progress Differences in progress were not linked to the amount of intervention: children who made the greatest amount of progress were not those who received the greatest intervention time Children who made the greatest progress received a combination of intervention strategies, including support in mainstream nurseries 94% of SWAP ‘graduates’ to date have gone to mainstream school (n=16) High levels of stress were reported by all parents of ASD children; some of the most stressful issues for parents were the statutory assessment process and transition to school All parents valued SWAP once established on the programme The preferred choice for families was not a pure ABA-style intervention: 25/26 families wanted a mixture of approaches tailored to their child’s needs No parent receiving SWAP has successfully challenged the LEA for alternative provision

Recommendations: All families with an ASD diagnosis require access to some form of early intervention Intervention should embrace a range of flexible approaches which can be tailored to families’ needs LEA services for pre-school children with ASD need to be based on partnership with parents, careful assessment and programme planning, close liaison between agencies (health, social services, education) Statutory assessments and transition into school require sensitive management LEAs should move towards best value provision by innovative development, systematic monitoring and evaluation of ASD intervention Further research is required to augment our understanding of which children and families do best in which kinds of intervention programme

Contacts for further information: Professor Alec Webster 0117 928 7028 Alec.Webster@bristol.ac.uk Dr Anthony Feiler 0117 928 7037 A.Feiler@bristol.ac.uk Valerie Webster 0117 928 7034 Valerie.Webster@bristol.ac.uk

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Novel Therapeutics of Neurological Disorders Goal of Collaborators Psychiatric Genomics Announces a Collaboration with the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Budapest, Hungary

Uses "a revolutionary robotic system"

PRNewswire via COMTEX – The eventual creation of novel therapeutics for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, based on the analysis of samples from a collection of central nervous system tissue from both normal controls and individuals diagnosed with these debilitating disorders is the priamry goal of an announced collaboration of a tech company, a Hungarian research institute and senior scientist.

Psychiatric Genomics, Inc. ("Psychiatric Genomics"), a company bringing an innovative approach to creating and developing small molecule drugs for the treatment of mental illness, today announced a collaboration with the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (the "Institute") in Budapest, Hungary, acting through Peter Gaszner, M.D., Ph.D., Director and Professor of Psychiatry.

Under the terms of the agreement, Psychiatric Genomics will have an exclusive collaboration with Dr. Gaszner to conduct research on brain tissue from individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. Using microarray technology, Psychiatric Genomics will determine the patterns of gene expression and will use the data to further its gene and drug discovery programs. New targets will be incorporated into Psychiatric Genomics' novel Multi-Parameter High Throughput Screen(SM) to discover effective treatments for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In addition, Psychiatric Genomics will share all research information with Dr. Gaszner and the Institute for use in its internal research programs. The studies that will be undertaken by Psychiatric Genomics and Dr. Gaszner will advance the neurobiological understanding of mental disorders and will eventually lead to the development of novel therapies for these debilitating disorders.

"Psychiatric Genomics is an emerging leader in innovative drug discovery," added Dr. Peter Gaszner, Director and Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology. "Being the only drug discovery company to analyze the gene expression patterns of human brain tissue of patients suffering from psychiatric disorders, the company is on track to revolutionize the way we treat these diseases."

About Psychiatric Genomics' Drug Discovery Approach

Psychiatric Genomics is the only biotech company that is basing drug discovery for psychiatric diseases on human tissues. Through relationships with various institutions, the Company accesses the central nervous system tissue of normal controls and patients afflicted with illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism. The Company analyzes these tissues using state-of-the-art microarray technologies and identifies their distinctive gene expression patterns (the "disease signatures").

The disease signatures are combined with proprietary cell-based model systems to form the basis of the Company's Multi-Parameter High Throughput

Screen(SM) (MPHTS(SM)) -- a revolutionary robotic system designed to find small molecule therapeutics. The MPHTS(SM) determines the effects of new chemical entities on the function of multiple genes simultaneously, thus using the power of genomics to discover the next generation of psychotherapeutics. The drugs developed through this approach have potential for improved efficacy, reduced side effects and earlier onset of action.

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The Age Of Violence

An increasing number of mothers and fathers are seeking help after being physically attacked by their children

Sue had just asked her eldest son, then aged seven, to clean his teeth before he went to bed when suddenly he lashed out at her. “He flipped and started kicking and punching me,” she says.

Over the past six years the violence has escalated, with the boy attacking his mother several times a week, often without warning. “He has tried to strangle me, he has also got me in a headlock. Once he threatened to grab a knife and kill me, so I sat on him to stop him. I’ve always tried to restrain him — for instance, grabbing his arms — but it’s got more difficult as he has got bigger."

Sue, a civil servant in her thirties from Yorkshire, is one of a growing number of parents reporting attacks by their children. Physical abuse by children accounts for 6 per cent of calls to Parentline Plus, the charity helpline, and another 17 per cent of calls concern aggressive behaviour, with the children involved ranging from age 4 to 15.

It is natural for children to have moments of aggression such as swearing, shouting, throwing or kicking objects in anger, says Dorit Braun, the chief executive of Parentline Plus. But while this conduct can usually be nipped in the bud, in some cases it leads to more serious misbehaviour, for example, a young child who regularly hits out at and kicks people.

“We have had very distressed parents ring us when their child has hit them with a cricket bat,” says Braun. “Mum is usually the target, the basic reason being that dads are perceived as bigger and tougher."

As a divorced (and slight) mother of two, Sue might make an obvious target, but violent children are a problem for nuclear families as well as for single parents, says Jill Bennett, head of the education social work department at Wirral Borough Council. “This is not a class issue,” she says. “We see some single mums and women who became parents in their teens. But the majority are not from economically deprived areas and include two-parent families and middle-class professional women. Most have other children who are perfectly OK.

“Like any newly discovered ‘last taboo’, it is much more prevalent than you think."

Bennett discovered the problem when following up cases in which parents faced prosecution for their children’s truancy. “I’d ask if there was anything else we could do, or we’d have to go to court,” she recalls. “Then the tears would flow and the mother would pull back her sleeves and show us the bruises."

Last year the council launched a 12-week programme to help parents of violent and aggressive children aged 8 to 18. Forty-eight parents have completed it, and now separate groups are being set up for parents of primary school-age children, and for fathers.

The reasons for violent and aggressive behaviour are multiple and complex, says Dr Susan Bailey, chairwoman of the child and adolescent faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, although they boil down to “nature, nurture and timing; whether events happen at critical stages of development”.

+ Article continues at:

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UK Doctors Earn £15,000 (US$23,000) By Recruiting Patients To Drug Trials

A family doctor can easily earn an extra £15,000 a year by enrolling their patients in a trial for a newly licensed drug. Unfortunately, the patient is not aware that he’s participating in a trial or that his doctor is being paid by the drug company concerned.

A new study prepared by two ethics committees says that doctors should reveal to patients that they are being paid for prescribing the new drug. Doctors can earn thousands of pounds per patient recruited into a trial, and well-organized GPs easily earn £15,000 a year for just three hours of work a week.

“Payments have reached levels that are of serious concern to research ethics committees,” said Jammi Rao, of the West Midlands Multi-centre Research Ethics Committee. He said that some hospitals depend on money from the pharmaceuticals to help fund their work, while some GPs trawl their databases to find patients who fit the requirements to improve their recruitment rates.

Often, important trials designed by non-commercial organisations – and without the funding to pay doctors for recruiting participants - fail to attract support from the medical profession.

The concept of paying the doctor per patient recruited goes against the guidelines of the Royal College of Physicians, who prefer to see doctors reimbursed for their time spent on a trial. Nonetheless, it remains the standard method of reimbursement. (BMJ, 2002; 325: 36-7).

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ADVOCACY

Autism Campaigners Petition Welsh Assembly

A petition calling for further research into the causes of autism was delivered to the National Assembly for Wales today.

It coincides with identical petitions being delivered, at the same time, to 10 Downing Street, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Dail.

Oliver Loch, a six-year-old schoolboy who has been diagnosed as autistic presented the petition. His parents, Peter and Julie Loch, are members of Autism Research Campaign for Health (ARCH), England and Wales, who along with Action Against Autism, Scotland, have organised this petition.

“I believe we need to clearly establish or eliminate the factors that cause autism,” said William Graham AM at the presentation.

“I emphasise that the current vaccination is the best way to ensure children are protected from measles, mumps and rubella. However, we must appreciate that if the trend in the low uptake of the MMR vaccine threatens a measles epidemic, parents must be given the option of choosing separate vaccines.”

He said that he was disappointed that neither Jane Hutt, the Minister for Health, or Brian Gibbons, the Deputy Minister will be available to receive this petition.

[See related press release below. –LS]

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* * *

Measles Damaged Children With Autism Seek Medical Diagnosis

[Press Release From Action Against Autism (AAA) and Autism Research Campaign For Health (ARCH).]

On Wednesday 18 September, parents with children with autism will present a petition to the Parliaments in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Dublin requesting full medical diagnosis of the extent of measles damage in their bodies. They will present the petition to 10 Downing Street, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Irish Dail. The London petitioners will assemble at Whitehall Place from 12 noon and arrive at Downing Street at 1pm.

There is growing evidence of autistic children with measles detected in their gut and blood samples, the majority of whom have never suffered from childhood measles. Yet there has been no attempt by the government or the NHS to conduct a thorough and routine investigation of the growing numbers of children with autism and bowel disease.

There are now over 20,000 children diagnosed with autism in the last 12 years. Most developed normally and then regressed. Autism was until 1990 very rare. Regressive autism is now more common than all other serious childhood conditions combined. Of the 20,000 autistic children, many have bowel disease and an unknown number have measles virus both in gut and blood samples.

How did the virus come to be in the children? What is the long-term outcome for these children? Whilst studies show measles present in their gut, blood and in some cases spinal fluid, there is presently no way to eradicate the virus. The government and medical establishment have no answer to give to the alarming and painful condition of bowel disease associated with autism.

The NHS prides itself on the first class medical care for children. Yet few hospitals and medical scientists are researching this condition. The government has chosen not to commission new research and, with few exceptions, medical scientists are not developing new treatments. Perhaps this is because they are uncomfortable with what might be found.

Our petition seeks to bring the plight of our children to the public’s attention. We ask the government to provide for the routine testing of our children. For the sake of these children, the government should put aside any fears they might have that by addressing this condition they would be undermining their own case for the present measles vaccination programme. Our children should not be made the victims of medical politics.

Background

1. Several studies in addition to those by Dr Andrew Wakefield et al have identified autistic children with distinct bowel disease, 'autistic enterocolitis' (Wakefield, A. et al (2000) 'Enterocolitis in children with developmental disorders' American Journal of Gastroenterology, 95, 2285-2295). Recently, Timothy Buie, from Harvard General Hospital, has presented findings of chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract of autistic children to the Oasis 2002 Conference for Autism in Portland, Oregon. Similarly, Dr. Arthur Krigsman a consultant paediatric gastroenterologist , together with colleagues at New York University School of Medicine have observed serious intestinal inflammation in 43 autistic children. He said 'Our findings, which are independent of Dr Wakefield's, completely support his explanation and his observations of the abnormalities in the bowels of these children. They mirror exactly what he has described.'

2. Uhlmann, V. et al ('Potential viral mechanism for new variant inflammatory bowel disease' Molecular Pathology, No. 55, pp 0-6, 2002) have recently found measles virus in the intestine of autistic children that was not present in the control group used.

3. Dr Vijendra Singh et al (‘Abnormal Measles-Mumps-Rubella Antibodies and CNS Autoimmunity in Children with Autism’, Journal of Biomedical Science Vol. 9, No. 4, 2002, 359-364, 2002) have found fragments of MMR strain measles in the central nervous system of autistic children.

4. One study shows that these children have a distinct change in the cell structure of the bowel. (Furlano, R I et al (2001) 'Colonic CD8 and T-cell infiltration with epithelial damage in children with autism', The Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 138, No. 3, 366-372)

* * *

RESOURCES

When Your Doctor is Wrong, Hepatitis B Vaccine and Autism

by Judy Converse List Price: $21.99

[Thanks to autism_in_hunterdon@yahoogroups.com.]

4-6307874-5855166

Paperback: 296 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.66 x 8.50 x 5.50 ·

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation; ISBN: 1401029736; (June 2002)

Book Description Does your child need hepatitis B vaccine? How safe is it? When Your Doctor Is Wrong… scrutinizes reportable data on the virus and the vaccine as it follows one child through the terrible maze of adversely reacting to this shot. His recovery is a must read for all families touched by autism, while the alarming news of the shot’s inappropriateness for infants and children will inform all parents. When Your Doctor Is Wrong… gives parents facts they need to vaccinate more safely. "A well written and arresting account that parents and the medical community need to see. This could be a breakthrough book about autism." - Randall Neustaedter, OMD, author, The Vaccine Guide

s/104-6307874-5855166#14010297363000

* * *

[DEAR READERS: More positive news next edition, I promise. – editor.]

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