Selecting an Autism Diet A Review of Popular Approaches

                

 

Art therapy may be an ideal way to develop social skills, but an autism diet may also be another form of effective treatment. Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy, and like expressive therapy, when it comes to food control, there is more than one type of diet that can be used to treat autism.

Many health practitioners believe that an autism diet may be beneficial treatment. The reason is because most autistics have distorted immune response which causes their body to respond abnormally to certain types of food, viruses and toxins. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for many autistics to suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation and other intestinal disorders. It is thought that these intestinal problems might decrease the body?s ability to absorb specific essential nutrients. Thus, by following a diet and other alternative treatment methods, certain abilities and overall health may be improved in an autistic individual.

The following are 4 autism diets you may want to consider ?

Gluten and Casein Free Diet
Gluten and Casein are both proteins found in many foods which some autistics have a hard time digesting. Gluten occurs in wheat, oat and rye products, while casein is found in human milk, cow milk and many other dairy products. Both of these proteins are also in the ingredients of many medications.

Research has discovered that abnormally high level of specific peptides related to gluten and casein have been found in the urine of autistic children. This could mean that these proteins are not being effectively broken down into amino acids, and this over-absorption of peptide can actually affect brain function. Thus, by removing gluten and casein from the autism diet, this will prevent further gastrointestinal and neurological damage from occurring.

Yeast- Free Diet
Some research is based on the belief that some autistics have high levels of candida albicans (a type of yeast that occurs naturally in the body) in their intestinal tract. A candida overgrowth in the intestines can cause ?leaky gut? syndrome, a condition that causes tiny holes in the intestinal tract. The yeast grows fast and releases toxins in the bloodstream which has the potential to affect brain functioning.

In fact, aside from causing stomach distress, it is thought by some that a candida overgrowth can cause a number of behavioural difficulties such as fatigue, confusion and hyperactivity.

Candida can be controlled naturally through an anti-candida (yeast) diet or with essential oils. In short, an anti-yeast diet involves cutting out all natural and artificial sugars, caffeine, most diary products, preservatives and, of course, yeast products (I.E. bread).

Specific Carbohydrate Diet
This is a science based autism diet, and it involves the cessation of ingesting specific carbohydrates (sugars and starches) that have been found to cause problems within the digestive tract. In addition, carbohydrates are small enough that they can slip by the surface of the small intestine into the blood stream, and can cause abnormal brain function.

This diet limits the amount of carbohydrates ingested and slowly adds them back once the intestinal tract has had time to heal.

Body Ecology Diet (BED)
This particular diet used to treat autism was originally created to treat systemic fungal infections typically caused by Candida overgrowth. It has been used to treat the inflammatory bowel diseases ulcerative colitis and Crohn?s disease, as well as a number of autoimmune diseases and AIDS. Like the other autism diets, the BED works to heal the gastrointestinal system and prevent future infections.

The BED diet involves eliminating gluten and casein from the diet as well as drastically limiting bad fats, carbohydrates and sugars.

It is best to talk to your child?s health care provider to find out which autism diet would be the best course of treatment. It is also important to have your doctor monitor your child?s condition while on a diet treatment. This way you can ask any questions or concerns you may have about the autism diets, and to ensure your child is receiving the sufficient nutrients his/her body requires.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about autism strategies and for information on autism diet please visit The Essential Guide To Autism.

Defining Autism and New Autism Studies Results

                

 

The reported cases of autism seem to be sweeping the country like never before, and autism is frequently seen on the news and in special TV reports. Is there an epidemic going on or is it just that autism is now gaining more visibility? Recent studies indicate that as many as 1 in 162 children have autism to some degree.

The tough part about autism is that it is difficult to diagnose. It?s not like a broken arm where you can take an x-ray and determine yes the arm really is broken. Rather, much of the diagnosis of autism is somewhat subjective, although there are definite signs to indicate that a child has autism or autistic spectrum disorder to some degree. The other tough part is that the degree of autism varies from child to child. The very mild form of autism is known as Asperger?s Syndrome. But regardless of the severity, an accurate diagnosis as early as possible is extremely important, since the child can benefit greatly from different educational methods that are employed for autistic children.

Signs of autism or indications that might lead you to think your child has ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) would be a very unusual response or a lack of response at all to noises and other people. Autistic children do not care to be socially involved with other children or adults, but rather they seem to live in their own world. Another sign is that affected children are engrossed with a toy or particular object. Engrossed may not be the right word however, it is more like they are totally 100% focused on that object, for as long as hours at a time, even an inanimate object.

Autistic children do not like a change of routine. If your child is subject to temper tantrums for what seem like insignificant events, you should examine the change that occurred which may have spurred the tantrum, since autistic children can get very upset and unsettled when their regular routine is interrupted by something else.

There is neither a known cause for autism nor a known cure. It is primarily thought to be a neurological condition and it is not thought to be hereditary. Many people believe that there is a correlation between autism and mercury contamination. The mercury contamination goes back to the normal childhood vaccinations that all children receive before they enter school. There is a preservative that has been used in some of these vaccinations known as Thimerosal which is almost 50% mercury. Although the dangers of mercury are well known, its link to autism is still just a theory and is not supported at this point by any scientific evidence.

A more recent report states that scientists in New Jersey have asserted that children who have been diagnosed with autism seem to be unable to metabolize key fatty acids that fight brain-damaging inflammations. This is an interesting find, although as yet unsubstantiated, since it is known that autism has a tendency to scramble the signals going to the brain and cause them to be interpreted incorrectly. More studies are being conducted, but if this latest study can be validated, a virtual cure for autism could be as simple as a "therapeutic cocktail of fatty acids".

Like anything else, early diagnosis is a key ingredient to finding the help your child needs to fight autism and get the necessary help, particularly during elementary school education, where special schools can provide the type of environment needed by the autistic child, whereas normal public schools are not equipped to provide that type of one-on-one special handling for a particular student.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintain a variety of web sites based on his knowledge and experience. For more information about Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, please visit his web site at Autism Explained.

About Glyconutrients Autism

                

 

There is no known cause for autism, but new studies are being performed all of the time in hopes of finding an answer that may either provide a cure, or perhaps to help make life easier for those who are diagnosed. There are many theories, but none have been proven thus far. That does not mean these theories are right, or that they are wrong, but further evaluation needs to be done before anything concrete can be said. However, there are some who believe that glyconutrients might play a part in why some develop autism. They feel that when there is a lack of glyconutrients, autism is sometimes a result.

Glyconutrients are another name for the sugars that you get in your diet. These often help keep the body working effectively, and also help keep the auto immune system working properly. Some feel that children simply don?t get what they need, and some believe this contributes to autism. This conclusion is drawn because autism is believed to be an autoimmune problem. The belief is that the weak immune system, as a result of lack of proper amounts of glyconutrients, leads to a child having problems with autism.

Some research suggests that up to three fourths of the disease in the world are due to free radicals. These are things that are foreign to the body, and the body must get rid of them to remain healthy. These include preservatives in foods, toxins in the air, and all sorts of things introduced into the system through the course of an average day. If the autoimmune system is not working properly, these toxins remain in the body. If the body is not getting enough glyconutrients to help keep the immune system healthy, these toxins build up quickly.

Some believe that these glyconutrients should be supplemented in some children (especially those considered to be picky eaters) to help boost the immune system. This will allow the body to flush out the toxins that enter to help the child remain healthier in all respects. It is not known if something like this might stop a child from developing autism, but some believe that this might be the key to helping them reverse some of the symptoms. There are testimonials you can find from parents who have tried it with good results, and others say that this made no difference.

Please remember that there is no scientific basis for using glyconutrients as a help for autism as of yet. Though these can do many wonderful things, it is something best left to your doctor. If you think this is something that you want to try to help your child, please have a discussion with your doctor about the pros and cons, and about the latest research. This, like many other things, can be dangerous if done improperly. You should always have medical guidance if you want to try to supplement glyconutrients. Autism is something that no family wishes for, but it is a reality for many. Perhaps this will be the answer, but only time, and more research, will tell the tale.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on glyconutrients autism. In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

How to Balance an Autism Diet

                

 

There are many autistic children who are very picky eaters and have odd autism diet foibles. This is not just another problem with behavior, though it might seem like it at first. This is often something that happens for simpler reasons, and some of them are correctable.

A child who is not eating enough of the right foods is not getting the nutritional intake they need to remain healthy, and parents must do what they can to establish a more balanced diet.

There are times when there is a medical reason behind the picky eating, and it might mean talking to a doctor about nutrition and how to make sure the right foods are in a child?s diet.

Some children who won?t eat are simply not hungry. Sometimes this is just the way it is, but more often than not, there may be a medication to blame. Some children with autism also have ADHD and they may be on mediations for that purpose. Some of the medications for this condition will suppress appetite, along with others drugs like antibiotics. If this is the suspected problem, there may be alternative medications that can be given that will not have the same affect on the child?s hunger. Talk to your doctor about this.

There are also some autistic children that have very sensitive digestive systems. They may have problems with acid reflux, and this can make eating hard for them.

They may also have problems in the intestines that lead to constipation, loose stools, or gas and bloating. They learn to associate these feelings with eating, and that makes them not want to eat.

In this case, it might just take something as simple as a course of acid reflux medication to get them feeling better and eating more. As a natural alternative you could try ginger to help soothe the system, ask your doctor for more advice.

Sometimes eating is not something a child looks forward to because they have poor motor skills and can?t get the foods into their mouth with ease, and they may have problems with chewing and swallowing. They may gag or choke and they will avoid eating to avoid those things. When that happens, therapy sessions with a oral-motor therapist might be the answer to the child?s eating problems.

Some children simply cannot stand the textures of foods, and they may be hyper sensitive to almost all sensations associated with eating. Finding a way to desensitize the mouth can help, and quite often liquids can be taken in by the use of a straw.

Keep reading to sign up for the free Autism newsletter that addresses the signs and symptoms of autism and discover natural treatment options available, as well as more information on the link between diet and autism.

When parents have concerns, they need to consult with their physician about what they should do first. New medications might be found that will not affect the appetite, and there may be additional medications that can help with an upset digestive system.

There are supplements that a doctor might suggest to restore balance and give important vitamins and minerals. Sometimes little things can help restore a good autism diet to help a child remain healthy and strong, but before giving supplements, it is important to find out how much they should have and how often they should have it.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on autism diet. In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

Treatment In Cases Of Autism

                

 

Treatment for autism cases is quite variable this days. Choosing a specific way of treating someone is done according to some factors : the behavior of the patient, the development stage in witch he is and possible medications that that person can take. In trying to treat children with autism parents and doctors must do the best they can with what is available for them. Each child must have a specific program just for him in order to have a good chance of combating the disease.

Beginning to treat the most early of symptoms is very crucial in all patients; left untreated some behaviors may later on need extreme measures. It is well documented that children with autism may at one point or another start developing aggressive behaviors. The most early of treatments is needed if chances exist in preventing medication usage later on or even institutionalization.

The family must be very strong and organized when dealing with autistic children. The members must try the best they can to make the child change its behavior and not the other way around. If the family becomes behaviorally disrupted chances for the child patient to ever become normal and to be accepted is society drop drastically.

Sometimes family members must be quite harsh or severe in their attempts of changing the behavior of the autistic child. Still they must do their best in changing any particular behavior pattern in the child that is potentially correctable. This days certain treatments exist in facilitating the patients cure. This way they can use treatments that include ABA, either speech therapy or behavioral therapy and of course special education.

The medication use in autistic children must also be researched ahead of time because the reaction to the drugs can be very unexpected and different from other drugs. Each drug has its specific role in combating this awful illness. In the cases of hyperactive children some drugs are available to reduce their physical activities and thus improve the attention span towards education and treatment.

Certain aggressive compulsive behaviors may be treated by administering antidepressants. This kind of medicine greatly increases the levels of serotonin in the brain of the patient. Studies have showed that in comparison to other placebo treatments, the usage of antidepressants has proven very effective. They are considered to be the safest medication available now.

Different treatment do exist at this time and they include integration training, vitamin and mineral treatments and some injections that have yet to be revealed. Cases have been known where children suffering from this disease improve spontaneously. Studies must be done in order to see better if the changes where as a result of treatment or just an abnormal reaction of the autistic patient.

For greater resources on Autism or especially about autism symptoms please click this link http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms.htm

Can Adults Be Diagnosed With Autism?

                

 

Though we have known about Autism for a while now, much of it is still misunderstood. The classic form of autism has been known for quite some time, and when someone has it, it is rather obvious. However, the higher functioning type of autism known as Asperger?s is a something that the medical community is just now learning a lot about. It was not understood for a long time, and was often misdiagnosed. Since this condition has not been historically recognized by the medical community for a long time, the question seems to be, ?Can adults be diagnosed with autism??

The answer to that question is yes. However, this can be hard. There are some doctors who do not really think that Asperger?s is a real condition, or they simply do not have the knowledge they need to diagnose a child or an adult. Generally speaking, those with high functioning autism can slip under the radar. Parents might not think there is anything wrong other than their child is a little different. They chalk this up to personality and don?t consider there might be something else going on.

Because high functioning patients with autism often blend in rather well, they might go undetected for a very long time. Others in their life might think they are a little odd, and may find them to be shy or socially awkward. Otherwise, they are intelligent and independent, and seem much like anyone else. They are probably going through their own personal trials however, and may be diagnosed with different mental conditions like depression or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). They probably find that even though they can socialize some, they would rather be alone.

An adult with autism can display many traits that others use to label them as different. These are mostly related to their socialization skills. They often don?t understand humor or double meanings very well. They often talk about inappropriate topics, and repeat themselves quite a lot. They may have nervous tics, and have problems with eye contact. They are also very exacting, but have problems with motor skills and are considered to be clumsy. They also have severe anxiety that bubbles away and surfaces frequently.

If you or someone you know has problems such as these, there may be a chance that they have a form of Autism. Someone who suspects they might have this condition might feel better if they are properly diagnosed, and it might help those around them understand them a lot better. There are some websites that offer tests a person can take online, and there are resources for choosing a doctor.

The first stop might be to go talk to someone. If a doctor will not take the query seriously, it is time to move on to another doctor until one is found who will help. Once diagnosed, there are many groups that offer support and help for those struggling with autism. Can adults be diagnosed with autism? Certainly. Do they have a hard time finding a doctor that will listen? Sometimes, but it?s worth persevering.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on aspergers.In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

Five Strategies For Coping With Autism and Anxiety On Socialization

                

 

Though no parent wants to hear that their child has any of the five types of autism, it can be somewhat of a relief to put a name to what is going on. The best thing about a diagnosis is that the child can get treatments that are meant to help with both communication and socialization. These are both problems for those who have this condition, but with help, they can be overcome. There are some things that parents can do to help, and it begins with finding out how to cope with autism and anxiety on socialization. Early intervention often means good results can be expected for some children.

Before therapies can be started, a thorough examination must be done. The child should be evaluated in all areas they are struggling with due to autism to see what areas need the most immediate help, and what might not need to be addressed at all. Usually one or two behaviors will be singled out as the most pressing, and those are the ones that parents need to concentrate on first. These therapies should always be done with positive reinforcement, and with endless amounts of patience.

1. Speech Therapy: Though there are some children with autism that speak rather well, they can still have communication problems in one form or another. They may have a large vocabulary, but they don?t know how to use it. Some children with autism are very bad at forming relationships because of speech-related communication problems. Speech therapy can help them learn to communicate their feelings and thoughts in a more mainstream fashion.

2. Desensitization to New Environments: Therapy focused on this area is done when a child always acts out with screaming tantrums away from home. It can be used for tantrums in any situation. The idea behind is to take the child to an area that they struggle with, and when the tantrum ensues, they are removed and they go home. The next time they visit the spot, they only go in for a short amount of time, usually less than a minute. The time is slowly upped in duration and when paired with positive feedback and rewards, this form of desensitization can be a very useful tool. This can help a child cope with new places such as entering a classroom setting.

3. Self-Awareness: These skills will help children learn to relate to themselves and that in turn helps them relate with others. When they can learn to manage their emotions, they can learn more about the same emotions in others. That helps them in understanding what the other person may be saying or feeling, and once that is accomplished, communications are better managed.

4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This therapy also helps a child understand and manage their emotions, and can go a long way towards helping them express themselves rather than having no other way to express emotion except through a tantrum. It can help them relax in certain situations that are normally anxious, and can also help with obsessive behaviors of all types.

5. Medication: Some parents will refuse to put their children on medications to help anxiety during socialization, but there are times when it can greatly benefit the child so it is worth being open minded about this option.

Some children with autism can suffer from deep bouts of depression or may have ADHD. So, medication is something that can be discussed at length with your child?s physician or you may wish to investigate alternative forms of treatment, such as natural supplements or complimentary therapies to reduce autism and anxiety on socialization.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about autism strategies and for information on high functioning autism please visit The Essential Guide To Autism.

Thimerosal & Autism - David Kirby's Evidence Of Harm

                

 

Thimerosal & Autsim - David Kirby's Evidence of Harm

David Kirby new book, "Evidence of Harm" is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the connection between autism and childhood vaccines containing the mercury based preservative Thimerosal. The book examines the political and legal side of this travesty and presents information that cannot be disputed.

The book is a result of a thorough investigation and is by no means an anti-vaccine campaign. But most importantly, its obvious that Kirby has no ax to grind.

"I was 100% unfamiliar with this story right up until November of 2002," Kirby says, "I had never met a person with autism in my life and I had never heard of Thimerosal,"

"And I had certainly never heard of any connection between any form of mercury and autism," he adds, "although I did know mercury was not good for you. But I dont think I realized the extent to which it could do damage in your body."

"Growing up in school," Kirby said, "I have tried...I have searched my brain going back class by class, trying to think, Could that kid have been autistic?

"But, I have seen autistic kids and no," he said, "I dont believe I had ever met anybodycertainly no one who was diagnosed."

For people who insist that there is no epidemic and that it is just better reporting and better diagnostics, "I really would like to pose the question to them that Mark Blaxill, from Safe Minds, asks," Kirby said, "Where are all those people? Where are the 1 in 166 autistic adults? We cant find them."

The epidemic is real and politicians know it. On June 18, 2004, Representative Dave Weldon (R-FL) took to the floor of Congress and told members of congress, "I would like to take this time to address what I consider to be a very growing problem, the epidemic of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders that are plaguing our Nation."

"In January of this year, the Department of Health and Human Services sent out an autism alarm to the Nation's pediatricians. In this alarm, they stated that one in every 167 children is being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. I will repeat that. One in every 167 children being born in the United States today is being diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. Furthermore, one in seven children is being diagnosed with either a learning disability or a behavioral disability."

"Mr. Speaker, something dreadful is happening to our youngest generation, and we must sound the alarm and figure out what is going on with our children," Weldon said.

According to Weldon, "autism was once in America a rare and infrequently seen condition. I went through 4 years of medical school, internship, residency, and years of private practice and practice within the military and had not seen one single case. I have seen case after case in my congressional district over the last 7 years, a disease that I had never seen before."

Weldon told the committee, "The number one question has been whether neurologic problems were caused in some children by the high levels of a mercury containing additive that was included in our vaccines in the 1990s. This mercury containing additive is called thimerosol, and in the 1990s, infants and unborn children were exposed to significant amounts of mercury at a most critical point in their development."

Ironically, Republican lawmakers are openly blaming Thimerosal and seeking to have it banned. In addition to Weldon, Senator Roy Holand (R-Missouri), also a physician by training, identified Thimerosal as the culprit and got Missouri legislators to prohibit its use in childhood vaccines in his state.

As a physician, Ive been concerned about the rising levels of autism, and the more Ive learned about thimerosal, the more convinced I am that it causes neurological damage, said Holand. Mercury has no place being injected into children.

Evidence of Harm examines the politics involved and reads like mystery. Kirby weaves together the determined efforts by parents to force attention upon autism; the conflicting scientific evidence regarding Thimerosal; and the behind-the-scenes maneuverings that led to an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services into allegations of malfeasance on the part of employees at the CDC and the FDA.

Kirby is no stranger to investigative journalism. He has been writing extensively for the New York Times for the past seven years and was a foreign correspondent in Mexico and Central America from 1986 -1990, where he covered the wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua, and the politics, corruption and natural disasters in Mexico. From Latin America, he reported for UPI, the San Francisco Examiner, Newsday, Arizona Republic, Houston Chronicle and the NBC Radio Network.

Kirby keeps up with all the studies by independent scientists. "The most important ones among them are the work of Jeff Bradstreet, Jill James, and Dr. Richard Deth, and others looking into this: Boyd Haley, of course, from the University of Kentucky. Mark and David Geier have looked more into the epidemiology than the biology of this," he adds.

"The bottom line of what their studies are showing," Kirby says, "is that autistic kids retain heavy metals at a much greater rate than normal kids; that they seem unable, in fact, to actually excrete it."

There is a treatment known as "chelation" that is showing some success when used to draw mercury out of the bodies of autistic children.

"Following chelation," Kirby reports, "autistic children excrete far higher levels of mercury than normal kids. And yet, in their baby haircuts, were finding that normal kids have much higher levels of mercury in their hair," he said, "And that would then make sense, because they were excreting it properly; the autistic kids were holding onto it."

This theory is supported by research conducted by Mady Hornig which took different strains of miceone strain which was genetically predisposed to have auto-immune disordersand exposed them all to the same level of vaccines that children would have received.

In the sensitive group of mice, Hornig noticed autistic-like behavior and physiological development such as increased brain size that you see in autistic children. Of course as always happens to scientists who connect the dots on this issue, she has been attacked for the study.

According to Kirby, people said, "How can you tell if a mouse has autism or not?"

But he explains, "Im not quite sure that was the point of the study. I think the point of the study was to show that certain members of the same species, with a genetic difference, will react differently to the same level of mercury exposure due to a genetic variance."

Which makes perfect sense. Those children whose bodies cannot rid themselves of mercury become autistic. The August 2003 International Journal of Toxicology study revealed that healthy children excreted eight times more mercury via their hair than did autistic children. In fact, the more severe a child's autistic symptoms, the less mercury was excreted in her hair, indicating that mercury also could be retained in the child's tissue, including her brain.

Thimerosal began to be slowly removed from vaccines in late 1999. "That means new vaccines started to be produced without mercury in them," Kirby said, "But as we know, all the vaccines on the shelf with mercury stayed on the shelvesthere was never a recall."

According to Kirby, "We have no idea how long it took to use up all that mercury-containing vaccine, or even if it has all been used up," he said, "The OSC has said that there may be vaccine out there with an expiration date of 2005 that still contains the full amount of mercury."

"We dont know when those lots were released; we dont know where they were released; we dont know what kids in what part of the country were getting mercury and what kids were not post 2000," he warns.

The truth is there are still some vaccines out there that contain full doses of the Thimerosal with expiration dates in the fall of 2005. They include:

Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (Aventis Pasteur) 10-dose Vial, lot UB505AA - Expires 17 Jun 05 - 25 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Td Vaccine (Aventis Pasteur) 10-dose Vial, lot U1014AA - Expires 2 Sept 05 - 25 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Tetanus Toxoid Absorbed Vaccine (Aventis Pasteur) 10-dose Vial, lot U1048BA - Expires 8 Sept 05 - 25 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine (Aventis Pasteur) 15-dose Vial, lot U0775AA - Expires 10 Mar 05 - 25 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (Je-Vax - Aventis Pasteur) 3 x 1 mL Vials, lot EJN*196B - 35.7 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Td Vaccine Mass. Department of Health, 7.5 mL Vial, lot Td-102 - Expires 21 May 2005 - 8.3 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Influenza Virus Vaccine (Fluzone - Aventis Pasteur) 5 mL Vial - 25 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal; Pediatric DT Vaccine (Aventis Pasteur) 5 mL Vial - 25 micrograms of mercury per dose from Thimerosal.

As late as 2003, a review of the Physician's Desk Reference showed that three childhood vaccines were still being made with full doses of Thimerosal. Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis (DTaP) manufactured by Aventis-Pasteur in multi-dose vials contained 25 micrograms of mercury, Haemophilus-influenza-Type b (HibTITTER) in multi-dose vials manufactured by Wyeth contained 25 micrograms of mercury, and pediatric hepatitis B vaccine manufactured by Merck contained 12.5 micrograms of mercury. These vaccines represented about half of the childhood vaccines available for use in the US that year.

So we know that children may have been exposed to high levels of mercury in 2003. The total childhood mercury intake could have been more than 300 g, according to the report in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons Spring 2003 issue.

The bottom line Kirby says, "We do know that kids were getting mercury right up through 2002, and perhaps later. We also know that it is in the flu shots," he adds.

On January 19, 2004 Mark Geier, the internationally renowned genetic researcher, discussed the flu vaccines with Kelley Omeara of Insight News, "There is something called the blood/brain barrier, which prevents some toxins from entering the brain. But ethyl mercury, which is what is in the influenza vaccine, crosses that barrier," he explained, "The influenza vaccine has 25 micrograms of mercury, which means that to be at the recommended level of safety, and assuming that you get no mercury from any other source, you'd have to weigh 550 pounds to be safe."

The independent scientific research behind this public health crisis is mounting and the public is beginning to sit up and take notice of the media stories coming out that discuss the information contained in Evidence of Harm.

For instance, an article titled, "Deadly Immunity," written by Robert Kennedy, Jr was co-published this month in Rolling Stone and Salon. It mentions Evidence of Harm and discusses many of the issues detailed in the book.

Kennedy's article, tells how in June 2000, the CDC held a conference at the Simpsonwood Conference Center in Norcross, Ga, where doctors and scientists gathered to discuss a preliminary study that indeed found a statistically significant link between Thimerosal and autism. From material obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, Kennedy cites quotes that leave no doubt that the meeting's purpose, ultimately, was to "whitewash the risks of Thimerosal, ordering researchers to 'rule out' the chemical's link to autism."

The American Prospect hailed the article as a "blockbuster piece," and on June 21, 2005, while discussing the article with Kennedy, Joe Scarborough, on his MSNBC TV show, said that "there's no doubt in my mind that Thimerosal causes, in my opinion, autism."

According to Dr Geier, "the current epidemic of autism may well be the greatest iatrogenic epidemic in history. The damage already done to our society is already in the trillions of dollars. The damage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and that of the AIDS epidemic pale when compared to the current epidemic of autism."

Or put another way, "To cling to a purely genetic explanation for autism is a desperate attempt to maintain the illusion that one lives in a comfortable and rational world where new chemicals and technologies always mean progress; experts are always objective and thorough; corporations are honest; and authorities can be trusted," says Harvard's Martha Herbert, "That human actions, rather than genes, might be responsible for compromising the health of a significant proportion of a whole generation is so painful as to be, for many, unthinkable."

The vaccine makers, along with their complicit government scientists and policy makers, have a lot to lose. If they don't find a way to keep the public from finding out that they knowingly allowed an entire generation of children to be damaged, the ensuing litigation will spread through the nation's court system like wild-fire and push tobacco and asbestos law suits down into small claims court.

The evidence presented in Kirby's book forces readers to face the unthinkable and leads to one conclusion: a generation of innocent and defenseless children were poisoned for profits by a greedy segment of society mistakenly entrusted to protect the common good of children all over the world.

Evelyn Pringle
epringle05@yahoo.com

(Evelyn Pringle is a columnist for Independent Media TV and an investigative journalist focused on exposing corruption in government)