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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTired of the more woo-infested autism resources popping up? Autism Science Foundation is the cure
http://www.autismsciencefoundation.orgThe Autism Science Foundation is a newish non-profit (established 2009) that is aiming to take autism research to the next level using rigorously scientific methods.
Among the highlights:
Its been so rewarding to see the scientific progress being made toward understanding what causes autism and in developing better treatments for individuals with autism. While there are still a handful of parents who, in almost a religious way, cling to the notion that vaccines cause autism, the vast majority of parents and scientists have accepted what the data clearly show. There is no data to support an autism vaccine link. There never has been. Vaccines dont cause autism.
A decade ago most agreed that we need to study vaccines in relation to autism. We had to reconcile the fact that the number of vaccines children were receiving was increasing, and at the same time, the number of children who were being diagnosed with autism also was on the rise. But fortunately this was a question that could be studied and answered by science. We looked at children who received vaccines and those who didnt, or who received them on a different, slower schedule. There was no difference in their neurological outcomes. Weve done multiple studies looking at the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in relation to autism. Weve looked at thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, and its relation to autism. The studies are very clear; there is no relationship in the data between vaccines and autism. Read the studies themselves [ats been so rewarding to see the scientific progress being made toward understanding what causes autism and in developing better treatments for individuals with autism. While there are still a handful of parents who, in almost a religious way, cling to the notion that vaccines cause autism, the vast majority of parents and scientists have accepted what the data clearly show. There is no data to support an autism vaccine link. There never has been. Vaccines dont cause autism.
Its Time to Ask New Questions
If we ask the same questions well get the same answers. Weve asked the autism vaccine question over two dozen times and each time we get the same response; no relationship. We need to move on; We need to invest in studying genetics, the brain structures of children with autism, and environmental factors that may be playing a role.
A decade ago most agreed that we need to study vaccines in relation to autism. We had to reconcile the fact that the number of vaccines children were receiving was increasing, and at the same time, the number of children who were being diagnosed with autism also was on the rise. But fortunately this was a question that could be studied and answered by science. We looked at children who received vaccines and those who didnt, or who received them on a different, slower schedule. There was no difference in their neurological outcomes. Weve done multiple studies looking at the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in relation to autism. Weve looked at thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, and its relation to autism. The studies are very clear; there is no relationship in the data between vaccines and autism. Read the studies themselves [ats been so rewarding to see the scientific progress being made toward understanding what causes autism and in developing better treatments for individuals with autism. While there are still a handful of parents who, in almost a religious way, cling to the notion that vaccines cause autism, the vast majority of parents and scientists have accepted what the data clearly show. There is no data to support an autism vaccine link. There never has been. Vaccines dont cause autism.
Its Time to Ask New Questions
If we ask the same questions well get the same answers. Weve asked the autism vaccine question over two dozen times and each time we get the same response; no relationship. We need to move on; We need to invest in studying genetics, the brain structures of children with autism, and environmental factors that may be playing a role.
Beware of Non-Evidence-Based Treatments
Parents can protect themselves and their children from expensive and ineffective treatments by learning to critically evaluate various claims. Before having their child begin any treatment, parents should question whether there is a coherent scientific rationale behind the intervention and whether it makes biological sense. They should also ask their health care practitioner whether the treatment has been proven effective and safe in objective scientific studies (with comparison to controls i.e., patients who did not receive the treatment), and whether those studies have been published in well established, highly reputable, peer-reviewed medical journals. It is important to know that anyone can publish a study on the Internet or start a new journal.
Parents can protect themselves and their children from expensive and ineffective treatments by learning to critically evaluate various claims. Before having their child begin any treatment, parents should question whether there is a coherent scientific rationale behind the intervention and whether it makes biological sense. They should also ask their health care practitioner whether the treatment has been proven effective and safe in objective scientific studies (with comparison to controls i.e., patients who did not receive the treatment), and whether those studies have been published in well established, highly reputable, peer-reviewed medical journals. It is important to know that anyone can publish a study on the Internet or start a new journal.
Currently there is a call for increased brain donation, a funding drive recycling old CDs, links to the most current research, and a lot of actually worthwhile information.
Autism discussions seem to be way too often dominated by the fringe--the ASF is a beacon of sanity in the sea of quackery that generally makes the headlines. Great site, great cause.
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Tired of the more woo-infested autism resources popping up? Autism Science Foundation is the cure (Original Post)
Godhumor
Jul 2012
OP
longship
(40,416 posts)1. But Jenny McCarthy said...
While she picked boogers on MTV.
After all, what good does science do when booger pickers have such a better record?
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)2. yup..a friend bought her crap
cost my friend ten`s of thousands of dollars for nothing. her child has shown 0 improvements. jenny is just another in a long line of false prophets
alisonsinger
(1 post)3. Thanks for the shout out!
Thanks for the coverage. We strive to bring evidence based info to families. --Alison Singer, Autism Science Foundation
Godhumor
(6,437 posts)4. No, thank you
I wish you many continued successes and please know there are people here rolling to engage in real conversations on autism. Hopefully, some of them will be visiting ASF soon.