All About Autism
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Timtams:
Any comment from the folks here on the alleged link between autism and vaccination?
I saw this and my heart skipped a beat... Yes, I have been questioning this myself everyday for the past 2 years.
When DS2 was 18 months, he went for the usual MMR. Nothing eventful. I mentioned it to a British friend and he stared at me in horror, because he has a son about the same age. He told me he'll never do that, because research has shown that MMR causes autism. (Go google it out). I asked him what he did. He did M, then M, then R. That potent combination has a chance of hitting some, but he is not taking that chance. In Singapore, there is no such option available to me, and I often wonder why.
I can still recall that conversation vividly.
DS2 grew up healthier than the rest of the 4, and smarter! He taught himself to read by 3 and could multiply 3 numbers by 3 numbers by the age of 5. He taught himself how to multiply by adding. In fact, he is only 9 (P4) and he can understand how to do probability and statistics - all through learning and reading his siblings books. He is in GEP. BUT, he is also diagnosed with high order autism - asperger.
When he first had social problems, the teacher labeled him a liar and naughty. Then, she insisted he had ADHD and asked that I sent him to a psychologist. But, being the mother that I am, I turn to do research first. I knew he did not have ADHD, he had asperger. But it did not help. The school will not accept the diagnosis from a mother. Until he was diagnosed, he had proper support. He now has the support of an MOE psychologist and an intervention program after the diagnosis.
I often wonder what caused his autism. Was it that vaccination? Was it because I spent so much time ferrying the 3 older kids around I had no time for him, and he spent time just teaching himself everything? Or was he born with it? Then, is it me or hubby who has those genes? So many questions unanswered. ????
While these thoughts continue to flash through my mind, I don't let them occupy my thoughts. What caused his autism is nice to know but not important. More importantly, I need to help him. Now, I spend time looking for ways to make learning fun for him to make up for what he does not have. He loves to read, so I'd buy all the books he wants to read. He can devour 10 novels a day. He loves Maths, so I'd buy anything or sign up any fun online classes he might want - I'm still searching. He loves Science, so I have bought all the encyclopedias I can find in the house. He loves a good joke. I bought all the good joke books we can find, and he loves to tell them to me. Since he loves my attention the most, whenever he speaks, I'll make sure he looks me in the eye so that he knows I'm listening.
Autism or not, he is my kid. Vaccination or not, it makes no difference to how I'd treat him. I'd support his learning and his love the same, and help him where his deficiencies are just the same.
BUT, for the P5 vaccination. I insisted DPT and MMR cannot be done together as this will put too much stress on the system. I didn't allow them to do it on my daughter. The nurse at HPB was so angry so shouted and announced to the whole clinic. I wasn't embarrassed, I didn't care and I didn't want to succumb to the pressure. These are my kids. Only I have to bear the consequence, so I have to make the final decisions. I'll be lawful and get my kids vaccinated, on my own terms. -
2ppaamm:
Hi 2ppaamm,
I'll be lawful and get my kids vaccinated, on my own terms.
Thats exactly what I have decided to do for my own DS
Don't want to comment/elaborate further cuz there was a previous thread on this topic which was eventually closed. If you have the time, you may want to puruse it
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6810&start=0 -
autumnbronze:
Hi Autumnbronze,
Hi 2ppaamm,2ppaamm:
I'll be lawful and get my kids vaccinated, on my own terms.
Thats exactly what I have decided to do for my own DS
Don't want to comment/elaborate further cuz there was a previous thread on this topic which was eventually closed. If you have the time, you may want to puruse it
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6810&start=0
Thanks for letting me know, I didn't know there was another thread on this. But, I am no longer interested in the studies of whether MMR causes autism. I read through the whole thread, though. And, I got to respect some people! The fact is, EVERY vaccination has some kind of side effect nowadays. There are just too many listed companies out there trying to profit from the current and newest disease in the name of helping mankind.
Have you watched I AM LEGEND? It's fictional, but that's how the whole mankind was nearly destroyed by a scientist who claimed that her invention can cure cancer.
Have you seen this lady who just want to be vaccinated against H1N1? Look what happened to her. Are we 100% sure what we are administering is 100% safe? I'm sure all of us know the answer. But if there's a 1 in a million chance, do you still want to take that chance? Does anyone want to be that one in the million? Obviously, that number is just too small for the authorities, or the pharmaceutical companies to care. But as parents, we MUST care.
Here is the lady I mentioned above: (not sure if it was discussed in another thread.... I'm still new ma...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1NK3Vwtj50
Last year, while everyone rushed to get their H1N1 jab before leaving the country, I refused to give those 2 jabs to my daughters who went to China for training. My rationale? The risk is too high. Flu is easier to fight. -
2ppaamm:
2ppamm, read this book for a different perspective --> http://www.michaelspecter.com/denialism/Hi Autumnbronze,
Thanks for letting me know, I didn't know there was another thread on this. But, I am no longer interested in the studies of whether MMR causes autism. I read through the whole thread, though. And, I got to respect some people! The fact is, EVERY vaccination has some kind of side effect nowadays. There are just too many listed companies out there trying to profit from the current and newest disease in the name of helping mankind.
Have you watched I AM LEGEND? It's fictional, but that's how the whole mankind was nearly destroyed by a scientist who claimed that her invention can cure cancer.
Have you seen this lady who just want to be vaccinated against H1N1? Look what happened to her. Are we 100% sure what we are administering is 100% safe? I'm sure all of us know the answer. But if there's a 1 in a million chance, do you still want to take that chance? Does anyone want to be that one in the million? Obviously, that number is just too small for the authorities, or the pharmaceutical companies to care. But as parents, we MUST care.
Here is the lady I mentioned above: (not sure if it was discussed in another thread.... I'm still new ma...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1NK3Vwtj50
Last year, while everyone rushed to get their H1N1 jab before leaving the country, I refused to give those 2 jabs to my daughters who went to China for training. My rationale? The risk is too high. Flu is easier to fight.
Every medicine and medical procedure carries a risk. The question one needs to ask is whether the risk of doing it is better or worse than the risk of not doing it. You chose not to take a flu vaccine, that is an ok choice. A patient with an acute appendicitis may also choose not to undergo an appendectomy because of the risk of procedure, in which case he has a high chance of a severe outcome, that is a bad choice.
One should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Over the decades, vaccines have contributed immensely to improving the human condition. Some folk have suffered effects and some have died from it, but many many millions more have benefited by being protected from diseases that would otherwise caused them great suffering. One in a million chance of a side effect? How that that compare to a 1:1000 chance of a chronic hep B infection leading to liver cancer?
Weigh the cost carefully.
Cheers -
Further, I think its not fair to say that the authorities donβt care just because its a 1 in a million risk. To use a different example, every few years or so, some national serviceman will die in a training accident. Although every death is tragic and regrettable, we know that in such things, it is almost impossible to go down to zero accident rate. Does it mean that we need to suspend all national service training and do away with it altogether? The answer is obviously no. National service serves a higher order purpose for our nation, and the authorities have deemed that some sacrifices are necessary. It does not mean that they do not care.
Similarly for vaccines. There is no perfect vaccine. Sometimes they fail, sometimes they have side effects, and rarely, people die. But consider the alternative. What if we stop all vaccinations in the off chance that 1 child gets a reaction and dies every couple of years? If it stops, many more children may die. One may argue, well, I choose not to take vaccinations for my child because the risk of transmission is low. The risk is low becuase the rest of the parents have taken on that risk for your child by vaccinating their own children. Given a choice, I would also rather not take that risk for my child, but is it fair on the rest of the parents? I would say not, and thatβs why the authorities make certain vaccinations compulsory. Its not that they are not aware or donβt care, but its because they do. -
3Boys:
Your views are your views lah. My views are my views lah. Different, never mind. For every article or book you produce, I probably can find another 3 to counter it. Vice versa. What's the point. I rest my case.Further, I think its not fair to say that the authorities don't care just because its a 1 in a million risk. To use a different example, every few years or so, some national serviceman will die in a training accident. Although every death is tragic and regrettable, we know that in such things, it is almost impossible to go down to zero accident rate. Does it mean that we need to suspend all national service training and do away with it altogether? The answer is obviously no. National service serves a higher order purpose for our nation, and the authorities have deemed that some sacrifices are necessary. It does not mean that they do not care.
Similarly for vaccines. There is no perfect vaccine. Sometimes they fail, sometimes they have side effects, and rarely, people die. But consider the alternative. What if we stop all vaccinations in the off chance that 1 child gets a reaction and dies every couple of years? If it stops, many more children may die. One may argue, well, I choose not to take vaccinations for my child because the risk of transmission is low. The risk is low becuase the rest of the parents have taken on that risk for your child by vaccinating their own children. Given a choice, I would also rather not take that risk for my child, but is it fair on the rest of the parents? I would say not, and that's why the authorities make certain vaccinations compulsory. Its not that they are not aware or don't care, but its because they do. -
As they say, its hard to celebrate a disease you did not get (Hep B, Polio, measles, smallpox, TB) or give credit to the the medicines that prevented them in the first place, but whoa, if someone got a rash or fever from a vaccination, cor, what a bunch of corrupt and incompetent authorities and manufacturers who actually approved and made this stuff??
We have short memories. 50 years ago, TB was a big killer. Many many people were laid up and disabled by polio. Chronic Hep B is now <4% prevalence in SG, when it used to be 10%. Things have improved drastically now, to the extent we have forgotten what got us here in the first placeβ¦
Those who forget history are doomed to repeat its mistakes. -
I was in my son's school last week and met with a teacher who used to take my son under her wings. She told me she had 15 cases of learning difficulties (with paper) in her class last year. This year, she has 11 cases with diagnosis, and 3 more waiting to be diagnosed, and a couple more she is suspicious of... We are talking about a class of 30.
So I asked her if this is because the principal gave her extra responsibilities. No, it is the same across all the classes!
I don't know if this is only true in this school or across the country. It's either parents are getting more aware and getting their children diagnosed, or that these learning difficulties are increasing...
In my case, I only found out when my kid was 9. There are cases where the kid is diagnosed at 13! If anyone is suspicious of your kid's development, go get some help. Your world of support will be so different!
Well, some people, like Autumnbronze, learnt from other people's mistakes. I wished I had been a more informed mother like them. Unfortunately, I had been the others... -
Hi Parents,
I would like to ask parents of ASD kids between the age range of 4-6 years old what are the intervention programmes you have signed your kid up, how effective it is (in your opinion) and also which school / kindergarten did u sign your kid up? If it is mainstream , is the Principal/ teacher aware of your child's condition, how receptive are they and how do they \"work\" to \"handle\" your \"out of sync\" child during a normal daily class activity?
I have introduced myself before but i shall briefly re-intro myself again. I am mother to a 3 year old (turning 4 this year end) boy who has been clinically diagnosed to be autistic mild-moderate..
Just wanna understand from parents with similar experience the school they send their child in .. and is it effective ... Cheers ... and many thanks for sharing -
WaWa:
Hi WaWa,Hi Parents,
I would like to ask parents of ASD kids between the age range of 4-6 years old what are the intervention programmes you have signed your kid up, how effective it is (in your opinion) and also which school / kindergarten did u sign your kid up? If it is mainstream , is the Principal/ teacher aware of your child's condition, how receptive are they and how do they \"work\" to \"handle\" your \"out of sync\" child during a normal daily class activity?
I have introduced myself before but i shall briefly re-intro myself again. I am mother to a 3 year old (turning 4 this year end) boy who has been clinically diagnosed to be autistic mild-moderate..
Just wanna understand from parents with similar experience the school they send their child in .. and is it effective ... Cheers ... and many thanks for sharing
One of my close friend is in a similar situation. Her son is 4yo and going on to 5 this year.
I recall her telling me that her son goes to pre-school (K1) in the morning, and for 2 or 3 times a week, he attends 2 or 3 hours sessions at the AAS Autism Childrens Centre @ Simei. Her son is also on the RDI program.
According to my friend, she found her son improving after going for early intervention progs at AAS and RDI.
If not mistaken, I think she informed the school of her son's condition. The principal and teachers are very supportive and encouraging.
It is important to be find a school which is supportive and have understanding principal and teachers. Open communication is very impt between the parents and the school. Maybe you can share with the teachers your concerns and how best to manage your child.
However, having said that, sometimes, some teachers feel \"afraid\" and \"overwhelmed\" as they feel ill-equipped or nervous about handling a special needs child. For these teachers, it is best to prepare them what to expect and what to do to help and include the child in the day-to-day activities.
Some of the other therapies which you may consider are:
- speech and language therapy (incl social skills activities as well)
- occupational therapy
- enzyme therapy => making use of enzymes and minerals for better digestion and to balance the minerals in the body
Hope the above information helps. :lol:
:celebrate: