The first ever national survey on attitudes toward autism, was recently conducted for the Florida Institute of Technology. Of the 1,000 randomly selected adults, results revealed that nearly 24% , or one in four, believe the disease is caused by childhood vaccines. This group feels that because vaccines may cause autism, it is safer to not have children vaccinated at all. Still, another 19% were unsure how they feel about the ongoing controversy.
The Centers for Disease Control, currently reports that the odds of autism affects one in every 150 children born in the United States. The public concern about vaccines arose from a controversial British study conducted in 1998, that linked autism to the MMR vaccine, which then contained the preservative known as thimerosal. The authors of that study, later retracted their findings, and thimerosal was removed from all vaccines in 2001. However, the results of this just completed survey in Florida, suggests that in general, the public is still confused.
The survey commissioned by the Florida Institute of Technology, specifically asked its participants about the preservative and autism. The results were as follows: 19% agreed with the statement “Autism is caused by a preservative once found in vaccines.” Another 43% were not sure of this statement, meaning that fewer than half (38%), felt that no link exists between the vaccine and autism.
Part of the confusion may stem from the fact, that there still is no known cause for autism, and people are searching for answers. Scientist still say that there is no evidence that links vaccines and autism. Still, there is a lingering fear and unsureness that is leading to fewer parents having their children vaccinated. The result , according to an August article in The New York Times , states that in the first seven months of 2008, measles cases grew at the fastest rate in a decade. Cases in Britain, Israel, Italy, and Switzerland are said to be soaring as well. Fear and anxiety over the ever increasing incidence of the disease, may be leading people to make their own decisions whether to vaccinate or not.
In Other News
The only scientifically proven treatment for autism in young children (ages 3-5), is ABA (Advanced Behavioral Analysis) or 1:1 treatment. It teaches how to learn. The use of repetitive skill building techniques, helps children with autism, create a foundation of neural pathways, needed for learning in the general education system.
Some preschools may have fallen behind the curve in offering ABA. Preschools that have this program in place, save the Department of Education, money in the long run for these children in the 3-5 age group.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends 25-30 hours per week of intense ABA therapy for young autistic children in this age group. The Department of Education, wastes large amounts of money fighting parents, who insist on proper education for their autistic children. The DOE, could instead put those funds to better use by implementing ABA in all preschools.
It is afterall, a parents right that effective education for autistic children be readily available to all- not just those who have a fat wallet, or can afford a high priced lawyer.
