Autism and Vaccine; Increased Disease and Diagnosis

Researchers are trying to put the vaccine link to autism to its final resting place, as reported by ABC News; but The National Autism Association (NAA) released a statement today calling the study "flawed" and saying that it "fell short of what the public needs to prove safety of the MMR vaccine." Which is no surprise for me or for others who have kept a close watch on autism for the last 13 years.

The NAA also stated that "This is exactly the type of study we've come to expect from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]"

This will be an ongoing debate for years to come, as it already has been.

My only concern is that we are going to see an increase in diseases, such as the measles, as we already have because people are afraid to vaccinate their child, and a whole new epidemic and set of problems will be presented.

An increase in preventable illnesses and death is not the answer.

Do I think that vaccines caused my children's autism? I really don't know because I haven't seen enough "proof" from either side, so the jury is still out for me. But I do know this one fact: there has been an increase in the diagnosis of autism and those who fall under the autism spectrum "umbrella." Take for example my own brother: he was not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD until he was an adult and is now being treated for the disorder--comes 30 years too late, the emotional damage had been done; but more and more "adults " are being evaluated for disorders that had once left them mystified as a child--and a revelation and puzzle-fitting resolution for these adults. There are still some other "adults" in my life who I'd like to have evaluated and diagnosed as well--but we could do this all day. So the diagnosis of these disorders has increased.

Education has improved twofold. I mean how many times have "you" (someone who knows a thing or two about autism and related disorders) have actually walked around "diagnosing" people by saying: "Oh yeah, he has autism and doesn't know it" (to ourselves of course). Because, by now, we are the educated experts.