Autism myth lives on (USA Today)

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Autism myth lives on

By Sam Wang

As the brother of an autistic person and a brain scientist, I have been hoping that the increased focus on autism in the news would lead to a greater public understanding of this disorder. Instead, I am angry that this coverage is spreading dangerous myths.

My sister, Karen, is autistic. In the 1970s, my parents wondered why she behaved so differently. At the time, a prevalent idea was that an emotionally distant mother could somehow prevent a child from understanding emotions or relating normally to others. Our parents had a simpler idea, that they might have hurt Karen's head during a bath.

Both these ideas are wrong. Autism is a neurological disorder, and its signs appear by the age of 1 or even earlier. It is highly inheritable. In identical twins where one is autistic, the chance that both are autistic is greater than 50-50. Even non-identical twins and siblings are at increased risk. In short, I dodged a genetic bullet. Now I worry about my daughter.

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At least this lady has her head on straight....

It's sad (and dangerous) that people still think vaccines cause autism. My dad believes it. He says it's because vaccines have small traces of mercury in them.

I'm glad to see the media showing this instead of making the myth worse. Considering how the story was revived again in the news a month or two ago, I'm surprised that they're printing this.

Wow. A news story about autism that does not promote some kind of mass hysteria. That's refreshing.

Very good article Mr Mark.

They do...

No they don't.

The last ones with thimerosal in them expired in 2003.

Uhm, no. The flu vaccine still has it, as does DTaP and several others. You know this, you've seen the CDC documentation, now stop spreading lies.

I'm talking about the ones they took thmierosal out of.

I'm not spreading lies.

Wait a minute. Babies get flu shots in the US? Influenza?

Of course the bottom line is that the amount of mercury present in vaccines is extremely small. And certainly no more then most people come across naturally.

Yup!! Scary, huh? Now recommended for babies, toddlers, and children every year.

And Beau, you just said "No [vaccines] don't [contain thimerosal], the last ones with thimerosal in them expired in 2003."

So yes, you DID just say there aren't any thimerosal vaccines anymore. Which there are, which you know. Again, don't spread bull.

Nope, it's against the law.

Nobody can legally get a flu shot until age 2.

I DID NOT SAY THAT.

Twist my words again, and I will report you.

Your words, not mine.

Bottom line is thus - regardless of what you think of thimerosal (if it's good or bad), vaccines still contain them and they're still given to children and babies. Those are the facts.