Autism News: Federal report says preservative in vaccine may be linked to disease

Vaccine preservative may have contributed to a case of autism, the federal government conceded after years of denying a link.

In its written concession statement, the government said the child had a pre-existing mitochondria disorder that was "aggravated" by her shots, resulting in an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, converting oxygen and food into energy for every life function.

The news site Huffington Post at www.huffingtonpost.com reported in November that federal officials had confirmed the link to thimerosal Nov. 9.
The government then sealed records of its statement, the Web site reported.

"The vaccinations received on July 19, 2000, significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed [the child] to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy [brain disease] with features of ASD," the concession obtained by Huffington Post states.

Mitochondrial disorders are rare, affecting one in every 2,000 to 4,000 people, according to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
Symptoms include lethargy, poor coordination and problems eating or digesting food.

However, the number of children with autism affected by mitochondrial disorders is around one in five.

With 4,900 thimerosal cases pending in the federal courts, a distinct connection among thimerosal, mitochondrial disorders and autism would have far-reaching implications.

Most vaccines today do not use thimerosal as a preservative, according to a survey by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore City.

The exceptions include large-batch adult flu vaccines made by some manufacturers.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities marked by impaired social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention or reacting to different sensations.

In about 10 percent of cases, genetics are a factor, said Dr. Harvey Singer, director of pediatric neurology at Hopkins Children's Hospital in Baltimore City, but the rest remain a mystery.

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Autism News: Good for Teeth, Bad for Brains?

Fluoride is supposed to help prevent tooth decay, but could it also be causing neurological illnesses in children?

Maybe, report scientists who are studying the effects of fluoride. Their research links too much fluoride -- available not only in drinking water, but in many toothpastes, other dental products, and virtually all foods and beverages -- to brain abnormalities and deficits in IQ.

The researchers say over-consumption of fluoride can lower thyroid hormone levels. In women who are pregnant, these decreased thyroid levels may adversely affect the neurodevelopment of the fetus, and that could lead to problems like autism and attention deficit disorder (ADD).

"The question is, what level of exposure results in harmful effects to children?" write the authors of the statement. "The primary concern is that multiple routes of exposure, from drinking water, food and dental care products, may result in a high enough cumulative exposure to fluoride to cause developmental effects."

Paul Beeber, an attorney and president of the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, believes the time has come to end the fluoridation of public water supplies. "With many neurological diseases, such as autism and ADD, afflicting too many American children, fluoride's dubious promises of less cavities no longer outweigh fluoride's serious health risks," he was quoted as saying.

Currently, about two-thirds of the nation's public water supplies are fortified with fluoride.

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Autism Today is proud to be the first comprehensive online directory (established in 1998) of programs and services offering easy to locate professionals, schools, camps, recreational programs, and much more in one convenient place. Press here to access the online directory.

Autism News: Woman With Autism Heads Computer Recycler

Turns Talents For Fixing Them Into Green Service For Needy

A Eugene, Oregon woman with autism has just been named a hero in the annual Volvo for Life Awards, and will be getting a check for $100,000.

Lorraine Kerwood didn't let autism stop her as she channeled her passion for fixing computers into the non-profit operation, NextStep Recycling.

According to the group's Web site, "NextStep Recycling is a non-profit computer refurbishing and recycling organization. We are dedicated to providing refurbished computer equipment to schools, non-profit organizations, and economically and/or physically disadvantaged individuals. In addition, we serve the community and the environment by recycling obsolete/nonrepairable donated electronic equipment. We are able to provide computers to the public by refurbishing used computer equipment for which businesses, corporations, and individual donors no longer have a use."

The site has complete details on getting machines to and from NextStep.

Its most-needed items include Pentium 3 or 4 computers, Macs that are G4 or above, cell phones, iPods, cords, cables and chargers.

NextStep accepts single items or an entire pallet of recyclables.

Kerwood says computers and other electronic items may last much longer than you think. Sometimes, all that's needed is a RAM upgrade or a bigger hard drive, and it's good to go.

But, it's important to be timely with your donations: The longer your old electronics sit in your garage, the more difficult they are to refurbish.

All computers refurbished by NextStep leave as complete systems with a complete software package

NextStep says it goes above and beyond to protect your personal information: All systems are thoroughly checked to make sure personal data is erased or eliminated.

A problem today is so that many people are concerned with identity theft, they're more interested in having their computers going straight to a shredder than recycled. But Kerwood NextStep is so careful, ID theft is a non-issue there.

NextStep is also a source for some hard-to-find vintage and classic Macs and parts, as well as vintage PCs and parts. Feel free to e-mail its store directly for those unique items.

NextStep also accepts financial donations.

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Autism Today is proud to be the first comprehensive online directory (established in 1998) of programs and services offering easy to locate professionals, schools, camps, recreational programs, and much more in one convenient place. Press here to access the online directory.