Parents Avoid Vaccinations
Autism Fears - Doctor Fined $10,000 For Helping Parents
A former New York City doctor has been reprimanded and fined for falsifying vaccination forms because of parents' autism fears.
Autism
The diagnosis of autism (bio-neurological developmental disability) is frightening and some parents are choosing to delay vaccinations for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) until children are older. Since autism is usually diagnosed between ages one and three, some parents are quietly delaying vaccinations until children enter school. Vaccinations are mandated for all school children and students may not attend without documents proving they were vaccinated.
Dr. Nesselson
An Upper West Side pediatrician, Mark Nesselson, falsified vaccination records for several families who had fear of vaccinations causing autism. The doctor was reprimanded and fined $10,000 in the first case of this kind. He admitted to falsifying records for four children. Nesselson questions vaccinating children as infants. "The central issue has not gone away. For me, that is the merit behind mandating immunizations that start so early, that are so numerous." Nesselson became suspicious that there could be a link between autism and vaccinations in the early 1990s when the onset of autism coincided with children receiving vaccinations. Nesselson was willing to delay the vaccines until children were older and possibly be at less risk. [Melissa Klein, nypost.com, November 25, 2007]
Discovered
When Nesselson moved to Hawaii two years ago, he gave his patients’ medical records to the parents to take to their new pediatrician. The new pediatrician turned in Nesselson. Nesselson has agreed to avoid this practice in the future and is allowed to practice medicine in Hawaii under supervision for three years. [Melissa Klein, nypost.com, November 25, 2007]
Thimerosal
There are many that believe that Thimerosal (a mercury preservative) formerly used in MMR vaccinations does adversely affect some small children. Mark and David Greer, a father and son research team, think there is a connection between autism and the mercury-based preservative, Thimerosal. The Greers claim that when Thimerosal was removed from vaccinations in 1999, the rate of autism began decreasing. The CDC has stated that there is no connection between autism and the preservative but many in the medical profession disagree. This has not stopped 4800 families from suing the government after their children were diagnosed with autism following vaccinations.
Autism Traits
There is great justification for parental concern. Children diagnosed with autism have a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe. However, the diagnosis is permanent. Children don’t outgrow autism. Some of the symptoms are:
- Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words
- Repeating words or phrases
- Laughing or crying for no apparent reason
- Preference to being alone
- Tantrums
- Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
- Little to no eye contact
- Spinning objects
- Obsessive attachment to objects
- Non responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing is normal
Source: The Autism Society
Early Diagnosis Is Key
If children are diagnosed by the age of two, interventions have been shown to be very helpful. Early diagnosis and early interventions improve the disability but the autism diagnosis remains throughout the child’s life.
Related Articles: Autism On The Rise, Are Children Sicker Today?
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
