On Mercury, Autism, and My Perspective
July 24, 2006
Please note: The original title for this post was going to be “Isn’t Mercury a Planet in Space?” but I didn’t think it would capture the point that I want to make that what I say here is my perspective on this issue.
A family member not too long ago sent me an email directing me to a website that had an article about mercury in vaccinations and the correlation to autism. Generally, I appreciate receiving emails like this; for it reminds me that the people I love are thinking about me, and concerned about my family’s well being. I get this topic brought up to me a lot in casual conversation by friends and strangers; and this subject kinda gets my panties in a bunch. And I don’t know about you, but I hate it when the panties get bunched. It hurts. A lot.
(I know, you’re wondering; panties? and autism? is there a correlation? Um…sit tight, and all will be revealed…)
Some published reports state that there is (or has to be) a correlation between the rising cases of autism and the fact that for a period of time large amounts of mercury, known as thimerosal, were used in childhood vaccines as a preservative for a longer shelf-life of these vaccines; thereby keeping the costs down. Because of this, and because high doses of mercury can cause all sorts of problems (hence the reason you are not supposed to eat raw fish during a pregnancy), this seems to be the best way to explain why, all of a sudden, we are seeing a spike in autism cases worldwide. Now, here’s where I get all controversial on you in this here blog;
I don’t agree.
Commence throwing tomatoes at your leisure.
I have to go against the grain on this. I’m sorry in advance if that offends; but I did say earlier that this is my opinion based on my experience. Hope that helps keep things in perspective.
Spiff, from the get-go, even before we had him vaccinated, had issues. We had breast feeding issues, swaddling issues (he had to be wrapped tighter than a Taco Bell burrito, and slept in his car seat because it provided him with the tightest feeling of swaddling we could find), then later came the reflux issues, the best formula to feed him without him projectile vomiting issues, and last but by no means least, the colic issues. To be honest, that really wasn’t the last issue; but for this post it’s all I’m going into at this time. I won’t even get into the parents lack of sleep issues, the parents needing a break issues, and the “why is your child not talking at all; he should be by now” issues. I’ll save those for later.
Many parents I have talked to have also experienced these or similar issues. In many cases of autism, a child starts out hitting many of the developmental milestones that they are supposed to; but at some point, they start to slide backwards, stopping at a point and just not moving forward again; or with intensive therapy moving forward; but at a much slower pace than their peers.
Spiff never slid backwards, never regressed. Ever. He’s just always moved forward slower than his peers in some areas; and in others he is much farther ahead than most of his peers. The areas that give him problems are social and emotional, and common sense strategies. He’s male, and honestly, those issues have stumped many a male, so sometimes it’s hard to determine where the child ends and Asperger’s begins. For Spiff, in some cases, it can be really noticeable; and in others, not so much.
But back to the mercury and vaccinations thing…
In my opinion, Spiff had this wired from the get-go. If mercury does have anything to do with it, the die was cast long before the first vaccination ever entered my son. All it would have done was exacerbate what was already there. But then, according to the research, since this stuff was used as far back as the late 1950′s, many of us Baby Boomers and Generation X-ers would have issues like these; so the occurrence of autistic cases should have spiked decades earlier. Right?
As I watch him grow up to be a handsome, wickedly intelligent young man, I see so many things that remind me of behaviors in my youth and my idiosyncrasies as well as my husband’s. Things that would fall under the Asperger’s spectrum. One could argue that this is what happens when two relatively smart people (read: uber geeks) get married and have children. Scamp doesn’t have the same issues as Spiff, but he is exhibiting behaviors that are alike to his older brother. Not surprisingly, this is normal in families where one child has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder; a sibling can also have similar issues. This is seen more in boys than in girls, but those statistics are changing. Since we didn’t have the same issues with Scamp at the same times that we did with Spiff, we can’t tell if he’s just mimicking his older brother of if there are issues with him we need to take a closer look at. Time will tell, but in the meantime we’re not resting on our laurels either.
I just don’t want people to think that Thimerosal levels in vaccines is the definitive answer; because I don’t believe it is. I’ve read and heard of parents who have reported to have found success with chelation, mercury flushing, gluten/casein free diets, and other kinds of alternative treatments that are geared to rid the body and brain of the chemistry that is affecting the autistic brain. I’m happy for them, and if that works for them, so be it. I’m grateful that these parents are finding ways they believe are helping their children, I just don’t think that’s a curative road I want to head down. I don’t think you can cure autism like you can a cold; it’s too hard wired. And that’s okay; and my point is that it should be just that: okay.
In fact, I really don’t care how it got there, I don’t want to spend my time “getting rid” of it; I just want to maximize his strengths and play down and protect him from his weaknesses so he can become whatever he wants to be. Oh, and I want the public to become more knowledgeable and understanding of this issue; if only for the fact that while I don’t agree with the mercury thing; the cases of autistic spectrum children are increasing each year, so it’s not going away. These children will grow into adults faster than we can provide services for them; and at this rate we have very few, if any, services available to help for the long haul. That is crucial to their success in life.
I am not quite sure what happened to cause Spiff to have autism. However, I’m quite certain that mercury isn’t the true culprit. And frankly, it’s wasted time and effort trying to convince me. It really almost spreads false hope, which is very dangerous. For all the efforts spent discussing mercury and it’s role on in placing people within the autistic spectrum, I think equal time should be given to helping those ON the spectrum live a better life.
No matter what the cause, they’re here, and they are wonderful. Can’t we love them and help the way they are?
July 24th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
Your last paragraph sure sums it up, which is why whenever anyone comes to me with such articles, I am saddened. I don’t want to look backwards if it prevents me from looking forward.
Frankly, I think there are many different “reasons” that someone might exhibit ASD characteristics. As a result, there are different approaches to treatment (if any is “needed”) and different outcomes.
It is maddening to try to figure it out, but as each case is unique, we do what we feel is best to support our children.
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July 24th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
…. My Little Dude came out of my body turn on this way. I don’t care how get got it and I REFUSE to live my life mourning the “lose” of my “normal, healthy” child.
Newsflash: The Dude is here, he’s autistic and I love him JUST the way he is. I want to help him adapt to this world, and have the world stop to learn about him. And I am sick and tired of being looked on as a leper simply because I don’t do the alternative therapy of the month on him.
… okay venting over with.
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July 25th, 2006 at 4:42 am
I don’t think you’re in the minority in this opinion at ALL, and your sentiments regarding Spiff are beautiful and PERFECT.
OMG, I will so be back here every day!!
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July 25th, 2006 at 5:41 am
I believe that these studies come from desperate thought on tryin to understand why we see so many cases like these. My humble opinion is perhpas we aren’t seeing MORE, we are just getting better at understanding the subtleties and complexities of this broad-based disorder and look-alikes….think back on all the “troublemakers” and “bad” kids in school and recall the really weird loners who only would mumble or stay in the darkest corner of the playground hugging their knees and rocking.
I found myself knodding my head yes as you recall Spiff’s early days. This is a very complex disorder and I imagine we have barely scratched the surface rather than find the absolute link in vaccines.
Excellent thoughts, friend.
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July 26th, 2006 at 3:24 am
Excellent sentiments put in an excellent manner. In a day and age when most “autism organizations” focus on a culture of hopelessness and despair, it is heartening to see a parent display pride and acceptance when talking about her autistic son.
In other words, we autistics (a group I am proud to count myself as part of) think you’re on the right track: keep up the good work!
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July 26th, 2006 at 4:59 am
Thank you everyone for your feedback. I’m glad no one brought tomatoes!
You all have made my day. Thank you.
Shash
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July 27th, 2006 at 2:08 am
posting late in the game here, but just found you via Kathy at Use Your Words via Now What Am I Doing… and just want to say=, thank you for saying this. My ds is 3 and I’m still struggling the whole idea of him having autism so am still hoping the Next Big Thing might make us into the family we thought we’d be. The casein-free diet has helped my son calm down a little, which makes me calm down a lttile and be able to help him with his other issues, but other than that it’s certainly not a cure. So thanks again for the reality check. It helps so much to hear other moms being honest about the issues.
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