Hi, I live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and I was watching the show yesturday. I recently completely an Autism and Behavioural Science Post Graduate Program and have been working as an Instructor Therapist providing IBI (ABA) therapy to children 6 and under with Autism.

I admit it is a very hard job but when I look at the children and families I work with everyday, I know it is worth it. I agreed with most everything that was said yesturday and I think it is SO important that we all work together to get to the eventual answers about Autism that we need to know. It is such an interesting disorder and the children that I work with are as Jenny said, are all so different from one another. They have some of the same Autism characteristics but they are different. They also just astound me.

I just wanted to make one more comment and that is to Jenny and Holly, you two are wonderful advocates and I wish nothing but the best in your fight against Autism. You really do have many people not only in the USA but also here in Canada behind you. We all need to do our part to bring these children out.

Nikki

I am glad to finally see an issue that affects so many children and families, I would like to see Oprah in the future do many more shows like this. I am a mom to a 6 yr old daughter Ashlin who has a disease called Tuberous Sclerois, it is the 2nd leading cause of Autism. Ashlin was diagnosed w/ Tuberous Sclerosis at the age of 6 months old and than autism around 3 years old. We need more shows like to this, struggling to get the awareness and education out there that we need to have for all of these diseases, I have a great admiration for Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson Peete for coming forward and sharing their story, however in the future hope to see more episodes of the many diseases that have become so prevalent today with our children and adults alike.

I am a single mother with a son who is almost three. He was premature, and very small and sick (IUGR-he was 2lb 11oz when born at 30 weeks). I have struggled with his development since he was born. I FINALLY got my pediatrician to refer us to our diagnosis program here in Oregon. It took over a year before people would believe me when I told them about his issues. (doctors, ect.) The crazy thing is, he has been in PT, OT, and ST since birth. And, I am the one who brought up autism. My aunt had started noticing things that I didn't see, and apparently the others didn't either. His doctor kept putting me off, saying that he made eye contact and that he was affectionate. But, he was like that only when he was with me, or comfortable with another person. I ended up throwing a few names around, people who are advocates in our town about autism, and I got my doctor to actually listen to me. I don't know for sure if he is autistic yet, we have two weeks until his evaluation. I am going to try the new diet Jenny suggested, just to experiment (always helps to try!). He has so many strange things, like he is obsessed with putting things IN things. If you can't find it, look in as many small crevices (couch, cupboards, speakers, ect.) to find it! The point in this show that got me, Jenny, was when you mentioned the cars. Jackson lines his cars up in order of biggest to smallest, color groups, or make of car!!! I am going out tomorrow in the hopes the $10 rug at the thrift store (the ones with the roads and such) is still there, because I can't afford a new one but I think it would do him good to see that cars can do more than be stared at and worked on...they CAN go on adventures. He is also a very picky eater. It has to be the right color, shape, and even brand! Oprah, I am so happy you have had so many shows on autism lately, and I hope that more people can understand that autism does not mean your child is retarded. Something I have gotten a lot from even my friends. He is behind in his social and communication skills (he still doesn't talk; he signs, but he repeats his signs, which is weird and seems to me the equivalent of an autistic repeating phrases verbally). And the first thing my best friend said to me when I got the results back is "so what, does that mean he's retarded?" I love her, but I wanted to smack her! Thank you so much for coming on the show, and opening people's eyes about what autism is. I have no doubt that my son is high functioning autistic, maybe even asperger's, but he is not stupid. He is actually pretty smart. And Jenny, I am running out to buy your book, and I wish I would have been pregnant the same time your pregnancy book came out!! Holly, you are such a lucky woman to have a man that sticks by you. My ex-husband didn't even come to the hospital when my son was first born! Thank you guys again for helping to educate the public about something that is not such a terrible thing as people think it is.

I was excited to see your show and I can identify with what you are going through. I have a son of 22 years, who was diagnosed at the age of 5.
In those days there was not much we could do and in the country (South Africa) we were living in at the time, there was even less.
I tried everything, if someone had asked me to put his head in mud for one hour a day I would have.
I think Oprah and you guys could do a program on the many therapies out there, including but not limited too
1. A behavior modification program
2. Diets
3. Vitimins
4. Auditory Integration Training - Berard Method
5. Fast Forward
6. Interactive Metronome

I did Auditory Integration Training, Diet, Vitimins, Speech and OT with my son. We know that the AIT and Diet had the biggest impact on him, and I also understand that different therapies work differently for different children. In my experience, all the parents I have spiken to about AIT have all been amazed at the changes in their children.
I was not lucky enough to have been able to do a behavior modification program as there were non available in the early 80's in South Africa.
I was a single parent and I made it work.
I think if the parents knew what was available to them, life may be a little easier.
Today my son is a wonderful young man, who is studying, has a full time job, has friends, is well like but still has some social issues.
OPRAH please do shows on AIT (Auditory Integration Training), ABA (Behavior Modification), GFCF (Diets), ect.

To Jenny and Holly, well done and good luck, and please try and push for more education on the therapist out there that are available
Many thanks
Tinseyanne

I just want to tell everyone who has a child with autism that my heart goes out to you. I do not personally know anyone with children with the disorder, but I find it offencive when i read some of the posts condemning Jenny's analogy. She was not demeaning or lessening the fact that childhood cancer is seious and that sometimes all the treatment in the world will not save them, but some times , I am guessing, that if your child can not reach out and communicate with you, touch you and do normal everyday activities, it is almost like them not being here. If you can't pull the wonderful gift that GOD has given you out of the wall then what do you have? I know that I am probably not comunicating my thoughts properly and I truly do not want to offend anyone. I only want to offer up my prayers that GOD will give you the means and the opportunities to knock down the wall that is holding your baby captive and let them out.

I know that you are very busy. I have a brother who has Autism, my mother called and told me to turn on the Oprah show; I was amazed to hear your stories. I have in the past done a lot of research too help my mom out as much as possible. My mother has looked into chelation therapy but we can not afford that. My mom has heard that there was a vitamin that can detox the body; have you heard this? Your stories were heart touching and true. When Oprah went to the commercial break prior to Jenny telling what her theory was behind her sons Autism, I prayed that Jenny's theory was the same as mine and many others. I hope that the CDC and FDA will stop ignoring the situation.

My mother and my brother are miracles too me; my mom is amazing and does her best to do all she can for my Carl. She does not get a lot of help from anyone. The school system does not know how to handle Autism so there for they don't really handle my brother. One of the teachers actually told me "they do not do academic with these kids". I said so is this free daycare, I have children you can watch? How dare them do that to my brother. My mom stays too occupied with my brothers day to day life to fight the school too much. The area where my brother lives does not offer a lot of resources that are helpful for the kids who are victims of autism. I always pray for a miracle; however I feel very blessed to have my brother just the way he is. I would love to tell you everything. My family has gone through so much as have many other families. There are so many hopeful things I could say; my brother is smart, cute, and sweet. I could go on and on. The following is a persuasive essay that I did for my a course I am taking in college, it gives lots of information on Thimerosal and should be beneficial for people to read.



Autism is a horrible disease. Autism has personally affected my family. My brother was born in 1994, he developed on schedule or ahead of schedule until after he received his 18 month shots. The vaccines that were administered to him, contained Thimerosal a preservative that contains high-levels of mercury. The level of mercury found in the preservative which was used in most vaccines exceeds the upper limits decreed safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency (Rimland, 2000). Some people believe the increase of Autism is simply due to better diagnoses or genetic components. Is it only coincidence that Autism increased in the United States in the 1990's? Thimerosal also increased in vaccines during this time period. It is peculiar that Autism has decreased in the US in the early 2000's. During the time period that Thimerosal was decreased in US vaccinations (Bustrianyk, 2006). Autism's major increase was due to the use of Thimerosal (a form of mercury) in childhood vaccinations.

Autism is a disorder of the brain. Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because it affects each individual differently, and the level of severity is different as well. Autism impacts the development of communication and social skills. Typically Autism is recognized within the first three years of life. Autism affects approximately one in every 150 births according to Centers for Disease Control Prevention (2007). Statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies say that Autism's increase is at a startling rate of 10 to 17 percent each year (Autism Society of America, n.d.). Autism is not picky it can happen to anyone, no matter color, age, sex, or lifestyle.

Thimerosal is a compound that is 49.6% mercury by weight; Mercury is a toxin. Thimerosal is used in some vaccines, not all. Thimerosal has been used in many vaccines since the 1930's. Thimerosal was first developed by Eli Lilly (Prate, 2005). Thimerosal has multiple purposes. Sometimes Thimerosal is used to kill the bacterium that makes the vaccine itself. Thimerosal is also used to kill bacteria that could possibly enter the vaccine during the production process of the vaccine. Thimerosal is used as a preservative to prevent bacteria and fungal contamination of vaccines during their clinical use. Thimerosal is also used as an additive, at the end of the production process to the liquid vaccine itself, or in the case of dry powder vaccines to the liquid used to dilute the vaccine (National Network for Immunization Information, n.d.).

If there is a risk with using Thimerosal in vaccinations, then why did they do it? Saving money was there main objective. Thimerosal allows vaccine makers to produce multi-dose vials, which are much cheaper to produce than single-dose vials. Due to the cost difference the government encouraged for more Thimerosal based vaccinations. In 1989 children received approximately 11 vaccinations. Due to federal recommendations 10 years later children were receiving twice the amount of vaccinations. According to Kennedy, "With the increase of Thimerosal based vaccinations, came the increase of Autism" (2005).

As the number of vaccines increased, the rate of Autism among children

exploded. During the 1990s, 40 million children were injected with Thimerosal- based vaccines, receiving unprecedented levels of mercury during a period critical for brain development. Despite the well-documented dangers of Thimerosal, it appears that no one bothered to add up the cumulative dose of mercury that children would receive from the mandated vaccines. "What took the FDA so long to do the calculations?' Peter Patriarca, director of viral products for the agency, asked in an e-mail to the CDC in 1999. "Why didn't CDC and the advisory bodies do these calculations when they rapidly expanded the childhood immunization schedule?"(Kennedy, 2005).

There have been multiple studies that have shown that Thimerosal is dangerous and linked to the epidemic of Autism. They have done studies on animals such as monkey's and mice. These studies confirm that the level of mercury inflicted from vaccines administered to U.S. children have caused Autism. After receiving comparable amounts of Thimerosal the animals show traits of Autism (Bustrianyk, 2006). In 1930 the Eli Lilly Company tested Thimerosal. They gave it to 22 patients who had been diagnosed with terminal meningitis. The patients in this test died within two weeks of injection. Eli Lilly did not include this in her study which showed Thimerosal to be safe. Research by Pittman-Moore (a vaccine manufacturer) showed Eli Lilly's research to be incorrect. Pittman-Moore injected dogs with Thimerosal-based vaccines, the dogs became sick. The results led researchers to determine that Thimerosal was unsafe to use as a serum on dogs (Kennedy, 2005). Thimerosal is not safe for dogs but is good enough for U.S. children?

In the early 1980's the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned over-the-counter products that contained Thimerosal. In 1991 the FDA considered banning Thimerosal from animal vaccinations. In that same year the Center for Disease Control (CDC) decided that they would recommend infants be vaccinated with a series of vaccines that contained Thimerosal, according to Kennedy (2005).

Thimerosal is no longer in pediatric vaccinations; all "routine" infant shots are made without the preservative Thimerosal. Sometime in 2003 the final lots of vaccines which contained Thimerosal had expired according to the National Network for Immunization Information, (n.d.). The CDC and FDA helped drug companies by buying the tainted vaccines; they used them for export to developing countries. They also allowed drug companies to use Thimerosal in some U.S. vaccinations (Kennedy, 2005). Thimerosal is still found in pediatric flu shots and tetanus boosters (National Network for Immunization, n.d.).

In China Autism was virtually unknown until 1999 when Thimerosal was introduced to China by U.S. drug manufacturers. The disease now affects more than 1.8 million people (Kennedy, 2005). Autistic disorders are increasing in India, Argentina, Nicaragua and other developing countries that now use vaccines containing Thimerosal (Kennedy, 2005). Typically when I think of America, I think that the government looks out for the best interest of the American Citizens. When I think about Autism and Thimerosal I question my own thoughts. I find it interesting that countries such as Russia, Denmark, Austria, Japan, Great Britain and all the Scandinavian countries have banned Thimerosal from children vaccinations. These countries do not have and Autism epidemic. Some states in the U.S. such as California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa Missouri, New York, and Washington have banned the use of Thimerosal in vaccines (Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc., 2006). If all of these countries and states banned Thimerosal, why has the U.S. Government not banned it? (Kennedy, 2005).

My brother was diagnosed with Autism when he was four years old. We realized my brother had a problem when he was almost two. He had stopped talking, he would play with toys differently then other children his age, he had a very selective diet and he was fascinated by credit card, UPC codes, and credits at the end of movies. At first they thought he was deaf, they eventually ruled that out when he began mimicking things he heard. Then they went though several possible diagnoses until they came to the conclusion of Autism. What caused his Autism? No one has ever answered that for my family. My mother had an amniocentesis done while she was pregnant. My brother has undergone genetic and chromosomal testing. All of the possible causes of Autism have been ruled out with the exception of Thimerosal from vaccinations.

So many children are affected by Autism now. I am infuriated that innocent people will always have to live with Autism. Why would vaccine makers and government officials do this to innocent children? Why did they ignore the obvious? Data proves that Thimerosal has caused the epidemic of Autism. Will they ever step up to the plate, and help these children? No, they are too concerned with self image and money. They will protect themselves at all cost. It is hard to understand how the vaccinations that were supposed to help our children have hurt a large portion of them. Studies after Studies show that Thimerosal has caused this epidemic.

There was a Congressional hearing to discuss vaccine safety in August 1999, A Congressman named Dan Burton said his grandson became autistic following routine vaccinations. These vaccinations in one day contained 41 times the level of mercury considered safe by adult standards. Mercury is toxic; it affects not only the brain but the immune system. If Thimerosal contains 49.6% mercury why would pharmaceutical companies manufacture vaccinations for our children using it? They used Thimerosal to save money; even if it was at the cost of our children. Let's face it statistics and studies prove that Thimerosal is the reason for the epidemic of Autism. Let's stop trying to find something else to blame Autism on, and use that time trying to find a cure or at least more treatments. Maybe with all the money pharmaceutical companies have saved in the past by using Thimerosal as a preservative, they can put to good use and help parents of Autistic children pay for treatments, medications, and better education.

Did you not see the show? It's funny how people make judgements with out knowing the details. Jenny was on the show crying! she was there to tell her story of how she helped her son with natural medicine.

Boy do I feel sorry for you. You missed the whole message entirely. Of course there is a person inside that can hear and feel just like the rest of us. So does that mean we should look at any kind of affliction and turn a blind eye? If there was something that was available to try to help your child get through life, as if life wasn't hard enough, you wouldn't even try?!! I don't understand your philosophy at all. You took a message of hope and compassion and turned into something very ugly. You need to open your mind and think outside of the box.

I read your interview with Jenny McCarthy. What a struggle for her and what a triumph. I have heard for years that they are thinking autism may be linked to vaccines, but I did not realize they were specifically targeting the MMR. I have an interesting story that leads me in another direction only by my own motherly speculation, because... When my youngest son was first vaccinated I was told that he could be feverish, restless, cry, etc., so I was not concerned when all those things happened, even though he cried for several hours and his bottom was red and sore and thought nothing of it. By the grace of God, the 2nd time in (just in conversation) I told the doctor how fussy he was. The Dr. was concerned and questioned me further. At this point he indicated that we would not administer another pertussis vaccine, so throughout the years I had to provide schools with a vaccination release. Recently I met a young man who had some mental disability I did not identify. Later I learned that he also had that reaction to the pertussis vaccine, but it wasn't caught and he had damage from it the 2nd injection. Thank God, the doctor listened to me. BUT, could that vaccine be a root cause also or instead? Just wanted to put that out there. Thank you.

Hi, I completely disagree with what that Yoshiyoshi person said...Jenny did not attempt to spread negativity one bit about autism but quite the opposite: hope. Did you even watch the show? Both women were adamant about hope. Their pediatricians did not show them what step came next after diagnosis... They want to help educate us about the signs and what measures to take to succeed in recovery! I think they did an absolutely amazing job sharing their own experiences and many families will benefit from their Oprah appearance!

Unfortunately, I don't have to imagine this. I have a 34-year-old daughter who has autism. This is an ugly disorder that has taken a toll on both of us. Back in the 70's There wasn't much help out there. I was a single father struggling to deal with this. So it's not only mothers as Oprah emphasized on her show. Men deal with this issue as well. I wasn't famous or nor did I have much money. I was just the average Joe out there trying to survive. At times feeling like an outcast. People back then didn't know how to deal with this issue so it was easier I think for them to pretend we didn't exist. The older my daughter got the worst her autism got. I remember recording some of her outbreaks and taking the recording to the different Dr. offices to see if there was anyway they could help us. By the time she was eighteen, I was a total mess. I could go on and on about what we have been thru but I won't . I guess for me It's nice to see that people are willing to deal with this now that it is effecting movie stars and athletes. I don't wish this on anybody or their children, but I 'm grateful for the Dan Marino's out there that have done so much and given so much of themselves to create awareness and help to combat some of these issues. Thanks for what you are doing John

I work at an autism camp and I am with autistic children all day. I was shocked when Jenny McCarthy said that her son had recovered. You can't recover from autism you can improve. I also feel that this show was not a good outlook on autism. It showed Jenny McCarthy doing play therapy with her child and working with him all the time, which is excellent. The truth is therapies and private schools are expensive. She talks about how play therapy has helped but I work with kids whose parents love them but in order for them to go to private schools they have to work all day. Not all parents can work with their kids all day, they have to work. Why not have a show on parents of autistic children who work and how they help their child.

Yoshiyoshi says that biomedical interventions are like treating them like lab rats. A little late for that, don't you think? After we have created a heavy vaccination schedule that is harming children by the thousands every minute of every day and no one taking responsibility. That perhaps additives such as:Aluminum hydroxide, Aluminum phosphate, Ammonium sulfate, Amphotericin B, Animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain, dog kidney, monkey kidney, chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg, calf (bovine) serum, Betapropriolactone, Fetal bovine serum, Formaldehyde, Formalin, Gelatin, Glycerol, Human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue), Hydrolized gelatin, Monosodium glutamate (MSG), Neomycin, Neomycin sulfate, Phenol red indicator, Phenoxyethanol (antifreeze), Potassium diphosphate, Potassium monophosphate, Polymyxin B, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein, Residual MRC5 proteins, Sorbitol, Sucrose, Thimerosal (mercury), Tri(n)butylphosphate, VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells, washed sheep red blood cells are all Okey Dokey, huh? How about painting child's toys and books with lead paint? If people didn't question authority and the "norm" where would we be? All people are beautiful. Are people are unique. We are all different but it doesn't mean that you sit idly aside and do nothing. You allow it to continue. So, I guess you're against cancer research, alzheimers research, MS research, and pretty much all research.

Jenny and Holly,

I am pregnant with baby #3 and now more than ever I am concerned with immunizations. I realize kids need them to protect from harmful diseases, but at what age should they START getting them? It seems with my last two kids the doctors wanted to start with the vaccinations right when they popped out! Are you thinking our children need to be older, say two years of age, before they begin the series of vaccinations?? What about the MMR? I know it is needed, but it seems it can and does harm to some children. Ahhhhhhhh........ so many things to think about for the well being of our children.

Many thanks,
Kathline, 34
Oregon, USA