My son is 18 mos old and I believe he may be pre-disposed to Autism. Unlike his older siblings, he did not develop language skills until recently. He LOVES to watch the wheels of toy cars spin, which was one of many things he seems to have in common with Evan at this age. Articles, conversations and television interviews have been popping up regarding Autism and immunizations all around me. I feel these things are confirming my suspicians. My son did receive immunizations early on, but I have not yet taken him in for his latest "round". Is there a certain test I can ask my pediatrician for to determine if he might become autistic as a result of more immunizations? Also, is there a certain age that is considered safe to begin receiving the immunizations again? As many times as you both said "instincts", I know I am right in following mine. Meredith

my son, James, is 7 mo old. I have been very concerned about getting his MMR shots. Do you recommend getting the shots in 3 separate visits because it is a live virus innoculation?? Is there any advice you have about getting his MMR shot, in hindsight?? Would you recommend against getting the MMR shots all together? Lastly, did either of your sons show any signs of autism prior to their MMR shots?? Thank you so much for spending your precious time answering my question, God bless you both, Maria

Hi Jenny and Holly,

I have a feeling you won't be able to respond to all of your messages. But, here goes. My 8 year old son has Asperger's (high functioning autism). We knew he needed extra help when he was about 2. We enrolled him in a special public preschool when he was 3. He went to school with children of various developmental delays and there were also normal children for the "special" children to model for behavior and capabilities. Actually, his younger sister became a modeling student because I so loved the program and the teachers. It was a parent teacher co-op and I had to be a teacher's aide 2 or 3 times per month for both children. This did not cost my family anything as we had him set up on a IEP very early. When he was 2 we had a speech therapist and an occupational therapist through the school district.
When we started on our journey to help my son be the best he could be we didn't know what was behind his speech delays or why he just didn't do the same things as his peers when I went to my health club while he was being tended in the nursery. Even when he went to kindergarten and he was in developmental kindergarten in public school. His last semester we had him go all day so he went to the AM and PM classes. We all know how autistics have a very hard time with transitions. They are very focused children, especially when it is their specialty. Anyway, I did this in preparation for 1st grade so that he would know how to act at lunch with the other children.
But, then he entered 1st grade with his peers and they tried to allow him to merge with the regular students. He was testing out of needing help and we knew that he needed special resources to be the best he could be. This is when I had to step up my research game and find out what was causing his problems. I had to because the school was trying to put him in the ADHD category and wanted to put him on medication. I am so glad that I found Asperger's. It was an exact match for my son and how he is. I printed up some teacher how to deal with Asperger children in class worksheets and presented my findings at my son's next IEP. They did a national Asperger's test and he tested very highly most likely. Now they knew how to work with my son and I knew that I would be able to keep getting his extra help.
Next, I want everyone to think about this as a trigger for autism. Antibiotics. I agree with Jenny there is a yeast proliferation in autistic children. But, I am a Microbiologist and you don't get yeast from vaccines. You get yeast from wiping out the normal gut flora and this allows the Candida to proliferate. I will give another clue that I noticed in my son from when he was a baby. He was collicky and hated to ride in the car. This is because his stomach wasn't yet as strong as an adult. It was still developing and we all know our immune system is in our stomach. So he was already playing catch up to start rounding up his normal gut flora. Put on top of this an antibiotic that wipes everything out without replenishing the good flora and voila instant yeast.
It is my feeling that every antibiotic whether for babies, children, or adults should be given along with a probiotic. It should be mandatory. Overall, my son has done better by having him dilligently eatting yogurt every day. I have also added omega 3s to his diet for replenishing his brain and helping his immune system. I do this with flax seed and anything with added DHA. He loves it when dad fries fish for him in canola oil. He also eats lots of fruits and vegetables for antioxidants.
It is my feeling as a mom that knows about microorganisms and the immune system that the reason why boys are more likely to get autism has to do with how testosterone interacts with yeast in the body.
Yes, there is hope for parents of autistic children and there are lots of resources for those that are willing to work at finding it. Next on the list, making these resources readily and easily obtained and more communication so that other's can appreciate our amazing children.

Which vaccines in particular? I heard Jenny mention MMR, are you specifically concerned about any one vaccine or vaccinations in general.

Hi Jenny and Holly,

My son will be 2 years old in November and has not yet received the MMR vaccine. I too feel that the correlation between the vaccine and the high number of autism diagnosis is more than coincidental. My question to you, in your opinion as a mom is:

When should the MMR vaccine be given?

Do I break up the vaccine into 3 separate injections? If so, on separate days?

I understand that this is only your opinion and will treat your response as such. Much thanks for your time and thank you for sharing your story.

Denise T.

Long Island, NY

Dear Jenny, Holly and Oprah, thank you for sharing such personal and intimate feelings and information regarding your families medical and emotional situations and trials and successes. It was very very enlightening and hopeful for many (whether one has autism in their family or friends circles or not).

I would like to know how to get information on the dietary do's and don'ts and to start trying to eliminate (or add) to our family's diet plan. Is it included in Jenny's book or on a website where I can begin trying a new diet plan? I would really appreciate knowing what items should be eliminated and tested in our diet.

I'm looking forward to giving this wonderful new information a try.

Regards,
Kathy

Thank you Jenny and Holly! You are an inspiration to all mothers! I wish you two nothing but the best and I will pray for your children. Keep fighting! You have a voice that will be heard!

I was very interested watching this show as I have 7 mo old son who has been getting the vaccines on regular schedule. I am nervous about the upcoming MMR vaccine, and have been reviewing info I can find. Have either of you seen/found any research or data on #s of children who have autism that have not been vaccinated? Also I thought I heard on the show that Holly's son is a twin, is this correct? If yes, is he an identical or fraternal twin? Did his twin also get all the same vaccines? Is he healthy or has he had any medical concerns?

Thank you.

Thank you soooo much for bringing up the gastly statistic of the divorce rate that is unfolding due to autism diagnosis. I am now a single mom of my precious 5 y/o son. My husband, refused to go with me to hear the test results. Two weeks later, he came home casually one day and said "He was done with me", and that "He never wanted to do the kid thing anyway". I was alone, and have been ever since.

Wake up Dad's!!! These kids need you more than ever!!!! Don't run away, embrace what you have, and it could make all the differernce in the child's recovery process.

I am grateful to both of you for being our voices to get the attention of the medical community, and the government too.

My son is 18 mos old and I believe he may be pre-disposed to Autism. Unlike his older siblings, he did not develop language skills until recently. He LOVES to watch the wheels of toy cars spin, which was one of many things he seems to have in common with Evan at this age. Articles, conversations and television interviews have been popping up regarding Autism and immunizations all around me. I feel these things are confirming my suspicians. My son did receive immunizations early on, but I have not yet taken him in for his latest "round". Is there a certain test I can ask my pediatrician for to determine if he might become autistic as a result of more immunizations? Also, is there a certain age that is considered safe to begin receiving the immunizations again? As many times as you both said "instincts", I know I am right in following mine. Meredith

I hope that Jenny and Holly are aware of the National Association for Child Development and Bob Doman. Please read about them at They encourage parents to do many of the things that Jenny referred to such as changing diet with a kid with behavioral problems and many of the activiites that were shown on Jenny's home video (is Evan on program?). They are a great organization that wants all children to unleash their potential - the potential the medical community may say the child doesn't have. I've been involved with them for a number of years in one form or another and have seen wonderful sucess' with families who were given no other options by the traditional medical/therapist community.

Hi, you were both awesome and inspiring today on Oprah's show. I am the mother of a 5 year old boy with autism and he is making great progress through all of the therapie I have found that work. My problems come in the form of paying for these therapies, they are very expensive to maintain. My husband and I recently separated and I am struggling to take care of my son and find a way to keep paying for his therapies. We live in South Florida and I have him on Medicaid which thankfully pays for his Speech and OT but I have to pay for his ABA therapy and horse therapy and swimming therapy and music therapy. Right now I can't even pay my bills nevermind his therapies, his father is broke and has no money, my mother-in-law and my parents have been trying to help but they are running out of money, and my house is mortgaged to beyond what it is worth in today's market. I meet a lot of parents down here who would love to do more for their kids and give them more therapies but they can't afford it. I can't work a normal full time job because I pick my son up from school at 2pm and I run him around all afternoon to his different therapies. Most of the Autism organizations I have looked into raise money for research and I can't find any that directly help the families afford the therapies for their kids. I have just started looking into trying to start a non-profit organization that will raise money to help pay for therapies for the families down here. Even maybe like a sponsor a child's therapy program. As I am looking into starting this endeavor I see that it is going to take a lot of work. I was wondering if you had any advice for me in starting this type of organization or advice on how to keep paying for these extra therapies that I know have made a difference for my son. He is awesome! I also related to your story Jenny about feelilng alone after your husband left and feeling like you were never going to meet anyone who could love you and your son. That is how I feel right now and hearing how you have met someone and are happy has given me hope. Thank you for that.

What would you recommend for a vacination schedule for an infant?