Parents perceptions of autism and theirhealth-seeking behav
Summer Program Written Proposal
1. The purpose of this experiment is to find a link between the increase in autism and
vaccination of infants and young children. Multiple vaccinations are shots that contain
three to four vaccines and are given to small children for immunization. Much research
has been made against these vaccinations for some childhood vaccines are composed of a
mercury based preservative extremely toxic, and since autism is said to be accumulation
of toxins in the body vaccination could be a contributing factor to the autism increase
since the year 1999.
Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and
communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. It affects many parts of the
brain but it is still not completely understood how. Autism is just one of five austism
spectrum disorders (ASD) which include Asperger’s Syndorme, PDD-NOS, Rett
Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. The word “spectrum” expresses the
variability within these areas of challenge, for there are many possible levels of ability
and disability. While there are many theories as to the cause of the increase in autism it is
believed that environmental factors including exposure to toxic substances and over-
vaccination of infants and young children are the key factors triggering this devastating
epidemic. Multiple vaccinations, which are “cocktails” of at least three to four vaccines
in one single shot, are said to weaken the immune system of a small child. Also, most
childhood vaccines include thimerosal, which is a mercury preservative proven to
increase autism-like damage. Because autism is said to be a reaction from intoxication it
is believed that vaccines can increase the risk of this disease in children as a result from
toxins in the shots. Even though the FDA banned thimerosal it is still present in vaccines
most of which are multiple vaccines. For example, thimerosal is not found in the single
dose of Afluria (Influenza 2008/9 Formula) but it is present in the multi-dose of this
vaccine (0.01% = 24.5 ml). This is one of the reasons why it is more probable that
multiple vaccinations can increase the risk of autism than single shot vaccines.
This experiment’s main goal is to be able to prove that intoxication can occur from
vaccination and that this could lead to autistic behavior and/or autism symptoms in
children. Thimerosal is the reason for vaccines loss of popularity so suddenly. This
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2. preservative is the one being blamed for intoxication after vaccination, but as part of an
experiment a scientist must keep an open mind and he or she should not stick to just one
possible solution. Vaccines are not the only place we can find thimerosal, it can also be
found in other common things we use as part of our daily lives. Examples of these are
mascara, make-up removal cream, cosmetics, saline solution for lenses, etc. But
thimerosal is not the only toxin out there.
Intoxication can occur from other sources and considering the world in which we are
living today, how can we be sure that it was vaccines that caused the autistic behavior in
a child? We are currently living in an intoxicated world where the air and even the water
are polluted. But the environment is not the only to blame for children’s intoxication,
what about the food that these kids are eating? Not only are kids always eating out (fast
foods, junk food, sodas) but also the lack of water in their diet can be a real problem.
Water can help in the expulsion of toxins form the body, toxins that could have come
from anywhere. If intoxication can come from many places why are vaccines being fully
blamed? Seeing how vaccines are weakened strains of a disease, when a multiple
vaccines which contains more than one strain is injected then the immune system of the
infant or young child becomes crippled. This facilitates the process of intoxication, which
in turn can increase the risk of autism.
For this experiment permits and forms will be acquired from the IRB (Institutional
Review Board) after choosing a population of children from a specific hospital. This
group of kids will be divided into two groups, the children who were vaccinated and the
ones who were not. Welcoming letters will be sent to the parents of these children
inviting them to participate in the experiment. After all forms and documents, which will
be listed shortly, various questionnaires will be given to the parents of these children for
them to complete. When all the questionnaires are filled and the data is obtained the
results will be tabulated and compared. With this information a survey will be made and
if the proposed hypothesis is correct it will be proven by the results of the experiment.
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3. These questionnaires will include basic family information (1), how is the child’s social
communication (2), whether or not the child has a sibling without an ASD (3), which
vaccines have been given to the child (4) and a treatment list (5). Below an example of
the questions each questionnaire has will be presented respectively.
1. Basic Family Information:
1) First name
2) Last name
3) Gender
4) Ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino, not Hispanic or Latino)
5) Race
6) Street Address
7) City
8) State
9) Zipcode
10) Home phone number
11) Have you been diagnosed with an ASD? (The parent)
12) If Yes to ASD question, please state your first ASD diagnosis
2. Social Communication:
This questionnaire will include questions as to how are the child’s body
movements, use of language or gestures, and style of interacting.
3. Sibling without an ASD
1) How old was the child when he or she first walked?
2) How old was the child when he or she said his or hers first words?
3) How old was the child when he or she was toilet trained?
4) What was the length of the pregnancy with this child?
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4. 5) How much did the child weight?
6) What is the child’s current grade or school level?
7) Has the child ever been diagnosed with :
• Tuberous Sclerosis
• Seizures or Epilepsy
• Mental Retardation
• Motor Delay
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
4. Vaccine questionnaire
The parents will list all of the vaccines that the child has received.
5. Treatment list
The parents will list every treatment that the child is currently on or has
been in the past.
This experiment’s goal is to prove that vaccines can increase the risk of autism in
children but at the same time keep in mind that there are other ways that a child can be
intoxicated other than vaccination. Using this experiment as a precursor other
experimentation can be made to continue researching about intoxication by vaccination.
If found that indeed vaccines do increase the risk of autism then use this information and
inform the public so that parents know what they are risking when vaccinating their
children.
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5. Resources:
Mark Sircus Ac., OMD. (2006). Multiple Vaccinations. Available:
http://www.thenhf.com/vaccinations_77.htm.
Autism Research Review International, 1999, Vol. 13, No. 2, page 3. (1999). The Autism
Explosion. Available: http://www.autism.com/ari/editorials/ed_explosion.htm.
Autism Research Review International, 2000, Vol. 14, No. 1, page 3. (2000). The Autism
Increase: Research Needed on the Vaccine Connection. Available:
http://www.autism.com/ari/editorials/ed_autismincrease.htm.
Brent Taylor, February 6, 2002, Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and bowel
problems or development regression in children with autism: population study. PubMed
Central http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?
artid=65532&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract
Emily Jane Woo M.D. MPH, June 2004, Vaccine Risk Perception Among Reporters of
Autism After Vaccination: Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System 1990-2001.
PubMed Central http://www.medcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?
artid=1448378&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract
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