Thoughts on Autism

October 29, 2007

Just yesterday I had a question from a worried mother (online) about the increasing head size of her child. I was not aware of this, but apparently studies have linked head size growth to autism. In this case, the variation was slight, so I just reassured her that it was well within the normal variation you see with measurement errors and normal child variation.

I find it quite interesting that today there was an article in Medpage Today about the importance of the early recognition of autism in children. Apparently, early diagnosis and intervention can lead to better outcomes in the big picture. If this study is combined with the previously sited study, it seems appropriate to look for whatever clues we can early on to identify children who are at high risk for autism spectrum disorders. Whether looking at the head size really merits further evaluation depends upon if that study has been repeated and verified.

All of these facts, along with some previous studies indicating a possible genetic component to autism, makes the popularly held misconception about the link between autism and vaccines far less credible. My personal experience with autistic children is that they are often starting to show signs of developmental delay prior to their first birthday (when the dreaded MMR vaccine is given).

Is all of this new information possibly the beginning of the end of the silliness surrounding vaccines? I doubt it. Fears like this don’t go away easy. Pregnant mothers still generally avoid caffeine, even though it has never been shown to be harmful. The celebrity "experts" will continue to spout the mis-information to a press hungry for more controversy, whether real or contrived.

This leaves me in the exam room with worried moms and dads, wondering what I think about "all those studies that link autism to vaccines." I understand the fear. I understand the need to place the blame for such a sad problem at the feet of some big drug company or some sinister conspiracy. The problem is, that no matter how much science is accrued, the fear-mongers and mis-informed will have the bigger podium, and I will have to take extra time to reassure parents that I know more about autism than Jenny McCarthy.

Just Google her name and you will see how much she has done for science. On second thought, don’t Goggle her name. Your results may get you into trouble.

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Category Posted in Being a Doctor, Pediatrics

4 Responses to “Thoughts on Autism”

wolfbaby said:

October 30th, 2007 at 10:45 am

I remember when i talked to my doc about this. I had heard a bunch of differnt stuff and just wanted my questions answered like i wasn’t an idiot for asking. let me tell you that when a doc approaches this kind of question in a calm and rational way instead of getting, you have to-just do as i say- and defensive, it goes along way in helping your cause with parents!!! All i really wanted was to understand a little better what the vaccines were for and what they did and how they worked;)
Zoo Knudsen said:

October 30th, 2007 at 9:46 pm

I have to be honest and say that this is the first time I’ve heard Doctor McCarthy’s remarkable acumen in matters of developmental pediatrics and neurology questioned. Are you sure you aren’t confusing her with somebody else? That Playboy Bunny perhaps?
Liz D. said:

November 1st, 2007 at 1:48 pm

Here’s something your readers might enjoy, a very well-done parody of “Dr.” Jenny

http://knudsensnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/jenny-mccarthy-to-host-autism-symposium.html

a few opening paras

Jenny McCarthy to Host Autism Symposium…..

Los Angeles, CA-A meeting of the world’s foremost experts on neurodevelopmental disorders and vaccine science, moderated by autism authority and former co-host of MTV’s Singled Out Jenny McCarthy, will be held today at UCLA’s Schoenberg Auditorium.

“For years now, the scientific community has lagged behind the overwhelming anecdotal evidence that has been collected and compiled in places like Google and YouTube,” Dr. McCarthy explained. “This meeting is the perfect opportunity to bring together research scientists, physicians and lay people treating disorders such as autism, and the speakers we have lined up are just amazing.”

Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, was very impressed with the scheduled presenters. “Where else are you going to hear Oprah discuss her work on mapping autism risk loci using genetic linkage and chromosomal rearrangements or Holly Robinson Peete expounding on studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children with autism spectrum disorder.”