More Info, Articles & Resouces
Nov. 16, 2000
Frustrated parents of children with autism say the government is spending too much money looking for the genetics of the disorder, and not enough on what they call environmental "triggers."
Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports a growing number of parents believe their children got sick after getting childhood vaccinations.
Two-and-a-half year old Michael Duffield has autism. His parents, Joseph and Julie, say he was normal with no signs of learning disabilities or communication deficits, until he got his mumps, measles and rubella, or MMR shots.
JOSEPH DUFFIELD, MICHAEL'S FATHER: "AFTER HE GOT THE VACCINATIONS, HE DEVELOPED A FEVER FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, AND DURING THAT TIME BASICALLY LOST ALL OF HIS SOCIAL SKILLS."
The Duffield's are among a growing number of parents who believe it's more than coincidence their children developed symptoms of autism after getting childhood immunizations.
But while researchers sympathize with families, they say there's NO scientific evidence to back it up. In fact, Utah reseacher Dr. William MacMahon expects his colleagues will discover a genetic component for the disorder within the next five years.
WILLIAM MCMAHON, M.D., UNIVERSITY OF UTAH AUTISM RESEARCH: "ONCE WE HAVE THE GENES, WE CAN START LOOKING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS EITHER FOR THOSE GENES OR FOR THOSE CASES THAT DON'T HAVE GENES."
Parents like the Duffields believe if there is a genetic component it was originally damaged or modified by one of these triggers.
Perhaps it's a compound in the MMR package that affects a particular child who temporarily has a compromised immune system. Maybe it was a metal used as a preservative.
Julie and Joseph are not necessarily against childhood immunizations, but on their next child they plan on waiting until he or she is older - at least two. And..
JULIE DUFFIELD: "WE WILL NOT DO MORE THAN ONE SHOT IN A DAY - EVER AGAIN."
The National Institute of Child and Infant Development is funding research at a consortium of universities - including the University of Utah.
Dr. McMahon's group is now four years into that research.
He strongly refutes the MMR theory, but is investigating POSSIBLE links between autism and infections - like a strep throat infection.
William McMahon, M.D. "AND WE HAVE AN IMMUNE MARKER WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT ACTUALLY SHOWS UP IN RHEUMATIC FEVER, IN TOURETTE'S SYNDROME, AND IN AUTISM IN RELATIVELY HIGH AMOUNTS."
Meanwhile, as researchers try to sort it out, parents continue working with their children. Michael's condition has improved dramatically with dietary changes, and will improve even more with home based teaching therapy.
JULIE DUFFIELD, MICHAEL'S MOTHER: "EVERY LITTLE MILESTONE IS SO BIG TO US. BUT IT'S SO HARD WHEN YOU LOOK AT DEFICITS."
"WE KNOW HE'S NOT BETTER YET, BUT HE IS SO MUCH IMPROVED FROM WHERE HE WAS THAT, YES - WE HAVE HOPE."
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "HOPE! PARENTS ARE HOLDING ON TO IT AND SO ARE RESEARCHERS TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS BASED NOT JUST ON THEORY, BUT SCIENTIFIC FACT."
The CDC and public health agencies say parents should CONTINUE getting their children immunized against childhood diseases. Without the MMR vaccinations, measles could run rampant again in epidemic proportions here and abroad.
