Autism and the Media
While visiting chapters the other day I couldn’t help but notice the plethora of Jenny Mccarthy books available in the children’s special needs section. Without a doubt Jenny has started a bit of a stir when it comes to autism. Not a week goes by where I don’t stumble across an article or YouTube video regarding Jenny mccarthy’s fight against autism and how she has apparently cured her son. She has stirred up both awareness and even a fair share of controversy regarding autism, it’s cause and even possible cures. While I find I enjoy the idea that celebrities use their status to bring a greater awareness to important issues I am sometimes concerned about the effect that it has on other people. I worry that sometimes it can do more harm than good.
One of the controversies that has come up is her claim that vaccines are the cause of autism. Jenny Mccarthy does however mention many times that she is not against vaccines and encourages parents to be diligent in making the right choices regarding vaccines for their children. However in some ways the claim the vaccines could be the cause of autism has had a somewhat negative affect some parents. Some have become fearful and have refused to allow their children to be vaccinated at all. The latter of course can be just as dangerous if not more. I remember years ago my ex-husband became panic stricken by the idea that vaccines could be the cause of autism and would not allow my daughter to have her MMR shot. Despite my doctors pleas and concerns regarding the matter he still refused to allow it. Shortly after our divorce I took my daughter back to the Dr. To have vaccine schedule finished so that she would be allowed to attend nursery school.
My doctor explained her concern for parents refusing to allow their children to receive vaccinations because they were worried it would make their child autistic. She worried that such practices who put their children at a far greater risk.
I find myself I lean more towards the theory that autism is caused by something to do with the genetics. There are many families where there is more than one child with autism. Many doctors say that a couple who already has an autistic child is very likely to have another and in many cases do. One of the books I saw at chapters that day was written by a mother of triplets. All three of her boys where autistic (Can you imagine?) leading more evidence to the theory that autism has a great deal to do with our genes.
For now though it is important that parents make educated decisions regarding their children’s care.
Autism is and has been shrouded by mystery and controversy. Remember the refrigerator mother theory? After writing an Autism awarness article for a local newspaper, I received many phone calls one of which was from a woman whose brother was the first person in Britain to be diagnosed with autism. Her father was a Doctor and worked at the hospital near their home. Her brother had to be institutionalized there when he was only seven years old. Many doctors told her mother that she had been the cause of his autism due to her mothering and skills leaving her to live in guilt for several years. However, the woman explained to me that she was able to tell her mother before she died that the theory of a refrigerator mothers was completely untrue.
The sad truth is many mothers were led to believe that they were the cause of their child’s autism. Fortunately our generation has been saved from such foolishness. I am curious to see if the theries being explored now will still hold truth some 20 or 30 years from now. Only time will tell.
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