A New Jersey Mother Responds to Katie Wright

Katie Wright, whose parents Bob and Suzanne Wright are the founders of Autism Speaks, praises their efforts “to bring attention to the needs of our families” and criticizes the organization for not funding “impactful, breakthrough science”—-that is, “biomedical grants on GI disease, methylation pathways and toxicity, vaccinated and unvaccinated siblings.” Wright distinguishes between such biomedical research into Autism Speaks, praises their efforts “to bring attention to the needs of our families” and criticizes the organization for not funding “impactful, breakthrough science”—-that is, “biomedical grants on GI disease, methylation pathways and toxicity, vaccinated and unvaccinated siblings.” In an Age of Autism post today, Wright distinguishes between such biomedical research into alternative treatments what she calls “traditional research, that is, “endless gene research” (such as a new study in today’s New England Journal of Medicine about a region on chromosome 16 that appears to play an important role in susceptibility for ASDs) and also research on the brain (such as a new study about how Fragile X Syndrome affects communication between cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is involved in learning and memory —Fragile X is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and, so far, the most common genetic cause of autism).

Wright extends sympathy to New Jersey parents and praises Deirdre Imus

for her wonderful essay in the Huffington Post about the New Jersey vaccine mandate. I feel heartbroken for the New Jersey parents who must choose between day care, school and more vaccines for their toddlers and school age children. Why mercury has not been removed from every flu vaccine simply defies comprehension. One would think that New Jersey, possibly the autism capital in the country, would approach vaccine mandates with great caution. One in 60 New Jersey boys is on the autistic spectrum and the vast majority of parents believe that vaccines played a role in triggering the disorder in their children.

I’m a New Jersey parent and I appreciate Wright’s concern but, just to repeat, exposure to thimerosal….. during childhood is not a primary cause of autism and I am not sure how she has determined that the “vast majority of parents believe that vaccines played a role in triggering the disorder in their children.” I recommend that Wright consider also the issues discussed by myself and some New Jersey parents at last week’s listening tour with Senator Menendez’s staff and extend her concern to parents who have limited choices—-and often no options—-for housing and jobs for adult autistic children. It is pretty “heartbreaking” to hear what some adult autistic citizens of New Jersey—-those who will need support throughout their entire lives—-face: We hear plenty about biomedical treatments and vaccines. We indeed need to, as Wright ends her piece, “start listening to the families of autistic kids”—of all ages and about what they really need.

And I’m not “heartbroken,” but I do take heart every day in our life with Charlie who—even though he got up late (I overslept) pulled on his clothes and coat and (I kid you not) bounded out the door, Jim hurrying behind with the blue backpack: Another Jersey boy running to get on the bus.
etin-let-the-parent-beware-when-seeking-treatments-for-autism-2/”>alternative treatments what she calls “traditional research, that is, “endless gene research” (such as a new study in today’s New England Journal of Medicine about a region on chromosome 16 that appears to play an important role in susceptibility for ASDs) and also research on the brain (such as a new study about how Fragile X Syndrome affects communication between cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is involved in learning and memory —Fragile X is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and, so far, the most common genetic cause of autism).Wright extends sympathy to New Jersey parents and praises Deirdre Imus 

for her wonderful essay in the Huffington Post about the New Jersey vaccine mandate. I feel heartbroken for the New Jersey parents who must choose between day care, school and more vaccines for their toddlers and school age children. Why mercury has not been removed from every flu vaccine simply defies comprehension. One would think that New Jersey, possibly the autism capital in the country, would approach vaccine mandates with great caution. One in 60 New Jersey boys is on the autistic spectrum and the vast majority of parents believe that vaccines played a role in triggering the disorder in their children.

I’m a New Jersey parent and I appreciate Wright’s concern but, just to repeat, exposure to thimerosal….. during childhood is not a primary cause of autism and I am not sure how she has determined that the “vast majority of parents believe that vaccines played a role in triggering the disorder in their children.” I recommend that Wright consider also the issues discussed by myself and some New Jersey parents at last week’s listening tour with Senator Menendez’s staff and extend her concern to parents who have limited choices—-and often no options—-for housing and jobs for adult autistic children. It is pretty “heartbreaking” to hear what some adult autistic citizens of New Jersey—-those who will need support throughout their entire lives—-face: We hear plenty about biomedical treatments and vaccines. We indeed need to, as Wright ends her piece, “start listening to the families of autistic kids”—of all ages and about what they really need.And I’m not “heartbroken,” but I do take heart every day in our life with Charlie who—even though he got up late (I overslept) pulled on his clothes and coat and (I kid you not) bounded out the door, Jim hurrying behind with the blue backpack: Another Jersey boy running to get on the bus.