Autism Vox 2008 in Review: April

A constant theme in 2008 was the rebranding of autism, as Orac at Respectful Insolence referred to how the likes of David Kirby have been constantly saying that “autism isn’t autism”—-it’s “mercury poisoning,” “vaccine-aggravated mitochondrial disorder,” “mercury-induced neurological disorder,” etc., etc.

(April being Autism Awareness Month—-does your child know about this—let’s not get into what such “rebranding” would do to the month…….)

The notorious Judge Rotenburg Center in Canton, Massachusetts uses electroshock “treatment” on some its residents, some of whom are autistic. In April, one of its staff was charged with rape, assault, and battery of another staff member—-more about the very, very questionable practices at the JRC is noted here.

Dr. Andrew Wakefield can be said to be the figure who set in motion the claims of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. He is currently being charged with alleged violations of medical ethics by the General Medical Council in the UK. At a hearing in April, Dr. Wakefield noted that he is “‘perfectly willing to accept [his] understanding was wrong.’”—- Also on the legal front: 2008 saw a version of “vaccine litigation subpoenagate,” with Neurodiversity blogger Kathleen Seidel successfully quashing a subpoena issued to her by vaccine litigation lawyer Clifford Shoemaker, and Dr. Marie McCormick also issued a subpoena.

More about the presidential candidates’ views on autism became apparent, especially those of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and, yes, on vaccines—-and as to why vaccines, and topics like the so-called “autism epidemic,” continue to be discussed, seems to be a sign of at least a little paranoia and politicking……….