Firing Parents?
October 23, 2009 by Jeff Stimpson
Filed under Health
ABC News reports that doctors have begun “firing” parents who decline to have thier children vaccinated. One California mom, who’s oldest child has been diagnosed with autism said her doctor said the presence of her and her child was “too much of a liability.” Doctors are apparently feeling more compelled to say “no” back to anti-vaccine parents.
The issue surfaced this at the annual American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in Washington, D.C. Presenter Dr. Gary Marshall said there are some cases when it’s ethical and legal to refuse to continue to see, or treat, a child, especially if parents and the physician will never see “eye-to-eye” on a specific issue. Stipulations for such situations include written notice that the doctor will no longer treat the children and giving parents at least 30 days to find another physician.
Both sides in this debate continue to bet very heavily that they’re right. Regarding this new issue, I feel the parents have thought this matter through with the full attention of their minds and hearts, but I must wonder if the doctors can say the same?
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Photo/Jill Cornfield
Autism Speaks will hold a forum on November 13 to discuss challenges facing adults with autism and possible strategies and solutions. The Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism Town Hall will be held at AS’s
Chicago location or remotely through the Virtual Town Hall. See more information here.
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I did an interesting (at least as far as the composition of the audience went; I’m just assuming they enjoyed it) presentation earlier this week at the Laurelmead residence in Providence, R.I. The event was set up by a former professor of mine — a sweet guy, and I’m delighted to be back in touch with him and his wife after all these years — and attracted some 30 senior residents of Laurelmead. I usually speak to teachers, parents, future sped teachers, and other professionals, and had never had an audience like this one. Some were grandparents wondering how to interact with their autistic grandchildren and some were just plain curious about a family lifestyle that’s making more and more headlines. I thank them for their attention, and I hope they found the presentation helpful and entertaining.
Thanks too to Vox readers who were saddened to hear we’d not be doing this blog after November 1.
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Congrats to the Phoenix-based Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), a non-profit working to advance research and provide support for individuals with autism and their families, which has secured a $100,000 grant as the winner of the 2009 Arizona Benefits grant, funded by health benefits company Humana Inc. With the award, SARRC will create GardenWorks, a community-based program designed to engage individuals with ASDs in developing and sustaining a revenue-producing co-op garden. SARRC hopes to teach gardening and landscaping skills those with ASDs can use for work, while community members will be encouraged to mentor those individuals.
