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The number of children diagnosed with
autism in America is continuing to increase at a rate of more
than 20% a year, according to the latest figures published
by the US Department of Health.
The figures show that in the year 1999/2000
the number of schoolchildren in America with autism was 65,396
compared with 53,576 the previous year.
Figures have risen steeply since the reporting
of autism became mandatory in American schools in 1991. At
first the increase was attributed to better reporting of the
condition but after nine years some experts argue that the
consistent rise must demonstrate an actual rise in autism
rates.
It is estimated that
up to one in 175 primary school children are autistic.
The USA statistics are incontrovertible
proof of the autism epidemic which is sweeping the Western
world. An epidemic which the health authorities are shamefully
trying to cover up.
'A request to the Scottish Executive,
made almost two years ago, to establish a register, by year
of birth, of autistics, would have confirmed that this tragic
condition had gone from rare to common since 1990.'
Dr Ed Yazbak, a retired American pediatrician,
insists that the increase is real and argues that this can
only be attributed to environmental factors. He says vaccination
may not be the only cause but is convinced that it plays a
part.
He said: 'These statistics tell us, not
only that there has been a huge increase in autism rates in
the last 20 years, but also that this increase is not stopping.'
He also argues that the increase cannot
just be the result of better diagnosis because the same diagnostic
techniques have been used since 1994.
'The criteria for diagnosing children
has not changed and the people giving the diagnosis have not
changed therefore this must be an increase in numbers and
this must be due to environmental factors. We may find that
this is being caused by something other than vaccination but
it is certainly not genetic because this happens in the second
year of life.'
The US has an extensive vaccination program,
with babies given their first vaccine against Hepatitis B
in the first two days of life and another two doses before
they are 18 months old. Children also have five doses of diphtheria
and tetanus, two doses of MMR, four of the Hib, (for meningitis),
one of chickenpox, four of the polio vaccine and now four
doses of a vaccine to prevent ear infections before they go
to school.
'There are definitely
too many vaccines,' said Yazbak.
'I don't think it is just vaccines but it is pretty
crazy to give vaccines on the first
day of life when the child doesn't need.'
Raymond Gallup, president of the Autism
Auto-immunity Project, a US campaign group, said: 'I attribute
this increase to over-vaccination. There is no doubt about
it and MMR is the most problematic one. Children are definitely
getting too many vaccines too early in life.'
Sunday
Herald.com January 6, 2002
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