The Parent Bloggers Network

“…it’s one of those amazingly controversial topics - like abortion, religion, and the current election - that can shut a friendly conversation down fast.”

That statement perfectly sums up the autism-vaccine link.

When we queried bloggers for interest in reading and reviewing Autism’s False Prophets, Dr. Paul A. Offit’s most recent book, the mention of the book itself - even just its title - provoked strong reactions. It seems many parents hold very strong opinions regarding the autism-vaccine link - some based on personal experience, some based on their reading of peer-reviewed research studies and other books (such as Offit’s previous book, Vaccinated, also reviewed here at PBN), and some based on pop culture.

Dr. Offit “has spent his career focusing on vaccines, immunology and virology, and the book is the doctor’s attempt to set the record straight on the topic of vaccines and autism. He says there’s no connection between the two, and he has a lot of scientific research to back that up.”

This blogger notes how Offit focuses on disproving that connection: “While Offit is clearly on the side of “vaccines do not cause autism,” his book looks at the research that was given to the contrary. He spends pages highlighting the opposing research, even devoting whole chapters (”Lighting the Fuse,” “Mercury Rising”) to the story that vaccines cause autism. Each time, however, Offit provides damning evidence to the contrary. No respected medical establishment believes that vaccines cause autism.” Another blogger elaborates further regarding how Autism’s False Prophets describes “the few physicians and researchers that were behind these myths were doing research in their basements (p. 135) not at accredited facilities, casting scientific method aside and falsifying data which would later be criticized by the AAP, IOM, CDC and academic institutions.”

But it’s the consequences of these questionable studies and the purported treatments and cures that are of even greater concern: “The court cases, the conspiracy theories, the death threats, the high profile individuals, the risky treatments for autistic children - all are part of the controversy. And unfortunately, an entire cottage industry of litigation lawyers, advocacy groups, and unethical doctors have taken advantage of parents who are looking for a cause for autism.” This blogger adds: “These treatments had parents of autistic children digging deep into their pockets, giving them hope of a cure. None of the children were ‘cured’ and some of them were even harmed in the process.”

One of the most powerful blogger reviews was written by a mother whose daughter is deaf:

“What’s wrong with a little alternative medicine? I’m a big fan of chiropractic medicine, music therapy and other things considered outside the mainstream. But many parents of autistic children are not only suckered in to expensive, needless therapies, but may end up inadvertently killing their child.”

“What is more important to your child - what caused their autism or what you can do to help them live with it? I focus my efforts and money on things like speech therapy for my deaf daughter, because as with autism, there’s no “cure” but there is still plenty parents can do to help their children. The earlier, the better.”

“Early intervention works. It won’t cure your child of autism, but it can show amazing improvement.”

“I’m not saying it won’t be a fight, but that is where you should put your energies, not unproven, harmful interventions. Get your child occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy - anything that is research based and medically proven to help.”

Dr. Offit’s passion for the topic is undeniable, and his emotion sometimes overshadows his message, leading to “an unnecessary snarky remark here and there.” One blogger warned: “The vitriol with which he goes after his targets – researchers, the media, tort lawyers and activist parents – betrays his passion and bias on the topic. I understand his anger, but I think those who truly believe that vaccinations might injure their babies will find it off-putting.” But the first blogger went on to advise: “If you don’t agree with the book’s premise, well, keep your friends close and your enemies closer…read it as an atheist would read the Bible.”

Dr. Offit continues to proceed with his research and writing despite sometimes violent opposition: “Offit knows his work has consequences. He starts the prologue by quoting some of the more colorful hate mail he has received. Having my own children, I cannot fathom how difficult it must be to parent one with special needs. I can imagine that these parents, in moments of desperation, are just looking for someone to blame. Many choose Offit as their target, and while this could lead to risks to himself and his family, he presses on. Why? Because he believes he is doing the right thing.”

Regardless of which side parents take in this polarizing debate, it’s for certain that our supreme goal is to care for our children. “In an age when we are all trying to do the best for our children, when we aren’t entirely sure who to believe, I found the book and all the statistical evidence that it provides as a great reassurance that vaccines do not cause autism. Furthermore, rather than spending money and resources fighting against vaccines, we should be focusing on what does cause autism and how we can support those who are affected by it.”

To this end, Dr. Offit will donate all royalties from sales of Autism’s False Prophets to autism research.

More reviews of Autism’s False Prophets are coming up.

Wednesday 10/22 - Modern Mamma Marvels
Thursday 10/23 - Chefdruck Reviews
Friday 10/24 - Ovolina
Monday 10/27 - Taste Like Crazy
Tuesday 10/28 - Slouching Mom
Wednesday 10/29 - Round-Up Review on PBN

WIN IT! If you’d like to win a copy of Autism’s False Prophets, leave a comment here. We’ll draw one winner at random and announce on the Round-Up!

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 am and is filed under Autism, Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.