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Original poster

Oh no MMR scandal-er is back

46 replies

JerryFerry · 19/02/2017 08:53

Because Trump isn't enough, the MMR-autism fraudster is back

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/18/not-just-mmr-charlatan-we-should-denounce

OP posts:
OurBlanche · 19/02/2017 09:31

Holy fuck!

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/18/not-just-mmr-charlatan-we-should-denounce

I hope that's clickable. That is so bloody sickening, scary!

OhTheRoses · 19/02/2017 09:38

Hmm. Hyperbolic article if you ask me. Public health got butter/fat wrong.

booox · 19/02/2017 09:39

You mean you think he's right oh?

Despite the fact ASC has been proven to show in brain structure scans from birth?

OurBlanche · 19/02/2017 09:41

So... you chose to ignore the possibility that Trump will endorse such stupidity and that Wakefield seems to be being given new platforms to peddle his lies?

OK! But allow me to be seriously pissed off that that man still walks the planet, breathes the air I do. Let alone the fact that he is still finding places and people to push his dangerous, self aggrandising lies!

Devilishpyjamas · 19/02/2017 09:44

Autism is many conditions.

Those brain scans can only be about multiplex autism (if they were looking at siblings going on to developing autism). I am more interested in simplex personally (where environmental factors seem to play a bigger role).

Katy07 · 19/02/2017 09:48

It always amazes me that anyone can believe that the vaccine gives you autism - just look at how many people have the jab versus the number of people that have autism! Bit of a gap there I think. At that rate I could say that having the vaccine means you die in a car crash or leads you to become a Mumsnetter or have blue eyes. Seriously?! Hmm

booox · 19/02/2017 09:48

Yes thanks the problem with debating a finite 'cause' is that Autism is such a huge spectrum. And so very many factors make up and affect our natures and our skills. As this link explains. theoraah.tumblr.com/post/142300214156/understanding-the-spectrum

The basic facts are that Wakefield lied, manipulated and twisted results to show in his favour.

And his findings have been disproved.

OhTheRoses · 19/02/2017 09:49

I didn't say he was right. I said it was an hyperbolic article. Autism wasn't diagnosed using brain scans 20 years ago. I'd reserve my energy for sufficient support for its diagnosis as early as possible in the here and now and a root and branch reorganisation of CAMHS so those with and supporting those with ASD have the support and help they are entitled to.

We can't change what Wakefield did. We can change the life experiences of those with ASD now and for the future. The state of CAMHS is a bigger issue.

booox · 19/02/2017 09:49

*yes though

To devil.

Original poster
JerryFerry · 19/02/2017 09:52

OurBlanche thank you for providing a proper link.
Seems to be no end to the sewerage that is bubbling up since Trump took office. Republicans I should say. They need to take responsibility for The Crazy One.

OP posts:
booox · 19/02/2017 09:53

Misunderstood oh.

I whole heartedly agree. Cause doesn't matter as much as effective support/ education/ therapies.

However, I feel it's worrying he's still listened to, not least by those who could influence.

WayfaringStranger · 19/02/2017 09:56

Devilish my son is undergoing assessment for ASD and I'm trying to my head around all of this. I'm interested in your knowledge and wondered if you had any info I could please read on multiplex and simplex? Thank you.

Original poster
JerryFerry · 19/02/2017 09:58

We're going to need a hell of a lot more support/therapies though if the likes of this charlatan are allowed to keep peddling their shit. So actually, while cause itself shouldn't be the issue, misinformation about cause is in fact a huge deal.

OP posts:
OurBlanche · 19/02/2017 10:02

I have to admit, if I could use a time machine once, Wakefield would be on my list!

His lies were wilful. He took a lot of time and effort to do what he did. And made a huge amount of money in the US. I have no idea why he is being given any platform here. Where are the No Platformers now?

toconclude · 19/02/2017 10:08

Wayfaring: don't be mislead. It's code for "I don't like the possibility that this just happened, I want to blame something/someone for Ruining My Perfect Baby". It won't help one bit, trust me. The only thing that really helps is clear information about the child's educational and social needs and how best to meet them now and for the future.
Special diets/therapies etc are only applicable to a tiny minority of ASD kids and need careful assessment first.
I know dozens of families who have gone the whole hog from chelation to ABA to exclusion diets to total environmental control (anti allergy). Their now adult children are still autistic.
Not the end of the world, I promise you.

23 years (post diagnosis, he's nearly 26) as autism parent, advocate, activist in autism and social work here.

booox · 19/02/2017 10:17

Agree toconclude.

My knowledge is that of a teacher of pupils with ASC for 10 years.

We start with what we know. Communication, flexibility of thought, sensory. Emotional regulation - which is mostly due to communication difficulties.

The SCERTS model is excellent. Please google.

Under this, strategies such as PECS, Carol Gray's social stories and visual structural methods (e.g. TEACCH approaches) and sensory diets all help to support the individual.

But each child diagnosed is an individual and must be supported as such.

booox · 19/02/2017 10:18

Early bird course is excellent too.

QueenOfTheCatBastards · 19/02/2017 10:19

@OurBlanche I would happily help you on that mission.

Wakefield has been shown to be a charlatan, I have no idea why anybody gives the man airtime.

QueenOfTheCatBastards · 19/02/2017 10:21

Earlybird+ was very helpful for me VIOLET not just because of the simplification of thought process, but for the social aspect too. Being in a room with five other parents and not a single one being surprised by anything or judgemental was soothing. Totally worth the £25 for the course.

chipsnmayo · 19/02/2017 10:23

It has taken so many years to prove Wakefield's wrong doing so and to bring immunisation levels back up, I hope to dear god that we are not raising a new generation of children who are unvaccinated because of Trump's stupidity.

I could understand why some parent's did not vaccinate their children during the late 20-15 years ago after the scandal, I almost didn't (my DD was born 1999) but thankfully my common sense prevailed. And as science has proved numerous time over the past decade that autism has no link to MMR, imo it is utterly stupid not to immunise your child.

I look at the consequences of my DD's age group in the future because those who were born in the 1990s have had the largest outbreak of measles.

I have no words for Wakefield, we try to move on but there will always be a few sceptics because of his incompetence.

OurBlanche · 19/02/2017 10:26

Had it been mere incompetence he may have been forgiven by some.

But it wasn't. It was deliberate, fraudulent research on all levels. He conned so many people, lied, manipulated and was financially rewarded, despite having been shown to be a liar and being struck off.

He is not incompetent, he has been proven to be a consummate liar!

chipsnmayo · 19/02/2017 10:33

Your right ourblanche, I was just trying to be polite Grin

DriftingDreamer · 19/02/2017 10:36

I fell for it all.
Single vaccines for first son. Few years later, MMR for second.
Reminds me- ds 1 only had one mumps vaccine.
Need to think about that....

OurBlanche · 19/02/2017 10:38

Blush That was a tad strident, wasn't it?

Yet not libellous Grin