Vaccines????

[momofcutie]

I have a 2 year old who got all the reccomended vaccines at the reccomeneded times. There was a brief moment where autism was a concern of mine. Recently his language has exploded and autism isn't a worry of mine...for him anyway. I now have a 2 month old who is set to start getting vaccinated. Any suggestions on what to vaccinate for and what not to and in what order. When I had questions about my 2 year old I found alot of info on vacines and now I am worried to give my 2 month old son all these combo shots. We start in a few weeks and I would like some input.

[lovemy2boys]

You are a great mom to take the time to become informed, but dont let the horror stories scare you from protecting your child fwith vaccines.  Here is what I tell moms who ask me (like I'm some expert because I have a son with autism:)  1.  be sure your child is at optimal heath when getting his vaccines.  He should not be worn down, recovering from a cold or been exposed to others who may be sick.  2.  Ask your ped office to split the vaccines - no need to get 3-5 shots in 1 visit.  It is worth the trip to spread them out a bit.  3.  visit the CDC web site and see for yourself what is IN each vaccine and research the possible side effects so you worry with facts not worry just to worry.
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[MJIthewriter]

If you're concerned, see if you can make sure to get shots that contain 0% mecury or thimerosal and vaccinate against one thing at a time, no combo shots, also take them later in the child's development than earlier, but once again this is all speculative...  I decided on the question, I just don't know...  Some time around age 2 was when my grandma and my parents noticed my autism (I think this, but I need to check with my parents to be sure) which was around the MMR shot... Did the shot trigger my autism?  I don't know...

I figure it's pointless to hold up an imaginary crystal ball and wonder what if...just rather I am who I am, no matter what circumstances helped shape me to be who I am right now.

I figure to those who are concerned, let them take steps to get rid of "offending" substances in shots and work towards a safer vaccination.  On the other hand if there truely is no link, then it won't make much a difference.

Here's something interesting. I think it covers both sides of the vaccine arguement/story.
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/autismandvaccines/i/vaccines.htm

Sorry I can't give you a clear answer on that one... I figure if your child develops autism, then embrace it as part of who they are and work on ways that can make their autism a strength rather than a weakness. There are some unique gifts with autism as well as the weaknesses.  Some of the same weaknesses can be made into strenghts. For instance being obsessed over bugs... Yes that got in the way of a lot of things, but at the same time helped fuel the ideas that eventually developed into what project I am working on today.

But if your child doesn't develop autism, please don't take the attitude, "Phew I made it fine. My child is safe from this dreadful disease."  And certainly please don't take the attiude that all autism is dreadful.  Not everyone affected by autism is suffering.  In fact some people like Temple Grandin have used their gifts to become very successful in their field. I'd like to see more done to help all autistic people be able to achieve their goals like Temple and others rather than try to stomp it out and "cure" it.