Autistic Allies: Vaccines

Showing posts with label Vaccines. Show all posts

Autism Advocacy

Advocacy comes in many forms regarding Autism

Campaigning against dangerous Autism treatments

Reporting parents who implement abusive treatments on their children

Phoning journalists to expose these treatments and rogue sellers

Educating parents about these dangerous treatments through social media

Talking a parent out of even considering it

Fighting for legislation

Educating parents about vaccine fears

Debunking vaccine myths

Expressing sorrow at the ableist view of the vaccine/autism connection

Making a stand against ABA

Fighting against ABA with ABA organisations

Expressing concern of ABA to parents

Hearing the voices of Autistics who went through ABA

Expressing your experience of ABA

Using social media to do this

Educating other autism services about the wrong practice of ABA

Helping schools with their autistic kids

Advocating for equity in education

Submissions on legislation

Helping autistics with their rights in hospital

Helping Autistics with their entitlements to welfare

Services and support for autistic adults. (Probably especially those who are chidfree.)

Addressing the current disproportionate focus on children and "families".

Ensuring that resources are directed towards autistic people, rather than NT parents.

Advocating to ensure Autistic people are controlling how money is spent and what it gets spent on.

Creating job opportunities for Autistic Adults

Improving care facilities for Autistics

Trying to help get airports and hospitals more autistic friendly

Using conferences to educate parents about neurodiversity

Using conferences for Autistics to teach each other about neurodiversity

Opening a social media support group for Autistics

Opening a social media support group for parents

Contributing in social media groups for both

Writing blogs

Signing a petition

Going on a podcast

Phoning into a radio station

But also :

Giving a parent advice

Sending another autistic a ❤

Expressing your worries in the hope that others understand

This is ALL important advocacy work and I am quite sure I have missed a lot out. Some people can do more than others.

The people who do it publically are incredible and can make a huge difference ☺

Others have different issues, roles, disabilities, priorities, work, life commitments. Sometimes a simple 'like' that day may be all you have spoons for, but is still being an advocate

I see amazing people giving support daily in our sister group 'Supporty McGroup face' and many other groups

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS ADVOCACY WORK

This is great work, be proud 💕💕💕

Counterarguments are Critical to debunking misinformation

Counterarguments are critical to debunking misinformation

Stomach Issues

Stomach issues seem to be common with Autistic people, both from Autistic adults and parents of autistic children

You often hear of children not being able to empty their bowels for days and parents worrying tremendously about their diarrhoea and reflux also

With that information it may surprise you to hear that the correlation between autism and gut issues is unconnected according to the latest scientific study
Tests show no specific gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autism

So being Autistic Allies we decided to question our autistic members about why they/we think many have stomach issues and how to manage these issues

Many put it down to anxiety. You know that feeling when your stomach gets in knots.

Some have changed their diets completely whether it's gluten free, lactose free, or just cutting out certain foods. Obviously if you are contemplating doing this with your child, consult a specialist to make sure they are still getting essential food stuffs. Look into the warning signs of removing any food like this one:
The gluten-free diet in children: Do the risks outweigh the benefits?

Many autistic people, especially children have limited diets which may be contributing to bowel issues. Something not assessed often, is the fussiness of eating could easily be connected to sensory issues with your child. Here is a good link which should help with sensory issues:

Oral Sensory Activities

Here is a list of some good methods and medicines. Always consult a doctor before considering a medicine, diet change or method:

Miralax

Probiotics

A good technique for constipation:

"Regular medication helped alongside drinking plenty of water.
Gastro-nurse gave us exercises to do. When particularly bad, gentle but firm tummy massages helped. Lay the affected person on their back, on a firm surface (table or floor), without any clothing on their top half. Starting on their right hip, move up the body, to the rib cage, across the abdomen then down towards the left hip and across to the right hip, all the while maintaining a firm pressure but not so hard as to be overly uncomfortable. Direction is really important here.
Do this 10 times.
Then hold the ankles and move legs in an exaggerated cycling motion, moving the legs their full range.

Repeat the whole set of exercises three times, morning and night, or if person feels like they are about to do a BM but can't.
Seek medical advice where possible for chronic constipation and eat a healthy diet (with lots of water (not tea, coffee or fizzy drinks))."

Most Autistics do see a connection between anxiety and stomach issues.

Remember any advertised diet change will NOT make your child 'less autistic'. If behaviour changes it is more than likely due to your child experiencing less pain and therefore functioning more easily

Never give up, keep going back to your doctors and don't let them ever let your child's health issues down to "Autism".

Warning a quick Google of autism and stomach issues will reveal many uncredited pseudoscience links due to false connections made by Mr Andrew Wakefield. Please read this useful link to understand the science from the rubbish How to read and understand a scientific paper: a guide for non-scientists

or ask in our Facebook group or science page:
Autistic Allies Supporting Science and Debunking Crazy Treatments

It is important to remember that gastric problems/ intolerences / allergies are on the increase in the general population which includes autistic individuals, so these problems aren't related to the fact that your child is autistic. All these issues need guidance from medical professionals.

Like all pages here we will keep adding more information when we see it

I'm sorry: For parents who still believe the MMR vaccination is responsible for causing their child’s autism, by helpfulhev

Click: I’m Sorry, by helpfulhev

Autism Advocacy

Counterarguments are Critical to debunking misinformation

Stomach Issues

Autism Trust - Dangerous Treatments

My Polio Story Is An Inconvenient Truth To Those Who Refuse Vaccines, by Judith Shaw Beatty

Penn & Teller on Vaccines

I’m Autistic, And Believe Me, It’s A Lot Better Than Measles, by Sarah Kurchak

Why are there so many reports of autism following vaccination? A mathematical assessment

VAERS and "Vaccine Injuries" by Lucy Baldwin & Elyce Powers

Vaccines and Autism - Science Says They Are Unrelated, by Skeptical Raptor

Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism, But That’s Not The Point. Stop Being Ableist.

I'm sorry: For parents who still believe the MMR vaccination is responsible for causing their child’s autism, by helpfulhev

Vexed with Vaxxed, by Frank L Ludwig

The research linking autism to vaccines is even more bogus than you think, by Julia Belluzz

Uncovering the Early Signs of Autism, by Circle of Moms Editors

Studies Confirm, Vaccines Still Don't Cause Autism. But Are These Studies Helping? Healthcare Triage

Just the Vax: 75 studies that show no link between vaccines and autism (UPDATED to 107)

Vaccines Don't Cause Autism: Healthcare Triage

Argument by Vaccine Package Inserts - Debunking Myths, by The Original Skeptical Raptor

Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism (CDC)