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The Stats:
21 pounds 7 ounces
2 feet 6 inches
And here we go: traditionally, or whatever, it's typical for children to receive the MMR vaccine at their one year check up. At least with our doctors - they tell you at the 9 month appointment to be sure to schedule the one year check up for after the child's birthday so that they can receive the shot, because they cannot give it unless the child is over a year old. Now, there's been some debate (and by some, I mean a whole lot of debate) about whether or not that vaccine causes autism. It's tricky, because the symptoms of autism usually appear around that time (between 12 months and 18 months) - so does the vaccine cause it - I'm not convinced. What I am convinced of, however, is that some children have gotten that particular vaccine and had horrible reactions - very high fever lasting several days, and then, all of a sudden some of the developmental milestones they have reached (talking, especially) disappear. Now whether or not these are all from the pre-"Mercury free" era or not, I'm not sure. (notice the lack of research, yeah, sorry...I warned you.) So my thoughts on this entire thing is similar to that girl who's dating Jim Carey, what's her name? Basically, I agree with the too many too soon theory when it comes to shots. When Quinn was one year old I choose to wait to get the MMR shot - I told the doctor I was uncomfortable with it and she said, "That's understandable. He is, however, showing NO signs of autism, so I would feel comfortable giving him that shot, but if you're not comfortable we can wait." Cool. So we waited 3 months and at 3 months she convinced me that since he was showing no signs she felt really comfortable with it - so we did it and he was fine (and still is). {Oh and on a total side note, regarding Jim Carey's girlfriend, what IS her name - wait - Jennifer? Jenny? Oh - Jenny McCarthy, isn't it? Anyway, I don't think she cured her son of autism with a diet. I think that her son had serious allergy issues with symptoms similar to autism - and thus, a diet change did wonders for him - because he had allergies to those foods. How controversial is that statement? Anyone?} So - now, let's move on to a month ago when I took Liam in for his one year check up.I went in with the mind set that there was No Way he was getting that MMR shot - not my Liam, my little fuss-bug, takes-long-to-adjust-to-things, and doesn't-like-to-try-new-food baby. There was no way I felt comfortable giving him that shot. (Now would be a good time for me to explain that I feel that possibly, that shot could cause children who somehow have a pre-disposition for autism to have a bad reaction, or something, and then actually get autism. Just like someone who has a pre-disposition to get lung cancer, smokes like 2 cigs a day for a few years (or never smokes), and gets lung cancer, yet we know people who smoke like 2 packs a day forever and never get lung cancer, because they dont' have a pre-disposition - again, not fact, just my opinion). So anyway, I was all set to SAY NO TO MMR and the doctor and I began talking. Mostly about what he was eating, or uh, not eating at that point. He would put new foods in his mouth only to spit them out. "Does he ever want what you're eating?" Yes, then I'll give him some and he'll spit it out, or just feel it with his fingers and throw it on the floor. And he's still eating baby food, because it's mainly veggies he avoids. "So, what does he eat?" Mostly bread-type food, puffs, Cheerios, cereal, you know. He really doesn't like fruits or veggies and it took us forever to get him to try watermelon. But he does like bananas. "Okay - I'm going to give you a referral for a speech therapist. Sounds like he has a texture aversion and sometimes they can give you some toys to let him chew on to help him get used to different feels in his mouth. And also, we usually do the MMR at this appointment, but I'd like to wait a few months." And do you want to know what I heard? I heard, "I don't want to give him the MMR because I think he may have autism and I don't want you to blame it on the shot. And also, see this speech therapist, because early intervention is key for kids with autism." And then she added, "All of his other developmental milestones look good - he's making eye contact, smiling, engaging, he's doing great." And I heard, "RELAX." And that's what I needed to hear. And then I asked, "When we do get that vaccine is it possible to get it in separate doses?" (meaning, three separate shots at three different visits) Yes. Yes it is. And so, that's where we are. Sort of. My plan is to wait until he's two years or 18 months and then to get the vaccine done separately. Like I said, I have no proof that the MMR causes autism, but hell if I'm going to think that it was my fault if I have the tools and the "knowledge" to try something different.
Also - while we're talking about vaccines I do think that kids get way too many vaccines - and we always take a pass on all the "optional" ones. We've never had a flu shot and I guess there's some series of shots they do that helps prevent ear infections - we've never gotten that one either.
Oh - and also - Liam's been a much better eater. Stubborn as all hell, but better. I have to do a lot of "This first (while holding a veggie) and then this (while holding something he loves)." He totally gets it and now will eat green beans, peas, all sorts of fruit, pasta, etc. He's still picky and I still have to pack food for him when we go out - and I still give him some baby food while we're out, just so he gets some veggies. But the kid loves him some french fries - and all stuff "bad" for you. I haven't yet called the speech therapist, but I will. It wouldn't hurt, would it?
Oh - and also - one more thing - if you've made it this far, Liam says, "yeah for you! Good job!" and also "WHAT DO YOU THINK?"
12 comments:
Hm let me think on it... I mean I have but for a response.. ;-)
Oh and Liam looks SO DIFFERENT in that last pic!
Okay...now that I'm reading it, not too contraversial, since it is just my opinion and my opinion happens to be right in the middle of the "NO SHOTS" and "SHOTS ARE FINE" road. Yup. Right in the middle. But, it is something to think about. Also - you can ask your doctor to put your baby on a "delayed scheduled" for vaccines. All those vaccines don't need to be completed until you child starts kindergarten. (or maybe earlier for day care situations - that I don't know.)
Cathy,
My ped doesn't give the MMR until 15 months, and now since strep, stitches, illness, Joe won't get it until 18 months and I am perfectly fine with that. And I don't really buy into that whole thing--in fact many of the kids I see come thru with autism or spectrum-ey types of issues, never had their vaccinations because the parents were too nervous about it.... So I think some parents are in denial about the beginning signs of Autism and then they get the MMR, and then that's the 'problem.'
If it were me I would call the speech therapist...the longer they have issues with texture aversion, the pickier eaters they become. I had a 3 year old that would only eat pancakes--3 meals a day. He also had oral motor issues, a lot of drooling (and as you know at 3 that's not good). It can't hurt, and better get those service early don't you think?
Oh--and that Jenny McCarty--if she's cured autism then I'm the next president.
Just a thought--my OT and sp ed supervisors(both of who have worked with many autistic children) always ask this when teachers at school are concerned...
Does your baby smile at you?
Does your baby interact with you?
(And since I know your's does both!!) He's doing fine, now MINE is banging his head against the wall, asphalt, table, etc. when he gets mad--what do I do about that??!
hmmm. I wouldn't say your post is controversial, Cathy. if you were declaring that people with such-and-such medical practices were all wrong and doomed to have autistic kids and it's ALL THEIR FAULT, then maybe yeah... that would be some controversy.
unfortunately, I have no valuable imput. both my kids get all their shots on schedule, along with optional vaccines. But I'm not going to throw stones at someone who chooses to opt out of vaccines. I feel this is another example of parenting styles that happen to have studies supporting both sides of the coin.
hopefully parents just take a look at the child as an individual and make the decision which suits THE CHILD best.
Supposedly Dr. Sear's book on vaccines is very good about giving information about the various vaccines without throwing judgment too heavily in one camp or the other. For myself, I think we've decided to wait for the ones that we can wait on. Thankfully, I feel our pediatrician is very responsive to that type of inquiry. She uses only mercury-free vaccines and is up on the current thoughts on various vaccines. An old friend of mine is a speech therapist I know she'd support having kids looked at earlier on. She has a nephew who is autistic and there have been reports of diet drastically altering the effects of autism. I wouldn't say "cure" but "improvement" through food.
I have a friend with an autistic kid and she says that she doesn't think that the shots cause autism. Everyone has a different theory.
Both my kids got their shots on schedule. One is autistic, one isn't. I don't buy the vacination/autism link AT ALL! I've never seen any solid evidence to support it and frankly I think it's a lot of fear mongering and people trying to understand what happened that caused their child tobe the way they are. (Which I understand but I just think they're looking in the wrong place.)
And Jenny McCarthy curing her son's autism? I don't buy that at all. I have heard of kids having a postive response and reduced symptomology when their diet is changed but I don't think you can "cure" autism.
I don't think you said any contraversial, just sensible and smart.
I guess I can just weigh in on wat I've done. All shots on schedule and optional shots. I lean toward the camp that thinks shots have nothing to do with autism. But I have no beef with someone who feels differently and delays shots or refuses optionals. I think Jenny McCarthy discovered perhaps a link between allergies and instances of autism... and allergies heightening the symptoms of autism perhaps... I mean if you are having a hard time connecting AND have a sore belly or swelling or whatever - don't you think the connecting would be even harder? Anyway I'm glad she found some relief of her sons condition but to say she cured her son. That's a crock.
Just my opinion obviously.
Controversial? Not at all. I don't have kids, but I have nieces and nephews. All of them got their shots on time. One is autistic. Personally, I agree that the link is tenuous at best.
The autistic nephew's mom was using Jenny's "cure" diet before it was labeled a "cure" by her. My nephew does much better on the diet than off, but a "cure"? I don't think so.
I think I really like your Dr. We wanted to delay for similar reasons and she was all "but there are measles outbreaks close by" Yeah, we don't go to North Dakota. ;)
We delayed until we saw improvements in her speech after she had tubes put in for chronic fluid, and I have no regrets. We just wanted to be able to give it without thinking it was the cause. I feel we got that.
Nice post!
Ours also doesn't do it until 15mos. LM DID get a slight fever and mild rash w/ it, a week later.
Luckily my ped's office is very liberal when it comes to the vaccine schedule -- theirs is drawn out as much as possible and they will work with parents to find an agreeable schedule.
Since LM was a preemie, he has to get the flu shot. I mean, I could refuse it, but doc recommends he get it.
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (Belatedly) and WHAT A CUTIE!!
And, RELAX!
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