as far as the vaccine stuff goes, i am pretty convinced that vaccines are a good idea, and autism is being diagnosed nowadays because, like lynnard said, it wasn’t known about and diagnosed years ago, so vaccinate your kid please !!

2. I am certain that the incidence of suffocation by bumper pad is very low and unlikely to be the real cause of SIDS. However, as you said, it is a matter of control and the size of the precaution taken. With SIDS, creating a safe crib is the only thing I can do; it costs me little time and money and has no offsetting ill effects on the baby. Even given the small chance that bumper pads do cause SIDS, removing the bumper pads is worthwhile. On the other hand, the vaccines given to babies are to protect my child from the very real possibility that he may contract a serious illness, so if I were to choose not to vaccinate it would have to be because the likelihood and impact of autism is far greater than the likelihood and impact of, say measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, etc. In this line of thinking, I found it odd that parents unwilling to make the small sacrifice to prevent SIDS would be so eager to make the larger sacrifice to prevent autism.

To Kristoffer, Things do not “just happen” there is always a reason and something to blame. Bridges collapse because of stress, metal fatigue, poor design or maintenance. It never falls on a whim. There maybe no ONE to blame, you are right, but there is a reason. The same with vaccines some people do have reactions that are not pleasant just as some people have reactions when they eat certain foods, or are around cats, smoke, etc. It is human nature to wonder why and question when something bad happens that can’t be changed, only tempered by common sense.

Whew, when Evil Sadie takes over there is no controlling her, but gentile Auntie is back in control wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Keep us posted. ;~)

YES!!! Today’s society is concerned with blame and victimization. Nothing can “just happen”. If a bridge falls down with cars on it, it’s the state government’s fault. If my child develops autism, it has to be someone’s fault (in this case, the vaccinator). If my baby dies of SIDS, it is because/or because I didn’t let the child fall asleep on its stomach or back which the doctor told me to do.

Bad things happen…people just need to realize that fact. Bad luck should not equate to an increase in government welfare allocation or a vast change in laws.

OK…I’m now off of my soapbox!

As for vaccines, same thing. Withholding vaccination gives them, they think, some degree of control over whether their baby is diagnosed with autism. The alternative, that it is largely genetic, suggests a lack of control.

It sounds like the doctor did a valiant job of trying to address the data, but I think the real issue is that parents need to be made to feel as if they are in control of their babies’ health.