Fighting Autism - A Rogerian Analysis

The connection between the onset of autism and the administration of the MMR

vaccination in children has scientifically proven to be unfounded. The families of children with

autism still claim that the vaccine had some effect on their children. Autism onset is not an easy

diagnosis to make and the challenge concerning the cure or treatment of autism is still debated.

The families of children with autism, though, fight a battle every day. They struggle with the

challenges of communication delays, attention disorders, and learning disabilities that are part of

the symptoms of the autism spectrum. The search for a cause for autism is one that many are

fighting for and families are clinging to the answers they have now, because the information they

have now is all they are able to use to help understand this disease that has affected so many

children.

The connection between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism is plausible and with

the knowledge of the effects of therimosol, a mercury based preservative used in vaccines,

families have become even more wary of vaccinating their children with the risk of harmful

reactions due to the mercury levels. “According to the Food and Drugs Advisory

Agency (FDA) and the American Academy of Pediatricians, fully vaccinated children now

receive, within their first 2 years, mercury levels that exceed safety limits established by the FDA

and other supervisory agencies. Since multiple vaccines are often given simultaneously, the

amount of mercury injected into a typical infant is many times over the 'safe' limit (Bernard et al,

2000)” (Phelan 623). With the increasing number of vaccinations administered to children each

year, the exposure to the mercury based preservative has increased. It is believed that due to the

increase amounts of mercury injected into children with their vaccines, they “cannot excrete the

mercury; this in turn migrates to the brain and leads to autism” (Phelan 623). After receiving the
vaccine parents stated it seemed as if “the soul's gone from [the child’s] eyes” (Generation

Rescue).

Children often show a regression of sorts when autism is first detected. “The vast

majority of parents of children with [autism spectrum disorder] notice abnormalities during the

course of the first 2 years of life” (Chawarska et al, 62). Symptoms can include “delays in speech

and language development, followed by abnormal social responsivity level, medical problems,

and nonspecific difficulties related to sleeping, eating and attention” (Chawarska et al, 63). They

often become irritable and angry when they are not understood. This is where parents will begin

to fear a behavior disorder or some sort of psychological problem, but the issue is simply that

children cannot communicate and that can cause incredible frustration for the child, as well as

the parent because they cannot understand their child. Jenny McCarthy’s son Evan was

diagnosed with autism when he was 2 ½ years old and Jenny said to the doctor after he gave her

the diagnosis that she believed “my son is trapped inside [and] I'm not settling for this”

(Generation Rescue). As a witness to a family with an autism stricken child, the stresses that are

involved with communicating with a child with autism are indescribable!

There are many ways that families can try to change the effects of autism of even try to

cure autism. They are incredibly stressful at times and can lead to relationships being affected,

health concerns for caregivers as stress has an impact on the body, and psychological and

emotional impacts as well. Alternative therapy, lifestyle changes, educational modifications, and

personalized treatment plans are the only ways that parents have really seen any progress or

improvement in their children. “Research shows that nonpharmacologic interventions such as

developmentally oriented behavioral treatment that involves parents and is combined with

special education methods are likely to be the most beneficial” (Twedell 102). Plans are modified

throughout the treatment so that the result is the most beneficial to the child’s improvement.
Changing diet has become a very popular way to try to intervene. Diet changes such as

“eliminating gluten and casein, found in wheat and dairy products” can lead to double the

amount of verbal language a child uses (Generation Rescue). The time parents must spend with

their children during the treatment process could be equated to that of a full-time job. “Video

modeling and play therapy” are ways that Jenny McCarthy worked with her son to help show

him how things work and how to play with certain things (Generation Rescue). Aside from the

time actively participating in the therapy, there is time that is spend reflecting on responses,

analyzing the improvements or regressions, and preparing and altering new or better treatment

plans. The investment of all the time, energy, and emotion during the treatment processes only

heighten the frustration that parents feel and the need to find a cause so that if a cure cannot be

found at least a prevention can be set in place so that other children and families do not have to

experience the stress that is involved with caring for a child with autism. Marriages are affected

as well by the autism disease. “Jenny says the stress of raising a child with autism began to take a

toll on her marriage” (Generation Rescue). Children are not the only ones that are affected by the

disease; their families are impacted just as much, if not in greater ways as they are trying to put

the pieces back together.

Families dealing with autism each day fight a battle in their own home. They constantly

have to adjust their lifestyle, change their plans, re-evaluate their methods, and focus their energy

and attention on trying to find the cause for this devastating disease. The lack of cure for the

disease is also reason for much concern as they must repeatedly try different things with hopes,

like any parent, to be able to save their child from a life that no parent wants to watch their child

live. The communication delays, developmental set-backs, and emotional stress that is faced does

not aid in the healing process, but rather evokes a passion to find the reason behind the epidemic

of autism spectrum disorder in children all over the world.

 Works Cited

Chawarska, K, et al. "Parental Recognition of Developmental Problems in Toddlers With Autism

Spectrum Disorders." Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders 37.1 (2007): 62-72.

CINAHL Plus with Full Text. EBSCO. University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX.

26 Apr. 2009

<http://libproxy.uta.edu:2066/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2009511837&site=e

host-live>.

generationrescue.org (2008) Retrieved February 1, 2009, from

<http://www.generationrescue.org/evan.html>.

Phelan, AT. "Children's Nursing. MMR and Autism: An Overview of the Debate to Date." British

Journal of Nursing (BJN) 11.9 (09 May 2002): 620-625. CINAHL Plus with Full Text.

EBSCO. University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX. 26 Apr. 2009

<http://libproxy.uta.edu:2066/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2002152820&site=e

host-live>.

Ray-Mihm, R. "Autism: part II. Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment." Journal of Continuing

Education in Nursing 39.3 (Mar. 2008): 102-103. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. EBSCO.

University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX. 26 Apr. 2009

<http://libproxy.uta.edu:2066/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2009854801&site=e

host-live>.