As a mother of a 6 year old son (and his two brothers, 4 and 2), this theory is the most asked about. Every time I speak or meet someone, they always assume that I would never vaccinate my two younger children. WRONG. My wonderful pediatrician went through my older son's records with me and we realized there were small clues that were almost impossible to discern until he turned 2. My husband, doctor and myself also went through the research and decided that the "dangers" of vaccines were minute with the "dangers" of not vaccinating. We made the choice that made sense for our family. We also chose to follow the therapy choices for our son that had been around the longest (OT, Speech) and ignore some of what we thought was a little too edgy. He took vitamins from GNC that most kids take. When he was a handful, we loved him more. He is now a fully functional about to be first grader. And now when he talks back, I try and remember to love him more.

I was under the impression that it is not the vaccines themselves that can have harmful effects, but the combined mixture which in order to be kept intact is held together with ingredients that contain mercury. When we had to decide whether to vaccinate our child, we chose the long procedure of vaccines administered separately every two months, and also delayed the first vaccine with a month.

It's good to see some sensible discussion of this issue. I've read bio of Isaac Newton and he certainy had some spectrum traits. Other scientists in history did also. Autism has been around for a long time. Until the 1960's, public schools did not have to educate the more difficult children and there was little reason for these children to be identified. This fact explains much of the "epidemic."

Bravo to you for looking for the facts and keeping your mind open about vaccines!! The love comes easy, but I admire the patience and preserverence a parent must have to bring up an autistic child. I read up on vaccinations and decided to go with them because like you, I believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. It's not perfect, but then, what in life is?

It's the preservative (thimerosol) that contains mercury.