Mercury was commonly found in vaccinations a few years ago. There have been many controversial issues debating whether mercury is a cause of autism. Some parents have resulted to using chelation as a form of therapy to help “cure” their children of autism. Many have felt that their child has benefited from the therapy. Chelation is "the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal poisoning — those involving lead, arsenic or mercury — the standard of care in the USA dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)." (Wikipedia) However, some doctors find it dangerous and possibly deadly. This drug can remove essential nutrients from your body and cause possible kidney failure.
Through our research we have found these sites related to chelation therapy.
This site explains what chelation’s function is, and its possible risks.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5403420_chelation-therapy.html
Scroll down this webpage to part 2 to find a video related to chelation
http://www.dmsachelation.com/autism/
Use this information to answer the following question.
What would you do as a parent of a child with a severe case of autism? Would you result to trying to solve the disability by using chelation as a treatment?
It was sort of heartbreaking to see all these darling children lining up on the stage and then the guy announces, "CURED OF AUTISM!" I didn't know it was something that needed to be cured...It just seems sort of sad that the parents are so adament about making their child "normal" when these children are so precious and maybe that is who they are. I'm not saying to not try and help those with autism to be able to do all the things they want to do, I'm just arguing that maybe some of the parents are practicing too much wishful thinking and should be grateful for the wonderful child that they have.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, I do not think as a parent that I would try and "solve the disability" with chemicals. I do not even like talking advil for a headache. I think our bodies naturally adapt to things and that chemicals do more harm than good. As it said in the video clip, a boy died from this treatment--I would never risk my sons life in hopes of making him "normal." Besides my little cry baby beliefs, I also saw that there was not a lot of evidence suggesting that there was any really cause and affect relationship between chelation treatment and the disappearance of autism. I feel like this is largely hopeful parents and scientists.
At the same time, looking for new innovative ways to help those with autism to reach their true potentional should be an on going process. All ideas should be considered, unless they risk a child's life. I'd like to see the results of further research on the true effectiveness of this treatment. So far, it looks like a hoax.
To believe in the effectiveness of this treatment you must first believe that the presence of mercury in a child's systems causes autism. I do not think that this is the case. In the article it talks about the positive possible effects of Chelation therapy. I don't think that anyone can doubt the benefit of removing lead and other metals from your system. As a treatment for autism however, it doesn't seem to be a scientifically sound option. I think that the risks are way to high, especially for children. As a parent I am not sure what I would do. If I were as desperate as some parents are to find a "cure" I am sure that I would try just about anything. Parents that are convinced that immunizations cause autism obviously would see this as a valid option. Because I do not believe that this theory is correct I wouldn't subject my child to it. I think that it is drastic and potentially dangerous procedure and I don't think it is a valid option.
ReplyDeleteI am not a parent but I can imagine that as a parent I would do just about anything to help my child. I would not however, put my child at greater risk. I do not feel like there is enough evidence that Chelation therapy really would help my child. This would be a great risk I don’t think I would be willing to make with only this much information on it. I’m not saying that it would be easy to have a child with severe autism but it would be much easier for me to work hard and take care of my child the best I can than it would be for me to realize that a decision I made affected his/her life for the worst. I can imagine life being hard but as a parent I will accept my child for who he/she is despite any disability and will love him/her. If it came between something really risky which could possibly help my child and my child staying the same. I would go for keeping my child the way he/she is. I can’t take that big of a risk with my child’s life and either way I will absolutely love this perfect child of God.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a controversial issue. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I was a parent, because I am not one. And I have heard once you are a parent you have a whole new perspective and you are very protective of your child and various emotions come into play. But I would probably say that I would not give my child Chelation therapy. It seems like the risks are pretty high. And through the description of the IV therapy that seems to be pretty brutal. It said something like you could have as many as 50 treatments through IV (3 hours about each treatment) over a period of a couple months. I would not put my child through that, because there is no way I would do that. I hate needles. They hurt. I would not want to put my child through all of that torture for something that might cure them. Yes I do know that there are less painful ways of doing the Chelation therapy now. In the video it showed a mother putting some sort of cream on the child’s inner arms and rubbing them together. So that would be a way better way to go about things. But with both methods the child still has to “pass” the toxic minerals and metals. I have personally never had to “pass” anything out of my system, but I pray I never have to. I could be wrong but to me it seems like it might be a little on the uncomfortable side. No thanks.
ReplyDeleteStill there are high risks of kidney failure, excess of calcium loss, congestive heart failure, low blood sugar, and so on. I personally wouldn’t want to risk that. I can see how parents would want to take the risk to make their child “cured”. But there are better ways of getting your child better than doing Chelation that comes with many risks. I think every child needs to be loved and given proper attention. I think this is the first step in dealing with a child who has a disability, and any child in general. If I was a parent I would do a lot of research and ask my doctor on options if I was really interested on getting to a cure for my child. Sometimes we have to come to acceptance and do the best we can with what we got. I am not saying not to try, I am just saying that extensive research should be done and you shouldn’t just be trying everything that is possibly out there and putting your child through pain. Each person is different, I would want to personally think of what was going to be best for my child, and I do not think that Chelation therapy would be the best for my child.
Interesting. Very interesting. I definitely think that a lot more research needs to be done. Although I really don't think it would be a cure because that would mean that the mercury in vaccinations does cause autsim, and i just don't buy that. I agree with what Britany said as well about how sad it is that these parents can't just see their child for the wonderful person they are. I can only imagine the heartache and emotion that a parent feels when they have a child wiht autism, but I think there are a lot of parents that focus too much on the disability and not on the child. Accept your child for who they are! Especially if you are considering something as risky as chelation therapy. I would never subject my child to something that has not been clinically proven and really has no evidence. I realize this is a very difficult subject, because really, I do think that these parents just want whats best for their child. They want them to be happy and have the best life possible. However, it's not worth risking that already valuable and wonderful life to see if a cure is possible, especially when that cure is dangerous, and maybe even deadly. Basically, I think that there is not nearly enough research on chelation therapy to consider it a valid cure, and I think that until it is proven for sure whether it is right or wrong, parens shouldn't do it.
ReplyDeleteIf you were the victim of toxic metals poisoning, then Chelation is for you. But to say that vaccinations or the mercury in vaccinations has caused Autism and that Chelation can cure it, I just don't buy it. I have been vaccinated, my siblings too, and my own children have had vaccinations. None of us have Autism. I just feel that if vaccinations are the cause, then wouldn't everyone who ever got vaccines be Autistic? I also feel that Chelation is just such a risky therapy to "cure" Autism. I don't fault these parents for wanting to find a cure. We all want what is best for our children, we all want to help them in whatever way we can. I do feel that these parents are putting to much stock in what is "normal". How about you see past the disability and see the child. How about using therapy and techniques to teach your child adaptive behaviors and coping skills. How about providing the child with an education so that they can be all that they can.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this treatment before. I am not a parent and not sure what difference there would be if any with that, but I would say right now that I would not give the treatment. In what I have heard and believe is that mercury isn’t the cause of autism. Maybe it effects it somehow but I don’t feel that it is the cause. I know that the vaccines are without mercury now and children are still being classified as having autism. I am always a little skeptical with medicines. I understand that not all medicine works as a miracle for everyone and doesn’t always have the same pleasant side effects for everyone. I wasn’t surprised when the own doctors daughter wasn’t able to be ‘cured’. I wouldn’t want to use the medicine for the possible side effects that could happen to such a little body, a body that is still growing and changing. I wouldn’t want to put my kids through IV’s, losing nutrients, possible kidney failure, bone loss, low blood pressure, and congestive heart failure only for a possibility of something working and with a possibility of these side effects. Also all this treatment would be done if I believed that mercury was the cause, and I don’t right now. It may change in the years or if more research comes out but right now, as a none parent, I would have to say no.
ReplyDeleteBecause BYU is a private school, I hope it is appropriate to say that it would take a lot of prayer, fasting, pondering, blessings, and visits to the temple before choosing Chelation as a treatment for my child.
ReplyDeleteThis is too big of a decision to make with out including my husband and especially the Lord because they are his children too.
As parents, we have a stewardship for the children sent to us to help them grow and be the best they can be in this mortal existence. Does that mean try anything posible to help them overcome a disibility? I would think so. As mentioned in previous comments, I also would need to see success in tests from extensive research before trying such therapy,and yes I would be willing to try if there were a possibility of enriching the life of my child.
We as parents do this all the time, we go to great lengths and expense to teach and help our children to improve their life.
Yet I would not do the therapy unless my husband, and myself felt stronly through the Holy Ghost that Heavenly Father would be in compliance with our decision.
It would be a tough decision to make...gotta love parenting!
I continue to find myself surprised by the parents of autistic children out there. So many of them (and perhaps these are just the ones that make enough of a scene to get on TV) seem so unwilling to accept their children's disorder and find ways to help the child improve and meet his or her potential, regardless of how limited it may be. Perhaps if they were less focused on a cure and more focused on being good parents they would witness the miraculous cure they're hoping for.
ReplyDeleteAside from this, reviews on chelation therapy seem contradictory. While the article said that there were no risks to chelation, the authorities on dateline seemed to suggest otherwise. This makes me a little bit skeptical. My initial reaction was that, while I don't believe that it will truly cure autism, I would try anything that is safe and may benefit my child. However, cautions regarding the chelation putting poison in to the child's blood would keep me from trying anything of this sort. I believe I would prefer to wait and let the scientist come out with his research results at the end of the year.
Some aspect of it seems a little like a scam to me. If scientists have repeatedly said that autism is not connected with mercury in the blood, how are people still falling for it? Is the therapy really expensive? Is some conniving person out there promoting a phony product and preying upon the families of those with autism in order to get rich? Creeper.
Because of the high risks involved with chelation therapy, I think its use should be reserved for the most extreme of cases, such as actual lead poisoning. The FDA has only approved chelation therapy as effective for lead poisoning after all. I can understand how a parent may feel driven to desperation to help their child, but I don't think this should be considered help. Instead of focusing on the physiological aspect of autism, why not spend this energy focusing on their academic or emotional needs. I think until any kind of therapy has been proven to be safe and effective I would not use my child as a guinea pig in the process.
ReplyDeleteLauren Stevenson
I think this issue has several variables involved, all of which must be taken into account before a decision can be made about the efficacy of chelation therapy. In a previous post, it was found that research has shown that there is no concrete evidence to prove or disprove the assertion that there is a connection between Autism and vaccinations. Based on that fact alone, I would be hesitant to subject my child to a therapy whose aim is to rid the body of lingering effects of a vaccination, because there is no empirical evidence linking vaccinations to Autism. Moreover, there is even less evidence that mercury is the culprit for Autistic symptoms. Even if a link between vaccinations and Autism had been firmly established, and more specifically that the mercury in vaccinations was linked to Autism, I would still be wary of chelation therapy. While Chelation therapy has been approved by the FDA to treat lead poisoning, research has failed to cite whether or not it is effective in treating the causes and symptoms of Autism. Again, I think this issue centers around grieving parents who are desperately searching for a scapegoat and ultimately a “cure” for their children with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteAs Shelly mentioned, the logic for chelation therapy is based on the assumption that autism is caused by mercury, and that is unproven. I found an article that cites data from Denmark during a time when mercury was in the vaccines and instances of diagnosed autism did not increase, but after the thimerosol (mercury-containing preservative) was removed, cases of autism did increase.
ReplyDeletehttp://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/112/3/604
I do not think there is justification for putting children at risk when research has undercut the foundational assumption for chelation therapy. I also agree with those who said that parents who are desparate to find a cure for autism should try changing their perspective to love and enjoy their children autism and all.
I do not believe that there is sufficient evidence to prove that mercury is the cause of Autism. However, if I did, I still would not give my child chelation therapy. I think that every child is born the way that God has intended them to be. Although it would be difficult to be the parent of a child with Autism, I believe the focus of a parent should be the gratitude for the child that they have and the strengths and talents they possess. I don’t think the focus should be to try to make your child “normal” at all costs. This is not to say that different educational techniques should not be used to help your child reach their potential. I just feel that by trying risky procedures, it sends the message that you are not happy with your child as they are. A child is not “damaged goods” if they have a disability, and I feel that chelation therapy is simply not worth the risk. I could not live with myself if my child died as a result of this therapy. I would much rather have my child with Autism than attempt to cure them. That being said, I have obviously never been the parent of a severely Autistic child, and do not know how it would feel to be in that situation, and cannot say with a surety exactly how I would react.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought I had while watching the video was whether the results parents saw were really a result of the therapy. It seems to me that the results that occurred could simply be a result of schooling and other behavioral correction techniques that would have taken place at the same time as the therapy. I just do not believe that there is enough proof to show that chelation therapy yields the results parents and scientists claim.
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ReplyDeleteAlthough I myself have no children, I can certainly imagine that if I were a parent of a child with autism I would certainly at least consider chelation as an option for my child. I think that most parents are willing to try almost anything in an effort to help their children. Although there are definite risks to such treatment, there are risks to any medical treatment, and those have to be considered objectively when weighing the treatment options. I think as an outside party, it is easy to say that trying options like chelation is just the overly optimistic hopes of deluded parents. It is also easy to say that it would be best to just stick with options that are more proven, like ABA and other therapies. However, when trying to see through the eyes of a concerned parent of a child with autism, I think I personally would at least consider and thoroughly research chelation before rejecting it completely. I would be very interested to see more research on this particular treatment, and if any direct connection can be drawn between chelation therapy and the improvement that some parents claim they see in their children.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking a lot about this topic of discussion and have been thinking what I would do if I were in this situation. I am not a parent, but someday I will be and I am positive I will do anything I can for my children. I do not know if I would try Chelation therapy only because the evidence is not convincing enough for me to trust it on my precious child. I think that doctors and researchers have come up with the result that Autism is not caused by mercury and based off of that information I do not think I would subject my child to this treatment. It seems like it would cause harm and pain to my child and that would be the last thing I would want. I could not say exactly what I would do in this situation, but I would want a lot more information about Chelation Therapy in order to even consider it. I can understand where hopeful parents are coming from and for the desire to help their children, but based on the information given I do not think Chelation Therapy would be an option for me.
ReplyDeleteI am very skeptical of many reasons: for one, my personal belief is that autism spectrum disorders are so broad and that there could possibly be many causes of it. Two, I'm not sure I would ever give my child a pill that could give them kidney failure. I think having a child born with autism is much better than having a child with kidney failure that was caused as a result from my choice for them.
ReplyDeleteSince I am already biased as a future special educator and also because I have seen the best case scenarios for children with autism, I feel I would already be biased as a parent if my child had autism. Because I am not a parent, I would only have to speculate what I think I would do. I would try to make sure the child has a good support team of ABA specialists, an early intervention team to work with, and would try to make sure my child has what they need in life. As a parent, even with any training, I would probably go to group meetings for parents who have children with autism because I would probably need a support system as well.
I do not believe Chelation therapy would be even an option for me.
If I were a parent of a child with severe autism, I would first find a teacher that could love and teach him, not a chemical to treat him-- as I do not have a lot of faith that Chelation therapy is even effective and safe. I would feel that my child needs people and specialists, not dangerous treatments. I do not believe that there is a treatment that can ‘cure’ autism so I would be very wary of what I make my child do and go through. I wouldn’t use Chelation therapy but I would keep my sights open and aware of all that is occurring in science and education.
ReplyDeleteThe whole basis for the chelation therapy is that mercury, whether from vaccines, pollution, or another source, causes autism. As the dmsachelation website noted, so many scientists are working on this issue. However, as Kim’s Dad also mentioned, the results depend on who does the study. I tend to agree with the FDA who, even after multiple studies over the years, continues to reject that mercury, or thimerosol, causes Autism. Therefore I believe that chelation therapy does not cure autism. Consistently, I would not use chelation therapy with any autistic child, including my own. I think Corinne said it best: “I do not think there is justification for putting children at risk when research has undercut the foundational assumption for chelation therapy.”
ReplyDeleteI still don't understand where these parents got the idea that mercury gave their children autism. Mercury poisoning is generally coupled with physical symptoms like ataxia, muscle numbness--I'm looking at Minamata disease as an example. The supposed link between the rise in cases of autism and the discovery of trace levels of mercury in vaccines seems invalid. We have become more knowledgeable about autism over the years, and the rise in cases of autism is more likely linked to the fact that more children are being diagnosed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm the only one offended by these parents and specialists saying they just wanted their son or daughter to be "normal," to be "cured." What is normal, anyway? I can't say exactly what I would do if I became a parent and found out that my child had autism. However, I do know that I would look to education and ABA before I would ever use chelation therapy.
If I were the parent with a child with autism, I would not use Chelation Therapy as a cure. It is too early in the game to tell if mercury really does cause Autism. I think the evidence seems weak and biased at this point. In the examples shown in the videos of children being "cured" of autism, I don't know the age difference from the first video to the last of each child. Their increase in communication could simple be from increase in age or education. I was not given the complete picture. Also, Chelation Therapy seems to have serious side effects that I would not risk for my own children.
ReplyDeleteAs several people have pointed out, there wasn’t a causal or even a correlative relationship ever shown from mercury and autism. In order for Celation therapy to be a worthwhile treatment I think there has to be some sort of evidence that the heavy metals cause it in the first place. I’ve always been skeptical about shots containing mercury causing Autism. Thousands of people got those same shots and never “got” Autism. I know that no parent wants there child to have difficulties in life and that they want to solve a problem, but we don’t even know if it is really a problem at all. We consider it as one because they don’t have the same social norms as us, but what is wrong with that? They see the world differently and although I think it is extremely important to teach them how to live in this world, it is not necessarily something we have to cure. This opinion may be intensified by religious affiliations.
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd to me that people are still sure that mercury causes autism when autism rates are increasing but mercury has been removed from almost everything. It is no longer in shots, thermometers, or household items; then why are the rates still increasing? I think it’s very important to understand Autism, and that research should be encouraged, but Celation sounds too much like Chemo to me. In my mind, autism is naturally occurring, but we just don’t know why, and it should be studied further.
Here’s something interesting, Jim Adams was going to have the results at the end of the year. So I was curious what they were. I found out that the Dateline clip was made in mid 2006 and so the results should have been posted at the end of 2006. That was three years ago and there are still no results. I wonder if chelation is still as big as it was in 2006 or if it was just a fad parents were going for to help their children. And why haven’t we heard from Jim Adams? http://stanford.wellsphere.com/autism-autism-spectrum-article/dr-adams-is-there-a-paper-in-the-horizon/367777
ReplyDeleteI’m going to be a parent in 3 months. This is my first child and I can’t even describe the bond that I already have with her! I think about her, dream about her, and want the best for her everyday. I can relate to parents wanting to give the best life they can to their children. However, what if the children who stood on that stage regress back to autistic behaviors? What message is given to them? “We tried to fix you, but it didn’t work and you’re broken again”? It’s a very fine line. Of course, being a future Special Educator I’m all about acceptance and finding strengths in who you are, not your label. Personally, I wouldn’t jump into this unproven, risky treatment as a parent. I would give my child the best quality life that fits her specific needs. I would give her a life filled with excellent education tailored to her goals; happy and fun experiences within her interests; and a gospel centered home to bring peace, strong family relationships, and ultimate support.
If I had a child with autism I would not use chelation therapy. From the two websites that are provided I do not think there is any real evidence given that this kind of therapy even works to cure autism. It seems to me that the side effects of this treatment are quite serious. I know parents want to find a solution to their child’s problem, but I think they need to make sure that whatever therapy they do does not harm the child more, and that it is scientifically proven. Instead of doing chelation therapy parents should find a good teacher who can help the child be more successful in their lives.
ReplyDeleteAnytime I hear something about a "cure" of some sort of chemical "fix-all" supplement or potion, I start to get very weary of it's implications and overall difference in the problem, in this case, in their child's Autism. If you tell a parent that mercury gave their child Autism, without any foreknowledge of their child having any sort of autistic behavior, that parent might start to say "Hmmmm, you know, I think you guys are right, my child IS starting to behave that way." If you tell a parent, who has no knowledge of chemistry or any sort of science for that matter, that their Autistic child was "poisoned" by mercury, the they'll believe that to. I believe that most of the facts on both side of the isle are faulty and may need to be further researched
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