Vaccination
Early Intervention for Children Who Have Autism/PDD

Vaccination

Founded in 1971, The Autism Society of Minnesota is an organization of 1400 members throughout Minnesota, committed to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. AuSM acknowledges community concern regarding a link between childhood vaccinations and autism, specifically the view that childhood vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal cause autism in some children.

Autism spectrum disorders are a very complex. Research suggests that ASD is a disorder of the developing brain with multiple causes. There are two sides to the controversy regarding the link between autism and vaccination.

• Research supports the view that toxic substances like mercury can damage the brain.
• Research to date does not clearly support the link between vaccines and autism.
• Research in public health supports the view that the decline in infant mortality is because of vaccinations.

The Autism Society of Minnesota believes members should consider both sides of this issue. AuSM strongly encourages members to consult with a child’s medical doctor and consider requesting vaccines that are free of thimerosal. As a service to its members, AuSM has books and periodicals on this topic in the library.

Board of Directors
January, 2006

Early Intervention for Children Who Have Autism/PDD

Based on a survey of current research* of various treatments for very young children with autism, The Autism Society of Minnesota endorses the following components for programs delivering early interventions to children with autism/pervasive developmental disorders. Programs should provide all of the following:

1. intensive intervention which originates between ages 2 and 4,
2. intensive intervention which validates, through data collection, expected gains in IQ scores, communication, and/or social behavior,
3. intensive intervention which is focused for at least 15 hours per week,
4. intensive intervention which has a 1:1 adult to child ratio,
5. intensive intervention which lasts from one to two years,
6. intervention which focuses on the specific needs of a child with autism, using
   Information and methods supported by current research on the disorder, to include coping skills, social interaction, communication, learning to attend to instruction, sensory impairments, and learning specific skills,
7. intervention which is delivered by a team of people who have specific training in the areas of autism, communication, social interaction, sensory therapy, and applied behavior analysis,
8. intervention which views the child with autism as treatable and capable of benefiting from educational opportunities and living in the community,
9. intervention which includes training of family members and other care givers in order to expand training opportunities within the home and community.

The Autism Society of Minnesota is an educational and advocacy organization which has a membership of over 1300 people, many of whom are parents of children with autism/pervasive developmental disorders. Other members are individuals who have autism and professionals who teach and care for people with autism. We feel it is our responsibility to advocate for intensive early education of children with autism. We believe educational programming is critical for their future, and we are committed to working with others to help them obtain the education they deserve.

*Brief Report: Early Intervention in /Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Vol. 26, No. 2, 1996.