• Vaccines-Autism Causality Worthy of Study: Former Head Of NIH Says Government Was Too Quick To Dismiss Possible Link: Dr. Bernadine Healy, the former Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the most well-known medical voice yet to break with her colleagues on the vaccine-autism question, says the government (including the FDA and CDC) doesn't want to pursue—and has intentionally avoided—studies that might support the hypothesis that there is a causal link between vaccines—and thimerosal in vaccines in particular—and autism because that hypothesis could be "damaging to the public health community" by scaring people to not get their children vaccinated and the fear of what such studies might show. She blasts the Intitute of Medicine's report the government used to insist there is no link between thimerosal and autism and to deny that there may be causality between vaccines and autism.

  Also on this page is testimony to Congress by Dr. Stephanie Cave and the transcripts—obtained by the SafeMinds organization through the Freedom of Information Act—to the secret "Simpsonwood Meeting" where government officials and doctors review clear evidence of a link between vaccines and developmental disorders and conspire to keep this information from the public at all costs. Included is a new (May 2008) research study by the University of Pittsburgh that shows that thimerosal given to primates (Rhesus macaques) in doses equivalent to those in children's vaccines caused autism-like symptoms. Much more on this page, including the most recent information about which vaccines still contain thimerosal.

  This is the first of many related topics that we will be covering in our New Autism Research Studies and Articles section.
  
  

• List of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment Centers Treating Neurological Conditions and Disorders: The most complete and up-to-date listing of free-standing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) centers and providers in the United States that will treat neurological disorders and other "off-label" conditions. The list of conditions treated by these centers include ADD/ADHD, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Autism Spectrum Disorders, Birth Injuries, Bell's Palsy, Cerebral Edema, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Closed Head Injuries, Cosmetic Surgery Recovery, Crohn's Disease, Decreased Immune Function, Diabetic Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, Macular Degeneration, Migraine/Cluster Headaches, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Near Drowning, Parkinson's Disease, Regional Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Raynaud's Phenomenon, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Vegetative Coma, and Wound Healing. Each Center is reviewed and the number and types of hyperbaric chambers are listed, as well as medical and technical staff. Additional sections include a large selection of articles and research studies on the use of HBOT for neurological conditions, books on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and the current list of conditions covered by health insurance companies and their formal ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes, which are necessary for Medicare coverage as well.
  
  
• Metal-Metabolism and Autism: Dr. William Walsh of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center and Dr. Anjum Usman have discovered that defective functioning of metallothionein protein (MT) is a distinctive feature of autism. In humans, MT proteins regulate blood levels of these trace minerals, detoxify mercury and other heavy metals, and assist in neuronal development. The expected consequences of defective MT during gestation or early infancy are consistent with several classic symptoms of autism. It appears that defective functioning of MT proteins may represent the underlying cause of autism. This excellent overview by the mercury chelation expert, Dr. Amy Holmes, is a must read!
  
  
• Imaging Children with ADHD: MRI Technology Reveals Differences in Neuro-signaling: Children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have significantly altered levels of important neurotransmitters in the frontal region of the brain, according to a study publishing in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. "Our data show children with ADHD had a two-and-half-fold increased level of glutamate, an excitatory brain chemical that can be toxic to nerve cells," said lead author Helen Courvoisie, M.D., assistant professor, division of child and adolescent psychiatry, department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore. "The data also suggest a decreased level of GABA, a neuro-inhibitor. This combination may explain the behavior of children with poor impulse control."
  
  
• Vaccinations: Mercury from Thimerosal in Vaccines Linked to Increase in Autism in Confidential CDC Study: Mercury from thimerosal in vaccines is linked to a marked increase in autism in a confidential CDC study: exposure to more than 62.5 micrograms of mercury within the first three months of life significantly increases a child's risk of developing nuerodevelopmental disorders such as speech and language delay, autism, stuttering, and attention deficit disorder.
  
  
• The Chelation of Mercury in the Treatment of Autism, by Dr. Amy Holmes. Newly updated with a complete bibliography.
  
  
• Stem Cell Therapy, including our new section: Articles & Research on Stem Cells & Stem Cell Therapy [continually updated].
  
  
• Study Points to More Targeted Use of Ritalin: Drug Not Effective For All: While examining the brains of hyperactive, inattentive boys with a new type of scanner, Harvard researchers found a reduced flow of blood into a specific area of the brain. Known as the putamen and located deep in the center of the brain, this area helps to control movement and attention.
  
  
• Vaccines: The DPT Vaccine and Brain Damage: According to the testimony of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Edward Grant, Jr., before a U.S. Senate Committee, every year, 35,000 children suffer neurological damage related to the DTP vaccine.
  
  
• The Cerebral Palsy Web-Forum is now open! Interact with other parents and our panel of experts. Get your questions answered, share valuable information and support others. We currently have interactive Web-Forums for "Autism", "ADHD", "The Spiritual Aspects of Special Needs Children", as well as a "General Discussion Forum" for any questions or input regarding children with developmental delays, brain injury and other related neuro-metabolic disorders.
  
  
• Effective Therapies for Autism and other Developmental Disorders: A great introductory article by Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PhD , reprinted with permission from Autism/Asperger's Digest Magazine.
  
  
• Homeopathic Treatments for ADHD: Clinicians using homeopathy for ADHD have reported good results, but objective evidence has been lacking. Now, a double blind, placebo-controlled study of 43 children with ADHD shows that homeopathy can be effective in treating the disorder. We offer an A to Z compendium of the best that homeopathy has to offer in this area.
  
  
• The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC): The Autism Research Institute (ARI) has recently provided this research instrument and simple Internet scoring procedure as a valid means of measuring the effectiveness of various treatments for autism. The ATEC is a one-page form consisting of four subtests developed by Drs. Bernard Rimland and Stephen M. Edelson. Users of the ATEC may have it scored free. By introducing the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, the Autism Research Institute is paving the way for pertinent new research information that has heretofore been unavailable or difficult to evaluate.
  
  
• ADHD and Drugs: Many people feel that medications for children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are widely over-prescribed, easily misused or even abused and have too many possible serious side effects. Whichever side of the fence you're on concerning this issue, the best thing is to be educated about the clinical pharmacology of these drugs. Here's a section that gives you the facts in a complete overview of all the medications - with comprehensive drug monographs - commonly used for treating ADHD.
  
  
• Autism and Mercury in Vaccines: Dr. Stephanie Cave presented this testimony, Autism and Mercury, before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 18, 2000. She was one of a panel of experts on autism who spoke to Representative Dan Burton's hearing on Mercury in Medicine - Are We Taking Unnecessary Risks?. The hearing was part of an ongoing Committee investigation into vaccine policy.The Committee held a hearing reviewing conflicts of interest on two key governmental advisory committees that make recommendations regarding vaccines. Numerous members of the committees were found to have substantial relationships with the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture vaccines. Congressman Dan Burton - who has an autistic grandchild - has stated that he intends to challenge the provision surreptitiously inserted into The Homeland Security Act that exempts the pharmaceutical giant, Eli Lilly, from any liability for their use of the potentially harmful mercury-based additive thimerosal in their vaccines.
  
  
• The Emily Dorrance Program on Children's Neurometabolic Disorders: A moving dedication reflecting on autism, a very special person, Native American healing traditions and part of how this web-site all began.
  
  
• Cerebral Palsy; A Complete Overview: In this comprehensive section, we answer all of the following questions: What Is Cerebral Palsy? How Many People Have This Disorder? What Are the Different Forms of Cerebral Palsy? What Other Medical Disorders Are Associated With Cerebral Palsy? Does Birth Play a Role in Cerebral Palsy? What Are the Risk Factors For Cerebral Palsy? Can Cerebral Palsy Be Prevented? What Are the Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy? How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed? How is Cerebral Palsy Conventionally Managed? What Other Major Problems Are Associated with Cerebral Palsy?
  
  
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Treatment Centers: A small part of our extensive links to resources for complementary and alternative treatments for cerebral palsy.
  
  
• New: The Autism Bookstore: Help support this website and autism research by ordering the best books available on the many aspects of this disorder and related conditions. While you're at it, also check out our other libraries and bookstores on Creative Arts for Healing, Trauma and Neurobiology, Native American Healing and Global Ecosystems.
  
  
• Auto-immunity, Vaccines and Autism, from our entirely new and comprehensive section on vaccine and the vaccine controversies.
  
  
• Basic Information: What is Secretin and How May it Work?, edited from "Autism and Secretin", by John Wills Lloyd, University of Virginia Curry School of Education.

Our goal is to provide the most comprehensive site available for the discussion of medical and physical therapies for the treatment of brain injured children, hence creating a networking structure for parents and physicians alike. This website will provide viewers a new way of looking at neuro/metabolic disease, and offer a creative opportunity for involvement in the exploration of medicine and healing.

                       

This website has been conceived as a clearinghouse for use by those concerned with finding and evaluating methodologies and treatment for brain-injured children. It is based on the belief that the brain along with the body as a whole is an ever-changing, dynamic, active organ striving for adaptation and capable of healing.

Parents of brain-injured children have been given little or no hope for their children's recovery by the majority in the medical community. Those who refuse to give up the struggle and accept a sentence of doom have had little support in effecting positive life changes for their children, yet they pursue efforts to create a network of hope.

Parents looking for medical support for the recovery of their brain-injured children face a system often clogged with doom-sayers and ignorance on the one hand and, not infrequently, charlatans on the other. In the medical community, participants in the network of hope are few and far between, and there is no infrastructure in place to help parents find them. Communication among physicians themselves is woefully inadequate, due to a number of factors, not the least of which is political. The dedicated few who are determined to transcend these obstacles in their mission to pursue recovery for the brain-injured lack a comprehensive forum for their questions and findings.

Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive site available for the discussion of medical and physical therapies for the treatment of brain-injured children, hence creating a networking structure for parents and physicians alike. This website will provide viewers a new way of looking at neuro/metabolic disease, and offer a creative opportunity for involvement in the exploration of medicine and healing.

Neurologist L. S. Vygotsky wrote, "A handicapped child represents a qualitatively different, unique type of development. . . . If a blind or deaf child achieves the same level of development as a normal child, then the child with a defect achieves this in another way, by another course, by other means; and, for the pedagogue, it is particularly important to know the uniqueness of the course along which he must lead the child. This uniqueness transforms the minus of the handicap into the plus of compensation."

Although the main subject is neurology and metabolics, the site will reflect the systemic nature of disease and healing and therefore support discussions that are comprehensive, integrative and focused on the unique expressions of brain-injury in children. The site's content will encompass gastroenterology, immunology, endocrinology, neurology, genetics, diet, physical therapies, placebos, and attitude, with an emphasis on how these issues inter-relate. In addition to medical therapies and diets, this site will explore, through links and discussions, alternative physical and neurological therapies.

In spanning such a broad range of modalities, proven and investigational, it is important to reiterate the thoughts of genetics pioneer and Nobel Prize winner, Sir Francis Crick, who maintained that good theoretical thinking - productive speculation - can be most effective when not hemmed in by volumes of evidence that can sometimes narrow the range of the mind as it tries to accommodate to that evidence. As a result, the mind may miss a possibly larger and correct idea that could float in if the evidence were not there to confound it. While evidence is "true" in the sense that it is a bundle of observed data, it can be initially misinterpreted, and then the principle one is blundering toward may never be formulated.

In line with this concept, this site will support all endeavors that offer parents, healers and brain-injured children the chance to surpass expectations, achieve beyond the expected and meet their highest possible potential, medically, physically or intellectually. Those who are pro-active in the recovery of brain-injured children will find through this website opportunities to increase their own knowledge; a forum for sharing, discussing and evaluating valuable scientific and anecdotal data; and a supportive network dedicated to the development and integration of medical and alternative treatment.