October 5, 2010
Emerson Speaks!
Emerson is getting the word out and folks are catching on. Check out this article on Marraige and Emerson’s family on CNN. Check out more discussions from Emerson on our blog.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/19/autism.divorce.rates/index.html?iref=allsearch
April 18, 2010
Your child may not need that booster shot and the law is on your side.
I have a beautiful four and a half year old boy with autism. In our case he showed signs since birth, but was not diagnosed until after the age of two, after his initial MMR vaccine. After so much angst, expense, tears and most of all, effort we were making progress towards healing him. Our son Emerson, “Little Em” was finally starting to say words and look us in the eyes, then came time for his MMR booster shot. We were sick to our stomachs wondering if this booster would cause regression and thwart all our efforts. The vision of injecting him with something that could hurt him further literally brought tears to my eyes. After much research I found a few things out about the MMR “booster” and what our rights are in the State of New Jersey.
First, the MMR booster is not a booster at all. The initial vaccine inoculates approximately 94 to 95% of the population receiving it. The booster is later administered across the board to simply increase the percentage up a few points to about 97 to 98%. So out of 100 children who initially receive the MMR, about 95 already have enough antibodies and do not require the follow up shot. Secondly, you are allowed to get what’s known as a titer test. This is a blood test to measure the amount of antibodies in the blood stream. If they are high enough, your child is exonerated from the follow up MMR vaccine. All day care facilities and schools must accept this and cannot prevent your child from attending if your child passes the required antibody levels on the titer.
Don’t Be Surprised If Doctors Are Resistant.
In our case we waited until we were in the doctor’s office to receive the booster when I notified the nurse who came in with the vaccine that we wanted a script for a titer. She became quite flustered and insisted that the booster was required. I calmly requested to meet with the doctor. He complied without hesitation, but what I find so disturbing is even with the knowledge of my son’s condition, I still had to garner this information elsewhere. Long story short, my son’s antibodies were high enough and he did not require the booster. I can’t say that vaccines had any ill effect Little Em, but after all we have been going through we didn’t want to risk anything.
Because of Little Em’s autism we meet so many other parents in the same situation, with the same pit in their stomach when it comes time for booster shots, but to my surprise they don’t know of the titer. Why isn’t this common knowledge? With all the concern over vaccines how come school authorities and doctors don’t advertize this choice? Sadly I think it’s part economics, and part that the public is used to lining up like lemmings when it comes to doctor’s orders (imagine how much less money the Pharma companies would make if 95% of the population didn’t get their booster shots because they didn’t need it.)
The titer test is available for the following vaccines:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, Tetanus
- H. Influenza (HiB)
- Hepatitis A
- Chicken Pox, (Varicella – zoster)
- Influenza A and B
- Polio
- Pneumococcal vaccines
So if you’re up at night worried about an upcoming vaccine shot for your child, research your state laws and see if a titer test is available. And spread the word. With autism now affecting 1 in 100 children, (1 in 66 if it’s a boy) everyone now knows someone who affected by this condition. Who knows, at the very least you may help save another parent from that awful pit in their stomach.
January 16, 2010
Divorce and Autism: They don’t have to go hand in hand. A father’s struggle to heal his son, his family and beat the odds
Let me introduce myself. I’m Emerson Donnell. Born and raised in New Jersey I waited until my 40’s to have a child. Little did I know I was a perfect match, a statistical poster of the typical parent who sires an autistic child, (an older white male living in New Jersey, the state with the highest incidence of autism.) And little did I know after the birth of my son Emerson that my wife Jen and I were being railroaded right into the next widely accepted statistic. Supposedly over 80% of marriages that sire an autistic child end in divorce. 
Read more
January 3, 2010
Convert the bane of a typical autistic behavior into therapy:
Every child’s autism is different and unique, however, there are also many common traits. One of the most frustrating and dangerous is what I call the deaf run. This is where the child will bolt from a parent’s hand for some desired object. Normal children do this as well, Read more
As seen on MommysFriendsOnline.com- Websites for "Girlie" AccessoriesI just had a baby girl and a friend shared with me some fun websites to order some special "girlie things." I especially love the large flower headbands! These sites offer the most precious accessories. Add some glam to your little one's wardobe...check out these websites www.Poshlittletutus.com www.pinkbowtique.com… […]
- Essex County Turtle Back ZooHave a wild adventure at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo! Essex County 8th Annual Open House Saturday, June 5th- 10am to 2pm- Free… […]
- Celebrate Mother's Day Weekend at Ventimigla VineyardsMother's Day Winetrail… […]
- Summer ReadingI'd like to suggest a New York Times Best Seller, "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for your 3rd or 4th grade readers. As a reading teacher, I highly recommend the book. Your child or student will not put it down! You can find the series at Barnes and Noble, but I think Amazon.com has the best prices. Make sure your child has their reading books read […]
- Family Day: Cherry Blossom FestivalSunday. April 18th: Bloomfest Enjoy a family day in the pink park! A packed schedule of events includes cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more. FREE ADMISSION. 11am to 5pm. Most activities take place around the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Essex County Branch Brook Park, […]
- Websites for "Girlie" Accessories
