Oprah on Autism/Vaccinations

[MAMom]

I'm watching Oprah & it's on Autism.

The guest pediatrician (who specializes in autism) Dr. Anshu Batra (who has 2 autistic kids herself) said that basically it's been refuted that there's a connection between vaccines and autism.

Then, they cut to commercial without any of the parents on the stage panel (4 of them) saying anything. Luckily in the next segment Oprah encouraged the Mom sitting next to her to say what she said to Oprah during the commercial - that it's NOT proven.

Then Oprah mentioned the CDC and asked the pedi if that's waht she had been referring to...that there's no evidence that vaccines tied to autism...blah, blah, blah...

Anyway, I'm glad the Mom spoke up!

[beccaboomom]

Oprah, Autism, and Vaccines

Did anyone see Oprah today? The show was about autism awareness. When they were discussing the causes of autism vaccinations were brought up but the audience was told there hasn't been any link between the two proven. I was dissappointed that vaccinations weren't even questioned.

[beccaboomom]

We posted at the same time. :

[DQMama]

That pediatrician hesitated just a second too long. Anyone else catch it?

I think she was going to say, "Well, we don't know," but remembered her peers are watching.

Then I thought Oprah was going to take her on but she switched the subject.

Is there an icon for throwing tomatoes?

Okay, tivoed--off to watch the rest.

[AEMOMMY]

I was so glad to hear that Oprah encouraged that Mom to speak up!!!!

And yeah, I did notice that Pediatrician hesitate for just a bit too long before answering that question!!!!

[Wabi Sabi]

I think she hesitated because she knew that this was a very emotional issue for the mother on stage who was speaking and was trying to find a diplomatic way to answer the question and be respectful to the upset mother.

Either way, I was glad to see both sides of the issue presented and thought that it was handled well, especially for such a "mainstream" show.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by DQMama

Is there an icon for throwing tomatoes?

:

[DQMama]

Originally Posted by Wabi Sabi

I think she hesitated because she knew that this was a very emotional issue for the mother on stage who was speaking and was trying to find a diplomatic way to answer the question and be respectful to the upset mother.

I see what you're saying--I hadn't watched the second segment in which they discussed vaccines when I first posted.

In the first segment, I truly feel the doctor wanted to say more but of course she "could not" even express the possibility that it could be vaccines because I'm sure she is concerned about her reputation and about "herd immunity."

After the commercial, I agree that the doctor was very respectful to the mother. She said she believed there was not a connection. Oprah didn't commit either way, she just gave the official party line that "the CDC has found no evidence that vaccines trigger autism."

I also noticed a Gardisil commercial fly by as I was fast forwarding the commercials:

[DQMama]

Originally Posted by i'mmykid'$mom

:

Wow, I didn't seriously think there was or I would have looked.

[my3peanuts]

I think it made her seem less "credible" that she didn't mention vaccines as a possible environmental factor and hesitated when Oprah said, "And vaccines?". It's pretty obvious there is a huge amount of controversy surrounding vaccines and autism so for her not to even mention it makes her seem like she is purposely leaving it out. I wonder why!

[DQMama]

It also didn't help her credibility that she didn't seem to know much about regressive autism. Her kids exhibited classic signs--not pointing, not babbling, etc., and she was able to intervene early. That's great, but as a ped, she should have acknowledged the regressive type.

Okay, I'll stop being negative now.

Overall, I thought Oprah did a nice job. Hopefully it will raise awareness about autism in general, and maybe that blond mother got a point across about vaccines.

[Lila]

I just came to see what was said about it. It just played here.

[SequoiasMom]

what did the blonde mom say? I missed it.....I mean, I saw the doctor but missed what happened after the commercial

[Deborah]

Originally Posted by beccaboomom

Did anyone see Oprah today? The show was about autism awareness. When they were discussing the causes of autism vaccinations were brought up but the audience was told there hasn't been any link between the two proven. I was dissappointed that vaccinations weren't even questioned.

I doubt you were surprised that vaxes weren't questioned.

Sacred cow about sums it up.:

[Joyful Mama]

i kept watching, and one of the parents clarified that the link wasn't necessarily refuted. i was actually happy about how it went - Oprah encouraged the parent to say it.

[suprgrl]

I was so glad to see vaxes brought up as a contributing factor. The mom also mentioned the amount of vaxes that children are given before age two, which hopefully will get some people to think and research.
The Dr. seemed a little tongue twisted at times, especially when vaxes were brought up. It could be career suicide for her to say there is a link.
I'm so glad it was brought up and that Oprah seemed to take the vax issue pretty seriously imo. At least she gave it a few seconds of air-time. You could tell that the mom had researched it and felt very strongly that it was a factor in her child's autism. It was good to see in the mainstream.

[gwynthfair]

Well that's good at least! I hate it when people use that argument. Just because it hasn't been scientifically proven to be true doesn't make it false!

[greencat]

I missed the info on the doc. Was she a DAN doc?

[bullfrog]

Originally Posted by Joyful Mama

i kept watching, and one of the parents clarified that the link wasn't necessarily refuted. i was actually happy about how it went - Oprah encouraged the parent to say it.

When the doc said that the link to vaccines was refuted - she stutterd (?) - you could tell it was loaded for her. It made my stomach turn - you knew she was holding something back. It does not ring true for me that there is no link. I have read the studies - and I have followed all the information I can regarding autisim. My gut tells me that to ignore the vaccine factor is grossly ignorant.

Oprah did encourage one of the parents to say that there was no evidence to prove that it was safe to vaccinate children under 18mos as heavily as they do. I was so proud of that mom for saying so. She was very clear.

I wish more of the show were dedicated to therapy/treatment/diet and causes. I don't understand why they would think the causes could be genetic? Wouldn't there be more familiarity with the disease if people had family histories of it? Or perhaps they mean a genetic pre-disposition to being affected by what causes it? Be it vaccines or some other environmental factor.

[rainsmom]

With so many parents of autistic children who truly BELIEVE that it was bc of the vaxs........it makes me wonder why none of these parents were on the show.. Still.......i thought it was good for a first step to bring awareness.

Glad the vaxes controversy was brought up at all! THANK YOU!