(FinalCall.com) – On Oct. 28, 2007, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, during a live address delivered from Mosque Maryam in Chicago, Ill. told the country that his research team had discovered there were soaring rates of autism due to vaccines. The following day Oct. 29, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released two reports regarding the need for increased and better screening of toddlers for autism.

During his address titled: “Justifiable Homicide: Black Youth in Peril,” Minister Farrakhan stated, “A man by the name of Bertrand Russell advocated the use of vaccines to induce partial chemical lobotomies and create a servile, zombie population, and this is why in America there are soaring rates of autism and the increasing amount of vaccines being mandated for babies and young children. And they tell you if you go to their schools; if you don’t come back saying you’ve been vaccinated, you can’t come to school.”

The AAP reports titled “Identification and Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” and “Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders” advises pediatricians to be cognizant of signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as other developmental concerns, at every well-child visit and to include universal screening, which means formal ASD screenings on all children at 18 and 24 months, regardless of whether there are any concerns or symptoms.

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So-called red flags that are absolute indications for immediate evaluation include: No babbling, pointing or other gestures by 12 months; no single words by 16 months; no two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months; and loss of language or social skills at any age.

“Early intervention can make a huge difference in the child’s prognosis. Autism doesn’t go away, but therapy can help the child cope in regular environments,” said Chris Plauche Johnson, MD, MEd, FAAP, and co-author of the reports.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

First discovered in the 1930s, autism was considered a rare disorder. Today, however, government health officials report that one in 150 children are affected with autism, and it is three times more common in boys than girls.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: “Autism is one of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders. ASDs are developmental disabilities that cause impairments in social interaction and communication, and marked by the presence of unusual behaviors and interests.

“Many people with ASDs have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary-from gifted to severely challenged. An ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life.”

The question is often asked why are so many more children being diagnosed with ASD. Vaccines were quickly identified as the culprit, specifically the thimerosal contained in the measles, mumps and rubella shot (MMR)

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website states that thimerosal is a “mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial). Since the 1930s, it has been widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life threatening contamination with harmful microbes.

“Over the past several years, because of an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels of organomercurials and because of the increased number of thimerosal containing vaccines that had been added to the infant immunization schedule, concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised.”

According to Dr. Steven Gans on the site www.about.com, by the 1990s, babies and young children were receiving multiple thimerosal-containing vaccines.

A passionate group of doctors and parents, convinced that thimerosal was responsible for a growing autism rate, pushed hard to have the preservative removed. In 1999, thimerosal was removed from most vaccines. Despite many studies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains that there is no connection between autism and thimerosal.

The CDC also states that the MMR vaccine protects children against dangerous, even deadly, diseases, and maintains that carefully performed scientific studies have found no relationship between MMR vaccine and autism.

Yet, the puzzle still remains as to why there are so many more cases of autism.

Three scenarios have emerged. In 1998, the American Psychiatric Association broadened the definition of autism to include disorders such as learning disabilities and mental retardation that now make the autism spectrum disorder.

Another rationale explained by the CDC is that hereditary genes and the environment may cause autism. Newsday reported that, “Scientists suspect that the underlying cause of autism lurks in human DNA structure, possibly the result of spontaneous genetic mutations that make some children more vulnerable. While DNA could be a basic cause, many parent advocates believe that environmental factors, such as pollution, act as triggers in increasing autism rates.”

In his Oct. 28 address, Minister Farrakhan also pointed to environmental causes of autism.

“There’s an American female independent scientist, an international expert on radiation and public health issues. Her name is Lauren Moret. This woman has devoted her life to awakening the public to the destructive consequences of depleted uranium munitions that are used by the U.S. Military. She has made relentless efforts to stop the United States continuing to pollute the environment,” he said.

America used to be able to bury its depleted uranium in the Sudan, but when its environmental hazards were discovered, the Sudan rejected it. As a result, America used other careless means to get rid of it.

“America put it [the depleted uranium] in steel containers and dropped it in the oceans and the seas. It’s leaking out of these things, and the fish that you eat, you don’t know what you’re eating. You’re eating what you think is wholesome,” said Minister Farrakhan.

“Then go look at your body. Go test your blood and see how many metals are in your system. How is it getting to the brain? Depleted uranium in the water is causing autism, diabetes [and] cancer. What is depleted uranium? It is radioactive waste from the nuclear weapons and nuclear power programs.”

While many believe the medical community is responsible or complicit in the rise of autism, parents are seeking alternative treatments to help their children.

The AAP report says it’s important for pediatricians to become knowledgeable about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies.

“Many parents are interested in CAM treatments such as various vitamin and mineral supplements, chelation therapy, and diet restrictions. It’s important for pediatricians to maintain open communication and continue to work with these families even if there is disagreement about treatment choices, “said the reports’ co-author, Scott M. Myers, MD, FAAP.