Before I begin the most “controversial” blog entry of my life, I need to say a few things:
I’ve spent THOUSANDS of hours on this autism topic. I’ve researched from all angles, and I forced myself to be open to all possibilities. I’m not coming from a place of “just personal experience” or “just one side.” I’m also not coming from a place of someone who just read a couple Facebook posts, or watched a couple of videos. I need readers to understand that I became obsessed with this topic, because I’ve been obsessed with trying to help my daughter. When you’re trying to help your child and aren’t getting the help you need, life looks a litle (or a lot) different. Picture this: It’s 2 am…your only time to hear yourself think. You are probably delving into Autoimmune encephalitis and neuroinflammation, watching v@xxine discussions, reading case studies, or streaming random videos on cerebral folate deficiency…..INSTEAD of tuning in to “Bachelor in Paradise,” or reading about Travis and Taylor (If you’re anything like me). I’ve read the case studies, I’ve joined the groups, I’ve talked to the Drs, the families…and even some people close to “what’s happening in DC.”
Now, I’ve got to tell you. I wanted to begin this autism series long, long, ago. I didn’t plan to begin my part 1 with “autism theories & causes,” nor did I plan to write it just a day before Trump’s official announcement. However, I wanted to have this on record. Maybe as a souvenir, if nothing more. I wanted to see how close I can get to what he reveals. Yes, I wish I had published this sooner. I’d blame this delay on me being a procrastinator, but any autism parent knows that we don’t exactly have excess time to write blog entries.
I’m going to tell you right now, I am very very likely to “miss” some things that I would include if I had more time to think. I’m doing the best I can with just a couple hours to write this: Two hours I REALLY struggled to set aside. How do you put thousands of hours of research into one blog? You really can’t. And, I’m sure I’ll have critics and people asking for sources, but right now, I’m just doing the best I can, with the time I have.
Current reports are saying RFK is about to come out with a Tylenol link. Other sources have said that he’s coming out to discuss folate deficiency. It’s also long been known that v@xxes are under intense investigation (I’ll get into all of these topics in this entry).
……I think it’s MORE than those things, and I’ll get more into that in a minute.
Again. Before I begin, I want to say, that I don’t think there is ONE thing causing autism. I’m convinced it’s different causes for different children. Some children may have one of the “below factors” you are about to read through….others may have MANY. When a child is diagnosed with “severe autism,” I believe there is almost ALWAYS something else going on. I don’t really believe in the idea of, “just autism.” I also don’t subscribe to the idea that genetics all alone are driving what we are currently seeing, though I do of course believe some cases can be partially or 100% explained by genetics.
But, I feel confident there’s a reason that many of the powers that be fixate on genetics only….and why they encourage us to do the same. They want us to repeat the word, “genetics” like puppets. They want us to speak in regurgitated language. There is obviously some money to be made with genetic testing. And let’s think about this: If they convince us to believe it’s ONLY genetics 100% of the time this doesn’t threaten the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers, or any Drs….now does it? Now, talking about food, medicines, environmental toxins and v@xxes, that’s a different story. I picture some people just clutching their cash and screaming, “CONSPIRACY!”
WHY would the manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and some of the powers that be, want us to ask ANY questions outside of genetics. They’re all out for our good. They always do what they do out of the goodness of their heart. There isn’t ever any greed or ulterior motives, is there? I can hear some of you now: “IT’S ALL GENETIC, IT’S ALL GENETIC!!!! SHUT UP, HOLLY!!! You’re spreading misinformation.”
Guys. Come on. Why are these “spokespeople” always foaming at the mouth with the words, “Genetics” and “CONSPIRACY” the second someone thinks outside the box? Why when you mention other possible causes do you always get the default responses?: “It has been PROVEN that v@xxes do not cause autism. Time and time again!.. TRUST THE SCIENCE! Stop spreading conspiracies. V’s save lives. You just want someone or something to blame. Look at the parents. One of you is autistic. Autism is such a gift! Stop looking for a cure! You’re the worst kind of parent for trying to fix your child.” These repetitive phrases are ingrained in my head, because they’re all I’ve heard and read for the past 4 years. They’re like a broken record playing in my mind.
And yet..I press on. I won’t back down. There is a lot more to discuss than even what I’m listing down below. I don’t expect ALL of these areas to be discussed tomorrow, but I urge RFK and his team to take all of these things into consideration.
Anyways, let’s get to it, IN NO PARTICULAR order, beginning WITH GENETICS:
- Genetics: Let’s start here, so I don’t get tomatoes thrown at me before I even begin. Tomatoes hurt, and I don’t want my readers to tune out. It’s true. Genetics are important. Sincerely. Don’t get me wrong. I will also admit I don’t understand everything there is to understand about genetics. When I read too long and hard about genetics, my eyes do begin to glaze over. I will say though: When a child is exhibiting severe autism symptoms, a visit to neurology and genetics is where I would personally start. (I would also quickly have their eyes and ears checked. Sometimes hearing impairment is the prime reason a child isn’t speaking. Other children are simply later speakers without any other signs of autism, and once they begin speaking….they probably won’t stop. If the child isn’t speaking, I would also recommend a visit to a dentist who checks for tongue ties).
But, let’s break it down with genetics. For us personally, we sadly began with an incompetent neurologist who discouraged us against genetic testing. Sometimes, you just cannot sugarcoat the truth. Not only did this neurologist leave out important details about Clara’s brain MRI results (from age 2 1/2) while discussing the findings with us face-to-face (more on this later), but she also convinced me genetic testing was likely an expensive waste of my time. I simply knew something had to be happening with her brain, and I came to this “professional” seeking answers. While, I was able to get the brain MRI, as well as the EEG ordered, genetic testing was brought up (but mostly discouraged) all at the same time. “People often just spend THOUSANDS of dollars (which insurance doesn’t cover), and they often end up with more questions than answers.” I remember thinking, “Wow, that sounds awful! I guess I better put my money towards other productive things.” I was further validated as she “didn’t suspect” anything genetic by looking at her.
Three years later, our biomedical pediatrician we began seeing told me that while he would order the genetic test if I wanted it – his gut feeling was it wasn’t going to show us much. As her examined her facial features, his conclusion was, “I just don’t see anything, but even IF there is anything there – it’s not going to change how I treat her. It’s possible she could be a Rett case, but even if she is, I don’t foresee the Rett clinic helping her much. And, I would use the same protocol I am right now.” Again, my mind shifted towards things that are likely a better use of our time. However, now though? I wish I had just went through with genetic testing clear back when she was 2 1/2. It would take out some wonder and some guess work for sure.
With all that said, sometimes it’s “not autism” we as parents are actually looking at. Sometimes a syndrome can mimic autism. Some parents end up learning their child actually has something like “Angelman Syndrome,” “Rett,” “Prader-Willi” “Fragile-X” and so many other possibilities I can’t think to list. Many autism families find gene mutations and chromosomal abnormalities as they delve into genetic testing. With some of these genetic conditions, you will often see unusual facial features, growth differences, limb dispositions and other key markers. Other times, the syndrome can go unnoticed. In cases of Rett (especially in more mild variations), it can be mostly hidden, until the family decides to test. I feel fairly confident that Clara doesn’t fit the profile of 99% of syndromes I’ve read about, and yet I still want to rule out this one certain one. And then, there are of course possibilities I’m not even currently aware of. Genetic testing is backed up until March of 2026, sadly.
Sometimes autism is a secondary or co-existing condition, and there are many many other health issues at play (I’ll get into this more in a bit). Genes such as MTHFR and COMT also seem to have a link.
For some, genetics may explain absolutely everything. For others, genetics may play a lesser role. There are many many genes out there to study, but I don’t have time to break it all down tonight. And there are sooo many neurological components to study and keep in mind: A lot of these children have hypotonia (low muscle tone), connective tissue disorders, some have dystonia, cerebral palsy, etc. etc. The possibilities are endless.
Does the child have gut issues? Mitochondrial? Thyroid? Sleep issues? A poor immune system?
My bottom line, and no one can convince me otherwise: Very seldom is severe autism….”just autism.”
2. Birth injury, complicated births & various pregnancy complications (both known and unknown): One thing I’m really praying that RFK has been studying is birth injury and all the possibly “unnecessary inducements.” We hear about these planned inducements, all the time.
Example A: The OB has their 2 week vacation planned right around the time the mother is set to deliver, so the mother is told that if she wants her OB to be the delivering Dr. she will need to schedule her inducement. While OBs work hard and need their vacations just as much as the next person (absolutely, no argument there at all), these are the times where perhaps the mother-to-be needs to just put her foot down, and say she wants one of the Dr’s trusted partners to fill in when her body naturally goes into labor. After all, our delivery nurses end up playing such a key role in our birth success, and we don’t meet any of them until the day of. To this day, I still remember nearly every L&D nurse I had. With Weston, my OB barely made it in, in time. And, I loved her for the 9 months before, but in the end, I am confident that my nurses really led the way. They were my encouragers, they were checking on me, bringing me the peanut ball and asking me what flavor of popsicle I wanted. They were amazing. I believe I could’ve had just as successful of a delivery with one of my OB’s trusted partners, but thankfully, Weston was simply ready to join us! I labored mostly naturally for a majority of the time, and that birth ended up as a beautiful “redeeming birth.”
On the other hand? Clara 3 years before? She was undoubtedly scheduled to be evicted before she was ready.
I was supposedly full-term, but it was obvious she simply needed more time. She was distressed early on in the labor, and I knew in my heart that something wasn’t right. My contractions were so long-lasting and close together when I was barely even dilated. I barely had a moment to even breathe, and yet my laboring process looked like it was going to be long. My mom (a seasoned veteran of having children) was absolutely appalled by what she was seeing. My contractions weren’t matching my dilation. “She’s already having end of labor type of contractions,” I remember hearing my mom say to the nurse early on, in my birthing process. I felt like I wouldn’t be able to continue without an epidural because there was truly no break to breathe, and I was contracting so badly during the epidural process, they could barely administer it. The contractions were basically on top of one another. It was a blur of Pitocin AND Cytotec, various other drugs (ones I don’t even remember), and Clara being very distressed early on. There were early decelerations, late decelerations…and I was even unhooked from the monitor several times (as my hospital records showed). There was never any explanation given, as to the why. I heard some whispers behind the curtain about my extreme Cytotec reaction. They knew there was distress, and yet there wasn’t any mention of a c-section intervention, which I find so odd as they are so common these days. For whatever reason, whomever was in charge, apparently decided I wouldn’t be getting one no matter what. Suddenly, Clara quickly dropped, and it was time push. After about 40 minutes of pushing, everything began to head further south the last 5 minutes of labor. She had a bowel movement in me, and then they saw she was face-up (a suspicion I had for a long time). This meant pushing her out would be harder. I later learned many face-up births result in c-sections. I was too far for that, once her position was discovered. I later learned the nurse had admitted that to my mom that a c section was no longer an option. She was in the birth canal, and there was no going back. They quickly tried to turn her. My blood pressure was dropping. I had the oxygen mask on, and I knew in that moment, I needed supernatural strength. I can still remember the scrambling of, “She just had a bowel movement in her. She’s face up. Get the vacuum! Get the NICU!” Right as they turned the vacuum on to prepare for its intended, I had a chilling thought come over me. The devil had suddenly reminded me of my 12 week missed miscarriage with Clara’s big sister the year prior. He suggested that THIS time, I was SO close to meeting my daughter, but that he would steal from me again….but this time, right at the last minute. I became angry and absolutely refused to let him win. Suddenly, supernatural strength came over me. We wouldn’t be using the vacuum (though they incorrectly noted in my records that we DID use it. Yet another note discrepancy that I didn’t like. Vacuum deliveries of course come with risks of “brain damage” and other unfortunate possibilities, and I didn’t like that my “informed consent” was basically noted). I heard someone announce that they had arrived from the NICU.
“Let me push!” I insisted. And with one big push, there she was. She was crying, she was on my chest, and we both had made it. The NICU employee exited the room. She was weighed, quickly examined, and she returned to my chest. She instinctively wanted to nurse, and yet I didn’t know the battle ahead we’d have with that.
((In 2025, I decided to request her hospital records being convinced that her traumatic birth was part of this complex autism puzzle. I had to fight the hospital for 7-8 rounds before they finally coughed up everything I had asked for. They made the whole entire process as difficult as possible. And yet, Weston’s records which I decided to request from a different city hospital as part of an experiment? The hospital gave me EVERYTHING I asked for in less than a week (with everything but the fetal heart rate tracings arriving within less than 24 hours). This experiment was very telling for me. Weston’s mostly seamless birth resulted in the hospital giving me the records. They knew they had handled me well. Clara’s hospital however had plenty to hide. The notes were contradictory and as vague as possible. They were able to note about 8,000 times that I declined the hepatitis B for her at birth (something she went on to have when she was instead 3 weeks old), but they couldn’t give me any nurse notes. They couldn’t give me my fetal heart rate tracing strips until I basically said, “You know what I’m asking for. I’m asking you one more time to give them to me, before I bring in legal representation.”
Long story short. I finally got the fetal heart rate strips. There was plenty they still didn’t provide, but I finally had the one thing in my hands that mattered most. And let’s just say, her fetal heart rate strips were very difficult to look at. When I looked at them, I knew in my heart that she was a case of birth injury. I got an outside opinion from an unrelated L&D nurse, and she also shared my concerns. She also recognized that the process of obtaining her records seemed to be purposely made as difficult as possible. She concluded with me that there seems to be a link to Clara’s traumatic birth, the brain MRI findings….and the symptoms I’m seeing today.
Let’s talk inducements a little more. We are seeing more and more and more of them. We are seeing more c-sections than ever. And don’t get me wrong. I respect an OB that errors on the side of caution. I’m sure a long-term OB has their reasons for the decisions they make: They’ve seen plenty that the rest of us haven’t.
I’ve also never been a Labor & Delivery nurse, and I certainly respect a good one. I know they all have unforeseen events and difficult days. I know an OB deals with the same.
However, I’m going to call a spade, “a spade,” here.
I’ve done extensive research on Cytotec. Once it was administered to me, there was no going back, and yet, they decided I needed that AND Pitocin….even though my contractions were already out of control with the first drug….and Clara was very distressed (some of which was lightly noted).
I was later told by some respectable nurses that my uterus could’ve exploded. I recently learned that Cytotec was used off-label on me. I found out that the FDA sent out a letter to all OBs across the country many years ago warning them not to use Cytotec for inducements. It’s legal….but barely. I’m sure I have some people reading this blog that had Cytotec and Pitocin and did okay, but this mom-to-be, did not. Clara did not handle it well either. Cytotec has been linked to oxygen deprivation, contractions that are too long and too strong, fetal distress, hemorrhaging, shock, amniotic fluid embolism, uterine rupture, and death of the baby, mother or both. I learned that the FDA took action after a man lost his wife and baby to the effects of Cytotec. (I don’t even think she had Pitocin paired with it). He easily won his lawsuit. From then on, the FDA discouraged against any off label use (this drug has been used for abortions and miscarriages).
But, in 2019 (well after my OB should’ve been aware of its history), this Cytotec and Pitocin combo (along with plenty of other drugs) were used on me to get Clara out quickly. I didn’t know what I was getting into. I simply trusted the hospital and the professionals surrounding me. There was so much I didn’t know. I didn’t know that once Cytotec is inserted, there is no going back. With Pitocin, it can be scaled back or stopped, and even Pitocin alone can also of course carry some risks…like anything else. Pitocin is very very commonly used for inducements today, for those who don’t know. Apparently, they decided I needed both, along with the rest of my lengthy drug list.
Though I won’t share the name of the hospital where I had Clara, it’s a well-known Nashville hospital. I was treated like a number there. They clearly needed me out of that delivery room to usher in the next mom-to-be. I remain convinced that Clara’s struggles began in the delivery room that day. I don’t rule out that something else could’ve happened in the womb beforehand too. I was told too that 6 lbs 1 ounce was borderline low birth weight, for a full-term baby. My pregnancy went fairly smooth….and in my family history, we tend to have babies on the “smaller side.” Clara dealt with some feeding issues, and it took us longer than it should to reach 7 pounds.
With all of that said, this “increase in inducements” and the drug combos being used (especially in big city “baby factory” hospitals need to be investigated further). When I meet a mother with a child with autism, and we’ve established a good rapport…..I often find out that many of these stories begin with a traumatic birth. Do ALL traumatic births result in autism? OF COURSE NOT! Do all autism stories begin with a traumatic birth? No. We see so many traumatic birth cases in which the baby ends up just fine, but I find that many many autism moms share a traumatic birth story with me. You cannot fully research autism without fully studying inducements, drug combinations and birthing methods.
Clara’s brain MRI from 3 years ago mentions a finding of PVL (often associated with preemies and oxygen deprivation). We are meeting with another neurologist in November to fully discuss this, and to get a new MRI for age 6. All that said, I absolutely believe her birth is part of the reason we are where we are today. However, I believe Clara’s story is one of “percentages” and various causes. I’m afraid she had the “perfect storm.” Some stressors made her case “more severe” than it would’ve otherwise been. That’s what I fully believe.
Also, there are a lot of known or unknown things that can happen in the womb. Sometimes the mother has an infection. Sometimes there is growth restriction. Lack of oxygen in the womb. It’s possible that the anatomy scan looked great, and yet there is something that gets missed somehow. It’s possible that even throughout all the moms blood work there is something lingering that gets missed…. It’s possible genetic testing will explain a lot…
Moving on…
3. Cerebral Folate Deficiency: I’ve been studying this one for MONTHS. I could go on and on and on and on about all of it. When we say folate deficiency, we are talking about folate deficiency in the brain. This occurs when the cerebral spinal fluid is experiencing a block from transporting folate to the brain. A blood draw may show normal folate levels, but that doesn’t mean that the brain isn’t deprived. Folate is essential for the brain as it’s very important for neurological function. The drug Leucovorin (high dose folinic acid/B9) is said to be helping 80% of the autistic children currently trying it. I’ve been in discussion with other parents doing a trial, and most of us are reporting some positive changes. I can tell you that Clara has made some small improvements even on a low dose. We’ve only been at it for a few weeks, though I’ve known about the drug for quite some time. She also had special B-12 injections months back (ordered from a pharmacy in TX), but we should probably still be doing those now. The two probably should’ve been paired. Anyways, to find out if there is a cerebral folate deficiency for certain, there are two ways to check: 1) FRAT testing (Folate Receptor Alpha Testing) www.fratnow.com, though I’m hearing a lot of people say they aren’t sure this is as accurate as it should be. The test is $295. We were going to do it, but we’ve instead decided just to try the Leucovorin, as it’s very low risk. 2) Then, there is the much more invasive spinal tap, but it’s much more accurate. The spinal tap is how infections in the cerebral spinal fluid can be detected (some of these infections found may travel to the brain). More on this again later.
4) Tylenol: The Tylenol concerns aren’t new. It’s long long long been talked about in my “Crunchy Mom Groups.” Tylenol is indeed linked to glutathione depletion. Glutathione is an antioxidant and detoxification agent. When is Tylenol commonly administered? After ongoing fevers after vaccines, right? This happened in our house. Clara had a very very ongoing fever after a vaccine, and the Dr’s office just kept pushing the Tylenol usage and telling me she was just experiencing a normal side effect. Hmmmmm. I look back, and I really really wonder. So many double whammies. It all makes me sick to my stomach. But again, do I think Tylenol is the ONLY cause? NO! Why? Because, I have known of moms who never took a Tylenol during pregnancy and never gave any to their baby, and yet, their child ends up on the autism spectrum. So while I’m not doubting it can be a piece in this large puzzle, I don’t believe it’s the only piece to zone in on.
5) Mold, mycotoxins, glyposate and other environmental toxins: 6+years ago, I didn’t think much about these words. I began studying low-tox living a good 10 years ago, but it’s been a long journey of me gradually discovering more and more, as I go. You can’t just learn everything over night, right? I remember an allergy test telling me I was allergic to mold, and I recall whenever I was around mold, I got that scratchy feeling in my throat. I had a clear reaction to mold, but yet, I never really thought too much more about it.
Years back, I became close friends with another autism mom. Our children are around the same age, and by the time our first babies were around 18 months, we began sharing autism concerns. This mom had lived/still lives a VERY healthy lifestyle. She didn’t take ANY Tylenol while pregnant, and I’m fairly sure her child who is now Clara’s age has never had any Tylenol, even to this day. She also didn’t give her child any v@xxes…..not even one. However, she did discover that the house she was pregnant in/brought her baby home to had hidden mold (the family has since moved). To this day though, she is convinced that mold has played a very large role in their story, and I absolutely agree with her based on what I’ve studied. Now, here’s a key difference? Her child is considered level 1 autism, while my child is considered very severe. My Clara was given a level 2 diagnosis because she “performed well” at the autism center that day, but most people who know her well have agreed with me that a 3 is probably the more accurate diagnosis. My friend and I have concluded that if her child had v@xxes, Tylenol, a poor diet and a bad birth, that their case would likely look more like Clara’s. Never underestimate the “toxic load” that each body is carrying.
Clara and I have recently gotten into Bioscan SRTs (stress reduction testing). And guess what has been flagged as a severe stressor for both of us? Mold and mycotoxins. And guess what? When I eliminate coffee from my diet, my mold and mycotoxin readings become more balanced. Yes guys. Mold is in coffee. Coffee is a mycotoxin source, unless you’re drinking pure organic coffee.
This is a good segway to talk about foods, beverages and general household toxins, right? Our food and beverages aren’t helping anything. I’ve shared about this over and over and over for over 4 years in my Homestead Holly group Homestead Holly | Facebook.
With that said, our foods are full of dyes, carcinogens and basically weedkiller. Let’s be honest. This is full-blown ridiculous….and honestly, evil. Something sinister has to be going on. If you compare a US box of cereal to a UK box of cereal, our list of ingredients is so much longer. We are using so many ingredients, which are banned in other countries. The artificial dyes aren’t needed!!! There are many many candies and food items that are just as good (if not better), and they use other natural, healthy, sources to get their “pretty color.” Our foods are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, MSG, citric acid (yet another mold source), TBHQ, artificial sweeteners, and so so much more than I want to get into tonight. These ingredients have been linked to hyperactivity in children, stomach issues, memory problems, cancers, endocrine issues, and ALL SORTS of ailments! And a lot of the mainstream baby formulas? BAD NEWS! A lot of the soaps, lotions and powders used on newborn babies? Full of toxins! And then, if the parent is spraying the house with Febreeze (one of the most toxic household items on the planet), then the home is constantly full of environmental toxins.
And glyphosate? Don’t even get me started. Don’t even. In case you didn’t know, glyphosate is a widely-known herbicide that can kill certain weeds and grasses (hence why I said they’re basically using weedkiller in a lot of our foods). Just know that this is why many are opting for a gluten free diet (because wheat is such a big source of glyphosate)…and that decision still isn’t solving all of their issues. But, it can help in some ways. If you’re buying oats? Please, please, buy “One Degree.” If you’re buying pasta? Please, please buy Jovial. These two brands are stamped as glyphosate-free. Are you chuckling at how ridiculous I sound? Well, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers it harmful to humans and recognizes it as a likely carcinogen. We do have an awful LOT of cancer and autoimmune issues suddenly, don’t we? Or am I wrong?
Moving along. Just know, our foods and the toxins in the air aren’t helping our health or our children’s health. If you don’t like RFK, at least please be thankful that he’s trying to help us in these areas.
5) Autoimmune Encephalitis & Neuroinflammation: One of my BIG areas of focus. Even though this is listed as #5, it’s at the forefront of my mind these days. Remember, I said, in no particular order. Autoimmune encephalitis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy brain cells. Some infections such as influenza, HSV or strep can trigger this inflammation. Have you heard about PANS/PANDAS (untreated strep)? When I even suspect one of my children has strep, we immediately go in for a swab, and I also ask for a culture (because rapid strep tests for children aren’t super reliable). Clara gets negative rapids and positive cultures. I’m admittedly terrified of untreated strep, though it wouldn’t just turn into PANS/PANDAS over night. Everyone who knows me, knows how natural I am. Strep though? We don’t mess around. Ever. Which means mama (who is also prone to strep) gets several swabs a year.
Back to genetics real quick. Some genetics may make a child more prone to developing Autoimmune Encephalitis. Autoimmune encephalitis isn’t just something you get diagnosed by taking your child into the pediatrician. To find out if your child has autoimmune encephalitis, there is an autoimmune brain panel (formerly known as the, “Cunningham Panel”). There is a lab in Oklahoma that offers the test. Other countries? Some offer it right in the hospital as soon as a child suffers a regression? In the US? They tell us that we are just simply seeing autism symptoms at 18 months because this is often the age that it becomes more apparent. We are seldom listened to when we explain that our child seemed to regress over night? We are just told this is our new reality, and that we might want to consider trying some therapies. “No known cause, no known cure…or it’s just genetics.” That’s what we often hear.
An example to go with this? A mom friend of mine tells a painful story about how someone with a cold sore kissed her newborn baby. The baby contacted HSV. A spinal tap from not long ago (he’s much older now) showed HSV in the cerebral spinal fluid. The HSV reached this precious boy’s brain. This is another reason that I’m convinced we cannot discount the possibility of AE & taking a long hard look at what is happening with the cerebral spinal fluid in these precious children.
Clara’s brain MRI finding from age 2 1/2 (the findings I didn’t actually learn until recently when I requested the records), shows findings that point towards a possible infection of the brain (according to our last neurology consult). (We are waiting to see Clara’s 3rd neurologist in November, and at that time, I will soon find out what the 2nd brain MRI shows for Clara at age 6).
I could talk on this subject forever, but I still have a couple of very key points to get to.
For now: Here’s a good study to check out: Autoimmune Encephalitis and Autism Spectrum Disorder – PMC
6) V@xxes: The Dreaded, Heated, Topic. Ugh. I honestly hate talking on this topic. I’m so sick of the arguments surrounding it. I can’t even spell out the real full word, or else I’ll be censored. (That alone should tell you something). Now, if I was speaking “super pro” on this topic, I wouldn’t face any censorship. Interesting, eh?
When it comes to v@xxes, the lines have been clearly drawn in the sand. One side is adamantly convinced v’s don’t cause autism, and one side is adamantly convinced v’s do cause autism. My social media inboxes receives a lot of questions these days. I’m officially convinced we are probably to a place of 70% of America being skeptical of the v’s right now, and maybe 30% still not questioning them at all. When I began questioning things in 2017 before I was even pregnant, I would’ve likely have been in only the 10-20% of people. That wasn’t an easy place to be, and there was “less info” out there back then. I didn’t feel peace, and yet I was looking for assurance to “just say no.” I didn’t find that assurance, sadly. Clara was born before COVID, so, you can probably imagine what I’m getting at. I cringed at every single “well visit” and delayed what I could….but I never felt peace. Now, I know why….
I knew from the get-go in the early 2024 area that RFK was going to cause people to look a little deeper into all of this…and he has. I’ve seen a HUGE shift recently. I’ve also had many, many, moms sharing their stories of injury and regression with me, privately.
After thousands of hours of studies (and personal experiences), I am concluding that each side is a little right and a little wrong. Now, this is going to take me awhile to explain, but let’s start really basic, before we get into all the exhausting research.
First of all, you ALL can go read the balanced black box warnings from the manufacturers. You will see words like seizures, food allergies, encephalitis, eczema, asthma, death, etc. depending on what v insert you are viewing. You can also view and research all the ingredients used. It’s an exhausting project, but a worthwhile one. It’s also important to remember that v injury is a very real thing, and less than 1% of all v injuries are reported.
It’s no secret that there are still many people v’ing their children, and they very much believe in doing so. “Follow the science, vaccines save lives,” they say. They are simply convinced v’s are safe, and they may or may not have a background in the medical field which may or may not influence their thinking. I’m not here to tell them what to do. I’m just here to tell them to read the black box warnings and to research for themselves.
It’s also undeniably true that there are many children v’ed each day, who never end up exhibiting even the slightest sign of autism, ever. They meet all of their milestones on time and by age 2 they are speaking in full sentences. They seem almost “advanced.” Yep. Obviously, if ALL v’s, caused autism in ALL children….no one would ever get a v unscathed, and then, we’d ALL know for sure what is happening. Obvious, yes. But, I need to start basic, before I go deep.
Now, there are COUNTLESS families from all over the country who are adamant that everything changed for their child after a v or a round of several of them (maybe it was a 3-in-1, shot). (We have a story of our own I may share eventually). You wouldn’t believe the amount of Facebook groups I’m in that report on v injuries. If you think I’m ridiculous, I invite you to join all the groups. I’ve cried reading the stories. I’m not talking about speculation: I’m talking about moms who say that their baby reacted within minutes of the v or soon began to have seizures. The stories where the mom took the baby home for a nap just minutes after the shot, and the baby never woke up. I’ve seen wayyyyy too many of these for all of them to be coincidental. I know of a mom of 2 twin girls who were age 12 and developing fully typically. They were the picture of health and absolutely thriving. Within 30 minutes of the same v, both girls reacted very adversely. Today, both girls are in their 40’s, and they are fully dependent on their mom. The sudden regression you can see just in their pictures is absolutely heartbreaking. Just like that – they lost all their life skills and will never be the same. The pediatrician cussed the mom out and told her there was no way the v’s caused this, when the mom called her understandably upset. Guys – within 30 minutes, BOTH girls? Age 12? Had been fully fine? No link?
And these families are being told they are wrong, and that v’s are always fully safe and effective. What is super cringey is they are often told this by the very people who have thriving, neurotypical, children. The people who have never spent one night lying awake trying to connect all the dots of what happened to their child (and how they can help them). Some would say that special needs parents “just want someone to blame.” These same critics love to shout, “It’s just genetic! The link has looooong ago been debunked. Get over it. Look at you and your husband. One of you is autistic. End of story.” And on, and on, and on.
I recently saw a mom (who has 3 beautiful, completely typical children) raving on Facebook about how v’s don’t cause autism, in between her daughter’s thriving gymnastics posts. Obviously that mom doesn’t relate to standing by the table at OT where my daughter lays with hypotonia (low muscle tone). She doesn’t do backflips, cartwheels, or even somersaults. She doesn’t even independently kick a soccer ball or throw a ball. She cannot write, use scissors, a spoon, or brush her teeth independently. Some would tell me she never will. So, what I do want to say to people like this mom: “Get off your high horse. Go ahead and v all you want. I’m glad you aren’t lying awake wondering if there is a v/autism link for your children. You have that choice to v, but discounting other’s stories is really, really, ugly. I could only imagine if the shoe was on the other foot. While you’re upset about a 2nd place finish, I’m just trying to keep my daughter from eloping from me in a parking lot.” I also would like to tell these parents to stay humble (especially if not done having children yet). Life can humble all of us in ways we don’t expect. I’m living proof….
Something else to consider here: While there are COUNTLESS fully v’ed children who do not have and never will have autism, what we do see is more food allergies, asthma, eczema, seizures (without a known cause), general behavioral issues, children potty training later, and being a little more “generally delayed” than what we saw 30 years ago. I was recently having a discussion with Clara’s “biomedical pediatrician.” He told me that going to a birthday party these days is always eye-opening for him. He looks around and sees that while not all of the children around him are autistic, many children are simply more delayed than what he saw many years ago. He sees a huge increase of various health issues. (He’s a pediatrician of many years, and he once was all for v’s. That is, until, his 4th son responded very negatively immediately following his MMR v. His wife first pointed out the very clear link. And it was undeniable. This young boy didn’t handle the v like maybe some of his peers appeared to. The regression process began, and autism became their story).
But, before I get deeper, let’s go over what we have here so far: V’s clearly clearly aren’t automatically going to “cause autism” in all children. Some parents can fully v their children, take them to McDonald’s for most meals, give them all the red dyes, and their child still may absolutely thrive. Yes. I see it happen all the time. Other parents don’t v, feed all whole foods, and may still have a more difficult child. Yes, I’ve seen that happen too. Life is odd sometimes. It just is.
We cannot just zone in on v’s….but it’s very dangerous to dismiss them. A couple things to think about: The man who is often referenced as the big voice of “autism and v’s having zero link?” He was recently arrested for embezzling $1 million from the CDC. He’s not exactly a stand-up guy. The studies have been biased, and some credible, balanced, studies just happen to not make it to publication (more on this in a minute). Also, you all need to understand that pediatricians get kickbacks for administering the v’s…..and if all their patients are saying “no,” then that pediatrician is losing a big bonus that year. (I have had this confirmed from some close contacts in the medical field. I’ve also had it verified from a trusted, recent med school grad that she was given very very little training on v@xxes in college. She was taught just to give, and not question. She wrote her final paper on v@xxes after studying independently. Her final conclusion: Her own children will not be v’ed.
Now, there is also a very important documentary being released soon. Del Bigtree has been trying to put this information front and center for a very long time. A big study was conducted in 2020, but it wasn’t published. Some very credible and concerning studies have been kept from the public. However, all of that is about to change. There is a big v documentary coming out on October 3rd (conveniently soon after Trump releases the autism findings). Pro-V Drs appear in the film, and they simply agreed that they would publish the results no matter what. From the previews of the film, you can tell that the results were devastating for the pro-v Drs, more than the v-skeptical participants even expected to see. Don’t assume that RFK doesn’t know what he’s doing, guys. I’ve had TWO friends over the last couple years who are in his circle. He’s not an idiot, and he only consults with the best. Again though: I don’t believe we should ONLY zone in on v’s…so hold your tomatoes, please.
Check out www.aninconvenientstudy.com
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Let’s shift gears just a bit.
Now, what if the child has a genetic vulnerability from the get-go? They just *may* be more likely to end up on the autism spectrum. Perhaps, if “just the wrong toxins” are introduced into the body, that gene will absolutely flip on, and the result will be severe autism. On the contrary, perhaps that gene is sitting there ready to activate, but maybe some different, more cautious choices for that child keeps the gene either “fully off” or “barely noticeable.”
Let’s take a family of 4 for instance, and let’s say the genetic vulnerability is there. You’ll recognize little parts of my story in this: Lana gives birth to Liam. Lana has never felt well (she doesn’t know that she actually has mold-related illness). Lana may have even had an undetected infection. Lana’s birth is very very rough. The hospital convinced her she needed an inducement. They gave her a horrible drug combo, and they were trying to rush Liam out well before he was ready. Liam is extremely distressed, he has a bowel movement in her, the vacuum is used, everyone is scrambling, and time is of the essence. He’s low birth weight. Boom. Liam may already be a more vulnerable child, sadly. This certainly doesn’t mean all can’t end up absolutely amazing. It just means his parents may need to watch extra closely what goes into this little boy’s body.
But? No sooner is he out of the womb, and they are ready to give him vitamin K, eye ointment and hepatitis B. Lana hasn’t done any research, and she herself doesn’t have hepatitis B. She doesn’t realize that for Liam, he’s only going to get hepatitis B through sharing needles/through the blood, yet she decides to listen to the Dr. She also just hears that if she doesn’t give him the eye ointment, he could go blind, and she doesn’t want to chance that. She didn’t realize that the blindness fear is only if she has chlamydia. It’s a precaution in case she has chlamydia. She doesn’t have chlamydia. And vitamin K? Saying no to that one just scares her. She also is told that they absolutely need the vitamin K if she wants a circumcision. She has never heard of getting a highly-trained professional to do the circumcision at a later time outside of the hospital, and she doesn’t realize she and baby can supplement with vitamin K until then. She is also unaware that Vitamin K automatically introduces Liam to aluminum. It’s a Vitamin right? Why in the world would we question a vitamin? She doesn’t realize there are safe vitamin K drops she can give Liam if she’s concerned about vitamin K deficiency, nor does she realize she can safely take vitamin K while nursing him. She’d be such a kook to research it or to question it even a little, wouldn’t she?
Liam already isn’t feeding well. He has a poor latch, and a seemingly, very, very, sensitive stomach. He was only born at 5 lbs 9 ounces full-term, and no one really knows why. Just a small baby, I guess? He goes home. All appears fine. Lana keeps him on his regular v schedule. Liam goes on to have what appears to be a couple small seizures, but Lana is never able to prove any of them. He also had a very long ongoing fever after one of his shots, but the pediatrician kept telling her it was fine. The office also didn’t give him a strep test at 14 months, though he seemed to need one. There is a two month span where he just can’t seem to get well. Liam’s digestion remains off. He has lots of acid reflux, and has always been a bit of a puker.
At the 15-18 month mark, Lana begins to have some nagging thoughts. She’s noticed other kids his age smiling more than he does. He’s not even really babbling yet. He hasn’t said “mama” or “dadda” yet. He doesn’t point, doesn’t wave, doesn’t clap. He doesn’t turn for his name. It isn’t long before Liam is evaluated, and approved for some early intervention. Autism spectrum is appearing likely, and by age 3, everyone knows Liam is officially diagnosed.
Lana decided to quit v’s soon after the autism concerns. She goes on to have a 2nd baby. While a challenging child at times, he just simply doesn’t present as autism. He may model some behaviors of Liam. Every now and then the mom wonders if he could be a level 1 case, but she also doesn’t have any true worries about his future. Not a single v goes into his body. By this time, she’s cleaned up their diets and is living more of a low-tox lifestyle. She goes on to have baby #3, and this child is fully typical – the picture of neurotypical. This child is SOO easy, in every way. So much so, that she decides she can handle a 4th. All goes mostly well with her 4th, but she does appear to be a little ADHD, sometimes. Liam is the only one on an IEP. Lana often looks at other parents with all 4 children sitting with their hands nicely in their lap, and realizes that maybe genetically something was a little different with their house. But, she believes that genetics combined with a bad birth and v’s is probably what got Liam to this level of severity. Had she not made different choices with baby #2, she feels that he would probably be diagnosable on the autism spectrum too. However, child #2 ends up thriving. Child #3 is the best help to all his siblings. And despite the likeliness of a little ADHD, child #4 is on the way to being a world-changer.
I’ve often thought about all of this as a +1 system.
Example:
Genetics +1
Concerns during pregnancy +1
Bad birth +1
Feeding issues +1
v reactions +1
folate deficiency +1
mold +1
mycotoxins +1
glyphosate +1
environmental toxins not listed +1
diet +1
autoimmune encephalitis +1
untreated strep +1
lots of tylenol useage +1
etc etc etc +1
And on and on. I believe the total score of multiple factors may sometimes determine the severity. I think Clara had A LOT happen to her that put her in a severe place, and I still don’t even have all the genetic answers. I look at another cases with no v’s, no tylenol and an excellent diet, and see a level 1. Somehow, that makes sense in my mind. Or it’s possible some other children had ALL of Clara’s stressors, and ends up as a level 1 or fully typically. However, I’m simply seeing a link through observations, thousands of hours of study, and as I pray for answers. To me, the child with less stressors often has a lower score due to less exposure to some of the environmental stressors…….but it may not have kept him from some autism symptoms. Maybe genetics were strong for him. Maybe it was mold? Whatever the case, he will likely thrive as an adult.
Again, too many variables. There isn’t any one-sized fits all.
Every child is different. I truly don’t believe Trump can honestly come out with “only one certain cause” tomorrow. However, I may stand partially corrected. It would be nice if there wasn’t 1 million different possibilities. Though there may be 1-2 things that explain 75% of cases, there are still so many variables. I don’t know how we can fully narrow it all down. I’m open to the fact that it may be glyphosate or mold driving a lot of this, or maybe tylenol really has adversely affected 75% of these children. We cannot just zone in on v’s….but it’s very dangerous to dismiss them. That documentary coming out also looks very damning. I don’t think bad birthing experiences and the overuse of inducements gets enough spotlight time either. Maybe birth injury just automatically becomes autism in the eyes of the world? Maybe HIE (Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy) automatically just becomes autism in the eyes of the world. There is overlap. There is confusion. There is complexity. Are you tired yet? I am.
However, these are my best predictions. Maybe Trump will only talk on one of these things tomorrow. Maybe he will talk on none of them. However, here is my rushed, last minute, predictions based on thousands of hours of studies and conversations. I will return for a part 2 to discuss my thoughts following Trump’s official announcement, so stay tuned.
And by the way, here is my “why….”
