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" There is tons of research going on through the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institue of Health, and other large organizations, through these hopefully we will find the reasons for the increase. In the mean time, let's try to take care of our children and adults who are already affected by coming together as a community and putting the supports in place that we can. Acknowledge the people like Paul who have made efforts to help in our endeavors and remember our children are children who will grow up to be adults, my son is Austin, he has autism, he is autistic, he's a little boy who we want a future for, the label is just a label...nothing more. "

" I would like to thank the Pantagraph and Paul Sweich for showing their support of the efforts to bring more awareness, services and support to our community. As much as we would all like to know the cause of why our children have this disorder, our first goal must be to provide the appropriate services that will help them to be a part of our community and independent adults. We can ask the why and how all day and play semantics with labels, but this still does not solve the crisis we're in right now. "

" Great article! In case you are wondering how to support the Autism Society of McLean County, there is going to be an Art Auction and Dinner May 4th at the Chateau, featuring artwork by local children and adults with autism and other donated artwork by artists, some local. Please help our community by calling or going to the website. "

" the New England Journal of Medicine will never admit it, nor will the American Dental Assocation with their mecury amalgam fillings, but they have been poisoning us all for years and have known it all along. I watched my nephew, a totally defenseless child, get a thimerasol based injection, and then turn into a zombie. My brother's marriage is all but over as a result and all I can do is ask why??????? "

" This article discusses the link between the thimerasol in vaccinations and the incidence of autism www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly_immunity "

" Please read the studies from 1971 on autism explaining why vaccinations cause illness in autistic children because autism is the ultimate autoimmune disorder. Look up the autism prevention blogspot. "

" I thought there was no known reason for autism, as to how a child gets it. I aslo hear ther is unfortunately no known cure. I don't understand what these vaccinations are, and why would a doctor administer them if they are harmful? Thanks for any feed back "

" you are so so very right...as the uncle of an autistic child who was fine until he had thimerasol vaccinations, I am going to take the "supposed" link off of your comment, you CAN ask your doctor to have thimerasol free vaccinations and thank you for reiterating that. Chelly, bless you, I know the battle you go through everyday and keep up the fight and the rehab, you can still get results that are positive. "

" People First Language indicates that the term "autistic children" is offensive. The correct terminology is "children with autism." "

" I would like to point out that while I am thrilled that the Pantagraph has published an article that will help raise awareness of organizations that provide help for families affected by autism, I was disheartened that in the first paragraph the writer referred to children with autism as "autistic children." Kathie Snow writes, "If people with disabilities are to be included in all aspects of society, and if they're to be respected and valued as our fellow citizens, we must stop using language that sets them apart and devalues them." www.disabilityisnatural.com/peoplefirstlanguage.htm I highly recommend that everyone reading this article (writers and editors included) paste the above link into their web browsers and read Kathie Snow's article. For the online edition, the Pantagraph should change the wording in the first paragraph because the term used here is offensive. "

" very informative article. My niece receives services from the easter seals. My family greatly appreicate them. "

" What a great article. I can attest both to the need of local services and the wonderful friends that the Autism Society of McLean County and Easter Seals have been to our family. Without their support I dont know how well we would be doing now. When you get the diagnosis its like everyhitng stops and you dont know where to go or what to do. Call Jacquie at Autism Society and she listens. She helped us immensely with her offer of the resource guide and answering our questions. "

" I'm wondering about possible causes and the supposed link to thimerasol in vaccination. When having your child vaccinated, make sure to ask your doctor for vaccines WITHOUT thimerasol. Why take the risk? It's great that we have so many resources for these children here. Best wishes to all of those involved. "