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We were told that it wasn't possible to get the shots separately in our area. This was some years ago though, and we only tried the one doctor.

It is *very* hard to separate the emotional aspect. We stopped giving our son shots after he started having what appeared to be seizures after the dtaps. With all the recent findings, we agreed that it would be good to get him caught up over the summer. Well, school started last week and he still hasn't had any shots. I think it's inertia on my husband's part, but on mine it's definitely a case of resistance to the whole idea, even though intellectually I agree that we should.

Here's my two cents and I have NOT researched the AS /vaccine connection.

My child has had the worst side effects from almost every medication given. He has paridoxical reactions to some, rashes from others...blah blah blah. They say kids on the spectrum are more sensitive to medications and often need lower dosing than NT kids.

I would assume a genetic predisposition, and vaccinate as I would for a child likely to be on the spectrum. Therefore, I would consider worst case scenario with respect to the proven side effects, and dose and administer accordingly. So, does that mean changing the spacing/timing, what is the cost / benefit.

Just pointing this out (and I say this as someone who pretty much rages over the supposed autism-vaccine connection); there's no need to be hostile or angry here. She's obviously well aware of the issues behind all this, and she's unsettled from what she's heard about vaccines. What she needs is reassurance, not anger.

I can understand why you're nervous; but vaccines are much less likely to affect however your child develops (other than whether or not he gets certain diseases) than other environmental factors. Since he's developed this much, chances are whatever happens to make spectrum brains different has already occurred. You can't stop his brain from whatever path of development it's on. You can, however, stop him from getting measles or whooping cough.

Ok here is my story, and I am just as concerned as you BJ. I actually posted a thread similar to this many months ago and did receive a bit of criticism, but oh well, as a mother, you have to trust your instincts.

When I was pregnant with my son in 2005, I had started to hear about all of the controversy surrounding the vaccines and after reading much on the topic, decided it was safe to go ahead and vaccinate. I started the vaccines on schedule. The day after my son's 4 month old shots, he started shaking his head side to side (like he was saying no) He still does this some although it has diminished a bit. He is 5 now. Anyway, I thought he was having seizure so I called the doctor and she said does he seem to have control over it? I said "yes" so she said it is not a seizure, I think it is just something he has learned that he can do. Okay, so I did get his 6 mos. shots. Around 7 months is when I noticed that my son was not even attempting to sit up. So, I read and read and it was so confusing, because all of the baby books said that all children develop at a different pace, so I tried to push it out of my mind. He finally sat up at 10 mos. Well at 1 yr, I was getting concerned because he wasn't attempting to walk, and he started laying on his back staring at the fan and flapping his hands. When I took him in for his year check up, the doctor saw him flapping his hands and referred us to have some genetic testing on him since he had low muscle tone as well. They did not find anything in those tests.

So, when it was time for the MMR shot, I asked the doctor what she thought. She said that she was not going to say that the vaccine caused autism, but since my son was having such delays that she thought we should hold off on the shot so that if he continued on this path that I wouldn't associate it in my mind with the shot. I am so glad that I had the doctor that I did. Many doctors would have just gone right ahead and gave him the shot with no concern.
So, as my son continued to develop, it became more and more apparent that he was on the spectrum. So I cannot blame the MMR shot. As time goes on, I can see some AS traits on one side of the family, so I am becoming more convinced that AS is mostly genetic. However, some of the reports I have read have the idea that if a person is genetically prone to AS, then the vaccines can exacerbate the symptoms. I believe this to be true in our son's case.

After his 6 month shots, I stopped vaccinating. At 2 yrs, I slowly began catching up, but I am still so torn on the MMR shot, that I just can't get past it, and he has still not had the shot. Every time I think it is okay to go ahead, then I read another article about how a child was doing fine until they got the MMR or the MMR booster. Or I will meet another mom with an autistic child who will encourage me not to do the shot. My son has made such good progress, that I am so afraid of giving him that shot and having him regress. And, I have met many adults who said that they got the measles even after having the shot.

I was fortunate enough to find a pre-k that didn't require vaccines be up to date. What a blessing! And believe it or not, the public school accepted a note from my doctor that said that due to concerns about my son's development, we are going to hold off on completing his vaccines.

If I were you, I would explain to the daycare that you have an older child on the spectrum, and that you are just being cautious and would like to hold off for a little while. Maybe at least until he is 2. Then you can see if he is starting to develop any autistic traits or not. Then you will not associate it with the shot if he does. Obviously, I can't make up my mind on the issue, so I am probably not the one to discuss it with. But, I don't think it would hurt to hold off until he is 2.

Best of luck in your desicion. Trust me, I know the struggle you are going through.

Thank you for all the replies.

If I had it to do all over again I would space out the vaccinations more. Def not get the DTP or MMR all in one. However, I am O neg and have to have the Rhogam shot while pregnant so I can't totally eliminate mercury exposure (even though there is a mercury free version I was not able to find it). If I had an 18 month old, I would definitely delay and space them out. My daughter had about 6 shots at one visit and I was an idiot to let that happen!! !

I don't trust doctors or the pharmaceutical companies at all any more. And I don't think anyone could say that some kids don't have reactions to something chemical being introduced at young ages. Vaccine failure (those with vaccines contracting diseases) is just as or more risky as non vaccination.

Call me an extremist, but I would be a lot more careful with my second child given that my first seems extraordinarily reactive to meds and chemicals.

Based on my research, replies on the thread (good points, positive and negative), and my gut, I am going to hold off on the vaccines a few months, until after he is 2 yo. If my doctor will not give me a medical note for the delay, I will find one that will. I cannot say I am afraid of mercury or thermisol or any specific substance, because only thermisol has been tested, not combinations, etc.... I am interested now to sort out the fact from fiction in the pro and anti vaccine research and articles. A lot of crazy claims are made on both sides, a lot of facts are twisted. It is very interesting.

I can't believe I never questioned vaccines before. Some of them don't make any sense at all. Like Hep B. Why vaccinate a baby against Hep B? Especially when it wears off in most people once they get to the age when risky behavior may begin, but is not required again at that age.

I do not believe everything I read. I am a big skeptic. I look at the source, then I fact check. Then I look at the base science of the topic to see if the theory is legit. I also look at the research method - and a study is never legit to me if I cannot see the raw data for myself.

I just think there's a better way to do this whole vaccine thing...but I will follow my gut on this one.

We all do things every day that could potentially cause the death of another. Especially if we drive.