The Autism Wars: Frank Bruni vs. Jenny McCarthy

The Autism Wars: Frank Bruni vs. Jenny McCarthy

Perhaps to mark the end of Autism Awareness month, but seemingly out of the blue, New York Times op-ed contributor, Frank Bruni, decided to weigh in on the vaccination-autism non-connection issue with this April 21, 2014 article. He accused Jenny McCarthy of being an...
Worried About Autism – Where to Begin?

Worried About Autism – Where to Begin?

Not uncommonly, The Child Development Center receives emails such as this one: Stumbled upon your website, and I have found it to be very informative. My 3 year old has just been diagnosed with Autism, although I do not really believe that he is autistic, because in...
Is Tamiflu for You?

Is Tamiflu for You?

As a physician who cares for at-risk infants and children, I am frequently asked to weigh in on the topic of flu vaccine and the medication, Tamiflu. Ever since the introduction of Oseltamivir Phosphate, an anti-viral preparation to ‘cure’...
Emails from a Parent Concerned about Autism

Emails from a Parent Concerned about Autism

We get emails galore at The Child Development Center. The following exchanges (which took place over 7 months) are from one insightful, articulate and appropriately concerned mother. Such correspondence is representative of the majority of questions that accompany...
The Polarized World of Autism Diagnosis and Treatments

The Polarized World of Autism Diagnosis and Treatments

Last week, Forbes’ science writer, Emily Willingham, decided to spice up Halloween with one of her usual autism-themed stories. How timely. The 5 Scariest Autism ‘Treatments’ warned readers that there are money hungry snake oil salespeople posing as...
Preventing School Illness in Autistic Children

Preventing School Illness in Autistic Children

The cooties are coming! The cooties are coming! Children who are ‘on the Spectrum’ are less likely to notice and / or complain about aches and pains, and are certainly less capable of expressing such discomfort. So, here are some tips about how to help...