Will Autism Speaks Fire Trump?

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Will Autism Speaks Fire Trump?

Posted December 29, 2007 | 02:30 PM (EST)

Will Autism Speaks " fire " billionaire fundraiser Trump for

telling the world he believes vaccinations may be at the heart of

the autism? Trump's long running hit " The Apprentice " runs on NBC,

and Bob , founder of Autism Speaks is still with GE, which

owns the network. Trump could be in trouble! Why? Allow me to

explain.

The made a startling pronouncement during a press stop for

Autism Speaks at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida. One would call

his words, " heresy " in some autism circles. He fingered vaccines and

referenced the epidemic numbers of kids with autism. Looks like

Trump has been paying attention to the news.

The Sun Sentinel reported:

" In an interview, Trump said he thinks the rising prevalence

of autism is related to vaccinations of babies and toddlers, a topic

that is hotly debated among parents and doctors.

One in 150 children is now diagnosed with autism, with the

prevalence higher among boys.

" When I was growing up, autism wasn't really a factor, " he

said. " And now all of a sudden, it's an epidemic. Everybody has

their theory, and my theory is the shots. They're getting these

massive injections at one time. I think it's the vaccinations. "

(Here is the full Sun Sentinel Story.)

" Hotly debated? " Try nuclear. And Autism Speaks has run away from

the vaccine/autism debate faster than that NASCAR dude they sponsor

can race.

Someone (Pick me! Pick me!) had better show " The " Bob and

Suzanne 's letter in which they disassociated themselves from

their daughter for speaking out about her similar beliefs on

autism and vaccinations. (Why look! It's right here!)

Better yet, let's allow The Great Gray Lady to tell The about

how the s pitted daughter against dollars. (Hint, the dollars

won.) This article from The New York Times described the 's

treatment of in order to assuage the hurt feelings of fund

raisers, volunteers and researchers associated with Autism Speaks.

Here's a bit of the article:

" So, in early June, Bob and Suzanne repudiated their daughter

on the charity's Web site. " is not a spokesperson " for

the organization, the s said in a brusque statement.

Her " personal views differ from ours. " The s also apologized

to " valued volunteers " who had been disparaged. Told by friends how

cold the rebuke sounded, Mrs. belatedly added a line

saying, " is our daughter, and we love her very much. "

Now that's cold, isn't it, ? The young woman whose child

launched a multi-million dollar charity, the founders' own daughter,

doesn't represent the ongoing mission of said charity. Makes you and

Rosie look like a love fest.

, when Bob and Suzanne fib to you that they are looking

at all potential causes of autism, let me tell you about the day

back in 2006 when Suzanne promised me in front of hundreds

that Autism Speaks was going to study vaccines and autism. Don't be

swayed, as I was when she says, " Autism knocked on the wrong door. "

In reality, it knocked on a bank vault door. (Got time? Pop some

popcorn, grab the family and check out the video here.) I've filed

her empty promise under " BFL " (big fat lie) and stored it next to my

shattered dreams about weapons of mass destruction, compassionate

Conservatives and Santa Claus.

How will tread marks look on your Armani suit? Please watch your

back, . You might find yourself locked out of Two Park Avenue,

unless you own that building. Of course, your cash might insulate

you from the drubbing took, unless the 's are dining

with Bill Gates tonight, in which case his cash, er, trumps your

own.

If you do find yourself locked out, you're welcome to pop up to

Connecticut to visit my family. You can even wave to Bob and Suzanne

who live down Route 95 and waaay on the other side of the tracks

from me. You see, we have three children with autism and measure our

fortune not in dollars and donations but in dry undies and single

word sentences.

, I thank you for stating your opinion in your inimitable way.

When your handsome son Baron says, " Hi, Daddy! The market is up

today! " and points at the carousel you probably have in your

backyard, think about those of us whose kids have never pointed or

uttered so much as a word.

I don't want to cause trouble between you and the s (insert

eye roll here.) I simply want to get some answers and bona fide

treatment research for my girls and the thousands of other kids who

make up the epidemic that you have acknowledged. Or perhaps I should

say, " Ivana get some answers? "

Kim Stagliano is Managing Editor of www.AgeofAutism.com. She's a

writer, autism advocate and lives in Connecticut with her husband

and their three girls, who have autism.