Research that seemed to reveal an association between vaccines and childhood autism published in 1998 gained notoriety for Wakefield. Wakefield's so-called research has been an anchor for anti-vaccination conspiracy theorists like Jenny McCarthy, whose best known as a raunchy MTV host. The British medical journal that published Wakefield's article later retracted it and after he was stripped of his medical license accusations of fraud soon followed.

My name is Wendy and I live in Dorrigo. Iam new to Coffs Coast Autism, and I am the proud mother of an 18 year old boy/man with Aspergus/ASD. My son was diagnosed with the disorder at 12 years of age, after doing a whole heap of parenting programs. We knew he was developmentaly delayed at an earlier age and we had a whole lot of speech pathology and occupational therapy then, but no diagnosis till later. I found the while process frustrating as I thought there had to be something i was doing or had done wrong, so when we finally got a diagnosis it was a great comfort.

Hi all, just popping in to update. We are officially moving to Coffs in just over a week! Hubby managed to get a transfer with work so we are really happy to finally be making the move!...We need to be out of our house here in Grafton on the 20th...yep 9 days! Only problem is we need somewhere to live. There seems to be a real shortage of rentals in Coffs, but its ok i have faith we'll find something. Hubby is off to Coffs today to look at a place at Sandy Beach so fingers crossed!!

“The Best Advice”

I’d like to share with you some of the best advice that we have been given on our journey with ASD.

Hi all, I'm new to the forum, I moved to Grafton with my hubby and two boys about 3 months ago. Recently we've discovered my eldest son (nearly 3) quite possibly has autism. To be completely honest with myself i guess i've known he's 'different' since around 1 year old. It took him starting day care 3 weeks ago for me to realise that the 'quirks' i've been seeing are all signs of autism. To make a long story short i always had my suspicions that my beautiful boy was autistic but i guess i was in denial and prayed to God he'd grow out of his 'quirks'.

Great to see that you are doing so well with the fundraising. The Walkathon looked like a great day and we're sorry we couldn't make it to that. Will the raffle tickets be on sale at local shopping centres etc. and if so, what days? Thanks.

Tests to detect autism in unborn babies could be a step closer after breakthrough research by British scientists.

A study by Cambridge University's autism research centre has found that high levels of testosterone in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women was linked to autistic traits in children.

The scientists based their findings of a study of 235 children carried out during the first eight years of their lives.

Im 38, and recently diagnosed with Aspergers. Are there many adults at the meetings that have it.Id like to turn up but im freaking out about the social environment.I will probably just sit to the side/ take off if the sensory overload kicks in.

Good morning to all the mums and dads who live with an ASD as part of your life/lives.

 I am new to the Coffs Coast and I am interested in helping out where I can with Coffs Coast Autism family.  I am a generalist psychologist with a Masters in sexual health.  I'm looking forward to learning about ASD mums and how life/lifestyle issues affect their personal health and wellbeing.  I don't have experience in the area specifically - I did a psychology honours thesis on intellectuall disabilities and stress.

 I am a mum of one and gmo of three  - all living in Qld.

Hi to all the Mums, Dads and Carers out there!

I thought it might be fun to start a thread about the funny situations that arise from our kids being soooooo literal!!!

I reckon we could all use a laugh at some time or other.

Here's one to start:

Whilst driving to our new home, had a friend's ASD child in the car. He asked his mum: "How far now?"

Mum: "About a kilometre."

Son (after some quiet consideration, and in a very concerned voice):

"Mum, how do you kill a metre?"