Thread by @AprilSpectrum

I want to talk about autism and vaccines. I know it's all been said before, but I gotta say it, for me.

#ActuallyAutistic

Vaccines are safe. They don't contain poisons, or Mercury. They don't give kids autism or mental retardation.

They give kids immunities to common, deadly diseases.

I'm a mom.

When preparing to have my kid there was a ton of reading to do. A ton of permissions to sign.

"Do you authorize us to give the baby a shot of potassium. Possible side effects include..."

I used the potassium example first because mate has a rare genetic thing that means potassium gives him migraines and possible seizures.

We discussed this with the hospital at length, the benefits vs potential risks to the baby.

We made the hospital explain what actions >

>they would take to save the baby if the potassium caused bad effect, EVEN THOUGH the trait is rare, and recessive.

In the end, I left the decision to mate. He decided that the benefits outweighed the risk, and monitored the baby with the nurses after.

It was safe.

"Do you authorize us to administer these eye drops to vaccinate against [I forget which disease]. Possible side effects include blindness."

I would prefer a blind baby over a dead one.

Etc etc.

So, imagine if every vaccine DID carry a risk of autism.

I say this as a mom, not as an #actuallyautistic, ok.

As a mom, if I had a choice to vaccinate my baby against, say, whooping cough, which can be deadly for small children

But, the vaccine might give them autism

I would

If the vaccine for scarlet fever (deadly for babies and small kids) had autism as a possible side effect, I'd take it.

If meningitis or measles (potentially deadly for babies, kids and adults) vaccine GUARANTEED autism

I

Would

Take

It

An alive kid is better than a dead kid.

Now, speaking not as a mom, but as an #ActuallyAutistic person, I say even more strongly that I would take it.

Because my experience of autism (even with all the miserable stuff) has shown me that it isn't an insurmountable thing.

I had zero supports as a kid.

I'm face-blind.

I have dyspraxia, and hypermobility.

I struggle with Executive Function, and am prone to meltdowns.

I have anxiety, and depression.

I dissociate often.

I'm hypersensitive on all senses, and have auditory processing disorder.

I have food sensitivities and intolerances.

I bruise easy and bleed profusely.

I have a weak immune system.

I've had absence seizures in the past.

I experience painful somatic empathy for plants and animals.

But

I

Would

Rather

My

Kid

Be

Alive

&

Like

Me

Than

Dead

If you are thinking of becoming a parent, and would prefer a dead kid to an autistic one

Get

An

Abortion

I'm serious. If you cannot love an imperfect kid, you cannot be a parent. Period.

You can't even be a good dog or cat or parrot mom.

Buy a gold fish. A feeder fish, not even an actual gold fish.

You'll be a shitty fish mom too but at least it won't be sold as food.