A new study confirms earlier reports of the linkage between heavy metals and autism. According to this report, a large of number of cases of autism are linked to high levels of heavy metals. This report does not discuss the source of the heavy metals, but there is a body of data that demonstrates that mercury (a heavy metal) from vaccines are a source.
This new report also discusses chelation, a drug regime to remove heavy
metals from the body, as a possible remedy to address a cause of
autism. The report does not definitively address the effectivness of
chelation. Anecdotally, I have seen a number of children who have
undergone chelation with mixed results, but in all cases it has been a
difficult process. Before looking at chelation as a magic bullet,
parents need to consider carefully the benefits versus the risks with a
doctor with a lot of experience working with children with autism.