£210-an-hour doctor told me MMR jab leads to autism and organic chicken nuggets can help to cure it
Experts blast claims with ‘zero scientific credibility’
A self-proclaimed autism expert told a mum that studies suggest the MMR jab is linked to the condition.
The same £ 210- an- hour guru then claimed child autism could be alleviated by an exclusion diet which includes organic chicken nuggets.
Dr Lorene Amet was recorded making the claims and experts were left horrified by her remarks.
A 1998 study by disgraced former GP Andrew Wakef ield falsely linking the condition with the MMR vaccination has been repeatedly discredited.
But Amet’s comments ref lect the views of the thousands of “ant i - va x xers” who spread conspiracy theories about the MMR jab and autism online.
One in every 100 children in the UK has some form of autism. There is no known medical cure.
Our probe was triggered when a parent raised concerns about the work of Amet’s clinic – Autism Treatment Plus – which claims to have improved the development of 80 per cent of its patients.
As part of our investigation, Emma
Dalmayne – who has two autistic children – posed as worried mum Petra to discuss fictional Raye, seven. In a video consultation, Amet pushed the supposed link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination – fears which medical studies have debunked.
She then went on to make unproven claims about how the condition can be alleviated by changing a child’s diet. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has discredited this as a way of managing autism in young people.
Amet, an Oxford graduate who runs cl inics in London and Edinburgh, claimed doctors “do not do their job” as autism is not reported as an “adverse reaction” to the MMR jab.
She acknowledged that the “official position” states there is no link between the two, but claimed studies suggest otherwise and that opinions have been “suppressed”. Amet said: “[Doctors] are saying it’s a coincidence that autism symptoms start at 18 months old. But the reality is, we have children who have been given the vaccination earlier than planned
and they’ve developed signs of autism at eight months. We have children who receive the vaccination much later, even at the age of eight, and they develop signs of autism at that point.”
The French-born medic added: “I have no doubt there are children affected by this. Vaccination is a means to cause the system to be overwhelmed. This causes inf lammation [and] that affects brain function.
“This can link to gut issues, this can link to behavioural [issues]. And – unfortunately, sometimes these changes are irreversible. I believe eventually it will be accepted.”
Our investigator Emma, 44, who is autistic herself, said: “I find it alarming that someone who claims to be professional is spreading such fear and misinformation about vaccination.”
Emma, of Plumstead, London, added: “Anti-vaxxing rhetoric is very common on social media and parents looking for help are often led in the wrong direction. They’re blamed for their kids being autistic, because they gave them vaccinations.”
Before meeting Amet, Emma was sent a questionnaire – which had the tagline “Autism is treatable” – asking for extensive details about her child, such as her height, weight, details of her birth and diet.
She reported that Raye could not speak, had sleep and digestive issues and showed repetitive and self- harming behaviour.
Amet, who claims to have worked with more than 1000 families, said Raye’s diet – which includes chicken nuggets, fruit juice and noodles – could be behind her “challenging behavioural issues”.
Amet said there was “no magic pill” for autism. But, asked if anything would “take it away”, she said: “No1 is the diet.”
Amet, who lives in Edinburgh, claimed a strict gluten- free and dairy- free diet without sugar or processed food would help Raye.
She later sent Emma vegan recipes and a report saying her suggestions could have a “profound effect on wellbeing and behaviour” with “improved bowel habit, appetite and weight regulation, improved sleep patterns, eye contact, speech and sensor y i ssues” among the potential benef its. Amet also recommended anti- inf lammatories to “control the pain” along with urine, stool, hair, food intolerance and blood tests for £971 – available from Autism Treatment Plus. In a follow-up report outlining a threemonth plan for Raye, Amet said further “treatment” would involve working with medics in Geneva.
She also recommended eightsupplements, including antihistamines and fish oil.
A disclaimer states the advice should not “be construed as or understood to be medical care”.
Dr James Cusack, head of research charity Autistica, said: “It’s disgraceful that these private practitioners misinform parents in this way. They are selling ineffective tests and treatments that have zero scientific credibility and that could be distressing.”
He advised parents rely on trusted sources such as the NHS, the National Autistic Society or the Autistica website.
When we asked Amet about her claims, she told us: “You have ulterior motives to affect people who can make a real difference to the lives of these children. So obviously you’re here to attack me at the highest level and to totally undermine my work.”
Vaccination overwhelms the system and affects brain function