If you have ever talked to someone who is against vaccinations, they have probably given you the reasoning that vaccines can cause autism. This reasoning is wrong on more than one level. First, there is nothing wrong with someone who has autism. Secondly, there has never been a proven correlation between vaccines and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Let’s discuss where this confusion comes from and how they are unrelated.

What Is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that can affect someone's social skills, behavior, and communication abilities. When someone has autism, they may find it hard to contribute to conversations, hold eye contact, or control their behaviors.

Autism is a spectrum disorder so no two people will be affected the same way. Some people with autism will be very high-functioning and independent, while others may need a little extra help with their day-to-day activities. If you are wondering if you may fall in the autism spectrum, there are some symptoms to look for. 

Symptoms of Autism

There are many symptoms that could be a sign of autism. 

Some of those symptoms can include:

• Inability to hold eye contact
• Nonverbal tendencies
• Inability to express emotions
• Dislike of physical touch
• Brain-stimulating behaviors such as hand flapping, rocking, head-banging, etc. 
• Gait dysfunction showcased through dropped shoulders and walking on toes
• Inability to recognize social cues (e.g., sarcasm, body language, jokes)

Someone with autism could present with all the listed symptoms, or even just one. Because the spectrum is so broad, autism can, in many cases, be difficult to diagnose. 

What Causes Autism?

Doctors have not found concrete evidence to determine what exactly causes autism. However, they have found that autism is hereditary and if it runs in your family, there is a higher chance of autism being passed down to your children. 

Other things that doctors think may play a role in a child developing autism include:

• Mother having diabetes while pregnant
• Mother being overweight during/before pregnancy
• Late-life pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Air pollution
• Viral infections during pregnancy

While there are many factors that may contribute to the development of autism, doctors have not found any proof that vaccines play a role in the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Role Vaccines Play in Autism Development

Vaccines play zero roles in developing autism. The myth that vaccines can cause autism began with the false claims of a doctor back in 1998. Dr. Andrew Wakefield published a paper in a scientific journal implying that autism is caused by the measles vaccine.

Dr. Wakefield's research was biased and had a small pool of patients on which he was basing this information. It came out that some of his funding for the research came from lawyers who were helping parents that were wanting to sue the manufacturers of vaccines. Dr. Wakefield's paper was pulled from the journal, and he had his medical license taken away due to spreading misinformation.

Dr. Wakefield's flagrant spreading of misinformation caused many people to lose their trust in not only the measles vaccines, but all vaccines. Despite the paper being pulled from the journal, it took a long time for vaccine numbers to rise back up to where they were before.

Even today, there are people who refuse to get any vaccines for themselves and their children. While they have the freedom to avoid vaccines, it is very dangerous, and can potentially be fatal if certain diseases were to resurface and spread. 

Why Are Vaccines Important?

Vaccines are important because they are lifesaving preventative measures against diseases and viruses. By simply getting the suggested vaccinations, you can stave off life-threatening diseases, or at least minimize the effect they have on your body. Certain vaccines can cause pain, but the benefit of vaccines outweigh the cost. To ensure their safety, vaccines go through rigorous testing before they are released to the public. 

Although vaccines are safe and recommended, you can fall victim to human error. If you suspect you were given the wrong vaccine or the vaccine was administered improperly, contact us today at Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee PC, and we will help you get the compensation you deserve.