Autism and Vaccinations - Discussing the Link

Here, the link between autism and vaccinations is discussed.

Autism was defined a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) during the last century, and is characteristic of specific symptoms reflecting delayed / abnormal development, mild to extreme social interaction / communication issues, and restricted / repetitive behavior, somewhere between birth and three years of age.

Those with autism have difficulty developing normal relationships with others. Various behaviors may consist of flapping arms or hands; rocking; walking on tiptoe; holding arms / hands in strange positions; hyperactivity; and / or tantrums. There is often extreme resistance to anything like cuddling or other loving gestures. These children have poor judgment for the most part and need supervision.

Autism occurs roughly in 10 of every 10,000 children, while one in every 300 children has been diagnosed with some form of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). This means they display only some autistic symptoms, often mild. It is a lifelong condition ranging in severity from the mild (can live independently) to the more severe (requires social and medical support / supervision for life).

Early symptoms of autism can be seen within the first months of infancy, but often the condition suddenly appears after months (up to 20) of normal development, with no apparent cause or trigger for the change in growth or learning patterns.

So, what is the autism and vaccinations connection?

For those who develop autism after showing signs of normal abilities, symptoms are generally noted by parents when the child displays difficulty in speaking simple words by, or at least around, the first birthday. The anti-vaccine uproar took root around the turn of the century after a study published in the UK (1998) revealed the possibility of a link between autism and the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella). This study had been conducted due to the rise in cases of autism throughout the UK.

Since the MMR vaccine is usually given to children between 12-15 months, and autism symptoms often present at that time, it caused quite a stir, especially when it was further discovered that heavy metals (mercury) were indeed found in vaccines. Many mothers began a rigid quest to pinpoint the vaccine as the cause of their child's disability, with some families even filing legal suits in their endeavors.

Is there really a cause-and-effect relationship between autism and vaccinations?

There are many good reasons to suspect that autism and vaccinations are indeed related. For example, there are numerous similarities in the symptoms of both autism and mercury poisoning - some being almost identical; actually, in areas of motor skills and movement disorders; sensory disorders; speech, hearing and language; cognitive ability; physical characteristic and functional disturbances; as well as behaviors, the similarities cannot be overlooked.

And, outside of the fact that the medical field has taken the stand no child should go without the vaccine because of the consequences of being unprotected, there is no real evidence to oppose the relationship between autism and vaccination (the MMR vaccine).

The evidence is compelling in spite of the fact that most of the children who get vaccinated each year do not suffer consequences. This, however, does not give us the green light to be indifferent, especially when administering an agent capable of producing a fever in an infant. Some children have febrile seizures after a vaccination for measles, and every precaution should be taken.

Many parents are convinced of the connection between autism and vaccinations, and go all out to protect their children. What is your take on this issue?

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