The Causes Of Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD )

Many believe the measles mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine triggers autism spectrum disorder in some children. Many Hollywood celebrities in the acting community that have birthed children that suffer from autism spectrum disorder have concluded that this is how their child developed autism. These celebrities being very vocal about this link between vaccinations and autism spectrum disorders and have in turn influenced the increase in many ordinary middle-class parents refraining from getting the medically recommended vaccinations for their children. The medical community has done extensive research on this theory. However, to this date no reliable study shows a link between autism spectrum disorder and the measles mumps-rubella vaccine. In fact, the medical community have continued to recommend childhood vaccinations and continue to emphasis the danger of a non vaccinated child catching and spreading serious diseases like whooping cough (pertussis), measles and mumps (Mayo Clinic, 2012).

In order to investigate more about Wakefield’s study, Brian Deer, a journalist of British Medical Journal, carefully talked to the parents of all children who were participated in the study. Interestingly enough, he revealed the fraud behind Wakefield’s research. The Lancet, the journal that reported Wakefield’s study, retracted the paper soon afterwards (Deer). However, the real trouble still exists. Though it has been proved by many researchers that the MRR doesn’t cause autism, many people perceive the vaccine as a threat. Dr.Nemeroff once said “it is quite difficult to get the cognitive sewage out of the water even after the real sewage is gone” (Greene).

Autism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental disorders that impair social skills, behavior, and communication (Center for Disease Control). ASDs are considered ‘spectrum’ disorders because each patient has a unique experience in the nature and severity of their symptoms (Center for Disease Control). Under the umbrella of ASDs, there are three types of disorders, including Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Center for Disease Control). Autistic disorder is the most severe of the three, and patients exhibit significant problems with language, communication, and behavior (Center for Disease Control). Furthermore, people with Autistic disorder often have some intellectual impairment (Center for Disease Control). Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autistic disorder where patients have some developmental delays, but their language and intellect are not affected (Center for Disease Control). The mildest of the ASDs is the pervasive developmental disorder. These patients usually don’t meet all of the criteria for autistic disorder, but do show some signs of social and communication problems (Center for Disease Control). The number of children diagnosed with ASD is growing, and currently 1 in 88 children fall somewhere on the spectrum (Mari-Bauset et al., 2013). Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and while the exact cause of these disorders is unknown, both genetic and

Still, though, there are people that still believe MMR vaccinations cause autism. Andrew Wakefield is one of those individuals that believe that MMR vaccinations cause autism. Wakefield has been found guilty of fraud and dishonesty. Thus, causing him to lose his credentials. Wakefield still denies that he was wrong and he denies the allegations of fraud (Godlee et al., 2011). The GMC (General Medicine Counsel), the organization that removed Wakefield’s credentials; furthermore the GMC has asked him to either reproduce the results or say he was wrong. Wakefield has neglected to do either. One of the worst things about this is five years after being retracted one out of four Americans will not get their children vaccinated because they believe that MMR vaccinations cause autism. Vaccination rates are higher than they were ten years ago, but they are still not high enough. In the United States of America, MMR vaccination rates are at 92% and in the UK they are at 90%. These percentages are pretty good considering that in the UK rates dropped below 75% and below 58% in some areas (Kolodziejski, 2014. p.165), (Burgess et al,. 2006. p.3921). The numbers are improving, but it is still not high enough it should be around

Doctor Andrew Wakefield’s study, published the 28th of February, 1998 in the scientific magazine The Lancet, is constantly cited as being the catalyst for the ongoing debate on whether or not vaccinations have any connections to autism. In the case of Dr. Andrew Wakefield’s study on the connections between autism and the M.M.R. (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, proper scientific experimental procedures were not seen to, such as his not including a control group. That is to say, in an act transgressing scientific integrity, he documented the cases

Wakefield published a study on the effects of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)-vaccine, specifically the “mercury” based and the vaccine instigating the onset of autism (Wakefield para 3). Wakefield’s study involved 12 individuals whose medical background was altered in order to support his study (Goodlee para 2). After 12 years of Wakefield’s research being published, his findings were found to be inaccurate. Many doctors and scientists alike have proven his theory wrong, causing the magazine that published the article to fully retract it (Goodlee para 2). However, the damage caused by Wakefield’s false findings has yet to be undone. The number in vaccinations dropped and the number of deadly diseases ultimately rose (Goodlee para 8). Despite study after study proving that Wakefield blatantly falsified his findings, many parents including, celebrities like Jenny McCarthy, continue to advocate against vaccinations and blame the MMR-vaccine for her child’s autism diagnosis.

One such factor helping to manifest these large-scale epidemics is a study from 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, which claimed that there was a direct link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine (Smith 1). As a result, many parents refused to vaccinate their children out of fear, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles began reappearing more in both America and Britain, the place where Wakefield conducted his study (Cohen 2). Although a later investigation by the British Medical Journal discovered that Wakefield had distorted or altered the medical records of all twelve of the study’s participants and that he had been paid $674,000 USD by lawyers attempting to sue vaccine manufacturers, the atmosphere of apprehension surrounding vaccines is still strong among many individuals, and especially parents (Cohen 1-2). But despite all the controversy and the scientifically unsupported arguments of anti-vaccine sympathizers,

Andrew Wakefield and other 12 co-authors published a study in the Lancet in 1998 that suggested a relationship between measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and autism. In other words, Wakefield and associates suggested that the vaccine for MMR could predispose children to autism. The paper received massive publicity despite the researchers having used a sample size that was not representative (n=12), the research design was uncontrolled as well as conclusions being speculative (Sathyanarayana Rao & Andrade, 2011). Consequently, the vaccines for MMR plummeted since parents feared that vaccinating their children against MMR could predispose their children to autism.

originate from a medical professionals mishandling of a study. This impacts the reputation of the whole medical community. Discovering

Some others may believe that vaccinations can lead to many health problems in the future including Autism. According to an article by Seth Mnookin these allegations started in 1998 by study in The Lancet about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Andrew Wakefield the lead author claimed there was a connection between the vaccinations and autism but, later Brian Deer discovered Wakefield's falsification of the study resulting in Wakefield losing his license.After being proved false it was already out there and many still believed that vaccines caused autism. There has been countless other studies that proved there were no connections between autism and vaccinations including one from the CDC after these allegations occurred.There

Live Science Contributor, Stephanie Pappas tell us that, “Wakefield was getting money from lawyers planning on suing vaccine makers, and he owned a patent on an alternative to the MMR (measles) vaccines,” [2] this statement is clear evidence of fraudulent activity and proves that Wakefield had corrupt reasons for undergoing this study in the first place. The second flaw to Wakefield's paper was the questionable practises of his study, for starters he based his study on twelve children that he “cherry picked,” and “although the paper claimed that cognitive problems developed a few days after the MMR vaccine, a simple investigation of hospital records revealed that wasnt so; and in several cases parents reported problems before the vaccine,” [2]. In summary, the investigation was sloppy and provided no tangible evidence that links autism to the MMR vaccine. Furthermore, it should be noted that the the link between autism and vaccines is purely coincidental, the symptoms of autism typically appear at around the age that vaccines are administered, in fact director of the Vaccine Education Centre at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr Paul Offit confirms this says, “Children get their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months, the age at which autism symptoms typically

In 1998, a weekly medical journal, the Lancet, published a paper about vaccinations. In this paper, it stated that there was a link between the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR) and autism. Written by a British surgeon, Andrew Wakefield, this article claimed that vaccines increased the risks of British children developing autism. Later, media has contributed further to this misconception by making false claims and stories. In 2009, this paper was proved to be fraudulent, as no clear connections have been made due to serious procedural errors and lack of genuine statistical information; however, many people still continue to believe this myth. Wakefield lost his license to practice medicine. Scientists and medical professionals have also dismissed the theories surrounding vaccines and diabetes and SUDI due to the lack of valid

In February 1998, a group led by Andrew Wakefield published what is deemed now to be a fraudulent paper in one of the most respected British medical journal’s in the world, The Lancet, his paper reported on twelve children with developmental disorders referred to the Royal Free Hospital. The basis of the Wakefield’s findings was found after only testing twelve children that when they took the M.M.R. vaccine (which was combination of measles, mumps, and rubella) evidence showed that the vaccine could alter immune systems, causing intestinal damage that then reach and damage the brain causing autism. No merit was found on his work after dozens of epidemiological studies completed subsequent studies to disprove his theory.

Misinformation is spread through the media as a result of the perception of the role that the corespondent portrays. More specifically the author believes that authority figures talking in public about denying vaccines’s connection to autism, often leads to the solidifying of peoples views. February 28, 1998 The Lancet contained a study published by Wakefield et al that claimed vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination caused a higher chance of autism. The study was later disavowed by nearly all the authors and was retracted by the journal in 2004. The author of the news article states there is simply no scientific evidence that links vaccines to autism. However since this study has been released some of the public has altered their

In 1998, a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield published an article stating that the MMR (Mumps-Measles -Rubella) vaccine was linked to autism in young children. Later several different studies were performed to test Mr.Wakefeild's research and "Asthepreponderanceofevidencefromaroundtheworld has accumulated showing no relationship between MMR vaccine and autism "(Miller and Reynolds 169).Though disproved this claim caused mass hysteria making parents question vaccinating their children and leading some to choose against it. Today, there are thousands of children in the United States whose parents have chosen to not have vaccinated. These unprotected children are the result of their parent’s fear of vaccinations and their side effects. Due