The last link between autism and vaccinations deals with age. The onset of autism is generally detected in very early childhood. In mild cases, parents may be unaware of the autistic spectrum symptoms. This leads them to believe that their child is simply a late bloomer or that they lack social skills. There is one exception to this pattern, called regressive autism. Those affected by regressive autism start life off with chronologically appropriate skills and then begin to lose those skills. Regressive autism has been linked to the MMR vaccination. Many parents noticed that after their children received the MMR shot, skills they previously possessed practically disappeared. Some in the medical community believe that repressive autism is an imaginary disease created by parents, but to the parents of the autistic child – who care for this child every day – they believe very strongly.
Research and studies have yet to produce concrete evidence that there is indeed a link between autism and vaccinations, but they are unable to completely rule out the possibility. Some use the fact that they have been unable to link the two as basis to argue that there is no link. I would like to remind people, however, that researchers have been working diligently for decades to solve the mystery of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome to no avail. But just because their research has yet to give a specific cause to SIDS, it doesn’t mean that SIDS does not exist. The best decision you can make for your child is to educate yourself on the possible health risks related to vaccinations, whether it is autism or SIDS. If you do choose to vaccinate your child, ask your pediatrician who manufactures the vaccination and what is used as a preservative. Do not make the mistake that so many parents do by blindly following the policies and beliefs of your pediatrician. To pediatricians, a child is a patient. To you, it is your son or your daughter.