Is there a relation between autism and MMR vaccine? In some ways, there is. Today, there are more and more parents who are becoming concerned on the effects of the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) on their children. This is after they realized that most of the symptoms of autism would come out during the vaccine’s schedule.

It also doesn’t help that a study conducted in 1998 suggested that there is a direct relationship between autism and bowel disease, which means there is also a direct connection between autism and the vaccine. (The study, however, forgot to provide scientific evidence to strengthen such claim.)

So is there?

Well, it turns out there is really nothing to be scared of when it comes to giving your child an MMR vaccine. The following information can hopefully calm you:

1. The symptoms remain the same for autistic children whether they received the vaccines or not. Children tend to develop the first signs of autism on their eighteenth month. The first shot of MMR vaccine is given while the child is between 12 and 15 months.

Now, a study revealed that children with autism still tend to develop the symptoms, regardless if they were given the shots or not. Simply put, there are some kids who became autistic prior to the vaccination or even without the administration of such to their bodies.

2. There is no significant increase of autism cases. Though through the years the number of autistic children has grown, there was really no significant increase that has happened from 1988, the first time the MMR vaccine was used, until the present day.

3. The common possible causes of ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) don’t have any relation to the vaccine. There is really no definite cause that will help understand the reason why children tend to become autistic while growing up, though experts and parents know that there is something wrong with the functions and structures of the brain.

Experts also believe that there are two general possible causes of the medical condition. One is genetics. The mother may have consumed certain medications that could have caused damage to the child’s brain. Moreover, kids who suffer from tuberous sclerosis and Fragile X syndrome tend to become more prone to autism.

It could also be possible that the child has taken in lead or mercury into their bodies. These metals are considered to be toxic, and they could definitely affect the thinking abilities of your children.

By the time your child reaches 2, the number of ASD children and non-ASD children who had received the vaccine would almost be the same. If there’s some truth that the MMR vaccine causes autism, there should be a sharp increase of non-ASD kids who have become autistic after one years old.

MMR vaccines are important since they increase the defense system of your kids. Autism, on the other hand, is a medical condition that requires immediate attention. Rather than pointing fingers on vaccinations, it may be more productive if parents and experts would become more focused on finding the right treatments for autism.

You can read more information about the Autism Vaccine Myth here.