What causes such beliefs?

The misconception may have started from the fact that most ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) children tend to show some signs right after they were administered by the MMR vaccine. Normally, the first shots are given when the baby is between 12 and 15 months (around one year old). Around this time, too, the child exhibits common signs associated with autism. The kid may be more detached from society. He or she doesn’t communicate or could be fascinated by a particular activity or interest.

What is the truth?

When you come to think of it, the fear and such belief are sensible. However, parents should know that so far there is no direct link between MMR vaccine and autism that is being pointed out by experts and doctors. Everything could just be coincidental.

You see, autism has something to do with the brain. No one really knows for sure the definite reason why a child develops autism, thought it’s proven that the structure and the functions of the brain may be altered.

Scientists and doctors also pointed out two possible reasons for its occurrence. One has something to do with genetics. Before the child was born, the mother may have consumed substances that could have caused such damage. There could also be abnormalities in the chromosome.

The baby may have already shown some signs of autism before they reach the age of 1; however, they would not become prominent until they are 12 months, a time when he or she will be given his or her first shot of MMR vaccine.

You should also remember that there are millions of kids all over the world who are given shots of MMR vaccines every year. If there is definitely such link between autism and MMR vaccination, there should be a sharp increase of children with autism these days. The truth is that even if there are more cases of autism since 1979, there was no significant rise to the number ever since MMR vaccine was given in 1988 until now. Moreover, most of the children who were given the shot developed very minor and temporary side effects.

Another reason to believe that there is no direct relationship between ASD and MMR vaccination is the fact that some of the children who developed autism displayed the symptoms, regardless of whether they had already taken the vaccine or not.

Don’t deprive your child of the right care because of myths. Rather, arm yourself with the proper information, so you’d be more equipped in giving your kid the best care he or she needs.

To read more about whether Autism has any connection with the MMR Vaccine, you may wish to read this article.

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.