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The MMR Vaccine and the Onset of AutismThe connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine administered tochildren in their first year of life and the onset of autism is a strongly debated topic in healthcaretoday. The arguments on both sides are strong, but each has its flaws. The myth that the vaccinecauses the onset of autism directly has since been debunked with the removal of the preservativeTherimosol. There are other explanations that have come about since the connection between thevaccine and autism onset was eliminated. Ideas such as the rise in diagnosis due to better diagnostic abilities, environmental factors such as toxins, changes in diet, and the possibility of children having a genetic predisposition to developing autism, are all being researched. I will usesupportive evidence from research findings to support my claim that the connection between theonset of autism and the MMR vaccine is unclear and its validity is questioned.Autism or autistic disorder includes “an inability to relate socially or to convey meaningto others through language and an insistence on sameness in daily routines” (PrimaryPsychiatry). The cases of autism have increased in recent years to 1 in 160 children, with boys being four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism (Generation Rescue). Informationconcerning vaccines has become increasingly available despite the increased number of autismcases being documented. There are many ways to get information regarding autism. Websiteslike the Generation Rescue website created in large part due to Jenny McCarthy and her son’sautism battle, medical journals, and pharmaceutical company research findings are all sources for autism information. With information becoming more available parents have the ability to delayvaccines or even choose to not vaccinate their children. Even with parents becoming increasinglyinformed and pharmaceutical companies more wary of the vaccines they make and their safety,the number of children with autism continues to rise, showing that there are other factors in theonset of autism aside from the MMR vaccination.

While the cases of autism have been increasing daily along with the number of MMR vaccines administered to children the claim that they are directly connected is flawed. Scientistswere able to pinpoint the threat in the vaccine; therimosol “which contains a form of mercuryknown as ethyl mercury

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methyl mercury (a similar compound commonly found in some fish)can damage the brain”

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Tarkan

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, so scientists removed the preservative ingredient to establish asafer form of the MMR vaccine. The removal of the preservative Therimosol has resulted in thevaccines being unable to trigger the onset of autism. “There was a steady upward trend in prevalence [of autism] across time that was unrelated to thimerosal exposure” (Scahill). Thistrend shows that while the vaccine’s connection to autism was questioned and often supported,the statics show the connection is invalid. While parents continue to pursue the connection between autism and the MMR, scientists are moving on to other possible causes of thedevelopmental disorder.If we had the knowledge and diagnostic capabilities 30-50 years ago, the number of autism cases would most likely be much higher and the number of mental retardation caseswould most likely be much lower. The “increased prevalence [of autism] is likely due in large part to new diagnostic categories and broadening of the diagnostic criteria over the past 50years” (Primary Psychiatry). Medical providers have the ability to more accurately diagnoseautism with standardized screening procedures. “Many children who are classified as autistictoday would have been diagnosed with speech disorders or mental retardation 30 years ago”(Tarkan). This shows just how many children were misdiagnosed due to lack of understandingand knowledge concerning autism in previous years, and also enables medical providers toestablish proper treatment plans and/or therapy to help aid in the mental development of childrenaffected by autism. To further support this claim “as the number of children with autism hasclimbed, the number diagnosed with mental retardation has dropped” (Tarkan). The increasing

knowledge medical providers are gaining through research “is critical for early identification andintervention” (Primary Psychiatry) of autism. With the development of so many cases of autismand the decrease in the number of cases of mental retardation, the statement that autism is anepidemic is questioned.Changing a child’s diet is often one of the easiest ways to start working towards anautism cure or improvement in symptoms. “Much recent research has suggested that nutritionaland environmental factors also play a major role in the development of autism” (Curtis andPatel), which has sparked a new direction in development of prevention and education for parents of children with autism. A child’s diet can be instrumental in their cognitive developmentas nutrients are crucial to proper functioning and development of their bodies and brains.“Special diets and supplements are often called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)therapies” (Exceptional Parent). These diets vary and the process of elimination and trial anderror are commonly used to determine which diet, if any, is the most beneficial for the child.Diets that control the amount of gluten or casein that a child ingests are some suggested therapiesto treat or combat autism symptoms, though their validity and effectiveness is questioned bysome. Doctors encourage parents to consult a dietician when considering these diets because “theassistance of a registered dietitian who has experience with people with ASD can help ensurethere are adequate nutrients for the child to grow normally, especially when a child’s variety of food intake is self-limited or when limiting groups of foods, like gluten or casein, are removedfrom the child’s diet” (Exceptional Parent). There are cases of improvement and elimination of the symptoms of autism through this type of therapy, but there are also cases where noimprovement is observed.From speech, to the ability to regulate oneself in a socially stimulating environment, tothe ability to self regulate in a quiet and stable environment are all affected with these