Autism And Vaccines

The Controversy of Autism and Vaccines

Recently, there has been a decline in children receiving vaccines due to the autism scare. The controversy linking autism and vaccines continues today even though the claim has been refuted by research while the benefits outweigh the risks. Vaccines not only protect children from life threatening diseases but build their immunity. Autism on the other hand is not a fatal disorder, it is a neurological disorder that regresses and can range from moderate to severe. There are many misunderstandings about what autism is and possible treatments when accurately diagnosed. Evidence has shown that the research presented that connects autism to vaccines was in fact fraud. A researcher by the name of Andrew Wakefield
These are just a few of the diseases that immunizations protect against, and ensure the health of our community. So why would parents opt not to protect their children? It is obvious that the benefits tremendously outweigh the risks. Autism should not be an excuse for parents not to protect their children. A decision to vaccinate not only our children but ourselves as well is a decision to help protect the entire communities from diseases which are spread by person-to-person contact. By not vaccinating puts the individual and community at risk. When immunization programs achieve high levels of immunity or the "herd" immunity as scientists refer to that means "the indirect protection of a community, including unvaccinated individuals" (Statcher 6.) The probability that an infected person may spread the disease to a susceptible individual is greatly decreased. "Community immunity provides indirect protection to children who may be too young for certain vaccinations or have other health problems that prevent them from being immunized, yet are still susceptible to the disease" (Statcher 6.) According to the CDC research suggest that the
It is a disorder that is connected to abnormal biology and chemistry within the brain and is genetically a problem. Also, autism appears within the first three years of life. A child can seem developmentally normal and meeting all milestones that are age appropriate and then begins to regress; hence autism is a regressive disorder. The increase of autism in children is due to the new types of the disorder. For example, cancer has various types, breast, prostate, leukemia, bone, lung, etc. Autism has a wide spectrum as well from moderate, where the individual has hyperactivity and unable to focus on one given task while a more sever type would include a non verbal person along with behavior problems and may be violent. "Other pervasive developments disorders include: Asperser Syndrome, Rhett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder" (Signs of Autism 5.) Most autistic patients are sensitive to sensory and have an increased senses, such as touch. In an interview with a pastor whose son is autistic, explains his child's diagnosis. At birth, Pastor adopted a little boy. At eighteen months during the routinely visit at his pediatrics clinic he inquired his physician about some behavioral issues that he was concerned about. Not only was his son throwing violent tantrums but unlike other autistic children he