Autism and Vaccines
Hi friends,
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and currently work with learners on the Autism Spectrum, ages 2-21. I have my Masters in Special Education and a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
If you’ll oblige me, I’d like to share some scientific truths about this misinformation.
20 years ago, 1 in 150 individuals were diagnosed with ASD.
As of 2024, 1 in 36 individuals were diagnosed with ASD.
Why the increase? We have learned so much about Autism that we are now able to diagnose it better! Our criteria for diagnosis has changed as well. Asperger’s and ASD used to be labeled under different diagnoses. As of the DSM-5, the two diagnosis now fall under the same umbrella of ASD and are categorized together, increasing the ratio of individuals with this diagnosis.
Although not explicitly said in this specific message from Trump, RFK believes that ASD is caused by vaccines. Trump has agreed with this sentiment in other messages that he has posted on social media.
So, do vaccines cause ASD? No, vaccines have never been linked to a diagnosis of ASD. Current studies and literature indicate that there is no relation between the two.
If vaccines don’t cause Autism, then where does this misinformation come from? Andrew Wakefield conducted a case study in 1998 with 12 individuals that have ASD. His study concluded that vaccines cause Autism. All of the information he reported on was altered and manipulated to get the conclusion he wanted. His research paper was discredited, could never be replicated by others, and was retracted by the scientific community. Wakefield lost his medical license for this misinformation, but it still does damage to our community today.
Why should you care? Misinformation about vaccines can harm our community. If individuals do not get their children vaccinated, we no longer have herd immunity (when large groups of people are vaccinated against a disease, it is less likely to spread). Widespread disease will come back and infect those around you, eventually impacting your family and relatives. Standing up to misinformation is so important.
Please make sure you fact check anything that is being said. It is the only way that we can move forward and progress in our society. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you for reading!
Hi friends,
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and currently work with learners on the Autism Spectrum, ages 2-21. I have my Masters in Special Education and a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
If you’ll oblige me, I’d like to share some scientific truths about this misinformation.
20 years ago, 1 in 150 individuals were diagnosed with ASD.
As of 2024, 1 in 36 individuals were diagnosed with ASD.
Why the increase? We have learned so much about Autism that we are now able to diagnose it better! Our criteria for diagnosis has changed as well. Asperger’s and ASD used to be labeled under different diagnoses. As of the DSM-5, the two diagnosis now fall under the same umbrella of ASD and are categorized together, increasing the ratio of individuals with this diagnosis.
Although not explicitly said in this specific message from Trump, RFK believes that ASD is caused by vaccines. Trump has agreed with this sentiment in other messages that he has posted on social media.
So, do vaccines cause ASD? No, vaccines have never been linked to a diagnosis of ASD. Current studies and literature indicate that there is no relation between the two.
If vaccines don’t cause Autism, then where does this misinformation come from? Andrew Wakefield conducted a case study in 1998 with 12 individuals that have ASD. His study concluded that vaccines cause Autism. All of the information he reported on was altered and manipulated to get the conclusion he wanted. His research paper was discredited, could never be replicated by others, and was retracted by the scientific community. Wakefield lost his medical license for this misinformation, but it still does damage to our community today.
Why should you care? Misinformation about vaccines can harm our community. If individuals do not get their children vaccinated, we no longer have herd immunity (when large groups of people are vaccinated against a disease, it is less likely to spread). Widespread disease will come back and infect those around you, eventually impacting your family and relatives. Standing up to misinformation is so important.
Please make sure you fact check anything that is being said. It is the only way that we can move forward and progress in our society. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you for reading!