The Real Causes of Autism

At present, the causes of autism have not been accurately determined. This question still remains a subject of many studies. However, there are many stereotypes and misconceptions about this issue. In particular, one should discuss the belief that vaccination leads to this neural disorder.The Real Causes of Autism Research Paper

On the whole, it is possible to argue that this concern is not justified because there is no verified evidence which can demonstrate the connection between these phenomena. Moreover, current studies indicate that this disease might be triggered by genetic causes or infections. These are the issues that should be discussed more closely.The Real Causes of Autism Research Paper

To a great extent, this false belief can be traced back to the notorious MMR vaccine controversy in 1998. In particular, there were several studies which indicated that the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella could cause various types of autism (Mesmere, 2007, p. 95).

Since that time, many parents became very suspicious of vaccines. Nevertheless, later research showed that these findings were inaccurate or even fraudulent (Mesmere, 2007, p. 95). These findings could be attributed to the misinterpretation of statistical data or the flaws of research methodology (Mesmere, 2007, p. 95).

Researchers also note that parents often detect the signs of autism when their child reaches the age of 18 months. In turn, the vaccination is performed at the age of approximately 15 months (Mesmere, 2007, p. 95). This temporal association between the two events is probably the main reason why parents are so concerned about the risks of vaccination.