Vaccines+and+autism

  __Group One:__ //A relationship of vaccines to the etiology of ASD// Bridget Nichols, Deanna Armstrong, Amanda Lord, Nicholas Wilkins

**__Introduction__** :  A relatively new disorder, Autism presents many challenges to the medical and educational community. While interventions and service strategies have been studied for more than half a century now, etiology remains the biggest mystery surrounding the spectrum. Several theories have been explored, such as “refrigerator moms,” but many have been dismissed by the community. Researchers continue to search for a cause or even any clues as to the foundations of Autism.  One hypothesis suggests that common childhood vaccinations may be to blame for the high prevalence of Autism - as many as 1 in 100 American children. Although a causal link between vaccines and ASD has been reasonably eliminated, research continues to search for biological or genetic predispositions which may connect certain children with the presentation of Autism. Many researchers look at the presence of neurotoxins which are components of many vaccines, particularly the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot. Commonly given between the ages of 12 and 15 months, the MMR vaccine is said to have correlations with the onset of Autism in some children. The following presentation outlines the evidence surrounding childhood vaccination and its connection to the onset of Autism.  ARGUMENT ONE : ASD, Immunology and Neurodevelopment are connected

ARGUMENT TWO : **Autism May Be Caused by An Immune Response To A Virus** Headline from Science Daily November 3, 1998

ARGUMENT THREE  : Court Rulings on the connection between vaccines and autism