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autism united statement on vaccinesThe position statement from Autism United coincides with other national disability organizations: vaccines do not cause Autism. This conclusion is supported by decades of scientific research and numerous large-scale studies involving millions of children worldwide. We encourage, support and advocate for State and Federal funding for more research into Autism Spectrum Disorder; facts and transparency will accelerate our efforts and positive outcomes.

Key points Autism United underscores:

  1. Scientific Consensus: Extensive research has found no causal link between vaccines, including the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, and Autism [1] [4].
  2. Public Health Messaging: It is crucial that public health messaging remains grounded in science to protect all communities [1].
  3. Respect and Support for Autistic Individuals: Public dialogue and policy must reflect the inherent value, rights and diverse needs of Autistic persons. It is critical to assign dignity and respect when speaking about any individual including those on the Spectrum.
  4. Evidence-Based Policy: Policymakers are urged to collaborate with Autistic individuals, families, researchers, clinicians and disability organizations to ensure policy is grounded in science and responsive to community needs [1].
  5. Addressing Needs: The focus should be on addressing the unmet needs of the Autistic community, including early diagnosis and intervention, access to treatment, mental health services, equitable healthcare, and education initiatives and experiences to enrich all the lives of individuals on the Spectrum.

Misconceptions and myths:

The myth that vaccines cause Autism originated from a now-retracted 1998 paper that falsely claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and Autism. Despite the retraction and subsequent studies disproving this claim, the myth persists among some groups [3].

Conclusion:

The stance of this organization and other national disability organizations emphasizes the importance of dispelling myths and focusing on the real healthcare needs of the Autistic community. Vaccines are a vital public health tool, and perpetuating myths about their safety does a disservice to the community by distracting from pressing healthcare needs. [2]

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