Society claims we have an epidemic on our hands. In the last decade the number of reported children living with Autism has risen to 1:150. What is Autism? Why the sudden rise in cases? To begin Autismspeaks.org, describes autism as a “neurobiological” spectrum disorder that affects a child’s communication and social skills. In addition the children are distinguished as having a tendency towards “repetitive” or at times obsessive behaviors. No concrete cause of autism has been identified, but researchers as well as the public continue to explore different theories. The theory that Vaccines containing Thimerosal cause Autism received mainstream attention in 1999. This idea is incorrect. Autism is not caused by Vaccines. The questionable data and experts stating there is a link, the history of the diagnostic criteria, and the numerous peer reviewed scientific studies proving there is no link supports this statement.
Some background
To begin, many link the early nineties and the rise in Autism to Vaccines. The evolution of Autism and its diagnostic criteria is important when exploring this. Jeffrey Baker identifies in his article “"Mercury, Vaccines, and Autism: One Controversy, Three Histories. ”that Dr. Leo Kanner of the John Hopkins University first formally recognized Autism in 1943. Dr. Kanner identified what he called “infantile autism.” The characterizations he observed of social withdrawal, language delay and “obsessive desire for the maintenance of sameness.” are similar to those we still use today. In this early part Of history Autism was thought to stem from lack of parental interaction. The term “refrigerator mother” was used to paint an inaccurate portrait and cast blame on parents of these children.
In 1965, Psychologist Bernard Rimland disgrarded the idea of “refrigerator mothers”, and theorized a biological root was the cause of this disorder. The previous theory that autism was a result of neglectful parenting was put to rest as new ideas came into play.
Modern day research classifies Autism as a spectrum disorder. This “spectrum” includes five disorders with varying degrees of impairment. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV) names these as: Autism disorder, Aspergers disorder, Pervasive Developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Retts Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Diagnostic criteria vary. The DSM IV classifies these disorders as similar in that they affect normal development of communication, social, and/or “imaginary” play.
Speculation of a vaccination link to autism began to take shape in 1997 when congress mandated the Food and Drug Administration conduct an extensive review on mercury containing substances. According to Baker they found amounts of ethyl mercury, the preservative contained in Thimerosal, exceeding the amounts allowable for methyl mercury in child vaccinations. Following this The Environmental Protection Agency urged The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to push for removal of Thimerosal-containing Vaccines. Having limited knowledge about ethyl mercury, they chose with haste to take this precautionary measure. This action sparked a belief within much of the Autism community that the cause and increase of this disorder lay in vaccines especially those containing Thimerosal. The belief remains despite numerous studies and research since then showing no link between autism and vaccines. The truth of the matter is change in diagnostic criteria and growing awareness has sparked an increase in diagnosis, not cases.
Evolution of criteria
To fully understand the importance in the history of Autism the evolution of the diagnostic criteria must be fully explored. In the article “History of Autism in the DSM” it explains that despite Autism being identified in 1943; the first edition Diagnostic statistic manual of mental disorders (what doctors use to diagnose patients of mental disorders) released in 1952, as well as the second edition released in 1968, categorized Autism not as a disorder of its own, but as a symptom of Childhood Schizophrenia. The third edition released in 1980, put Autism in a category of its own but required six out of the six symptoms listed to be present in order to warrant a diagnosis. The fourth edition released in 1994, finally gave each of the five disorders on the spectrum their own separate diagnostic criteria. Unlike the previous editions strict guidelines children only had to display six out of sixteen symptoms to warrant a diagnosis of Autism. For many years Autistic children were likely being misdiagnosed due to rigid diagnostic guidelines, and a lack of understanding of the spectrum of disorders. The release of the new diagnostic manual is a rational explanation for this autism “epidemic” or rise in cases, rather then Vaccines containing Thimerosal.
