Autism and Immunization

There have been many concerns lately about a purported link between childhood immunizations and the development of autism. Autism is a disorder which causes impaired socialization and problems with communication, and people with autism often exhibit highly repetitive behavior. Some parents of autistic children believe that there is a link between immunizations and the development of autism.

If your child has been injured or harmed as the result of insufficient medical care, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511 today

Is There a Link?

While many parents believe there is a link between immunizing and autism, there is no known medical or scientific evidence to support this claim. The generally accepted medical reason for autism is genetics – although whether the disorder is caused by a genetic mutation or a rare combination of common genes is a matter which is still being debated.

Many doctors believe that the perceived link is actually due to the fact that the first symptoms of autism become noticeable at about the same age children begin receiving immunizations – between ages 2 and 3. Some advocates say that immunizations have caused an increase in the number of detected autism cases (about 2 in 1,000 births, or 6 in 1,000 across the entire spectrum of autism disorders). This perceived rise is instead caused by better testing methods, which diagnose people who in the past might not have been considered autistic.

Contact Us

While there does not appear to be a link between autism and immunizations, there are a host of other injuries and conditions that children are exposed to because of carless and negligent medical practices. If your child has been harmed by negligent medical care, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today by calling 610-667-7511.