Is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) linked with MMR immunisation?
It has been suggested that the incidence of autism and ASD has increased since the introduction of MMR vaccine, particularly involving a presentation of intellectual deficit in children who were developing normally previously, with onset after MMR vaccination . The true incidence of autism is uncertain, since the diagnostic criteria have changed over recent years, and children whose conditions were diagnosed as other than autism in the past are now likely to be included within ASD. Autism with developmental regression was well recognised before MMR vaccine became available, and children may present in this way with signs of regression being recognised both before and after receipt of MMR vaccine. The first signs of an autism-like disorder generally appear in the second year of life. This coincides with the time when most children will receive their MMR vaccine. Such coincidence does not imply a causal link. Since autism has never been linked with measles vaccine, and the only differenc
