YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Vaccinations and autism?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Vaccinations and autism? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:02:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Rambling Ann on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-958600 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:07:26 +0000 Rambling Ann 958600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's heartrending for parents with autistic kids to try to look back at all the decisions they made pre-diagnosis and find some way to blame themselves as if they could have prevented the brain from wiring up autistically.  On the other hand, there have been huge outbreaks of measles in Utah because a isolated segment of the population, known for their extreme religious beliefs, has issues with vaccinations. We know that their and other kids will suffer and some will die needlessly because they just aren't as isolated a population as they'd like to think.  We have a friend, a childhood polio victim and now wheelchair user. I have no doubt he would have chosen a vaccination with its risks over paralysis. Raisin, in the unlikely event your kid ends up with autism, it won't be your fault. Sounds like you are attentive and engaged and have a good partnership with you pediatrician. Most kids should be so lucky. RoseandJoan on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-956809 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:15:05 +0000 RoseandJoan 956809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irene, the widely disputed research indicated the MMR vaccine could trigger or cause autism in previously healthy children and because parents would never wish for their child to suffer a percentage avoided vaccinations altogether, the effects of which we are only starting to see. Irene on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-956029 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:58:43 +0000 Irene 956029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, I'd never heard autism could cause reactions to vaccines. I know little about autism (probably nobody knows much), but I always thought it had to do with one's mind (from what I studied, the guessing pointed to a disability in the linguistic spectrum, not understanding that we are all individuals with individual thoughts and thus having difficulties when communicating). Unless, of course, a patient has other medical issues as well, which happens more often than we would like. No idea why your son reacted to the vaccine, but maybe he just did just because he is sensitive to vaccines (aside from having autism). My sister also has medical issues (both mental and physical) but if she happened to be allergic to pollen, I wouldn't think it was because of her main illness. Just that, well, she was allergic to pollen too. No clue whether he should take another shot, maybe you should wait for a while, but I'm no doctor. ETA: Also, could it be possible that children with autism are more prone to vaccine sensitivity because they don't understand what is going on, can't communicate their fears, and this causes them stress and thus unwanted reactions? Just taking a guess here and trying to understand where the relationship autism-vaccine comes from... Anonymous on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-955382 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:18:18 +0000 Anonymous 955382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also don't think autism is caused by vaccines. My DD, my first child, had terrible reactions to all her immunizations in her first year (rash, fever, hours of screaming, swollen needle site) Today she is 16, getting her drivers license, and applying to uni in December, no signs of any long term effects,,,,,except eye rolling at everything I say Kristin L on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-954938 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:47:04 +0000 Kristin L 954938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't read any of the other responses yet, but you need to read "The Panic Virus" by Seth Mnookin. He provides a great explanation of the history of vaccines, the autism/vaccine controversy, and why research has proved that there is no credible link between vaccines and autism. It's a very easy read. Mnookin doesn't dumb down the science, but he's very good at explaining to lay people who have 0 medical training and explaining why scientists are horrible on tv. :) One of the things he goes into is the doctor who most people believe started the rumor had had his license revoked for abuse of ethics and he had a competing vaccine he wanted people to use (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield</a>)! One of the big things with the paper he put out is that no one could replicate his work and get the same results. In my opinion, very few others have done as much to hurt modern medicine as this guy.  Unfortunately, autism is disease that no one still understands why or how it happens. Lots of people want to jump on one this and say this is the cause, but unlike a bacterial infection, we can't point out 1 thing and say that this caused it. Its that way with a lot of sciences, unfortunately.  I'm sorry your baby doesn't feel well, though!  Scarlet on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-954844 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:03:34 +0000 Scarlet 954844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would just add to the discussion that the Dr. Sears book on vaccinations seems pretty rational and up to date. I found it to be a helpful perspective. sarah on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-954529 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:30:41 +0000 sarah 954529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rae - I'm glad Isis, IK, and others chimed in. There is NO PROVEN LINK between autism and vaccinations. The doctor who made the claim has done a great disservice to the world, as measles is now making a comeback, when we thought at one time that we'd gotten rid of it, thanks to scared parents who haven't gotten their children vaccinated. But, to reiterate what Isis said, everything that he has claimed has been proven fraudulent. My sister-in-law is an epidemiologist who works on measles, and you should just hear her go on about Wakefield (or maybe you shouldn't!). My son had a measles-type rash all over his torso and a fever after his first MMR - it's totally normal. Not to worry! ironkurtin on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-954487 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:34:42 +0000 ironkurtin 954487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just dashing back in to say that the "vaccines may cause death" thing is because they have to say that. When you test a vaccine or a new medicine, *any* physical symptoms someone exhibits has to be listed as a possibility, even if there is no way it is caused by the drug. For example, if someone gets the stomach flu during an skin-only acne drug test, the approved drug information *has* to say it *may* cause vomiting and fever, because someone had vomiting and fever during the test. The two aren't linked, but there you are. So, take that "death" text with a grain of salt. Vaccines overwhelmingly save lives.  You don't want your child (or anyone else's!) getting measles, mumps, or rubella, or meningitis, or anything else horrible. These are diseases that once killed or damaged many, many children.  The odds that vaccinations cause autism are tiny, despite the loud presence of many online.  The odds that shots will give your child immunity to a life-threatening disease, however, are extremely high.  I know which way I bet. ironkurtin on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-954475 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:21:15 +0000 ironkurtin 954475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have not read the other responses yet.   There is no proven link between immunizations and autism.  Immunizations happen at certain ages, and the onset of diagnosable autism behavior also happens at those ages.  But it is not causal, just developmental. If you have concerns about immunizations or your baby's reactions to them, ask your doctor - I've found my pediatricians very helpful and knowledgable and not at all keen to push medications and treatments "just because." ManidipaM on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism/page/2#post-954274 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:07:13 +0000 ManidipaM 954274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love Rachy's comment. Note too that the original UK research looking for precipitating factors just found measles virus in the intestinal lining of some autistic children. That they came from vaccination is mere hypothesis. They may as well hv arrived naturally and hung around because the child was vulnerable to start with! The other related scare of mercury is now a non-issue in tge US. It's not a component any more. MMR also has bad press from the older formulation that caused a reaction in those with egg allergy. Again, problem now solved. Think reviewing vaccine info online is a minefield not only due to bias (autism symptoms even in unvaccinated children show up around the age vaccines are given) but also because statements are made with an agenda beyond the facts on every side. Brcause they are trying to counter fear that leads parents not to vaccinate, even doctors or policy makers elide important caveats: possibke reactions and after effects like your sons, that they (like most meds) do not work 100% of the time---some kids still get the disease but milder versions... result unfortunately is that people hear absolutes (vax child never falls sick or T least with given disease) and find exceptions (so they think) and then decide they are being lied to through and through. rachylou on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-954209 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:50:37 +0000 rachylou 954209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's interesting about "genetic diseases." I'm type 1 diabetic and that's "genetic." But, I learned, only something like 10% of type 1 diabetics have any family history of it. "Genetic" usually carries certain connotations of determinism, heritability, and internality - i.e. of being hardwired - even amongst doctors and scientists, who will yell at you for having children if you have a "genetic disease." But so-called genetic diseases don't, obviously, work like that necessarily. To manifest, they indeed may require an external trigger or stressor - or a combination of them. Like a pathogen - which you do receive through vaccinations. Having "a vulnerable gene" is not enough for manifestation, and that's a very important point. Medicines can change things. However, the likelihood of any of the routine vaccinations we have being the cause of diseases like type 1 diabetes and autism is, I should think, rapidly approaching zero. No doubt the triggers are something yet to be identified in any way. Put it another way, things working at the genetic level is different than being "genetic." ramya on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-954032 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:26:58 +0000 ramya 954032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am no where knowledgable or experienced... But what I remember from my pre med classes(Yes, I was preparing for a career in medicine.. only to complete it and join engineering instead). I thought autism was genetic... So technically medicine can't change it... (Vaccination is considered to be medicine). Now if a child already "had" the genes, may be it can enhance it... If you get what I mean here Also reactions to vaccination is normal... You build the antibody by your immune system reacting to the vaccination and your body remembering, "Aha this is how we do it"... I know as a mom it's hard for you to see your child suffer.. But I guess it's there with a purpose :( Adelfa on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953884 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:26:15 +0000 Adelfa 953884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Raisin, I won't say more about the autism connection because it seems like that's been treated thoroughly. I will say that DD1 had no reaction to her shots but DD2 did. She ran a fever, her little thigh swelled up to twice its normal size, and she screamed for hours. It broke my heart. And it happened every time. It was really hard to have something done to her that made her suffer like that. I hated it. So I feel for you having just watched your son have trouble. It's really hard. Echo on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953838 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:06:41 +0000 Echo 953838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My mom still remembers the polio outbreaks during the summer when she was a child. It is easy to forget that polio paralyzed or even killed so many children such a short time ago - all the way through the 1950's and there continued to be outbreaks into the '70's.  My DS2 was in the NICU for a while and there was a baby in the NICU with pertussis (whooping cough). That alone was enough to scare the bejeebers out of most parents. My point is that there are diseases like polio that are completely eradicated (in the US, at least) and most other childhood diseases are so rare now that it is easy to forget the risk the diseases pose. The reason they are eradicated or rare is because of vaccines. I think there would be far fewer people questioning the risks versus the benefits if we all feared polio season again. Almost without exception, doctors support vaccination. There is a reason for that, and it is because they see the results of NOT vaccinating and they know what the research indicates. The ruling of a court is based on the judgement of laypeople and not physicians and doesn't hold a candle to the studies proving time and again that there is no link between vaccinations and autism. If your dr. is comfortable with it, I wouldn't hesitate to slightly alter the schedule, though, if your DS has had a reaction. I think that's reasonable. Make sure he is completely healthy and feeling well before he receives another shot. But please don't let this deter you from further vaccinations when it is appropriate. Raisin on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953613 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:59:51 +0000 Raisin 953613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I forgot to mention my doctor did echo what someone said above, that he sort of feels like a small reaction is a good thing, in that it actively makes the body immune to the disease. Sara L. on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953592 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:41:13 +0000 Sara L. 953592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Speaking of pertussis...I had it last summer.  I'm pretty sure I got it from a kid in my son's preschool that wasn't vaccinated.  My son didn't get it because he's had all his vaccinations.  I didn't realize my last vaccination had been so long ago and my doctor assumed they had given me a booster in the hospital when my son was born, as that's apparently standard practice.  Luckily, pertussis is much less serious for healthy adults than it is for children.  I just had a cough that lasted for weeks, even after taking the prescribed antibiotics.  Needless to say, my pertussis vaccination has been updated. Raisin - I hope your son does ok with his booster shot.  My kids never got rashes but were usually unusually sleepy and lethargic after getting their vaccinations. Raisin on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953581 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:31:11 +0000 Raisin 953581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ He did not mention the singles as being an option, but I could probably ask when it get's nearer to his vaccine time.  I guess in the meantime I should do some reading and see if that is a better plan for kids that have already had a small reaction.  I'm wondering if it works like food allergies, and sometimes the first reaction is mild, but subsequent reactions can be more severe? RoseandJoan on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953562 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:15:27 +0000 RoseandJoan 953562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If the triple MMR vaccine is concerning you would having the single vaccines be an option when the time arises? Raisin on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953558 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:12:40 +0000 Raisin 953558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you all for the responses.  The truth is, it makes me feel better to know that a small reaction does happen fairly often.  While I do believe that the original research linking the 2 was truly bad research, I still have a hard time just ignoring all of the "gut feelings" that so many mothers of children with Autism have.  However, I do feel it is as Chewyspagetti put it, "it's a genetic disposition paired with other risk factors that may culminate with an event."  And I am sure there are many routes to the outcome of Autism.   I don't think we have a clear idea on the contributing factors to this yet.   So onto the update.  DS saw the doctor today and he said he feels it's a fairly mild reaction he had to the vaccine.  He does not feel there is any risk in him getting any further vaccines, but if I'm worried about him having a reaction when he is due for the 18 month MMR then he would allow me to get it done at the hospital under the care of a Paediatrician.  I guess that would just be in case he had a more severe reaction next time, and if it were to happen immediately.   I don't think he would, but I guess we'll decide what to do when that time rolls around.   For today, he did indeed have his other vaccine, as the doctor felt it was fine and there was no additional risk with this vaccine, despite him still having a slight rash from the last one.  So he was jabbed, and he's feeling good now, hopefully nothing else crops up over the next few days! ETA - Pertussis has been back in full force over the winter here too.  Thankfully DS was not around too many children while I was home, and he has had his shot now.  I was scared that his older brother could have brought it home from school though.  Thistle on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953552 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:10:03 +0000 Thistle 953552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ On a side note to Gaylene and Zap, Pertussis is huge issue here, too: <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/wisconsin-sees-widespread-outbreaks-of-pertussis-k95asl7-150670105.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.jsonline.com/featur.....95asl7-150</a> You have already gotten tons of good information on vaccinations.  Vaccines do not cause autism. I really would listen to your doctor and your mother's instinct. They go to school for a long time to know what's best. And your own instincts have been honed by nature for a long, long time :) If you think you should hold off a bit, and so does your doctor, that should be totally fine.Most vaccines if they are delayed a week or two won't really matter to efficacy. RoseandJoan on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953547 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:00:15 +0000 RoseandJoan 953547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Same in the UK with both measles and whooping cough, there needs to be a 90% take up rate to offer mass protection and at present the rate is closer to 80% in some areas. Blanket statement not aimed at the forum I think this generation of Mum's have not experienced an epidemic of these childhood diseases and therefore a significant proportion downplay the implications of not immunising their child. Anonymous on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953539 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:51:06 +0000 Anonymous 953539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Side note to Gaylene, we are having the same problem here. There is a huge ongoing campaign. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/whooping-cough-cases-set-record-york-2012-165200661.html" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/whooping.....00661.html</a> Aziraphale on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953529 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:27:29 +0000 Aziraphale 953529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry, Raisin, I must have read your original comment too quickly.  I agree that if he still has a bit of a rash, just hold off.  Do the vaccination later.  I'd err on the side of caution anyway and make sure each dose is well spaced out from the previous one.  Actually, my daughter ended up way off schedule with her vaccinations because we moved from California back to BC Canada when she was two, and I got all mixed up about what was to be done when and frankly kind of forgot about it because we were so busy for that first year back home.  So some of her booster shots were done quite late -- like, a year late -- and it was not a problem.  But do read what Isis said above.  Read the article she linked to.  She is correct in that the research was declared fraudulent.  It is very, very unlikely that vaccinations trigger autism.  The reality is that autistic behaviours often turn up in children right about when they are due for their booster shots.  Correlation does not equal causation. Also, both my kids have had rashes and short-lived fevers from their shots.  There was no further problem.  If you are concerned about the fact that your son still has a rash, maybe it would be prudent to discuss it with your family doctor?  I'm sure he/she will be able to advise you.   Chewyspaghetti: what you say is true.  There is a small risk of a massive reaction leading to death with most vaccines.  But the risk is incredibly tiny.  There is a small but real risk of death when you get in an airplane, too, but that doesn't stop most people from taking vacations in Hawaii.  :-) Isis on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953454 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:24:49 +0000 Isis 953454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Andrew Wakefield, the doctor that started the idea that MMR is associated with autism has been debarred and his research declared fraudulent.  Despite what you read on the internet, I have yet to see a single credible study supporting his theory.  Wikipedia has a great summary of the case: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield</a> For rubella, one of the biggest dangers of rubella is not to the infected child, but to pregnant moms that are exposed.  Huge incidence of stillborn deaths and congenital blindness and deafness in pregnancies that survive. Your doctor sounds prudent; I would ask him/her about whether delaying vaccination after a bad reaction.  I would also seek his/her advice about supplementing with Vitamin D, especially since this is a fat-soluble vitamin.  Gaylene on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953430 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:58:43 +0000 Gaylene 953430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Reactions to vaccinations are not uncommon. I'd suggest talking to your pediatrician if you are worried about a possible connection to autism or if delaying the next injection is a good idea. The scholarly journals are unanimous in de-bunking the connection, but the Internet is always circulating opinions that are based on personal assumptions and dodgy science. It's no wonder that parents get worried about whether or not they are making the right decisions for their children. Measles, mumps, rubella, and pertussis can be life-threatening diseases for young children and I, for one, am extremely grateful that these diseases have become rare enough to give some people the luxury of forgoing vaccinations without having to deal with any consequences.  That situation, however, may be changing. A recent resurgence of pertussis in our area resulted in a couple of newborns contracting the disease; the disease was horrible for both infants, with one of them ultimately dying from the disease. It was a tragic loss that didn't need to have happened. Glory on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953389 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:27:50 +0000 Glory 953389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I believe that the link with vaccines and autism has been proven completely false and that those links were never based on scientific evidence. Many children have reactions to the vaccines - some more than others. One of my children suffered so much, for about one week, whereas the other 2 had no ill effects. You should photo the rash, and talk to the doctor. It might be something in the formulation which he is reacting to. It could also be he is just sensitive. Isabel on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953368 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:11:37 +0000 Isabel 953368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with RandJ completely.  My son is also on the Spectrum ( what used to be called Asperbergers ).  I don't believe that vaccines had anything to do with it and there is a lot of science proving that.  The fact that autism overwhelmingly occurs in boys, points to a number of factors.  It was obvious to me that my son wasn't even trying to make eye contact as a baby.  I couldn't agree more with R&J.  Take all that out of the picture and what you have is a child who is not feeling well. I would also feel uncomfortable adding another stress to his immune system right now : the shot.  He really should recover from the first, IMO.  Unless they are timed and HAVE to be done within a certain time period to be effective.  Check with the doctor first.  (Personally, I believe that vaccines are important to avoid massive diease breakouts like in the old days when thousands of people would die at a time. We see what happens in places where there are no vaccines. However, if your child is having reactions to them, then I think that you and your pediatrician should think about it and  re-group .  ) rachylou on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953367 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:09:49 +0000 rachylou 953367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think... I think I would not go on anything based on Italian court rulings. Remember that town in Italy that suffered an earthquake awhile back? The Italian legal system found six scientists guilty of manslaughter for not predicting the earthquake and gave each 6 years in jail. As for holding off, you should check that doing so wouldn't weaken the effect / mean having to basically start the vaccination process over. RoseandJoan on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953361 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:58:22 +0000 RoseandJoan 953361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can only speak from personal experience, DD had the MMR at 18 months and the 2nd MMR in her pre school year and also has a formal diagnosis of autism, however, she was showing autistic traits long before the vaccine but not to a degree that I was overly concerned. If your son is still feeling unwell from the first vaccine I would not hesitate to delay the follow up appointment. I personally would wish for my child to be in the best possible health before the procedure. chewyspaghetti on "Vaccinations and autism?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vaccinations-and-autism#post-953333 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:09:38 +0000 chewyspaghetti 953333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I don't think it was a good thing for him. My personal belief is that a myriad of factors all have to line up to produce Autism (and my son is so high functioning that he doesn't even have a label anymore). I think that's why they haven't found the "cause" yet- it's a genetic disposition paired with other risk factors that may culminate with an event. Anyhow, it doesn't even really matter how it came about- he already had it, I just focused on getting him to function as well as possible- which really worked out for us.