In the past 20 years, the number of children diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically. Along with it have arisen many theories as to why this so-called “epidemic” is occurring.

During the same period of time, the number of parents vaccinating their children also increased, so a group of people began to draw a correlation between the two; however, correlation is not causation.

Vaccines work by exposing the body to bacteria or a foreign invader that causes a specific sickness in small amounts, so the immune system can become accustomed to fighting off that disease. This can sound pretty scary, especially the thought of exposing a young baby to diseases to protect them in the future. It seems counterintuitive, but this is just the way the body works.

When the immune system recognizes a foreign invader, it creates a specific protein called an antibody to fight off those germs. Once the antibodies are produced, and even after the disease is gone, the antibodies remain in the bloodstream. This means that if a disease were to re-enter the body, the antibodies that could fight it off would already be in a position to do so.

The anti-vaccine movement claims that in young children and babies, the ingredients in a vaccine negatively interfere with the brain chemistry; thus, stunting the brain development, which causes autism. The extremists in the anti-vaccine movement insist that doctors know of the dangers that lay in vaccinating children but do so anyway because it is a multi-million dollar industry.

The most important thing to know is that there is no evidence that supports the claim that vaccines cause, or increase, the chances of being diagnosed with autism. But, let’s ignore that fact for one second.

On the very large list of things that can kill someone, autism is not on that list. HPV, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, mumps, rubella, varicella- these are all things that can kill and/or cause extreme sickness, especially in children.

Autism is not a bad thing to have. In comparison to death, it is the preferable option by a long shot. For whatever reason, a negative social stigma surrounds this diagnosis. This is a social stigma that individuals with autism should not be judged on.

According to the CDC, one in 68 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. It affects people of all countries, ethnicities and backgrounds. Many individuals on the autism spectrum are fully capable of living a “normal” life and, often times, it is undetectable.

For the anti-vaccine movement to insinuate that the risk of death is preferable to the risk of autism is a clear indication of ignorance, on many levels. Choosing to not vaccinate on the grounds that autism is a possible outcome is to ignore the significant strides that science has made in the past few decades and the achievements of individuals on the autism spectrum.