As this week's Learning Resources attest, debate rages among doctors, scientists, parents, and other child advocates on the cause or causes of autism spectrum disorders in children. Most prominent is the ongoing controversy over whether or not mandatory childhood vaccines cause autism. Despite assurances from doctors that vaccines are safe, court decisions ruling that vaccines do not cause autism, and a 2011 report by the British Medical Journal that deemed the cardinal study linking autism and vaccines "an elaborate fraud," some people remain unconvinced. In this Discussion, you will reflect on the roots of the controversy and how the Learning Resources have shaped your own opinion on these issues. Consider the following:

What are your thoughts on the vaccine controversy? Why do you think such fear and skepticism persist among some parents even though the vast majority of doctors and scientists maintain there is no link between vaccines and autism?

Do you think this skepticism and fear are warranted? Why or why not?

Do you think parents have the right not to vaccinate their children? Why or why not?

With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.
Post a description of your thoughts on the vaccine controversy, including why you believe many parents remain fearful that vaccines cause autism despite scientific evidence to the contrary. In addition, explain why you think parents do or do not have the right to refuse vaccinations for their children. Be sure to use the Learning Resources to support your thinking.

Authism Speaks. (2015). What We've Learned About Autism. Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

Article: Baker, P. H., Murray, M., Murray-Slutsky, C., & Paris, B. (2010). Faces of autism. Educational Leadership, 68(2), 40-45.

Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.

In this article, the authors describe different ways that autism spectrum disorders can present themselves in students. Focus on the wide range of behaviors that may be associated with autism spectrum disorders as well as strategies professionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorders can employ.

Article: Saunders, J. (2010). Overwhelmed by autism. State Legislatures, 36(9), 36-39.

Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.

Article: Mooney, C. (2009). Vaccination nation. Discover, 30(6), 58-75.

Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.

In this article, Chris Mooney examines the ongoing controversy surrounding vaccines as possible causes of autism. Focus on why the controversy persists despite court rulings and scientific findings indicating vaccines do not cause autism.

Article: Grant, A. (2010). Vaccine phobia becomes a public-health threat. Discover, 31(1), 18-19.

Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.