Autism and its cause
Some parents of children with autism believe that there is a link between measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and this disorder. But there is no sensible reason to believe that any vaccine can cause autism. Typically, symptoms of this disorder are first noted by parents as their child begins to have difficulty with delays in speaking after age one. MMR vaccine is first given to children at 12-15 months of age. Since this is also an age when autism commonly becomes apparent, it is not surprising that autism follows MMR immunization in some cases. However, by far the most logical explanation is coincidence, not cause-and-effect.
(Adaptado de www.quackwatch.com/03HealthPromDtion/immu/autism.html Acessado em 22/03/2008.)
a) Qual seria, para alguns pais, a causa do autismo de seus filhos?
b) Por que esses pais teriam tal crença?