A recent issue of Time magazine, dated June 2, 2008, highlighted a well written article entitled “How Safe are Vaccines?”  As a professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, a field in which a main emphasis is data-based, objective decisions - I know that at this point, the data does not support a causal relationship between vaccinations and autism.  However, as a mom of a young son, I will admit that as the 18 month appointment drew near, I was anxious about the vaccinations.  The article in Time magazine did an excellent job emphasizing the risks of eliminating vaccinations.  Also discussed was statistical information in regards to the rate of autism.  The rate of occurrence of autism has not declined even with the elimination of thimerosal, the mercury-based compound, from vaccinations back in 2001.  

 As a parent, I encourage other parents to have discussions with the professionals that work with their child.  Many physicians are more than willing to identify a compromise with vaccinations.  For example, after speaking with my son’s physician, we opted to spread out the vaccinations over a few months time so that he didn’t receive them all at once.  As a professional, I encourage parents to research information from reliable sources to make the best possible decision for your child. 

Amber Bruns
Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst
Behavior Coordinator