The assertion that vaccines cause autism is not just harmful misinformation; it's a damning falsehood which demeans and disparages individuals with autism. This disseminated junk science reduces funding for essential education, and therapeutic services thus compromising the lives of people with autism significantly. Furthermore, by causing parents to refuse vaccination, it puts other children at risk of severe, preventable diseases.

Research shows that there's absolutely no credible evidence to suggest that vaccines cause autism – this was affirmed by a 2013 CDC study (DeStefano, F., Price, C. S., & Weintraub, E. S., 2013). Despite this, the false narrative continues to be perpetuated. As a result, measles, an illness almost eradicated by vaccination, has seen a frightening resurgence.

This misinformation has dire consequences, not just for the autism community, but for public health as a whole. By perpetuating these lies, we risk the spread of preventable diseases. Those most vulnerable—infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised—bear the brunt of these effects.

Join us in urging our lawmakers and the media to fight this misleading narrative straight on. We demand increased public education about the benefits and safety of vaccines. We also insist on greater respect for the autism community, refraining from misleading associations that only serve to stigmatize, harm, and limit their ability to reach their true potential.

It's time to stand against this dangerous misinformation. Sign the petition. Ensure the health, dignity, and funding of services of individuals with autism.