It seems "common knowledge" that rates of autism spectrum disorders have increased dramatically in recent years. Some attribute the increase to MMR vaccines, which became available in the late 20th century. However, recent research suggests the apparent "increase" at the base of the anti-vaccine movement is an illusion: the prevalence of autism in adults is the same as the prevalence in children born after 1990.
These findings come from the first major study to address the prevalence of ASDs in adults. The study also found that even among adults, autism rates are steady across all age groups. This discredits the wave of concern over vaccines administered to children, first sparked by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in 1998. The British General Medical Council is currently investigating Dr. Wakefield for professional misconduct, as allegations have been made that his studies were assisted by a lawyer preparing suits against MMR manufacturers, involved unnecessary and dangerous operations on participating children, and reported autism onset dates inconsistent with the children's medical records.
You can read a press release about the study here.
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