In this episode of Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind, Mark Ingrassia examines recent claims from President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggesting a connection between vaccines and autism.

Mark asks a simple question: Where’s the evidence?

The episode looks at decades of research involving hundreds of thousands of children, including large studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews examining the MMR vaccine, thimerosal, and vaccination more broadly. The research has consistently found no evidence that vaccines cause autism.

Mark also discusses why rising autism diagnoses do not automatically establish a cause, the retraction of the original 1998 vaccine-autism study, and the importance of distinguishing legitimate scientific questions from conclusions made before the evidence is available.

Most importantly, this conversation is about families. Parents need accurate information, qualified professionals, meaningful services, and support—not fear, confusion, or unnecessary guilt.

We should continue researching autism. We should ask difficult questions. But we also have to be willing to follow the evidence.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Trump and RFK Jr.'s claims about vaccines and autism
• What decades of research actually show
• The MMR vaccine and autism
• Thimerosal and vaccine safety
• Why autism prevalence alone doesn't establish causation
• The impact of misinformation on families
• What policymakers should be focusing on instead

Don't follow the person. Follow the evidence.

RESOURCES & SOURCES

• Hviid et al. (2019), Annals of Internal Medicine — Nationwide study of MMR vaccination and autism involving more than 650,000 children. MMR Vaccination and Autism: Nationwide Cohort Study
• Madsen et al. (2002), New England Journal of Medicine — Population-based study examining MMR vaccination and autism in more than 500,000 children. Population-Based Study of MMR Vaccination and Autism
• Taylor, Swerdfeger & Eslick (2014), Vaccine — Meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies examining vaccines and autism. Vaccines Are Not Associated With Autism: Meta-Analysis
• DeStefano & Shimabukuro (2019), Annual Review of Virology — Review of the evidence surrounding the MMR vaccine and autism. The MMR Vaccine and Autism
• Price et al. (2010), Pediatrics — Study examining prenatal and infant exposure to thimerosal and autism risk. Prenatal and Infant Exposure to Thimerosal and Autism
• World Health Organization (2025) — Global expert review reaffirming that available evidence does not show a causal relationship between vaccines and autism. WHO: Vaccines and Autism Evidence Review
• Autism Science Foundation — Evidence-based information and research on vaccines and autism. Autism Science Foundation: Autism and Vaccines
• Disability Scoop (August 12, 2026) — Michelle Diament, “Doctors, Advocates Call Out Trump For Claims About Autism.” Disability Scoop: Doctors, Advocates Call Out Trump For Claims About Autism

Visit specialedrising.com for more resources and information.

Question everything. Demand evidence. Listen to autistic people. No Parent Left Behind.