That pattern of blaming mothers set the stage for later false claims. In the 1990s Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist, alleged that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused autism. Recycling harmful false claimsWhen people in positions of power claim, without evidence, that an everyday substance is linked to autism, it inevitably sows doubt. Myths that outlive the evidenceEven when false claims are debunked, their impact can persist for years. Instead of asking “What causes autism?”, the more useful question is how to create a world that supports autistic children and adults.