A MOTHER who believes the MMR jab caused her son's autism has contributed to a book all about the issue.

Deborah Nash saw the first symptoms of autism in her son David on July 9, 1994 - just four days after he received the vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

This led the 48-year-old, who lives in Tredegar Road, Wilmington, to believe the jab caused the condition in her son, who was 13 months old at the time and is now 14.

She said: "I honestly believe the MMR jab caused it because he wasn't born autistic.

"He was happy and bright and doing all the usual things.

"He slept well and was walking at 11 months. We had absolutely no concerns about him."

Mrs Nash believes parents of children who developed the condition after getting the vaccination are not being listened to by the Government.

Frustrated by this, she and other parents have united to write a book voicing their opinions.

Mrs Nash wrote chapter seven of Silenced Witnesses, which was published in March.

In it, she describes her experiences of caring for David and her frustration at the Government's refusal to begin research into the repercussions of the jab.

She wrote: "There is little hope of finding a cure' for regressive autism unless and until there is properly funded clinical research into the victims."

If research found the MMR jab had caused autism, the Government and pharmaceutical companies responsible may have to pay compensation to its victims.

Mrs Nash believes this may be the reason why they are reluctant to research the link between the jab and autism.

She wrote: "For many I think the cost of doing the right thing is just too high."

Mrs Nash hopes the book will raise awareness of the issue among the general public and put pressure on the Government to investigate it.

The MMR jab is a mixture of three weakened viruses injected into babies, usually aged around one, to make them immune to measles, mumps and rubella.

The Department of Health website says: "There is currently no scientific evidence available to support the suggestion of a link between MMR and autism."

For details on the book, visit cryshame.com