(Springfield, MO) -- About a decade ago, a study that linked the MMR vaccine and Autism rocked the medical world and some say it also did a lot of damage.    

Many parents heeded Dr. Andrew Wakefield's warnings, by foregoing the vaccine and possibly exposing children to the viral infection.

It's a part of every parents' life, when their child asks their first question.  For Ruth Dunigan, it was a big part.  

"When your kids is three to four years old, hasn't spoken for two years, and says 'Where are the spoons?' you remember that," says Dunigan.

Her son, Isaac has autism.  She remembers when she started noticing changes.

"Two months after he got his fourth DPT shot, he was like 19 months.  By 21 months, it was like the light went off.  He quit eating.  Quit sleeping, talking.  He quit doing everything," says Dunigan.  

DPT is the Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussus vaccine.  Ruth says that's the reason Isaac developed Autism, regardless of new information coming to light.  

"For us, hands down, that's how come Isaac has Autism is because of the mercury in his vaccine.  I don't think you can convince us otherwise," says Dunigan.  

"At this point, we have mounds of data that says vaccines do not cause Autism," says Dr. Robert Steele.  

Dr. Steele is concerned about how many children went without because of Wakefield's report.  

"My biggest concern is parents forgo immunizations, that forgo not only protecting their child, but other children not immunized put others at risk," says Dr. Steele.  

He says he understands concerns of parents and hopes they open up communication with their pediatrician about vaccines.  Dunigan says parents should speak with their pediatrician before the vaccine is given and do research on the batch number of that vaccine.

Click here to learn more about the MMR vaccine.