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We’re here to help.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to address your unique needs and provide the best possible care for your child’s neurodevelopmental journey.

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Teaching for a stronger community.

We are here to equip learners with the essentials skills needed to create positive change in the lives of people with developmental differences.

Learn more

Researching for a better tomorrow.

Our goal is to unlock discoveries that will revolutionize the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses.

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Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment

205 Portland Street, Columbia, MO 65211

573-884-6052

November 29, 2018

Dr. Paul Offit Visits the Thompson Center

By Emily Morrison

Thompson Center faculty and staff were pleased to welcome Dr. Paul Offit to the center for a question and answer session with the vaccination advocate. Paul Offit is a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and an expert on vaccines, immunology, and virology. He is the co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine that has been credited with saving hundreds of lives every day.

Dr. Offit speaks with two Thompson Center faculty members

Offit says that the false and erroneous connection between autism and vaccines caused many people to question vaccinations, however since that connection has been scientifically debunked by dozens of studies, that false perception has thankfully begun to dissipate.

Thompson center staff and faculty listen to Offit

“On average, our lifespans as Americans are 30 years longer than they were 100 years ago,” Offit said. “That is almost entirely due to vaccinations and improvements in sanitation.”

While in Columbia, Offit also addressed the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care faculty, staff and students in large lecture.

Two Thompson Center faculty discuss vaccinations with Offit

Offit is the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology, professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the director of the Vaccine Education Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He has been a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Dr. Offit has published more than 160 papers in medical and scientific journals in the areas of rotavirus-specific immune responses and vaccine safety as well as several books advocating for childhood vaccinations.

a photo of Offit's new book, "Bad Advice"