Jenny McCarthy, Autism And Vaccines: Former 'Playboy' Star Slams Rumors About Autistic Son, Evan

Jenny McCarthy’s son, Evan, has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But a viral hoax began to circulate on the Internet over the weekend that claimed that “The View” host’s 11-year-old son Evan was misdiagnosed. The blonde bombshell and former "Playboy" model took to Twitter to address the phony story and slam the accusation that her son does not have autism.

"Stories circulating online, claiming that I said my son Evan may not have autism after all, are blatantly inaccurate and completely ridiculous," McCarthy tweeted on Friday. "Evan was diagnosed with autism by the Autism Evaluation Clinic at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital and was confirmed by the State of California (through their regional center). The implication that I have changed my position, that my child was not initially diagnosed with autism (and instead may suffer from Landau-Kleffner syndrome), is both irresponsible and inaccurate."

She continued: "These stories cite a 'new' Time Magazine interview with me, which was actually published in 2010, that never contained any such statements by me. Continued misrepresentations, such as these, only serve to open wounds of the many families who are courageously dealing with this disorder. Please know that I am taking every legal measure necessary to set this straight."

McCarthy had Evan with ex-husband John Asher in 2002. She’s been widely criticized for her outspoken views on immunizing children, which is why many people were taken back when they heard the false story that her son didn't even have ASD. The idea that childhood vaccinations like the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) shot may cause ASD in some otherwise healthy children first started in 1998 with the publication of a fraudulent paper in The Lancet, a medical journal, and the former "Playboy" model is one of the people who believes parents should not give their little ones these vaccinations.

There is no scientific proof to back McCarthy’s view on this matter, and instead she has been condemned by many for influencing young mothers to refuse it for their children. There was an outcry when she joined “The View” because many thought she would use the new platform to advocate skipping immunizations. Though she does talk about her son, she hasn't talked about her controversial belief on "The View."

The star, 41, is currently dating “Blue Bloods” star Donnie Wahlberg. The two shared a New Year’s Eve kiss at midnight in Times Square, and McCarthy has been quoted as saying she wouldn’t be surprised if they got married one day. During an episode of “The View,” she said her new beau is “nothing short of awesome” with her son.

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