Oregon Public Broadcasting

The controversial question of what causes autism is headed to a federal court.  Two Portland boys figure prominently in the case.

Some parents of autistic children claim that a mercury-based preservative, thimerosal, causes autism.

The families want compensation from a government fund, but attorneys first will have to prove that thimerosal caused the autism.

Jenny Schoonbee is the president of the Autism Society of Oregon.  She concedes that there's no proven scientific link between thimerosal and autism.  But Schoonbee says she believes there is one.  Schoonbee say autism can leave families strapped for cash.

Jenny Schoonbee: "The cost of the medical treatment that these children need and the rehabilitative therapy that they need is astronomical.  Much of which is not covered by insurance.  So it's leaving parents financially devastated."

Schoonbee said she believes her son regressed into autism after receiving a flu vaccine.

The case is scheduled to last through May, with a final decision months after.

The maximum compensation allowed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is $250,000.