Identifying and Avoiding Autism Cults

[HuckleB]

http://www.blogher.com/identifying-and-avoiding-autism-cults

"A child's autism diagnosis can really mess with parents' heads. Media portrayals of children with autism and their adult spectrum-mates dwell almost exclusively on negatives and challenges, so when a parent is told that their child is autistic, they are usually incredibly upset.

It doesn't help when doctors lack the bedside manner to soften the emotional impact of their diagnoses, or have no information about contemporary autism therapies and resources. When that happens, parents are both freaked out and flapping in the wind. Their child's doctor was supposed to give them answers and guidance, but instead upended their lives, then shoved them out the door. No one can explain why they have an autistic child, and they know nothing about autism. They are emotionally reeling, angry with the medical establishment, and hungry for any information that will help their child.

Most parents start researching autism treatments, and quickly become overwhelmed by competing approaches, therapies, and programs. There is no primary autism authority to direct them, so the parents' decision-making process becomes fueled by desperation. Their critical thinking skills degrade as they are asked to decide between evidence-based approaches that take time and effort, and unsupported testimonials promising recovery, and even cures. And they're still looking for someone to blame, even as they search for answers.

They are perfect targets for autism cults.

..."

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A very strong, well-researched, well-thought-out piece from an author with some very direct experience in this area.


:hi:

[MineralMan]

1. Oh....you're gonna get it....

It's gonna be bad...duck you head!

[foxfeet]

2. This will end badly.

:popcorn:

[HuckleB]

5. It's possible.

The recs have certainly gone up and down already.

:shrug:

[Chemisse]

8. Why would anyone object?

No matter where people stand on these volatile topics, everyone should agree with this.

[trotsky]

3. Lots of people have a really tough time with uncertainty.

They absolutely cannot accept that we don't know the precise causes of autism, and that we don't have a "cure."

Out of that frustration, they'll often latch on to someone who DOES claim to have an answer - wrong though they may be - because at least they have that "certainty." Once they become wedded to the answer (and/or therapy), they'll defend it to their dying breath despite any and all facts to the contrary - much like a religion.

We see it in this forum all the time.

On edit, I should add... they're already at work unreccing this. :rofl:

[paulsby]

6. good analysis nt

[rateyes]

4. As a Special Education Teacher all I can say about this article is

that's it's a damned good article.

[Chemisse]

7. Very insightful

I feel terribly sorry for these parents.

[semillama]

9. excellent first-hand account

Thanks for posting.

[alp227]

10. K&R for standing up to those alternative medicine scam artists

Those goons exploit desperate emotion more than help the patients. Why did Congress ignore these criminals during the health care reform debate? A good idea would be for more government crackdown on alternative medicine. Because...it's pseudoscience.