I was disappointed with the conventional, outdated perspectives that were the sole focus of this report. It's time to stop relying so heavily on the Autism Speaks behemoth to provide insight into autism. Their perspective is narrow, rigid, and excludes the most important of all perspectives: those of autistic people themselves.
Times are changing, and 'where America stands on Autism' is changing too. We are shifting away from a disease-cure model to a difference-accommodations model and that shift is long overdue. Eliminate the autism gene? You'll make it more convenient for parents and schools who won't have to strive to find ways of embracing and accommodating autistic differences, but you'll also say goodbye to the important scientific and technological advancements brought to you by autistic achievers throughout history.
I'm the mother of one - and possibly two - autistic boys, and Autism Speaks doesn't speak for me, or for them. It's time to broaden the conversation.
Something the news team also failed to touch on is the disparity of treatment. Among the many methods available for treatment and education of people with autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has become widely accepted as one of the most effective treatments. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General states, "Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behaviors. The goal of behavioral management is to reinforce desirable behaviors and reduce undesirable ones."
Controlled trials have shown ABA therapy to be effective for improving social skills and language when provided for at least 25-40 hours per week for 2 years (Lord & McGee, 2001). Unfortunately, very few children receive this type of intensive intervention.
For some reason the media continues to focus on alternative forms of treatment when we should all be demanding intensive ABA.
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Times are changing, and 'where America stands on Autism' is changing too. We are shifting away from a disease-cure model to a difference-accommodations model and that shift is long overdue. Eliminate the autism gene? You'll make it more convenient for parents and schools who won't have to strive to find ways of embracing and accommodating autistic differences, but you'll also say goodbye to the important scientific and technological advancements brought to you by autistic achievers throughout history.
I'm the mother of one - and possibly two - autistic boys, and Autism Speaks doesn't speak for me, or for them. It's time to broaden the conversation.
Controlled trials have shown ABA therapy to be effective for improving social skills and language when provided for at least 25-40 hours per week for 2 years (Lord & McGee, 2001). Unfortunately, very few children receive this type of intensive intervention.
For some reason the media continues to focus on alternative forms of treatment when we should all be demanding intensive ABA.
Bonnie Arnwine, National Autism Resources