“Charlatans to the Rescue” (says the WSJ)
Another review of Dr. Paul Offit’s Autism False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure, in the September 23rd Wall Street Journal, by Linda Seebach, a Minnesota writer whose 30-something-ish son only sought a formal evaluation for Asperger’s Syndrome a year ago.
(Yes, I know what you see to the left is not the cover for Dr. Offit’s book—–keep reading.)
I wanted to highlight this point made by Seebach, whose Wall Street Journal review is entitled Charlatans to the Rescue:
Just as autism is being found more often, so, it seems, are dubious explanations for the source of an illness that so far has defied medicine’s attempts to find its origins. The parade of “false prophets” began lining up soon after the disorder was defined.
Seebach cites Bruno Bettelheim and his promulgation of the very infamous “refrigerator mother” theory of autism; facilitated communication and Dr. Andrew Wakefield are also mentioned. Seebach, along with Dr. Offit,
……wonders why parents who distrust scientists and public health officials for refusing to admit that vaccines cause autism — after all, they don’t — “haven’t been similarly skeptical of the vast array of autism therapies, all of which are claimed to work and all of which are based on theories that are ill-founded, poorly conceived, contradictory, or disproved.” Good question.
Worthy of some good answers and I gather we’re going to get a few maybe-not-exactly reponses because today is the day that Jenny McCarthy’s autism book #2 is (Jenny! we hardly knew ye) published—-yes, make way for Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds.
Yes, I have yet to read McCarthy’s new book but, ’tis true, I am one who finds the jab of (even a digital) pen mightier—-momm-y-er—than a warrior’s sword, or secret dietary and nutritional supplement regimen (even the in-the-works lifestyle brand Too Good that’s to bear the imprimatur of Jenny).
At least, that’s what my instinct tells me.
Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, Books, disabilities blog, disability, healing, Health, immunization, jenny mccarthy, measles, mercury, mmr, Myth, Parenting, paul offit, pdd-nos, Science, shots, Vaccines, warrior mother
4 opinions for “Charlatans to the Rescue” (says the WSJ)
M
Sep 23, 2008 at 8:21 am
“why parents…haven’t been similarly skeptical of the vast array of autism therapies”
Unfortunately, the idea of these things make some parents feel better. The people who sell these therapies…and books like McCarthys…frame everything in an us-versus-them mentality. This mentality is really what they’re selling, more than any product, therapy or book. I could be wrong (or maybe I’m just making too obvious a point), but it appeals to frustrated parents looking for someone to blame.
Mean old doctors…sinister corporations…brave underdogs fighting the system; it just taps into old, old narratives that make sense of the world, give people a comforting role to play.
Conversely, accepting the diagnosis…accepting that we’re not sure what causes it…and beginning a life-long effort to find effective therapies and coping strategies for one’s child: it’s just too calm and reasonable. Needs a villain. I say we throw in a devil with a pitchfork, just to make it more appealing to people.
Jess
Sep 23, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Truly wonder what my parents would do with today’s panoply of causes and treatments. As my brother approaches his senior years, it matters less and less. What matters is having a good life. Because my brother is the age he is, I am completely on the sidelines with all the “healing” controversy, but I do know that when I hear about someone needing to be cleaned out, I freak (OK, was not impressed with McCarthy at all). Would like to read some of these books. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 23, 2008 at 8:52 pm
@Jess, It was a couple of years ago that leading a good life became the main focus of my concerns for my son. Is there anything that’s been especially helpful and important for your family, in seeking this for your brother?
@M, I think you are on to something by pointing out that “us vs them” mentality; I do think parents who are hurting and confused can find it………. healing? empowering? to find some “other” (that devil) to cast their ire upon.
But it ends up being displacement and denial, I think.
Jess
Sep 24, 2008 at 9:11 am
Good question–complicated answer. It’s hard to separate what my parents tried to do from the culture of that time (essentially a closed society. . .no deviation allowed). In many ways, my brother had more freedoms than kids today; in other ways, by being treated “normally” he was burdened with expectations he could not always meet.
Looking back, I’d say the most helpful thing was giving him the tools other people get to have (for example, going to school, playing an instrument, learning to type, riding public transit). The least helpful thing was my parents not acknowledging that the person doing those things wasn’t the same other people. My brother could have used some interventions to improve his social skills and manage behaviours that arouse people’s curiosity and suspicion (hand-flapping, which could turn into a complete body flap, biting himself). . .especially as he got to be a teen. He was certainly completely aware of being teased and picked on. Also, out of all the great goals my parents had for my brother, living independently wasn’t at the top of their list. They just assumed my brother would live with one of his siblings. Today, however, he has his own apartment in a building with a supported living program. Again, Kristina, I think some of these things are just cultural norms that may not apply today.
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