Washington Post Omits Historic Date, Important Information, From Autism Key Dates List

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Washington Post Omits Historic Date, Important Information, From Autism Key Dates List

The Washington Post has published a list of Some Key Dates in Autism History. The list has an important omission and is inaccurate or misleading on some controversial assertions. The

article also repeats, without qualification, some oft repeated official

positions that are not entirely accurate or are subject to serious

dispute.1) 1987 Lovaas Study On Effectiveness of ABAThe article, by Brittney , makes no mention of the publication in 1987 of the Lovaas study

indicating that 90% of children substantially improved when utilizing

Applied Behavior Analysis, compared to a control group with close to

half attaining normal IQ and testing within the normal range on

adaptive and social skills.2) Alleged Thimerosal Removal2000

In response to broad government concerns, vaccine makers remove

thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, from all routinely given childhood vaccines.That statement is not entirely accurate. As stated by Dr. Schecter, lead author of the recent California epidemiological study on rising autism incidence:"Autism rates increased consistently ... throughout this period, despite the exclusion of mercury from nearly all childhood

vaccines,"[bold highlighting added -HLD]As for Haley's argument that some children still might be getting some mercury from vaccines, Schechter said that could be true."I would not claim that children are getting no mercury from vaccines," Schechter said."- Lexington Herald Leader, February 4, 20083)

2004 IOM Report - No credible evidence of a link between thimerosal and

autism . . . or between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. 2004: The Institute of Medicine, which advises the government on scientific matters, finds no credible evidence of a link between thimerosal and autism . . . or between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. The 2004 IOM report and the processes used in preparing it have been criticized; including recently by former NIH Head Dr. Bernadine Healy

who stated that the IOM expressly discouraged research and

investigation of a possible vaccine/thimerosal link to autism and that

the IOM report authors did so because of fear of vaccination rejection

by the general population. Dr. Healy's contentions appear to be

supported by some of the IOM report statements at page 152.4) Autism Spike2007: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

reports autism affects 1 in 150 children. Medical experts say the

changed number reflects better detection, broader diagnostic criteria

and increased public awareness -- not a spike in the disease. Some

medical experts attribute the spike entirely to diagnostic criteria

change and increased public awareness ...... and some do not. Research

is continuing into possible environmental causes of autism and their

potential contribution to current rates of autism diagnosis.5) Bettelheim's Refrigerator Mother Theory1971:

Eminent psychologist Bruno Bettelheim promotes the "refrigerator

mother" theory, which holds that "cold," unurturing parents, especially

moms, are to blame for autism. The article describes

Bettelheim as an eminent psychologist and makes no mention of the fact

that his "theory" is totally discredited today .... or to the harm that

it caused to families.All in all, a less than sterling effort by Brittney and the Washington Post.