Re: Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure Opponent Elder Robison

March 11, 2010

How old is that quote Harold? I've read several of his postings

a couple of years ago on his newfound curiousity of the possiblity of some

cases being caused by toxicity, heavy metals and environment. This was not the

case, I don't believe while he was writing his book, but I think he's changed

much of his stance on this over the years. He is even doing some testing at

MIT on some kind of MRI helping his social awareness, so he's even seeking out

helping himself in the areas of treatment. I'll look for some of the

references. I found his book to be very insightful into what my son is

thinking and my daughter and nephew also learned a lot by reading it. I'm not

a fan of AS, but I don't think this is a bad decision, I like him and I know

several other biomed moms/dads who also like him.

-

From:

EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of HaroldL

Doherty

Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 7:41 AM

To: Evidence of Harm

Subject: Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure

Opponent Elder Robison

Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure Opponent

Elder Robison

Elder Robison: All

of the science to date says autism is founded in structural differences in the

brain. Differences are stable things. They

are not diseases in need of a cure.

Autism Speaks web site:

Autism Speaks History:

" Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and

Suzanne , grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks

has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy

organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes,

prevention, treatment and a cure for autism. "

Our

Mission :

" We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the

causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism "

It is difficult for me to understand how the mission of

Autism Speaks to fund research into curing autism disorders can be reconciled

with the views of its new board member and scientific and research

advisor that autism can not, and should not, be cured, that the idea of curing

autism is ... science fiction.

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March 11, 2010

I now quite well. We had breakfast two weeks ago and he told me about his

opportunity with AS. He is not against treatment one bit. He fully realizes and

agrees that my girls, severely impaired, need treatment and even " cure. " He

doesn't want a cure for himself - that he has stated publicly. He begins his

presentations with the acknowledgement that autism is a spectrum and he's at the

top of the heap. He has said that there's too much genetics research which

might help a person in 100 years. He wants treatments NOW. His logic serves him

very well actually - and he is working with AS for a specific project that holds

real promise as a treatment for our children, the TMS therapy.

KIM

>

> How old is that quote Harold? I've read several of his postings a couple of

> years ago on his newfound curiousity of the possiblity of some cases being

> caused by toxicity, heavy metals and environment. This was not the case, I

> don't believe while he was writing his book, but I think he's changed much

> of his stance on this over the years. He is even doing some testing at MIT

> on some kind of MRI helping his social awareness, so he's even seeking out

> helping himself in the areas of treatment. I'll look for some of the

> references. I found his book to be very insightful into what my son is

> thinking and my daughter and nephew also learned a lot by reading it. I'm

> not a fan of AS, but I don't think this is a bad decision, I like him and I

> know several other biomed moms/dads who also like him.

>

> -

>

> From: EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of

> HaroldL Doherty

> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 7:41 AM

> To: Evidence of Harm

> Subject: Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure Opponent

> Elder Robison

>

> Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure Opponent

> <http://autisminnb.blogspot.com/2010/03/autism-speaks-welcomes-to-its-board.

> html> Elder Robison

>

> Elder Robison: All of the science to date says autism is founded in

> structural differences in the brain. Differences are stable things. They are

> not diseases in need of a cure.

>

> Autism Speaks web site:

>

> <http://www.autismspeaks.org/about_us.php> Autism Speaks History:

>

> " Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne ,

> grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown

> into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization,

> dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatment and a

> cure for autism. "

>

> Our <http://www.autismspeaks.org/mission.php> Mission :

>

> " We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes,

> prevention, treatments, and cure for autism "

>

> It is difficult for me to understand how the mission of Autism Speaks to

> fund research into curing autism disorders can be reconciled with the views

> of its new board member and scientific and research advisor that autism can

> not, and should not, be cured, that the idea of curing autism is ... science

> fiction.

>

> _____

>

> Looking for the perfect gift? <http://www.flickr.com/gift/> Give the gift

> of Flickr!

>

March 11, 2010

Thanks Kim. I think his wanting to be a bridge for the

differences in the community is extremely brave, and welcomed! I admire him

for taking this on. -

From: EOHarm

[mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of krstagliano

Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:36 AM

To: EOHarm

Subject: Re: Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure

Opponent Elder Robison

I now quite well. We had breakfast two

weeks ago and he told me about his opportunity with AS. He is not against

treatment one bit. He fully realizes and agrees that my girls, severely

impaired, need treatment and even " cure. " He doesn't want a cure for

himself - that he has stated publicly. He begins his presentations with the

acknowledgement that autism is a spectrum and he's at the top of the heap. He

has said that there's too much genetics research which might help a person in

100 years. He wants treatments NOW. His logic serves him very well actually -

and he is working with AS for a specific project that holds real promise as a

treatment for our children, the TMS therapy.

KIM

March 12, 2010

Mr. may well be brave and engaged in a courageous mission. If I recall

I had the pleasure of hearing him read from his bookand speak at an event

organized by Kim and hosted at my organization’s conference center few years

ago. His perspective was witty, intelligent and contained refreshing insights

about his condition and the human condition. So no doubt he is talented and

sincere.

But, Mr. Doherty makes some very powerful points in his blog post about Mr.

’s views and the role he assumes for himself for all individuals bearing

the autism label. I am not so sure that he has much in common with or is

interested in a child who cannot speak, has multiple physiological problems and

desperately requires effective but thus far elusive medical interevention. Mr.

and that child are a universe apart. Mr. may represent

legitimate interests but I don’t see how he represents that very medically

compromised and fragile child.

So, my best to Mr. and Autism Speaks in whatever it is they seek to

accomplish in the name of “autism.” Whatever that may be, it has little or

nothing to do - based on Mr. ’s very well articulated views - with the

interests and welfare of the that little boy who cannot speak.

I think Harold Doherty has provided a very important perspective on what is

happening with he addition of this new Board member of Autism Speaks.

Bob Krakow

>

> Thanks Kim. I think his wanting to be a bridge for the differences in the

community is extremely brave, and welcomed! I admire him for taking this on.

-

>

> From: EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of

krstagliano

> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:36 AM

> To: EOHarm

> Subject: Re: Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure Opponent

Elder Robison

>

> I now quite well. We had breakfast two weeks ago and he told me about his

opportunity with AS. He is not against treatment one bit. He fully realizes and

agrees that my girls, severely impaired, need treatment and even " cure. " He

doesn't want a cure for himself - that he has stated publicly. He begins his

presentations with the acknowledgement that autism is a spectrum and he's at the

top of the heap. He has said that there's too much genetics research which might

help a person in 100 years. He wants treatments NOW. His logic serves him very

well actually - and he is working with AS for a specific project that holds real

promise as a treatment for our children, the TMS therapy.

>

> KIM

>

March 12, 2010

" Hi, Kim, you know there's a treatment that might help your kid talk... Here's

how you can get involved. " sees very clearly the need for our severaly

impaired kids to improve and he has access to a new treatment that has proven to

work. I am no fan of most of Autism Speaks for many reasons, but if they will

take money out of their eye gaze and genetics studies and put it into a

non-invasive treatment that can help my Mia talk in sentences, or process my

speech into her ears properly, I'm not walking away from that. Is is " safe "

research? Sure. Harvard, no vaccine talk, not chelation - I get that. Bob, he's

a far cry from the man who appeared at that terrific event. He has treated his

own Asperger's with this new technology and has enjoyed changes of ameliorating

part of his Aspergers. He might not use the word " cure " - but I can't get stuck

on that. There is a much bigger picture in TMS that has great potential for our

kids. And AS will not steam roll him in any way. They need him far more than he

needs them. KIM

>

> >

> > Thanks Kim. I think his wanting to be a bridge for the differences in the

community is extremely brave, and welcomed! I admire him for taking this on.

-

> >

> > From: EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of

krstagliano

> > Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:36 AM

> > To: EOHarm

> > Subject: Re: Autism Speaks Welcomes To Its Board Autism Cure

Opponent Elder Robison

> >

> > I now quite well. We had breakfast two weeks ago and he told me about

his opportunity with AS. He is not against treatment one bit. He fully realizes

and agrees that my girls, severely impaired, need treatment and even " cure. " He

doesn't want a cure for himself - that he has stated publicly. He begins his

presentations with the acknowledgement that autism is a spectrum and he's at the

top of the heap. He has said that there's too much genetics research which might

help a person in 100 years. He wants treatments NOW. His logic serves him very

well actually - and he is working with AS for a specific project that holds real

promise as a treatment for our children, the TMS therapy.

> >

> > KIM

> >

>

March 12, 2010

Kim,

That’s great. I have no idea what TMS is and I will look into it. I welcome Mr.

’s promotion of a therapy that may help. If, however, the quotes

attributied to Mr. by Mr. Doherty on his blog post are accurate there

are serious legitimate concerns whether the group of children who have seious

medical problems and are severely impaired are being considered. The suggestion

contained in statements that diminishes the role of “father” (relegated to the

neutral and distant “caretaker”) is troubling. Again, not to disparage Mr.

in any way but Harold has some good points and I share his perspective,

being a similarly situated dad.

I look forward to learning more about TMS.

Bob

> " Hi, Kim, you know there's a treatment that might help your kid talk... Here's