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Media Watch Letters
Source Dear Editor: Thank you for your recent article in which you share the study by Fein and colleagues of the exciting claim that some children with autism may “recover completely” (“Some With Autism Diagnosis Can Overcome Symptoms, Study Finds,” January 16, 2013). Their study is the most thorough scientific investigation to date of…
Dear Editor: Your January 2, 2013 article brought attention to the growing numbers of children diagnosed with autism—and the struggles families face in locating and obtaining effective treatment services. It also highlighted the increasing role technology has played in therapeutic contexts, such as the use of MP3 players like iPods. The article stated that autism…
Source Dear Ms. Pittman: We want to thank you for your informative piece on the ineffectiveness of chelation therapy in children with autism–particularly its emphasis on the risks involved and the lack of scientific support (“Chelation Doesn’t Help Kids with Autism,” December 21, 2012). You accurately summarized the current status of chelation as an…
Source Dear Ms. Gilman: As individuals affiliated with the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), we were eager to read your op-ed, “Don’t Blame Autism for Newtown.” The public is all too painfully aware that the shocking tragedy in Newtown, CT on December 14, 2012 resulted in the loss of 27 lives—including the…
Source Dear Ms. Keefe: With great interest, we read your article entitled, “Autistic Child Finds Comfort from Non-Traditional Therapy” (December 13, 2012), regarding reflexology’s supposed success in treating a child with autism. We appreciate your attention to this topic. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects an entire family as well as the individual, and often…
Source Thank you, Jordan Gass-Pooré, for your November 18, 2012 piece on sensory integration therapy (SIT). The Association for Science in Autism Treatment’s Media Watch initiative monitors mainstream media to identify published information about autism and autism treatment, and we provide critique where needed, as well as our praise to journalists writing objectively and…
Source Dear Mr. Drezner, It is a sad day when it takes a journalist to suggest to parents that administering bleach (via any orifice) to our children is not a good idea. In your article, “The Curious Case of Autism and MMS” (June 14, 2012), you showcase the dangers of pseudoscience and the unregulated…
Source Dear Ms. Dador, Thank you for your news story and subsequent online article, “Aquatic therapy center helps those with autism, open to all” (September 17, 2012). As a single mother of twin boys with autism spectrum disorder, I am always interested in hearing about meaningful recreational experiences for children with autism. Given the…
Source Dear Mr. Massey, We read with interest your article titled, “Surf Event Serves as Therapy for Kids with Autism” (The Daytona Beach News-Journal, July 29, 2012). Upon first reading this story, we were impressed with Surfers for Autism (SFA), a non-profit organization which holds surfing events in various cities around the world for…
Dear Ms. Nolasco, Thank you for your article, “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is healing many ills,” in which you gave an overview of the current medical benefits provided by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for conditions such as decompression illness and potential amputations due to diabetes. You also indicated that there are some conditions where there is…
Source Dear Ms. Gardner, Thank you for your article, “Pets May Help Kids With Autism Develop Social Skills,” and for highlighting the fact that young children with autism, like other children, may enjoy and benefit from having a pet in their home. As with many articles about autism treatment, this is a heartwarming story,…