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Media Watch Letters
Source Dear Dr. Willis: Thank you sharing your important article, “Science or bunk: How to tell the difference” (Northern Illinois University Today, January 18, 2011). I applaud your insight and believe your thoughts are of particular relevance for individuals with autism and those who care about them. This population is one that is desperate…
Source Dear Ms. Tsouderos: We commend you on your continued campaign to inform the public of the empirical scientific evidence behind baseless claims regarding both the cause of and interventions for autism (“When the Evidence Is Conclusive,” January 30, 2011). It is vitally important that the media take responsibility to get the facts straight…
Source Dear Mr. Lauerman, I applaud your January 16 correction of Salon’s 2005 article (“Deadly Immunityâ€) which asserted a connection between the use of thimerosal in vaccines and the rise of autism. This purported association has now been thoroughly debunked. It is important that the media take responsibility to get the facts straight. You…
Source Dear Mr. Picard, For consumers without training in research methodology and practices, evaluating scientific evidence related to one’s health can be a daunting task. It is not unreasonable for consumers to assume, however, that the researchers who conduct such research are presenting information that is accurate, objective, and gathered using high levels of…
Source Dear Mr. Augenstein: Thank you for your story, “Apple iPad, iPod Touch Might Help People with Autism Take Steps toward Independence” (January 3, 2011). I want to commend you for balancing the potential utility of this technology to promote independence, while exercising caution that it is not a “magic bullet.” Equally important is…
Source Dear Ms. Sacks: Thank you for taking the time to help educate people about what it is like to have a child with autism in your article entitled “Swinging the Outcome” (http://www.contracostatimes.com/education/ci_16906297?nclick_check=1). We believe, however, that it is important for parents to be able to make informed decisions about interventions, and not rely…
Source Hats off to Melody McDonald for her article entitled, “Applied behavior analysis is autism treatment of choice, experts say” (November 27, 2010). Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is used successfully with many groups of people (not just persons with autism). However, particular ABA-based treatments, including early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) as discussed in Ms.…
Source October 27, 2010 Dear Ms. Shute, Thank you for your recent article in Scientific American: “Desperate for an Autism Cure” (October 2010). As behavior analysts, we have worked in the field of behavioral intervention for over 25 years combined, and have seen firsthand how parents are deceived by dubious “treatments” for autism. There…
Source Mr. Morganteen: We have been following this case for some time now. Although it has come to its conclusion within the court system, the impact of such crimes on these particular families is incomprehensible. When you entrust your child into the care of “professionals,” you should not have to worry about whether they are…
Source Dear Ms. Tsouderos: Parents of newly diagnosed children with autism seeking information on the Internet are bombarded by incredible claims associated with hundreds of treatments, most of which lack empirical support. What many of these treatments do not lack are proponents with an intense drive to maximize their profits – often at the expense…
Source I read with great interest your recent article about the state of services in New Brunswick (“N.B. Can Be a Leader in Autism Services,” September 14, 2010). I do beg to differ about the title of the piece. New Brunswick is already a leader. To have amassed 800 trained agents of change in…