Media Watch Letters

ASAT Responds to UM-Flint NOW: “UM-Flint’s Officer Friendly Day promotes positive interactions between autistic people and law enforcement.”

November 18, 2024 Dear Ms. Oak: Thank you for your article titled “UM-Flint’s Officer Friendly Day promotes positive interactions between autistic people and law enforcement.” We were delighted to read that the University of Michigan-Flint provided a platform for individuals with autism and their families to connect with law enforcement! Although the event has passed,…

ASAT Responds to The74: “America’s Most Popular Autism Therapy May Not Work — and May Seriously Harm Patients’ Mental Health”

November 25, 2024 Dear Ms. Hawkins, I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), we are writing in response to your article, “America’s Most Popular Autism Therapy May Not Work — and May Seriously Harm Patients’ Mental Health.” We appreciate the time and research you…

ASAT Responds to the Mayo Clinic Press: “Autism: Diagnosis before kindergarten has therapy benefits”

Dear Nick Johnstone, We recently had the opportunity to read your insightful article, “Autism: Diagnosis Before Kindergarten Has Therapy Benefits,” and wanted to commend you for highlighting the critical importance of early intervention in autism care. Your thorough exploration of the benefits associated with early diagnosis and intervention for both children and their caregivers is…

ASAT Responds to the Skeptical Inquirer: “A Life Shattered by Pseudoscience”

Dear Skeptical Inquirer, The human costs of pseudoscience are profound, heartbreaking, and far-reaching. Not only do these false and unproven interventions divert individuals from treatments that genuinely help, but they also drain precious resources—time, money, and even hope. And then there are interventions, like Facilitated Communication, that more directly cause harm not just to those…

ASAT Responds to People Magazine: “Family of Girl with ‘Profound Autism’ Worried She Wouldn’t Get Proper Therapy — Now She’s Graduating High School”

Dear Ms Adams, Thank you for this fascinating profile of a teenage girl in West Virginia, who was able to graduate from high school after a history of medical and developmental challenges stemming from her premature birth:  “Family of Girl with ‘Profound Autism’ Worried She Wouldn’t Get Proper Therapy — Now She’s Graduating High School.”…

ASAT Responds to Stillwater News Press: “Bill proposes adding optional autism designator on driver’s license, state-issued IDs”

Dear Ms. Marshall, Thank you for your recent article discussing the new initiative in Oklahoma to add autism identifiers on state-issued IDs. You are spot on when you indicate that law enforcement officials need tools to identify and communicate with individuals with autism safely and effectively. Given the growing rate of autism in the United…

ASAT Responds to NewJersey.com’s: “‘Surrounded by fighters’: Hawthorne school behaviorist plays role in autism book”

Dear Mr. DeVencentis, In the spirit of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, we at the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) extend our heartfelt appreciation for bringing Thalia’s inspiring journey to the forefront in your recent article, “Surrounded by Fighters.” This story is a celebration of a family coming together and doing what it…

ASAT Responds to Boston University Today: “Helping Autistic Adults Have Healthy Relationships”

Dear Ms. Bouranova, Thank you for your article titled Helping Autistic Adults Have Healthy Relationships. The article highlighted the HEARTS course, a creation of Professor Emily Rothman, chair of occupational therapy at the College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Sargent College. HEARTS offers online classes to autistic adults, providing them with the tools to…